Investigation the effect of adding graphene oxide into diesel/higher alcohols blends on a diesel engine performance

ABSTRACT

This article aims to study the influence of the addition of graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO) to diesel/higher alcohols blends on the combustion, emission, and exergy parameters of a CI engine under various engine loads. The higher alcohols mainly n-butanol, n-heptanol, and n-octanol are blended with diesel at a volume fraction of 50%. Then, the 25 and 50 mg/L concentrations of GO are dispersed into diesel/higher alcohols blends using an ultrasonicator. The GO structures are examined using TEM, TGA, XRD and FTIR. The findings show that there is a reduction in p_max. and HRR when adding higher alcohols with diesel fuel. Regarding engine emission, there is a significant improvement in emissions formation with adding higher alcohols. The addition of GO into diesel/higher alcohols blends improves the brake thermal efficiency by 15%. Moreover, the p_max. and HRR are both enhanced by 4%. The CO, UHC and smoke formation are reduced considerably by 40%, 50 and 20%, respectively, while NO_x level is increased by 30% with adding GO. Finally, adding high percentages of n-butanol, n-heptanol, and n-octanol with diesel fuel with the presence of GO has the potential to achieve ultra-low CO, UHC, and smoke formation meanwhile keeping high thermal efficiency level.     

Natural gas engine driven heat pump system – a case study of an office building

ABSTRACT

An eQUEST model was developed to conduct a simulation study of a natural gas engine-driven heat pump (GEHP) for an office building in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Prior to the installation of the GEHP, the heating and cooling demands of the office building were provided by rooftop units (RTUs), comprising of natural gas heater and electric air conditioner. Energy consumption for both GEHP and RTUs were monitored for operation in alternating months. These recorded energy consumptions along with weather data were used in the regression analysis. The developed eQUEST models were validated and calibrated with the regression analysis results with respect to the ASHRAE Guideline 14–2014. The eventual models were then applied to investigate the potential annual energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and energy cost savings achieved by using the GEHP in Woodstock, and other cities in Canada, particularly in Ontario.     

关于中国土地资源人口承载力问题的思考

土地资源的人口承载力问题也就是生存空间问题,它关系到人类未来的生存与发展问题,历来受学术界的注目。20世纪70年代联合国粮农组织(FAO)曾主持了一项大型的发展中地区土地资源人口承载力问题的研究,80年代后期,中国科学院—国家计委自然资源综合考察委员会也主持了一项大型的中国土地资源生产能力及人口承载量研究。相应地还有一系列有关中国未来的生存与发展和人口承载力问题的探讨。本文从中国人地关系变化的角度介入这一讨论,分析中国远期的土地资源是否超载的问题。     

Reproductive health in Afghanistan: results of a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey among Afghan women in Kabul

A reproductive-health knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey was carried out among 468 Afghan women of reproductive age. A convenience sample of women was selected from attendees in the outpatient departments of four health facilities in Kabul. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents had attended at least one antenatal consultation during their last pregnancy. Two-thirds (67 per cent) delivered their first child between 13 and 19 years. The Caesarean-section rate was low (1.6 per cent). Two-thirds (67 per cent) of deliveries occurred in the home. The contraceptive prevalence rate was 23 per cent (16 per cent modern and 7 per cent natural methods). Twenty-four per cent had knowledge of any STIs, although most of these women did not know correctly how to prevent them. Most of the women (93 per cent) needed authorization from their husband or a male relative before seeking professional health-care. In multivariate analysis, women's schooling was significantly associated with antenatal-care attendance (AOR 4.78), institutional delivery (AOR 2.29), skilled attendance at birth (AOR 2.07) and use of family planning (AOR 4.59). Reproductive-health indicators were noted to be poor even among these women living in Kabul, a group often considered to be the most privileged. To meet the reproductive-health needs of Afghan women, the socio-cultural aspects of their situation--especially their decision-making abilities -- will need to be addressed. A long-standing commitment from agencies and donors is required, in which the education of women should be placed as a cornerstone of the reconstruction process of Afghanistan.     

对铁碳处理硝基酚废水的研究

铁碳降解水中难降解有机污染物的影响因素、最佳工艺参数及处理效果;初步探讨了氧化降解污染物的作用机理;通过分析污染物降解的中间产物,提出了污染物降解的可能途径.探讨了pH、铁碳用量、温度以及锰矿物的粒径等对处理效果的影响,在最佳的工艺条件下,CODCr的去除率达到95%以上,TOC测定表明：大部分硝基酚被氧化降解为H2O和CO2.对硝基酚的降解途径主要是微电解将对硝基酚还原为对氨基酚,对氨基酚在酸性条件下被软锰矿氧化为H2O和CO2做探索性研究.     

小型环境试验舱的研制及性能研究

自制小型环境试验舱的体积为0．17m^3，用产生甲醛的标准气体方法检验试验舱的稳定性、准确性及精密性。结果表明，试验舱稳定，无吸附，且有95％的精确性。通过测定试验舱内木板中甲醛释放量及释放规律检验试验舱的应用性能，测得甲醛释放规律与文献研究结果一致，表明该试验舱应用性能良好，因此该实验舱可用于检测室内装饰装修材料中污染物质释放量及释放规律的研究。     

Status of recycling end-of-life vehicles and efforts to reduce automobile shredder residues in Korea

The present end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycle rate and management status during the dismantling stage were investigated to aid the establishment of policies for the management of ELVs by surveying information and using the results gained from questionnaires given to dismantlers. The average recycle rate at the dismantling stage was 44% of the mass of a new vehicle and the rest of the ELV was then compressed and transported to shredding companies to recover mainly the iron content, which averaged 38.7% of the mass of a new vehicle. Nonferrous metals such as copper, antimony, zinc, and aluminum accounted for only 1.5%. The automobile shredder residues (ASRs) were composed of light and heavy fluffs and soil/dust and amounted to 15.8% based on the mass of a new vehicle. The dumping of fluff and inorganic residues in landfill sites, however, will be restricted when new regulations are implemented to reduce the disposal amount to less than 5% of a new car, as has been done in European countries and in Japan. The detailed characteristics of ASR were investigated to suggest appropriate means of treatment such as volume reduction or the utilization of thermal technologies to meet future expected enforcement. Also, some concerns on hazardous pollutant release such as that of dioxins while utilizing such thermal treatment methods were considered. The present on-going research and development projects to meet such future management targets are also introduced.     

纳米二氧化钛处理含砷废水的研究

研究了无机纳米材料二氧化钛对含砷废水的处理效果.实验主要从纳米二氧化钛的溶液pH值、不同投加量、实验温度、吸附搅拌时间、静置时间等方面对除砷效率进行了研究,并通过模拟水样和实际水样的对比,分析了纳米二氧化钛处理含砷废水的实际可行性.     

THE IMPACT OF HIGH INTEREST RATES ON OPTIMUM MULTIPLE OBJECTIVE DESIGN OF SURFACE RUNOFF URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS1

ABSTRACT. This research examines the impact of high rates of interest upon the least cost system design for urban drainage systems when water quality is a critical parameter. Results of examination of twelve alternative system designs in a case study watershed indicate the least cost study design is highly sensitive to the rate of interest, but not sensitive to the water quality parameters. When the high rates of interest currently prevalent are introduced into the model those systems which contain open channel collection components are selected as the least cost system. At low rates of interest pipeline collection components are selected as the least cost system. Holding pond components of system design are cost effective at several levels of water quality. They are neutral to the rate of interest so they are incorporated in least cost systems at all the levels of interest rates. The results of the study indicate that at the current high rates of interest open channel collection systems and holding ponds are cost effective system components to achieve selected levels of water quality in urban drainage system design.     

Air pollution in California: Manufacturing vs. services

Relative to manufacturing, service activities are often considered by planners and officials to generate considerably less environmental pollution. This hypothesis is tested by means of an examination of the economic linkages of both manufacturing and service activities and of the resulting direct and indirect emissions of five air pollutants per dollar of output in the California statewide air basin and in four regional basins within the state. Overall acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis depends in part on the particular pollutant and air basin considered but, most importantly, on the judgement as to what activities are to be considered as service activities.This paper is based on research sponsored by the California Air Resources Board under Agreement A7-143-30.