Experimental Investigation on the Removal of Toner Particles from Laser-Printed Office Waste Papers

Abstract

In this work the deinking process was simulated in a small high speed blender of about 2 L capacity. The effects of polyethylene (PE) and wax-coated PE on the removal of toner particles in the pulper slurry has been experimentally investigated. The effect of one commercial surfactant (30% anionic, 5% nonionic) on the toner release efficiency was also studied. The average area of toner particles retained on filter papers were determined using an image analysis system that consists of a high-resolution video camera mounted on an optical polarizing microscope, an image software processor, a Pentium PC, and a high-resolution image monitor. The effect of low density PE on toner detachment from laser-printed standard paper was investigated over a concentration range of 0 –200% PE (relative to paper mass). It is found that PE has a certain capabilty of removing (adsorbing) toner particles. In the second phase of this research work, the effect of wax-coated PE was investigated. It was found that wax-coated PE enhances the removal of toner particles beyond that obtained using only PE. Finally, the effect of a commercial surfactant on the release of toner particles have been investigated over a range of surfactant mass percentage (relative to the paper mass).     

Flame propagation behaviors of nano- and micro-scale PMMA dust explosions

Flame propagation behaviors of nano- and micro-polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dust explosions were experimentally studied in the open-space dust explosion apparatus. High-speed photography with normal and microscopic lenses were used to record the particle combustion behaviors and flame microstructures. Simple physical models were developed to explore the flame propagation mechanisms. High-speed photographs showed two distinct flame propagation behaviors of nano- and micro-PMMA dust explosions. For nano-particles, flame was characterized by a regular spherical shape and spatially continuous combustion structure combined with a number of luminous spot flames. The flame propagation mechanism was similar to that of a premixed gas flame coupled with solid surface combustion of the agglomerates. In comparison, for micro-particles, flame was characterized by clusters of flames and the irregular flame front, which was inferred to be composed of the diffusion flame accompanying the local premixed flame. It was indicated that smaller particles maintained the leading part of the propagating flame and governed the combustion process of PMMA dust clouds. Increasing the mass densities from 105 g/m³ to 217 g/m³ for 100 nm PMMA particles, and from 72 g/m³ to 170 g/m³ for 30 μm PMMA particles, the flame luminous intensity, scale and the average propagation velocity were enhanced. Besides, the flame front became more irregular for 30 μm PMMA dust clouds.     

上海大气超细颗粒物和工业纳米颗粒的表征及细胞毒性的比较研究

采集了上海市石洞口地区2010年春季不同粒径大气颗粒物样品,使用ICP-AES和FESEM技术分析了颗粒物的化学组成和微观特征,比较了不同粒径的大气颗粒物与3种工业纳米颗粒物的生物活性.结果表明,在染毒剂量为25、50、100和200μg.mL-1时,大气颗粒物水溶组分和不溶组分及工业纳米颗粒均可以抑制A549细胞生长活性并能诱导细胞产生活性氧(ROS),且大气细颗粒水溶组分生物活性最强,在上述染毒剂量下对细胞生长活性的抑制率分别达到13.31%、18.15%、20.43%和23.78%.在纳米尺度的颗粒物染毒组分中,纳米NiO的生物活性最强,在上述染毒剂量下对细胞生长活性的抑制率分别达到11.81%、15.12%、17.62%和19.44%.因此,大气细颗粒物水溶组分是最主要的毒性成分.     

Uncovering results in electro-scrubbing process toward green methodology during environmental air pollutants removal

Present findings uncovered the electro-scrubbing process as a green methodology. This green methodology was assessed by an analysis of electrode dissolution into an electrolyte and acid fumes emission to the atmosphere. As an initial experiment oxidation effect of Co(II) by PbO₂ electrode revealed an enhanced oxidation efficiency of ∼20% compared to a Pt-coated Ti electrode. The mist concentration from the first scrubber test was approximately 30 times lower than that of the indoor air particles. In addition, molar mass of Co(II) and SEM analyses revealed no Co(II) or PbO₂ from the first scrubber. An analysis of the second scrubber showed no Co(II), PbO₂ or pH changes during a 24 h study confirming that no sulphuric acid escaped from the first scrubber or mediator containing electrolyte solution. This electro-scrubbing process was applied to the air pollutants removal process, in which a definite ratio between Co(III) and odor gases at given concentrations were identified. These results show that this electro-scrubber can maintain its initial concentration of Co(II) and H₂SO₄ by just adding water, and is become a highly sustainable and green methodology system without a loss of H₂SO₄ and Co catalysts to the environment.     

Seasonal variation and source apportionment of organic and inorganic compounds in PM2.5 and PM10 particulates in Beijing, China

The distribution and source of the solvent-extractable organic and inorganic components in PM 2.5(aerodynamics equivalent diameter below 2.5 microns),and PM 10(aerodynamics equivalent diameter below 10 microns) fractions of airborne particles were studied weekly from September 2006 to August 2007 in Beijing.The extracted organic and inorganic compounds identified in both particle size ranges consisted of n-alkanes,PAHs(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons),fatty acids and water soluble ions.The potential emission sources of these organic compounds were reconciled by combining the values of n-alkane carbon preference index(CPI),%waxC n,selected diagnostic ratios of PAHs and principal component analysis in both size ranges.The mean cumulative concentrations of n-alkanes reached 1128.65ng/m3 in Beijing,74% of which(i.e.,831.7ng/m3) was in the PM 2.5 fraction,PAHs reached 136.45ng/m3(113.44ng/m3 or 83% in PM 2.5),and fatty acids reached 436.99ng/m3(324.41ng/m3 or 74% in PM 2.5),which resulted in overall enrichment in the fine particles.The average concentrations of SO42-,NO3-,and NH4+ were 21.3±15.2,6.1±1.8,12.5±6.1μg/m3 in PM 2.5,and 25.8±15.5,8.9±2.6,16.9±9.5μg/m3 in PM 10,respectively.These three secondary ions primarily existed as ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4),ammonium bisulfate(NH4HSO4) and ammonium nitrate(NH4NO3).The characteristic ratios of PAHs revealed that the primary sources of PAHs were coal combustion,followed by gasoline combustion.The ratios of stearic/palmitic acid indicated the major contribution of vehicle emissions to fatty acids in airborne particles.The major alkane sources were biogenic sources and fossil fuel combustion.The major sources of PAHs were vehicular emission and coal combustion.     

腐殖酸絮凝体形成过程中初期搅拌条件对其形态结构的影响

以腐殖酸为研究对象,采用硫酸铝为混凝剂进行混凝杯罐实验,借助PDA在线监测系统、图像解析法及粒子图像测速技术分析评价絮凝体的构造特征,着重探讨了混凝过程中初期快速搅拌条件对絮凝体形态结构的影响.结果表明,快速搅拌条件对腐殖酸絮凝体的形成过程及形态结构有着显著影响.最佳快速搅拌条件为:搅拌历时l min,搅拌强度300 r·min-,此时形成的絮凝体结构密实,抗剪切能力强,整体性能最优,絮凝体分形维数、强度及平均粒径分别为1.8842、0.164 N·m-2、0.43 mm.腐殖酸絮凝体的形成包括不溶性微粒的产生及初期颗粒的形成与结合等过程,其中,不溶性微粒的形成及初期颗粒的致密化过程是决定最终絮凝体形态构造的重要环节,而快速搅拌条件影响着混凝剂扩散混合效果和初期颗粒的形成速率与致密化程度,这也是初期快速搅拌条件对于腐殖酸混凝过程有显著影响的一个重要因素.     

A preliminary study on pollution characteristics of surfactant substances in fine particles in the Beibu Gulf Region of China

The pollution characteristics of surfactant substances in fine particles (PM_2.5) in spring were studied in the Beibu Gulf Region of China, 68 samples of PM_2.5 were collected at Weizhou Island in Beihai City from March 12 to April 17, 2015. The Anionic Surfactant Substances (ASS) and Cationic Surfactant Substances (CSS) in the samples were analyzed using Byethyl Violet Spectrophotometry and Disulfide Blue Spectrophotometry, respectively. Combined with the data from backward trajectory simulation, the effects of air pollutants from remote transport on the pollution characteristics of surfactant substances in PM_2.5 in the Beibu Gulf Region were analyzed and discussed. The results showed that the daily mean concentrations of ASS and CSS in spring in the Beibu Gulf Region were 165.20 pmol/m³ and 8.05pmol/m³, and the variation ranges were 23.21–452.55 pmol/m³ and 0.65–31.31 pmol/m³, accounting for 1.82‰ ± 1.65‰ and 0.12‰ ± 0.11‰ of the mass concentration of PM_2.5, respectively. These concentrations were lower than those in comparable regions around the world. There was no clear correlation between the concentrations of ASS and CSS in PM_2.5 and the mass concentrations of PM_2.5. Tourism and air transport had a positive contribution on the concentrations of ASS. The concentration of surfactant substances in PM_2.5 was significantly impacted by wind speed and wind direction. Atmospheric temperature, air pressure and precipitation had little effect on the concentrations of surfactant substances. Surfactant substances in PM_2.5 significantly impacted visibility. Results also showed that the main sources of surfactant substances were from the southern China and Southeast Asia.     

Triboelectric charging behavior of wood particles during pellet handling processes

Electrostatic charges accumulated on wood particles through triboelectrification during their transportation and handling processes can cause hazardous electrical discharge which may further trigger dust explosion. In this work, tribo-charging behavior of different kinds of wood particles was investigated by a vibrating plate charging method. It was found that reduction in the work function difference between contact bodies might contribute to the reduction of tribo-charge generation, while the reduction of electrical resistivity of wood pellets could effectively accelerate the charge dissipation. As the particle size decreases, accumulated charges increase significantly. In contrast, higher moisture content of wood particles leads to lower charge accumulation due to an accelerated charge dissipation rate. Tribo-charging behaviors of white pellets, torrefied pellet, steam treated pellets and dark pellets have also been investigated. Compared to the white pellets, they all have shown a reduction on charge accumulation to some extent. However, results suggested that all of them have nearly equivalent tribo-charge density as coal and wheat grains used as references in this study.     

Application of a Fibrous Electrostatic Filterfor Treatment of Diesel Exhaust

The paper presents results of investigations of a novel method for diesel exhaust filtration in a fibrous filter supplemented by the external electrostatic field (FEF), which may be used to eliminate the occupational hazard near sources of diesel emission. The reported research follows the preliminary basic study of soot removal in such systems (Ciach, Sosnowski, & Podgórski, 1995), and is focused on the construction and testing of a prototype technical-scale FEF device. The results suggest a strong relation between applied voltage and filtration efficiency of the system and demonstrate the influence of aerosol precharging on the efficiency, which can be more than 95%.     

Radioactive particles in dose assessments

Radioactive particles present a novel exposure pathway for members of the public. For typical assessments of potential doses received by members of the public, habit surveys and environmental monitoring combine to allow the assessment to occur. In these circumstances it is believed that the probability of encounter/consumption is certain. The potential detriment is assessed through sampling the use of environmental monitoring data and dose coefficients such as that in ICRP 60 [ICRP, 1990. 1990 Recommendations of the international commission on radiological protection. Publication 60. Annals of the ICRP 21 (1-3)]. However, radioactive particles often represent a hazard that is difficult to quantify and where the probability of encounter is less than certain as are the potential effects on health. Normal assessment methodologies through sampling and analysis are not appropriate for assessing the impact of radioactive particles either prospectively or retrospectively. This paper details many of the issues that should be considered when undertaking an assessment of the risk to health posed by radioactive particles.