The Reuse of Urban and Industrial Waste in Tai-Lin-Pu Reclamation Project,Taiwan

Abstract

This study introduces the principles of KMG's (Kaoshiung Municipal Government) dealing with the non-poisonous urban and industrial waste through reclamation of shore land in reinforcing a sense of coastal protection and land development in Tai-Lin-Pu coastal area, southern Taiwan.

Through a series of experimental studies, we found that substitutes of coarse aggregate with a broad spectrum of integrating slag powder, fly ash, and cementitious material can be obtained with a benefit up to 80% saving of cement. the integrated aggregates from the non-poisonous industrial wastes were subsequently made into armour units and used in the field tests at Tai-Lin-Pu coastal area, where the shorelines are seriously eroded. After being subjected to several severe typhoon advents, the results showed that the waste-made units used as the protection breakwater, together with construction wastes and excavated soil as the filling material, prove to be an effective practice in utilizing recycled urban waste to reclaim erosive shore lands. Moreover, this study also demonstrates that through detailed analysis of the waste characteristics, scrap material could be turned into valuable construction aggregates, and highlights the value of non-poisonous urban and industrial waste as a alternative resource for the shore protection engineering.     

Assessment of mutagenic potency of source water treated by ozone and adsorption processes

This research utilized the Ames test to determine the mutagenicity of water treated by advanced processes, including ozonation and granular activated carbon (GAC). Raw water samples for this research included those obtained from the Pan Hsin waterworks as well as samples containing humic acids. Treated samples were collected from the pilot‐scale advanced treatment plant. The Ames test was used to measure the mutagenicity of the water after each treatment process. For the Pan Hsin raw water samples treated with ozone or GAC, it was indicated that, regardless of whether samples were preozonated or not, they all showed a mutagenic potency less than 2 once the S9 enzyme was added. This level of mutagenicity is insignificant. The prepared humic acid samples, on the other hand, demonstrated a significant reduction in mutagenicity after the pre‐ozonation process, indicating that preozonation can lower the degree of mutagenicity. Furthermore, the mutagenicity of the prepared humic acid samples gradually decreased after the advanced treatment process. However, when chlorine was added later to these samples, the mutagenicity increased again. This research shows that the use of O3/GAC processes to treat water can successfully lower mutagenicity, indicating a great potential for applications in the treatment of drinking water.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital mesoblastic nephroma in mid-second trimester by sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Although congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) is a rare benign congenital renal tumor, it is the most common solid renal tumor in the newborn period. The most common presentation of congenital mesoblastic nephroma is polyhydramnios, and only one case with prenatal fetal hydrops has been previously reported. Prenatal diagnosis of CMN has previously been made on the basis of the findings of sonography in the third trimester, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based diagnosis has been reported recently. Here we report a case of prenatally diagnosed classical type CMN diagnosed at 22 + 3 weeks of gestation based on the findings of sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The characteristic imaging findings in this case were fetal hydrops and polyhydramnios. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported gestational age for prenatal diagnosis of CMN and it is the second case of CMN associated with fetal hydrops detected prenatally. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新一代地球观测信息在天然气水合物研究中的应用展望

地球上蕴藏着巨大的天然气水合物(GasHydrates)矿藏,它可作为一种新的烃类资源来开发利用。天然气水合物中CH4的释放影响全球气候变化。同时,天然气水合物是一种潜在的环境灾害诱发因素。天然气水合物的研究与开发目前在国内外成为研究热点。新一代地球观测信息,如已发射成功的TERRA中的MODIS、MOPITT信息以及即将发射的化学星CHEM为天然气水合物的研究与开发提供了新的技术方法。中国气候观测系统中观测台站观测信息的共享,加速了开发利用新一代地球观测信息的速度,也必将促进新一代地球观测信息在天然气水合物研究中发挥更大的作用。     

Organotins and imposex in the rock shell, Thais clavigera, from oyster mariculture areas in Taiwan

The amounts of organotin compounds such as butyltins [sigma BTs: tributyl- (TBT), dibutyl- (DBT), monobutyl- (MBT)] and phenyltins [sigma PhTs: triphenyl- (TPhT), diphenyl- (DPhT) and monophenyl- (MPhT)] in rock shells, Thais clavigera, from the northern (Shiangsan), central (Lukang) and southern (Chiku) Taiwan oyster mariculture areas varied with season and location. High values of sigma BTs (mainly TBT) and low values of sigma PhTs (mainly TPhT) were found during winter (January 1999) at Shiangsan, while high amounts of sigma PhTs (mainly TPhT) and low sigma BTs (mainly TBT) were found during summer (August 1998) at Lukang. The snails were also affected by imposex. Imposex at Shiangsan, Lukang and Chiku increased from 67.1, 59.3 and 36.7% in summer to 100, 100 and 80% in winter, respectively. Relative penis size indices similar trend at Chiku site. No male displayed rock shells were found at Shiangsan and Lukang in winter. Linear correlations between pseudopenis length versus TBT (r = 0.7655, P < 0.001), DBT (r = 0.4253, P < 0.05), MBT (r = 0.5865, P < 0.01) and TPhT (r = -0.6160, P < 0.01) were obtained significant. Among 200 samples, significant positive correlations between length (pseudopenis/shell) ratio of female versus TBT (r = 0.6944, P < 0.005) and sigma BTs (r = 0.6413, r < 0.01) were also observed. The weak correlations between length (pseudopenis/shell) ratio of female versus DBT (r = 0.3085) and MBT (r = 0.4240, P < 0.1) and TPhT (-0.4917, P < 0.05; negative correlation) could indicate that DBT, MBT and TPhT have little or no effect on the development of imposex in rock shells.     

Development of emission factors for polyamide processing

Emission factors for selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate material were developed during processing of commercial grades of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and polyamide 66/6 resins. A small commercial-type extruder was used, and melt temperatures ranged from 475 to 550 degrees F. An emission factor was calculated for each substance measured and is reported as pounds released to the atmosphere per million pounds of polymer resin processed. Scaled to production volumes, these emission factors can be used by processors to estimate emission quantities from similar polyamide extrusion operations.     

Modeling VOCs adsorption onto activated carbon

The activated carbon adsorption process is affected by the characteristics of adsorbent, adsorbate and environmental conditions. In this study, both adsorption and desorption processes are assumed to occur simultaneously and a numerical model was developed with a non-linear driving force in conjunction with the Langmuir model for predicting the overall adsorption process. The numerical model provides both adsorption and desorption rate constants and activation energies. The resultant equilibrium constants are of the same order of magnitude as reported by other studies. Results show that the model could well predict the adsorption isotherms and breakthrough curves under various conditions.     

Driving performance comparing older versus younger drivers

Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Touro University California campus to compare differences in reaction times and driving performance of younger adult drivers (18–40 years) and older adult drivers (60 years and older). Each test group consisted of 38 participants.

Methods: A Simple Visual Reaction Test (SVRT) tool was used to measure reaction times. The STISIM Drive M100 driving simulator was used to assess driving parameters. Driving performance parameters included mean lane position, standard deviation of mean lane position measured, mean speed, standard deviation of mean speed, car-following delay, car-following modulus, car-following coherence, off-road accidents, collisions, pedestrians hit, and traffic light tickets.

Results: Compared to younger participants, older drivers experienced significantly slower reaction times (510.0 ± 208.8 vs. 372.4 ± 96.1 ms, P =.0004), had more collisions (0.18 ± 0.39 vs. none, P =.0044), drove slower (44.6 ± 6.6 vs. 54.9 ± 11.7 mph, P <.0001), deviated less in speed (12.6 ± 4.3 vs. 16.8 ± 6.3, P =.0011), and were less able to maintain a constant distance behind a pace car (0.42 ± 0.23 vs. 0.59 ± 0.24; P =.0025).

Conclusions: Differences exist in driving patterns of older and younger drivers as measured by reaction times and driving simulator outcomes. These results are the first to compare these 2 specific adult age groups' driving performance as measured by a standardized driving simulator scenario. Identifying these differences is essential in addressing them and preventing future traffic injuries.     

CaO2投加量及投加方式对剩余污泥厌氧发酵产生短链脂肪酸的影响

以污水处理厂剩余活性污泥作为研究对象,在中温条件下,按照不同投加量和投加方式投加过氧化钙（CaO₂）进行预处理,考察其对污泥发酵产酸和产甲烷的影响,以期确定CaO₂最佳投加量和投加方式.结果表明,在（35±1）℃条件下,投加CaO₂可提高剩余污泥发酵液pH值,从而促进有机物的快速溶出.在同样投加剂量条件下,一次性投加比多次投加更有利于污泥的溶解以及短链脂肪酸的积累.当一次性投加0.2g CaO₂/g VSS时,发酵液中乙酸浓度在第7d达到最高值（169mg COD/g VSS）,同时乙酸在6种主要酸中所占比例达到最大（71.0%）.与一次性投加方式相比较,多次投加CaO₂对产甲烷的抑制作用较小,不利于SCFAs的积累.     

矿井通风热阻力数值模拟研究

矿井风流流经井下热水、干热岩、火灾地点等局部高温区域时,风流吸收热量使其内能增加,高温风流在巷道内流动时会产生热阻力。针对如何确定井下风流加热流动时巷道内热阻力的实测范围这一问题,通过理论推导与数值模拟的方法对巷道内热阻力分布情况进行分析。由压力场的模拟结果得出风流加热流动时,所产生的热阻力不仅存在于加热区,高温风流向加热区下风侧流动时热阻力仍然存在。模拟结果表明:对于水平等截面管道,风流流经加热区时,风流速压增加,加热区内风流的静压降幅大于全压降幅;流出加热区的风流向管道出口处流动时,高温风流不断克服阻力做功,并与管道内的新鲜风流、壁面进行热交换,风流温度逐渐下降,当测定区间为加热区入口至模拟管道出口时,风流的静压降幅与全压降幅近似相等。研究结果对井下巷道、隧道及实际工程应用中热阻力的分析与研究都具有重要价值。