Reconfiguring existing pollutant monitoring stations by increasing the value of the gathered information

The objective of this study is to provide a framework for relocating or reconfiguring existing pollution monitoring station networks by using feature selection and data mining techniques. This methodology enables a partial redesign based on the maximization of the available information that is gathered by the pollution networks by the optimal data mining technique. It also considers requirements of the decision makers, like potential target places, etc.Since this methodology is based on the quality of forecasting, it can also be useful for auditing and forecasting. A case study is included in this paper. In light of the prediction results, a new way to relocate the existing monitoring station is proposed.     

EnvironalPlanning: Analytic Network Process Model for Environmentally Conscious Construction Planning

Although the construction pollution index has been put forward and proved to be an efficient approach to reducing or mitigating pollution level during the construction planning stage, the problem of how to select the best construction plan based on distinguishing the degree of its potential adverse environmental impacts is still a research task. This paper first reviews environmental issues and their characteristics in construction, which are critical factors in evaluating potential adverse impacts of a construction plan. These environmental characteristics are then used to structure two decision models for environmental-conscious construction planning by using an analytic network process (ANP), including a complicated model and a simplified model. The two ANP models are combined and called the EnvironalPlanning system, which is applied to evaluate potential adverse environmental impacts of alternative construction plans.     

城市的“光污染”问题及对策

随着我国现代化城市建设的不断发展,城市的“光污染”问题日益严重。文章指出“光污染”产生的原因及危害,并进一步分析玻璃幕墙和夜景照明所造成的“光污染”,提出了控制玻璃幕墙和夜景照明使用范围、优化幕墙构造设计、控制夜景照明照度等一系列改进措施,试图引起人们的重视,以求减少城市的“光污染”。     

架空线路污闪问题分析

随着社会的进步和经济的迅猛发展,环境污染造成的危害日趋突出。电力架空线路分布广,长期处于露天运行的情况,不可避免地经常会受到周围环境和大自然变化的影响,从而在运行中引发污闪事故,如2001年初北方地区发生的大面积污闪。为防止线路发生污闪事故,保证线路的安全运行。本文就线路污闪的产生机理及应采取的治理措施谈及了自己的观点。     

珠江三角洲典型区域土壤重金属污染探查研究

以珠江三角洲典型区域研究高强度经济开发下土壤环境中重金属污染的状况。测定了84份样品中铜、锌、镉、铬、铅的含量水平。土壤中镉、铬、铅、镍、铜、锌的含量分别在0.166～0.433mgkg-1、2.28～94.28mgkg-1、20.36～143.3mgkg-1、2.29～63.55mgkg-1、4.8～65.1mgkg-1、10.06～131mgkg-1之间。从分析结果可以看出,镍、铅等元素在有些地方普遍偏高,且有的极为明显,已高出背景值108.3mgkg-1。其他元素也存在不同水平的富集,普遍高出背景值。     

Alkaline digestion of dunite for Mg(OH)2 production: An investigation for indirect CO2 sequestration

The sequestration of CO₂ by carbonating natural minerals has a great potential for secure reduction of net CO₂ emissions. Feedstock Mg–silicate minerals are usually converted into Mg rich solutions or Mg(OH)₂ before the carbonation process, due to the slow reaction kinetic of direct carbonation. The present work studied the alkaline digestion of Mg–silicate minerals into Mg(OH)₂ for CO₂ sequestration. Powdered dunite containing ∼73 ± 2 wt% of forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) was dissolved using highly concentrated NaOH aqueous systems at 90 and 180 °C with varied NaOH concentration and duration of reaction. Thermal analysis and Rietveld Refinement Quantitative Phase Analysis (QPA) confirmed that an effective digestion of dunite was possible at 180 °C achieving 80 wt% of Mg(OH)₂. It was found that NaOH concentration in solution, temperature and duration of reaction significantly influence the progress of digestion.     

A comparative study of trends of nitrate,chloride and phosphate concentration levels in selected urban rivers

Concerns for the river environment in Malaysia are highlighted. There had been occurrences of inadequate supply for water in big cities and unexpected floods over the last few years. This paper discussed and compared the results of efforts to clean-up Gombak River which passes through several industrial areas and the City of Kuala Lumpur and Penchala River which passes through the industrial areas and the neighboring City of Petaling Jaya. The trends in the levels of nitrates, chlorides and phosphates present in the rivers were analyzed. Over the period of thirteen years from 1997 to 2009, results of efforts which included public participation, engineering and river works and strict statutory regulations by government had shown success in improving the river water quality. Continued efforts from stakeholders must be harnessed to enhance the health of the Gombak River and the Penchala River.     

A mixed integer programming model for National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) attainment strategy analysis

The United States federal government establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six pollutants, including ozone. States with areas designated in nonattainment of the standards are required to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to demonstrate how pollution levels will be reduced to meet the standards. Historically, most states have developed SIPs independently. However, for ozone and other air pollutants, some states have agreed to cooperate to address regional pollution problems. These types of cooperative efforts have the potential to improve pollution control efficiency. We present a mathematical programming model that can help identify potential minimum-cost emissions control strategies that employ regional strategies. We present a series of national-level applications using information from a set of air quality simulations along with spatially and technologically detailed emissions control information. The model quickly evaluates alternative attainment planning scenarios, tests regional strategies, and identifies monitors that potentially have significant influence on attainment strategies.     

Optimization of Improvable Flows by combining BAT Analysis and process simulation

This paper proposes a methodology to improve the sustainability of industrial processes combining two tools: BAT Analysis and process simulation. Both tools are jointly applied to identify the IF of the analyzed process, so that the most appropriate candidate techniques from an inventory can be selected. The selected alternatives are tested in different scenarios that are evaluated using simulation, which would determine the configuration that best improves the sustainability of the process. The combination of both tools in an integrated methodology will help decision makers to select the most sustainable configuration for a given process. The methodology is validated in a case study: a hydrogen production plant. After analysing several scenarios where different candidate techniques are implemented, results show that the IF identified can be highly improved when the appropriate combination of BAT is applied.