In Vitro digestibility of selected polymers

In vitro digestibility of 10 polymers was studied. Only starch, starch blend, gelatin, and silk were more than 10% digested by the enzyme cocktail. Cellophane, polyhydroxy--valerate, pullulan, levan, shellac, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and polyethylene were less than 10% digestible. The implications from these data are that these materials would act physiologically as dietary fiber or residue.Paper presented at the Biodegradable Materials and Packaging Conference, September 22–23, 1993, Natick, Massachusetts.     

One independent variable rate equation describing utilization of biodegradable organic matter in activated sludge processes

This investigation aims to represent aerobic utilization of biodegradable organic matter present in wastewater by a rate equation. This rate equation can then be used to develop a substrate utilization (removal) kinetic model for unsteady state activated sludge process. To achieve this objective, theoretical utilization of biodegradable organic matter in batch process and growth pattern theory were studied. Also, experimental data representing removal of organic matter in different types of wastewaters were collected and analyzed for batch and continuous activated sludge assays. A rate equation was proposed to describe the utilization of biodegradable organic matter based on theoretical analysis of batch process. This rate equation was then verified through differential and integral analysis of the experimental data. Furthermore, a substrate kinetic model for batch and continuous processes was developed. The developed rate equation will facilitate the analysis and design of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology for biological treatment of wastewater.     

A preliminary experimental feasibility case study of energy upgrade of pellets of lignite and plastic waste mixtures

The calorific value enhancement of lignite by briquetting with novolac resin and plastic wastes is discussed in this work. Mixtures of several types of lignite with novolac as binder, with or without polypropylene, were manufactured in the form of pellets by curing. Pellets were pyrolyzed at 300°C and 500°C, and weight losses were determined. Chemical transformations during curing were studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and the corresponding changes in the microstructure of the pellets were investigated by optical microscopy. Specimens of cured pellets were tested for their impact resistance index (IRI) and water resistance index (WRI). The incorporation of polypropylene in the pellets leads to an increase of IRI and a decrease of WRI. The calorific value was measured for both cured and pyrolyzed pellets. All pellets exhibit increased lower calorific value compared with raw lignite, indicating an upgrade of their energy content.     

Sustainable polymer composites: immiscible blends prepared by extrusion of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and polyamide6,10 with high bio-based content

Components for binary polymer blends were sought to produce an immiscible blend of improved renewable character and with good structural properties. The poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and polyamide6,10 system was selected based on the molecular structure of the molecules and the bio-based origin of the feedstocks. A preliminary study of three compositions in this system demonstrated the similar thermal properties of the two polymers as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the ability of these polymers to be processed together in conventional extrusion equipment to produce blends with micrometer-scale domains. Dispersed phases were observed by electron microscopy near the end members. Available viscosity data and the appearance of columnar blends at the 50/50 composition suggest the possibility of co-continuous blends in close proximity to this composition.     

pH对以PBS为反硝化碳源和生物膜载体去除饮用水源水中硝酸盐的影响

PBS为一种新型可生物降解多聚物(BDPs),可以作为生物膜载体和碳源去除饮用水中的硝酸盐,对该工艺中pH的影响进行了研究.结果表明:PBS颗粒表面可以形成致密的生物膜,对膜内的反硝化菌形成良好的保护作用.PBS反硝化系统承受pH冲击负荷的能力优于传统填料为载体的反硝化系统,当进水pH介于5.0～9.0之间时,反硝化过程中溶液的pH趋向中性,硝态氮的去除速率为0.60～0.63 mg/(g·d),最高达到0.70 mg/(g·d)(pH 7.5～8.0).当溶液中pH在6～8之间时,出水亚硝酸盐不稳定;pH<6时,出水中亚硝酸盐浓度高达0.7 mg/L;pH>8时出水中的亚硝酸盐浓度低于0.1 mg/L.     

原子力显微镜分析聚二甲基二烯丙基铵盐的吸附和絮凝行为:反离子的影响

通过对聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵(PDADMAC)改性得到了高分子量的聚二甲基二烯丙基硝酸铵(PDADMANO₃)和聚二甲基二烯丙基硫酸铵(PDADMASO₄).通过电导率,比浓粘度,原子力显微镜,以及高岭土悬浊液絮凝试验的残余浊度,Zeta电位和絮凝指数,研究了一价阴离子(Cl^-,ON₃^-)和二价阴离子(SO₄^2-)对聚二甲基二烯丙基铵盐(PDADMAX)的溶液性质、吸附的结构与形貌和絮凝性能的影响.结果表明:不同的反离子对PDADMAX的溶液性质、吸附的结构与形貌和絮凝性能有显著影响.PDADMANO₃具有更高的絮凝效率和“电中和作用”,而PDADMASO₄具有更宽的最佳絮凝范围和更大的絮体粒径,及更强的“吸附架桥作用”.特别对于聚电解质的吸附和絮凝机理的研究,单个高分子的原子力显微镜图象是一种非常有效地分析方法.     

Preventive control of odor emissions through manipulation of operational parameters during the active phase of composting

Better understanding of the effects of key operational parameters or environmental factors on odor emission is of critical importance for minimizing the generation of composting odors. A series of laboratory experiments was conducted to examine the effects of various operating conditions on odor emissions. The results revealed that airflow rates that were too high or too low could result in higher total odor emissions. An optimal flowrate for odor control would be approximately 0.6 L/min.kg dry matter with intermittent aeration and a duty cycle of 33%. Temperature setpoint at 60°C appeared to be a turning point for odor emission. Below this point, odor emissions increased with increasing temperature setpoint; conversely, odor emissions decreased with increasing temperature setpoint above this point. With regard to the composting material properties, odor emissions were greatly affected by the initial moisture content of feedstock. Both peak odor concentration and emission rate generally increased with higher initial moisture content. Odor emission was significant only at moisture levels higher than 65%. An initial moisture level below 45% is not recommended due to concern with the resulting lower degree of biodegradation. Biodegradable volatile solids content (BVS) of feedstock had pronounced effect on odor emissions. Peak odor concentration and emission rate increased dramatically as BVS increased from 45% to 65%, thus, total odor emission increased exponentially with BVS.     

Toxicity screening of biodegradable polymers. II. Evaluation of cell culture test with medium extract

Cell culture testing with material extracts was applied to toxicity screening of some commercial degradable plastics: a plasticized cellulose acetate, an aliphatic polyester (Bionolle), polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (Biopol), and polycaprolactone (TONE polymer). Cell culture medium with serum was used as extraction medium. Methods for the determination of morphology and viability of cells cultured in the extract were investigated. Phase-contrast light microscopy of cells, enhanced by neutral red staining, provides high-contrast images for qualitative evaluation of cell morphology and lysis. Compared to the determination of protein using the Bradford method and of neutral red uptake, the determination of dehydrogenase activity using 3-[4,5-dimethylthia-zol-2-yl]-2,5-diephenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) is more sensitive and accurate. The relative MTT activity of cells cultured in fresh extracts indicate that TONE polymer (all shapes) and Bionolle (test bars and films) are comparable to materials currently used in the food industry (polyethylene terephthalate, atactic and isotactic polystyrene) with no toxic effects on cells.     

A review on tertiary recycling of high-density polyethylene to fuel

Plastics have become an indispensable ingredient of human life. They are non-biodegradable polymers of mostly containing carbon, hydrogen, and few other elements such as chlorine, nitrogen etc. Rapid growth of the world population led to increased demand of commodity plastics. High density poly ethylene is one of the largest used commodity plastics due to its vast applications in many fields. Due to its non bio degradability and low life, HDPE contributes significantly to the problem of Municipal Waste Management. To avert environment pollution of HDPE wastes, they must be recycled and recovered. On the other hand, steady depletion of fossil fuel and increased energy demand, motivated the researchers and technologists to search and develop different energy sources. Waste to energy has been a significant way to utilize the waste sustainably, simultaneously add to meet the energy demand. Plastics being petrochemical origin have inherently high calorific value. Thus they can be converted back to useful energy. Many researches have been carried out to convert the waste plastics into liquid fuel by thermal and catalytic pyrolysis and this has led to establishment of a number of successful firms converting waste plastics to liquid fuels. This paper reviews the production and consumption HDPE, different methods of recycling of plastic with special reference to chemical degradation of HDPE to fuel. This also focuses on different factors that affect these degradations, the kinetics and mechanism of this reaction.     

疏水缔合型有机高分子聚合物对水体中多环芳烃的富集性能

以芘分子为分子荧光探针测定了疏水缔合有机高分子聚合物HAP对多环芳烃类化合物的富集性能.实验证明,疏水缔合聚合物对芘具有良好的胶束增溶和富集作用,且随着聚合物浓度增大、疏水嵌段结构分布均匀适度,富集能力逐渐增强.絮凝实验证明,疏水缔合聚合物对多环芳烃的富集性能可作为有效的辅助手段,实现对水体中微量有机污染物的去除.