White Pollution Research Articles

Environmentally friendly road construction

Environmental pollution is a major problem in developing countries like Egypt. Reuse of waste polymers is considered an attractive solution for environmental white pollution and reducing of the costs of road pavement and maintenance. This research aims to prepare environmentally friendly hot mix asphalt (HMA) for paving using some industrial wastes as polypropylene and polyester fibers. The solid materials in the mix include normal and highly porous aggregates. 5% and 10% of waste polymers by weight of the asphalt were used to prepare special binders. The samples were tested for their physical properties, chemical properties, aging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results revealed that the prepared HMA using 5% of waste polymer had high performance as compared to the ordinary one and the waste polymer could be used in road construction.

Simulations of two-planet systems through all phases of stellar evolution: implications for the instability boundary and white dwarf pollution

Exoplanets have been observed at many stages of their host star's life, including the main sequence (MS), subgiant and red giant branch stages. Also, polluted white dwarfs (WDs) likely represent dynamically active systems at late times. Here, we perform 3-body simulations which include realistic post-MS stellar mass loss and span the entire lifetime of exosystems with two massive planets, from the endpoint of formation to several Gyr into the WD phase of the host star. We find that both MS and WD systems experience ejections and star-planet collisions (Lagrange instability) even if the planet-planet separation well-exceeds the analytical orbit-crossing (Hill instability) boundary. Consequently, MS-stable planets do not need to be closely-packed to experience instability during the WD phase. This instability may pollute the WD directly through collisions, or, more likely, indirectly through increased scattering of smaller bodies such as asteroids or comets. Our simulations show that this instability occurs predominately between tens of Myr to a few Gyrs of WD cooling.

No plastic bag campaign day in Malaysia and the policy implication

The weekly No Plastic Bag Campaign Day comprises of an added charge of MYR 0.20 (USD 0.06) per plastic bag in supermarkets and grocery stores. The objective is to reduce plastic bag consumption and save the environment. However, the campaign has provoked a range of reactions from the public including consumers, policy makers, environmentalists and the plastic industry. Considering consumers as the major consequence, this paper evaluates the impact of the campaign on consumer awareness, knowledge, attitude and behavior and discusses and explores the various implications of the policy. The study gathers a questionnaire survey from 262 households in the State of Johor and employs a semi-structured interview with the relevant stakeholders. A descriptive statistical analysis as well as T test and correlations analysis has been performed using the Statistical Software for Social Science. The T test analysis explains the complex relationship between attitude and behavior. Consumers are more supportive of the plastic bag ban in the supermarkets but not its extension to other types of public markets. The study records the consumers’ behavior-changing process in the three types of anti-consumer behavior, listed as (1) fully anti-consumption (67 %), (2) partial anti-consumption (33 %) and (3) no anti-consumption this last group comprising of those who resent and dissatisfy of the No Plastic Bag Campaign. The first type of fully anti-consumption behavior reveals the potential of reusable shopping bag practice to be implemented coupled with the educational Bring Your Own Shopping Bag campaign. The plastic bag levy in Malaysia can be seen as part of the government effort to create a sustainable consumption society; however, it needs a support from the regulatory or legislative framework that will provide clear guidelines and mechanisms for consumers, the retailers, supermarkets and the plastic industry. The implications of plastic bag usage for garbage bin liners as part of the basic requirement of the solid waste management reveal the urgency to look at the plastic bag levy from the solid waste management perspective.

Grocery Bag Bans and Foodborne Illness

Recently, many jurisdictions have implemented bans or imposed taxes upon plastic grocery bags on environmental grounds. San Francisco County was the first major US jurisdiction to enact such a regulation, implementing a ban in 2007. There is evidence, however, that reusable grocery bags, a common substitute for plastic bags, contain potentially harmful bacteria. We examine emergency room admissions related to these bacteria in the wake of the San Francisco ban. We find that ER visits spiked when the ban went into effect. Relative to other counties, ER admissions increase by at least one fourth, and deaths exhibit a similar increase.

Synthesis of 1,2-diiodotetrafluoroethane with pyrolysis gas of waste polytetrafluoroethylene as raw material

In the present study, waste polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is recycled to generate the monomer tetrafluoroethylene by pyrolysis in vacuum condition. The reaction parameters are investigated; under 500–550 °C and 2 kPa, the yields of tetrafluoroethylene can reach 95%. Then the pyrolysis gas is applied without separation as reactant together with iodine to synthesize 1,2-diiodotetrafluoroethane, which is the key intermediate for synthesis of many fluorine-containing compounds. Under the optimal conditions, temperature 150–160 °C, pressure 12 atm and ratio of solvent to iodine 0.5–0.6, the conversion of iodine can rise up to 98%. The method of this paper uses waste polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as raw material, which is environmental benign and helpful to prevent white pollution.

Interior Ballistics Simulation of Modular Charge Gun System Using Matlab

Calculation and simulation of the interior ballistic precedes the design of gun and charge construction. Modular charge system is the major development direction of large caliber howitzer, and will be as a replacement of current bag charge. It is necessary to develop a common program used to simulate interior ballistic environment of modular charge, which is a complex composite propellant charge. The characteristics of modular charge construction and the difference compared with traditional charge style were introduced at first. A simulation program of was developed based on lumped-parameters interior ballistic model using Matlab/Simulink development environment, which is relative simple, but, very suitable first stage design of interior ballistic of modular charge system. The program includes four modules, input parameters, core simulation code, calculation of form equations and data processing. The simulation results are agreeable with the experimental values according to the parameters of a certain 155mm gun. Furthermore, the program could be used in the numerical calculation of single charge or bag charge by adjusting some items.

Research on Plastic Wood Composite Materials Production Technology

Wood flour is inexpensive, and can be used as a reinforcing agent to improve the mechanical properties of high density polyethylene, reduce cost. Wood fiber as a renewable natural material, biodegradation, therefore, high filling wood powder high density polyethylene composite material with certain environmental compatibility, at the same time, high density polyethylene can be a source of waste recycling materials, therefore plastic-wood composite material is a kind of can reduce the "white pollution" environmental material. [1-5]

Preparation of Lacquer Putty Using Polystyrene Foamed Plastics

Choosing abandoned polystyrene foamed plastics and actived carclazyte as the main raw materials, mixed with emulsifier, defoaming agent and many kinds of additives made into the excellent performance oily lacquer putty. The technological process of the lacquer putty was simple, using abandoned FPS and carclazyte as the main raw material can save energy and reduce the white pollution, which has the good social and economic benefits. The properties of the product were similar to the same kind of the others. The materials were easily gained and its production cost is lower. The lacquer putty was applied to inlay glass or level up holes and slots.

Effect of processing conditions on poly(butylene succinate) foam materials

AbstractPolymeric foams have many advantages such as light weight, high specific strength, strong energy absorption, as well as good sound and thermal insulation. Unfortunately, most polymeric foams such as polyvinyl chloride foams do not undergo natural degradation and thus giving rise to white pollution to the environment. Here, we report the preparation and properties of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) foam which is a biodegradable plastic. Ammonium bicarbonate is used as the foaming agent during the formation of the PBS foam by the molding method, and under the optimal conditions of 5 wt % ammonium bicarbonate, 10 MPa pressure, and 5 min pressing time, the pristine PBS foam with the smallest bulk density can be obtained, whereas under the conditions of 5 wt % ammonium bicarbonate, 7.5 MPa pressure, and 7 min pressing time, the toughening PBS foam has the smallest bulk density. Adding talc as a nucleating agent can reduce the bulk density of the foam and in this case, an NH4HCO3 content of 3 wt % yields the best result. Moreover, addition of plasticizers can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE TO PLASTIC BAG LEGISLATION IN BOTSWANA

AbstractThis paper investigates the use of charges and standards in dealing with a common externality, plastic litter from shopping bags in Botswana. The country passed a plastic bag legislation (effective 2007) to curb the plastic bag demand. Uniquely, the act does not stipulate the amount that the retailers had to charge for plastic bags, they, independently from one another, set different prices. We assessed the environmental effectiveness and efficiency of the plastic bag legislation by analysing consumers' sensitivity to the improvement of the plastic bag and related price charges. The introduction of the plastic bag legislation led to a significant decline in the consumption of plastic bags per 1,000 Botswana pulas of shopping. The partial success of the charges levied in Botswana was due to the constantly high prices of the bags.

Mechanical and thermal properties of basalt fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites

Basalt fiber (BF) reinforced poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites have been fabricated with different fiber contents by a injection molding method and their tensile, flexural and impact properties, as well as thermal stability have been investigated. The tensile and flexural properties of the PBS matrix resin are improved markedly by increasing the fiber contents in the composites. The values are relatively higher than the natural fiber/PP systems reported earlier by other research groups. The heat deflection temperature (HDT) and Vicat softening temperature (VST) of the composites are significantly higher than those of the neat PBS resin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) conducted on the fracture surfaces of the composites reveals superior interfacial linkage between the basalt fibers and PBS matrix. The results suggest that the BF/PBS composites may be a potential candidate of PP or PP composites to manufacturing some daily commodities to solve the “white pollution” in environmental management.

Topsoil and Subsoil Combined Cultivator and Top-soiling Experiment

Under the condition of conservation tillage,in order to make the topsoil cultivation not disturb the upper and lower layer which can minimize the disturbance to the soil,to provide the ideal seedbeds,to increase the infiltration depth of water facilities sowing irrigation,to reduce the white pollution of water evaporation and coated water facilities sowing,to increase the sub-soiling depth,to reduce the frequency of cultivation joint to the fields,a kind of topsoil and subsoil combined cultivator is designed,which is with the function of reciprocating plug of soil as well as conducting sub-soiling operation.A topsoil cultivation tool structure is designed and the absolute motion mathematical model of the reliable operation of the surface tillage cutter is established.According to the test,if the broken soil coefficient of soil is more than 90% after topsoil cultivation,soil bulk density is less than 1.22 g/cm3,the upper and lower soil can not be disturbed,and when corn is using the water facilities sowing,the infiltration depth of water has an at least 19.3% increase than the same data of ordinary spin tillage method,then the reasonable cut soil distance of cutting tool should be less than 30 mm.

Green dielectric materials composed of natural graphite minerals and biodegradable polymer

Polymeric nanocomposites are a promising dielectric due to their low cost, easy processability and flexibility but most polymers are difficult to treat and recycle leading to “white pollution”. Here, we report an eco-friendly “green” dielectric material made from natural graphite minerals and biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) synthesized by solution casting and hot pressing. Dielectric constant of resulting composite films agreed quite well with percolation theory and a low percolation threshold fc = 5.98% was obtained due to a high aspect ratio of natural graphite minerals. Composite films possessed a high dielectric constant of 113, around 28 times higher than that of pristine PBS (103) when volume fraction reached 5.5%. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical properties of composite films can be improved at the same time. Dielectric constant of composite films can be greatly improved by incorporating natural graphite minerals while mechanical flexibility can be maintained to be as good as that of pure polymer matrix.

An Appraisal and Analysis of the Law of “Plastic-Bag Ban”

Abstract This paper apprises the law of “Plastic-bag ban (PBB)” and points out that the law is necessary, feasible and effective. The success of the PBB policy is represented by the fact that the policy is consistent with the public opinion, and has definite control target. PBB has been properly carried out in supper markets, and has reduced the usage of plastic bags by two thirds. However, the public understanding of PBB needs to be further deepened. The paper analyses the cause of illegal use and wholesaling of ultra-thin plastic bags in peddler’ and wholesale markets, and advances some policy suggestions including strengthening the propaganda of PBB and the regulation over peddler's markets and production of plastic bags, increasing the price of plastic bags and establishing relevant law and regulation systems.

A Research on Performance of Waste Polystyrene Insulation Block

Recycled waste polystyrene foam can be used as heat-resistant construction material, which helps reduce white pollution, benefits the renewability of resources, and brings a good economic and environmental return. In this paper, non-autoclave aerated concrete is made, which uses foam of polystyrene as its packing material，it also gives a research on performance of polystyrene-aerated concrete materia composition.

A Research on Performance of Polystyrene-Aerated Concrete Wall Materials

Recycled waste polystyrene foam can be used as heat-resistant construction material, which helps reduce white pollution, benefit the renewability of resources, and brings a good economic and environmental return. Here in this paper, polystyrene foamy particle is used as filling material for the making of non-autoclave aerated concrete, which has good performance with heat reservation and sound insulation.

Thermal Analysis and Optimization of Plant-Fiber and Starch Dishware Mould Based on ANSYS

The plant-fiber and starch have widly applications in the dishware materials, which can be taken place of the plastic packaging materials, the plant-fiber and starch dishware can eliminate the white pollution problem effectively for the environment. The mold for the plant-fiber and starch dishware is important for its manufacturing. In this paper, the finite element thermal analysis model of the plant-fiber and starch dishware mould is developed by using the Pro/E, then temperature profile of the mould was analyzed by using ANSYS based on the thermal analysis theory. At last, the structural parameters are optimized based on iterative method. The present analysis provid the theoretical basis for the applications of the mould for the plant-fiber and starch materials.

Preface

Preface

The star that ate a Mars: Astronomers study white dwarf pollution for clues to extrasolar planet ingredients

Science NewsVolume 176, Issue 2 p. 22-25 Feature The star that ate a Mars: Astronomers study white dwarf pollution for clues to extrasolar planet ingredients Charles Petit, Search for more papers by this author Charles Petit, Search for more papers by this author First published: 09 October 2009 https://doi.org/10.1002/scin.5591760219AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume176, Issue218 July 2009Pages 22-25 RelatedInformation

Modification of asphalt by packaging waste‐polyethylene

AbstractThe “white pollution” made of packaging waste polymers and its recycling has become a common issue. In this article, the retrieved waste milk‐packing bag (its main ingredients was polyethylene) was selected to modify the ordinary oil asphalt. Asphalt was modified with 1, 3, 6, and 9 wt% content of waste‐polyethylene. The results showed that the softening point and the freeze‐to‐crack stress of asphalt increased the penetration and the freeze‐to‐crack temperature decreased after modification. The comprehensive performance of raw asphalt improved noticeably. Infrared analysis suggests that waste‐polyethylene in packaging (WPE) combines the matrix of asphalt through physical mixture modification. And the modification mechanism of WPE was studied by the analysis of its micro structure, the characteristics of WPE, the effects of Crack pinning and Silver Shear yield in the decentralized process. Using waste packaging polymers to modify the asphalt proved to be an ideal way, for not only solving the problem of “white pollution”, but also for improving the performance of asphalt. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers