Electronic waste (WEEE; from TV screens to electric toothbrushes) is one of the fastest growing w... more Electronic waste (WEEE; from TV screens to electric toothbrushes) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Prior to recycling, e-waste components (metals, wood, glass, etc.) are processed by shredding, grinding and chainsaw cutting. These activities generate fine and ultrafine particle emissions, containing metals as well as organics (e.g., flame retardants), which have high potential for human health impacts as well as for environmental release. In this work, release of fine and ultrafine particles, and their exposure impacts, was assessed in an e-waste recycling facility under real-world operating conditions. Parameters monitored were black carbon, particle mass concentrations, ultrafine particles, and aerosol morphology and chemical composition. Potential health impacts were assessed in terms of cytotoxicity (cell viability) and oxidative stress (ROS) on <2 μm particles collected in liquid suspension. Environmental release of WEEE aerosols was evidenced by the higher particle concentrations monitored outside the facility when compared to the urban background (43 vs.11 μgPM2.5/m3, respectively, or 2.4 vs. 0.2 μgCa/m3). Inside the facility, concentrations were higher in the top than on the ground floor (PM2.5 = 147 vs. 78 μg/m3, N = 15.4 ∗ 104 vs. 8.7 ∗ 104/cm3, BC = 12.4 vs. 7.2 μg/m3). Ventilation was a key driver of human exposure, in combination with particle emissions. Key chemical tracers were Ca (from plastic fillers) and Fe (from wiring and other metal components). Y, Zr, Cd, Pb, P and Bi were markers of cathode TV recycling, and Li and Cr of grinding activities. While aerosols did not evidence cytotoxic effects, ROS generation was detected in 4 out of the 12 samples collected, associated to the ultrafine fraction. We conclude on the need for studies on aerosol emissions from WEEE facilities, especially in Europe, due to their demonstrable environmental and human health impacts and the rapidly growing generation of this type of waste.
European harbours are known to contribute to air quality degradation. While most of the literatur... more European harbours are known to contribute to air quality degradation. While most of the literature focuses on emissions from stacks or logistics operations, ship refit and repair activities are also relevant aerosol sources in EU harbour areas. Main activities include abrasive removal of filler and spray painting with antifouling coatings/primers/topcoats. This work aimed to assess ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions from ship maintenance activities and their links with exposure, toxicity and health risks for humans and the aquatic environment. Aerosol emissions were monitored during mechanical abrasion of surface coatings under real-world operating conditions in two scenarios in the Mallorca harbour (Spain). Different types of UFPs were observed: (1) highly regular (triangular, hexagonal) engineered nanoparticles (Ti-, Zr-, Fe-based), embedded as nano-additives in the coatings, and (2) irregular, incidental particles emitted directly or formed during abrasion. Particle number concentrations monitored were in the range of industrial activities such as drilling or welding (up to 5 ∗ 105/cm3, mean diameters <30 nm). The chemical composition of PM4 aerosols was dominated by metallic tracers in the coatings (Ti, Al, Ba, Zn). In vitro toxicity of PM2 aerosols evidenced reduced cell viability and a moderate potential for cytotoxic effects. While best practices (exhaust ventilation, personal protective equipment, dust removal) were in place, it is unlikely that exposures and environmental release can be fully avoided at all times. Thus, it is advisable that health and safety protocols should be comprehensive to minimise exposures in all types of locations (near- and far-field) and periods (activity and non-activity). Potential release to coastal surface waters of metallic engineered and incidental nanomaterials, as well as fine and coarse particles (in the case of settled dust), should be assessed and avoided.
The results of this study show the high impact that anthropogenic fugitive emissions of mineral d... more The results of this study show the high impact that anthropogenic fugitive emissions of mineral dust have on air quality (levels of PM(10), PM(2.5) and some metals) in a region in SE Spain named L&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;Alacantí. This could be extensive to other areas of Europe with similar characteristics. Fugitive emissions, such as those arising from large public construction works, cement and ceramic manufacturing, mining, heavy industries, handling and transport of powdered raw materials and road dust, are very often left out of emission monitoring and inspections in Europe. The comparative study of daily PM(10) series in the area shows how the increase of annual average PM(10) concentrations over 40 microg/m(3) is due to extreme episodes occurring in 2006 and 2007, at a regional scale, given the simultaneous recording of PM episodes at distant monitoring sites. The annual average values of the PM(10) concentrations were close to or slightly higher than 40 microg/m(3) (limit value of Directive 2008/50/CE) during 2006-2007 (Alicante-University 39-41, Agost 40-42, Sant Vicent 42-46, Alicante-El Plà 40-42 microg/m(3)). The main PM(10) sources in the zone were identified with the assistance of the PMF receptor model. Six common factors were determined, mineral as a main source (37% at Agost and 32% at Sant Vicent), road traffic, secondary sulfate, petroleum coke, sea spray and industry. Mineralogical studies, with XRD and SEM-EDX techniques, support the hypothesis that the highest PM episodes are associated to fugitive emissions of mineral matter. Despite the fact that L&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;Alacantí region is a heavily industrialized area with two cement plants and a significant number of ceramic manufacturing plants, the fugitive emissions may have accounted for the exceedances of the PM limit values during these two years, part of them caused by the construction of a highway. These results may contribute to the interpretation of prior studies on source apportionment carried out in Southern Europe, with very high loads of anthropogenic dust in PM(10) and PM(2.5).
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2009
Speciated coarse particulate matter (PM10) data obtained at three air quality monitoring sites in... more Speciated coarse particulate matter (PM10) data obtained at three air quality monitoring sites in a highly industrialized area in Spain between 2002 and 2007 were analyzed for assessing source contribution of ambient particulate matter (PM). The source apportionment of PM in this area is an especially difficult task. There are industrial mineral dust emissions that need to be separately quantified from the natural sources of mineral PM. On the other hand, the diversity of industrial processes in the area results in a puzzling industrial emissions scenario. To solve this complex problem, a two-step methodology based on the possibilities of the Multilinear Engine was used. Application of positive matrix factorization to the dataset allowed the identification of nine factors relevant to the study area. This preliminary analysis permitted resolving two mineral factors. As a second step, a target rotation was implemented for transforming the mineral factors into experimentally characterized soil resuspension and industrial clay sources. In addition to improving the physical interpretation of these factors, the target rotation reduced the errors arising from the rotational freedom of the solution and the multicollinearity among sources. In this way, the main primary industrial emissions of PM in the zone were identified by this target factor analysis. A marked decrease was observed between 2002 and 2007 for the contributions of industrial sources coinciding with the implementation of mitigation measures in their processes. This study supports the utility of source apportionment methodologies for quantitatively evaluating the effectiveness of the abatement programs for air quality improvement.
Road dust emissions are considered to be a major source of airborne particulate matter (PM). This... more Road dust emissions are considered to be a major source of airborne particulate matter (PM). This is particularly true for industrial environments, where there are high resuspension rates of deposited dust. The calculation of roads as PM emission sources has mostly focused on the consequences of this emission, viz. the increase in PM concentrations. That approach addresses the atmospheric transport of the emitted dust, and not its primary origin. In contrast, this paper examines the causes of the emission. The study is based on mass conservation of the dust deposited on the road surface. On the basis of this premise, estimates of emission rates were calculated from experimental data obtained in a road in a ceramic industrial area.
A new ceramic powder preparation process, the droplet–powder granulation process (DPGP), was rece... more A new ceramic powder preparation process, the droplet–powder granulation process (DPGP), was recently proposed in pursuit of energy/water conservation and environment protection for sustainable development of the ceramic industry.This study characterizes the DPGP granules and resulting pressed green compacts and compares them with those obtained using traditional spray-drying (hereafter SD) and granulation (hereafter G) processes. Powder and granule properties (granule size distribution, flowability, microstructure, yield pressure, etc.), powder pressing behaviour, and green compact properties (microstructure, bending strength, etc.) were determined. The properties of the DPGP powder and the resulting compacts displayed an intermediate performance between those of the powders and compacts obtained by the SD and G processes, demonstrating the feasibility of the DPGP process in the pre-firing stage of porcelain tile manufacture. The study also shows that, in addition to the key spray-mixing step, the subsequent rolling treatment also plays a major role in DPGP granule formation.
ABSTRACT The ceramic tile manufacturing process consumes a great amount of energy, mainly thermal... more ABSTRACT The ceramic tile manufacturing process consumes a great amount of energy, mainly thermal energy, which is obtained from natural gas combustion. The increa-sed cost of this fuel and the current economic situation make cost a critical issue that can hurt company competitiveness. The ceramic tile firing process in roller kilns does not exactly stand out for its energy efficiency, because about 50% of the energy input is lost through the kiln combustion flue gas and cooling gas stacks. With a view to improving the reuse of the energy consumed in the firing ope-ration, two heat exchangers were installed in the stacks of a kiln. In these heat exchangers, the kiln gases transfer their sensible heat to a thermal oil that then passes this on, through two other exchangers, to the drying gases in the recircu-lation ducts of a vertical dryer. This study presents an experimental industrial plant in a fine-tuning test pha-se, in which the preliminary results indicate an energy efficiency improvement in a range of 60–90%, depending on the operating conditions and processed mate-rials.
The capacity for suction or absorption of water through the ceramic base is ofgreat importance in... more The capacity for suction or absorption of water through the ceramic base is ofgreat importance in the manufacturing of porous tiles. By absorbing water at its boiling temperature, the open porosity of the ceramicbase is determined. Resistance to freezing is also intimately connected with the amount of water which the ceramic piece can absorb. Finally, the speed at which the ceramic base absorbs (or suctions) the slip water during the glazing operation is a determining factor of the time necessary for the layer ofglaze applied to "dry" or become consolidated, with sufficient adherence for it to anchor . onto the base well, and without the appearance ofundulations or other textural problems which might affect the quality of the glaze resulting from the second firing.
Electronic waste (WEEE; from TV screens to electric toothbrushes) is one of the fastest growing w... more Electronic waste (WEEE; from TV screens to electric toothbrushes) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Prior to recycling, e-waste components (metals, wood, glass, etc.) are processed by shredding, grinding and chainsaw cutting. These activities generate fine and ultrafine particle emissions, containing metals as well as organics (e.g., flame retardants), which have high potential for human health impacts as well as for environmental release. In this work, release of fine and ultrafine particles, and their exposure impacts, was assessed in an e-waste recycling facility under real-world operating conditions. Parameters monitored were black carbon, particle mass concentrations, ultrafine particles, and aerosol morphology and chemical composition. Potential health impacts were assessed in terms of cytotoxicity (cell viability) and oxidative stress (ROS) on <2 μm particles collected in liquid suspension. Environmental release of WEEE aerosols was evidenced by the higher particle concentrations monitored outside the facility when compared to the urban background (43 vs.11 μgPM2.5/m3, respectively, or 2.4 vs. 0.2 μgCa/m3). Inside the facility, concentrations were higher in the top than on the ground floor (PM2.5 = 147 vs. 78 μg/m3, N = 15.4 ∗ 104 vs. 8.7 ∗ 104/cm3, BC = 12.4 vs. 7.2 μg/m3). Ventilation was a key driver of human exposure, in combination with particle emissions. Key chemical tracers were Ca (from plastic fillers) and Fe (from wiring and other metal components). Y, Zr, Cd, Pb, P and Bi were markers of cathode TV recycling, and Li and Cr of grinding activities. While aerosols did not evidence cytotoxic effects, ROS generation was detected in 4 out of the 12 samples collected, associated to the ultrafine fraction. We conclude on the need for studies on aerosol emissions from WEEE facilities, especially in Europe, due to their demonstrable environmental and human health impacts and the rapidly growing generation of this type of waste.
European harbours are known to contribute to air quality degradation. While most of the literatur... more European harbours are known to contribute to air quality degradation. While most of the literature focuses on emissions from stacks or logistics operations, ship refit and repair activities are also relevant aerosol sources in EU harbour areas. Main activities include abrasive removal of filler and spray painting with antifouling coatings/primers/topcoats. This work aimed to assess ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions from ship maintenance activities and their links with exposure, toxicity and health risks for humans and the aquatic environment. Aerosol emissions were monitored during mechanical abrasion of surface coatings under real-world operating conditions in two scenarios in the Mallorca harbour (Spain). Different types of UFPs were observed: (1) highly regular (triangular, hexagonal) engineered nanoparticles (Ti-, Zr-, Fe-based), embedded as nano-additives in the coatings, and (2) irregular, incidental particles emitted directly or formed during abrasion. Particle number concentrations monitored were in the range of industrial activities such as drilling or welding (up to 5 ∗ 105/cm3, mean diameters <30 nm). The chemical composition of PM4 aerosols was dominated by metallic tracers in the coatings (Ti, Al, Ba, Zn). In vitro toxicity of PM2 aerosols evidenced reduced cell viability and a moderate potential for cytotoxic effects. While best practices (exhaust ventilation, personal protective equipment, dust removal) were in place, it is unlikely that exposures and environmental release can be fully avoided at all times. Thus, it is advisable that health and safety protocols should be comprehensive to minimise exposures in all types of locations (near- and far-field) and periods (activity and non-activity). Potential release to coastal surface waters of metallic engineered and incidental nanomaterials, as well as fine and coarse particles (in the case of settled dust), should be assessed and avoided.
The results of this study show the high impact that anthropogenic fugitive emissions of mineral d... more The results of this study show the high impact that anthropogenic fugitive emissions of mineral dust have on air quality (levels of PM(10), PM(2.5) and some metals) in a region in SE Spain named L&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;Alacantí. This could be extensive to other areas of Europe with similar characteristics. Fugitive emissions, such as those arising from large public construction works, cement and ceramic manufacturing, mining, heavy industries, handling and transport of powdered raw materials and road dust, are very often left out of emission monitoring and inspections in Europe. The comparative study of daily PM(10) series in the area shows how the increase of annual average PM(10) concentrations over 40 microg/m(3) is due to extreme episodes occurring in 2006 and 2007, at a regional scale, given the simultaneous recording of PM episodes at distant monitoring sites. The annual average values of the PM(10) concentrations were close to or slightly higher than 40 microg/m(3) (limit value of Directive 2008/50/CE) during 2006-2007 (Alicante-University 39-41, Agost 40-42, Sant Vicent 42-46, Alicante-El Plà 40-42 microg/m(3)). The main PM(10) sources in the zone were identified with the assistance of the PMF receptor model. Six common factors were determined, mineral as a main source (37% at Agost and 32% at Sant Vicent), road traffic, secondary sulfate, petroleum coke, sea spray and industry. Mineralogical studies, with XRD and SEM-EDX techniques, support the hypothesis that the highest PM episodes are associated to fugitive emissions of mineral matter. Despite the fact that L&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;Alacantí region is a heavily industrialized area with two cement plants and a significant number of ceramic manufacturing plants, the fugitive emissions may have accounted for the exceedances of the PM limit values during these two years, part of them caused by the construction of a highway. These results may contribute to the interpretation of prior studies on source apportionment carried out in Southern Europe, with very high loads of anthropogenic dust in PM(10) and PM(2.5).
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2009
Speciated coarse particulate matter (PM10) data obtained at three air quality monitoring sites in... more Speciated coarse particulate matter (PM10) data obtained at three air quality monitoring sites in a highly industrialized area in Spain between 2002 and 2007 were analyzed for assessing source contribution of ambient particulate matter (PM). The source apportionment of PM in this area is an especially difficult task. There are industrial mineral dust emissions that need to be separately quantified from the natural sources of mineral PM. On the other hand, the diversity of industrial processes in the area results in a puzzling industrial emissions scenario. To solve this complex problem, a two-step methodology based on the possibilities of the Multilinear Engine was used. Application of positive matrix factorization to the dataset allowed the identification of nine factors relevant to the study area. This preliminary analysis permitted resolving two mineral factors. As a second step, a target rotation was implemented for transforming the mineral factors into experimentally characterized soil resuspension and industrial clay sources. In addition to improving the physical interpretation of these factors, the target rotation reduced the errors arising from the rotational freedom of the solution and the multicollinearity among sources. In this way, the main primary industrial emissions of PM in the zone were identified by this target factor analysis. A marked decrease was observed between 2002 and 2007 for the contributions of industrial sources coinciding with the implementation of mitigation measures in their processes. This study supports the utility of source apportionment methodologies for quantitatively evaluating the effectiveness of the abatement programs for air quality improvement.
Road dust emissions are considered to be a major source of airborne particulate matter (PM). This... more Road dust emissions are considered to be a major source of airborne particulate matter (PM). This is particularly true for industrial environments, where there are high resuspension rates of deposited dust. The calculation of roads as PM emission sources has mostly focused on the consequences of this emission, viz. the increase in PM concentrations. That approach addresses the atmospheric transport of the emitted dust, and not its primary origin. In contrast, this paper examines the causes of the emission. The study is based on mass conservation of the dust deposited on the road surface. On the basis of this premise, estimates of emission rates were calculated from experimental data obtained in a road in a ceramic industrial area.
A new ceramic powder preparation process, the droplet–powder granulation process (DPGP), was rece... more A new ceramic powder preparation process, the droplet–powder granulation process (DPGP), was recently proposed in pursuit of energy/water conservation and environment protection for sustainable development of the ceramic industry.This study characterizes the DPGP granules and resulting pressed green compacts and compares them with those obtained using traditional spray-drying (hereafter SD) and granulation (hereafter G) processes. Powder and granule properties (granule size distribution, flowability, microstructure, yield pressure, etc.), powder pressing behaviour, and green compact properties (microstructure, bending strength, etc.) were determined. The properties of the DPGP powder and the resulting compacts displayed an intermediate performance between those of the powders and compacts obtained by the SD and G processes, demonstrating the feasibility of the DPGP process in the pre-firing stage of porcelain tile manufacture. The study also shows that, in addition to the key spray-mixing step, the subsequent rolling treatment also plays a major role in DPGP granule formation.
ABSTRACT The ceramic tile manufacturing process consumes a great amount of energy, mainly thermal... more ABSTRACT The ceramic tile manufacturing process consumes a great amount of energy, mainly thermal energy, which is obtained from natural gas combustion. The increa-sed cost of this fuel and the current economic situation make cost a critical issue that can hurt company competitiveness. The ceramic tile firing process in roller kilns does not exactly stand out for its energy efficiency, because about 50% of the energy input is lost through the kiln combustion flue gas and cooling gas stacks. With a view to improving the reuse of the energy consumed in the firing ope-ration, two heat exchangers were installed in the stacks of a kiln. In these heat exchangers, the kiln gases transfer their sensible heat to a thermal oil that then passes this on, through two other exchangers, to the drying gases in the recircu-lation ducts of a vertical dryer. This study presents an experimental industrial plant in a fine-tuning test pha-se, in which the preliminary results indicate an energy efficiency improvement in a range of 60–90%, depending on the operating conditions and processed mate-rials.
The capacity for suction or absorption of water through the ceramic base is ofgreat importance in... more The capacity for suction or absorption of water through the ceramic base is ofgreat importance in the manufacturing of porous tiles. By absorbing water at its boiling temperature, the open porosity of the ceramicbase is determined. Resistance to freezing is also intimately connected with the amount of water which the ceramic piece can absorb. Finally, the speed at which the ceramic base absorbs (or suctions) the slip water during the glazing operation is a determining factor of the time necessary for the layer ofglaze applied to "dry" or become consolidated, with sufficient adherence for it to anchor . onto the base well, and without the appearance ofundulations or other textural problems which might affect the quality of the glaze resulting from the second firing.
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Papers by Eliseo Monfort Gimeno