Bottom sediments of the North American Great Lakes are characterized by a high loading(over 3,000 tonnes)of polyhalogenated carbazoles(PHCZs).The origin of this environmental contaminant loading is unclear.Here,we fir...Bottom sediments of the North American Great Lakes are characterized by a high loading(over 3,000 tonnes)of polyhalogenated carbazoles(PHCZs).The origin of this environmental contaminant loading is unclear.Here,we first examined PHCZs levels and profiles in sediment,lotus,and fish fromthe Ya-Er Lake(China)that has been under the influence of an obsolete chlor-alkali facility for forty years and discovered substantial PHCZs contamination.Among the PHCZs determined,3,6-dichlorocarbazole(36-CCZ)and 3-chlorocarbazole(3-CCZ)were the most frequently detected.Sediments frombackfilled land exhibited ∑_(11)PHCZs at median concentration of 973 ng/g(dry weight),suggesting the chlor-alkali industry as an important source.Even after 20 years of dredging treatment,the concentration of ∑_(11)PHCZs in the sediment of the oxidation ponds(median=41.1 ng/g)remained substantially higher than in other areas globally.Furthermore,the concentration of ∑_(11)PHCZs was found to be higher in surface sediments(median)at 66.7 ng/g if compared to middle(14.1 ng/g)and lower layers(18.2 ng/g),indicating the potential availability of PHCZs from surface sediments to aquatic plants and animals.Notably,this study detected PHCZs in both fish(26.3 ng/g lipid weight)and lotus(14.5 ng/g dry weight),with significant enrichment of 3-monobromocarbazole(3-BCZ)observed in both lotus root systems(bio-soil accumulation factor,BSAF_(root)=5.04)and fish muscle(BSAF_(fish)=3.04).展开更多
As an energy-intensive industry,the chlor-alkali process has caused numerous environmental issues due to heavy electricity consumption and pollution.Chlor-alkali industry has been upgraded from mercury,diaphragm elect...As an energy-intensive industry,the chlor-alkali process has caused numerous environmental issues due to heavy electricity consumption and pollution.Chlor-alkali industry has been upgraded from mercury,diaphragm electrolytic cell,to ion exchange membrane(IEM)electrolytic cells.However,several challenges,such as the selectivity of the anodic reaction,sluggish kinetics of alkaline hydrogen evolution,degradation of membranes,the reasonable design of electrolytic cell structure,remain to be addressed.For these reasons,this paper mainly reviews the research progress of the chlor-alkali industry from materials to devices,including hydrogen evolution anode,chlorine evolution cathode,IEM,and electrolytic cell system.Finally,the research directions and prospects in the chlor-alkali industry are proposed for its further improvement.展开更多
Application of an oxygen-depolarized cathode will contribute to energy saving in chlor-alkali electrolysis. For this purpose, the development of high-performance cathode with the best electrocatalyst is essential. Usi...Application of an oxygen-depolarized cathode will contribute to energy saving in chlor-alkali electrolysis. For this purpose, the development of high-performance cathode with the best electrocatalyst is essential. Using bimetallic Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts including PtPd and PtAg carbon-supported in oxygen-depolarized cathode chlor-alkali cell has been shown to have the high cell performance. This study presents application of PtRu carbon supported electrocatalyst oxygen-depolarized cathode and performance comparison of cells with carbon-supported PtRu, PtPd and PtAg electrocatalysts cathodes using the same DSA-Cl2 anode. Results show that there are quite similarity between the effects of various factors on the caustic current efficiency (CCE) in a zero-gap oxygen-depolarized chlor-alkali cells employing carbon-supported PtPd, PtRu and PtAg electrocatalysts. Besides, it seems that the PtPd/C electrocatalyst cathode has relatively higher performance than the other cathodes with PtAg/C and PtRu/C electrocatalysts in zero-gap chlor-alkali cells.展开更多
Mercury contamination was found to be widespread in soils at a property in Upstate New York. Historical site use suggested that the mercury did not result from prior industrial use of the property. Soil contamination ...Mercury contamination was found to be widespread in soils at a property in Upstate New York. Historical site use suggested that the mercury did not result from prior industrial use of the property. Soil contamination may have resulted from atmospheric deposition of mercury released from properties in close proximity to the contaminated property. The purpose of this forensics investigation was to examine to what extent atmospheric deposition of elemental mercury may have influenced mercury levels found in surficial soils on the contaminated property and further to identify the source(s) of the mercury. Work efforts included an examination of historical records available for a chlor-alkali plant (CAP) upwind of the contaminated property to establish historical use and disposal practices for elemental mercury. Mercury emissions test data from the Upstate New York chlor-alkali facility were modeled (USEPA ISC3) as a means of estimating impacts on ambient air and soils vicinal to the facility. Mercury emissions from the facility were modeled as both a point source and volume source. For example, at a location 305 meters to the east and 30 meters to the north of the modeled source centerline elemental mercury concentrations in ambient air were estimated at 270 ng/m<sup>3</sup> (average results based upon 5 years of meteorological data). This value is contrasted to a background concentration of 1.6 ng/m<sup>3</sup> (USEPA Report to Congress 1997). As a result of the modeling data in combination with findings related to mercury use and disposal practices at the NY CAP documented from the records review, it was concluded that emissions from the CAP facility during the period of operation (1897-1991) most likely accounted for the concentrations of elemental mercury found in surficial soils at properties situated downwind of the CAP. These findings were further corroborated by information available in the open literature for CAPs world-wide.展开更多
In the globalized world economic situation, China's chlor-alkali industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Due to the change of investment situation, the number of domestic chlor-alkali enterprises has increase...In the globalized world economic situation, China's chlor-alkali industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Due to the change of investment situation, the number of domestic chlor-alkali enterprises has increased, and the problems of global overcapacity and homogenization of products are frequent, which will intensify the competition in the caustic soda market and put the domestic chlor-alkali industry in an unprecedented competitive situation. Therefore, relevant personnel in the chlor-alkali industry must explore effective cost management and control methods to effectively address the challenge of cost-effectiveness and realize the further development of the chlor-alkali industry.展开更多
Based on the cost of spontaneous power supply of state grid, this paper introduces the operation mode of self-provided generator in chlor-alkali enterprises during the regulation period, and compares and analyzes the ...Based on the cost of spontaneous power supply of state grid, this paper introduces the operation mode of self-provided generator in chlor-alkali enterprises during the regulation period, and compares and analyzes the economy of chlor-alkali enterprises. Enterprises can not only get good economic benefits, but also get good social benefits such as energy conservation and emission reduction by optimizing and adjusting power generation.展开更多
Mercury pollution from a chlor-alkali plant has caused a long-term impact on the northwest of the Persian Gulf.In this article,the history of mercury concentration in Musa estuary,Iran,is summarized from previous rese...Mercury pollution from a chlor-alkali plant has caused a long-term impact on the northwest of the Persian Gulf.In this article,the history of mercury concentration in Musa estuary,Iran,is summarized from previous research and reports and used to estimate the health risk assessment.Despite the closure of the chlor-alkali plant in 2016,the mercury level in sediments and biota is still higher than the acceptable standards in some parts of the estuary.Mercury concentrations and bioaccumulation in the food chain,including fish,crustaceans,birds,and humans,were evaluated.Health risk assessments indicate that consuming some fish species may put children and adults at risk of mercury exposure.Further study is required to fill the gaps for mercury monitoring and recovery.展开更多
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB0750400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22076201,21936007 and 22376204).
文摘Bottom sediments of the North American Great Lakes are characterized by a high loading(over 3,000 tonnes)of polyhalogenated carbazoles(PHCZs).The origin of this environmental contaminant loading is unclear.Here,we first examined PHCZs levels and profiles in sediment,lotus,and fish fromthe Ya-Er Lake(China)that has been under the influence of an obsolete chlor-alkali facility for forty years and discovered substantial PHCZs contamination.Among the PHCZs determined,3,6-dichlorocarbazole(36-CCZ)and 3-chlorocarbazole(3-CCZ)were the most frequently detected.Sediments frombackfilled land exhibited ∑_(11)PHCZs at median concentration of 973 ng/g(dry weight),suggesting the chlor-alkali industry as an important source.Even after 20 years of dredging treatment,the concentration of ∑_(11)PHCZs in the sediment of the oxidation ponds(median=41.1 ng/g)remained substantially higher than in other areas globally.Furthermore,the concentration of ∑_(11)PHCZs was found to be higher in surface sediments(median)at 66.7 ng/g if compared to middle(14.1 ng/g)and lower layers(18.2 ng/g),indicating the potential availability of PHCZs from surface sediments to aquatic plants and animals.Notably,this study detected PHCZs in both fish(26.3 ng/g lipid weight)and lotus(14.5 ng/g dry weight),with significant enrichment of 3-monobromocarbazole(3-BCZ)observed in both lotus root systems(bio-soil accumulation factor,BSAF_(root)=5.04)and fish muscle(BSAF_(fish)=3.04).
基金The work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(Nos.2193800 and 22078232)the Science and Technology Major Project of Tianjin(Nos.18ZXJMTG00180 and 19ZXNCGX00030).
文摘As an energy-intensive industry,the chlor-alkali process has caused numerous environmental issues due to heavy electricity consumption and pollution.Chlor-alkali industry has been upgraded from mercury,diaphragm electrolytic cell,to ion exchange membrane(IEM)electrolytic cells.However,several challenges,such as the selectivity of the anodic reaction,sluggish kinetics of alkaline hydrogen evolution,degradation of membranes,the reasonable design of electrolytic cell structure,remain to be addressed.For these reasons,this paper mainly reviews the research progress of the chlor-alkali industry from materials to devices,including hydrogen evolution anode,chlorine evolution cathode,IEM,and electrolytic cell system.Finally,the research directions and prospects in the chlor-alkali industry are proposed for its further improvement.
文摘Application of an oxygen-depolarized cathode will contribute to energy saving in chlor-alkali electrolysis. For this purpose, the development of high-performance cathode with the best electrocatalyst is essential. Using bimetallic Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts including PtPd and PtAg carbon-supported in oxygen-depolarized cathode chlor-alkali cell has been shown to have the high cell performance. This study presents application of PtRu carbon supported electrocatalyst oxygen-depolarized cathode and performance comparison of cells with carbon-supported PtRu, PtPd and PtAg electrocatalysts cathodes using the same DSA-Cl2 anode. Results show that there are quite similarity between the effects of various factors on the caustic current efficiency (CCE) in a zero-gap oxygen-depolarized chlor-alkali cells employing carbon-supported PtPd, PtRu and PtAg electrocatalysts. Besides, it seems that the PtPd/C electrocatalyst cathode has relatively higher performance than the other cathodes with PtAg/C and PtRu/C electrocatalysts in zero-gap chlor-alkali cells.
文摘Mercury contamination was found to be widespread in soils at a property in Upstate New York. Historical site use suggested that the mercury did not result from prior industrial use of the property. Soil contamination may have resulted from atmospheric deposition of mercury released from properties in close proximity to the contaminated property. The purpose of this forensics investigation was to examine to what extent atmospheric deposition of elemental mercury may have influenced mercury levels found in surficial soils on the contaminated property and further to identify the source(s) of the mercury. Work efforts included an examination of historical records available for a chlor-alkali plant (CAP) upwind of the contaminated property to establish historical use and disposal practices for elemental mercury. Mercury emissions test data from the Upstate New York chlor-alkali facility were modeled (USEPA ISC3) as a means of estimating impacts on ambient air and soils vicinal to the facility. Mercury emissions from the facility were modeled as both a point source and volume source. For example, at a location 305 meters to the east and 30 meters to the north of the modeled source centerline elemental mercury concentrations in ambient air were estimated at 270 ng/m<sup>3</sup> (average results based upon 5 years of meteorological data). This value is contrasted to a background concentration of 1.6 ng/m<sup>3</sup> (USEPA Report to Congress 1997). As a result of the modeling data in combination with findings related to mercury use and disposal practices at the NY CAP documented from the records review, it was concluded that emissions from the CAP facility during the period of operation (1897-1991) most likely accounted for the concentrations of elemental mercury found in surficial soils at properties situated downwind of the CAP. These findings were further corroborated by information available in the open literature for CAPs world-wide.
文摘In the globalized world economic situation, China's chlor-alkali industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Due to the change of investment situation, the number of domestic chlor-alkali enterprises has increased, and the problems of global overcapacity and homogenization of products are frequent, which will intensify the competition in the caustic soda market and put the domestic chlor-alkali industry in an unprecedented competitive situation. Therefore, relevant personnel in the chlor-alkali industry must explore effective cost management and control methods to effectively address the challenge of cost-effectiveness and realize the further development of the chlor-alkali industry.
文摘Based on the cost of spontaneous power supply of state grid, this paper introduces the operation mode of self-provided generator in chlor-alkali enterprises during the regulation period, and compares and analyzes the economy of chlor-alkali enterprises. Enterprises can not only get good economic benefits, but also get good social benefits such as energy conservation and emission reduction by optimizing and adjusting power generation.
文摘Mercury pollution from a chlor-alkali plant has caused a long-term impact on the northwest of the Persian Gulf.In this article,the history of mercury concentration in Musa estuary,Iran,is summarized from previous research and reports and used to estimate the health risk assessment.Despite the closure of the chlor-alkali plant in 2016,the mercury level in sediments and biota is still higher than the acceptable standards in some parts of the estuary.Mercury concentrations and bioaccumulation in the food chain,including fish,crustaceans,birds,and humans,were evaluated.Health risk assessments indicate that consuming some fish species may put children and adults at risk of mercury exposure.Further study is required to fill the gaps for mercury monitoring and recovery.