Preparations and properties of transformation products of pentachlorophenol (PCP)

The present paper describes preparations and properties of pentachlorophenol derivatives.     

Scrubbing intensification for sulphur and ammonia compounds removal

Operating conditions were optimised in a new compact scrubber in order to remove odorous sulphur (H(2)S and CH(3)SH) and ammonia compounds. The influence of the superficial gas and liquid velocities, pH, contactor length, inlet concentrations (sulphur compounds, ammonia, chlorine), and the mixing effects was characterised. Whereas abatement increased with velocities, pH and the chlorine concentration, an increase of inlet CH(3)SH concentration drove to a worse efficiency of process. Moreover, the contactor length and the presence of another pollutant in the gas phase only played a role on the methylmercaptan removal. Finally, the reactive consumptions were estimated at the outlet of the reactor. The chlorination by-product quantification permitted to understand the under-stoichiometry.     

Strength properties of concrete incorporating coal bottom ash and granulated blast furnace slag

Coal bottom ash (CBA) and fly ash (FA) are by-products of thermal power plants. Granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) is developed during iron production in iron and steel plants. This research was conducted to evaluate the compressive strength property and some durability characteristics of concrete incorporating FA, CBA, and GBFS. FA is used as an effective partial cement replacement; CBA and GBFS are used as partial replacement for fine aggregate without grinding. Water absorption capacity, unit weight and compressive strengths in 7, 28, and 90-day ages were assessed experimentally. For these experiments, concrete specimens were produced in the laboratory in appropriate shapes. The samples are divided into two main categories: M1, which incorporated CBA and GBFS; and M2, which incorporated FA, CBA, and GBFS. Remarkable decreases are observed in compressive strength and water absorption capacity of the concrete; bulk density of the concrete is also decreased. It can be concluded that if the content of CBA and GBFS is limited to a reasonable amount, the small decreases in strength can be accepted for low strength concrete works.     

Assessment and optimisation of VOC mass transfer enhancement by advanced oxidation process in a compact wet scrubber

Dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) removal was investigated in a compact scrubber (hydraulic residence time ≈20 ms), composed of a wire mesh packing structure where liquid and gas flow at co-current and high gas superficial velocity (>12 m s⁻¹). In order to regenerate the scrubbing liquid and to maintain a driving force in the scrubber, ozone and hydrogen peroxide were added to water since they allow the generation of nonselective and highly reactive species, hydroxyl radicals HO. Three ways of reagent distribution were tested. The influence of several parameters (liquid flow rate(s), ozone flow rate, pH and reagent concentrations) was investigated. The best configuration was obtained when ozone is transferred in the scrubbing liquid before introduction at the top of the scrubber simultaneously with the hydrogen peroxide solution, allowing to generate hydroxyl radical in the scrubber. With this configuration, DMDS removal could be increased from 16% with water to 34% at the same gas and liquid flow rates in the scrubber showing the potentiality of advanced oxidation process.     

Dynamisiertes Emissionskataster für den Freistaat Sachsen

A computer aided tool was created for the calculation of emission values in Saxony. It is based on the Geographic Information System ArcInfo and enables the emission values for past, present and future periods to be assessed. At present, the anthropogenic air pollutants SO₂, NO_x, CO, NH₃, NMVOC, TSP, CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O can be calculated by means of emission factors and statistical values. The tool is open to future expansions. The moduls represent the following emission groups: Power stations, large agricultural farms and large industrial plants as point sources, as well as transport, households, small consumer and the total emission of agriculture as area sources. The local resolution of emission values, the relationship of emission values to geographic or political territories, the inclusion of a high resolved digital street network, and the use of actual data concerning land use, density of population and density of build up areas are realized by GIS ArcInfo. The dynamic emission inventory can be used, alone or in conjunction with an atmospheric dispersion model, to assess trends in air quality.     

The effectiveness of digital soil mapping to predict soil properties over low-relief areas

This study investigates the ability of different digital soil mapping (DSM) approaches to predict some of physical and chemical topsoil properties in the Shahrekord plain of Chaharmahal-Va-Bakhtiari province, Iran. According to a semi-detailed soil survey, 120 soil samples were collected from 0 to 30 cm depth with approximate distance of 750 m. Particle size distribution, coarse fragments (CFs), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic carbon (OC), and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) were determined. Four machine learning techniques, namely, artificial neural networks (ANNs), boosted regression tree (BRT), generalized linear model (GLM), and multiple linear regression (MLR), were used to identify the relationship between soil properties and auxiliary information (terrain attributes, remote sensing indices, geology map, existing soil map, and geomorphology map). Root-mean-square error (RMSE) and mean error (ME) were considered to determine the performance of the models. Among the studied models, GLM showed the highest performance to predict pH, EC, clay, silt, sand, and CCE, whereas the best model is not necessarily able to make accurate estimation. According to RMSE%, DSM has a good efficiency to predict soil properties with low and moderate variabilities. Terrain attributes were the main predictors among different studied auxiliary information. The accuracy of the estimations with more observations is recommended to give a better understanding about the performance of DSM approach over low-relief areas.     

Economic evaluation of thermochemical conversion of municipal solid waste to syngas: a case study of Cape Town municipality

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Thermochemical conversions of the combustible components of municipal solid waste (MSW) minimize the emissions and net effects of greenhouse gas...     

Household waste behaviours among a community sample in Iran: An application of the theory of planned behaviour

Understanding the factors influencing recycling behaviour can lead to better and more effective recycling programs in a community. The goal of this study was to examine factors associated with household waste behaviours in the context of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) among a community sample of Iranians that included data collection at time 1 and at follow-up one year later at time 2. Study participants were sampled from households under the coverage of eight urban health centers in the city of Qazvin. Of 2000 invited households, 1782 agreed to participate in the study. A self-reported questionnaire was used for assessing socio-demographic factors and the TPB constructs (i.e. attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intention). Furthermore, questions regarding moral obligation, self-identity, action planning, and past recycling behaviour were asked, creating an extended TPB. At time 2, participants were asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire on self-reported recycling behaviours. All TPB constructs had positive and significant correlations with each other. Recycling behaviour at time 1 (past behaviour) significantly related to household waste behaviour at time 2. The extended TPB explained 47% of the variance in household waste behaviour at time 2. Attitude, perceived behavioural control, intention, moral obligation, self-identity, action planning, and past recycling behaviour were significant predictors of household waste behaviour at time 2 in all models. The fact that the expanded TPB constructs significantly predicted household waste behaviours holds great promise for developing effective public campaigns and behaviour-changing interventions in a region where overall rates of household waste reduction behaviours are low. Our results indicate that educational materials which target moral obligation and action planning may be particularly effective.     

Solid waste collection and recycling in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia: a case study.

The implementation of a suitable solid waste management programme with appropriate methods of recycling as an inherent element is vital to the alleviation of the problems associated with solid waste generation, handling and disposal, environmental conservation, public hygiene, etc. The present work is a case study on solid waste collection and recycling practices in Nibong Tebal town, Penang, Malaysia. The amount and types of domestic waste generated, household participation in recycling, identification of existing problems related to the implementation of the recycling programme, etc. formed the basis of this study. Surveys (interviews/questionnaires) and on-site observations were conducted to gather information on the solid waste collection and recycling practice of the residents. A focus group of 60 individuals was selected and their response to a questionnaire, prepared according to a Likert scale, was obtained and analysed. The majority of the respondents expressed concerns about recycling and wanted more to be done in this regard. Illegal collection, aesthetically displeasing sites and a lack of public awareness were problems of major concern. Issues related to inadequate funding and manpower as well as end market are also addressed and suggestions made.