Gabriel Borowski

ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES FOR FOOD INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DECONTAMINATION

High organic matter content is a basic problem in food industry wastewaters. Typically, the amount and composition of the effluent varies considerably. In the article four groups of advanced processes and their combination of food industry wastewater treatment have been reviewed: electrochemical oxidation (EC), Fenton’s process, ozonation of water and photocatalytic processes. All advanced oxidation processes (AOP`s) are characterized by a common chemical feature: the capability of exploiting high reactivity of HO• radicals in driving oxidation processes which are suitable for achieving decolonization and odour reduction, and the complete mineralization or increase of bioavailability of recalcitrant organic pollutants.

Utilization of Fine Coal Waste as a Fuel Briquettes

This article presents the results of a pilot plant study on fine coal processing to produce alternative fuel. Fine-grained waste generated in the processing plant of a coal-processing plant in eastern Poland (Lublin Coal Basin) was used to obtain briquettes using the roll press briquetting method. The study included material homogenization, the selection of suitable parameters for the roll press unit, and an analysis of briquette quality. Strength and waterproof testing of briquettes and a study of the heat of combustion as well as ash and dust emissions were performed. Based on the results, the production processes were developed for three types of coal-based fuel briquettes with additional components, such as potato starch, molasses, and wood biomass. Briquettes made with starch met the minimum quality requirements, but use of a cheaper binder (molasses) did not provide good quality briquettes. The addition of biomass in an amount not exceeding 20% by weight did not significantly affect the pollution emissions in the combustion tests. The fuel obtained had a suitably high-energy value (22–24 MJ · kg−1) and may be used as an alternative fuel for combustion in industrial and domestic boilers.

THE HAZARDS OF DUSTING AND MONITORING OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR

The article presents selected issues connected with emission of dusts to the atmospheric air. The main sources of emission but also types of dusts and their properties were indicated. Factors which have impact on human’s health connected with occurence of higher concentration of dusts in the air were discussed. The paper also shows the distributions of yearly average dusts concentration in Poland with the division of air quality. Methodology of air monitoring with the way of results modification was described. Preventive actions for lowering the amount of dust in the most important emission sources were also shown. In the last part of this paper it was said that the problem of air pollution in Poland especially with particulate matter needs the introduction of some solutions, not only in the local scale but also in the international scale.

The Studies of Metal Content in Precipitation Water in Lubelskie and Lubuskie Voivodeships in 2013

This paper presents the results of the studies of metal content in precipitation water in 2013, recorded at measuring points within Lubelskie and Lubuskie Voivodeships. It provides a detailed description of the method of collecting and analysing water samples in respect of lightand heavy-metal determination. Based on the results, a general assessment was made of the condition of the environment in the areas in question. Also, the sources of pollution in wet precipitation, and the effects of their introduction into the environment, were determined. It was found that the main pollution elements of precipitation water were linked to anthropogenic sources. The study also established that precipitation water, especially in the sparsely industrialised Włodawa region in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, had generally low pollution levels. It was also noted that in 2013, due to low total precipitation, the environmental impact of metal content was lower than in the preceding years.

The Use of Granulation to Reduce Dusting and Manage of Fine Coal

The development of mining and processing industries is accompanied by the formation of fine-grained waste materials that must undergo the treatment. Sometimes, grinding materials is a prerequisite for further processing. The issues of coal dust and fine coal granulation conducted to obtain homogeneous and persistent pieces for application in various branches of industry were presented. The article describes the binders and additives were applied in order to change the properties of the granules. The key factors affecting the process of fine-grained coal granulation is discussed. Granulated coal dust is most useful as an alternative fuel for combustion in industrial and household heating systems. However, carbon fuel requires a systematic control of the mechanical strength and resistance to external factors.

Monitoring of Road Noise in the Urban Environment of Lublin

In this article we presented the issues concerning the measurement of road noise, measurement results, and the discussion pertaining to the methods of limiting the excessive noise in the city of Lublin. Mobile systems, equipped with software which enables editing the measurement data, analysis and presentation of the data in the form of an acoustic map, are used to measure the noise level. Exemplary streets of the city are shown, where the road noise level has been significantly exceeded, and the effects of acoustic screens installation is presented. Moreover, the preventive and educational actions which are carried out in Lublin, meant to popularise alternative methods of transport, are discussed. It was concluded that an effective reduction of the traffic noise in the city can be achieved already at the stage of designing housing estates, along with the planning of access roads and noise barriers.

ASSESSMENT OF SOIL CONTAMINATION IN THE LUBELSKIE PROVINCE BASED ON MONITORING STUDIES

The paper presents the evaluation of soil contamination changes in the years 1995–2010 in the Lubelskie province based on the results of monitoring studies. The principles, objectives and tasks of soil monitoring, both nationally and locally, were presented. The types and sources of soil contamination, the methods for determining these pollutants, and the procedure for determining soil samples for analysis are discussed. The results of the content of particular elements and compounds in soil samples were subsequently presented and evaluated. The content of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium compounds in the soil proved to be diverse. There was also local excessive salinity and pollution of the soil with sulfur due to the anthropogenic causes. However, there is no excessive contamination of the soil with PAHs and heavy metals. The elevated content of some metals in soil have been reported locally. In summary, the need for liming and farming activities to increase the soil abundance and fertility has been identified. The identified important factors of soil quality included acidification and humus deficiency, as well as the share of potentially toxic impurities.

Stone Dust Agglomeration for Utilizing as Building Material

In the paper we discuss the possibility of using stone dust for utilizing as building material. The tested material was amphibolite, found in the Sudeten Mountains and the Tatra Mountains in Poland. The chemical composition of dust was determined by means of spectrometry methods. Moreover, the basic physical properties of the material were designated. Stone dust was mixed with starch or cement binder. The binder addition was from 5% to 20% by weight. The water content was adjusted to about 25% humidity. The mixture was then compressed in a hydraulic press at 50 MPa. The results of the mechanical toughness of agglomerates were shown. On the basis of the results, acceptable toughness of agglomerates was found, with the addition of cement in mass share 20% and seasoning for 48 hours. However, starch was not suitable as a binder for agglomeration of amphibolite.

The effect of granulated fly ashes with phosphogypsum on the hardening of cement mortar

The results of research on the use of granulated fly ashes with phosphogypsum in the production of cement and their impact on the hardening of cement mortar are presented in this paper. The materials used for the production of granules were fly ash from power plants and a twenty-percent proportion of phosphogypsum waste from the production of phosphoric acid. The granules were tested in terms of their use for the production of cement. It has been shown that, in accordance with the Polish Standard PN-EN 197-1: 2012, cement with 20% of shredded granules meets the requirements of strength for class 32.5. Cement mortar was made and the properties were compared with typical mortar prepared from ash with gypsum. It was found that the tested cement mortar have a longer setting time. However, both types of mortar had similar compressive strengths and flexural strengths after hardening for twenty-eight days.

GRANULATION AND BRIQUETTING OF SOLID PRODUCTS FROM FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION

Most flue gas desulfurization products can be characterized by significant solubility in water and dusting in dry state. These characteristics can cause a considerable pollution of air, water, and soil. Among many approaches to utilization of this waste, the process of agglomeration using granulation or briquetting has proved very effective. Using desulfurization products a new material of aggregate characteristics has been acquired, and this material is resistant to water and wind erosion as well as to the conditions of transportation and storage. The paper presents the results of industrial trials granulation and briquetting of calcium desulphurization products. The granulation of a mixture of phosphogypsum used with fly ash (in the share 1:5). The resulting granules characterized by a compressive strength of 41.6 MPa, the damping resistance of 70% and 14.2% abrasion. The granulate was used for the production of cement mix. The produced concrete mortar have a longer setting and hardening time, as compared to the traditional ash and gypsum mortar, and have a higher or comparable flexural and compressive strength during hardening. Briquetting trials made of a product called synthetic gypsum or rea-gypsum both in pure form and with the addition of 5% and 10% of the limestone dust. Briquettes have a high initial strength and resistance to abrasion. The values of these parameters increased after 72 hours of seasoning. It was found that higher hardiness of briquettes with rea-gypsum was obtained with the impact of atmospheric conditions and higher resistance to elution of water-soluble components in comparison to ash briquettes.