Filtration of fly ash using a fluidized-bed filter

This study focuses on the control of particulates with a fluidized-bed filter in exhaust gas stream. The fluidized-bed filter classified in the granular bed filtration technology was employed to demonstrate the performance for removal of fly ash at indicated operating velocities, fixed bed heights, and bed temperatures; then the collecting mechanisms of particulates by fluidized-bed filter were studied. The size distribution of fly ash passing through the fluidized-bed filter was also analyzed. The results indicate that at higher operating velocities and fixed bed heights, the removal of fly ash is more efficient and inertial impaction is the main mechanism when the fluidized-bed is operated at room temperature (25 degrees C). While operating at higher temperatures (200 degrees C), efficiency of 93.2% to 99.4% can be achieved for submicron particles. It is supposed to be the diffusion mechanism that is responsible for collecting such small particles, and high temperature is a favorable condition because of diffusion.     

The reuse of biosludge as an adsorbent from a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant

Biosludge was obtained from a petrochemical industry's biological wastewater treatment plant. Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) was used as a sludge activation agent during the pyrolytic process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image photographs, element composition, surface functional group, and pore structure were analyzed for the sludge adsorbent characteristics. Results indicated the proper ZnCl2-immersed concentration, pyrolytic temperature, and time could produce adsorbent from the biosludge. The optimal conditions for a larger surface area adsorbent were 3 M ZnCl2-immersed sludge pyrolyzed at 600 degrees C for 30 min and washed with 3 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution and distilled water. The predominant pore size of the sludge adsorbent was the mesopore.     

Seasonal source-receptor relationships in a petrochemical industrial district over northern Taiwan

This study investigated the relationships between meteorological data, pollution sources, and receptors over northern Taiwan. During the intensive sampling period in summer 1992, the weather was controlled predominantly by a Pacific subtropical high and by Typhoon Mark. During the other intensive sampling period in winter 1993, while a cold frontal system approached Taiwan, the northeasterly winds prevailed most of the time. The local circulation such as land-sea breeze only developed under weak synoptic environment. Particle concentrations and element composition in winter were higher than in summer. This can be attributed to the high convection of air mass, which leads to the vertical dispersion of pollutants in summer. In addition to the subtropical high pressure, typhoons are frequently accompanied with high-wind speeds and unstable weather conditions that also dilute and eliminate the pollutants. In winter, the prevailing northeasterlies might carry pollutants from Midland China. Furthermore, the anticyclone system develops a stagnant condition that easily leads to pollutant accumulation. In this case, the wind direction affected the source contribution of the receptor and the PM10 displays a higher correlation with coarse and fine particulate than meteorological parameters in summer. In addition, the mixing height shows a high correlation with PM10 in winter.     

The adsorption of benzene and methylethylketone onto activated carbon: thermodynamic aspects.

The adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), exemplified by benzene and methylethylketone (MEK), onto seven different types of activated carbon was investigated. Results show that for benzene adsorption the adsorption characteristic energy, enthalpy, free energy and entropy are in the range 17.12-36.86, -20.8 to -44.7, -11.89 to -16.22 kJ/mole and -29.4 to -85.3 J/mole/K, respectively. For the adsorption of MEK, the adsorption characteristic energy, enthalpy, free energy and entropy are in the range 14.47-32.34, -18.3 to -40.8, -10.78 to -15.56 kJ/mole and -24.8 to approximately -60.3 J/mole/K, respectively. The adsorption enthalpy can be calculated indirectly from statistical thermodynamic method and directly from the immersion enthalpy method. The adsorption characteristic energy is calculated by the Dubinin-Astokhov equation. The free energy is calculated by the measured equilibrium adsorption constant.     

Advances in photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria: Development of photocatalysts and mechanisms

Photocatalysis has attracted worldwide attention due to its potential in solar energy conversion. As a “green” advanced oxidation technology, it has been extensively used for water disinfection and wastewater treatment. This article provides a review of the recent progress in solar energy-induced photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria, focusing on the development of highly efficient photocatalysts and their underlying mechanisms in bacterial inactivation. The photocatalysts are classified into TiO₂-based and non-TiO₂-based systems, as TiO₂ is the most investigated photocatalyst. The synthesis methods, modification strategies, bacterial disinfection activities and mechanisms of different types of photocatalysts are reviewed in detail. Emphasis is given to the modified TiO₂, including noble metal deposition, non-metal doping, dye sensitization and composite TiO₂, along with typical non-TiO₂-based photocatalysts for bacterial disinfection, including metal oxides, sulfides, bismuth metallates, graphene-based photocatalysts, carbon nitride-based photocatalysts and natural photocatalysts. A simple and versatile methodology by using a partition system combined with scavenging study is introduced to study the photocatalytic disinfection mechanisms in different photocatalytic systems. This review summarizes the current state of the work on photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria, and is expected to offer useful insights for the future development in the field.     

低光低温联合作用对铜绿微囊藻复苏能力的影响

运用正交实验设计方法研究了低温低光联合作用对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB 905,以下称905)生长与光合活性的影响.采用比色法测定了铜绿微囊藻细胞叶绿素、类胡萝卜素的含量及组成比例,同时使用植物效率分析仪(Water-PAM)测定了905细胞的光合活性,并通过回复培养验证了其光合作用回复的能力.结果表明,相对于正常培养条件,低温低光对M.aeruginosa的生长均有不同程度的抑制作用,在9℃各处理组中,M.aeruginosa基本无法生长,因此可推测905细胞生长的温度阈值应高于9℃.在12℃各处理组中,光强为影响905细胞生长的主要因子,12℃、100 lx能促进其初期的生长,据此推测这一条件可能为微囊藻复苏的起始条件.15℃、100 lx处理组中,藻生长最快,生物量(以叶绿素a计)最大值为0.88 mg/L左右,分别为其他处理组的2～17倍;并且在15℃各处理组中,905细胞在"微光"(100 lx)处理组中叶绿素含量,电子传递速率及最大光量子产量均高于"低光"(500 lx)处理组,显示出相对于"低光"条件,铜绿微囊藻对"微光"的适应性更强.而回复培养的数据显示,9℃和12℃处理组样品在5 d内能迅速恢复其生长与光合活性,并最终与15℃处理组样品同样,荧光量子产量最终保持在0.55～0.6左右,并能稳定生长.研究结果对揭示铜绿微囊藻对湖泊底泥中越冬环境条件的耐受阈值及复苏的起始条件有重要意义.     

Prediction of Cadmium uptake by brown rice and derivation of soil–plant transfer models to improve soil protection guidelines

Cadmium (Cd) levels in paddy fields across Taiwan have increased due to emission from industry. To ensure the production of rice that meets food quality standards, predictive models or suitable soil tests are needed to evaluate the quality of soils to be used for rice cropping. Levels of Cd in soil and rice grains were measured in 19 paddy fields across the western plains in Taiwan. Cadmium levels in soil range from less than 0.1 mg kg^?1 to 30 mg kg^?1. Measured Cd levels in brown rice were predicted very well (R² > 0.8) based on Cd and Zinc in a 0.01 M CaCl₂ extract or a soil–plant transfer model using the reactive soil Cd content, pH, and cation exchange capacity. In contrast to current soil quality standards used in Taiwan, such models are effective in identifying soils where Cd in rice will exceed food quality standards.     

Characteristics of exhaust gas,liquid products,and residues of printed circuit boards using the pyrolysis process

Introduction  

The pyrolytic method was employed to recycle metals and brominated compounds blended into printed circuit boards (PCBs).     

Quantifying the waste reduction potential of using prefabrication in building construction in Hong Kong

As Hong Kong is a compact city with limited available land and high land prices, the construction of high-rise buildings is prevalent. The construction industry produces a significant amount of building waste. In 2005, about 21.5 million tonnes of construction waste were generated, of which 11% was disposed of in landfills and 89% in public filling areas. At the present rate, Hong Kong will run out of both public filling areas and landfill space within the next decade. The government is taking action to tackle the problem, such as by introducing a construction waste landfill charge, and promoting prefabrication to reduce on-site waste generation. This paper reports an ongoing study on the use of prefabrication in buildings and its impact on waste reduction in Hong Kong. A questionnaire survey was administered to experienced professionals, and case studies of recently completed building projects were conducted. The results revealed that construction waste reduction is one of the major benefits when using prefabrication compared with conventional construction. The average wastage reduction level was about 52%. This implies that a wider use of prefabrication could considerably reduce construction waste generation in Hong Kong and alleviate the burdens associated with its management.     

The mechanisms of arsenic removal from soil by electrokinetic process coupled with iron permeable reaction barrier

An innovative remediation system of electrokinetic process coupled with permeable reaction barrier (PRB) was proposed for arsenic removal in soil matrix. Batch tests with PRB media of Fe(0) and FeOOH under potential gradient of 2 V cm(-1) for 5d duration were conducted to evaluate the removal mechanisms of arsenic. Arsenic enhancement of 1.6-2.2 times was achieved when a PRB system was installed in an electrokinetic system. A best performance was found in system with FeOOH layer located in the middle of elctrokinetic cell. This was largely because of higher surface area of FeOOH and the moving of HAsO(4)(2-) to the anode side by electromigration effect was inhibited by the electroosmosis flow. The surface characteristics of PRB media, which were qualified by SEM coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), were clearly confirmed that arsenic was found on the passive layer surface. Results indicated that the removal of As in EK/PRB systems was much more contributed by surface adsorption/precipitation on PRB media than by EK process. Furthermore among the electrical removal mechanisms, electromigration was predominant than electrosmotic flow. Surface adsorption and precipitation were respectively the principal removal mechanism under acid environment, e.g. near anode side, and under basic environment, e.g. near cathode side. The results reported in the present work will be beneficial to optimizing design of batch EK/PRB system and enlarging to the field scale system.