Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung der Fluideigenschaften von Kraftstoffdampf-Luft-Gemischen von Kraftfahrzeuganlagen w?hrend der Betankung

This study investigates the methods of calculating the fluid-dynamic properties of fuel-vapour/air-mixtures. It aims to determine models for the calculation of the dynamic viscosity and density of these fuel-vapour/air-mixtures. For this purpose, fuels were analyzed. The data received were collected in a database which was complemented with the temperature-dependent vapour-pressures and dynamic viscosity-properties. Experiments were conducted in order to determine the air-content in the vapour venting from a fuel system during refueling. Based on these data conclusions can be drawn on the composition of the liquid fuel, which allows the assessment of the fuel-vapour and its properties. The results received were subsequently used to develop parametric models for the calculation of the average molecular weight, density and dynamic viscosity of fuel-vapour/air-mixtures.     

Product-oriented flavor research: learnings from the past, visions for the future

In the past flavor research and the development of new flavorings were constantly driven by the interaction of flavor analysis, structure elucidation, and chemical synthesis accompanied by sensory. Highly potent flavor compounds were identified in numerous food products and helped to establish a powerful toolbox for flavorists. Nowadays we experience the merging of various scientific disciplines, for example medicine, biology, chemistry, and various technologies in the field of flavor research, which shows direct impact on our understanding of flavors. At the same time modern life has profoundly changed our eating habits. This situation generates new challenges for product development teams, which represent all facets of technologies. This paper will illustrate different examples for the evolution of product-oriented flavor research and future trends.     

Kinetic studies of steam gasification of char in the presence of H2, CO2 and CO

Kinetic studies have been carried out to elucidate the mechanisms of steam and CO₂ gasification of char and the interactions of these gasifying agents. The positive and negative influences of all product gases, excluding methane, were considered. An empirical approach was derived to describe the effects of the degree of carbon conversion on the reaction rate as a function of relevant test parameters (pressure range 1–70 bar, temperature 800–1000 °C). To assess the validity of the derived kinetic equation a model of a fluidized-bed gasifier is presented.     

GMES4Mining: GMES-based Geoservices for Mining to Support Prospection and Exploration and the Integrated Monitoring for Environmental Protection and Operational Security

The GMES4Mining R&D project started in summer 2011 with the purpose of supporting management in all phases of a mining cycle. In most states of the European Union, the mines are in phases of operation or reclamation, but in other countries there is an interest in prospecting and exploring new areas for mining. In order to support the implementation of legal responsibilities, GMES4Mining investigates the potential of innovative remote sensing technologies for mining monitoring, prospection and exploration. In an early phase of this GMES4Mining project, a detailed query on the users’ requirements on remote sensing was performed. Currently, spaceborne radar data and ground measurements are tested for an early detection of slope slides in operational mines, slope stability in dumps, surface ground movements and subsidence. Satellite- and air-borne optical remote sensors are meant to monitor changes in ground water depth, directly through the estimation of soil moisture or indirectly by mapping changes in vegetation, both in the exploitation and the reclamation phases. For the scope of the GMES4Mining project two study sites were selected in the northern part of the German Ruhrgebiet. An important scope of the project is to report the quality of data and methods. Moreover, the results of the research will be integrated in a spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and disseminated via a web portal. This paper gives an introduction to the project and its different parts.     

Occurrence and fate of the antidiabetic drug metformin and its metabolite guanylurea in the environment and during drinking water treatment

Metformin, an antidiabetic drug with one of the highest consumption rates of all pharmaceuticals worldwide, is biologically degraded to guanylurea in wastewater treatment plants. Due to high metformin influent concentrations of up to 100 μg/L and its high but incomplete degradation both compounds are released in considerable amounts of up to several tens of μg/L into recipient rivers. This is the first systematic study on their environmental fate and the effectiveness of treatment techniques applied in waterworks to remove metformin and guanylurea from surface water influenced raw waters. The concentrations in surface waters depend strongly on the respective wastewater burden of rivers and creeks and are typically in the range of about 1 μg/L for metformin and several μg/L for guanylurea but can reach elevated average concentrations of more than 3 and 20 μg/L, respectively. Treatment techniques applied in waterworks were investigated by an extended monitoring program in three facilities and accompanied by laboratory-scale batch tests. Flocculation and activated carbon filtration proved to be ineffective for removal of metformin and guanylurea. During ozonation and chlorination experiments with waterworks-relevant ozone and chlorine doses they were partly transformed to yet unknown compounds. The effectiveness of the treatment steps under investigation can be ordered chlorination > ozonation > activated carbon filtration > flocculation. However, most effective for removal of both compounds at the three full-scale waterworks studied proved to be an underground passage (riverbank filtration or artificial groundwater recharge). A biological degradation is most likely as sorption can be neglected. This is based on laboratory batch tests conducted with three different soil materials according to OECD guideline 106. Since such treatment steps were implemented in all three drinking water treatment plants, even traces of metformin and its metabolite guanylurea could not be detected at the end of the treatment trains. Both can only be expected in finished drinking water if surface influenced raw water is used by direct abstraction without underground passage.