Influence of different processing techniques on the mechanical properties of used tires in embankment construction

Use of the processed used tires in embankment construction is becoming an accepted way of beneficially recycling scrap tires due to shortages of natural mineral resources and increasing waste disposal costs. Using these used tires in construction requires an awareness of the properties and the limitations associated with their use. The main objective of this paper is to assess the different processing techniques on the mechanical properties of used tires–sand mixtures to improve the engineering properties of the available soil. In the first part, a literature study on the mechanical properties of the processed used tires such as tire shreds, tire chips, tire buffings and their mixtures with sand are summarized. In the second part, large-scale direct shear tests are performed to evaluate shear strength of tire crumb–sand mixtures where information is not readily available in the literature. The test results with tire crumb were compared with the other processed used tire–sand mixtures. Sand–used tire mixtures have higher shear strength than that of the sand alone and the shear strength parameters depend on the processing conditions of used tires. Three factors are found to significantly affect the mechanical properties: normal stress, processing techniques, and the used tire content.     

Decreased PCDD/F formation when co-firing a waste fuel and biomass in a CFB boiler by addition of sulphates or municipal sewage sludge

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are formed during waste incineration and in waste-to-energy boilers. Incomplete combustion, too short residence times at low combustion temperatures (<700 °C), incineration of electronic waste and plastic waste containing chlorine are all factors influencing the formation of PCDD/Fs in boilers. The impact of chlorine and catalysing metals (such as copper and iron) in the fuel on PCDD/F formation was studied in a 12 MW_th circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boiler. The PCDD/F concentrations in the raw gas after the convection pass of the boiler and in the fly ashes were compared. The fuel types were a so-called clean biomass with low content of chlorine, biomass with enhanced content of chlorine from supply of PVC, and solid recovered fuel (SRF) which is a waste fuel containing higher concentrations of both chlorine, and catalysing metals. The PCDD/F formation increased for the biomass with enhanced chlorine content and it was significantly reduced in the raw gas as well as in the fly ashes by injection of ammonium sulphate. A link, the alkali chloride track, is demonstrated between the level of alkali chlorides in the gas phase, the chlorine content in the deposits in the convection pass and finally the PCDD/F formation. The formation of PCDD/Fs was also significantly reduced during co-combustion of SRF with municipal sewage sludge (MSS) compared to when SRF was fired without MSS as additional fuel.     

Sex ratio estimations of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings by histological examination and nest temperatures at Fethiye beach, Turkey

Hatchling sex ratios in the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) were estimated by placing electronic temperature recorders in 21 nests at Fethiye beach during 2000–2002. Over the seasons, the mean temperature in the middle third of the incubation period ranged from 26.7 to 32.1°C, and incubation periods ranged from 49 to 67 days. Based on the mean temperatures during the middle third of the incubation period, and on histologically sexed dead hatchlings, the sex ratios of hatchlings at Fethiye beach were roughly equal, i.e. 60–65% of the hatchlings were females. This contrasts with the highly female-skewed sex ratios in loggerhead turtles elsewhere; Fethiye has a relatively high proportion of male hatchlings. For endangered sea turtles, the knowledge of hatchling sex ratios at different beaches, coupled with appropriate conservation measures, can make an important contribution to their survival.     

Treatment of Basic Red 29 dye solution using iron-aluminum electrode pairs by electrocoagulation and electro-Fenton methods

The aim of this study is the treatment of Basic Red 29 (BR29) dye solution using hybrid iron-aluminum electrodes by electrocoagulation and electro-Fenton methods. The effect of current density, initial pH, supporting electrolyte, H₂O₂, and initial dye concentration on dye removal efficiency was investigated, and the best experimental conditions were obtained. Time-coarse variation of UV-Vis spectra and toxicity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were also examined at the best experimental conditions. Both systems were found very successful for the removal of BR29 dye. The removal efficiency of >95 % for BR29 dye solution was reached easily in a short time. At the best experimental conditions, for the initial BR29 concentration of 100 mg/L, >95 % BR29 dye and 71.43 % COD removal were obtained after 20 and 40 min of electrolysis, respectively. Additionally, toxicity results for electro-Fenton treatment of 100 mg/L BR29 were also very promising. According to the results obtained, although electro-Fenton is more effective, both systems can be used successfully to treat textile wastewater including dyes.     

Effectiveness of a light-weight ice-vest for body cooling while wearing fire fighter's protective clothing in the heat.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of wearing an ice-vest (ca 1 kg) on physiological and subjective responses in fire fighters. The experiments were carried out on a treadmill in a hot-dry environment. The physical cooling effect of the ice-vest was measured with a thermal manikin. The ice-vest effectively reduced skin temperatures under the vest. On average, heart rate was 10 beats/min lower, the amount of sweating was reduced by 13%, and subjective sensations of effort and warmth were lower during work with the ice-vest compared to work without it. Thermal manikin tests indicated that the useful energy available from the vest for body cooling was rather high (58%). In conclusion, the ice-vest reduces physiological and subjective strain responses during heavy work in the heat, and may promote efficient work time by 10%.     

Phosphate uptake and release rates with different carbon sources in biological nutrient removal using a SBR

A three-step sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was used for nutrient removal from synthetic wastewater with different glucose-organic acid mixtures (1/1). Acetic, butyric, propionic and citric acids were used as organic acids along with glucose. The operation consisted of anaerobic, anoxic and oxic (An/Ax/Ox) phases with durations of 2/1/4.5h. Sludge age was kept constant for 10 days. Phosphate release and uptake rates were determined for different glucose-organic acid mixtures in the feed wastewater. Maximum phosphate uptake (8.1mgPl(-1)h(-1)) and release rates (2.23mgPl(-1)h(-1)) were obtained with the glucose-citric acid mixture. The highest (96%) percent phosphate removal at the end of the nutrient removal cycle (7.5h) was also obtained with the glucose-citric acid mixture while the glucose-acetic acid mixture resulted in comparable percent phosphate removal (95%).     

铁路汛期行车安全对策——雨量警戒制度研究

雨量警戒制度是铁路部门用于指导进行汛期警戒 ,确保线路汛期行车安全的一种安全保障制度 ,由警戒标准、防御标准和管理制度 3部分组成。它是一种分级、分段和各工种联控执行的警戒制度 ,其技术关键包括警戒标准和防御标准的制定。本文提出了雨量警戒制度警戒标准的指标体系 ,建立了警戒标准的制定方法与工作程式 ,并以成昆铁路雨量警戒制度的制定与实施说明了其应用。所提方法对铁路部门制定汛期行车安全对策具有普适意义。     

Toxic Metals in the Austrian Pine (Pinus Nigra) Bark in the Thrace Region, Turkey

Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) bark was collected in thirty-seven localities in the Thrace region, Turkey, for the determination of airborne toxic metal distribution. Five toxic metals, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, were monitored using atomic absorption spectrometry. Distribution maps of toxic elements in the region were plotted according to Geographic Information System technology. In general, the concentrations of all investigated elements were not high in the region apart from the vicinity of big cities, Tekirdag, Istanbul and, close to Bulgarian border. However, the highest concentrations were not at pollution level. They have a similar distribution pattern throughout the region.     

The Status of Pesticide Residues in the Drinking Water Sources in Meiliangwan Bay, Taihu Lake of China

The study was carried out to assess the levels of pesticide residues in the water of Meiliangwan Bay, Taihu Lake of China. The most commonly employed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and herbicide atrazine were analyzed. The water samples were collected seasonally from Meiliangwan Bay within a period of one year. The pesticides were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with μECD or NPD after solid-phase extraction (SPE), which was confirmed by GC with an ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). The mean concentrations were 1.98 ng/l for lindane, 0.378 ng/l for heptachlor epoxide, 0.367 ng/l for p,p′-DDE, 0.496 ng/l for p,p′-DDD, 1.06 ng/l for p,p′-DDT and 51.6 ng/l for dichlorvos, 39.0 ng/l for demeton, 346 ng/l for dimethoate, 4.12 ng/l for methyl parathion, 11.6 ng/l for malathion, 2.17 ng/l for parathion and 217 ng/l for atrazine. Generally, low concentrations of OCP were found, whereas the concentrations of the OPPs and atrazine in the water of Taihu Lake were relatively high. Heptachlor epoxide and lindane were the two most commonly encountered OCPs while dichlorvos, demeton and dimethoate were found to have much higher concentrations and occurrences than other OPPs.     

Using volcanic tuff wastes instead of feldspar in ceramic tile production

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The present study investigated the potential of utilizing the cutting dust waste generated in the sizing process of volcanic tuff stones as an...