Acceleration of floc-water separation and floc reduction with magnetic nanoparticles during demulsification of complex waste cutting emulsions

Waste cutting emulsions are difficult to treat efficiently owing to their complex composition and stable emulsified structure. As an important treatment method for emulsions, chemical demulsification is faced with challenges such as low flocs–water separation rates and high sludge production. Hence, in this study, Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used to enhance chemical demulsification performance for treating waste cutting emulsions under a magnetic field. The addition of MNPs significantly decreased the time required to attain sludge–water separation and sludge compression equilibrium, from 210 to 20 min. In addition, the volume percentage of sludge produced at the equilibrium state was reduced from 45% to 10%. This excellent flocculation–separation performance was stable over a pH range of 3–11. The magnetization of the flocculants and oil droplets to form a flocculant–MNP–oil droplet composite, and the magnetic transfer of the composite were two key processes that enhanced the separation of cutting emulsions. Specifically, the interactions among MNPs, flocculants, and oil droplets were important in the magnetization process, which was controlled by the structures and properties of the three components. Under the magnetic field, the magnetized flocculant–MNP–oil droplet composites were considerably accelerated and separated from water, and the sludge was simultaneously compressed. Thus, this study expands the applicability of magnetic separation techniques in the treatment of complex waste cutting emulsions.     

干湿法结合工艺回收废弃SCR脱硝催化剂中的钛、钒和钨

利用干湿法结合工艺实现废弃SCR脱硝催化剂中Ti、V和W元素的高效分离和浸出,提出成套废弃SCR脱硝催化剂中Ti、V和W的回收技术。以废弃SCR脱硝催化剂为研究对象,优选Ti、V和W元素最佳浸出工况,研究硫酸溶解法回收TiO₂和有机萃取法回收V₂O₅和WO₃的回收率与纯度。结果表明:酸浸还原浸钒最优工艺条件为温度140℃,液固比30∶1;钠化焙烧浸钨最优工艺条件为煅烧温度750℃,反应物与Na₂CO₃配比（质量比）为1∶1.5,在以上条件下V、W浸出率分别达到97.6%、93.6%。利用硫酸溶解法回收得到的TiO₂产物主要以锐钛矿晶型存在形式,在最佳焙烧温度750℃下,TiO₂回收率达到97.17%,纯度为95.35%。利用有机萃取法回收得到的V₂O₅和WO₃产物的回收率和纯度分别为72.47%、75.43%和93.25%、78.26%。     

Regulated emission characteristics of in-use LNG and diesel semi-trailer towing vehicles under real driving conditions using PEMS

On-road driving emissions of six liquefied natural gas(LNG) and diesel semi-trailer towing vehicles(STTVs) which met China Emission Standard IV and V were tested using Portable Emission Measurement System(PEMS) in northern China.Emission characteristics of these vehicles under real driving conditions were analyzed and proved that on-road emissions of heavy-duty vehicles(HDVs) were underestimated in the past.There were large differences among LNG and diesel vehicles, which also existed between China V vehicles and China IV vehicles.Emission factors showed the highest level under real driving conditions, which probably be caused by frequent acceleration, deceleration, and start-stop.NOx emission factors ranged from 2.855 to 20.939 g/km based on distance-traveled and 6.719–90.557 g/kg based on fuel consumption during whole tests, which were much higher than previous researches on chassis dynamometer.It was inferred from tests that the fuel consumption rate of the test vehicles had a strong correlation with NOx emission, and the exhaust temperature also affected the efficiency of Selected Catalytic Reduction(SCR) aftertreatment system, thus changing the NOx emission greatly.THC emission factors of LNG vehicles were 2.012–10.636 g/km, which were much higher than that of diesel vehicles(0.029–0.185 g/km).Unburned CH_4 may be an important reason for this phenomenon.Further on-road emission tests, especially CH_4 emission test should be carried out in subsequent research.In addition, the Particulate Number(PN) emission factors of diesel vehicles were at a very high level during whole tests, and Diesel Particulate Filter(DPF)should be installed to reduce PN emission.     

Hygroscopicity measurement of sodium carbonate, β-alanine and internally mixed β-alanine/Na2CO3 particles by ATR-FTIR

Water-uptakes of pure sodium carbonate(Na_2CO_3),pure β-alanine and internally mixedβ-alanine/Na_2CO_3 aerosol particles with different mole ratios are first monitored using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) technique.For pure Na_2CO_3 aerosol particles,combining the absorptions at 877 and 1422 cm-1 with abrupt water loss shows the efflorescence relative humidity(ERH) of 62.9%–51.9%.Upon humidifying,solid Na_2CO_3 firstly absorbs water to from Na_2CO_3·H2 O crystal at 72.0% RH and then deliquesces at 84.5% RH(DRH).As for pure β-alanine particles,the crystallization takes place in the range of 42.4%–33.2% RH and becomes droplets at ～ 88.2% RH.When β-alanine is mixed with Na_2CO_3 at various mole ratios,it shows no efflorescence of Na_2CO_3 whenβ-alanine to Na_2CO_3 mole ratio(OIR) is 2:1.For 1:1 and 1:2 β-alanine/Na_2CO_3 aerosols,the ERHs of Na_2CO_3 are 51.8%–42.3% and 57.1%–42.3%,respectively.While β-alanine crystal appears from 62.7% RH for 2:1 and 59.4% RH for both 1:1 and 1:2 particles and lasts to driest state.On hydration,the DRH is 44.7%–75.2% for Na_2CO_3 with the OIR of 1:1 and 44.7%–69.0%for 1:2 mixture,and those of β-alanine are 74.8% for 2:1 mixture and 68.9% for two others.After the first dehumidification–humidification,all the water contents decrease despite of constituent fraction.And at ～ 92% RH,the remaining water contents are 92%,89% and 82%at ～ 92% RH,corresponding to OIR of 2:1,1:1 and 1:2 mixed system,respectively.     

Dynamic nano-Ag colloids cytotoxicity to and accumulation by Escherichia coli: Effects of Fe3+, ionic strength and humic acid

Released Ag ions or/and Ag particles are believed to contribute to the cytotoxicity of Ag nanomaterials, and thus, the cytotoxicity and mechanism of Ag nanomaterials should be dynamic in water due to unfixed Ag particle:Ag⁺ ratios. Our recent research found that the cytotoxicity of PVP-Ag nanoparticles is attributable to Ag particles alone in 3 hr bioassays, and shifts to both Ag particles and released Ag⁺ in 48 hr bioassays. Herein, as a continued study, the cytotoxicity and accumulation of 50 and 100 nm Ag colloids in Escherichia coli were determined dynamically. The cytotoxicity and mechanisms of nano-Ag colloids are dynamic throughout exposure and are derived from both Ag ions and particles. Ag accumulation by E. coli is derived mainly from extracellular Ag particles during the initial 12 hr of exposure, and thereafter mainly from intracellular Ag ions. Fe³⁺ accelerates the oxidative dissolution of nano-Ag colloids, which results in decreasing amounts of Ag particles and particle-related toxicity. Na⁺ stabilizes nano-Ag colloids, thereby decreasing the bioavailability of Ag particles and particle-related toxicity. Humic acid (HA) binds Ag⁺ to form Ag⁺-HA, decreasing ion-related toxicity and binding to the E. coli surface, decreasing particle-related toxicity. HA in complex conditions showed a stronger relative contribution to toxicity and accumulation than Na⁺ or Fe³⁺. The results highlighted the cytotoxicity and mechanism of nano-Ag colloids are dynamic and affected by environmental factors, and therefore exposure duration and water chemistry should be seriously considered in environmental and health risk assessments.     

Development of a static test apparatus for evaluating the performance of three PM2.5 separators commonly used in China

PM_(2.5) separator directly affects the accuracy of PM_(2.5) sampling.The specification testing and evaluation for PM_(2.5) separator is particularly important,especially under China's wide variation of terrain and climate.In this study,first a static test apparatus based on polydisperse aerosol was established and calibrated to evaluate the performance of the PM_(2.5) separators.A uniform mixing chamber was developed to make particles mix completely.The aerosol concentration relative standard deviations of three test points at the same horizontal chamber position were less than 0.57%,and the particle size distribution obeyed logarithmic normal distribution with an R~2 of 0.996.The flow rate deviation between the measurement and the set point flow rate agreed to within ± 1.0% in the range of -40 to 50℃.Secondly,the separation,flow and loading characteristics of three cyclone separators(VSCC-A,SCC-A and SCC112) were evaluated using this system.The results showed that the 50% cutoff sizes(D_(50)) of the three cyclones were 2.48,2.47 and 2.44 μm when worked at the manufacturer's recommended flow rates,respectively.The geometric standard deviation(GSD) of the capture efficiency of VSCCA was 1.23,showed a slightly sharper than SCC-A(GSD = 1.27),while the SCC112 did not meet the relevant indicator(GSD = 1.2 ± 0.1) with a GSD = 1.44.The flow rate and loading test had a great effect on D_(50),while the GSD remained almost the same as before.In addition,the maintenance frequency under different air pollution conditions of the cyclones was summarized according to the loading test.     

Revealing the changes of bacterial community from water source to consumers tap: A full-scale investigation in eastern city of China

This study profiled the bacterial community variations of water from four water treatment systems, including coagulation, sedimentation, sand filtration, ozonation-biological activated carbon filtration (O₃-BAC), disinfection, and the tap water after the distribution process in eastern China. The results showed that different water treatment processes affected the bacterial community structure in different ways. The traditional treatment processes, including coagulation, sedimentation and sand filtration, reduced the total bacterial count, while they had little effect on the bacterial community structure in the treated water (before disinfection). Compared to the traditional treatment process, O₃-BAC reduced the relative abundance of Sphingomonas in the finished water. In addition, ozonation may play a role in reducing the relative abundance of Mycobacterium. NaClO and ClO₂ had different effects on the bacterial community in the finished water. The relative abundance of some bacteria (e.g. Flavobacterium, Phreatobacter and Porphyrobacter) increased in the finished water after ClO₂ disinfection. The relative abundance of Mycobacterium and Legionella, which have been widely reported as waterborne opportunistic pathogens, increased after NaClO disinfection. In addition, some microorganisms proliferated and grew in the distribution system, which could lead to turbidity increases in the tap water. Compared to those in the finished water, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas, Hyphomicrobium, Phreatobacter, Rheinheimera, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter increased in the tap water disinfected with NaClO, while the relative abundance of Mycobacterium increased in the tap water disinfected with ClO₂. Overall, this study provided the detailed variation in the bacterial community in the drinking water system.     

Cytotoxicity of the soluble and insoluble fractions of atmospheric fine particulate matter

Inhaled atmospheric fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5)) includes soluble and insoluble fractions,and each fraction can interact with cells and cause adverse effects.PM_(2.5) samples were collected in Jinan,China,and the soluble and insoluble fractions were separated.According to physiochemical characterization,the soluble fraction mainly contains watersoluble ions and organic acids,and the insoluble fraction mainly contains kaolinite,calcium carbonate and some organic carbon.The interaction between PM_(2.5) and model cell membranes was examined with a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation(QCM-D) to quantify PM_(2.5) attachment on membranes and membrane disruption.The cytotoxicity of the total PM_(2.5) and the soluble and insoluble fractions,was investigated.Negatively charged PM_(2.5) can adhere to the positively charged membranes and disrupt them.PM_(2.5)also adheres to negatively charged membranes but does not cause membrane rupture.Therefore,electrostatic repulsion does not prevent PM_(2.5) attachment,but electrostatic attraction induces remarkable membrane rupture.The human lung epithelial cell line A549 was used for cytotoxicity assessment.The detected membrane leakage,cellular swelling and blebbing indicated a cell necrosis process.Moreover,the insoluble PM_(2.5) fraction caused a higher cell mortality and more serious cell membrane damage than the soluble fraction.The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) enhanced by the two fractions were not significantly different.The findings provide more information to better understand the mechanism of PM_(2.5) cytotoxicity and the effect of PM_(2.5) solubility on cytotoxicity.     

Effects of calcination temperature on physicochemical property and activity of CuSO4/TiO2 ammonia-selective catalytic reduction catalysts

CuSO_4/TiO_2 catalysts with high catalytic activity and excellent resistant to SO_2 and H_2 O,were thought to be promising catalysts used in Selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides by NH_3.The performance of catalysts is largely affected by calcination temperature.Here,effects of calcination temperature on physicochemical property and catalytic activity of CuSO_4/TiO_2 catalysts were investigated in depth.Catalyst samples calcined at different temperatures were prepared first and then physicochemical properties of the catalyst were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption,X-ray diffraction,thermogravimetric analysis,Raman spectra,Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,temperature-pro grammed desorption of NH_3,temperature-programmed reduction of H_2 and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy.Results revealed that high calcination temperature had three main effects on the catalyst.First,sintering and anatase transform into rutile with increase of calcination temperature,causing a decrement of specific surface area.Second,decomposition of CuSO_4 under higher calcination temperature,resulting in disappears of Br(?)nsted acid sites(S-OH),which had an adverse effect on surface acidity.Third,CuO from the decomposition of CuSO_4 changed surface reducibility of the catalyst and favored the process of NH_3 oxidation to nitrogen oxides(NO_x).Thus,catalytic activity of the catalyst calcined under high temperatures(≥600℃) decreased largely.