Distributed generation by energy from waste technology: A life cycle perspective

Municipal Solid Waste in general and its organic fraction in particular is a potential renewable and non-seasonal resource. In this work, a life cycle assessment has been performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of two future scenarios using biogas produced from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) to supply energy to a group of dwellings, respectively comprising distributed generation using solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) micro-CHP systems and condensing boilers. The London Borough of Greenwich is taken as the reference case study. The system is designed to assess how much energy demand can be met and what is the best way to use the digestible waste for distributed energy purposes.The system is compared with two alternative scenarios fuelled by natural gas: a reference scenario, where the electricity is supplied by the grid and the heat is supplied from condensing boilers, and a fuel cell micro-CHP system. The results show that, although OFMSW alone can only supply between 1% and 4% of the total energy demand of the Borough, a saving of ∼130 tonnes of CO₂ eq per year per dwelling equipped with micro-CHP is still achievable compared with the reference scenario. This is primarily due to the surplus electricity produced by the fuel cell when the micro-CHP unit is operated to meet the heat demand. Use of biogas to produce heat only is therefore a less desirable option compared with combined heat and power production. Further investigation is required to identify locally available feedstock other than OFMSW in order to increase the proportion of energy demand that can be met in this way.     

高速公路隧道入口区段交通流模拟与安全性研究

隧道内外照明差异使交通流状态产生了相应的变化.为模拟高速公路隧道入口交通流运行与安全状态,根据驾驶速度与能见度关系,提出了元胞传输模型的改进原理与方法.通过与实际道路交通流数据的比较,验证了模型的有效性.运用该模型模拟并比较不同条件下交通运行状态.结果表明,改进的元胞传输模型能够揭示隧道入口流量与车速状态.受到隧道能见度的影响,在隧道入口段车速将有明显的降低.随着隧道内能见度的降低,这种影响更为明显.高流量情况下,隧道入口的扰动可能影响后续车辆速度与流量;低流量情况下则影响不大.车速扰动对于道路全段的安全性影响较大,在交通激波的传递过程中,更容易出现交通事故.低密度情况下,隧道内能见度越低,安全性越差.     

微生物燃料电池耦合连续搅拌反应系统(CSTR)低温下处理“糖蜜-电镀”废水

为提高传统微生物燃料电池(MFC)在低温条件下的效率,实现实验装置放大化.本实验将连续搅拌反应系统(CSTR)与双极室微生物燃料电池系统相结合,连续流处理糖蜜废水,并间接回收金属单质,处理模拟电镀废水,考察系统的产电性能和废水处理效果.结果表明,当系统稳定运行后,最高电压及功率密度分别可达到340 m V和58.65 m W·m-2.20 d后,系统COD去除率明显增加,最高COD去除率可达到81%.实验运行10 d后,银离子开始析出,最高去除率可达到90%左右.     

Total cobalt determination in human blood and synovial fluid using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: method validation and evaluation of performance variables affecting metal hip implant patient samples

Inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS) has been used for clinical analysis of cobalt (Co) due to its sensitivity and specificity; however, media-specific validation studies are lacking. This study provides data on performance variables affecting differences between selected analytical platforms (Perkin Elmer and Agilent), tissue sample preparation, storage, and interferences affecting measurements in whole blood, serum, and synovial fluid. The limits of detection (LOD) range from 0.2–0.5 µg/L in serum and synovial fluid, and 0.6–1.7 µg Co/L in whole blood. The Agilent platform with collision reaction cell is more sensitive, while the Perkin Elmer platform with dynamic reaction cell demonstrates more polyatomic interferences near the LOD for serum and whole blood. Split sample analysis showed good accuracy, precision, and reproducibility between serum Co measurements using acid digestion or detergent dilution preparations for persons with metal hip implants or following supplement intake. The results demonstrated reliability of the ICP-MS methodology across the two analytical platforms and between two commercial laboratories for Co concentrations above 5 µg Co/L, but digestion procedures and polyatomic interferences may affect measurements in some media at lower concentrations. These studies validate the described ICP-MS methodology for clinical purposes with precautions at low cobalt concentrations (<5 µg Co/L).     

Implications of oxidative stress in occupational exposure to lead on a cellular level

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative alterations leading to cellular dysfunctions in Pb-exposed subjects by evaluating damage to all major classes of biomolecules in the cell, lipid peroxidation, protein and DNA damage and determine relationships between parameters of Pb toxicity and specific biomarkers of oxidative damage.

Analysis was conducted of smelter workers with high blood Pb and urine aminolevulinic acid levels and slightly elevated values of coproporphyrin and erythrocyte protoporphyrin IX. Significant decreases of thiol groups and increases in carbonyl groups as protein degradation end products, and of nitrite were detected. Elevated rates of lipid peroxidation and rises in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase were also observed. Both enzymes showed positive correlations with the blood lead levels and urine coproporphyrin, while thiol groups correlated negatively with the same indices. The genotoxic potential of lead was manifested through an increased number of DNA-damaged cells. Increased activities of serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes indicated cellular damage in the lungs, kidneys, and liver. These lead-induced impairments should be taken into consideration in the assessment of Pb-related health hazards.