Chemistry for Protection of The Environment, Proceedings of an International Conference

583 Pages·1984·14.711 MB·iii-vii, 1-625\583

by  L. Pawlowski, A.J. Verdier and W.J. Lacy (Eds.)

Studies in Environmental Science 23
CHEMISTRY FOR PROTECTION
OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Proceedings of an International Conference, Toulouse, France, 19-25 September 1983
Organized under sponsorship of
The Federation of European Chemical Societies, United States Environmental Protection Agency and
Ministere FranGais de I'Environnement
by the lnstitut National des Sciences Appliquees, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse and The Polish
Chemical Society
Edited by
1. Pawlowski
institute of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodow ska University, PI. M. C. Sklodowskiej 3,
20-03 1 Lublin, Poland
A.J. Verdier
Ecole Nationale Supgrieure de Chimie, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse Cedex, Fral
W.J. Lacy
US. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Washington,
DC 20460, U.S.A.
ELSEVl E R 1984
Amsterdam - Oxford - New York - Tokyo
ELSEVIER SCIENCE PUBLISHERS B.V.
Molenwerf 1,
P.O. Box 21 1, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Distributors for the United States and Canada:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE PUBLISHING COMPANY INC.
52, Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Main entry under title:
Chemistry for protection of the environment.
(Studies in environmental science ; 23)
Biblfography: p.
Includes indexes.
1. Sewage--Purification-Congresses. 2. Environmental
chemistry--Congresses. 3. Pollutants--Enviromental
aspects--Congresses. I. Pawlowski, Zucjan. 11. Verdier,
A. (Alan) 111. Lacy, W. J. (William J.) IV. Series.
T'D'745. C43 1984 628 84-6051
ISBN 0-444-42347-8 (U.S.)
ISBN 044442347-8 (V01.23)
ISBN 044441696-X (Series)
0 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., 1984
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other-
wise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., P.O. Box
330, 1000 AH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Printed in The Netherlands
V
Lucjan PAWLOWSKI (Ph.D. D.Sc.) is Docent - eq. to Associate
Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science at Technical
University of Lublin (Politechnika Lubelska). Born in 1946 in
Poland. He received his D.Sc. (1980) in EnvironmentalEngineer-
ing, Ph.D. (1976) in Environmental Chemistry both from Tech-
nical University of Wroctaw and M.Sc. (1969) in Chemistry from
Maria Curie-Sklodowska University. He has adited 2 books, was
co-author of 4 books, 78 scientific papers and 39 patents. He is
coeditor of an international journal Rective Polymers. He is a
chairman of the Division of Environmental Chemistry and
Engineering of the Polish Chemical Society. His research interest
are directed toward application of chemical methods for recycl-
ing of wastes.
Alain J. Verdier (Ph.D.) is Prafessor of Chemistry in Institut Na-
tional des Sciences Appliquees (INSA) - Toulouse. Born in 1939
in France. He received his Ph.D. (1966) and M.Sc. (1960) in
Chemistry both from Paul Sabatier University. He has edited
1 book, was author or co-author of 28 papers and 3 patents. He
is a director of the Chemistry Department of INSA. His research
interest are directed toward application of chemical methods
for wastewater treatment.
William J. LACY (Ph.D.) is a director, Water and Waste Mana-
gement Monitoring Research, ORD, US EPA. Born in 1928. He
received BS (1950) in Chemistry and Ph.D. (1959) in Chemical
Engineering from University of Connectitut. He is author or
co-author of 149 publications, 2 patents and 4 books, editor 3
text books and contributes to 5 other books. He serves on the
Editorial Advisory Boards of Industrial Wastewater Engineering,
Environmental International Journal and Pollution Engineering.
He is a president of PTA; Board Director of Mansion House
Swim and Tennis Club, Officer in Mari'sion House Yacht Club,
Vice President Mount Vernon Citizens Association, Foster
Parent (to date 29 childrzn have been under his home care).
VII
ADVISORY SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
A. ABADIE, I.N.S.A., Toulouse, France
E. ANGELIER, UniversiteP aul Sabatiw, Toulouse, France
G. ALEARTS, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
J . BARCICKI, Maria Curie-Sklodow ska University,P oland
D. BARNES, The University of New South Wales, Sidney, Australia
R. BENAIM,I.F.T.S. - Agen, France
B. A. BOLTO, CSIRO - Melbourne, Australia
W. J. COOPER, Horida International University, Miami, USA
U. COSKUNER, Transturk Holdings AS., Istanbul, Turkey
P. DOLEJS, Czechoslovak Academy of Science, Czechoslovakia
J, FONTAN, UniversiteP aul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
F. EL-GOHARY, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
P. GRAMMONT, Duolite International, Chauny, France
R. GRINNEL, Boston State University,B oston, USA
M. GROMIEC, IMG W - Wmsaw, Poland
J. M. HEFTY, Rohrn and Hass, USA
L. JACKSON, Dpt of Energy, USA
A. L. KOWAL, Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland
R. G. LANZA, The University of Texas ar Dallas, USA
L. LIBERTI, Instituto di Ricerca Sulle Acoue, Italy
K. MELLANBY, Monks Wood Experimental Station, U.K.
G . MOUVIER , UniversiteP aris WI,F rance
N. L. NEMEROW, University of Miami, USA
A. PORANEK, Rivers Stare University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
N. RAMANATHAN, Government of India, Dept. of Environment, New Delhi, India
A. RODRIGUEZ, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
L. D. ROLAND, Foster Wheeler Limited, U.K.
G. SHELEF, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
K. SNIDVONGS, Office of the National Environment Board, Bangkok, Thailand
V. SOLDATOV, Academy of Science, Minsk, USSR
G. TIRAVANTI, Instituto di Ricerca Sulle Acoue, Italy
J. K. WALTERS, University of Nottingham, U.K.
T. WINNICKI, Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland
M. H. WONG, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
G. YOUSIF SIR EL KAHTIM, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
Toulouse, France Toulouse, France Toulouse, France
1
FOREWORD
The first conference of this series ws organized in I976 at the Maria Curie-Sktodow-
ska University in Lublin, Poland, and was on a national level. During this conference
discussions were held on the findings and results of the many Polish-US. funded environ-
mental research projects. However, the great interest aroused in the conclusions and re-
commendations discussed at that conference stimulated the participants to oRanize the
next conference in I9 79, which evolved into one involving international participation.
The proceedings of this second conference which contains 32 peer selected papers were
published by Pergamon Press in I980.
The third multi-national conference in this series was organized and held at the MCK
University in Lublin, Poland, in 1981. The attendees were a significant group of leading
scientists from all of Europe and the USA. The proceedings of this conference, which
contains 36 selected peer-reviewed papers, were published by Elsevier in I982 in their
well known-series “Studies in Environmental Science’:
During the organizational phase of the fourth international conference, the Executive
Committee decided to change its title for a broader one i.e. ‘CHEMISTRY FOR PRO-
TECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT’: The basic reason underlying that decision was the
comments received from various scientists who indicated that a need existed to provide
an international forum for all chemists and chemical engineers involved in environmental
protection activities. The title used for the first three conferences, i.e. ‘FHYSICOCHE-
MICAL METHODS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER TREAWENT”, was some-
what limiting because it tended to exclude those who utilize chemical processes outside
of the conventional water environment.
It is realized that any pollution control action tohy must take into consideration not
only the water problems but also proper environmental handling of the sludge and relat-
ed air pollution problems, In all these cases chemical processes normally play a highly
significant role. It was therefore concluded by the Executive Committee that there is
indeed a need to provide a forum for chemical scientists and engineers who are dedicated
to the worthy mission of making a cleaner, healthier world for everyone. This fourth
conference thus focused on the application of chemical methods for environmental pro-
tection and its main purpose was to provide a setting for the exchange of scientific and
technical knowledge between those who know chemistry and those who know about
environmental problems. In other words, the fourth Conferencew as to help link know-
ledge of chemistry with the environmental problems to be solved by chemical methods.
The Executive Committee hoped that this conference would attract the interest of those
talented scientists and engineers currently not involved in such problems, but who might
have useful ideas to contribute on how to clean our environment.
This fourth conference attracted participants from 34 countries representing all con-
tinents and included scientists and engineers from the many developing nations of Africa,
Asia and South Afnca. Nevertheless, the biggest contribution to the fourth international
2
conference came mainly from France, Poland and the USA. The participants obtained
a good overview on how the chemical processes are used in different countries of the
world, and made this scientific conference of special interest and an extremely valuable
source of information and technology transfer,
The United States Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Research
and Development, provided this conference with special funds allowing us to bring wide
and diversified scientific representation .from different nations. Therefore, on beharf of
all the sponsored particimnts, we would like to thank the US.E nvironmental Protection
Agency for its support.
The Executive Committees agree that it is a good idea to organize and continue this
endeavor with a similar conference biennial&. The next one, the fifth international con-
ference, will thus be held 9-13 September 1985, at the Gztholic Universi@ of Leuven,
Belgium
We hope thst this series of scientific conferences will continue to grow, receive more
scientific contributions and attract an even wider representation of chemists and chemical
engineers from all over the world.
LUCJAN PAWLOWSKI
ALAIN VERDIER
WILLIAM J. LACY
Editors
TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT : ALLIES OR ANTAGONISTS?
B. A. BOLT0
CSIRO Division of Chemical and Wood Technology,
Private Bag 10, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
J. BARCICKI, Z. KOZAK
Department of Chemical Technology, Institite of Chemistiy,
Maria Cbie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
L. PAWLOWSKI
Visiting Scientist at CSIRO from Maria &rie-Sklodowska University,
20-031 Lublin. Poland
ABSTRACT
The phenomenally rapid development of technology, especially in the 20th century, has enormo-
usly increased Man’s ability to produce goods which have enhanced his standard of living. However,
this development has also generated a secondary phenomenon, the pollution of Man’s environment.
This has had the contrary effect of leading to a deterioration in the quality of life. For much of hi-
story, an enhancement in the quality of life arising from new technology has overshadowed its nega-
tive effects upon the environment. Recently there has been some doubt as to whether the further
development of technology will necessarily guarantee an improvement in the quality of life.
The authors discuss the relationship between technology and the main components of the envi-
ronment, water and air, and its impact on Man’s living conditions. Technology, appropriately used,
can be a powerful force for the improvement of the environment. Relevant actions for upgrading the
quality of water and air are put forward. The authors also discuss problems arising from the exploita-
tion of energy resources, with particular reference to the surrounding water and air.
1. INTRODUCTION
Actions being taken to protect the environment are similar to those pursued in the de-
velopment of new technology (which itself contributes to a deterioration in the environ-
ment). They ensure a better quality of life for Man by providing him with healthier con-
ditions, both physically and psychologically. Therefore, discussions about which is the
more important - new technology or a healthy environment - are senseless as both are
essential for the well-being of Man.
6
The rapid development of technology, especially in the 20th century, has increased
enormously Man’s ability to produce goods to enhance his standard of living. This ability
to produce goods more efficiently has made by it necessary to emphasize marketing. As
Man’s basic needs are limited, there has been a great effort to create psychologically a
demand for unnecessary goods which are supposed to make for a decent life. This artifi-
cial demand, in turn, increases productivity. However, an increase in productivity accele-
rates not only the exhaustion of raw materials, but also the deterioration of the environ-
ment through the discharge of wastes. Some doubt must arise as to whether further in-
creases in consumption really lead to an improvement in the quality of life, especially
when there is a natural limitation of the resources necessary to establish consumption at
the level reached by developed countries. Therefore, we believe that the protection of
the environment, or improvements to the quality of life, require the development of an
adequate model of life. This should be done by influencing human needs and priorities
rather than by strict regulations.
Chemistry plays a particular role amongst the scientific and technological disciplines.
It development has had a great impact on the environment, as understood in the broadest
terms; surely, the providing of medicines and disinfectants has contributed enormously
to an improvement in the control and even the virtual elimination of many diseases, and
the development of synthetic fertilizers has increased the efficiency of food production.
However, the development of chemistry has also created new non-biodegradable che-
micals, previously unknown in nature. Some of these chemicals have seriously interfered
with many forms of life on our planet, causing new diseases. Chemistry itself has thus
become an important part of the environment, and its influence should be carefully
investigated. Of course, chemistry serves also to preserve the environment from pollu-
tion. It provides us with the means of eliminating some of the negative physical influences
of our civilization. It is to show this very beneficial role of chemistry in the protection
of the environment that we meet here.
A lot of detailed chemical processes dealing not only with environmental protection,
but also with ways of slowing down the exhaustion of raw materials by recovering them
from wastes, wdl be presented during this meeting. Our intention in this paper is to put
forward some quite general, strategic aims and how chemical methods may be utilized
in achieving these aims.
2. RESOURCES FOR HUMAN NEEDS
Natural, non-renewable resources are continuously being dispersed throughout the
world by Man. The total quantity of resources available does note decrease because of
this activity, but those resources are transformed from a concentrated into a diluted form
so that they become virtually irretrievable. Theoretically it is possible to imagine a pro-
cess which would allow one to extract the material for further use once diluted. However,
apart from economic difficulties there are some natural limitations, such as the amount
of energy which would be required.
One might think that scientific and technical knowledge would allow Mankind to find
substitutes for exhausted materials and this may well be so in many cases. However, it
would be irresponsible to totally base our continued existence on such a belief. It is more
7
likely that there will be a natural limit to expansion. Therefore, we need to classify pro-
blems and to define some of the more important aims for the development of mankind,
not by alarming and frightening people, but by indicating alternative methods of develop-
ment, each with their positive and negative aspects. Technology’s strongest point is that
it may help to solve some of the problems that Mankind is faced with; yet it is also its
weakest point in that it may just as easily lead to disaster - it depends on how Man uses
technology.
Let us look back to the ancient Greek conception of the four ‘elements’: Water, Air,
Earth and Fire. This approach emphasizes our present problems. It is likely that the
Greek philosophers, living in rather arid areas at a time when there was very limited tech-
nology available, were strongly influenced by the major components of their environ-
ment. The singling out of Water and Air from the other chemical and mineral resources,
which can be considered as combined in the ‘element’ Earth, seems to highlght that these
two are of special importance.
For many years civilization, with its gradually improving technology, did not realise
the importance of Water and Air. These two ‘elements’ had been too freely available.
Nowadays they again attract attention, as it has been realized that they are basic items
which influence all aspects of our life. Highly developed nations have rediscovered what
had been previously found by the Greeks - the vital importance of these two ‘elements’.
Since they both deteriorate or become polluted by the indiscriminate redistribution of
our general resources, their clean-up should be combined with the recovery of these re-
sources. Decreasing the consumption of resources is equivalent to the preservation of the
Greeks’ third ‘element’, Earth.
Therefore, it seems that one of the most important requirements of Man’s future acti-
vities should be recycling. The implementation of recycling would achieve two goals:
(a) the preservation of a pure environment, and (b) a decrease in the use of resources. It
is inevitable that our civilization will interfere with both the water and air environment
by discharging pollutants to them. Therefore, there is a need for suitable purification
techniques.
Figure 1 depicts the general recycling concept. From an environmental protection
standpoint, the critical part is the separation process which enables either the resource,
water or air, to be recycled. However, such processes are energy consuming, and the
energy requirement is often the limiting feature of recycling techniques; it is exemplified
by the Greeks’ fourth ‘element’, Fire.
From the above it can be seen that the influence of technology on the quality of hu-
man life, through its different interactions on the environment, may be related to the
ancient Greeks’ ‘elements’: Water, Air, Earth (mineral sources) and Fire (energy).
3. THE WATER ENVIRONMENT
Water is one of the most important components of our environment, without which
our present life forms could not exist. Its importance has been recognized from the very
beginning of human existence, and is strongly depicted in seminal philosophical theories.
It was assuredly not chance that led Thales, the Ionian philosopher, to teach that water
8
or air
Resource
c b
1)
.L-
Parti c i patiop
0
in civilization s 0L
activity
L
W
W c
2
3
0
u) -0
L 0)
Polluted water 0
U or air
L + resource 02
W
w W
>
0
0 0
W 0
c W
I 1 E
I I Suitable separation I
technology
Fig. 1. Flowsheet for the complete recycling of water or air and a recovered resource.
or moisture is the mineral from which all things evolved. Aristotle, sometime later, in-
cluded water among the ‘elements’. What further evidence is needed that civilised Man
has long recognized the vital role played by water in the affairs of this planet? Perhaps
nowhere is this quite SO obvious as in those parts of the world where water is in short
supply. Australians, probably above all others, will understand most clearly Landor’s
message: we are what suns and winds and waters make us.
Although the importance of water was realized very early in Mankind’s history, the
impact of water quality on Man’s well being was recognized only recently. However, the
knowledge accumulating from everyday experience made Man appreciate the need for
water treatment, even in prehistoric times. Quality, as an important attribute of water
supply, began to be identified to some extent in ancient Egypt, India, Palestine, Persia,
and China, about 2000 BC. The most quoted evidence of this awareness comes from the
Sanskrit medical philosophers, whose writings can be paraphrased: Impure water should
be boiled, heated by the sun, and filtered through sand and gravel and charcoal. The
Chinese resorted to boiling and adding dried leaves of shrubs to improve the taste. Those
shrubs are known today as tea plants.