Safety-related conclusions for the application of ultrasound in explosive atmospheres

International safety regulations such as EN 1127-1 consider ultrasound to be an ignition source. Currently, applications of ultrasound in explosive atmospheres have to comply with a threshold value of 1 mW/mm². However, it is unclear as to how this intensity has to be measured and, therefore, this threshold value is poorly defined. Moreover, it is based on theoretical estimations in analogy to other ignition sources and there are no publications or significant records on these estimations. Within a research project at PTB, it has now been investigated experimentally in relation to worst-case considerations including airborne ultrasound, focused MHz ultrasound in liquids and acoustic cavitation. On the basis of the results of the research it is now possible to revise the current regulations and to specify measures for safe operation of ultrasonic applications in explosive atmospheres. In this context, for ultrasound coupled directly to gaseous atmospheres a new threshold value of 170 dB (re. 20 μPa) can be suggested, and for ultrasonic applications in liquids, an augmentation can be made to the threshold to 400 mW/mm².     

Tropic attributes of the mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the mangrove swamps of Imo River estuary, Nigeria

Aspects of the trophic attributes of the mudskipper,Periophthalmus barbarus occurring in the mangrove swamps of ImoRiver estuary, Nigeria, were investigated during a 12-month period(April, 1992-March, 1993). Feeding intensity increased with size;it was higher in the dry season (November-April) than in the wetseason (May-October); monthly changes in the indices of feedingintensity were significantly correlated. Major food objectscomprised detritus and benthic algae; crustaceans, insects,macrophyte matter and sand grains were minor food objects whilefish, molluscs, Chilopoda, nematodes and fungi were unconsciouslydevoured objects. Diet varied seasonally; algae and sesarmid crabswere generally more in the dry season than during the rains whereasFPOM and fish increased in the wet over dry season. The mudskipperdisplay a high degree of euryphagy and can be considered as ageneralist and an omnivore. The lower trophic status of P. barbarusqualifies it as a good aquaculture candidate. Food richness washigher in big-sized class (BSC) than small-sized class (SSC).Size-based and seasonal variations were not apparent in foodrichness. Diet breadth was higher in the BSC than the SSC; therewas dry season increase in diet breadth.     

Perceptions toward stewardship among residents living near U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Facilities

Although stewardship has been widely defined and used in environmental management and planning, there is a dearth of studies that describe how the lay public perceives this concept. A national sample of residents in 14 states who live near DOE nuclear facilities were interviewed to delineate public understanding and awareness of the stewardship program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This study discusses the findings of the survey and discusses how institutional trust influences public participation and resident’s choices of potential stewards. Almost 40% of the respondents could not define stewardship; those who did, believed that ‘responsibility,’ ‘management,’ and ‘accountability’ are key elements of stewardship. In addition, about a third of the respondents identified Federal groups and the DOE as potential stewards. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue     

哈尔滨市秸秆焚烧大气污染负荷估算方法研究

本文针对近些年哈尔滨秋末冬初大气污染程度增加的溯源问题,基于静风污染气象及降雪对秸秆焚烧的影响等基本假设,采用箱式模型和优化拟合的方法对秸秆焚烧产生污染物的源强及其负荷进行了估算.通过对2015年和2017年典型时段数据的优化拟合得到降雪前重污染天气下PM₁₀排放源强分别为20.16、21.83 μg·m^-2·s^-1,CO的排放源强分别为149.32、138.65 mg·m^-2·s^-1;降雪后重污染天气下PM₁₀排放源强分别为15.98、7.09 μg·m^-2·s^-1,CO的排放源强分别为122.91、89.21 mg·m^-2·s^-1.由降雪前后各污染物的源强差得到2015年和2017年秸秆焚烧产生的PM₁₀的排放源强分别为4.18、14.74 μg·m^-2·s^-1,负荷分别为20.73%、67.52%;CO的排放源强分别为26.41、49.44 mg·m^-2·s^-1,负荷分别为17.69%、35.66%.本文为相关清单的研究提供了一种客观的校核方法,具有重要的社会、环境及现实意义.     

我国饲料粮区域产消平衡特征及政策启示

我国饲料粮消耗量大且增长迅速,已经成为我国粮食安全的首要影响因素,准确判断我国饲料粮的区域产消平衡特征对农业相关政策的制订具有重要的现实意义。论文在详细分析各省区不同畜牧产品粮食转化系数的基础上,对区域饲料粮的产消平衡状态及其原因进行了研究。结果显示：1）近年来我国饲料粮消费量快速上升,由2000年的21 730万t增长到2015年的30 549万t,15 a间增长了8 819万t。2）2015年生猪饲料粮消耗量最大,比例达到了44.4%,占据了我国饲料消耗总量的半壁江山。其次为禽蛋与禽肉消耗,消费占比分别为15.8%与12.7%;牛肉、羊肉、牛奶与水产品的饲料粮消费量比例均在5%~9%之间。3）2015年全国饲料粮总计短缺4 276万t,区域上呈现“北余南缺”的格局,东北黑龙江、吉林、内蒙古三省（区）成为我国最重要的饲料粮供应区域。从粮食转换系数与饲养结构来看,“北粮南运”现象是粮食资源的合理配置。论文提出三点政策建议：1）转变消费结构,增加牛肉与牛奶的消费量;2）推动“以粮为纲”向“粮经饲”三元种植结构转变;3）充分利用国际市场,从全球视角保护粮食安全。     

电絮凝净化含聚污水影响因素研究

目的为保障油田正常安全生产,促进油田含聚污水的循环利用。方法采用电絮凝技术单因素研究方法开展净化含聚污水的静态实验研究,探讨外加电流密度、极板间距、初始pH及聚合物浓度等因素对净化效果的影响规律。结果当初始pH为7.0,电流密度为4.0 m A/m2,极板间距为1.0 cm,电解16 min时,综合处理效果最佳。此时,含油量与浊度去除率分别为98.85%,99.93%,处理每克油平均消耗为0.0494 g的Al,处理每立方米含聚污水的能耗为0.2895 k Wh。污水中的聚合物浓度越小,净化效果越好。结论中性处理,极板间距为1.0 cm,外加电流密度为4.0 m A/m2,通电16 min是最佳处理条件。     

反静电场处理厌氧污泥的影响因素分析

在电场和电解副效应的共同作用下，选定0．5mA、1．0mA、1．5mA和1．95mA四种电流强度作为不同的运行条件，处理时间24h，分别测定反应开始和结束时厌氧污泥上清液COD、NH4^＋-N和VSS，其变化率随电流强度呈抛物线型变化。用反静电处理厌氧污泥时，电场对污泥参数的影响存在着最佳的工作电流强度，在本试验条件下，反静电处理厌氧污泥的最佳工作电流强度为1．5mA。反静电场可提高微生物的活性，使COD与NH4^＋-N得到一定程度的降解，同时，污泥的性质影响反静电场处理污泥的效果。     

大力开展清洁生产做好节能环保工作

在开展清洁生产过程中，江苏油田真武天然气集中处理站通过节约用水和冷量回收工艺的技术改造，减少了外排水，使水得到循环利用；能量得到很好的利用，增加了产品的产量，给企业增加了经济效益。     

膜生物反应器膜污染的水力学控制实验研究

叙述了膜污染是影响膜-生物反应器处理技术推广应用的关键因素，采用水动力学方法是控制膜污染的有效方法。在不同污泥浓度条件下。对不同曝气强度下膜污染的发展速率及其形成机理进行了试验研究，研究结果表明：对应于不同污泥浓度均存在一个经济曝气强度，其大小随污泥浓度升高呈线性增加，膜生物反应器在经济曝气强度条件下运行可控制膜污染的发展；并从理论上推导出一个临界污泥浓度，其值为5．15g／L。对应于临界污泥浓度，并且污泥絮体在膜面可形成比较稳定的动态膜，膜过滤压差上升的速率最慢，膜生物反应器在此临界污泥浓度条件下运行膜污染发展最为缓慢。     

Energy use and transport correlation linking personal and travel related energy uses to the urban structure

This paper considers relationships between sustainability objectives, transport, spatial design of the built environment and rational use of energy. Conventional transport modelling, housing supply and energy assessment tools are drawn together to provide a common platform for appraisal of city-wide energy use by stationary and mobile sources. The paper outlines methodologies developed for the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The paper concludes by briefly reviewing the effect in terms of mobile and stationary energy consumption and travel behaviour of implementing sustainable policy measures in current and future years within the study area.