Preparation of black lyophilic ink using the carbon soot emitted by vehicles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The carbon soot is formed as a consequence of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons and organic matter. It causes respiratory diseases like lung...     

Formulation of a landfill pollution potential index to compare pollution potential of uncontrolled landfills

Generally speaking, landfilling is one of the prominent methods of waste disposal around the globe, but some under-developed and developing countries still continue to practice uncontrolled open dumping of waste. These uncontrolled landfills pose a relatively high threat to the various elements of the environment in comparison with the conventional engineered landfills that are used in many developed countries. However, some closed, un-engineered landfills do exist in developing countries. This paper presents a novel approach to compare the pollution potential of uncontrolled landfills using an index. The landfill pollution potential index (LPPI) has been developed using the Delphi technique and is an aggregation of six pollution indices that have already been developed for the quantification of different environmental elements. The LPPI is an increasing scale index, in which a higher index value indicates a higher pollution threat. The LPPI of a landfill in Delhi was calculated and the high LPPI value indicates that the respective landfill poses a significant threat to the environment. The LPPI can be used as an aid to diagnose a landfill's pollution potential relative to other landfills and therefore also to rank remediation investments.     

Constitutive model for municipal solid waste incorporating mechanical creep and biodegradation-induced compression

A constitutive model is proposed to describe the stress–strain behavior of municipal solid waste (MSW) under loading using the critical state soil mechanics framework. The modified cam clay model is extended to incorporate the effects of mechanical creep and time dependent biodegradation to calculate total compression under loading. Model parameters are evaluated based on one-dimensional compression and triaxial consolidated undrained test series conducted on three types of MSW: (a) fresh MSW obtained from working phase of a landfill, (b) landfilled waste retrieved from a landfill after 1.5 years of degradation, and (c) synthetic MSW with controlled composition. The model captures the stress–strain and pore water pressure response of these three types of MSW adequately. The model is useful for assessing the deformation and stability of landfills and any post-closure development structures located on landfills.     

Investigation of performance enhancement of solar still incorporated with Gallus gallus domesticus cascara as sensible heat storage material

In this research work, the conventional single slope still (CSS) with egg shells of breed Gallus gallus domesticus cascara as sensible heat storage (SHS) material are studied experimentally to enhance the yield. In this experimental investigation, the proposed single slope still (PSS) with SHS material was made in comparison with the CSS to evaluate the productivity of fresh water under the same ambient conditions. Comparatively, this PSS has higher thermal conductivity than the CSS. The yield obtained from the PSS is 2.46 L/m², while the yield from the CSS is 2.07 L/m². The average rate at which the rise of output fresh water obtained from the PSS is 18% more than the fresh water output obtained from the CSS. The daily energy efficiency of the PSS is 26.07%, and for the CSS, it is only 22.25%. The daily exergy efficiency of the PSS is 2.36%, and for the CSS, it is only 1.67%. Since using the egg shell will employ as organic waste management and modification in this still is economical, less initial, and maintenance cost.

     

Environmental forensic investigation of the air pollution from a cement manufacturing unit

Abstract

Cement manufacturing is a process that results in the emission of significant quantities of suspended particulate matter (SPM) to the ambient air. An environmental forensic investigation was carried out in the surroundings of a major cement manufacturing unit at a place called Coimbatore in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The investigation was carried out to identify the contribution of the cement manufacturing unit to the SPM concentration of the surrounding air environment. The sampling points’ selection and sample collection were done following the principles outlined in the INTERPOL Manual for Pollution Crime Forensic Investigation. On-site monitoring of the air samples was carried out using Mini Laser Aerosol Spectrometer (GRIMM, Mini-LAS Model 11R). The instrument was capable of measuring particles ranging from 0.25 to 32 µm and classifying them into 31 size channels. The test results at majority of the monitoring locations were well above the limits specified in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards of India. Microscopic studies of the dust samples were carried out for surface texture and particle shape. The spatial distribution of particles was analysed using geographic information system (GIS) for the visual identification of the extent of the pollution by keeping the cement factory as the focal point. The results from the GIS and microscopic analysis established the role of the cement factory in the particulate matter pollution of its surroundings, specifically in the areas North-West of the factory. The successfully adopted procedure can serve as a guideline for the environmental forensic investigation of similar pollution incidences.     

Sulfate and glutathione enhanced arsenic accumulation by arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L.

This experiment examined the effects of sulfate (S) and reduced glutathione (GSH) on arsenic uptake by arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata after exposing to arsenate (0, 15 or 30 mg As L⁻¹) with sulfate (6.4, 12.8 or 25.6 mg S L⁻¹) or GSH (0, 0.4 or 0.8 mM) for 2-wk. Total arsenic, S and GSH concentrations in plant biomass and arsenic speciation in the growth media and plant biomass were determined. While both S (18-85%) and GSH (77-89%) significantly increased arsenic uptake in P. vittata, GSH also increased arsenic translocation by 61-85% at 0.4 mM (p < 0.05). Sulfate and GSH did not impact plant biomass or arsenic speciation in the media and biomass. The S-induced arsenic accumulation by P. vittata was partially attributed to increased plant GSH (21-31%), an important non-enzymatic antioxidant countering oxidative stress. This experiment demonstrated that S and GSH can effectively enhance arsenic uptake and translocation by P. vittata.     

Electro-dissolution of metal scrap anodes for nickel ion removal from metal finishing effluent

This contribution reports a novel and cost efficient strategy for nickel ion removal from metal finishing effluents by electro-dissolution of scrap aluminium and iron sacrificial anodes. Electro-coagulation of effluent was carried out at 30 mA/cm² current density for 60 min. The nickel ion concentration of electroplating effluent was analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. SEM images of iron and aluminium scrap anodes were critically analysed. Parameters such as heavy metal removal, anode dissolution rate with respect to heavy metal removal, reaction kinetics and cost estimation have been elaborately studied. Electro-coagulation at 30 mA/cm² for 60 min using iron and aluminium scrap anodes resulted in 95.9 and 94.1 % nickel ion reduction, respectively, with 0.0094 and 0.0053 g/ppm dissolution rates. The energy consumption for scrap aluminium and iron anodes was 0.0547 kWh/L. Loose internal bonding and spongy surface morphology of used metal scrap render high porosity and active surface area, enhancing reaction rate. Low cost and ready availability of waste scrap makes the process of electro-coagulation economically viable. Thus, the findings from this contribution point decisively at the superiority of waste metal scrap-based anodes for economic and environmentally sustainable heavy metal ion removal from metal finishing effluent.     

Development of a fuel cell propulsion system for the existing Mercedes B-Class 160 of petrol driven car

This paper presents a theoretical comparison between fuel cell (FC) power train and conventional petrol driven propulsion system. FC has potential to reduce the CO₂-emissions from road. However, FC power trains require energy storing device, to meet the peak power during extreme drive situations and also able to recover the kinetic energy of the vehicle during break operation. The proposed system includes a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) based drive train and a super capacitor connected in parallel. The system is designed and dimensioned for a conventional petrol driven propulsion system of the Mercedes B-Class160. The feasibility study also includes comparison between the existing conventional systems. It is shown that although FC power train is heavier compared to existing system, urban performance is better and produces no CO₂ and other harmful emissions.