Investigation of biocatalytic potential of garbage enzyme and its influence on stabilization of industrial waste activated sludge

The decomposable waste thrown into the environment can be used to produce value added bio-product which in turn reduces the production of greenhouse gas. Garbage enzyme is one such value added product produced by fermentation of organic solid waste. In the present study enzyme activity and disinfectant potential of garbage enzyme was evaluated and its influence on reduction of total solids, suspended solids and pathogens in dairy waste activated sludge were studied. The result showed the garbage enzyme possesses protease, amylase and lipase activity and reduced 37.2% of total solids, 38.6% of suspended solids and 99% of pathogens in dairy waste activated sludge. This significant result may be helpful for researchers to compare the effectiveness of earth-friendly garbage enzyme treatment of industrial sludge with various physical and chemical pre-treatment methods to improve the biogas production from the sludge digestion unit.     

Using culturomics and social media data to characterize wildlife consumption

Wildlife provides food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities for humans, but overexploitation can disrupt the sustainability of wildlife resources and severely threaten global biodiversity. Understanding the characteristics of consumer behavior is helpful for wildlife managers and policy makers, but the traditional survey methods are laborious and time-consuming. In contrast, culturomics may more efficiently identify the features of wildlife consumption. As a case study of the culturomics approach, we examined tiger bone wine consumption in China based on social media and Baidu search engine data. Tiger bone wine is one of the most purchased tiger products; its consumption is closely related to tiger poaching, which greatly threatens wild tiger survival. We searched a popular social media website for the term “tiger bone wine” and focused on posts that were originally created from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2018. We filtered and classified posts related to the purchase, sale, or consumption of tiger bone wine and extracted information on providers, consumption motivations, year of production, and place of origin of the tiger bone wines based on the texts and photos of these posts. We found 756 posts related to tiger bone wine consumption, 113 of which mentioned providers of tiger bone wine, including friends (53%), elder relatives (37%), peer relatives (7%), and others (3%). Out of the 756 posts, 266 indicated the motivations of tiger bone wine consumption. Tiger bone wines were consumed as a tonic (34%), medicine (23%), game product (30%), and a symbol of wealth (28%). Some posts indicated ≥2 consumption motivations. These findings were consistent with the search queries from Baidu index. Such information could help develop targeted strategies for tiger conservation. The culturomics approach illustrated by our study is a rapid and cost-efficient way to characterize wildlife consumption.     

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.     

Application of environmentally conscious manufacturing strategies for an automotive component

Application of appropriate environmentally conscious manufacturing strategies enables the sustainable development of products and processes. Automotive component manufacturers recognise the potential of applying appropriate strategies for attaining Triple Bottom Line benefits. In this context, three strategies such as eco-efficiency, waste minimisation and material efficiency are being applied to minimise environmental impacts associated with the manufacture of automotive products and its associated processes. A case study of an automotive component manufacturing firm has been exemplified. After conducting the study, the potential environmental impact was reduced by 20% and eco-efficiency was improved by 13%. Further, improvements have been observed in terms of overall resource consumption and material efficiency. The overall power consumption was reduced by 18% and weight of the component was reduced by 11%. The study aimed at improving the sustainable performance of product by incorporating green and environmentally friendlier manufacturing practices.

Abbreviations: USEPA: United Nations Environmental Protection Agency; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; WBCSD: World Business Council for Sustainable Development; Eco-QFD: Environmental Quality Function Deployment; WCED: World Commission on Environment and Development; LCA: Life Cycle Assessment     

基于功能仿真的电子产品性能退化分析方法

目的研究基于功能仿真对电子产品长期工作过程中性能退化问题进行分析的方法。方法以DC-DC电源模块为对象,一种方式是直接对电源模块进行加速退化试验,并基于试验数据进行可靠性分析;另一种方式是对电源模块中性能退化关键元器件进行加速退化试验,并将试验数据模型注入到电源模块功能仿真模型中,进行性能退化仿真与可靠性分析,最终对两种分析结果进行对比,验证仿真分析技术的有效性。结果对比显示,加速退化试验分析得到的电源模块平均寿命为281 560 h,仿真分析得到的电源模块平均寿命为357 290 h。结论由于仿真分析方法只考虑了性能退化的关键元器件,结果偏乐观,但是偏差在合理的范围内,证明该方法对于性能退化可靠性分析是有效的,并且应用该方法更便于进行设计改进和迭代分析。     

基于生产工艺的水泥工业项目竣工环保验收监测重点分析研究

基于水泥工业的生产工艺特点,说明新型干法生产时代,水泥生产的主要产污环节及特征污染物,并分析其对生态环境的影响和危害,表明该行业属高能耗、高污染的产能过剩行业.根据建设项目竣工环境保护验收规范要求和工作实践经验,结合生产工艺、特征污染物和污染物总量控制等要求,从废水监测、废气监测、噪声监测等方面阐明水泥行业项目竣工环保验收的侧重点和注意事项,并指出污染防治设施、总量控制等几方面应重点关注的问题.     

基于代谢产物调控的活性污泥沉淀性能控制原理研究

通过对不同沉降性能活性污泥的胞外聚合物(EPS)进行荧光特性分析,探讨了荧光强度峰值、荧光区域积分等参数与污泥沉降性能的关系.研究表明,典型波长下荧光强度峰值与污泥沉降性能之间有很好关联性,据此,建立了微生物典型代谢产物与沉淀性能的调控曲线即活性污泥的安全操作线与微生物代谢状态曲线,确立了活性污泥沉淀性能调控区域即高代谢产物区可获得良好的固液分离效果.研究成果从微生物代谢的角度揭示了絮体结构的调控方法,具有重要的理论意义.     

基于投入产出分析的虚拟水研究综述及展望

将国内外基于投入产出模型的虚拟水研究进行系统概括,认为按研究层面可以归纳为区域之间的虚拟水贸易和产业间部门用水关联两方面,并指出:(1)目前基于投入产出分析技术的虚拟水研究基本建立在价值型投入产出模型的基础上,实际上将产业虚拟水替代了原本产品虚拟水的概念.(2)目前针对工业品、服务品的虚拟水量化研究不足,并未独立研究非农产品虚拟水量化时的差异性.最后文章提出产业生态学中近年来发展的混合生命周期评价方法(Hybrid life-cycle assessment,HLCA).     

对应分析在CFIT事故致因研究中的应用

为揭示可控飞行撞地(CFIT)事故致因规律,根据Reason-SHEL模型得出的10个CFIT事故致因因子,分析从飞行安全基金会数据库中整理出的2006—2011年间40起CFIT事故。在此基础上建立CFIT事故年份-成因列联表,再利用SPSS软件对表格进行对应分析。将事故成因和年份同时反映在二维散点图中,实现数据可视化。最后对图形进行向量、圆心接近点以及区域化等3项分析。根据结果得出,CFIT事故的主成因是人因操作和外界环境;随着年份增加,飞行员状态(药物/疲劳、经验不足)对造成CFIT事故的重要性越来越明显;不同年份有不同的重要致因因子。     

受限空间内惰性气体对CH4爆炸抑制特性研究

N2和CO2是常用的惰性抑爆气体,为研究两种气体的抑爆特性,采用20L球形爆炸试验装置,分析了不同浓度配比条件下N2/CH4/空气以及CO2/CH4/空气混合气体的爆炸压力,同时采集爆炸后的气体样品,对比分析爆炸后残留气体的主要成分。结果显示:随CH4浓度从5%增加至12.5%时,完全抑制CH4爆炸需要的惰性气体最小量先增大后降低,CH4浓度在6.5%~7.5%之间时,抑爆需要的惰性气体的量最大;在同一CH4浓度条件下,抑爆需要N2的量大于CO2,并且CH4浓度在5%~6.5%时,抑爆需要两种惰性气体的量值差别最大;当CH4浓度一定时,随着加入惰性气体量的增大,爆炸最大超压逐渐降低,惰性气体浓度和爆炸超压之间基本呈线性关系;在同样条件下,相对于N2,CO2为抑爆气体时,爆炸后腔体内残留的CH4浓度较高。研究成果为惰性气体抑爆技术提供技术支撑,同时为揭示惰性气体抑爆机理有一定作用。