This research investigate and analysis 77 kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the sewage system of a southern urban area (A, B, C, D, E and F). The 77 kinds of VOCs will be divided into BTEX, chlorine-containing hydrocarbons and non-chlorine-containing hydrocarbons, and to estimate the emission of 27 kinds of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Cancer risk within 12 kinds of HAPs will also be part of the investigation by using Risk Assessment. In terms of consistency, except A1, D5 and E, VOCs are required mainly of non-chlorine-containing hydrocarbons at other areas, and main contribution species are ethylene, acetylene and ethane. There are 55.05 % of BTEX (1298.2 £gg/m3) and 35.51 % of non-chlorine-containing hydrocarbons (837.6 £gg/m3) in A1, but the main contribution are toluene, m-xylene and p-xylene. In D5, there is 76.39 % of BTEX (3744.7 £gg/m3) and the main contribution are m-xylene, p-xylene and toluene. In E, there is 80.02 % of chlorine-containing hydrocarbons (4807.1 £gg/m3) and the main contribution are chloromethane and toluene. Results show that the most emissions of total HAPs is D5 (12195.3 mg/hr), followed by B2 (4602.9 mg/hr), E (2659.4 mg/hr), A4 (2043.7 mg/hr) and A1 (1526.2 mg/hr). BTEX represent the largest proportion of the emissions of total HAPs in D5, A4 and A1. Chloroethene represents the largest proportion of the emissions of total HAPs in B2, followed by trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene. Chloromethane represents the largest proportion of the emissions of total HAPs in E. The most cumulative cancer risk in the sewage space is B2, followed by C2 and A3. The main contribution of the average cancer risk (not include B2) in a southern urban area are 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane and 1,4-dichlorobenzene.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 25-26).

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-77)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2003. / Title from title page screen (viewed Mar. 25,2004). Thesis advisor: Daniel B. Koch. Document formatted into pages (viii, 113 p. : ill.). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-61).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 160 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-107).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 292-310). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

This study proposed and evaluated a waste-to-resource strategy for beneficially using solid waste as ceramic raw materials. The sludge generated from waterworks and sewage treatment processes contains significant amounts of aluminum and iron, and the industrial sludge is enriched with high metal content. The hazardous metals in waste sludge may lead to metal bioaccumulation and cause adverse effects for ecosystem. This study aims to stabilize copper- and zinc-laden sludge in commonly available ceramic products, and to beneficially use waterworks and sewage sludge to incorporate waste metals. The study was first investigated by sintering simulated metal-laden sludge with Al-rich (γ-Al2O3, -Al2O3, kaolinite, mullite) and Fe-rich (Fe2O3) precursors. Secondly, the practicability of recycling Cu-bearing electroplating sludge as a part of ceramic raw materials was evaluated through thermal interaction with Al-rich precursors. Furthermore, the potential of using water and sewage treatment works sludge to stabilize metals were also examined. Sintering procedures were carried out within 650-1450 oC for 3 h, and phase transformations were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) with the quantification technique of Rietveld refinement analysis. The formation of CuAl2O4 spinel was initiated at 650 oC using γ-Al2O3, and the maximum copper transformation reached 80%. The copper incorporation into CuAl2O4 started at 850 oC and reached 95% in -Al2O3 system. The growth of CuAl2O4 was found at 750 oC using kaolinite, but at 900 oC in mullite system. The maximum copper transformation for both kaolinite and mullite reached ~80%. With CuAl2O4, decomposing, the formation of CuAlO2 predominated in alumina systems, but CuO and Cu2O were found in kaolinite and mullite systems. When using Fe2O3, the CuFe2O4 with tetragonal structure was observed at lower temperatures, and the cubic CuFe2O4 became predominant at 1000 oC. The formation of ZnAl2O4 spinel started at 750 oC in γ-Al2O3 system and at 950 oC in -Al2O3 system, respectively. The zinc transformation completed in both γ-Al2O3 and -Al2O3 systems at higher temperatures. The coexistence and competition between ZnAl2O4 and Zn2SiO4 were found using kaolinite and mullite. The increase of temperature to 1350 °C resulted in complete zinc transformation to ZnAl2O4 in mullite system. Through leaching tests, aluminates and ferrites were found to be superior to oxide and silicate phases in immobilizing hazardous metals. The leachates of aluminates and ferrites exhibited the behavior of incongruent dissolution, and the Zn2SiO4 leachate showed congruent dissolution. The CuAl2O4 spinel was observed when sintering Cu-laden electroplating sludge with aluminate precursors. The copper leachability decreased with CuAl2O4 developing and the lowest copper concentration in leachates was within the optimal temperature range for CuAl2O4 generation. Both copper and zinc were successfully incorporated into the spinel structure using waterworks sludge, and the cubic CuFe2O4 became the main component when using sewage sludge to stabilize copper. Overall, this study demonstrated a promising process to stabilize hazardous metals in waste materials, such as sludge, ash, and slag, through sintering with the inexpensive ceramic precursors. This may provide an avenue for economically reduce the environmental hazards of toxic metals by reliably blending them into the marketable ceramic products. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

M. Tech. Chemistry. / The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an analytical method for the determination of Cr(VI) in ferrochrome dusts and to apply the method in the analysis of environmental samples (grass, soil and tree bark) for Cr(VI) content (that might be caused by dust emissions originating from the smelter). Both the public and Xstrata Wonderkop ferrochrome plant will benefit from data of Cr(VI) determination generated from the study. The information can potentially be incorporated into health risk assessments of the affected geographical areas. The results of the investigation showed that ferrochrome smelter dust emissions were the source of contamination of the environment with Cr(VI). With time, Cr(VI) could accumulate in soil to unacceptable levels, thereby endangering both plants and animals.

No description available.