Determining heavy metals in spent compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and their waste management challenges: Some strategies for improving current conditions

From environmental viewpoint, the most important advantage of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is reduction of green house gas emissions. But their significant disadvantage is disposal of spent lamps because of containing a few milligrams of toxic metals, especially mercury and lead. For a successful implementation of any waste management plan, availability of sufficient and accurate information on quantities and compositions of the generated waste and current management conditions is a fundamental prerequisite. In this study, CFLs were selected among 20 different brands in Iran. Content of heavy metals including mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and chromium was determined by inductive coupled plasma (ICP). Two cities, Tehran and Tabriz, were selected for assessing the current waste management condition of CFLs. The study found that waste generation amount of CFLs in the country was about 159.80, 183.82 and 153.75 million per year in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Waste generation rate of CFLs in Iran was determined to be 2.05 per person in 2012. The average amount of mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and chromium was 0.417, 2.33, 0.064, 0.056 and 0.012 mg per lamp, respectively. Currently, waste of CFLs is disposed by municipal waste stream in waste landfills. For improving the current conditions, we propose by considering the successful experience of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in other electronic waste management. The EPR program with advanced recycling fee (ARF) is implemented for collecting and then recycling CFLs. For encouraging consumers to take the spent CFLs back at the end of the products’ useful life, a proportion of ARF (for example, 50%) can be refunded. On the other hand, the government and Environmental Protection Agency should support and encourage recycling companies of CFLs both technically and financially in the first place.     

MISSOURI RIVER - THE NEW COMPACTING GAME1

ABSTRACT: This paper addresses the recent interest in management of the Missouri River. Interstate issues in the river basin include interbasin water diversions, riverbed and shoreline degradation, loss of recreational and natural areas, reduction in navigation capacity, the status of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program in terms of general river development, and the elimination of river basin commissions, An attempt to develop a comprehensive interstate water compact failed in the 1950s. The new efforts towards establishing a compact are discussed, as well as other available mechanisms for resolution of the current political and legal differences among the ten river basin states.     

Sustainability versus liveability: an investigation of neighbourhood satisfaction

Recent years have witnessed an increasing emphasis placed on planning systems in most advanced capitalist societies to develop a more sustainable urban development pattern, resulting in policies to increase residential densities. Although belief in the virtues of the compact city approach is now widespread among the policy community, questions remain relating to the ‘sustainability versus liveability’ implications of compact city environments. In this regard, while the public may support sustainability principles, there is a perception that high-density development poses too great a cost on individuals' quality of life. Combining both quantitative and qualitative research data, this paper evaluates the relationship between high-density living and neighbourhood satisfaction within the central city. Findings suggest that, in many instances, it is not high density per se that is the source of dissatisfaction for respondents, but rather other related factors such as environmental quality, noise, lack of community involvement, traffic and lack of services and facilities.     

海上油田含油污水旋流气浮一体化处理设备及其应用

低强度旋流离心力场与气浮组合是一种高效的含油污水处理技术,目前在国外已有较为成熟的产品,尤其是挪威M-I SWACO公司开发的Epcon紧凑型气浮装置已经在海上油田含油污水处理的应用方面取得了众多成功的案例。从Epcon紧凑型气浮装置的基本结构及其工作原理入手,简要叙述了该设备的工艺流程和性能特点,重点介绍了其在世界范围内尤其是在中国西江30-2采油平台上的测试和应用状况,最后介绍了新一代CFU设备的研发动向,为国内自主设计研发含油污水旋流气浮一体化处理设备提供必要的理论指导。     

光盘——地震记录的新型载体

本文探讨了地震记录载体的发展，指出光盘是当前地震记录的新型载体，为了使地震信息记录能够长久保存下来，重点介绍了光盘的工作原理、结构和类型，以及光盘的选取、刻录和保护。     

含油污水处理用旋流气浮一体化设备的CFD数值模拟

借助商业计算流体动力学(CFD)软件Fluent,对国内自主研发的含油污水处理用BIPTCFU-1型旋流气浮一体化设备进行内部流场的数值模拟研究,讨论了射流器挡板和缓流板等主要结构参数对设备分离性能的影响,并对污水处理量和回流比等运行参数对设备除油率的影响进行了评估。为下一步通过CFD数值模拟手段进行优化设计,进而成功研发含油污水旋流气浮一体化处理设备奠定了较为坚实的基础。     

Hg Vapor Emission from Broken Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) in an Acrylic Chamber

The United States Environmental Protection Agency/Environmental Response Team (US EPA/ERT), in collaboration with St. John's College, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Agra, India, is conducting a study to determine Hg vapor emission rates resulting from broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in a residential setting. The overall objectives of the study are to determine Hg vapor emission data and provide homeowners with cleanup procedures and disposal options for broken CFLs. Most of the currently available CFLs in the US market are manufactured in China for US companies. Several different types of CFLs were purchased from local stores and their Hg content was determined. Based on previous studies, such as the 2011 study by Singhvi and colleagues, five popular spiral CFLs were selected for emission studies in an acrylic chamber. This study found that Hg vapor emissions from CFLs may be significantly greater than those from beads of liquid Hg with weights comparable to the Hg content of the CFLs. The average 24-hour Hg loss into the atmosphere from CFLs broken on a plastic surface ranged from 0.6% to 22% of the bulb content, while that for CFLs broken on carpet ranged from 2.6% to 28%. Projections for a 12 foot × 9.33 foot × 8 foot (25.4 m³) room based on the chamber measurements in this study indicate that CFL breakage in some household settings may produce 24-hour Hg concentrations above the 2000 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) minimum risk level (MRL) of 0.2 μg/m³, for typical air exchange rates. This study also indicates that Hg emission may not be proportional to exposed surface area based on experiments using liquid Hg with different surface areas.     

LUMP SUM TAX LOSS REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE THAMES RIVER FLOOD CONTROL COMPACT1

ABSTRACT: Under the terms of the Thames River Valley Flood Control Compact, Connecticut has been paying Massachusetts 40 percent of the annual property tax losses suffered by seven Massachusetts towns where four flood control structures were located. The permissable alternative of a single lump sum payment was investigated in the study summarized here. The lump sum payment should be the proportion of total benefits (flood control and recreation) from the four structures which Connecticut receives, multiplied by the present value of projected tax losses in the seven tom Flood control benefits and their distribution between the two states were fixed in the Compact, but a survey was necessary to determine recreational benefits and their distribution. Regression analysis of 1957 to 1978 tax loss data provided equations used to project future tax losses. Resent values of projected tax low were calculated using discount rates ranging from 6 to 12 percent. A plausible range of lump sum reinbursements as of 1979 was identified.     

大型城市紧凑度与能源效率的关系研究

采用超效率DEA和熵值法测算了2003—2014年29个大型城市的能源效率与紧凑度,进而通过象限图法对城市紧凑度与能源效率的关系进行分析。分析表明,我国大型城市能源效率普遍偏低但在缓慢提升;城市紧凑度与能源效率以低级协调为主。从区域看,二者关系的地区差异明显,东部以高级协调为主,中西部低级协调关系显著。城市规模越大,紧凑度和能源效率水平越高,且城市突出关系类型由低级协调变为高级协调。剔除紧凑度外其他可能影响能源效率的因素后的象限图再次印证提高紧凑度有利于改善城市能源效率的结论。为通过提升城市紧凑度来提高能源效率,需加大公共服务和基础设施投入,加强工业用地的集约使用,完善城市功能体系,实现经济、人文和生态的多功能复合利用。     

HZ型防尘密闭罩的研究设计与应用

简要介绍了HZ型防尘密闭罩的研究设计和工程应用情况。实际应用结果表明：HZ型防尘密闭罩能有效地密闭尘源，又不妨碍工人操作和维护检修，并可使排风量平均降低约40%，是一项值得推广的实用技术。