Search results for " disposal"

Simultaneous production of furfural and levulinic acid from pine sawdust via acid-catalysed mechanical depolymerization and microwave irradiation

2019

Abstract In this work pine sawdust was converted into levulinic acid (LA) and furfural. Sawdust was first pre-treated with sulfuric acid-catalysed mechanical depolymerization. The conversion reactions were then performed with microwave heating at 180 °C. To enhance the furfural yield and the efficient separation of furfural and LA, a biphasic water-toluene reaction system was used. The effect of an additional catalyst, AlCl3, on the yield of LA and furfural was also studied. According to the results the pre-treatment method enhanced the yields of LA. In addition, due to the microwave heating the reaction times were short. Additional AlCl3 catalyst enhanced the LA yield, however excellent fu…

Ionising radiation and lens opacities in interventional physicians: results of a German pilot study

2019

We assessed the feasibility of an epidemiological study on the risk of radiation-related lens opacities among interventional physicians in Germany. In a regional multi-centre pilot study associated with a European project, we tested the recruitment strategy, a European questionnaire on work history for the latter dosimetry calculation and the endpoint assessment. 263 interventional physicians and 129 non-exposed colleagues were invited. Questionnaires assessed eligibility criteria, risk factors for cataract, and work history relating to occupational exposure to ionising radiation, including details on type and amount of procedures performed, radiation sources, and use of protective equipmen…

Past and present work practices of European interventional cardiologists in the context of radiation protection of the eye lens—results of the EURALO…

2018

International audience; This paper investigates over five decades of work practices in interventional cardiology, with an emphasis on radiation protection. The analysis is based on data from more than 400 cardiologists from various European countries recruited for a EURALOC study and collected in the period from 2014 to 2016. Information on the types of procedures performed and their annual mean number, fluoroscopy time, access site choice, x-ray units and radiation protection means used was collected using an occupational questionnaire. Based on the specific European data, changes in each parameter have been analysed over decades, while country-specific data analysis has allowed us to dete…

Sulphate removal over barium-modified blast-furnace-slag geopolymer

2016

Blast-furnace slag and metakaolin were geopolymerised, modified with barium or treated with a combination of these methods in order to obtain an efficient SO4(2-) sorbent for mine water treatment. Of prepared materials, barium-modified blast-furnace slag geopolymer (Ba-BFS-GP) exhibited the highest SO4(2-) maximum sorption capacity (up to 119mgg(-1)) and it compared also favourably to materials reported in the literature. Therefore, Ba-BFS-GP was selected for further studies and the factors affecting to the sorption efficiency were assessed. Several isotherms were applied to describe the experimental results of Ba-BFS-GP and the Sips model showed the best fit. Kinetic studies showed that th…

Consequences of analgesics use in early pregnancy: Results of tests on mice.

2019

International audience; Self-medication during pregnancy continues to be an issue in developing countries due topoor medical education. The most commonly used drugs are analgesics, mainlyacetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) and, to a lesser extent, ketoprofen (KPF). The aim of thestudy was to establish whether there are consequences of accidental use of these two drugsduring early embryogenesis. The experimental study was performed on 30 pregnant whitemice, divided into three groups: a first group to which APAP was administered, a secondgroup to which KPF was administered, and group 3 as a control group. At delivery, the babymice were examined, and after their first parturition, they were take…

The importance of social networks in the Norwegian firewood industry

2013

Accepted version of an article from journal of Biomass and Bioenergy This study examines the relationship between social network size, innovation and firm performance among firewood producers in Norway. Moreover, it investigates how this relationship is affected both by the structure and variations in networks and by firm size and age. A questionnaire-based survey was sent to managers of firms (including one-person firms) in the firewood industry in Norway. A total of 645 usable replies were received, and the theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. The findings show that social network size has a positive effect on firm performance via innovation by firewood produce…

Elemental and microbiota content in indoor and outdoor air using recuperation unit filters

2021

Detection and quantification of engineered nanomaterials in environmental systems require precise knowledge of the elemental composition, association, and ratios in homologous natural nanomaterials (NNMs). Here, we characterized soil NNMs at the single particle level using single particle-inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometer (SP-ICP-TOF-MS) in order to identify the elemental purity, composition, associations, and ratios within NNMs. Elements naturally present as a major constituent in NNMs such as Ti, and Fe occurred predominantly as pure/single metals, whereas elements naturally present at trace levels in NNMs occurred predominantly as impure/multi-metal NNMs such as…

'We have a solution': Delivering on the promise to take national responsibility for nuclear waste management

2022

We examine the realization of the umbrella promise to assume national responsibility for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Three case studies are used to illustrate how Finland delivers on the promise to take care of its own nuclear waste - a promise that has greatly contributed to the legitimacy of nuclear power in Finland. The article shows how this promise is being challenged by new competitors, business visionaries, and the public. The case studies illustrate the tensions between those who made the promise and the actors who interpret and mobilize the promise for varying purposes and under changing circumstances. We investigate techno-scientific promises by looking at debates ab…

Community divided : adaptation and aversion towards the spent nuclear fuel repository in Eurajoki and its neighbouring municipalities

2010

Recent progress in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for CO2 capture at different pressures

2022

Global climate change ensued by the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels is one of the greatest challenges our planet is facing today. This worldwide distress demands technologies that can contribute to our society toward “negative carbon emissions”. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are in in important role for capturing CO2 from existing emission sources, such as industrial and energy production point sources, before new more prominent modifications to the energy infrastructure can be implemented. Recently, alongside point source capture, direct air capture (DAC) processes have emerged as highly sought-after technologies that are able to capture CO2 from the ambient air. Alongside t…