Effect of ZnCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> impregnation ratio on pore structure of activated carbons prepared from cattle manure compost: application of N<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption-desorption isotherms

Activated carbons were prepared from cattle manure compost (CMC) by ZnCl₂ activation with various ZnCl₂/CMC mass ratios. Based on the N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, mathematical models including the Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) equation, the α_s plot, and the Horvath-Kawazoe method were used to analyze the pore structural characteristics of the prepared activated carbons. It was found that for carbons possessing both micro-and mesopores, the DR method provided a more accurate estimation than the α_s method for the extent of microporosity. The effect of the ZnCl₂ impregnation ratio on the pore structure was discussed using the DR method. The results revealed that pore evolution involved three distinct regions with increases in the amount of impregnated ZnCl₂: raising the ZnCl₂/CMC mass ratio from 0.00 to 0.50 resulted in a 19-fold increase in micropore volume (V_me ^D) but caused no change in the mesopore volume (V_me ^D); increasing the ZnCl₂/CMC mass ratio from 0.50 to 1.00 led to an increment in V_mi ^D of about 50% and in V_me ^D of 170%; while raising the ratio from 1.50 to 2.50 caused a slight decrease in V_mi ^D but a 200% increment in the value of V_me ^D.     

Spray optimization through application and liquid physical property variables–I

One of the most important considerations when optimizing a spray application for maximum efficacy and minimum drift is the selection of the optimum droplet size spectrum (Hewitt, A. J., 1997. The importance of droplet size in agricultural spraying. Atomization and Sprays, 7(3), 235–244). Applicators are faced with an extensive selection of nozzle types, tank mixes and adjuvants. The present paper discusses the way that the tank mix and application variables interact to produce specific spray characteristics of droplet size spectrum, coverage and performance in total spray efficiency. Experimental data investigating the effects of liquid physical properties such as dynamic surface tension, shear and extensional viscosity are described. Spray formation from emulsions, surfactants and oils is also discussed. Atomization studies conducted in wind tunnels using a wide range of atomizer and nozzle types under different operating conditions are discussed. Empirical models for predicting atomization and drift of sprays are described with emphasis on their development and practical use for spray optimization.     

Determination of granule size distribution in a UASB reactor

Granular sludge is the key factor for an efficient operation of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. In order to monitor the granularity of anaerobic sludge, the determination of the granule size distribution is of vital importance. For this reason, several techniques have been proposed; however, they are either tedious, imprecise or expensive and hardly applicable in full-scale treatment plants. There was then the need for a simple and low-cost technique. This technique involves the determination of the settling velocities of a sludge sample and of extrapolating the corresponding diameters using a mathematical algorithm. In the proposed algorithm, the granules density was calculated, the flow regime was examined and finally the granule size distribution was obtained. Two very important correlations were suggested by the experimental results. The granule density and diameter were strongly correlated with the VSS/TSS ratio.     

Does seston size structure reflect fish-mediated effects on water quality in a degraded semiarid wetland?

This study evaluates whether the size structure of seston (the sum of living and nonliving particles in the water column) reflects the effects of fish on wetland water quality. Using enclosures, we measured water quality and zooplankton community structure in the presence and absence of two fish species with distinct foraging strategies [benthivorous carp (Cyprinus carpio) and planktivorous mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)]. Seston collected from the enclosures was counted and sized automatically with a Coulter counter, and the size structure in the range of 1–60 μm was modelled using the underlying Pareto distribution of particles. Only Cyprinus contributed to a loss of water quality (increased nutrient levels, algal and non-algal turbidity, hypoxia), while both fish species changed zooplankton community composition compared to fishless controls. However, these changes were not reflected in parameters [goodness of fit (r ²) and parameter c (slopes)] of Pareto models. Multivariate statistics suggest that seston size structure responded more to environmental gradients related to water depth but the relationships were also weak. Our overall result contrasts with the regulation of size spectra constructed from living organisms. Although seston integrates many structural and functional features of the water column, the lack of strong relationships between Pareto model parameters and water quality suggests that a size-based approach to characterise seston structure has a limited potential for assessing biota-mediated effects in wetlands in a straightforward manner.     

生物柴油发动机颗粒排放物粒径及其分布试验研究

为获取燃用不同比例生物柴油的发动机排放颗粒物粒径及其分布特性,对1台增压直喷式车用柴油机进行了台架测试.用80 L/min定量泵和装有直径90 mm的玻纤滤膜采样器在排气管内采样10 min,用激光粒度仪测量与分析颗粒粒径和分布.结果表明,随着发动机转速提高,排放颗粒粒径变小且分布更集中.干法众数对应的粒径级较大（约10～12 μm）且较集中,湿法众数的较小（约4～10 μm）且分散.用干法分析,发动机低速时,B100的Sauter平均直径d₃₂最大,纯柴油最小,而B20的结果介于二者之间.而高速时B20的粒径最大,纯柴油次之,B100最小.中数粒径d(0.5)的结果也反映这一趋势.用湿法分析,除了2?000 r/min点外, B20的d₃₂最大,B100次之,柴油最小.湿法众数比干法分散,因而d₃₂也较大.     

化学生物絮凝工艺的反应机理初探

考察了化学生物絮凝工艺中的Zeta电位、颗粒物粒度分布和溶解性有机物的分子质量分级,并分别与化学强化一级工艺和初沉池进行了对比.研究表明,相同药剂投加量下,化学生物絮凝工艺和化学强化一级工艺的出水Zeta电位值基本相等,化学生物絮凝工艺的回流污泥所携带的化学药剂几乎不影响反应池内颗粒物的稳定状态,其中的生物作用是该工艺对污染物的絮凝效果优于化学强化一级工艺的关键因素.在化学生物絮凝工艺中,投加药剂仅对粒径>10 μm颗粒物和分子质量>6 ku溶解性有机物有较好的去除效果,而生物絮凝作用不但可以促进对大粒径颗粒物和大分子质量溶解性有机物的去除,而且对小粒径颗粒物和小分子质量溶解性有机物也有较好的去除,其出水中粒径>3 μm的颗粒物被完全去除,分子质量为2～6 ku 的溶解性有机物的去除率也高达42.5%.     

Innovative solutions for averting a potential resource crisis—the case of one-person households in England and Wales

This paper seeks to test the hypothesis that growth in one-person households will increase the domestic consumption of energy, land and household goods in England and Wales. It concludes that if current consumer behaviour of one-person households persists there will be a significant increase in the consumption of all three resources in the future. However, it argues that that many opportunities exist in England and Wales for tackling this problem. For example the new housing programme, increasing ability amongst one-person households to afford “green alternatives” and the search amongst some one-person households for alternative lifestyles (which could be potentially more resource efficient). The paper suggests that providing one-person households with opportunities to live in more resource efficient housing and adopt pro-environmental behaviour could significantly reduce their future environmental impact. Various design, fiscal and awareness-raising solutions are presented in the paper and their viability is assessed. These include ecological homes, collective housing forms, occupancy tax, relocation packages, educational programmes and targeted advertising campaigns. The paper proposes that using a combination of these more innovative solutions to the problem could significantly reduce the future environmental impact of one-person households.     

浅谈600 MW机组湿法脱硫吸收塔的设计

结合广东某600 MW机组吸收塔的设计实例,对吸收塔的结构尺寸、内部件及防腐等关键工艺设计进行了阐述,以便为国内同类型脱硫工程吸收塔的设计提供借鉴及参考.     

Use of Chitosan as Coagulant to Treat Wastewater from Milk Processing Plant

Chitosan is a natural high molecular polymer made from crab, shrimp and lobster shells. When used as coagulant in water treatment, not like aluminum and synthetic polymers, chitosan has no harmful effect on human health, and the disposal of waste from seafood processing industry can also be solved. In this study the wastewater from the system of cleaning in place (CIP) containing high content of fat and protein was coagulated using chitosan, and the fat and the protein can be recycled. Chitosan is a natural material, the sludge cake from the coagulation after dehydrated could be used directly as feed supplement, therefore not only saving the spent on waste disposal but also recycling useful material. The result shows that the optimal result was reached under the condition of pH 7 with the coagulant dosage of 25 mg/l. The analysis of cost-effective shows that no extra cost to use chitosan as coagulant in the wastewater treatment, and it is an expanded application for chitosan.