An integrated simulation and optimization approach for managing human health risks of atmospheric pollutants by coal-fired power plants

This research developed a simulation-aided nonlinear programming model (SNPM). This model incorporated the consideration of pollutant dispersion modeling, and the management of coal blending and the related human health risks within a general modeling framework. In SNPM, the simulation effort (i.e., California puff [CALPUFF]) was used to forecast the fate of air pollutants for quantifying the health risk under various conditions, while the optimization studies were to identify the optimal coal blending strategies from a number of alternatives. To solve the model, a surrogate-based indirect search approach was proposed, where the support vector regression (SVR) was used to create a set of easy-to-use and rapid-response surrogates for identifying the function relationships between coal-blending operating conditions and health risks. Through replacing the CALPUFF and the corresponding hazard quotient equation with the surrogates, the computation efficiency could be improved. The developed SNPM was applied to minimize the human health risk associated with air pollutants discharged from Gaojing and Shijingshan power plants in the west of Beijing. Solution results indicated that it could be used for reducing the health risk of the public in the vicinity of the two power plants, identifying desired coal blending strategies for decision makers, and considering a proper balance between coal purchase cost and human health risk.

Implications:A simulation-aided nonlinear programming model (SNPM) is developed. It integrates the advantages of CALPUFF and nonlinear programming model. To solve the model, a surrogate-based indirect search approach based on the combination of support vector regression and genetic algorithm is proposed. SNPM is applied to reduce the health risk caused by air pollutants discharged from Gaojing and Shijingshan power plants in the west of Beijing. Solution results indicate that it is useful for generating coal blending schemes, reducing the health risk of the public, reflecting the trade-off between coal purchase cost and health risk.     

Estimating dissolved reactive phosphorus concentration in surface runoff water from major Ontario soils

Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land in surface runoff can contribute to eutrophication of surface water. This study was conducted to evaluate a range of environmental and agronomic soil P tests as indicators of potential soil surface runoff dissolved reactive P (DRP) losses from Ontario soils. The soil samples (0- to 20-cm depth) were collected from six soil series in Ontario, with 10 sites each to provide a wide range of soil test P (STP) values. Rainfall simulation studies were conducted following the USEPA National P Research Project protocol. The average DRP concentration (DRP30) in runoff water collected over 30 min after the start of runoff increased (p < 0.001) in either a linear or curvilinear manner with increases in levels of various STPs and estimates of degree of soil P saturation (DPS). Among the 16 measurements of STPs and DPSs assessed, DPS(M3) 2 (Mehlich-3 P/[Mehlich-3 Al + Fe]) (r2 = 0.90), DPS(M3)-3 (Mehlich-3 P/Mehlich-3 Al) (r2 = 0.89), and water-extractable P (WEP) (r2 = 0.89) had the strongest overall relationship with runoff DRP30 across all six soil series. The DPS(M3)-2 and DPS(M3)-3 were equally accurate in predicting runoff DRP30 loss. However, DPS(M3)-3 was preferred as its prediction of DRP30 was soil pH insensitive and simpler in analytical procedure, ifa DPS approach is adopted.     

CO2 capture from hot stove gas in steel making process

The capture of CO₂ from a hot stove gas in steel making process containing 30 vol% CO₂ by chemical absorption in a rotating packed bed (RPB) was studied. The RPB had an inner diameter of 7.6 cm, an outer diameter of 16 cm, and a height of 2 cm. The aqueous solutions containing 30 wt% of single and mixed monoethanolamine (MEA), 2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol (AEEA), and piperazine (PZ) were used. The CO₂ capture efficiency was found to increase with increasing temperature in a range of 303–333 K. It was also found to be more dependent on gas and liquid flow rates but less dependent on rotating speed when the speed was higher than 700 rpm. The obtained results indicated that the mixed alkanolamine solutions containing PZ were more effective than the single alkanolamine solutions. This was attributed to the highest reaction rate of PZ with CO₂. A higher portion of PZ in the mixture was more favorable to CO₂ capture. The highest gas flow rates allowed to achieve a desired CO₂ capture efficiency and the correspondent height of transfer unit (HTU) were determined at different aqueous solution flow rates. Because all the 30 wt% single and mixed alkanolamine solutions could result in a HTU less than 5.0 cm at a liquid flow rate of 100 mL/min, chemical absorption in a RPB instead of a packed bed adsorber is therefore suggested to capture CO₂ from the flue gases in steel making processes.     

Municipal solid waste management in China: Status,problems and challenges

This paper presents an examination of MSW generation and composition in China, providing an overview of the current state of MSW management, an analysis of existing problems in MSW collection, separation, recycling and disposal, and some suggestions for improving MSW systems in the future. In China, along with urbanization, population growth and industrialization, the quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation has been increasing rapidly. The total MSW amount increased from 31.3 million tonnes in 1980 to 212 million tonnes in 2006, and the waste generation rate increased from 0.50 kg/capita/day in 1980 to 0.98 kg/capita/year in 2006. Currently, waste composition in China is dominated by a high organic and moisture content, since the concentration of kitchen waste in urban solid waste makes up the highest proportion (at approximately 60%) of the waste stream. The total amount of MSW collected and transported was 148 million tonnes in 2006, of which 91.4% was landfilled, 6.4% was incinerated and 2.2% was composted. The overall MSW treatment rate in China was approximately 62% in 2007. In 2007, there were 460 facilities, including 366 landfill sites, 17 composing plants, and 66 incineration plants. This paper also considers the challenges faced and opportunities for MSW management in China, and a number of recommendations are made aimed at improving the MSW management system.     

Toward an improved legislative framework for China's land degradation control

The Chinese government has recently been attaching increasing importance to the application of effective legal tools to tackle land degradation (LD) issues. Based on the concept of sustainable development, China began developing and reaping the benefits of environmental and natural resources legislation including LD control regulations in the 1990s. In the past three years, some central‐western provinces in China have been implementing a “ People's Republic of China/Global Environment Facility (PRC/GEF ) Partnership on LD Control of Dryland Ecosystems”, which is based on an integrated ecosystem management (IEM) approach. IEM is designed to achieve a balanced, scientific and participatory approach to natural resources management, which creates the potential to improve the quality of Chinese environmental law and policy procedures. The paper studies the existing Chinese national laws and regulations pertinent to LD control within 9 areas covering land, desertification, soil erosion, grassland, forest, water, agriculture, wild animals and plants, and environment protection in detail, against IEM principles and basic legal elements. The main objective is to identify problems and provide feasible solutions and recommendations for the improvement of the existing laws and regulations. The authors conclude that the development of an improved national legislative framework is essential if LD control is to be successfully achieved. The paper is partly based on Component 1 — Improving Policies, Laws and Regulations for Land Degradation Control under PRC/GEF Partnership on Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems (TA 4357).     

毒死蜱、二嗪磷等6种农药对鸟类的环境风险评估

应用现有的评估方法,对毒死蜱、二嗪磷、乐果、吡虫啉、抗蚜威和灭多威6种农药对鸟类的风险进行评估,评估结果表明,经食途径,乐果、毒死蜱和二嗪磷对鸟类的初级急性、短期和长期风险均不可接受;吡虫啉对鸟类的初级急性和长期风险不可接受;抗蚜威和灭多威对鸟类的初级急性风险不可接受,对鸟类的初级短期和长期风险可接受.通过饮水途径,只...     

再生水的环境安全管理机制研究

探讨了再生水回用潜在的环境安全问题,以及导致这些问题的原因。并提出了再生水安全回用的管理机制。建立再生水回用安全管理体系,是再生水回用政策得以顺利推进的基础。这一安全管理体系的建设应包括有关鼓励再生水回用的政策法规保障体系、标准体系、技术支持和安全管理手段。     

基于熵理论的城市生态调控初探

由于城市问题开益复杂化、全局化,城市生态调控作为解决城市问题的重要手段,其研究的对象和方法应当随之发展变化.阐述了将基于降低熵增的理论应用到城市生态调控的方法,并提出了相应的理论框架和实践方法.熵作为表征系统无序性的重要热力学概念,在城市这一典型的耗散系统的调控中有良好的应用前景.将熵理论引入城市生态调控体系,定义了城市生态系统熵,分析其影响因素,并提出了相应的定量方法.此外,充分考虑基于物流能流分析的熵理论在城市生态调控中应用的关键机制,探讨了通过降低城市生态系统熵从而增加系统有序度、维护系统健康的生态调控理论和方法,构建了相应的理论框架和方法体系,为解决城市复合环境问题提供了新的调控方法和思路.     

因果分析与系统安全性风险评价方法

综合了故障树分析和事件树分析的方法,提出因果分析的框架,研究了基于因果分析建立事故脚本的方法。在此基础上,还对因果分析的概率风险评价方法进行研究,并利用该评价方法,对电机过热的安全性问题进行分析,给出了分析计算的结果     

逐级提取试验研究岩石中氟的化学活动性

使用逐级化学提取方法对岩石中氟元素的化学活动性进行了研究.结果表明,不同时代、不同类型岩石中氟的化学活动性具有很大的差异,碳酸盐岩中氟均具有很强的化学活动性,其中氟的可淋失比例一般高于75%;下寒武统黑色岩系中氟的化学活动性与岩石变质程度有关,变质程度较高的黑色碳质板岩中氟的可淋失比例一般小于黑色页岩、黑色硅质岩中氟的可淋失比例.磷块岩中氟的可淋失比例较高,而千枚岩中氟的可淋失比例一般较低;辉绿岩中氟的可淋失比例与原岩中氟含量存在正相关关系.不同时代的石煤中氟的化学活动性具有较大差异.下志留统石煤中氟的可淋失比例(平均为47.39%)一般高于下寒武统石煤中氟的可淋失比例(平均为29.43%).