Two stage fluid bed-plasma gasification process for solid waste valorisation: technical review and preliminary thermodynamic modelling of sulphur emissions

Gasification of solid waste for energy has significant potential given an abundant feed supply and strong policy drivers. Nonetheless, significant ambiguities in the knowledge base are apparent. Consequently this study investigates sulphur mechanisms within a novel two stage fluid bed-plasma gasification process. This paper includes a detailed review of gasification and plasma fundamentals in relation to the specific process, along with insight on MSW based feedstock properties and sulphur pollutant therein. As a first step to understanding sulphur partitioning and speciation within the process, thermodynamic modelling of the fluid bed stage has been performed. Preliminary findings, supported by plant experience, indicate the prominence of solid phase sulphur species (as opposed to H₂S) - Na and K based species in particular. Work is underway to further investigate and validate this.     

A study of the atmospheric reaction of CH3S with O3 as a function of temperature

The atmospheric reaction of the methylthiyl radical (CH₃S) with O₃ was investigated as a function of temperature (259–381 K), in the pressure range of 25–300 Torr, using the technique of laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence. The resulting Arrhenius expression, with an uncertainty of ±2σ, was k₁(T=259–381 K)=(1.02±0.30)×10⁻¹² exp[(432±77) K/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The obtained rate constant k₁ was independent of pressure over the limited range employed. Our results are compared with the previous studies carried out, at single temperature and as a function of temperature, by different techniques.     

Sulphur transformation and deposition in the rhizosphere of Juncus effusus in a laboratory-scale constructed wetland

Sulphur cycling and its correlation to removal processes under dynamic redox conditions in the rhizosphere of helophytes in treatment wetlands are poorly understood. Therefore, long-term experiments were performed in laboratory-scale constructed wetlands treating artificial domestic wastewater in order to investigate the dynamics of sulphur compounds, the responses of plants and nitrifying microorganisms under carbon surplus conditions, and the generation of methane. For carbon surplus conditions (carbon:sulphate of 2.8:1) sulphate reduction happened but was repressed, in contrast to unplanted filters mentioned in literature. Doubling the carbon load caused stable and efficient sulphate reduction, rising of pH, increasing enrichment of S(2-) and S(0) in pore water, and finally plant death and inhibition of nitrification by sulphide toxicity. The data show a clear correlation of the occurrence of reduced S-species with decreasing C and N removal performance and plant viability in the experimental constructed wetlands.     

Long term changes in atmospheric N and S throughfall deposition and effects on soil solution chemistry in a Scots pine forest in the Netherlands

In a Scots pine forest the throughfall deposition and the chemical composition of the soil solution was monitored since 1984. (Inter)national legislation measures led to a reduction of the deposition of nitrogen and sulphur. The deposition of sulphur has decreased by approximately 65%. The total mineral-nitrogen deposition has decreased by ca. 25%, which is mainly due to a reduction in ammonium-N deposition (−40%), since nitrate-N deposition has increased (+50%). The nitrogen concentration in the upper mineral soil solution at 10 cm depth has decreased, leading to an improved nutritional balance, which may result in improved tree vitality. In the drainage water at 90 cm depth the fluxes of NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ have decreased, resulting in a reduced leeching of accompanying base cations, thus preserving nutrients in the ecosystem. It may take still several years, however, before this will meet the prerequisite of a sustainable ecosystem.     

SO2污染防治对策

概述了国内外ＳＯ２污染防治现状。指出了上海市大气中ＳＯ２污染严重状况，提出了近期与远期相结合；引进消化吸收国外先进技术与组织国内科技攻关相结合；经济手段与法制手段相结合；解决呼吸带与高空污染相结合的ＳＯ２污染防治对策与建议。重点建议，目前需集中力量控制中、小型锅炉的ＳＯ２排放量；走国际合作道路，加快研制开发大型电厂的脱硫装置，从根本上解决大气中的ＳＯ２污染；国家与地方迅速制订对排入大气中的ＳＯ２污     

被动扩散技术在环境空气监测中的应用

被动扩散监测技术以其成本低、布点灵活、操作简单，易于掌握等特点在世界各地广泛应用于环境空气质量监测。辽宁省环保局通过欧盟项目引入，盘锦市试点表明SO2和NO2各月变化趋势和各功能区监测结果与我市自动站监测结果相一致。可以弥补自动监测点位不足和开展大范围多点位监测。     

WL—NA法排烟脱硫技术

从我国SO2大气污染情况出发，说明其治理重要性；重点阐述WL－NA法排烟脱硫技术．该技术脱硫率＞90％，同时得到商品价值高的二氧化硫副产品，具有推广应用价值．     

Impacts of some meteorological parameters on SO2 and TSP concentrations in Erzurum, Turkey

The air pollution is the one of the most important environmental problems in Erzurum, situated in the eastern of Turkey, during winter periods. The unfavorable climate as well as the city’s topography, and inappropriate urbanization cause serious air pollution problems. The air pollutant concentrations in a city have a close relationship with its meteorological parameters. In the present study, the relationship between daily average total suspended particulate (TSP) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) concentrations with meteorological factors, such as wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, pressure and precipitation, in 1995–2002 winter seasons was statistically analyzed using the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. According to the results obtained through analysis, higher TSP and SO₂ concentrations are strongly related to colder temperatures, lower wind speed, higher pressure system and weakly lower precipitation and higher relative humidity. The statistical models of SO₂ and TSP including meteorological parameters gave R² of 0.74 and 0.88, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation between the previous day’s SO₂, TSP concentrations and actual concentrations of these pollutants on that day was investigated and found as 0.84 and 0.53, respectively. In order to develop this model, previous day’s SO₂ and TSP concentrations were added to the equations. The new model for SO₂ enhanced considerably (R² = 0.92), but for TSP new model was not enhanced (R² = 0.89).     

Assessment of yield losses in tropical wheat using open top chambers

The present study deals with the evaluation of effects of ambient gaseous air pollution on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. HUW-234) growing in a suburban area situated in eastern Gangetic plain of India, using open top chambers. Eight hourly air monitoring was conducted for ambient concentrations of SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ in filtered chambers (FCs), non-filtered chambers (NFCs) and open plots (OPs). Various morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed during different developmental stages and finally yield parameters were quantified at the time of harvest.Mean concentrations of SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ were 8.4, 39.9 and 40.1 ppb, respectively during the experiment in NFCs. Concentrations of SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ reduced by 74.6%, 84.7% and 90.4%, respectively in FCs as compared to NFCs. Plants grown in FCs showed higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content and Fv/Fm ratio as compared to the plants in NFCs and OPs. Lipid peroxidation, proline, total phenol and ascorbic acid contents and peroxidase activity were higher in plants grown in NFCs. There were improvements in morphological parameters of plants growing in FCs as compared to those in NFCs and OPs. Yield of plants also increased significantly in FCs as compared to those ventilated with ambient air (NFCs) or grown in OPs. During the vegetative phase, NO₂ concentrations were higher than O₃, but O₃ became dominant pollutant during the time of grain setting and filling. The study concludes that O₃ and NO₂ are the main air pollutants in the sub-urban areas causing significant yield reductions in tropical wheat plants.     

污泥酸化速率影响因子的探讨

采用城市污水厂污泥作为嗜酸微生物菌株来源,通过添加一定量的单质硫,使其中的嗜酸硫杆菌群大量增殖,并使污泥pH大幅降低.取得的培养物可用于废旧干电池中重金属沥滤等的处理.由于培养物对重金属沥滤效率和污泥的酸化速率密切相关,为此进行了不同的污泥种类、加硫量、污泥浓度和曝气强度对污泥酸化速率影响的实验.实验表明,初沉泥、二沉泥和混合浓缩污泥都能迅速利用硫产酸;加硫量(以100 mL污泥计)在0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0 g时,快速酸化的趋势相同.0.5 g的加硫量显示出略微慢的酸化速率,最后达到的最低pH在1.2左右,其他三个都降至1.0以下.污泥质量分数在0.5%、1.0%、2.0%、3.0%、4.0%时,也具有相同的酸化趋势,0.5%质量分数的污泥下降速率最快,这与较低浓度下污泥对pH的缓冲能力较小有关;曝气强度在0.45 L/min和0.3 L/min差别较小,5 d内能迅速降低pH,0.2 L/min的酸化速率较慢,足够长的时间(12 d)也能将pH降至2.5左右,0.1 L/min的曝气强度的酸化速率最慢,不能达到预期的酸化效果.