Two stage fluid bed-plasma gasification process for solid waste valorisation: technical review and preliminary thermodynamic modelling of sulphur emissions

Gasification of solid waste for energy has significant potential given an abundant feed supply and strong policy drivers. Nonetheless, significant ambiguities in the knowledge base are apparent. Consequently this study investigates sulphur mechanisms within a novel two stage fluid bed-plasma gasification process. This paper includes a detailed review of gasification and plasma fundamentals in relation to the specific process, along with insight on MSW based feedstock properties and sulphur pollutant therein. As a first step to understanding sulphur partitioning and speciation within the process, thermodynamic modelling of the fluid bed stage has been performed. Preliminary findings, supported by plant experience, indicate the prominence of solid phase sulphur species (as opposed to H₂S) - Na and K based species in particular. Work is underway to further investigate and validate this.     

A COMPARISON OF DELTA CHANGE AND DOWNSCALED GCM SCENARIOS FOR THREE MOUNTAINOUS BASINS IN THE UNITED STATES1

ABSTRACT: Simulated daily precipitation, temperature, and runoff time series were compared in three mountainous basins in the United States: (1) the Animas River basin in Colorado, (2) the East Fork of the Carson River basin in Nevada and California, and (3) the Cle Elum River basin in Washington State. Two methods of climate scenario generation were compared: delta change and statistical downscaling. The delta change method uses differences between simulated current and future climate conditions from the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research (HadCM2) General Circulation Model (GCM) added to observed time series of climate variables. A statistical downscaling (SDS) model was developed for each basin using station data and output from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEPINCAR) reanalysis regridded to the scale of HadCM2. The SDS model was then used to simulate local climate variables using HadCM2 output for current and future conditions. Surface climate variables from each scenario were used in a precipitation‐runoff model. Results from this study show that, in the basins tested, a precipitation‐runoff model can simulate realistic runoff series for current conditions using statistically down‐scaled NCEP output. But, use of downscaled HadCM2 output for current or future climate assessments are questionable because the GCM does not produce accurate estimates of the surface variables needed for runoff in these regions. Given the uncertainties in the GCMs ability to simulate current conditions based on either the delta change or downscaling approaches, future climate assessments based on either of these approaches must be treated with caution.     

Evaluation of ecological network analysis: Validation of output

Ecological network analysis (ENA) is a modeling approach increasingly being used to evaluate food webs and provide an ecosystem-based approach to resource management. Unfortunately, validation of ENA output is rarely performed. This study represents part of a larger effort to critically evaluate ENA. Here we validate ENA output using stable isotope analysis (SIA), and where validation is not met, determine the effects of modifying trophic networks to reflect validation.     

Estimates of species- and ecosystem-level respiration of woody stems along an elevational gradient in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico

We measured CO₂ efflux from stems of seven subtropical tree species situated along an elevational gradient in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico and scaled these measurements up to the landscape level based on modeled and empirical relations. The most important determinants of ecosystem stem respiration were species composition and stem temperature. At a species scale, measured CO₂ efflux per unit bole surface area at a given temperature was highest in the early successional species Cecropia schreberiana and lowest in species that inhabit high elevations such as Micropholis garciniifolia and Tabebuia rigida. Carbon dioxide efflux rates followed a diel pattern that lagged approximately 6 h behind changes in sapwood temperatures. At an ecosystem scale, our simulation model indicates a decreasing trend of stem respiration rates with increasing elevation due to shifts in species composition, lower temperatures and reductions in branch surface area. The highest estimated stem respiration rates were present in the lowland tabonuco forest type and the lowest rates were present in the elfin forest type (mean 7.4 and 2.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively). There was slight temperature-induced seasonal variation in simulated stem respiration rates at low elevations, with a maximum difference of 19% between the months of February and July. Our results coincide well with those of Odum and Jordan [Odum, H.T., Jordan, C.F., 1970. Metabolism and evapotranspiration of the lower forest in a giant plastic cylinder. In: Odum, H.T., Pigeon, R.F. (Eds.), A Tropical Rain Forest: A Study of Irradiation and Ecology at El Verde, Puerto Rico. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge, TN, pp. I165–I189] for the tabonuco forest type and extend their work by presenting estimates and spatial patterns of woody tissue respiration for the entire mountain rather than for a single forested plot.     

多环芳烃室内土柱淋溶行为的CDE模型模拟

采用土柱淋溶实验方法对多环芳烃(PAHs)在人工污染士柱中表面活性剂淋溶下的运移进行了实验室研究,获得了示踪剂Br^-和PAHs的穿透曲线(BTCs);并通过室内批量平衡试验(PAHs和表面活性剂吸附试验和表面活性剂对PAHs吸附／解吸影响试验)获得了吸附系数,进而获得阻滞因子．基于这些实验室结果,通过CXTFIT2．1软件,用平衡CDE模型拟合了Br^-的BTCs,获得物理和水动力参数;并在此基础上应用CDE非平衡模型拟合PAHs在表面活性剂淋溶条件下土柱中的BTCs以及不同时刻、不同埋深处PAHs浓度的动态变化,预测了PAHs在土柱中的迁移趋势。     

Beach topography mapping—a comparsion of techniques

A comparison of current techniques for measuring elevations in the beach and near-shore zones is presented. Techniques considered include traditional methods such as ground survey along transects and airborne stereophotogrammetry, and also newer methods based on remote sensing such as airborne scanning laser altimetry (LiDAR). The approach taken was to identify a representative group of users of beach elevation data, elicit their requirements regarding these data, then assess how well the different methods met these requirements on both technical and financial grounds. Potential users of beach height measurements include those concerned with coastal defence, coastal environmental management economic exploitation of the intertidal zone, and coastal flood forecasting. Three test areas in the UK were identified covering a range of such users and also different beach types. A total of 17 basic user requirements were elicited. For each requirement each method was scored according to the degree to which it could meet the requirement. Total scores were calculated and each method ranked. This was undertaken for all the requirements together, for a subset relating to survey of narrow beaches, and for a subset relating to survey of wide beaches. Approximate costs were also established for the top six methods. Airborne stereophotogrammetry proved to be the best method technically, but was also the most expensive. Ground survey provides very good technical performance on narrower beaches at moderate cost. Airborne LiDAR can achieve good technical performance on both narrow and wide beaches at lower cost than ground survey. The satellite-based waterline method was also inexpensive and gave good results on wide beaches. An overall conclusion is that, while the traditional methods of ground survey and airborne stereophotogrammetry remain the best for engineering-related surveys requiring high levels of accuracy, airborne LiDAR in particular looks set to have a significant impact on beach survey for applications for which a vertical accuracy of 20 cm is acceptable, provided that its technology evolves satisfactorily.     

Uncertainty in integrated coastal zone management

Uncertainty plays a major role in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). A large part of this uncertainty is connected to our lack of knowledge of the integrated functioning of the coastal system and to the increasing need to act in a pro-active way. Increasingly, coastal managers are forced to take decisions based on information which is surrounded by uncertainties. Different types of uncertainty can be identified and the role of uncertainty in decision making, scientific uncertainty and model uncertainty in ICZM is discussed. The issue of spatial variability, which is believed to be extremely important in ICZM and represents a primary source of complexity and uncertainty, is also briefly introduced. Some principles for complex model building are described as an approach to handle, in a balanced way, the available data, information, knowledge and experience. The practical method of sensitivity analysis is then introduced as a method for a posterior evaluation of uncertainty in simulation models. We conclude by emphasising the need for the definition of an analysis plan in order to handle model uncertainty in a balanced way during the decision making process.     

用灰色系统理论GM(1,1)建立大气降水中酸雨pH值的预测模型

本文用灰色系统理论GM(1,1)建立了大气降水中pH值的预测模型。经三种不同方法检验。对我市1990—1993年大气降水中酸雨pH值进行了预测,结果令人满意。     

线性规划方法在城市大气污染物排放总量控制中的应用

为了实施城市大气污染物排放总量控制，实现逐点浓度达标与各功能区达标，本文讨论了线性规划方法在大气污染物排放总量控制中的具体应用，提出了合理选择控制点和计算污染物浓度贡献系数矩阵的方法，结合控制点源排放的Ａ－Ｐ值法建立了大气污染物排放总量控制模型。     

中国区域能源效率对霾污染的空间效应——基于空间杜宾模型的实证分析

以中国29个省市自治区为研究对象，并以2001~2015年PM_2.5年度均值作为衡量霾污染的指标，构建了全要素能源效率对中国霾污染影响的空间杜宾模型.研究表明：中国绝大部分省市的霾污染演变趋势具有倒"U"的特点，这说明中国的霾污染在2001~2015年间经历了先上升后下降的总体变化趋势；无论是采用地理相邻权重还是经济权重，中国省际间的霾污染均存在显著空间集聚效应，这揭示霾污染的治理与控制需要地区间建立恰当的合作机制，避免出现"损人利己"现象；在对一系列经济社会因素控制的基础上，全要素能源效率对霾污染存在显著的负向影响并且具有显著的空间溢出效应，这表明全要素能源效率的提高不仅会显著降低本地区的霾污染水平，还将对周边地区的霾污染产生显著的负向影响；分解方程结果显示，技术进步和技术效率对霾污染的负向效应显著，并且技术进步的直接效应大于技术效率，但两者的间接效应均显著大于直接效应，这揭示了技术扩散对霾污染具有重要的潜在促降效应.因此，在治理霾污染的过程中，要通过不断优化能源结构和开发新能源技术以发挥全要素能源效率的减霾效果，以及通过地区间的交流与合作发挥技术扩散效应在霾污染治理中的作用.