Qian Guangren

Enhancement of leaching copper by electro-oxidation from metal powders of waste printed circuit board

Oxidation leaching copper from metal powders of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) was conducted at room temperature in sulfuric acid solution. The result showed that the copper in metal powders was oxidized by Cu(2+) to form CuCl(2)(-) in the presence of chloride ion without electrochemical oxidation. Then, CuCl(2)(-) was oxidized into CuSO(4) by oxygen derived from the air insufflated into leaching solution. The leaching rate of copper reached 100%. The whole reaction took 5.5h because it was limited by the low solubility of the air in water. In the electro-oxidation conditions, the chloride ion was electro-oxidized into ClO(-), which oxidized CuCl(2)(-) into CuSO(4) and ClO(-) was reduced into Cl(-) itself again at the same time. Since Cl(-) was recycled in the solution not only as a complexing agent but also as an oxidant, which made the reaction speed up to 3.5h to reach 100% leaching rate. Leaching solution was concentrated to crystallize CuSO(4).5H(2)O, and crystal liquor was reused to leach copper from metal powders.

Towards a faster and broader application of biochar: appropriate marketing mechanisms

Biochar derived from organic wastes and incorporated in soils offers multiple environmental and financial benefits. This approach tackles several critical global issues including waste management, renewable energy production, greenhouse gas mitigation, soil degradation prevention, food security, reduced water pollution from agrochemicals, and water quality and quantity enhancement. But farm level production and use of biochar is not yet viable, largely due to financial and technical constraints. Thus, an incentive mechanism for farmers is crucial for its successful adoption. This paper analyses both the current provisions and the marketing mechanisms of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), one of the three market‐based mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol which links developed and developing countries in achieving global emission targets, and identifies appropriate marketing vehicle for biochar projects.

Speciation of heavy metals in surface sediments from Suzhou Creek

Nine elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in sediment samples at 7 sites (Site 1–7) from Suzhou Creek in Shanghai were analyzed with the Community Bareau of Reference (BCR) (sequential extraction (SE)) protocol and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM)/acid volatile sulfide (AVS) procedure to assess the metal bioavailability and toxicology in this area. The results showed that the BCR extraction can be utilized as an additional tool with the AVS method for assessing the potential bioavailability and toxicity of metals in sediments. Pollution from S5 (Site 5) was more severe than from other sites, especially Pb, Cu and Zn. Among all the sites, more than 80% of the total concentration of Fe existed in the residual fraction, As, Cr, Mn also dominated in the residual fraction (more than 50%). While Cd, Ni and Zn (more than 35%) were mainly in the non-stable phase. Cu had a strong affinity with oxidizable phase and Pb varied from site to site. The SEM/AVS ratio was less than one in these sediments and results implied that the majority of Zn and Ni (> 40%) were bound to AVS. In contrast, Pb, Cu and Cd were little bound to AVS due to their low ration of SEM-Pb, Cu, Cd to corresponding total concentration and relatively high porewater concentration.

Surfactant scouring wastewater modified bentonites--promising material for unmanageable wastewater treatment

Trimeric quaternary ammonium surfactants are newly developed surfactants, their widespread synthesis and utilization results in a great amount of scouring wasterwater of high COD, which is unmanageable. The present investigation aims to find a new type of organo-bentonites modified by the scouring wastewater and to treat the scouring wastewater at the same time. Results of adsorption experiments of phenol and formaldehyde by the modified bentonite show that, at the optimal ratio 24% (W/V) of modified bentonite to scouring wastewater, the removal rate of phenol and formaldehyde by FTAT scouring wastewater modified bentonite is 3.53 times and 2.48 times higher than that of Na-bentonite, and the COD of treated scouring wastewater reduces to below 200 mg/L, meeting the second level of Standards for Discharge of Water Pollutants from the Ammonia Industry of China.