Beata Skowron-Grabowska

Assessment of the availability of heavy metals to plants based on the translocation index and the bioaccumulation factor

AbstractThe bioconcentration factors and the translocation index have been determined for the assessment of the level of phytoextraction in plants. The bioaccumulation factor, determined as the quotient of the content of a given metal of the plant to its content of soil, defines the ability of the plant to accumulate heavy metals. The translocation index, Ti, is a measure of the phytoextraction capacity of plants. This index provides a useful means of the quantitative description of relative differences in the biological availability of metals to plants. This paper presents the results of studies on the effect of fertilizing soil on the ability to translocate cadmium, zinc, lead, and nickel from the soil to the roots, and then to the above-ground parts of Virginia fanpetals. The source of the results was a pot experiment conducted under semi-natural conditions from April 2007 to November 2011. The studies described in this paper concern the last year of the experiment (the plant crop in November 2011). Si...

Degradation of PCBs in sewage sludge during methane fermentation process concerning environmental management

AbstractThe aim of the investigation was degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sewage sludge and supernatants during the methane fermentation process. The mixture of municipal sewage sludge and industrial sewage sludge was incubated for 20 d at 37°C in the dark. The quantification of the PCBs was carried out simultaneously in both the solid and supernatant phases, the latter separated from the sludge during centrifugation. The prepared samples of sewage sludge and supernatants were subjected to extraction with the application of the organic solvents mixture. The qualitative–quantitative analysis of PCBs was done using the GC–MS system. After 20 d, the solid phase was observed to have its PCBs content reduced by 58% in the solid phase and 71% in supernatants. The percentage removal of PCBs was 49 and 75% in solid phase and in supernatants mixture of municipal and industrial sewage sludge, respectively.

Improving Production Efficiency of Large Size Molds as a Result of Innovative Quality Control Process

Abstract One of the basic elements of the technological chain of manufacturing products in the European Union is the metal processing sector, which is one of the dynamically developing industries. An important department in the aforementioned sector is the production of unconventional, large-size injection molds and tools weighing more than 10 tons. Very often large-size components in the production process must be precisely checked and subjected to appropriate corrective actions at the quality control stage, in order to avoid non-compliance with customer requirements, and thus increased costs related to reducing production efficiency, logistics of large-size elements from the customer back to the manufacturer of the mold in order to correct it, and also complaints of the final product connected with dimensional changes and surface defects in the casting process. This paper presents a case study of the implementation of the innovative quality control process to verify the production of large-size molds for aluminum high pressure casting with the spotting press machine, allowing for product quality improvement. The introduction of the innovative press for spotting molds to the quality control stage also leads to the improvement of production efficiency, which was confirmed by the results of an increase of the OEE coefficient in the entire production process. In addition, a significant reduction in the production time of products was achieved, and the cost of the mold production process was lowered.

Application of RFID technologies in logistics centres to improving operations of courier firms

The dynamic processes occurring on the market of logistics services determine the implementation of change and the search for optimal solutions. Modern logistics centres that are adjusted to the needs, while also supported by modern technology are the answer to the declared demand from courier firms that place an emphasis on the speed of delivery and quality of service. The application of RFID technologies in logistics centres is the fulfilment of the expectations of courier firms, which in turn enables them to effectively compete on the market of logistics services. RFID technologies have attracted a great deal of interest primarily due to the fact that this technology is between 10 and 20 times faster than the barcode technology. RFID is an automatic system of identification that may identify facilities within range by means of radio waves without interference.

The Application of Computer Systems Used in Logistics Centres by Courier Companies

In the era of pervasive computerization, the need for rapid and uninterrupted transmission and receiving information handling systems is an essential component of business operations. The use of information technology to use the full capabilibe ties of systems supporting the implementation of the basic processes in the logistics centers, ensures proper implementation of tasks. Hence courier companies cooperating with logistic centres have the opportunity to use the information systems used in logistics centres for the execution of the courier business. The purpose of this article is to identify the impact of information systems used in logistics centres for courier companies services. The article presents a class of information systems used in logistics centres and the number of systems used by courier companies. Characterized the impact of information systems to improve the operation of logistics centres and assesses the extent to which the use of the information system of logistics centres affects the information flow in courier companies. The study showed that the use of the IT systems offered by the logistics centres streamlines the efficiency of information flow in the courier service. Research has shown which IT systems logistics centers are use and how their use by courier companies affects the information flow in courier services.

LCA application in the assessment of new technologies of industrial effluents treatment

AbstractLife cycle assessment (LCA) is a technique often used to assess the impact of technological processes on the environment and on human health. It can be also used as a tool to assess environmental micropollutants. The possibility to conduct full LCA of particular stages of technology by means of appropriate LCA software can allow for reliable identification of the sources of chemical hazards in the environment, with particular focus on the source and the amount of macro and micropollutants. Full LCA includes obtaining raw materials, production, transport, distribution, the use, maintenance, reusing, recycling and disposal. The possibility to apply LCA technique to assess i.e. chemical hazards in potential wastewater treatment with the use of new flocculants and therefore to shape the environment is presented in the study. An example of applying LCA to identify the sources and environmental impact assessment of the stage of potential production of new generation flocculants synthesised from post pro...

THE ANALYSIS OF THE CAPACITY OF THE SELECTED MEASURES OF DECISION-MAKING MODELS IN COMPANIES

The paper aims at the analysis of the information capacity of selected instruments of the assessment of decision-making models in the analyzed companies. In the paper there are presented the idea and concepts of decision-making models. There have been discussed the selected instruments of the assessment of decision-making models in enterprises. In the final part of the paper there has been held the quantification of decision- making models in the investigated cement industry companies. To meet the objective of the paper there have been used literature studies and descriptive analysis. To specify the strength and direction of interactions between the parameters of the selected measures there has been calculated Pearson correlation coefficient. The problem of information capacity of the instruments of the assessment of decision-making models is important and up-to-date due to its impact on the effectiveness of management of the analyzed enterprises and the possibility to generate value added.

Qualitative Problems in Enterprises

In this paper the chosen problems of quality in enterprises are presented.