Combustion of coal, bagasse and blends thereof Part I: Emissions from batch combustion of fixed beds of fuels

Batch combustion of fixed beds of coal, bagasse and blends thereof took place in a pre-heated two-stage electric laboratory furnace, under high-heating rates. The average input fuel/air equivalence ratios were similar for all fuels. The primary and secondary furnace temperatures were varied from 800 degrees C to 1000 degrees C. The effects of fuel blending, combustion staging, and operating furnace temperatures on the emissions from the two fuels were assessed. Furnace effluents were analyzed for carbon dioxide and for products of incomplete combustion (PIC) including CO, volatile and semi-volatile hydrocarbons, as well as particulate matter. Results showed that whereas CO2 was generated during both the observed sequential volatile matter and char combustion phases of the fuels, PICs were only generated during the volatile matter combustion phase. CO2 emissions were the highest from coal, whereas CO and other PIC emissions were the highest from bagasse. Under this particular combustion configuration, combustion of the volatile matter of the blends resulted in lower yields of PIC, than combustion of the volatiles of the neat fuels. Though CO and unburned hydrocarbons from coal as well as from the blends did not exhibit a clear trend with furnace temperature, such emissions from bagasse clearly increased with temperature. The presence of the secondary furnace (afterburner) typically reduced PIC, by promoting further oxidation of the primary furnace effluents. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combustion of coal, bagasse and blends thereof Part II: Speciation of PAH emissions

This work reports on emissions of unburned hydrocarbon species from batch combustion of fixed beds of coal, sugar-cane bagasse, and blends thereof in a pre-heated two-stage laboratory furnace operated in the temperature range of 800-1000 degrees C. The effects of fuel blending, combustion staging, and operating furnace temperatures on emissions of pollutants were assessed. Furnace effluents were analyzed for products of incomplete combustion (PICs) including CO, volatile and semi-volatile hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, as has been reported in Ref. [1]. Emitted unburned hydrocarbons include traces of potentially health-hazardous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are the focus of this work. Under the batch combustion conditions implemented herein, PAH were only generated during the volatile combustion phase of the fuels. The most prevalent species were in descending order: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, dibenzofuran, benzofuran, byphenyl, fluorene, 9H-fluoren-9-one, acephenantrylene, benzo[b] fluoranthene, 1-methyl-naphthalene; 2-methyl-naphthalene, benz[a] anthracene and benzo[a] pyrene. PAH yields were the highest from combustion of neat bagasse. Combustion of the blends resulted in lower yields of PAH, than combustion of either of their neat fuel constituents. Increasing the furnace operating temperature enhanced the PAH emissions from bagasse, but had little effect on those from the coal or from the blends. Flue gas treatment in a secondary-stage furnace, upon with additional air, typically reduced PAH yields by promoting oxidation of the primary-stage furnace effluents. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a large South American industrial coastal area (Santos Estuary, Southeastern Brazil): Sources and depositional history

Located in southeastern Brazil, the Santos Estuary has the most important industrial and urban population area of South America. Since the 1950`s, increased urbanization and industrialization near the estuary margins has caused the degradation of mangroves and has increased the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents. The main objectives of this work were to determine the concentrations and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment cores in order to investigate the input of these substances in the last 50 years. The PAHs analyses indicated multiple sources of these compounds (oil and pyrolitic origin), basically anthropogenic contributions from biomass, coal and fossil fuels combustion. The distribution of PAHs in the cores was associated with the formation and development of Cubatao industrial complex and the Santos harbour, waste disposal, world oil crisis and the pollution control program, which results in the decrease of organic pollutants input in this area. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impaired lung function in individuals chronically exposed to biomass combustion

Background: The use of biomass for cooking and heating is considered an important factor associated with respiratory diseases. However, few studies evaluate the amount of particulate matter less than 2.5 mu in diameter (PM2.5), symptoms and lung function in the same population. Objectives: To evaluate the respiratory effects of biomass combustion and compare the results with those of individuals from the same community in Brazil using liquefied petroleum gas (Gas). Methods: 1402 individuals in 260 residences were divided into three groups according to exposure (Gas, Indoor-Biomass, Outside-Biomass). Respiratory symptoms were assessed using questionnaires. Reflectance of paper filters was used to assess particulate matter exposure. In 48 residences the amount of PM2.5 was also quantified. Pulmonary function tests were performed in 120 individuals. Results: Reflectance index correlated directly with PM2.5 (r=0.92) and was used to estimate exposure (ePM2.5). There was a significant increase in ePM2.5 in Indoor-Biomass and Outside-Biomass, compared to Gas. There was a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for cough, wheezing and dyspnea in adults exposed to Indoor-Biomass (OR=2.93, 2.33, 2.59, respectively) and Outside-Biomass (OR=1.78, 1.78, 1.80, respectively) compared to Gas. Pulmonary function tests revealed both Non-Smoker-Biomass and Smoker-Gas individuals to have decreased %predicted-forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) as compared to Non-Smoker-Gas. Pulmonary function tests data was inversely correlated with duration and ePM2.5. The prevalence of airway obstruction was 20% in both Non-Smoker-Biomass and Smoker-Gas subjects. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to biomass combustion is associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These effects are associated with the duration and magnitude of exposure and are exacerbated by tobacco smoke. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Soil compressibility and least limiting water range of a constructed soil under cover crops after coal mining in Southern Brazil

The use of cover crops affects the support capacity of soil and least limiting water range to crop growth. The objective of this study was to quantify preconsolidation pressure (sigma(p)), compression index (CI) and least limiting water range (LLWR) of a reclaimed coal mining soil under different cover crops, in Candiota, RS, Brazil. In the experiment, with randomized blocks design and four replicates, the following cover crops (treatments) were evaluated: Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & C.E. Hubbard, treatment 1 (T1), Paspalum notatum Flugge, treatment 4 (T4), Cynodon dactilon (L) Pers., treatment 5 (T5), control Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.) Stapf, treatment 7 (T7) and without cover crop treatment 8 (reference treatment, T8). Soil compression and least limiting water range were evaluated with undisturbed samples at a depth of 0.00-0.05 m. In order to evaluate parameters of soil compressibility, the soil samples were saturated with water and subjected to -10 kPa matric potential and then submitted to a uniaxial compression test under the following pressures: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 kPa. Cover crops decreased the preconsolidation pressure of constructed soils after coal mining and the greatest soil reclamation was obtained with the H. altissima cover crop, where the lowest degree of soil compactness and soil load capacity were observed. Soils cultivated under H. altissima or B. brizantha presented the highest least limiting water range and these two cover crops generated similar soil critical bulk density obtained by least limiting water range and soil load support capacity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of the activation energies of beef tallow and crude glycerin combustion using thermogravimetry

The present study deals with the determination of the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of two renewable fuels crude glycerin and beef tallow. The activation energies were investigated by using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in the temperature range of 25-600 degrees C in atmosphere of synthetic air. The TG curves of the thermal decomposition process of both samples were divided into several phases and the second, called PH2, was chosen for the kinetic study because it is associated with the combustion ignition. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) showed an endothermic event at the PH2 region for the crude glycerin corresponding to devolatilization, while for beef tallow, this step presented an exothermic event, called LTO (low-temperature oxidation), which is correlated with devolatilization followed by combustion. For the entire PH2, activation energy values for crude glycerin were between 90 kJ mol(-1) and 42 kJ mol(-1), while for the beef tallow they ranged from 50 kJ mol(-1) to 113 kJ mol (1). The activation energy values obtained at the pre-ignition stage - conversion between 0 and 0.45 - showed that the crude glycerin with higher values requires an additional energetic support at the start of combustion processes and the beef tallow ignites more easily, presenting lower values. According to the Wolfer's equation, a direct relation between the activation energy and the ignition delay is established and the results of this study provides useful data for the development and design of new combustion chambers and engines when non-traditional fuels are used as feedstock. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On Wald Residuals in Generalized Linear Models

A rigorous asymptotic theory for Wald residuals in generalized linear models is not yet available. The authors provide matrix formulae of order O(n(-1)), where n is the sample size, for the first two moments of these residuals. The formulae can be applied to many regression models widely used in practice. The authors suggest adjusted Wald residuals to these models with approximately zero mean and unit variance. The expressions were used to analyze a real dataset. Some simulation results indicate that the adjusted Wald residuals are better approximated by the standard normal distribution than the Wald residuals.

Multi-molecular markers and metals as tracers of organic matter inputs and contamination status from an Environmental Protection Area in the SW Atlantic (Laranjeiras Bay, Brazil)

The sources and concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), faecal and biogenic sterols, and trace metals at 10 sampling sites located in Laranjeiras Bay, a large Environmental Protection Area in the southern Atlantic region of Brazil, were determined to assess the sources of organic matter and the contamination status of estuarine sediments. Organic compounds were determined by GC-FID and GC-MS, and ICP-OES was used to evaluate trace metals. The total AHs concentration ranged from 0.28 to 8.19 mu g g(-1), and n-C-29 and n-C-31 alkanes were predominant, indicating significant inputs from higher terrestrial plants. Unresolved complex mixtures (UCM) were not detected at any site, suggesting that the study area was not significantly contaminated by fossil fuels. The total PAH concentration varied from 3.85 to 89.2 ng g(-1). The ratio between selected PAH isomers showed that combustion of biomass, coal, and petroleum is the rnain source of PAHs in the study area. The concentrations of the faecal sterols coprostanol and epicoprostanol were below the detection limits, suggesting that sewage was not a significant contributor to sedimentary organic matter. The concentrations of the trace metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were low, except near sites located at the mouths of rivers that discharge into the study area and near urbanised regions (Paranagua city and the adjoining harbour). In general, the concentrations of PAHs were below the threshold effect concentrations (TEL) levels. Although the As, Cr and Ni concentrations were above the TEL levels, the study area can be considered as preserved from human activities.

Influence of urban activities on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in precipitation: Distribution, sources and depositional flux in a developing metropolis, Fortaleza, Brazil

We measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bulk precipitation in the Fortaleza metropolitan area, Ceara, Brazil, for the first time. Because little information is available concerning PAHs in tropical climatic regions, we assessed their spatial distribution and possible sources and the influence of urban activities on the depositional fluxes of PAHs in bulk precipitation. The concentrations of individual and total PAHs (Sigma(PAHs)) in bulk precipitation ranged from undetectable to 133.9 ng.L-1 and from 202.6 to 674.8 ng.L-1, respectively. The plume of highest concentrations was most intense in a zone with heavy automobile traffic and favorable topography for the concentration of emitted pollutants. The depositional fluxes of PAHs in bulk precipitation calculated in this study (undetectable to 0.87 mu g.m(-2).month(-1)) are 4 to 27 times smaller than those reported from tourist sites and industrial and urban areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnostic ratio analyses of PAH samples showed that the major source of emissions is gasoline exhaust, with a small percentage originating from diesel fuel. Contributions from coal and wood combustion were also found. Major economic activities appear to contribute to pollutant emissions. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, characterisation, luminescence and defect centres in solution combustion synthesised CaZrO3:Tb3+ phosphor

Tb3+ doped CaZrO3 has been prepared by an easy solution combustion synthesis method. The combustion derived powder was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy techniques. A room temperature photoluminescence study showed that the phosphors can be efficiently excited by 251 nm light with a weak emission in the blue and orange region and a strong emission in green light region. CaZrO3:Tb3+ exhibits three thermoluminescence (TL) glow peaks at 126 degrees C, 200 degrees C and 480 degrees C. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to study the defect centres induced in the phosphor by gamma irradiation and also to identify the centres responsible for the TL peaks. The room temperature ESR spectrum of irradiated phosphor appears to be a superposition of two distinct centres. One of the centres (centre I) with principal g-value 2.0233 is identified as an O- ion. Centre II with an axial symmetric g-tensor with principal values g(parallel to) = 1.9986 and g(perpendicular to) = 2.0023 is assigned to an F+ centre (singly ionised oxygen vacancy). An additional defect centre is observed during thermal annealing experiments and this centre (assigned to F+ centre) seems to originate from an F centre (oxygen vacancy with two electrons). The F centre and also the F+ centre appear to correlate with the observed high temperature TL peak in CaZrO3:Tb3+ phosphor. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A swirler stabilized combustion chamber for a micro-gas turbine fuelled with natural gas

Micro-gas turbines are a good alternative for on-site power generation, since their operation is very reliable. The possibility of operating with various fuels increases versatility and, as a result, the usage of these devices. Focusing on a performance improvement of a tri-fuel low-cost micro-gas turbine, this work presents investigations of the inner flow of its combustion chamber. The aim of this analysis was the characterization of the flame structure by the temperature field of the chamber inner flow. The chamber was fuelled with natural gas. In the current chamber, a swirler and a reversed flow configuration were utilized to provide flame stabilization. The inner flow investigations were done with numerical analysis, which were compared to experimental data. The analysis of the inner flow was done with numerical simulations, which used the RSM turbulence model. A β-PDF equilibrium model was adopted to account for the turbulent combustion process. Different models of heat transfer were compared. Thermal radiation and specially heat conduction in the liner walls played significant roles on results.

Numerical simulation of an ethanol turbulent spray flame with RANS and diffusion combustion model

A detailed numerical simulation of ethanol turbulent spray combustion on a rounded jet flame is pre- sented in this article. The focus is to propose a robust mathematical model with relatively low complexity sub- models to reproduce the main characteristics of the cou- pling between both phases, such as the turbulence modulation, turbulent droplets dissipation, and evaporative cooling effect. A RANS turbulent model is implemented. Special features of the model include an Eulerian– Lagrangian procedure under a fully two-way coupling and a modified flame sheet model with a joint mixture fraction– enthalpy b -PDF. Reasonable agreement between measured and computed mean profiles of temperature of the gas phase and droplet size distributions is achieved. Deviations found between measured and predicted mean velocity profiles are attributed to the turbulent combustion modeling adopted