Comparative Electrochemical Methods to Determine Fluoride Traces in NaCl

Fluoridated salt is an effective method to reduce dental decay in the population at large, in particular in settings where the more frequently used method of fluoridated water is not feasible due to unreliable water supplies. A salient problem of regular dosage and monitoring of fluoride in salt is its variable level at the industrial level. To evaluate the relative advantages of the present monitoring method used in Mexico, samples of domestic fluoridated salt were analysed by two comparative methods to determine their fluoride content. One of the methods employed was the relevant Mexican Offcial Norm (based on an acetic acid, sodium chloride, trans-1,2-diamine, cyclohexane N,N,N',N' tetracetic acid buffer solution) and the other was an alternative electrochemical methodology (based on an acetic acid, sodium chloride, sodium citrate buffer solution). The cost of the chemicals involved and simplicity of the alternative method, along with the equivalent precision of its results, makes it an interesting choice for the large scale analysis of fluoridated salt.     

Levels of chemical and microbiological pollutants in the vicinity of a waste incineration plant and human health risks: temporal trends

In 2007, a program was initiated to monitor air levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) (Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain). To investigate the temporal trends of chemical and microbiological pollutants, four 6-monthly campaigns were performed. Air samples were collected at different distances and directions from the facility, as well as in reference sites. In general terms, the concentrations of microbiological agents were very similar to those found in urban zones worldwide. The seasonal evaluation of the results showed higher levels of gram-negative bacteria in winter, contrasting with the increase of the airborne amount of total bacteria in summer. On the other hand, the concentrations of VOCs (mean range: 7.6-18.2 μgm⁻³) were typical of suburban zones. The current exposure to those compounds should not mean additional health risks for the population living nearby.     

LFX-20型逆燃式医疗废物焚烧炉二恶英实测分析

概述我国目前医疗废物焚烧处置中的主要炉型,着重介绍LFX-20型逆燃式焚烧炉焚烧处置医疗废物的实际运行工况。在1燃室、2燃室平均温度分别为869.5℃和898.7℃条件下,对医疗废物焚烧烟气进行检测。各项常规指标均低于国标限值,二恶英检测中其质量浓度实测值为15ng/m3,相应毒性当量为0.46ngTEQ/m3,同时对医疗废物焚烧后产生烟气中二恶英和灰渣的检测结果进行了分析,焚烧后底渣体积约为焚烧前医疗废物体积的1/10,重量为原来的12%～18%,飞灰热灼减率为34.6%,并给出分析结果。     

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.     

Replacement of a multiple hearth by a fluid bed incinerator the Greensboro case history

The incinerator at the T.Z. Osborne Plant in Greensboro, North Carolina burns sludge from its own waste water treatment plant and sludge pumped from the nearby North Buffalo plant. The two plants have a combined capacity of 36 million gallons per day of wastewater. Because of the age of and increasing high maintenance on the existing multiple hearth incinerator, and the need to increase treatment capacity, the Osborne plant concluded a study in 1992 evaluating its options for future municipal sewage sludge disposal. Options which were evaluated during the study included; (i) rehabilitation of the existing eight-year old multiple hearth unit; (ii) addition of a new multiple hearth; (iii) addition of a new fluid bed system; (iv) drying, composting, or land application. The chosen option, based on both economic and environmental considerations, was a new fluid bed system with a capacity of 2.55 tons per hour, approximately double that of the existing multiple hearth. Design of the new fluid bed system began in December 1994 and equipment delivery for the incineration system was begun in April 1995. Initial operation occurred in August 1996. Primary and secondary sludge, dewatered to 28% dry solids by centrifuge, is delivered by piston pumps to the twenty-foot freeboard ID incinerator. A shell and tube heat exchanger recuperates heat from the exhaust gas and preheats the combustion air to 1250°F, resulting in minimal auxiliary fuel use. The air pollution control device is a high-energy Tandem Nozzle® scrubber. Greensboro was the initial installation of this scrubber design on a fluid bed incinerator and its characteristics and performance are discussed. Ash is dewatered in an ash thickener/belt press system prior to disposal to landfill. The system includes a state of the art Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) system for computer control of the operation. The unit was commissioned in August 1996 and has been in continuous operation since that time except for a one week inspection and maintenance shutdown in February 1999. The plant operates 24 h/day, 7 days per week. The initial performance test showed the system to readily meet federal and state air emission standards. Particulate released was 0.002 grains per dry standard cubic foot, carbon monoxide was 22.5 parts per million volumetric (ppmv) and opacity was 0.4%. These results show a significant emission reduction with the fluid bed when compared to the multiple hearth. Annual tests conducted since then and continuous emission monitoring have shown the unit to be in consistent compliance. Since the fluid bed system became operational, the old multiple hearth system has been maintained on standby as a backup, but its use has not been required. Operational experience is discussed, the most interesting of which is the relatively trouble-free operation. The minor problems which occurred and their solutions are detailed. Also included is a comparison of operation and maintenance experience of the fluid bed and the multiple hearth. Current sludge disposal actual cost data are also provided including the average cost per ton of dry solids treated. The almost three years of operational experience to date has shown that the decision to install a new fluid bed system was the correct one on both an environmental and economic basis. It has provided benefits to all interested parties — the wastewater treatment plant, the regulators, the taxpayers, and the surrounding community.     

外循环三相流化床污水处理特性的研究

采用三相外循环生物流化床处理生活污水。该设备包含好氧区和缺氧区,可获得足够的停留时间造成缺氧条件,能保证有效去除NH3—N。实验在室温下进行,进水条件pH为7～8,CODCr为286-656mg／L,NH3-N为10～51mg／L。结果显示,控制水力停留时间在3h为宜,最佳通气量为0．09m^3／h,此时CODc和NH3-N的去除率分别达91％和96．6％,有较好的处理效果。同时实验确定了最佳膜厚为145μm。     

Influence of SO2 in incineration flue gas on the sequestration of CO2 by municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash

The influence of CO2 content and presence of SO2 on the sequestration of CO2 by municipal solid waste incinerator(MSWI) fly ash was studied by investigating the carbonation reaction of MSWI fly ash with different combinations of simulated flue gas.The reaction between fly ash and 100% CO2 was relatively fast;the uptake of CO2 reached 87g CO2/kg ash,and the sequestered CO2 could be entirely released at high temperatures.When CO2 content was reduced to 12%,the reaction rate decreased;the uptake fell to 41g CO2/kg ash,and 70.7% of the sequestered CO2 could be released.With 12% CO2 in the presence of SO2,the reaction rate significantly decreased;the uptake was just 17g CO2/kg ash,and only 52.9% of the sequestered CO2 could be released.SO2 in the simulated gas restricted the ability of fly ash to sequester CO2 because it blocked the pores of the ash.     

东三省“十二五”城镇污水厂投资与减排效益分析

东北三省"十二五"主要水污染物减排项目方案实施后,必然会引起环境发生一定变化,环境效益正是污染减排工程的环境后果的代表。利用西方经济学中的边际效用理论对"十二五"期间东三省城镇污水处理厂单位投资的COD削减量进行分析。依据投入的环境边际效益对各省工作重点提出建议。     

对某高层酒店建筑给水和消火栓系统设计的体会与思考

生活给水系统设计时,将室内外给水管网分成两套,结合实际情况从安全、经济以及维护管理等因素考虑,在地下室布置成立体双环状给水系统;生活热水采用一台容积式浮动盘管热交换器换热供给热水;从理论上论证了组合型消防栓箱在本工程中的适用性和优越性,提出可将灭火器和消火栓位置设于一处的观点供大家在设计上参考。     

Attitudes to conservation and water consumption

Sydney's water supply is under great pressure as the demand continues to rise. Demand mitigation strategies have had some success, but domestic consumption remains high. This paper discusses the attitudes of households to their water consumption in a search for ways in which domestic demand for water may be reduced. Evidence on attitudes of households in different kinds of housing was obtained using a telephone interview survey supplemented by information derived from focus groups drawn from households in the same areas. The information was collected in a period when strong water use restrictions were in place and major arguments were being mounted in favour of water pricing as a way of moderating demand. The paper argues that the complexity of the forces shaping demand needs to be understood in the context of the socio-demographic composition of households in different kinds of dwellings, as well as the cultural, behavioural and institutional aspects of consumption, if public policy is to be successful in reducing consumption and/or providing alternative domestic supplies of potable water.