Characterization of fine particle emissions from incense burning

Incense burning is an important indoor source of airborne particles. In this study, the emission factors of PM_2.5 and its chemical constituents emitted from six different brands of incense sticks were determined. Controlled experiments were conducted to measure the mass concentration of PM_2.5 and to determine its chemical composition (elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), metals, and ions). Measurements showed that the emissions vary for different brands of incense sticks, with smokeless incense sticks emitting the least amount. PM_2.5 emission factors range from 0.4 (smokeless incense stick) to 44.5 mg/g. Results also show that the amount of metals emitted is highly dependent on the quantity of metals present in the incense sticks. In addition, the information obtained from the controlled experiments is used to predict the concentration of PM_2.5 at incense smoke-influenced microenvironments, such as temples and homes, in order to assess the potential indoor exposure during the course of incense burning. Comparison with indoor air quality guidelines suggests that inhalation of incense smoke can pose adverse health impacts.     

Source apportionment of ambient fine particle size distribution using positive matrix factorization in Erfurt, Germany

Particle size distribution data collected between September 1997 and August 2001 in Erfurt, Germany were used to investigate the sources of ambient particulate matter by positive matrix factorization (PMF). A total of 29,313 hourly averaged particle size distribution measurements covering the size range of 0.01 to 3.0 microm were included in the analysis. The particle number concentrations (cm(-3)) for the 9 channels in the ultrafine range, and mass concentrations (ng m(-3)) for the 41 size bins in the accumulation mode and particle up to 3 microm in aerodynamic diameter were used in the PMF. The analysis was performed separately for each season. Additional analyses were performed including calculations of the correlations of factor contributions with gaseous pollutants (O(3), NO, NO(2), CO and SO(2)) and particle composition data (sulfate, organic carbon and elemental carbon), estimating the contributions of each factor to the total number and mass concentration, identifying the directional locations of the sources using the conditional probability function, and examining the diurnal patterns of factor scores. These results were used to assist in the interpretation of the factors. Five factors representing particles from airborne soil, ultrafine particles from local traffic, secondary aerosols from local fuel combustion, particles from remote traffic sources, and secondary aerosols from multiple sources were identified in all seasons.     

Influence of local airflow on the pollutant emission from indoor building surfaces

This article reports the results of an investigation, based on fundamental fluid dynamics and mass transfer theory, carried out to obtain a general understanding of the mechanisms involved in the emissions from building materials in ventilated rooms. In addition, a generally applicable method for the prediction of surface emissions is proposed. The work focused on the emission of vapours and gases and no particulate emissions were considered. The methods used were numerical calculations by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and full-scale laboratory experiments. It was found that the emissions are a strong function of air-change rate, local air velocity and local turbulence, as the mass transfer coefficient increases in proportion to these parameters. The findings further show that the mass transfer coefficient increases in proportion to the velocity when the emission is controlled by evaporation from the surface. With regard to diffusion-controlled emissions, the mass transfer coefficient is unaffected by the velocity.     

室内设计专业项目教学模式思考

以"居住空间设计"这门课程为例,叙述了项目教学的具体实施,通过对项目教学模式进行研究,并将其落实到课程设置和课堂教学等环节中,使学生在校期间就能参与设计项目,实现企业需要与高校人才质量的无缝链接。     

Alpha particle emission from reference glass surfaces implanted with 210Po

Implanted long-lived radon decay products in glass surfaces have been used as a measure of past radon exposure in homes. Special track-etch devices (so-called 'retro-detectors') attached to the glass surface, have the ability to specifically measure the implanted activity of 210Po in situ. Calibrating these devices for 210Po is fairly straightforward, but the retro-detectors are also sensitive to the background activity of the glass substrate. Thus, for the successful calibration of retro-detectors, it is necessary to determine the complete alpha emission energy spectrum of the reference glass sheet utilised as a calibration pad. In order to achieve accurate knowledge of the alpha surface emission rate, we have combined several different approaches, i.e. alpha spectrometry of the pad surface with both surface-barrier and pulse-ionisation detectors, and activity determination of the glass matrix by means of radiochemical methods. The part of the alpha emission spectrum originating from the glass volume is then calculated theoretically and compared with experimental results.     

通风房间内污染物浓度的预测

对 3种预测空调或自然通风房间室内外气相和颗粒相有害物浓度间演化关系的典型模式进行了分析 ,由于各种方法建立的基础和条件不同 ,讨论并指出它们的适用范围和应用中可能出现的问题 ,提出改进意见     

A model for predicting resuspension of Escherichia coli from streambed sediments

To improve the modeling of water quality in watersheds, a model is developed to predict resuspension of Escherichia coli from sediment beds in streams. The resuspension rate is expressed as the product of the concentration of E. coli attached to sediment particles and an erosion rate adapted from work on sediment transport. The model uses parameter values mostly taken from previous work, and it accounts for properties of the flow through the bottom shear stress and properties of the sediment through the critical shear stresses for cohesive and non-cohesive sediment. Predictions were compared to resuspension rates inferred from a steady mass balance applied to measurements at sixteen locations in a watershed. The model’s predictions matched the inferred rates well, especially when the diameter of particles to which E. coli attach was allowed to depend on the bottom shear stress. The model’s sensitivity to the parameters depends on the contributions of particle packing and binding effects of clay to the critical shear stress. For the current data set, the uncertainty in the predictions is controlled by the concentration of E. coli attached to sediment particles and the slope used to estimate the bottom shear stress.     

Suspended particle characteristics in storm runoff from urban impervious surfaces in Toowoomba,Australia

Total suspended solids as a measure of suspended particles in urban stormwater has limitations and the alternative suspended sediment concentration method was adapted to determine non-coarse particle (NCP) concentration, defined as particles smaller than 500 μm. NCP was partitioned into the following classes: very fine particles (<8 μm, VFP), fine particles (8–63 μm, FP) and medium particles (63–500 μm, MP). A site mean concentration approach was adopted to differentiate the suspended particle characteristics between three impervious surfaces (roof, road and car park) using runoff data collected for 35 storms. Runoff particle size distribution (PSD) of all surfaces was dominated by particles less than 63 μm. A weak trend of relatively constant VFP concentration was present in the road runoff data. Roof runoff PSD became finer as NCP concentration increased and, overall, the PSD of car park runoff was coarser compared to road and roof runoff. These findings have runoff treatment implications as settling processes are influenced by particle size.     

Runoff of particle bound pollutants from urban impervious surfaces studied by analysis of sediments from stormwater traps

Runoff sediments from 68 small stormwater traps around the harbor of urban Bergen, Norway, were sampled and the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined in addition to grain size. Our study provides empirical data from a large area in the interface between the urban and marine environment, studying the active transport of pollutants from land-based sources. The results of the analyses clearly demonstrate the importance of the urban environment representing a variety of contamination sources, and that stormwater runoff is an important dispersion mechanism of toxic pollutants. The concentrations of different pollutants in urban runoff sediments show that there are several active pollution sources supplying the sewage systems with PCBs, PAHs and heavy metals such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). The concentration of PCB7 in the urban runoff sediments ranged between < 0.0004 and 0.704 mg/kg. For PAH16, the concentration range was < 0.2-80 mg/kg, whereas the concentration ranges of Pb, Zn and Cd were 9-675, 51.3-4670 and 0.02-11.1 mg/kg respectively. Grain size distribution in 21 selected samples varied from a median particle diameter of 13 to 646 microm. However, several samples had very fine-grained particles even up to the 90 percentile of the samples, making them available for stormwater dispersion in suspended form. The sampling approach proposed in this paper will provide environmental authorities with a useful tool to examine ongoing urban contamination of harbors and similar recipients.     

DDT contamination from indoor residual spraying for malaria control

The insecticide DDT is still used in specific areas of South Africa for indoor residual spray (IRS) to control malaria vectors. Local residents could be exposed to residues of DDT through various pathways including indoor air, dust, soil, food and water. The aims of this study were to determine the levels of DDT contamination, as a result of IRS, in representative homesteads, and to evaluate the possible routes of human exposure. Two villages, exposed (DV) and reference (TV) were selected. Sampling was done two months after the IRS process was completed. Twelve homesteads were selected in DV and nine in TV. Human serum, indoor air, floor dust, outside soil, potable water, leafy vegetables, and chicken samples (muscle, fat and liver) were collected and analyzed for both the o,p′- and p,p′-isomers of DDT, DDD and DDE. DDT was detected in all the media analyzed indicating a combination of potential dietary and non-dietary pathways of uptake. DV had the most samples with detectable levels of DDT and its metabolites, and with the exception of chicken muscle samples, DV also had higher mean levels for all the components analyzed compared to TV. Seventy-nine percent of participants from DV had serum levels of DDT (mean ∑ DDT 7.3 µg g⁻¹ lipid). These residues constituted mainly of p,p′-DDD and p,p′-DDE. ∑ DDT levels were detected in all indoor air (mean ∑ DDT 3900.0 ng m^− 3) and floor dust (mean ∑ DDT 1200.0 µg m^− 2) samples. Levels were also detected in outside soil (mean ∑ DDT 25.0 µg kg^− 1) and potable water (mean ∑ DDT 2.0 µg L^− 1). Vegetable sample composition (mean ∑ DDT 43.0 µg kg^− 1) constituted mainly p,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDD. Chicken samples were highly contaminated with DDT (muscle mean ∑ DDT 700.0 µg kg^− 1, fat mean ∑ DDT 240,000.0 µg kg^− 1, liver mean ∑ DDT 1600.0 µg kg^− 1). The results of the current study raise concerns regarding the potential health effects in residents living in the immediate environment following DDT IRS.     

Long-term performance of passive materials for removal of ozone from indoor air

The health effects associated with exposure to ozone range from respiratory irritation to increased mortality. In this paper, we explore the use of three green building materials and an activated carbon (AC) mat that remove ozone from indoor air. We studied the effects of long-term exposure of these materials to real environments on ozone removal capability and pre- and post-ozonation emissions. A field study was completed over a 6-month period, and laboratory testing was intermittently conducted on material samples retrieved from the field. The results show sustained ozone removal for all materials except recycled carpet, with greatest ozone deposition velocity for AC mat (2.5-3.8 m/h) and perlite-based ceiling tile (2.2-3.2 m/h). Carbonyl emission rates were low for AC across all field sites. Painted gypsum wallboard and perlite-based ceiling tile had similar overall emission rates over the 6-month period, while carpet had large initial emission rates of undesirable by-products that decayed rapidly but remained high compared with other materials. This study confirms that AC mats and perlite-based ceiling tile are viable surfaces for inclusion in buildings to remove ozone without generating undesirable by-products. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The use of passive removal materials for ozone control could decrease the need for, or even render unnecessary, active but energy consuming control solutions. In buildings where ozone should be controlled (high outdoor ozone concentrations, sensitive populations), materials specifically designed or selected for removing ozone could be implemented, as long as ozone removal is not associated with large emissions of harmful by-products. We find that activated carbon mats and perlite-based ceiling tiles can provide substantial, long-lasting, ozone control.     

室内游泳馆冬季防结露设计分析

针对室内游泳馆冬季围护结构内表面结露的问题,对室内设计参数的选择及散湿量的计算进行分析。给出了不同季节的运行控制模式。介绍了游泳池室内温度场、湿度场和速度场的CFD模拟结果。结果表明,局部区域可能出现结露现象,提出应对薄弱部位采取加强措施。     

Evaluation of statistical models for predicting Escherichia coli particle attachment in fluvial systems

Modeling surface water Escherichia coli fate and transport requires partitioning E. coli into particle-attached and unattached fractions. Attachment is often assumed to be a constant fraction or is estimated using simple linear models. The objectives of this study were to: (i) develop statistical models for predicting E. coli attachment and virulence marker presence in fluvial systems, and (ii) relate E. coli attachment to a variety of environmental parameters. Stream water samples (n = 60) were collected at four locations in a rural, mixed-use watershed between June and October 2012, with four storm events (>20 mm rainfall) being captured. The percentage of E. coli attached to particles (>5 μm) and the occurrences of virulence markers were modeled using water quality, particle concentration, particle size distribution, hydrology and land use factors as explanatory variables. Three types of statistical models appropriate for highly collinear, multidimensional data were compared: least angle shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), classification and regression trees using the general, unbiased, interaction detection and estimation (GUIDE) algorithm, and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). All models showed that E. coli particle attachment and the presence of E. coli virulence markers in the attached and unattached states were influenced by a combination of water quality, hydrology, land-use and particle properties. Model performance statistics indicate that MARS models outperform LASSO and GUIDE models for predicting E. coli particle attachment and virulence marker occurrence. Validating the MARS modeling approach in multiple watersheds may allow for the development of a parameterizing model to be included in watershed simulation models.     

Optimising the tilt angle for solar surfaces using different solar irradiation models in Yazd,Iran

This paper deals with the determination of the optimum tilt angle for south-facing solar surfaces to collect the maximum solar irradiation in Yazd, Iran. In order to increase the accuracy of results, different models are used in this study. The accuracy of the models is compared in terms of the statistical indicators, RMSE and MBE. The results indicate that the Klucher model gives the best results for estimating the solar radiation reaching the solar surfaces. In comparison to the horizontal surface, on average the gain of energy during the year will be 22.82% if a solar surface is installed at yearly optimum tilt angle. For higher efficiency, it is suggested that the solar surface mounts at the seasonal tilt angle. This leads to an increase in the efficiency of the solar surface of more than 8.86% over that of a similar fixed solar surface at the annual tilt angle.     

Remote sensing techniques for predicting evapotranspiration from mixed vegetated surfaces

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a key component of the hydrological cycle however it is also the most difficult factor to quantify. In recent decades, estimating ET has been improved by advances in remote sensing, particularly in agricultural studies. However, quantifying ET from mixed vegetation environs, particularly urban parklands, is still challenging due to the heterogeneity of plant species, canopy covers, microclimates, and because of costly methodological requirements. Several studies have recently been conducted in agriculture and forestry which may be useful for mixed landscape vegetation studies with some modifications. This review describes general remote sensing-based approaches to estimate ET and describes their advantages and disadvantages. Most of these approaches need extensive time investment, medium to high skill levels and are quite expensive. However, in addition to the reviewed methods, the authors recommend combining remotely sensed vegetation indices and ground-based techniques for ET estimation of mixed landscape vegetation such as urban parklands.     

Identification of visco-elastic models for rocks using genetic programming coupled with the modified particle swarm optimization algorithm

The response of rocks to stress can be highly non-linear, so sometimes it is difficult to establish a suitable constitutive model using traditional mechanics methods. It is appropriate, therefore, to consider modeling methods developed in other fields in order to provide adequate models for rock behavior, and this particularly applies to the time-dependent behavior of rock. Accordingly, a new system identification method, based on a hybrid genetic programming with the improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, for the simultaneous establishment of a visco-elastic rock material model structure and the related parameters is proposed. The method searches for the optimal model, not among several known models as in previous methods proposed in the literatures, but in the whole model space made up of elastic and viscous elementary components. Genetic programming is used for exploring the model's structure and the modified PSO is used to identify parameters (coefficients) in the provisional model. The evolution of the provisional models (individuals) is driven by the fitness based on the residual sum of squares of the behavior predicted by the model and the actual behavior of the rock given by a set of mechanical experiments. Using this proposed algorithm, visco-elastic models for the celadon argillaceous rock and fuchsia argillaceous rock in the Goupitan hydroelectric power station, China, are identified. The results show that the algorithm is feasible for rock mechanics use and has a useful ability in finding potential models. The algorithm enables the identification of models and parameters simultaneously and provides a new method for studying the mechanical characteristics of visco-elastic rocks.     

Indoor air quality for chemical and ultrafine particle contaminants from printers

There are various emission sources of chemical contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone and particulate matter. This report is a study into the indoor air of a room containing either a laser printer/ink-jet printer, and the air contaminations were monitored for VOCs, ozone and ultrafine particle. The result confirmed an increase in the concentration of ozone and ultrafine particle numbers in the printing processes of the printer. The emission of VOCs and ozone were measured by the use of a test chamber. The chamber concentrations of styrene, xylenes and ozone were increased in printing process of the laser printer, and pentanol was detected from the ink-jet printer. The results suggest that an office or residential printer may be a source of indoor air contamination. It is necessary for emission from printers to monitor not only VOCs and particle but also ultrafine particles and other contaminants in indoor air.     

生物膜电极工艺去除微污染源水中氨氮的研究

采用生物膜电极工艺去除微污染源水中的氨氮.在好氧区利用金属阳极电解产氧,在硝化细菌的作用下使氨氮转化为硝酸盐氮或亚硝酸盐氮;在缺氧区利用碳棒作为阴极电解产氢,实现反硝化脱氮.试验结果表明:C/N、电流强度、氨氮浓度、进水流量等对去除总氮均有影响;在流量为3 L/d、无外界供氧、电流强度为19.5 mA、C/N为1的条件下,当进水COD为10 mg/L、氨氮为7 mg/L时,对总氮的去除率可达95.6%,显著改善了水质.     

The reduction of indoor air pollutant from wood-based composite by adding pozzolan for building materials

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physico-mechanical properties and characteristics on reduction of formaldehyde and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) emission from medium density fiberboard (MDF) as furniture materials with added volcanic pozzolan. Pozzolan was added as a scavenger to urea formaldehyde (UF) resin for MDF manufacture. The moisture content, density, thickness swelling, water absorption and physical properties of MDFs were examined. Three-point bending strength and internal bond strength were determined using a universal testing machine. Formaldehyde and TVOC were determined by desiccator and 20 L small chamber methods as Korean standards method. With increasing pozzolan content the physical and mechanical properties of the MDFs were not significantly changed, but formaldehyde and TVOC emissions were decreased. Because pozzolan has a rough and irregular surface with porous form, it can be used as a scavenger for MDFs without any detrimental effect on the physical and mechanical properties.