Evaluation of nanosilica emission in polydimethylsiloxane composite during incineration.

At the end of their life cycle, it is expected that many industrial silicone components end up in incineration waste plants. Hence, the issue concerning the risks resulting from the generation of fumes (combustion gas and aerosol) has to be addressed. The aim of our work was to investigate the behavior and fate of nanosilicas from filled polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites burnt under two different scenarios of incineration. Combustion tests have been performed at lab-scale using a particular tubular furnace and a specific cone calorimeter. The collected fumes (particulate matter and gas phase) have been characterized using various techniques. The results show persistent nanosilica particles, newly produced nanosilica particles in the fumes and in the residues, as well as silicon oxycarbide SixOyCz particles which seem to originate from polysiloxane matrix decomposition.

Quantification of the fungal fraction released from various preloaded fibrous filters during a simulated ventilation restart.

This study aimed to demonstrate that particles, especially those associated with fungi, could be released from fibrous filters used in the air-handling unit (AHU) of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems during ventilation restarts. Quantification of the water retention capacity and SEM pictures of the filters was used to show the potential for fungal proliferation in unused or preloaded filters. Five fibrous filters with various particle collection efficiencies were studied: classes G4, M5, M6, F7, and combined F7 according to European standard EN779:2012. Filters were clogged with micronized rice particles containing the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum and then incubated for three weeks at 25°C and 90% relative humidity. The results indicated that the five clogged tested filters had various fungal growth capacities depending on their water retention capacity. Preloaded filters were subjected to a simulated ventilation restart in a controlled filtration device to quantify that the fraction of particles released was around 1% for the G4, 0.1% for the M5 and the M6, and 0.001% for the F7 and the combined F7 filter. The results indicate that the likelihood of fungal particle release by low efficiency filters is significantly higher than by high efficiency filters.

Behavior and Fate of Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) When Incinerating PA6/HNTs Nanocomposite.

Nanoclay-based nanocomposites have been widely studied and produced since the late 1990s, and frequently end up in waste disposal plants. This work investigates the behavior of PA6/HNTs nanocomposites (nylon-6 incorporating halloysite nanotubes) during incineration. Incineration tests were performed at lab-scale using a specific tubular furnace modified in order to control the key incineration parameters within both the combustion and postcombustion zones. The combustion residues and combustion aerosol (particulate matter and gas phase) collected downstream of the incinerator furnace were characterized using various aerosol analysis techniques. Time tracking of the gas and particle-number concentrations revealed two-step char formation during combustion. HNTs transformed into other mineral structures which were found in both the aerosol and the residues. During combustion of the polymer, it appears that HNTs contribute to the formation of a cohesive char layer that protects the residual material.

Evolution of microbial aerosol behaviour in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems--quantification of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Penicillium oxalicum viability.

The aim of this study was to develop an experimental set-up and a methodology to uniformly contaminate several filter samples with high concentrations of cultivable bacteria and fungi. An experimental set-up allows contaminating simultaneously up to four filters for range of velocities representative of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. The test aerosol was composed of a microbial consortium of one bacterium (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and one fungus (Penicillium oxalicum) and aerosol generation was performed in wet conditions. Firstly, the experimental set-up was validated in regards to homogeneity of the air flows. The bioaerosol was also characterized in terms of number and particle size distribution using two particle counters: optical particle counter Grimm 1.109 (optical diameters) and TSI APS 3321 (aerodynamic diameters). Moreover, stabilities of the number of particles generated were measured. Finally, concentrations of cultivable microorganisms were measured with BioSamplers (SKC) downstream of the four filters.

Evolution of microbial aerosol behaviour in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems--quantification of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Penicillium oxalicum viability.

The aim of this study was to develop an experimental set-up and a methodology to uniformly contaminate several filter samples with high concentrations of cultivable bacteria and fungi. An experimental set-up allows contaminating simultaneously up to four filters for range of velocities representative of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. The test aerosol was composed of a microbial consortium of one bacterium (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and one fungus (Penicillium oxalicum) and aerosol generation was performed in wet conditions. Firstly, the experimental set-up was validated in regards to homogeneity of the air flows. The bioaerosol was also characterized in terms of the number and particle size distribution using two particle counters: optical particle counter Grimm 1.109 (optical diameters) and TSI APS 3321 (aerodynamic diameters). Moreover, stabilities of the number of particles generated were measured. Finally, concentrations of cultivable microorganisms were measured with BioSamplers SKC downstream of the four filters.

Influence on permeability of the structural parameters of heterogeneous porous media.

Predicting the macroscopic properties of porous media used in treatment processes is a complex task regarding 3-D structures at micro-, meso- and macro-levels. Currently, information is scarce concerning the influence, at a microscopic level of the 3-D structure of fibrous media on the physical laws governing their macroscopic behaviour. Nevertheless, the relationship between macroscopic properties (pressure drop, treatment efficiency) and microstructure can be assessed thanks to suitable structure modelling theories. In this context, the present study proposes and compares different methods (mercury porosimetry and image analysis) for the structure characterization at a microscopic level of filtering fibrous media, such as nonwoven and woven fabrics. The results obtained show a porous structure gradient in the thickness of the nonwoven media studied in terms of porosity, pore size and tortuosity factor. Moreover, the influence on structural parameters of media compression, when submitted to friction forces exerted by flow during filtration tests, is established. A model for the determination of multi-level pore size distributions from mercury porosimetry data is proposed. The "equivalent pore" model is used to estimate the tortuosity factor. The influence of measured structural parameters on fibrous media permeability is studied in a classical model for flow through fibrous media.

Influence of complex fibrous media composition on their performances for VOC and particle removal.

Amongst atmospheric pollutants, two major types can be distinguished: airborne particles such as dust, and gaseous compounds such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Fibrous filters are commonly used to remove particles while activated carbon beds trap VOCs. In order to obtain a single-stage device as efficient at collecting particles with a size less than 10 microm (PM10) as removing VOCs, prototype fibrous media containing activated carbon fibers (ACF) associated with cellulose fibers (CF), which are non-adsorptive, have been developed. The influence of ACF ratio and the degree of beating of CF on porous structure, mechanical strength and treatment performances of the medium was studied. Experimental results show that an increase in ACF mass ratio increases the inter-fiber porosity and overall adsorption capacity (the intrinsic adsorption capacity of ACF remains constant whatever the composition), but decreases the mechanical strength and particle collection efficiency of the medium. Moreover, an increase in the beating of CF enhances the mechanical strength of the medium and its particle collection efficiency, but decreases its porosity and has no effect on adsorption capacity. Consequently, a medium containing 50% ACF associated with CF with a low degree of beating (16 degrees SR) presents the best performance for combined filtration.

Low-power millimeter wave radiations do not alter stress-sensitive gene expression of chaperone proteins.

This article reports experimental results on the influence of low-power millimeter wave (MMW) radiation at 60 GHz on a set of stress-sensitive gene expression of molecular chaperones, namely clusterin (CLU) and HSP70, in a human brain cell line. Selection of the exposure frequency is determined by its near-future applications for the new broadband civil wireless communication systems including wireless local area networks (WLAN) for domestic and professional uses. Frequencies around 60 GHz are strongly attenuated in the earth's atmosphere and such radiations represent a new environmental factor. An exposure system operating in V-band (50-75 GHz) was developed for cell exposure. U-251 MG glial cell line was sham-exposed or exposed to MMW radiation for different durations (1-33 h) and two different power densities (5.4 microW/cm(2) or 0.54 mW/cm(2)). As gene expression is a multiple-step process, we analyzed chaperone proteins induction at different levels. First, using luciferase reporter gene, we investigated potential effect of MMWs on the activation of transcription factors (TFs) and gene promoter activity. Next, using RT-PCR and Western blot assays, we verified whether MMW exposure could alter RNA accumulation, translation, or protein stability. Experimental data demonstrated the absence of significant modifications in gene transcription, mRNA, and protein amount for the considered stress-sensitive genes for the exposure durations and power densities investigated. The main results of this study suggest that low-power 60 GHz radiation does not modify stress-sensitive gene expression of chaperone proteins.

Production of porous carbonaceous adsorbent from physical activation of sewage sludge: application to wastewater treatment.

With an objective of production of carbonaceous sorbent for industrial effluent treatment, physical activation by steam of biological sludge collected from the municipal wastewater treatment plant of Nantes (France) was studied and optimised using experimental design. Thus, this activation process consists of a carbonisation under N2 atmosphere at 600 degrees C for 1 h, followed by a thermal oxidation using steam (760 degrees C, 0.5 h, 2.5 L/Umin). The global mass yield of the process is equal to 38%. The thermal treatment allows a specific surface area of up to 225 m2/g to be reached, the porous structure being composed of both micropores and mesopores. The content of acidic surface groups is 0.71 mEq/g whereas that of basic surface groups is 0.55 mEq/g. The adsorption properties of the sorbent made from sludge are estimated with regard to various pollutants representative of industrial pollution of wastewaters and compared with those of commercial activated carbon. Whereas the adsorption capacities of organic micropollutants are quite low because of proportionality to the microporosity, the important mesoporosity of the sorbent leads to interesting properties for macromolecules removal from aqueous solutions, such as dyes (q(m) = 175-200 mg/g). Furthermore, the surface functional groups and Ca2+ ions within the materials allow high copper ion adsorption capacities of 140 mg/g to be obtained. Finally, a techno-economic approach shows that the sludge activation process seems to be economically competitive with regard to incineration.

Adsorption of toluene onto activated carbon fibre cloths and felts: application to indoor air treatment.

Due to their bad effects on human health, removing Volatile Organic Compounds from indoor air has become an issue of major interest. In this study, the potential use of six commercial activated carbon felts and cloths for indoor toluene removal was investigated. Both batch and dynamic adsorption studies were performed, at toluene concentrations ranging from 21 to 18160 mg m(-3), for an air velocity representative of indoor air treatment (0.37 m s(-1)). Batch measurements showed that felts exhibited higher adsorption capacities at equilibrium than cloths at high toluene concentrations, whereas this trend may be inverted at low concentrations. Experimental isotherms and kinetics were satisfactorily fitted by the Langmuir-Freundlich model and the Linear Driving Force model respectively. No main differences between the adsorption kinetics of felts and cloths were reported. Dynamic adsorption capacities at saturation appeared to be higher than 120 mg g(-1) for both cloths and felts, irrespective of relative humidity levels and toluene concentrations. The influence of relative humidity on the adsorption capacity of felts was not significant for the higher toluene concentration studied in dynamics (307 mg m(-3)), whereas an increase in relative humidity induced a decrease in adsorption capacity at the lower toluene concentration (38 mg m(-3)). Moreover, experimental curves of breakthrough time versus thickness of medium were satisfactorily fitted by the Adams-Bohart model, and the critical thickness determined by this model appeared to be below 1.3 mm, regardless of the medium or toluene concentration.

Structure characterization and adsorption properties of pyrolyzed sewage sludge.

Sewage sludges produced from wastewater treatment plants continue to set environmental problems in terms of volume and way of reuse. Thermal treatment of sewage sludge is considered as an attractive method in reducing sludge volume, and at the same time, it produces reusable byproducts. This paper deals with porous carbonaceous materials production from sewage sludge by pyrolysis (or carbonization) process with a goal of different industrial applications. Carbonization experiments were carried out on two kinds of sludge, namely viscous liquid sludge and limed sludge by varying carbonization temperature between 400 degrees C to 1000 degrees C. The porous structure and surface chemistry of the materials obtained were characterized using nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, Boehm titration, and pH of zero point of charge determination. The results show that basic character of the carbonized residues increases with increasing carbonization temperature. Then, carbonization allows specific surface area and pore volumes to be developed. Carbonized viscous liquid sludge and carbonized limed sludge are mainly mesoporous in nature, with specific surface areas reaching about 100 m2 g(-1) and 60 m2 g(-1), respectively. Finally, adsorption experiments, in aqueous solution, were carried out and show that carbonized viscous liquid sludges and limed sludge remove effectively the metallic ion Cu2+, acid and basic dyes, and phenol. Pyrolyzed sludges properties seem to be encouraging for the preparation of activated carbon by physical activation process.

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from sewage sludge: carbonization step.

Sewage sludges produced from wastewater treatment plants continue to create environmental problems in terms of volume and method of valorization. Thermal treatment of sewage sludge is considered as an attractive method in reducing sludge volume which at the same time produces reusable by-products. This paper deals with the first step of activated carbon production from sewage sludge, the carbonization step. Experiments are carried out on viscous liquid sludge and limed sludge by varying carbonization temperature and heating rate. The results show that carbonized residue properties are interesting for activated carbon production.