Impending Regulations Research Articles

Finding and Assessing US Galvanized Service Lines

Given impending regulations, a study of community water systems found challenges in defining, identifying, and funding remediation of the galvanized pipe associated with lead service lines.

Refining VDI guideline 4663 to evaluate the efficiency of a power-to-gas process by employing limit-oriented indicators

Primarily released by the conversion of primary fossil energy sources, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions influence global warming fundamentally. Since they enable increasing the share of sustainable energy sources in the energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through targeted integration, power-to-X technologies promise to be an important element of compliance with impending regulations and laws. VDI 4663 guideline for strategically optimizing (technical) processes applies the physical optimum, a promising performance indicator for a unified, time-independent, and structured evaluation of power-to-X technologies that defines an operation under physically optimal conditions as a limit value. This study applies VDI 4663 to a power-to-X system and evaluates different components. It specifically examines current power-to-gas applications, the physical optimum as a limit-oriented indicator and its application to complex processes, the physically optimal operation of electrolysis and methanation, heat transfer as a critical component of methanation, the evaluation of a heat exchanger based on the physical optimum, and targeted process optimization based on VDI 4663. The outcome is an energy index for the evaluation of a heat exchanger, factoring in its structural design. The physical optimum of electrolysis and methanation developed here can also be employed as the basis for targeted optimization. This study serves as a basis for the evaluation of other power-to-X systems and introduces the application of VDI 4663. Additionally, the applicability of the physical optimum to chemistry-based processes is validated.

Rajapaksa Steps Up Sri Lanka’s Anti-Muslim Measures

The article examines the impending regulations with regard to Burqa and the closure of Madrasas in Sri Lanka.

Traceability of the output concentration of mercury vapor generators

In response to the environmental impact of mercury and the neuro-toxic risk associated with trophic transfer of methyl mercury to humans, the reduction of mercury emissions from coal-fired electric utilities, a significant anthropogenic source, is now receiving global attention. To address impending regulations for mercury reduction, there is a need to establish a mercury emissions measurement framework, which has demonstrated accuracy and traceability to national and international standards. To support this effort, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been working jointly with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a traceability system which links the output of elemental mercury calibration instrumentation sited at the power utilities, to the SI (International System of Units). This system is based on a reference (NIST Prime) elemental mercury generator standard, which is used by NIST to certify elemental mercury generators from the instrument vendors. These in turn are used by the instrument vendors to provide NIST traceable calibration for the instrumentation supplied to each electric utility. The NIST Prime generator is certified using a primary analytical method for the determination of mercury using sorbent trap analysis with isotope dilution cold-vapor inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-CV-ICP-MS).

The Dynamics of Capital Regulation and U.S. Bankss Risk-Taking

We outline a variety of hypotheses regarding bank risk-taking behavior in a transition period prior to the implementation of new more stringent capital adequacy and business line restrictions. In one view, developed in the paper, there is an incentive for increased risk-taking in the transition period despite the naive hypothesis that banks will act as regulators intend for a future period. Important factors include the maturity of assets in the business line, the costs of adjustment, and the nature of the uncertainty about characteristics of the impending regulations. We examine empirical evidence to determine which hypotheses on risk shifting are observable in the run-up to implementation of Dodd-Frank and related rules. We find evidence of differential risk-taking driven by future more stringent capital regulation, some TBTF effects, and a role for TARP and other various characteristics of the banks in the pre-transition period. Naive hypotheses of compliance, the null hypothesis of no shifts, and Regression to the Mean are rejected.

Development of a Green Technology for Mercury Recycling from Spent Compact Fluorescent Lamps Using Iron Oxides Nanoparticles and Electrochemistry

The widespread use of energy efficient mercury containing lamps and impending regulations on the control of mercury emissions has necessitated the development of green mercury control technologies such as nanosorbent capture and electrolysis regeneration. Herein we describe a two-step green technique to remove and recycle mercury from spent compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The first element included the assessment of capture efficiencies of mercury vapor on magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), naturally abundant and ubiquitous components of atmospheric dust particles. Around 60 μg of mercury vapor can be removed up to 90% by 1.0 g of magnetite nanoparticles, within a time scale of minutes. The second step included the development of an electrochemical system for the mercury recycling and regeneration of used nanoparticles. Under optimized conditions, up to 85% of mercury was recovered as elemental mercury. Postelectrolysis regenerated iron oxide nanoparticles were used in several sorption–electroly...

Behavior of titania-supported vanadia and tungsta SCR catalysts at high temperatures in reactant streams: Tungsten and vanadium oxide and hydroxide vapor pressure reduction by surficial stabilization

In order to meet impending regulations for soot and NOx reduction from mobile diesel engines, advanced emission control systems may require SCR catalysts with substantially improved thermal durability. State of the art vanadia-based SCR catalysts are composed of vanadia, tungsta, and possibly silica, present at relatively low mass fraction and supported on high-surface-area titania. Concern over the possible emission of metals such as vanadia from diesel vehicles fitted with vanadia-based catalysts limits their potential utility. Vanadia and tungsta oxide and hydroxide vapor pressures over the bulk oxides under conditions relevant for the simulated lifetime exposure of catalysts in the mobile SCR application were estimated on the basis of literature data, and the vapor pressures can be consequential. For the bulk tungsta and vanadia, the most volatile component is WO2(OH)2, formed from the reaction of tungsta with water, followed by V4O10 and then VO(OH)3, also a reaction product. An experimental method was developed to measure the vapor-phase transport (a manifestation of vapor pressure) of such inorganic components over real catalysts in representative gas streams by collection on high-surface-area alumina at exposure temperature. In the absence of water at 750°C, only V4O10 was anticipated as the volatile species. However, no V was observed downstream of the catalyst, so that the vapor pressure of titania-supported vanadia was strongly suppressed relative to the bulk oxide. In the presence of water, the results depended on the support. In the case of a support that underwent substantial loss of surface area during exposure, amounts of W were collected consistent with equilibrium vaporization as WO2(OH)2. However, the amounts of V collected were below the amount expected based on equilibrium vaporization as either V4O10 or VO(OH)3. Thus, the reaction of titania-supported vanadia with water at high temperatures was also suppressed. The vapor pressures of the vanadia and tungsta, and the extent of their reaction with water, can be reduced by varying degrees by reducing loss of the surface area of the titania support during exposure and by minimizing the mass fractions of the surficial oxides. New, highly stable titania supports with optimized compositions were found to virtually eliminate the loss of vanadia and tungsta.

Using focus groups to assess almond growers' plant nutrition information needs

AbstractUniversity of California (UC) scientists have established critical values (CVs) for almond production, but the nutritional information the CVs provide may be outdated and insufficient. In December 2006, researchers at UC Davis conducted focus group interviews with a sample of stakeholders in California's almond industry. The focus groups were designed to collect information relating to factors affecting growers' nutrition decisions, priorities in education and research relating to plant nutrition, and expected consequences of environmental regulation for the industry. Stakeholders identified problems with the CVs and voiced concern about the future of the almond industry in light of impending environmental regulations. Many stakeholders identified university research as a way to protect the industry by providing strong, recent scientific data on which nutritional limits and environmental regulations can be based. The focus groups served as a useful research method for obtaining detailed information about stakeholders' motivations and priorities and also for informing a quantitative follow-up survey that was subsequently mailed to a larger population of Californian almond growers.

Extraction and processing with supercritical fluids

AbstractOVERVIEW: Extraction and processing with supercritical fluids (SCF) is increasingly gaining importance in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent has emerged as a highly popular technology today over the conventional techniques for extraction of natural products for rapid, contamination‐free, tailor‐made extracts having superior quality and shelf‐life and high potency of active ingredients.IMPACT: The importance of SCFE is on the rise due to consumers' preferences for ‘natural’ as opposed to synthetic substances and, impending regulations for environmental protection, safety, nutritive and toxicity levels.APPLICATIONS: Newer applications of SCFs include separation and purification of chemicals, cleaning, coating, particle formation, textile dyeing, aerogel drying, reactions with separation and food preservation. Some fundamental aspects of SCFs, various processing technologies with SCFs, and a few newer potential applications are presented in this article. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

Choosing strategic responses to address emerging environmental regulations: size, perceived influence and uncertainty

AbstractHow companies respond to impending regulations is a significant aspect of corporate strategy. Regulations, especially environmental regulations, are expanding quickly and increasingly important to firm success. The threat of impending environmental regulation forces companies to choose levels of strategic responses on a continuum from passive to active. Using practitioner oriented research and existing theoretical models of corporate response, this study finds that the type of strategic response is negatively related to size, positively related to state uncertainty and negatively related to effect/response uncertainty. Based on existing literature and the results of this study, the paper suggests that simplifying the uncertainty construct could lead to more definitive findings in future research. The study results also suggest that a curvilinear relationship may exist between managerial perception of influence and level of strategic response.Most importantly, the findings could have a significant impact on firm decision making regarding environmental investments. For example, it is hoped that firms will be able to use the findings of this study to further understand and anticipate their competitors' decisions. Practitioners may also benefit from the conclusions on uncertainty in that they may be able to more cleanly parse the types of uncertainty immersed in impending environmental regulations. Finally, firms may be better able to understand decisions by their own managers and their competitors' managers in terms of their perceived influence over the regulatory process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Leading Edge of Plant Protection for Walnuts

English walnut (Juglans regia) producers in California compete with many insect and disease pests to produce an acceptable crop. Traditional control strategies work reasonably well for most pests. However, environmental concerns, loss of certain pesticides and new or impending regulations threaten the use of many traditional techniques for control of many of the pests. Codling moth (Cydia pomonella), walnut husk fly (Rhagoletis completa), and walnut aphid (Chromaphis juglandicola) are the major insects that affect California walnut production. Control strategies that use integrated pest management programs, beneficial insects, mating disruption, insect growth regulators, improved monitoring techniques and precise treatment timing based on the insect's life cycle are leading edge techniques currently available for insect control in walnuts. Major diseases include walnut blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. juglandis), crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and crown and root rot (Phytophthora spp). Both copper resistant and copper sensitive strains of the walnut blight bacterium are best controlled with combinations of copper bactericides and maneb instead of copper materials alone. A new computer model, Xanthocast, used to forecast the need for walnut blight treatment is under evaluation. Crown gall is managed using a preplant biological control agent and a heat treatment to eradicate existing galls. Phytophthora crown and root rot is dealt with primarily by site selection, irrigation management and rootstock selection.

Economic Consequences of Increasing Polymer Content for the U.S. Automobile Recycling Infrastructure

SummaryEnvironmental awareness regarding resource use and emissions over the life cycle of the automobile has heightened the concerns for end‐of‐life (EOL) vehicle disposal. With increasing use of lighter materials to enhance fuel economythe steel dominated content of automobiles is changing to include a greater fraction of polymers. In light of impending regulations for vehicle disposal, various alternatives for remanufacturing and reuse of components and material disposal are under investigation. For example, if shredder operations are used to reclaim metallic materials, then the extent of disassembly will significantly affect proftability as well as the environment.Using goal programming, we explore changes to the current US. vehicle recycling infrastructure for their effects on dismantler and shredder proftabilities. To investigate the effect of lightweighting on the profrtabilrty of the recycling infrastructure, two specific vehicle designs are compared: a steel unibody and a polymer‐intensive vehicle. Other scenarios examine the outcomes for mandating removal of polymer materials during disassembly and for increasing the disposal cost of scrap polymer to that of hazardous waste. The results indicate that, if properly controlled, the current automobile recycling infrastructure in the United States can remain economically viable while it improves with respect to environmental considerations. Alternatively, implementation of certain policies that reduce profitability could cause disastrous consequences, resulting in the economic collapse of the infrastructure.

Optimal Cleanup of Hazardous Wastes

Over the past decade, the world community has focused on the deleterious effects of hazardous waste on humans, wildlife, and the environment. The U.S. Congress established a 'Superfund' aimed at cleaning up these wastes. This legislation and the impending regulations have given little explicit recognition to either the opportunity cost of using resources to clean up waste or the possibility of intertemporal trade-offs. The authors formulate a dynamic model of waste cleanup that examines the environmental damage and resource cost of cleaning up hazardous wastes in order to determine the pace and extent of optimal cleanup. Copyright 1995 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.

Mini articles

Mirage Inks develop ultraviolet cured flexographic and gravure inks to allow printers to avoid the high cost of meeting impending EPA and COSSH regulations on solvent retrieval.

The Future Course of Solid Waste Management in the U.S

It is postulated that the current "garbage crisis" is due to a shortage of disposal capacity, not to burgeoning amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW). In support of this, trends in the quantity and composition of MSW, methods of waste reduction, recycling and growth of waste-to-energy capacity are examined to gain insight as to the future course of MSW management in the U.S. over about the next 15 plus years. This is the likely time to install new disposal capacity if pending legislative proposals are passed, that would enable states that provide their own disposal to ban wastes from other states. A new term, the "intensity of waste generation", is proposed and illustrated, analogous to the intensity of mineral usage. The intensity is decreasing, implying that it is unlikely that waste generation will grow at rates projected by extrapolation or simple macroeconomic assumptions. Some other conclusions are: per capita MSW generation was nearly statistically constant from 1970 to 1984; the content of most forms of packaging in MSW are decreasing; packaging decreases the amount of food residues in MSW; and proposed national recycling targets of about 25% or more are not likely to be achieved, in part because of changes in the composition of MSW. Coupled with likely shortages of labor to process separated waste, it is forecast that there will be some future time when people will not think source separation is worth the bother and recycling will decrease. The future growth of waste-to-energy capacity is projected by assuming that a city will install capacity when others have done so, which leads to a simple quantitative model. The likely effects of impending landfill and incineration regulations are addressed.

Economic Analysis of Alternative Manure Handling Systems by Size of Dairy Herd

Sensitivity of the general public to pollution of air, water and land has been rapidly increasing as urban development spreads into rural areas of Maryland, the Northeast and the nation. Among the rural groups who have become vitally concerned with this situation are dairy farmers. They are especially concerned over impending regulations for handling animal wastes and the possible effect on the economics of dairy operations.

Paper 8: Engine Tuning to Minimize Exhaust Emissions

With the minimum amount of time available to satisfy impending pollution regulations, a hurried programme of engine research and development was embarked upon to reduce emissions by the simplest and quickest means. Early attempts with air injection methods had shown promising results, but installation problems resulted in efforts directed towards an engine tuning approach. With lean set carburation and retarded ignition, tests showed that emission levels could be reached which were within striking distance of the proposed limits. Analysis of the various modes of operation showed that deceleration peaks, and in the case of manual transmissions, gear change peaks, were highly contributing factors. A simple type poppet valve incorporated in the throttle plate of the carburettor, and set to operate at a given manifold depression, considerably reduced emissions during deceleration and gear change, bringing composite values within the prescribed limits. Further development of the valve was undertaken and is described in the text. The development of systems involved investigation into carburettor metering, mixture preparation, ignition timing, temperature compensation, throttle damping, and fuel cut-off.