Catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbon into hydrogen and carbon in a spouted-bed reactor as the second-stage reactor of a plastic recycling process

A two-stage process for the chemical recycling of plastics is proposed. In this process, which consists of two reactors, plastics are converted into hydrogen and carbon. In the first reactor, plastic chips are thermally decomposed into hydrocarbons. In the second reactor, the hydrocarbons formed in the first reactor are catalytically decomposed into carbon and hydrogen. In this study, in order to obtain basic data for the second reactor, propene was catalytically decomposed in a laboratory-scale spouted-bed reactor (600mm high, 21.6mm internal diameter, made of SUS304). The effect of the type of spouting medium used on the decomposition behavior of propene was investigated using four types of spouting medium (nickel-plated -alumina, palladium-plated -alumina, nickel-impregnated -alumina, and -alumina). The nickel-impregnated -alumina gave the best propene conversion and hydrogen yield.     

浙江省废纸再生产业的经验、问题及对策

文章分析了浙江省在废纸再生方面的3个典型模式的经验，指出了存在的问题并提出了建议对策。     

Technological improvements in automotive battery recycling

Recycling of automotive batteries for the recovery of secondary lead is extremely important in Brazil, for the country does not possess large reserves of this metal. Lead is one of the most widely used metals in the world, but it is highly toxic, posing risks for humans and for the environment if not utilized or treated adequately. Industrial waste containing lead in Brazil are classified by the Brazilian Residue Code (NBR—10004:2004) as hazardous. The lead recycling process employed by the recycling industry in Brazil is the pyrometallurgical process in a rotary furnace. This process consists of four stages: (1) grinding of the battery to separate plastic, electrolyte and lead plates; (2) lead reduction in a rotary furnace; (3) separation of metallic lead from slag; and (4) refining of recycled lead. The purpose of this work is to propose process improvements aimed primarily at increasing production output by reducing the loss of lead in slag and particulates, thereby providing a healthier work environment in line with Brazilian environmental and labor laws.     

Nutrient Uptake in a Large Urban River1

Abstract: Small streams have been shown to be efficient in retaining nutrients and regulating downstream nutrient fluxes, but less is known about nutrient retention in larger rivers. We quantified nutrient uptake length and uptake velocity in a regulated urban river to determine the river’s ability to retain nutrients associated with wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. We measured net uptake of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), dissolved organic phosphorus, ammonium (NH₄), nitrate, and dissolved organic nitrogen in the Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, GA by following the downstream decline of nutrients and fluoride from WWTP effluent on 10 dates under low flow conditions. Uptake of all nutrients was sporadic. On many dates, there was no evidence of measurable nutrient uptake lengths within the reach; indeed, on several dates release of inorganic N and P within the sample reach led to increased nutrient export downstream. When uptake occurred, SRP uptake length was negatively correlated with total suspended solids and temperature. Uptake velocities of SRP and NH₄ in the Chattahoochee River were lower than velocities in less‐modified systems, but they were similar to those measured in other WWTP impacted systems. Lower uptake velocities indicate a diminished capacity for nutrient uptake.     

AN OPTIMIZATION MODEL FOR EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF URBAN WATER RESOURCES1

ABSTRACT: A mathematical programming model is proposed to determine economically efficient urban water resource allocation and pricing policy by maximizing the sum of the consumer and producer surplus. The optimization of this nonlinear problem is accomplished by the use of linear programming algorithm. The feasibility of using recycled water for municipal purposes is examined in a planning context. The impact of higher water quality discharge standards on pricing and allocation of water is analyzed and the attractiveness of water reuse option is demonstrated.     

PHYSICAL PROCESSES AND EUTROPHICATION1

ABSTRACT: Biological responses to physical-chemical processes were examined in Toronto and Hamilton Harbours of Lake Ontario. Nutrient loadings to the harbors are large and are of similar magnitude, yet the trophic conditions of the harbors were considerably different. Lake oscillations were found to determine the flushing rates and environmental stability of the harbors. LOW residence times (<10 days) resulted in homogenous chemical conditions in Toronto Harbour, and prevented the establishment of large phytoplankton crops. The longer retention time of Hamilton Harbour permitted the establishment of huger phytoplankton crops. There probably exists a critical retention time where nutrient input events persist for a sufficient period of time for the algal community to adapt to and exploit the environmental conditions of nearshore areas.     

Spatiotemporal Associations of Reservoir Nutrient Characteristics and the Invasive,Harmful Alga Prymnesium parvum in West Texas

Golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) is a harmful alga that has caused ecological and economic harm in freshwater and marine systems worldwide. In inland systems of North America, toxic blooms have nearly eliminated fish populations in some systems. Modifying nutrient profiles through alterations to land or water use may be a viable alternative for golden alga control in reservoirs. The main objective of this study was to improve our understanding of the nutrient dynamics that influence golden alga bloom formation and toxicity in west Texas reservoirs. We examined eight sites in the Upper Colorado River basin, Texas: three impacted reservoirs that have experienced repeated golden alga blooms; two reference reservoirs where golden alga is present but nontoxic; and three confluence sites downstream of the impacted and reference sites. Total, inorganic, and organic nitrogen and phosphorus and their ratios were quantified monthly along with golden alga abundance and ichthyotoxicity between December 2010 and July 2011. Blooms persisted for several months at the impacted sites, which were characterized by high organic nitrogen and low inorganic nitrogen. At impacted sites, abundance was positively associated with inorganic phosphorus and bloom termination coincided with increases in inorganic nitrogen and decreases in inorganic phosphorus in late spring. Management of both inorganic and organic forms of nutrients may create conditions in reservoirs unfavorable to golden alga.     

Sources and Transport of Phosphorus to Rivers in California and Adjacent States,U.S., as Determined by SPARROW Modeling

The SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression on Watershed attributes) model was used to simulate annual phosphorus loads and concentrations in unmonitored stream reaches in California, U.S., and portions of Nevada and Oregon. The model was calibrated using de‐trended streamflow and phosphorus concentration data at 80 locations. The model explained 91% of the variability in loads and 51% of the variability in yields for a base year of 2002. Point sources, geological background, and cultivated land were significant sources. Variables used to explain delivery of phosphorus from land to water were precipitation and soil clay content. Aquatic loss of phosphorus was significant in streams of all sizes, with the greatest decay predicted in small‐ and intermediate‐sized streams. Geological sources, including volcanic rocks and shales, were the principal control on concentrations and loads in many regions. Some localized formations such as the Monterey shale of southern California are important sources of phosphorus and may contribute to elevated stream concentrations. Many of the larger point source facilities were located in downstream areas, near the ocean, and do not affect inland streams except for a few locations. Large areas of cultivated land result in phosphorus load increases, but do not necessarily increase the loads above those of geological background in some cases because of local hydrology, which limits the potential of phosphorus transport from land to streams.     

三峡库区消落带落羽杉人工林土壤细菌群落结构多样性及动态变化

消落带是连接陆地与水域的交错地带,具有重要的生态功能,其适生木本植物的种植对消落带土壤的生物地球化学循环起着重要的作用.为探究适生植物对三峡库区消落带环境的适应机制,采用高通量测序技术对消落带退水后适生植物落羽杉(Taxodium distichum)不同生长时期(T1:5月、 T2:7月和T3:9月)的土壤细菌群落组成及多样性进行研究,同时采用PICRUSt2对细菌功能进行预测.结果表明,土壤pH值、硝态氮、铵态氮、土壤蔗糖酶、磷酸酶和脲酶等理化指标随时间变化显著(P<0.05);土壤细菌多样性、丰富度和结构也随时间变化而变化,除Chao1以外,根际土壤细菌的α多样性均表现为：T1>T2>T3,非根际土壤细菌α多样性则表现为：T3>T1>T2. RDA分析表明,影响细菌群落的理化指标主要有土壤pH值、脲酶、铵态氮和硝态氮.所有土壤样本中共检测到细菌60门,其中以变形菌门和酸杆菌门为优势细菌门.根据PICRUSt2预测,代谢是落羽杉土壤细菌群落中普遍存在的基本功能,与C、 N和P有关的各代谢途径存在一定的时间差异.以上研究结果有助于加深对三峡消落带植被修复...     

生物炭施用对黄壤土壤养分及酶活性的影响

生物炭因其具有特殊的理化性质,作为土壤改良剂或调理剂被广泛应用于改善土壤质量;土壤养分与土壤酶活性是表征土壤质量化学性质和生物学性质的重要指标.采用大田试验,研究生物炭不同施用水平：0（CK）、5（B5）、10（B10）、20（B20）和50（B50） t·hm^-2对黄壤养分和土壤酶活性的影响,运用结构方程模型（SEM）定量分析生物炭处理对土壤养分和酶活性的直接或间接影响及其作用大小.结果表明,生物炭显著增加土壤pH值、电导率、有机碳、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾（P<0.05）;随生物炭施用量的增加,土壤过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性先增加后降低,磷酸酶和蔗糖酶活性增加（P<0.05）;B10处理下,土壤过氧化氢酶、脲酶和磷酸酶的活性均达到最大值,蔗糖酶活性也相对较高.随生物炭作用时间增加,土壤pH值、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均增加,而电导率和有机碳与之相反;过氧化氢酶活性降低,脲酶和磷酸酶活性升高,蔗糖酶活性无明显变化规律.SEM结果显示,生物炭施用对过氧化氢酶具有直接的负效应;通过提升pH、电导率、有机碳和碱解氮含量间接影响过氧化氢酶活性,通过提升pH和电导率间接促进蔗糖酶活性,通过提高电导率以及碱解氮和有效磷含量间接增加磷酸酶活性.综上,生物炭施用量及作用时间显著影响土壤养分含量,进而间接作用于土壤酶活性;酸性黄壤施用10 t·hm^-2的生物炭较为适宜.