Advanced Materials Research Vols. 343-344

Abstract: In this paper, a field experiment of gas wet desulphurization with white mud and gypsum has been taken on one thermal power plant under the condition that the desulphurization system has not been renovated. the experimental result shows that the desulphurization ability of white mud is about 2% higher than limestone under the same PH value, so it’s feasible to apply the white mud as desulfurizer to the desulphurization system of large-scale thermal power plant, and the gypsum obtained after the desulphurization is better than that in limestone system, then the waste is all utilized. However, in practice, there is a need to increase the equipments for the corresponding slurry storage, preparation and supply, and also a capacity assessment for the dewatering system, wastes water system and process water system.

Abstract: This paper reports the study of Coptis extract on its inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa in the laboratory, and its influence on the growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton, and its impact on the Microcystin, in the natural water. The results show that: (1) the Coptis extract has obvious inhibitory effect on the Microcystis aeruginosa, and the effect increases with time. The inhibitory rate keeps above 85% from the 3rd day to 13th day after adding the Coptis extract; (2) In the natural water, the Coptis extract does not change the dominant species of phytoplankton and the species composition of zooplankton. 1~9 days after adding the Coptis extract, the density of phytoplankton cells and the dominant species (Cyanophyta) cells decrease, and the quantity of poor-middle nutrition species zooplankton soars to rise rapidly. (3) No variation on Microcystin-LR content in experiment area is observed one day after adding Coptis extract.

Abstract: Estrogens such as estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) which are excreted by humans and animals or synthetic compounds such as 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) are a group of biologically active compounds that are synthesized from cholesterol and have a steroid ring in common. Steroid estrogens harm to organisms at very low concentrations with much more endocrine function than other EDCs. Obviously, it is an important issue to explore their degradation mechanisms and effective methods. In the present studies, 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were used as target compounds, and the photodegradation of them were investigated in aqueous solution using natural sunlight produced using a xenon lamp, or ultraviolet light via a Hg lamp.

Abstract: The fly ash was modified by Cl, Fe, Cu salts to investigate the mercury adsorption performance and analyze the impacts on it. Experiment results indicate that significant improvement of removal efficiencies with FeCl₃、CuCl₂ and CuBr₂ impregnation onto fly ash. The modification adjusted the pore structure of fly ash and formed more pores to absorb Hg, also it was found that new active sites were generated after the treatment, which can oxidize Hg⁰ and improve chemical adsorption.

Abstract: CO₂ absorption enhanced diesel steam reforming was investigated for hydrogen production in this paper. The utilization of CO₂ absorbent in the reforming reactor sharply decreases the CO₂ level in the reacting gas and shifts the equilibrium towards hydrogen formation. This increases the diesel conversion and reforming rate of hydrocarbon at relatively low temperature. At the temperature of 600°C, reforming rate of hydrocarbon reached 95%, and that is 30 percent higher than that in traditional steam reforming reaction without absorbent. In an optimal temperature range of 545-625 °C, diesel conversion could reach near 100%. Hydrogen concentration reached 95% when using CO₂ absorbent, correspondingly concentrations of CO, CH₄, and CO₂ decreased obviously, while hydrogen concentration was about 70% in conventional diesel steam reforming process. Further, a novel PEMFC system for hydrogen production was proposed by combining CO₂ absorption enhanced diesel steam reforming (AEDSR) with chemical-looping combustion (CLC) process, which could continuously produce hydrogen and regenerate absorbent at the same time, heat balance of steam reforming and CO₂ absorption reaction could also be obtained by adjusting the amount of reforming catalyst and CaO.

Abstract: Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been appreciated extensively because it is abundant in source, cheap in price, safe in transportation and storage. Though catalyst poisoning easily occurs by CO generated from the reaction of methanol oxidation, simultaneously, the efficiency of fuel cell decreases and environmental pollution is caused due to the methanol permeation through proton exchange membrane, application of DMFC is restricted. Phosphomolybdic acid (POM) is attempted to be used as energy storage material in this paper. The energy is stored in reduced POM through methanol oxidation by POM over different catalysts. Electrochemical oxidation of reduced POM produces electricity on the anode of PEMFC. Experimental results showed that under the non-photocatalytic condition methanol could be oxidized by POM over Pt/SiO₂ and Ru/SiO₂ catalyst. Only CO₂ and H₂O are yielded in the reaction. The activities for two kinds of catalyst increased with the increasing of reaction temperature and methanol concentration. Apparent activation energy for Pt/SiO₂ catalyst was less than that for Ru/SiO₂ catalyst. Activity of Pt/SiO₂ catalyst is obviously higher than that of Ru/SiO₂ catalyst. POM as energy storage material is feasible.

Abstract: A multiple physical finite elements to analyze software (COMSOL Multiphysics) is employed to investigate serpentine flow channels of a small proton exchange membrane fuel cell with power 0.5W. Distributions of the oxygen flow, the liquid water, and the electric current density in three different designed flow channels are simulated and compared. Results show that increasing the channel width is conducive to increase the oxygen flow and reduce the production of liquid water. It thus enhances the electric current density. However, it will reduce the oxygen flow, produce more liquid water, and depress the current density if the channel width is decreased.

Abstract: "Sustainable development "is a necessary condition for continuation of the Earth, "Healthy and Comfortable" is a necessary condition for the continuation of life. The serious energy and natural resource shortage that our living environment is currently facing, however global climate change is the problem can not be ignored. This paper shows the application of green building materials to sustainable building for environmental protection. Since July 2006, the mandatory green building material utilization has been involved into Taiwan’s building code. For indoor decoration and floor materials in buildings, green building materials shall cover at least 30% of the total indoor decoration and floor material uses. Fulfilling the requirements of ecological, recycling, healthy, and high-performance attributes, the green building material regulation may effectively reduce environmental impacts and improve the indoor environmental quality (IEQ), so as to gradually achieve “human health and global sustainability.”Taiwan Green Building Material (GBM) evaluation system incorporates low toxicity, minimal emissions, low-VOC, recycled content, resource efficiency, recyclable and reusable materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, IAQ improvement, and use of locally products, among others (Froeschle, 1999). The criteria are systematically comprised of four categories, including Ecology, Health, High-Performance and Recycling. With respect to the relationship between the GBM labeling system and the current EEWH green building evaluation system in Taiwan, the GBM system can typically contribute to a sustainable environment. Starting from energy saving and resource efficiency by combining an ecological circulatory system, corresponding local environment, community civilization, as well as historic and regional features, the GBM system creates a core concept of sustainable built environment in Taiwan.

Abstract: Lignocellulose is one of the richest biological resources on earth. Yet, due to the robust structure, lignocelluloses are still not effectively utilized. This research adopted the fungi from the nature—Corilus versicolor—to culture and destroy the lignocellusic structure. The object of the research was banana stalks, a common Taiwan agricultural waste. The banana stalks were physically pretreated to banana wood flour before use. Through changes of the grains’ sizes of the banana wood flour, and proportions of the compounded carbons of the banana wood flour in the media, the optimal degradation activity was determined. The result showed that on the 12^th day the 5mm grains used to replace the compounded carbons reached the maximal microbial activity, 70 times of a general medium. On the 14^th day near 18% of celluloses were consumed by white-rot fungi. The result has contribution to lignocellulosic structure breakdown and a great step for energy conversion in subsequent stage.

Abstract: In agricultural industry, waste management is a crucial issue in developing countries as agricultural wastes have become one of the main causes of the globally environmental pollution. Thus, how to effectively utilize these wastes will substantially reduce environmental pollution and lower resources losses. Instead of adding chemicals, this research used different species of bananas in shake flask cultures of Agaricus blazei to yield the same amount of polysaccharide as in other common medium. The dry weight of mycelia and polysaccharide had a 0.06 mg/ml change in the Agaricus blazei mycelia by adding banana wastes. In addition, the mycelium dry weight and polysaccharide production were in positive correlation.