Utilization of limestone dust waste as filler in natural rubber

The possibility of using limestone dust waste (LDW) as a filler in natural rubber (NR) was investigated. First, the basic properties of LDW were characterized; LDW was then incorporated into NR and the compound properties were determined. Comparison of the reinforcing effect of LDW and other commercial fillers such as light-precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) was made. The results revealed that even though the addition of LDW has little effect on compound processability, it has a negative effect on most mechanical properties, e.g., tensile strength, tear strength, and abrasion resistance, of the vulcanizate. Among the three fillers, the degree of reinforcement could be placed in the following order: NPCC > PCC > LDW. Due to their relatively low specific surface area and thus low reinforcement ability, both LDW and PCC can be grouped as nonreinforcing fillers, whereas NPCC, the specific surface area of which is relatively high, could be grouped as a semi-reinforcing filler for rubber.     

Enhanced adsorption and colorimetric detection of tetracycline antibiotics by using functional phosphate/carbonate composite with nanoporous network coverage

This work presents efficient tetracycline (TC) antibiotics adsorption using a functional porous phosphate/carbonate composite (PCC). The PCC was fabricated by anion-exchange of phosphate on the surface of vaterite-phase calcium carbonate particle scaffolds. The PCC, having dense nanoporous network coverage with large surface area and pore volume, exhibited excellent TC adsorption in solution. Its adsorption isotherm fitted well to the Freundlich model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 118.72 mg/g. The adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. From the XPS analysis, the hydrogen bonding and surface complexation were the key interactions in the process. In addition, a colorimetric TC detection method was developed considering its complexation with phosphate ions, originating from PCC dissolution, during adsorption. The method was used to detect TC in mg/L concentrations in water samples. Thus, the multifunctional PCC exhibited potential for use in TC removal and environmental remediation.     

Calcium carbonate waste from an integrated pulp and paper mill as a potential liming agent

Calcium carbonate is used in large amounts in the pulp and paper industry as a paper filler. When it is manufactured, the calcium carbonate waste is purged from the process. Here we demonstrate that, due to the elevated calcium concentration of 168.5 g kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw), alkaline pH of 12.6 and neutralizing (liming) effect value of 42.4% expressed as Ca equivalents, this waste is a potential liming agent and a pH buffer. The heavy metal concentrations in the waste were lower than the new Finnish limit values for fertilizers used in agriculture, as well as for a material, e.g. ash, used as an earth construction agent. These limit values came into force in March 2007 and in June 2006, respectively.     

动电电位的测试在煤泥水治理中的应用

通过对煤泥水动电电位的测试 ,推断出煤泥水的胶粒结构。通过对各种降低动电电位的混凝剂的测试 ,得出钙盐是较理想的混凝剂 ,并确定了电石渣与聚丙烯酰胺联用治理煤泥水的最新方法。     

化工厂场地酸化土壤工程化中和修复案例研究

对江苏某化工厂酸化地块进行了氧化钙中和修复工程研究。Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ号地块剖面混合土样pH值分别为3.56、4.68和4.74,土壤修复目标定在pH值为6~8基本近中性。通过室内试验确定Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ号地块土壤生石灰掺混比例为0.5%、0.3%和0.3%;现场中试后Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ号地块石灰掺混比例调整为0.7%、0.35%和0.3%;中试结果用于场地机械搅拌工程修复,修复过程中定期随机采样对中和效果进行连续监测。监测结果基本达标后请第三方对修复效果进行评估,最后土壤回填压实。修复结果表明借助于科学的石灰添加量和工程机械混合措施,能快速有效地修复酸化地块土壤。     

新型固定化生物小球的研制及其处理模拟苯胺废水的特性

从焦化废水二级处理系统的生物膜中富集、培养、浓缩得到能降解苯胺的混合菌种GAl作为固定化微生物的来源.用3种不同方法制备了新型固定化生物活性炭纤维小球(IBACFBs),并研究了其机械性能;通过降解模拟苯胺废水考察了固定化生物活性炭纤维小球的生化活性和循环使用寿命.同时也比较了小球中活性炭纤维和活性炭对小球生化性能的影响.结果表明,以Ca(N03)2为唯一固化剂,采用冷冻-解冻法制得的IBACFBs具有最好的机械性能和生化活性,对高浓度苯胺溶液有优异的降解效果,最适条件下经过46h反应,苯胺浓度从初始的526mg·L-1降至9.6mg·L-1,降解率达到98.4%.由于具有特殊的孔结构和巨大的比表面积,相比于活性炭,活性炭纤维更能提升固定化小球的生化活性.循环批次降解苯胺实验表明,IBACFBs具有良好的机械强度,生化活性随着循环次数的增加不但没有降低,反而有不同程度的提高;循环批次反应后,在最适条件下IBACFBs仅用30h就可将苯胺溶液浓度从513mg·L-1降至7.6mg·L-1,降解率高达98.5%.     

Mineralogy and chemistry of urinary stones: patients from North Jordan

Urinary stone diseases are increasing in the Middle East. The majority of urinary stone cases are found in the northern part of the country. Stone samples taken from patients living in the Irbid area were collected from Princess Basma Hospital. The present study concentrates on the mineralogical and chemical composition of the urinary stones and on the effective environmental factors that assist in developing the different types of urinary stones. Using X-ray diffraction techniques, the mineralogical composition of the urinary stones was found to be as follows: oxalate, cholesten, and uric acid, with cystine stones occuring more frequently than the others. Cholesten and calcium oxalate stones are the most dominant types of stones. Calcium oxalate is the most common type of oxalate stone. Calcium oxalate is represented in: whewellite, wheddellite, and calcium carbonate oxalate hydrate minerals, in addition to other minerals such as brushite, ammonium phosphate, vaterite, valleriite, and bobierrite from other types of stones. Bobierrite (phosphate group) is a new mineral reported in urinary stones, and this has not been determined in any previous study worldwide. Apatite (calcium phosphate) is deduced using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The SEM technique determined crystal forms and systems, shapes, morphological features, and the names of the minerals forming urine stones, while optical properties are studied by polarizing microscope. X-ray fluorescence technique determined the concentrations of major and some trace elements. It revealed that Ca is the main constituent of the urinary stones, especially those composed of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. The concentration of trace elements was Ba = 1.57, P = 3.61, Fe = 1.78, S = 2.08, Zr = 4.63, Mo = 3.92, Cu = 1.89, Co = 1.56, and F = 4.2% and was higher in the urinary stones of Jordanian patients than in foreigners in the country. Questionnaires completed by patients suggest that the most significant factors directly effecting the formation of stones are water, climate conditions, food rich in protein and rich in different chemicals. Moreover, some drugs and diseases might also help in developing other stones.     

Feasible conversion of solid waste bauxite tailings into highly crystalline 4A zeolite with valuable application

Bauxite tailings are a major type of solid wastes generated in the flotation process. The waste by-products caused significant environmental impact. To lessen this hazardous effect from poisonous mine tailings, a feasible and cost-effective solution was conceived and implemented. Our approach focused on reutilization of the bauxite tailings by converting it to 4A zeolite for reuse in diverse applications. Three steps were involved in the bauxite conversion: wet-chemistry, alkali fusion, and crystallization to remove impurities and to prepare porous 4A zeolite. It was found that the cubic 4A zeolite was single phase, in high purity, with high crystallinity and well-defined structure. Importantly, the 4A zeolite displayed maximum calcium ion exchange capacity averaged at 296 mg CaCO₃/g, comparable to commercially-available zeolite (310 mg CaCO₃/g) exchange capacity. Base on the optimal synthesis condition, the reaction yield of zeolite 4A from bauxite tailings achieved to about 38.43%, hence, this study will provide a new paradigm for remediation of bauxite tailings, further mitigating the environmental and health care concerns, particularly in the mainland of PR China.     

Magnesium and the regulation of lead in three populations of the garden snail Cantareus aspersus

Helicid snails appear to regulate Pb more closely than other toxic metals, though it is reported as the least toxic. No regulatory mechanism has been described in animals, and the possible role of Mg in limiting Pb assimilation is examined here for the first time. Three populations of Cantareus aspersus were fed Pb and Ca with three levels of Mg for up to 64 days. Metal assimilation and production efficiency was calculated for each of 108 snails. Populations differed in their pattern of uptake but soft tissue Pb was unaffected by dietary Mg. The proportion of Pb assimilated did not change as soft tissue concentrations increased, indicating no specific regulatory mechanism. The daily addition of Pb to the soft tissues increases with growth rate suggesting uptake is instead some function of growth or cell turnover. Bioconcentration factors varied with time and are unreliable indicators of an evolved regulatory mechanism for Pb.     

Chemical oxidation of cable insulating oil contaminated soil

Leaking cable insulating oil is a common source of soil contamination of high-voltage underground electricity cables in many European countries. In situ remediation of these contaminations is very difficult, due to the nature of the contamination and the high concentrations present. Chemical oxidation leads to partial removal of highly contaminated soil, therefore chemical oxidation was investigated and optimized aiming at a subsequent bioremediation treatment. Chemical oxidation of cable oil was studied with liquid H₂O₂ and solid CaO₂ as well as permanganate at pH 1.8, 3.0 and 7.5. Liquid H₂O₂ most effectively removed cable oil at pH 7.5 (24%). At pH 7.5 poor oil removal of below 5% was observed with solid CaO₂ and permanganate within 2 d contact time, whereas 18% and 29% was removed at pH 1.8, respectively. A prolonged contact time of 7 d showed an increased oil removal for permanganate to 19%, such improvement was not observed for CaO₂.Liquid H₂O₂ treatment at pH 7.5 was most effective with a low acid use and was best fit to a subsequent bioremediation treatment. To further optimize in situ chemical oxidation with subsequent bioremediation the effect of the addition of the iron catalyst and a stepwise liquid H₂O₂ addition was performed. Optimization led to a maximum of 46% cable oil removal with 1469 mM of H₂O₂, and 6.98 mM Fe(II) chelated with citric acid (H₂O₂:FeSO₄ = 210:1 (mol mol⁻¹). The optimum delivery method was a one step addition of the iron catalyst followed by step wise addition of H₂O₂.