Matter Filtration Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of porous reaction bonded silicon nitride by paraffin emulsified suspension

Porous Si3N4 ceramics with an interconnected pore structure were prepared by a paraffin emulsified suspension method. The effects of the volume ratio of paraffin to silicon and Y2O3 addition on the structure and properties of porous Si3N4 were studied. Uniform dispersed pores introduced by the emulsified paraffine droplets can be observed in the green samples. With the increase of the volume ratio of paraffin to silicon, the bulk density and the strength of the sample were decreased, and the apparent porosity and Darcy permeability were increased. The formation of α-Si3N4 whiskers could be promoted by the addition of the Y2O3 during the nitriding process, and numerous nano whiskers could be obtained in the pores left by the paraffine droplets with suitable addition of the Y2O3. The porous Si3N4 with interconnected whiskers prepared via the paraffin emulsion method exhibited potential application for hot gas particular matter filtration.

Influence of surface layer on hydrology and biology of gravel bed vertical flow constructed wetlands

In France, gravel vertical flow constructed wetlands (gVFCWs) were adapted to treat raw wastewater, which led to important accumulations of matter in filters (organic and mineral). To prevent clogging, large gravel sizes were employed (O 2-6 mm). The aim of this paper was to present the influences of matter accumulation on the hydraulic and biological behaviour of the system. A one-year survey of accumulated matter content and potential respiration activities was completed in three gVFCWs (operating for 3, 4 and 8 years). Cores were sampled into filters. Results showed a vertical stratification of accumulated matter and respiration rates. Dry accumulated matter quantities ranged from 20 kg m(-2) (3 and 4 years operating) to 80 kg m(-2) in the oldest plant (8 years). Potential respiration was larger in the oldest plant (75g O2m(-2)h(-1)) than in the most recent one (15g O2m(-2)h(-1)). Accumulated matter seemed to play a role both on the water retention (enhancing initial percolation time by 5 times) and biological profile (enhancing microfauna's diversity). Contrary to what is generally proposed in the literature, accumulated matter in French gVFCWs seemed to provide better treatment efficiency without leading to surface clogging compared to systems using sand.

Mass balance of organic carbon fractions in atmospheric aerosols

Total suspended particulate matter was collected in two Portuguese urban areas (Lisbon and Aveiro) and in a Finnish forested site. Samples were sequentially extracted with dichloromethane and water. The solvent extract was separated by flash chromatography into aliphatics, aromatics, carbonyls, alcohols, and an acidic fraction, and analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. An organic/black carbon analyzer was used to evaluate the carbonaceous matter in filters, the water‐soluble fraction, solvent extractable material, and the content of different organic classes. Results showed that the common simple extraction with dichloromethane is able to dissolve less than 50% of the particulate organic material. The successive extraction with water removes an important quantity of the leftover organic polar compounds. The sum of both extractions recovers between 70% and 90% of the organic carbon present. The amount of oxygenated compounds is frequently more than 70% of the extracted material, with a large predominance of organic acids and alcohols, especially for particles with diameters less than 0.49 μm. The organic compounds identified in the extractable atmospheric particulate matter are represented by primary compounds with both anthropogenic and biogenic origin, which mainly derive from vegetation waxes and from petrogenic sources. Secondary products resulting from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds were also detected. The water‐soluble fraction contains essentially oxocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids, and cellulosic constituents. In accordance with the anthropogenic characteristics of the sampling sites, nonpolar fractions constitute up to 24% of the extracted organic carbon in Lisbon and present high levels of petroleum markers, while in the forested station these compounds represent 8%. The oxygenated organic compounds account for 76–92% of the extracted carbon in samples from Aveiro and Finland. Owing to favorable photochemical conditions during the sampling campaign, secondary organic constituents present higher levels in Aveiro. The forested site is the one where the water‐soluble components show greater variability and concentrations.