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.     

The “second dividend” and the demographic structure

The demographic structure of a country influences economic activity. The “second dividend” modifies growth. Accordingly, in general equilibrium, the second dividend and the demographic structure are interrelated. This paper aims at assessing empirically the “second dividend” in a dynamic, empirical and intertemporal setting that allows for measuring its impact on growth, its intergenerational redistributive effects, and its interaction with the demographic structure. The paper uses a general equilibrium model with overlapping generations, an energy module and a public finance module that distinguishes between non-ageing-related public spending and a pension regime. Policy scenarios compare the consequences of different scenarios of recycling a carbon tax through lower proportional income taxes rather than higher public lump-sum expenditures. They are computed for two countries with different demographics (France and Germany). Results suggest that the magnitude of the “second dividend” is significantly related with the demographic structure. The more concentrated the demographic structure on cohorts with higher income and saving rate, the stronger the effect on capital supply of the second dividend. The second dividend weighs on the welfare of relatively aged working cohorts. It fosters the wellbeing of young working cohorts and of future generations. The more concentrated the demographic structure on aged working cohorts, the higher the intergenerational redistributive effects of the second dividend.     

河流污染治理任务路线图制定方法及其在海河流域的应用

针对河流水污染治理的长期性、复杂性和系统性要求,参考技术路线图的制定原则和一般步骤,吸纳制定重要领域科技路线图的系统方法,从需求分析、任务布局、特征目标界定、实施阶段和技术重点等方面,建立了制定河流治理路线图的一般方法,并在海河流域开展应用研究,分析了海河流域河流水污染治理的问题和需求、确定了治理的战略任务,确立了水污染治理的特征目标,提出了海河流域河流水污染治理的路线图,为流域河流污染治理和生态修复提供前瞻性的战略指导和支撑.     

响应曲面法优化均相Fenton深度处理皮革废水

均相Fenton深度处理皮革废水,试验用水为A/O反应池的出水,COD介于180～200mg·L-1.基于Box-Behnken响应曲面法,考察了初始pH值、H2O2/Fe2+摩尔比、过氧化氢投加量、反应时间的单独作用及交互作用,并建立COD去除率数学模型,结果表明:影响因子显著性顺序为:pH>H2O2投加量>反应时间>H2O2/Fe2+摩尔比,初始pH值与H2O2投加量的交互作用显著;数学模型回归性较好,预测最大COD去除率为55.87%,最佳条件组合为:pH=4.0,H2O2投加量=14.00mmol·L-1,H2O2:Fe2+=10.6:1,Time=3h及T=25℃,验证试验结果为53.35%,与预测值相比偏差为4.51%.采用均相Fenton深度处理皮革废水,可以满足《污水综合排放标准》(GB8978—1996)一级标准中对COD≤100mg.L-1的限制要求.     

Simultaneous recovery of vanadium and nickel from power plant fly-ash: Optimization of parameters using response surface methodology

Simultaneous recovery of vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni), which are classified as two of the most hazardous metal species from power plant heavy fuel fly-ash, was studied using a hydrometallurgical process consisting of acid leaching using sulfuric acid. Leaching parameters were investigated and optimized in order to maximize the recovery of both vanadium and nickel. The independent leaching parameters investigated were liquid to solid ratio (S/L) (5–12.5 wt.%), temperature (45–80 °C), sulfuric acid concentration (5–25 v/v%) and leaching time (1–5 h). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the process parameters. The most effective parameter on the recovery of both elements was found to be temperature and the least effective was time for V and acid concentration for Ni. Based on the results, optimum condition for metals recovery (actual recovery of ca.94% for V and 81% for Ni) was determined to be solid to liquid ratio of 9.15 wt.%, temperature of 80 °C, sulfuric acid concentration of 19.47 v/v% and leaching time of 2 h. The maximum V and Ni predicted recovery of 91.34% and 80.26% was achieved.     

Coltan from Central Africa,international trade and implications for any certification

The exploitation of coltan in Central Africa can be considered a case of conflict minerals due to its nature. Many international organizations and bodies, national governments and private sector organizations seek to address this conflict, in particular via transparency, certification and accountability along the material supply chain. This paper analyses the international trade dimension of coltan and gives evidence on the dimension of illicit trade of coltan. The authors start from the hypothesis that illicit trade of coltan sooner or later will enter the market and will be reflected in the statistics. The paper is structured in the following manner: first, a short section gives a profile of coltan production and markets; second, an overview of the mining situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and related actors. The third section addresses mechanisms, actors and measurement issues involved in the international trade of coltan. The final part draws lessons for certification and conflict analysis and offers some guidance for future research.     

Effectiveness of Predator Removal for Enhancing Bird Populations

Abstract: Predation pressure on vulnerable bird species has made predator control an important issue for international nature conservation. Predator removal by culling or translocation is controversial, expensive, and time‐consuming, and results are often temporary. Thus, it is important to assess its effectiveness from all available evidence. We used explicit systematic review methodology to determine the impact of predator removal on four measurable responses in birds: breeding performance (hatching success and fledging success) and population size (breeding and postbreeding). We used meta‐analysis to summarize results from 83 predator removal studies from six continents. We also investigated whether characteristics of the prey, predator species, location, and study methodology explained heterogeneity in effect sizes. Removing predators increased hatching success, fledging success, and breeding populations. Removing all predator species achieved a significantly larger increase in breeding population than removing only a subset. Postbreeding population size was not improved on islands, or overall, but did increase on mainlands. Heterogeneity in effect sizes for the four population parameters was not explained by whether predators were native or introduced; prey were declining, migratory, or game species; or by the study methodology. Effect sizes for fledging success were smaller for ground‐nesting birds than those that nest elsewhere, but the difference was not significant. We conclude that current evidence indicates that predator removal is an effective strategy for the conservation of vulnerable bird populations. Nevertheless, the ethical and practical problems associated with predator removal may lead managers to favor alternative, nonlethal solutions. Research is needed to provide and synthesize data to determine whether these are effective management practices for future policies on bird conservation.     

响应面法优化Fenton氧化处理高浓度丙烯酸废水

以模拟丙烯酸废水为研究对象,选择过氧化氢加入量、催化剂用量、反应时间、pH、温度为自变量,以丙烯酸废水TOC去除率为响应值,采用响应面分析法研究自变量及其交互作用对TOC去除率的影响,并通过回归方程求解和响应曲面分析,得到二次多项式回归方程的预测模型.结果表明,所选取的5个自变量与TOC去除率存在显著的相关性.确定Fe...     

交联羧甲基玉米淀粉对水溶液中铅离子吸附性能的优化研究

以玉米淀粉为原料,采用先醚化后交联改性工艺合成了交联羧甲基玉米淀粉吸附剂。在单因素试验的基础上,采用Box-Benhnken的中心组合试验设计及响应面分析法,研究了交联羧甲基玉米淀粉吸附剂用量、吸附时间和pH值3因素对水溶液中铅离子吸附效果的影响,得出了吸附剂对铅离子吸附效果的回归模型。结果表明,最佳吸附工艺参数为吸附剂用量0.22 g,pH值为6.6,吸附时间32.9 min,交联羧甲基玉米淀粉对铅离子吸附容量可达44.72 mg/g,铅离子去除率达到98.38%。常温下吸附动力学模型符合Freundlich等温式Q=0.4152C^0.9894。采用0.9 mol/L盐酸溶液作为解析液,铅离子回收率可达97.55%。     

污染土壤的生态风险评估标准、方法和模型

本文介绍了生态风险评估的定义,国外在污染土壤生态风险评估领域的相关土壤标准、标准设置情况及其内容,生态风险评估的方法和步骤,土壤-有机污染物变化及迁移暴露模型、农药根区模型、土壤模型、土壤迁移及变化数据库和模型管理系统、农药径流对地表水的污染模型、多介质污染物变化、迁移和暴露模型等计算机模型及其理论基础。尤其是美国环保署在这一领域的系列工作及其思路,为国内在这方面的工作和研究提供一些参考。