Valorization of co-combustion fly ash in concrete production

The purpose of this paper is to compare the effects of two different Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCMs) on mechanical and durability-related properties of structural concrete. Three mixes were produced, where coal and co-combustion fly ashes were used as partial substitute of cement (20% in volume) and compared with a control/reference concrete. Performances investigated included fresh concrete properties, compressive and tensile strength, elastic modulus, permeability, capillarity and drying/wetting resistance. Results indicate that both the SCMs can be classified as low-carbon fly ashes, and their use in concrete improves the workability of the mixes. A slight reduction of mechanical strength was observed for the concretes including both the SCMs. In addition, concrete transport properties were also slightly reduced when co-combustion fly ash was used. Wetting-drying cycles affected significantly the durability of all the mixes: compressive strength after these cycles was significantly lowered, and the cracks occurred due to the thermal stress applied, appeared to be filled by needle-shape crystals of ettringite.     

弱酸介质中介孔Zr-SiO_2的合成及形貌控制

直接在介孔SiO_2中掺杂金属Zr不是十分容易,这主要是由于在强酸介质中,Zr往往不能与Si源一起共缩合而被沉积到介孔SiO_2骨架中。因此,本文采用原位一步合成法,在含有模板剂、盐酸、醋酸锌的弱酸性水溶液中添加Si源和Zr源,通过原位共沉积,直接制备出具有介孔结构的Zr-SiO_2材料。研究结果表明:当合成母液中Zr与Si的摩尔比r≤0.2∶1时,所得样品具有高度有序的介孔结构;继续增加Zr的添加量(r=0.3或0.5)会使有序孔的规整性下降。随着合成体系中r从0.01变化到0.2,样品晶胞参数由9.7nm增加到10.9nm,孔壁厚度由1.4nm增大到2.6nm,证明了Zr对介孔SiO_2骨架的有效掺杂。通过改变样品中的Zr掺杂量还可以调控所得Zr-SiO_2材料的形貌,获得具有蠕虫状、葡萄状和麦粒状等形状规整的粒子。介孔Zr-SiO_2材料在去除水体中有机染料亚甲基蓝中表现出良好的性能。     

Behavior of high strength fly ash concrete columns under fire conditions

Fly ash concrete is finding increasing applications in construction; however there is lack of data on fire performance of fly ash concrete structural members. This paper presents results from fire resistance tests on fly ash concrete columns. Data generated from tests on high strength fly ash concrete columns is compared with those of conventional high strength concrete (HSC) columns. The effect of concrete type, fire exposure scenario, fly ash, and fibers in concrete mix on fire performance of fly ash concrete columns is discussed. Results from fire resistance tests show that fly ash concrete columns exhibit almost similar fire resistance to that of conventional HSC columns. Further, the addition of polypropylene fibers mitigates fire induced spalling in high strength fly ash concrete columns.     

Investigation on passivity of titanium under steady-state conditions in acidic solutions

The passivity of titanium was studied using potentiostatic polarization combined with Mott–Schottky analysis in acidic solutions. The oxide layer was characterized as an n-type semiconducting, oxygen deficient oxide (TiO_{1.993–1.996}) with a donor density in the range of 10¹⁹–10²⁰ cm⁻³ depending on electrode potential and electrolyte pH. The calculated thickness for the inner oxide layer was in the range of 1–4 nm, increasing linearly with applied potential and exponentially with electrolyte pH. The potential- and pH-dependence of the inner oxide thickness was interpreted by a modified point defect model for the migration-controlled oxide growth, in which the rate-determining step in the passive film growth processes was assumed to be the donor lattice migration.     

Effective utilization of waste ash from MSW and coal co-combustion power plant: Zeolite synthesis

The solid by-product from power plant fueled with municipal solid waste and coal was used as a raw material to synthesize zeolite by fusion-hydrothermal process in order to effectively use this type of waste material. The effects of treatment conditions, including NaOH/ash ratio, operating temperature and hydrothermal reaction time, were investigated, and the product was applied to simulated wastewater treatment. The optimal conditions for zeolite X synthesis were: NaOH/ash ratio=1.2:1, fusion temperature=550 degrees C, crystallization time=6-10 h and crystallization temperature=90 degrees C. In the synthesis process, it was found that zeolite X tended to transform into zeolite HS when NaOH/ash ratio was 1.8 or higher, crystallization time was 14-18 h, operating temperature was 130 degrees C or higher. The CEC value, BET surface area and pore volume for the synthesized product at optimal conditions were 250 cmol kg(-1), 249 m(2) g(-1) and 0.46 cm(3) g(-1) respectively, higher than coal fly ash based zeolite. Furthermore, when applied to Zn(2+) contaminated wastewater treatment, the synthesized product presented larger adsorption capacity and bond energy than coal fly ash based zeolite, and the adsorption isotherm data could be well described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. These results demonstrated that the special type of co-combustion ash from power plant is suitable for synthesizing high quality zeolite, and the products are suitable for heavy metal removal from wastewater.     

强酸碱环境下玻璃包覆纯铜微丝的腐蚀行为

采用熔融纺丝法制备了玻璃包覆纯铜微丝,对微丝表面玻璃包覆层的去除进行了实验研究,评价了微丝在氢氟酸和熔融氢氧化钠中的腐蚀行为,分析了玻璃包覆纯铜微丝在强酸和强碱中的耐腐蚀性能,探讨了其腐蚀机理.研究表明:氢氟酸和熔融氢氧化钠都能用于微丝表面玻璃包覆层的去除,室温下氢氟酸去除厚度为10 μm的玻璃包覆层的时间大约为150 s,熔融氢氧化钠大约需要10 s;玻璃的成分和结构是影响玻璃包覆纯铜微丝耐腐蚀性能的重要因素.     

Arsenic and lead release from fly ash stabilized/solidified soils under modified semi-dynamic leaching conditions

A fly ash-based stabilization/solidification (S/S) technique was investigated using field soil samples contaminated with arsenic (As) and lead (Pb). A semi-dynamic leaching test was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the S/S treatment. By assessing the cumulative fractions of leached As and Pb, the effective diffusion coefficient (D(e)) and a leachability index (LX) were measured and used for evaluating the effectiveness of the S/S treatment. Overall, As release was reduced by 98.3% and Pb release was reduced by 98.5% upon addition of 25% Class C fly ash. The mean D(e) decreased significantly and the mean LX was always above 9 for all treated samples, indicating that the treated soils were acceptable for "controlled utilization". The mechanism controlling As leaching from all treated samples appeared to be a mixture of wash-off and diffusion. Diffusive As release was proportional to fly ash content. The mechanism controlling Pb leaching when samples were treated with 25% fly ash appeared to be wash-off.     

Behaviour of metals under the conditions of roasting MSW incinerator fly ash with chlorinating agents.

A total elemental analysis was performed on a municipal solid waste (MSW) fly ash sample, before and after it was treated at 1000 degrees C, to reveal the metal distribution between the volatile matter and the ash residue. Metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, and to a lesser degree, Cr, Mn and Ni, were volatilized. Addition of chlorinating agents generally increased the volatility of certain elements. More acid resistant compounds were formed in the ash residue after the heat treatment using CaCl2 as a chlorinating agent. The efficiencies of volatilization of the metals, using Cl2 as a chlorinating agent, were generally higher compared with using CaCl2. However, CaCl2 was found to be a more selective chlorinating agent for volatilizing the heavy metals of concern, i.e., Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu. The efficiencies of volatilization of the recovered metals were approximately proportional to their standard free-energy changes (delta G(o) for the corresponding chlorination reactions.     

An effective adsorbent developed from municipal solid waste and coal co-combustion ash for As(V) removal from aqueous solution

A new adsorbent was developed from waste ash resulting from municipal solid waste and coal co-combustion power plant. The ash was firstly subjected to hydrothermal treatment for zeolite synthesis, and then modified with iron(II) ions by agitation (ISZ) or ultrasonic (UISZ) treatment. The effect of operating factors such as pH, contact time, initial As(V) concentration and adsorbent dosage was investigated and the optimum operating conditions were established. The adsorption capacity for As(V) onto UISZ and ISZ were 13.04 and 5.37 mg g(-1), respectively. The adsorption isotherm data could be well described by Langmuir isotherm model. The optimum initial pH values for As(V) removal were 2.5 and 2.5-10.0 by ISZ and UISZ, respectively. The results indicated that ultrasound treatment scattered the particles of the adsorbent uniformly, which was in favor of impregnating iron ions into pores. Leaching of hazardous elements from the used adsorbents was very low. Accordingly, it is believed that the adsorbents developed in this study are environmentally acceptable and industrially applicable for utilization in arsenic-containing wastewater treatment.     

Prospects for cleaning ash in the acidic effluent from bioleaching of sulfidic concentrates

Leaching of ashes in sulfuric acid (pH 1.0, liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio 10:1, 25 degrees C) has been characterized with respect to the neutralizing capacity and the dissolution of dominant ions and trace elements. The conditions mimic the oxidation stage of a biohydrometallurgical process for base metal production from sulfidic mineral concentrates. Direct acid leaching of ash, integrated with this metallurgical process, offers a feasible route to the sustainable handling of metal-rich ashes. The treated ash will be deposited together with the inert mineral residue. Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn are effectively leached and can be recovered utilizing existing hydrometallurgical technology, but the recovery of other readily dissolved metals, notably Mn, U and V, requires that additional steps are implemented. We make two recommendations for industrial processes. The first is to replace limestone with ash from biofuels, except peat, for pH control in biohydrometallurgical processing. This requires a modest increase of fresh alkali compared with limestone. The second is to implement sulfuric acid leaching of fly ash from the combustion of solid waste and other metal-rich fuels (used wood, tires), thereby avoiding costly ash-deposits. There is a significant economic incentive for these changes, since no costly ash-deposits and less limestone will be needed.     

Optimum production conditions for reactive rice husk ash

Addition of pozzolanic admixtures generally enhances the performance of concrete and in particular the durability. If rice husk ash (RHA) is incinerated in controlled conditions, it can exhibit high pozzolanicity. Significant amount of work has already been reported on the production methodologies of reactive RHA. However, the optimum conditions which will result in highly reactive amorphous ash with minimum production energy have not yet been established. In the present experimental work, RHA samples are produced under various conditions of incineration using laboratory box furnace. Energy consumption has been examined in this study. Reactivity of ash has been established by various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopic study (SEM), analytical method and conductometric test. RHA-OPC reactivity has also been studied in this work. Based on the experimental investigations on fineness, amorphous silica content, energy consumption and reactivity of ash, the optimum production conditions of reactive RHA have been identified.     

Effects of rice straw ash amendment on Cu solubility and distribution in flooded rice paddy soils

Rice straw burning is a common post-harvest practice on rice paddy land, and it leads to the accumulation of rice straw ash (RSA) in paddy soil. To understand the role of RSA in determining the mobility and bioavailability of metal contaminants, this study investigated the effects of RSA amendment on the solubility and distribution of Cu in contaminated rice paddy soils with flooding incubation. The addition of RSA to the soils suppressed the release of Cu into the soil solutions, which was primarily attributed to the metal-binding capacity of the RSA. Additionally, after the soils were flooded, the increase in soil pH and decrease in redox potential resulted in the transformation of Cu into less soluble forms. The RSA amendment appeared to enhance the changes in pH and redox potential of the flooded soils and, consequently, the immobilization of Cu in the soils. The results suggest that the RSA can retard the bioavailability and movement of the metal in contaminated soils and, thus, lower the potential environmental risk of Cu toxicity.     

In vitro antibacterial activity of ceftazidime,unlike ciprofloxacin,improves in the presence of ZnO nanofluids under acidic conditions

The development of antibiotic resistance among hospital pathogens has provided a great need for new antimicrobial agents. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in combination with various antibiotics can act as a reducing agent for antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence and the mechanism of ZnO NPs on the antimicrobial activity of ciprofloxacin (CP) and ceftazidime (CAZ) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) bacteria in acidic conditions (pH 5.5). ZnO NPs were synthesised using the solvothermal method and characterised. The MIC90 value of ZnO NPs against A. baumannii was 0.25 mg ml⁻¹ and its highest growth‐inhibitory activity was observed at 0.125 mg ml⁻¹ for E. faecalis. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of ZnO NPs treated with antibiotics showed the interaction between ZnO NPs and each of the two antibiotics. ZnO NPs at a sub‐inhibitory concentration had no effect on the antibacterial activity of CP and CAZ against E. faecalis and CP against A. baumannii. The action mechanism of ZnO NPs for enhancing the antibacterial efficacy of CAZ against A. baumannii was evaluated. ZnO NPs caused to increase in the antibacterial activity of CAZ against A. baumannii, possibly through the release of Zn²⁺ and increasing of membrane permeability.Inspec keywords: nanofluidics, antibacterial activity, drugs, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, microorganisms, pH, zinc compounds, II‐VI semiconductors, wide band gap semiconductors, semiconductor growth, X‐ray diffraction, light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, DNA, molecular biophysics, biochemistry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, membranes, permeability, nanofabricationOther keywords: in vitro antibacterial activity, ceftazidime, nanofluids, acidic conditions, antibiotic resistance, hospital pathogens, antimicrobial agents, zinc oxide nanoparticles, reducing agent, antimicrobial activity, ciprofloxacin, Enterococcus faecalis bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria, pH, solvothermal method, X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet‐visible spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, MIC90 value, growth‐inhibitory activity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, subinhibitory concentration, reactive oxygen species measurement, DNA fragmentation, atomic absorption spectroscopy, SEM, membrane permeability, glycerol‐ammonium citrate. mixture, ZnO     

High-performance concrete mix for an optimum protection in acidic conditions

High-performance concrete mixes, made with 10% silica fume and various percentages of pulvarized fly ash as an ordinary Portland cement replacement, were prepared and subjected to sulphuric and hydrochloric acid environments. This research was conducted in order to study the effect of various levels of replacement materials and to obtain the optimum mix possessing a maximum protection against acid attack. The parameter investigated was the time, in weeks, taken to cause 20% weight loss of fully-immersed concrete specimens in a 1% solution of sulphuric acid and the same amount of loss in a 1% solution of hydrochloric acid. The investigation indicated that the concrete consisting of 10% silica fume and a maximum of 60% pulvarized fly ash as an ordinary Portland cement replacement showed an optimum protection in the acidic environment.

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Résumé Des mélanges de béton de haute performance obtenus à partir de 10% de fumée de silice et de différents pourcentages de cendres volants (en substitution du ciment Portland ordinaire) ont été préparés et submergés dans des solutions contenant de l'acide sulfurique ou chlorhydrique. L'objet de ces recherches étaient d'étudier l'effet de différentes quantités de matériaux de substitution afin de déterminer le mélange optimal offrant la meilleure protection contre l'action de l'acide. Le paramètre étudié était le temps, exprimé en semaines, nécessaire pour occasionner 20% de perte en masse des échantillons de béton plongés dans une solution à 1% d'acide sulfurique ou à 1% d'acide chlorhydrique. L'étude a montré qu'un béton consitué de 10% de fumée de silice et de 60% de cendres volants au maximum (en substitution du ciment Portland ordinaire) offre une protection optimale dans un environnement acide.

     

Effect of corrosion products on the Pu partitioning in rocks of reservoir horizon upon interaction with acidic solutions under hydrothermal conditions

Plutonium sorption on various types of sands of reservoir horizon depends on the presence of corrosion products in solutions simulating highly saline acidic (pH 2.4) liquid radioactive waste (LRW) under hydrothermal conditions (T = 150°C, 50 h). The effect of corrosion products (Fe, Cr) present in LRW consists not only in considerably increased Pu sorption, but also in increased fraction of its strongly fixed fraction. α-Track radiography revealed essentially heterogeneous distribution of Pu between mineral phases of sands of reservoir horizon after interaction with simulated LRW and predominant association of Pu with separate phases containing Fe and Cr (data of X-ray microanalysis based on scanning electron microscopy, SEM-EDX). Examination by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the phases responsible for the predominant sorption of Pu are phases of Cr-containing hematite.     

Interactions between mercury and dry FGD ash in simulated post combustion conditions

Two different flue gas desulfurization (FGD) ash samples were exposed to a simulated flue gas stream containing elemental mercury vapor to evaluate the interactions and determine the effects of gas components, dry FGD ash samples, and temperature on adsorption and heterogeneous oxidation of mercury. Both samples were characterized for surface area, unburned carbon content, element content, and mineralogical composition. Mercury speciation downstream from the sample was determined using Ontario Hydro Method. Results showed that higher levels of mercury oxidation were associated with higher levels of mercury capture. The NO(2), HCl, and Cl(2) promoted mercury oxidation, while SO(2) and NO had inhibitory effects on mercury oxidation. Unburned carbon of dry FGD ash sample played an important role in mercury capture. Whether the surface area was caused by unburned carbon or by calcium-based sorbents might be more significant than the level of surface area. Extent of mercury oxidation and capture increased slightly and then decreased as the temperature rising due to the interaction of mass transfer and reaction rates control.     

Inhibition of PCDD/F and PCB formation in co-combustion

Co-combustion of coal-solid waste mixtures in pilot and laboratory-scale combustors with emphasis on monitoring of toxic chlorinated hydrocarbon emissions such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) is elaborated. The objective of the work is to investigate the so-called primary measures technique. Twenty different thermally resistant inorganic compounds were added directly to the fuel as inhibitors of PCDD/F formation. The fuel-types used in this study included lignite coal, pre-treated municipal solid waste and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Principle component analysis (PCA) provides the basis for a feasible discussion about the efficiency of 20 inhibitors on PCDD/F and PCB formation. The study showed that the metal oxides group investigated had no inhibitory effect. Although the single N- and S-containing compounds, used as additives for the type of lignite coal, solid waste and PVC fuel, are not very effective as inhibitors, all other N- and S-containing substances are capable to strongly reduce PCDD/F and PCB flue gas emission. The most effective inhibitors are (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and (NH(4))(2)S(2)O(3). (NH(4))(2)SO(4) present at 3% of the fuel can reduce the PCDD/F emissions to 90%. Its low cost and high efficiency favour them as useful for full-scale combustion units.     

Hydrogen under extreme conditions

Some recent advances in our understanding of the properties of hydrogen and deuterium at megabar pressures are reviewed. The emphasis is on recent spectroscopic experiments to elucidate the nature of the H-A phase (Phase III), the high-pressure phase diagram, and on the reported generation of liquid metallic hydrogen under shock compression conditions. Density Functional and Quantum-Monte Carlo calculations have proved a useful guide to interpreting the experimental results: these will also be reviewed.