Effect of oxygenated liquid additives on the urea based SNCR process

An experimental investigation was performed to study the effect of oxygenated liquid additives, H₂O₂, C₂H₅OH, C₂H₄(OH)₂ and C₃H₅(OH)₃ on NO_x removal from flue gases by the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) process using urea as a reducing agent. Experiments were performed with a 150 kW pilot scale reactor in which a simulated flue gas was generated by the combustion of methane operating with 6% excess oxygen in flue gases. The desired levels of initial NO_x (500 ppm) were achieved by doping the fuel gas with ammonia. Experiments were performed throughout the temperature range of interest, i.e. from 800 to 1200 °C for the investigation of the effects of the process additives on the performance of aqueous urea DeNO_x. With H₂O₂ addition a downward shift of 150 °C in the peak reduction temperature from 1130 to 980 °C was observed during the experimentation, however, the peak reduction efficiency was reduced from 81 to 63% when no additive was used. The gradual addition of C₂H₅OH up to a molar ratio of 2.0 further impairs the peak NO_x reduction efficiency by reducing it to 50% but this is accompanied by a downward shift of 180 °C in the peak reduction temperature. Further exploration using C₂H₄(OH)₂ suggested that a 50% reduction could be attained for all the temperatures higher than 940 °C. The use of C₃H₅(OH)₃ as a secondary additive has a significant effect on the peak reduction efficiency that decreased to 40% the reductions were achievable at a much lower temperature of 800 °C showing a downward shift of 330 °C.     

Biosorption potential and kinetic studies of vegetable waste mixture for the removal of Nickel(II)

Biosorption potential of new low cost biosorbent prepared from vegetable waste, composed of 1:1 mixture of potato and carrot peels for the removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution was determined. The residual metallic ion concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique (AAS). Batch experiments were conducted to optimize parameters such as initial pH, temperature, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and biosorbent dose and the results showed that maximum adsorption of Nickel (79.32 %) occurs when the contents were stirred for 75 min with 3.0 g of biosorbent at 35 °C and pH 4. Kinetic studies of the reaction revealed that it follows a pseudo-second order reaction. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm model fits well to data of Ni(II) biosorption by the prepared biomass as compared to the model of Freundlich. Both neat and Ni loaded biosorbent samples were analyzed by AAS using a dry ashing process in a furnace and also by use of a FT-IR spectrophotometer and an X-Ray florescence spectrometer in order to confirm the biosorption of Ni(II) and the results have revealed that a significant amount of Ni is present in the spent biosorbent.     

Chemical characterization and source apportionment of fine and coarse particulate matter in Lahore,Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan is an emerging megacity that is heavily polluted with high levels of particle air pollution. In this study, respirable particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) were collected every sixth day in Lahore from 12 January 2007 to 19 January 2008. Ambient aerosol was characterized using well-established chemical methods for mass, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic species (sulfate, nitrate, chloride, ammonium, sodium, calcium, and potassium), and organic species. The annual average concentration (±one standard deviation) of PM_2.5 was 194 ± 94 μg m^?3 and PM₁₀ was 336 ± 135 μg m^?3. Coarse aerosol (PM_10?2.5) was dominated by crustal sources like dust (74 ± 16%, annual average ± one standard deviation), whereas fine particles were dominated by carbonaceous aerosol (organic matter and elemental carbon, 61 ± 17%). Organic tracer species were used to identify sources of PM_2.5 OC and chemical mass balance (CMB) modeling was used to estimate relative source contributions. On an annual basis, non-catalyzed motor vehicles accounted for more than half of primary OC (53 ± 19%). Lesser sources included biomass burning (10 ± 5%) and the combined source of diesel engines and residual fuel oil combustion (6 ± 2%). Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was an important contributor to ambient OC, particularly during the winter when secondary processing of aerosol species during fog episodes was expected. Coal combustion alone contributed a small percentage of organic aerosol (1.9 ± 0.3%), but showed strong linear correlation with unidentified sources of OC that contributed more significantly (27 ± 16%). Brick kilns, where coal and other low quality fuels are burned together, are suggested as the most probable origins of unapportioned OC. The chemical profiling of emissions from brick kilns and other sources unique to Lahore would contribute to a better understanding of OC sources in this megacity.     

The role of bacteria in the heavy metals removal and growth of Sedum alfredii Hance in an aqueous medium

This study was the first attempt to examine the possible role of the naturally occurring rhizospheric bacteria in heavy metal removal by Sedum alfredii Hance, a terrestrial Zn/Cd hyperaccumuluator, from Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb contaminated water using antibiotic ampicillin. Moreover, the toxicity symptom in plants under heavy metal stress expressed as total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b content, growth inhibition, root length, and N, P contents were studied, and the possible relationship among them were also discussed. These results indicate that rhizospheric bacteria may play an important role in the uptake of N and P by S. alfredii, and consequently result in the increase of Chlorophyll content in the leaves and plant biomass due to improved photosynthesis. At the same time, root length significantly decreased under the treatment with ampicillin, which suggested that rhizospheric bacteria appeared to protect the roots against heavy metal toxicity. The Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd concentrations in the roots, stems and leaves of S. alfredii were much higher than those exposed to ampicillin. Accordingly, metal concentrations in the contaminated water without ampicillin treatment were lower than those treated with ampicillin. These results suggest that the rhizospheric bacteria may be useful in plant tolerance to heavy metal toxicity, and also accelerate the metal removal from contaminated water.     

Anoxic biodegradation of dimethyl phthalate （DMP） by activated sludge cultures under nitrate-reducing conditions

Worldwide extensive use of plasticized plastics has resulted in phthalates pollution in different environment. Nitrates from industry and agriculture are also widely disseminated in the soils, natural waters and wastewaters. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) biodegradation by activated sludge cultures under nitrate-reducing conditions was investigated. Under one optimized condition, DMP was biodegraded from 102.20 mg/L to undetectable level in 56 h under anoxic conditions and its reaction fitted well with the first-order kinetics. Using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) and phthalic acid (PA) were detected as the major intermediates of DMP biodegradation. When combined with the determination of chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) removal capacity and pH, DMP was found to be mineralized completely under anoxic conditions. The biodegradation pathway was proposed as DMP → MMP → PA → … → CO2 H2O.The molar ratio of DMP to nitrate consumed was found to be 9.0:1, which agrees well with the theoretical stoichiometric values of DMP biodegradation by nitrate-reducing bacteria. The results of the non-linear simulation showed that the optimum pH and temperature for the degradation were 7.56 and 31.4℃, respectively.     

Waste management strategies for concrete

Recycling and reuse of waste such as building rubble, concrete lumps, etc. generated at construction and demolition sites form part of a wider, complex issue, primarily relating to improving supplies of construction material and solving problems of disposal of waste construction material. Within the framework of the sustainable development of the environment, the use of waste materials with minimum environmental impact has received much attention. The conversion of a large amount of demolished waste into an alternative resource will conserve the depleting natural resources of building materials. Demolished waste is mainly used as a non-stabilized base or sub-base in highway construction. The present paper discusses the recycling process and makes an effort to assess a safe and economic use of recycled concrete as a structural grade material for the construction industry. Extensive tests of structural properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength of recycled concrete were carried out, in which cement and similarly fine aggregate were partially replaced by demolished waste to obtain recycled concrete and recycled aggregate concrete whose properties were compared with results for the conventional concrete.     

Do disinfection byproducts in drinking water have an effect on human cancer risk worldwide? A meta‐analysis

In the present study, a meta‐analysis was carried out to clarify the association between disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water and human cancer risk worldwide. Kidney, colorectal, esophagus, urinary bladder, brain, breast, leukemia, lung, and rectum cancers were selected to perform this analysis. According to preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta‐analysis protocol (PRISMA) guidelines, the relevant studies were identified and selection criteria (inclusion and exclusion criteria) were applied. Next, effective subgroups in these studies (gender, type of drinking water source, and type of DBPs) were analyzed. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. In addition, this overall study included analyses of 16 case–control and 3 cohort studies. The overall odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between DBPs and cancer risk was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.94–1.09). The summary ORs of cancer risk were 1.04 (95% CI, 0.89–1.19) for kidney; 0.98 (95% CI, 0.87–1.09) for colorectal; 1.07 (95% CI, 0.84–1.29) for esophagus; 0.93 (95% CI, 0.80–1.06) for pancreatic; 1.00 (95% CI, 0.83–1.18) for brain; 1.13 (95% CI, 0.99–1.26) for breast; 0.93 (95% CI, 0.72–1.13) for leukemia; and 1.18 (95% CI, 1–1.36) for lung cancers. The results of this meta‐analysis suggested that there is not a significant association between DBPs in water and cancer risk. In addition, subgroup analysis shows a positive association with colorectal and kidney cancer risk in men, as well as colon and breast cancers in females. Studies of both genders have shown a significant association between lung and pancreatic cancers. Moreover, this study finds a significant relationship between cancer rate and consumers of city water and bottled water sources. In analyzing different types of DBPs in water, chlorine and trichloromethane show a significant association in increasing cancer risk.     

Effect of chromium on growth attributes in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Heavy metal soil pollution takes place when the metal concentration of soil exceeds natural background level and causes ecological destruction and deterioration of the environment.In the present study,a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of chromium-contaminated soil in sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.)growth attributes.Three different levels of chromium(Cr)i.e.,20, 40,and 60 mg/kg were applied to three varieties of sunflower(G-3,G-9,and G-59).The results of morphological,chemical,and yield p...     

Spatial analysis of mortality rate of pedestrian accidents in Iran during 2012–2013

Objectives: Considering the high mortality rate of pedestrians in traffic accidents in Iran, the present study aimed to determine the high-risk and low-risk areas of accidents resulting in pedestrian deaths and the spatial analysis of their mortality rates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4,371 deceased pedestrians reported by the Legal Medicine Organization in Iran from March 2012 to March 2013. For spatial analysis, the collected data were entered into ArcGIS software version 10.2 and a spatial map of the mortality rate was drawn according to the distribution of data in the provinces. Using this software, high-risk and low-risk areas were identified by calculating the spatial autocorrelation of the data. The Moran’s index of road accident patterns was surveyed and high-risk and low-risk points were identified using the local Getis index.

Results: The age-standardized incidence rate was 6.8 per 100,000. After analyzing the data using ArcGIS software, the local Moran’s index showed a cluster pattern with a high mortality rate in 3 provinces of Mazandaran, Gilan, and Qazvin. In identifying high-risk and low-risk points, the local Getis index showed 3 hot spots with a confidence interval of 99% in Qom, Qazvin, and Mazandaran and 5 hot spots with a 95% confidence interval in Markazi, Tehran, Zanjan, Gilan, and Golestan provinces.

Conclusions: According to the cluster pattern of accidents in the 3 provinces and the presence of hot spots in 9 provinces, it is necessary to identify factors that increase the risk of death in the study provinces in order to reduce the mortality rate among pedestrians due to traffic accidents. Therefore, to reduce the pedestrian mortality rate, especially in high-risk provinces, some studies need to be conducted to determine the risk factors in pedestrian mortality.     

Zero waste management of spent mushroom compost

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Edible mushroom are grown commercially using lignocellulosic waste by applying a biological process. However after the harvesting season about 70%...