4 Material und Umwelt
Filtern
Erscheinungsjahr
- 2024 (20) (entfernen)
Dokumenttyp
- Vortrag (11)
- Zeitschriftenartikel (2)
- Beitrag zu einem Tagungsband (2)
- Posterpräsentation (2)
- Forschungsbericht (2)
- Beitrag zu einem Sammelband (1)
Referierte Publikation
- nein (20) (entfernen)
Schlagworte
- VOC (3)
- Black fungi (2)
- Deponie (2)
- Dichtungskontrollsystem (2)
- Emission reference materials (2)
- Indoor air quality (2)
- Kunststoffdichtungsbahn (2)
- Materials emissions test (2)
- Recycling (2)
- Rostasche (2)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
- 4 Material und Umwelt (20)
- 4.3 Schadstofftransfer und Umwelttechnologien (8)
- 4.5 Kunst- und Kulturgutanalyse (4)
- 4.4 Thermochemische Reststoffbehandlung und Wertstoffrückgewinnung (3)
- 6 Materialchemie (3)
- 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien (2)
- 1.4 Prozessanalytik (2)
- 4.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere (2)
- 4.1 Biologische Materialschädigung und Referenzorganismen (2)
- 4.6 Molekulare und angewandte Entomologie (2)
Im Folgenden soll über aktuelle Diskussionen und Arbeitsschwerpunkte im Fachbeirat der BAM und von der Zulassungsstelle berichtet werden. Es werden Änderungen im Zusammenhang mit der Zulassungsrichtlinie für Kunststoffdichtungsbahnen vorgestellt. Es wird über die aktuelle Diskussion über die Anforderungen z. B. an metallische Sensoren für Dichtungskontrollsysteme berichtet. Änderungen der Fremdprüfung von sogenannten Sandschutzmatten, des Standards zur Qualitätsüberwachung (SQÜ) von Kunststoff Dränelementen (KDE) und der Anpassung der Formulierungen zum Überbau der in Abdichtungen verwendeten Produkte werden aufgezeigt.
Im Folgenden soll über aktuelle Diskussionen und Arbeitsschwerpunkte im Fachbeirat der BAM und von der Zulassungsstelle berichtet werden. Es werden Änderungen im Zusammenhang mit der Zulassungsrichtlinie für Kunststoffdichtungsbahnen vorgestellt. Es wird über die aktuelle Diskussion über die Anforderungen z. B. an metallische Sensoren für Dichtungskontrollsysteme berichtet. Änderungen der Fremdprüfung von sogenannten Sandschutzmatten, des Standards zur Qualitätsüberwachung (SQÜ) von Kunststoff Dränelementen (KDE) und der Anpassung der Formulierungen zum Überbau der in Abdichtungen verwendeten Produkte werden aufgezeigt.
Im Rahmen eines vom Umweltbundesamt geförderten Forschungsprojekts wurde untersucht, ob die Abtrennung der Feinfraktion (0-2 mm) eine Verbesserung der umweltrelevanten Eigenschaften bewirkt und somit HMVA-1 erreicht werden kann. In Deutschland wird die Rostasche durch Nassentschlackungssysteme aus dem Feuerraum ausgetragen. Durch den Kontakt mit Wasser setzen direkt hydraulische Reaktionen ein, die eine vollständige Abtrennung der Feinfraktion unmöglich machen. Das wurde bereits in den 1990er Jahren erkannt und führte zur Entwicklung des ABB InRec Verfahrens mit Trockenentaschung als ersten Verfahrensschritt. Auch damals war das Ziel eine möglichst inerte Rostasche für die Verwertung zu erzeugen. In den letzten Jahren wurden in der Schweiz Trockenentaschungssystem installiert, hier vor allem um die Rückgewinnung von elementaren Metallen auch in der Feinfraktion zu verbessern. Welche Potenziale sich dabei erschließen lassen, wurde in einem anderen UBA-Projekt untersucht. Im Rahmen unserer Arbeiten wurde versuchsweise trockene Rostasche an einer Anlage in Süddeutschland genommen und im Labor untersucht. Im Vortrag werden die Ergebnisse zum Auslaugverhalten und zur Gefahreneigenschaft HP14 (Ökotoxizität) vorgestellt.
Following the recommendation of the European Chemicals Agency, on 25 September 2023 the European Commission passed a comprehensive new regulation to reduce emissions of microplastics (MP) into the environment, which includes the sale and use of intentionally added MP.1,2 This also applies to the application of synthetic rubber granulate infill in artificial turf systems and will ultimately have an impact on recreational sports. In Germany, rubber granulate made of ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer rubber (EPDM) is currently predominantly used. So far, there is no sufficient database for estimating MP emissions from artificial turf pitches into the environment and thus their relevance as a source of MP pollution.3 This topic is controversially discussed due to the complexity of sampling and analytics. To close this research gap, this project has the goal to determine mass balances for the emissions of MP from artificial turf pitches to allow an estimation of the amount of MP released per artificial turf pitch and year.
Within this study, MP emissions of three artificial turf scenarios at different time states (unaged, artificially aged and real-time aged) are compared: the past (old turf: fossil based, synthetic infill), present (most commonly installed in Europe: fossil based, EPDM infill), and the future (turf with recycled gras fibres, no synthetic infill). To simulate the outdoor weathering during the lifespan of an artificial turf of approx. 15 years, brand-new artificial turf and EPDM rubber granulate were accelerated aged by means of UV weathering and mechanical stress. Potential MP emissions into surface and groundwater are simulated by lysimeter and shake experiments. MP mass contents are subsequently determined by Thermal Extraction Desorption Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Using special microfilter crucibles allows the estimation of the particle sizes of the emitted MP, which is a fundamental requirement for an assessment of potential health hazards for humans.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by furniture and building materials can cause health issues. For an improvement of indoor air quality low emitting materials should be used. Quality assurance and –control (QA/QC) measures require an emission reference material (ERM) with a predictable emission rate of VOCs. The idea is to use porous materials as ERM, which store the VOCs inside their pores and emit them constantly.
Einstufung von Aschen und Schlacken aus der Abfallverbrennung im Hinblick auf die weitere Verwertung
(2024)
There are two mirror entries in the European Waste Catalogue for bottom ash and slag from waste incineration: 19 01 11* and 19 01 12. Entry 19 01 11* describes a waste material containing hazardous substances. It was shown that only the hazardous property HP14 (ecotoxic) is of relevance for the classification. If substances with the hazard statement code (HSC) H400, H410, H411, H412 and H413 are present in incineration bottom ash (IBA) above certain level the waste is classified as hazardous, otherwise it is non-hazardous (in this case 19 01 12). It was further shown that only Cu, Zn and Pb compounds have an impact on the classification using a summation rule: 100xΣ c(H410) + 10xΣ c(H411) + Σ c(H412). Limit value is 25 percent. It is obvious that H410 substances have the highest impact. Therefore, the knowledge of the elemental composition of IBA is not sufficient because the content of distinct chemical compounds (with the respective molecular weight) is needed. When the exact speciation is not known a worst-case approach has to be applied. A practical guideline for the estimation of HP14 was developed based on the definition of 4 substance groups: 1. Metals and alloys, 2. Water-soluble substances, 3. Oxides and carbonates and 4. Substances not soluble in weak acids. In substance group 1 only fine Zn powder has the HSC H410. Water-soluble substances are assumed to be H410 substances. Their concentrations are, however, regularly below the cut-off value of 0.1 %. The amount of substance group 3 is estimated by a selective extraction with maleic acid. According to the worst-case approach it is assumed that CuCO3xCu(OH)2 and ZnO represent the respective Cu and Zn species in IBA because these substances have the highest stochiometric factor. Even with this worst-case approach results from operators of IBA treatment plant showed that the limit value of 25 % is not exceeded.
The requirements for utilization of IBA in Germany are defined in the Secondary
Building Materials Decree (Ersatzbaustoffverordnung EBV) which was set into force in August 2023. Leaching methods (batch test or column test) with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 2 l/kg are applied. IBA fulfills the requirements for class HMVA-2. Actually, even a classification of IBA as hazardous (i.e 19 01 11*) would not affect utilization but handling and transport.
In industrialised countries more than 80% of the time is spent indoors. Products, such as building materials and furniture, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are therefore ubiquitous in indoor air. VOC in combination may, under certain environmental and occupational conditions, result in reported sensory irritation and health complaints. Emission concentrations can become further elevated in new or refurbished buildings where the rate of air exchange with fresh ambient air may be limited due to improved energy saving aspects. A healthy indoor environment can be achieved by controlling the sources and by eliminating or limiting the release of harmful substances into the air. One way is to use (building) materials proved to be low emitting. Meanwhile, a worldwide network of professional commercial and non-commercial laboratories performing emission tests for the evaluation of products for interior use has been established. Therefore, comparability of test results must be ensured. A laboratory’s proficiency can be proven by internal and external validation measures that both include the application of suitable emission reference materials (ERM). For the emission test chamber procedure according to EN 16516, no artificial ERM is commercially available. The EU-funded EMPIR project MetrIAQ aims to fill this gap by developing new and improved ERMs. The goal is to obtain a material with a reproducible and temporally constant compound release (less than 10 % variability over 14 days). Two approaches were tested: the impregnation of porous materials with VOC, and the encapsulation of VOC in polymer microcapsules. Impregnation is performed with help of an autoclave and supercritical CO2. The encapsulation is done by interfacial polymerisation on VOC droplets. For both approaches, synthesis and/or material parameters were varied to obtain an optimal ERM. Findings about the optimisation of ERM generation, as well as performance of the best emission reference materials, will be presented.
Rotschlamm fällt in sehr großen Mengen bei der Herstellung von Aluminiumoxid an und wird fast ausschließlich deponiert. Es wird eine neue Technologie vorgestellt bei der das im Rotschlamm enthaltene Eisenoxid mittels Wasserstoffplasma reduziert wird. Es wird ein Reaktionsmechanismus über Titanomagnetit und Hercynit vorgeschlagen.
Sunlight is an almost unavoidable environmental cue and plays a fundamental role in the biology of pro- and eukaryotic organisms. To cope with sunlight-associated stresses e.g., high temperatures, UV radiation with associated DNA damage, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), desiccation and osmotic stresses, it is important for organisms to accurately sense and respond to changes in light. The benefits of light are obvious for green organisms such as cyanobacteria, algae and plants which use light as an energy source (photosynthesis). Less apparent are other light-dependent processes such as light-driven DNA repair by photolyases (photoreactivation) or ion pumping by microbial opsins. Fungi that can share light-flooded habitats with phototrophs may profit from their excess photosynthetic products. Rock-inhabiting Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes including Knufia petricola possess many proteins for absorbing UV/blue, green, red and far-red light, produce the black 1,8 dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin and orange-red carotenoids, and may live in multispecies biofilms. Here, we are addressing the question to which extent constitutive pigment formation (melanin and carotenoids) and responses mediated by the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase contribute to the observed light (UV-B) tolerance of K. petricola.
Die aus der Kirche in Greven entnommenen A. punctatum wiesen größere genetische Unterschiede auf als die aus der isolierten Zucht der BAM. Dies lässt vermuten, dass ein Austausch von zufliegenden oder eingeschleppten Individuen zu einer erhöhten genetischen Variabilität beiträgt.
Die Ergebnisse der Sequenzanalysen vom Standort Greven zeigten, dass vier Variationen vorhanden waren. Die DNA-Barcodes aus der Datenbank NCBI (Frankreich, Finnland und Deutschland) besaßen nur SNPs, die bereits aus den Insekten der Kirche in Greven bekannt waren. Nach aktueller Datenlage für den betrachteten Genabschnitt sind diese Varianten (V2 bis V22) als repräsentativ für den mitteleuropäischen Raum anzunehmen.
Potenzielle weitere Varianten lassen sich nur über eine größere Stichprobenanzahl entdecken/finden. Die Ergebnisse der Käferproben aus der isolierten Zucht der BAM sind deutlich homogener und entsprachen der Variante 1 aus Greven. Die Variante 1 wurde ebenfalls in vier französischen und einer deutschen Probe aus der NCBI-Datenbank nachgewiesen.
Die Ergebnisse deuten auf zwei Hauptvariationen (Vx und V20) hin, wobei die eine (VJ homogener als die andere (V20) zu sein scheint. Da für den Räuber K. caeruleus keine Unterschiede in der COI gefunden wurden, gilt zu prüfen, ob der gewählte Genabschnitt für die Untersuchung repräsentativ ist. Dies ist mit einer höheren Probenzahl zu validieren.
Zusammenfassend wurde in dieser Arbeit gezeigt, dass die Setzmaschinentechnik eine geeignete Methode ist, um Brechsande aus gemischten Bauabfällen aufzubereiten. Die Trennung des Materials in zwei Stoffströme unterschiedlicher Dichte hat sich mit einer Absenkung um 56% besonders effizient in der Reduzierung von PAK Belastungen im Feststoff erwiesen. Auch die Sulfatlast im Produktstrom wurde durch den Prozess im Vergleich zum Aufgabegut um 29% gesenkt. Neben der Erhöhung des Median Partikeldurchmessers durch Klassierungseffekte, ist die Herabsetzung verschiedener Eluatparameter ebenfalls positiv zu bewerten. Dies bezieht sich zum einen auf die elektrische Leitfähigkeit, die nach EBV von RC-3 auf RC-1 aufgewertet wurde und zum anderen auf die Chromkonzentration, die von RC-2 auf die Stufe RC-1 angehoben wurde. Die vorliegenden Aufbereitungsergebnisse erlaubten jedoch nicht eine Gesamteinordnung des Materials als Ersatzbaustoff oberhalb der Klasse RC-3. Hierzu ist eine weitere Absenkung der Eluatwerte für Sulfat um 25% von RC-3 (1325 mg L-1) auf RC-2 (< 1000 mg L-1) und des PAK-15 Wertes um 4% von RC-3 (8.3 µg L-1) auf RC-2 (< 8.0 µg L-1) erforderlich. Eine detaillierte Optimierung der Prozessparameter der Setzmaschinentechnik könnten diesen Spielraum ermöglichen.
Investigation on the Durability of a Polypropylene Geotextile under Artificial Aging Scenarios
(2024)
Geosynthetics are widely used in various civil engineering applications, such as geotextiles in coastal protection, and display a sustainable alternative to natural mineral materials. However, the full benefits of using geosynthetics can only be gained with a long service lifetime of the products. With the use of added stabilizers to the polymers, service lifetimes can be achieved in the range of 100 years. Therefore, accelerated aging methods are needed for the assessment of the long-term performance of geotextiles. In the present study, the behavior of geosynthetic materials made of polypropylene was investigated under artificial aging conditions involving elevated temperatures ranging from 30 to 80 °C, increased oxygen pressures ranging from 10 to 50 bar in water-filled autoclaves, and UV irradiation under atmospheric conditions. ATR-IR spectroscopy was employed to detect the increase in the carbonyl index over various aging durations, indicating the oxidative degradation of the geotextile. The most pronounced increase was observed in the case of aging through UV irradiation, followed by thermal aging. Elevated pressure, on the other hand, had a lower impact on oxidation. High-temperature size exclusion chromatography was utilized to follow the reduction in molar mass under different degradation conditions, and the results were consistent with those obtained from ATR-IR spectroscopy. In polyolefins such as polypropylene, Hindered Amine Stabilizers (HAS) are used to suppress oxidation caused by UV radiation. The quantitative analysis of HAS was carried out using a UV/Vis method and HPLC. The degradation of UV stabilizers during the aging of geotextiles is responsible for the oxidation and the reduction in the molar mass of polypropylene. From the results, it can be concluded that applications of PP geotextile without soil or sand cover might cause the risk of the formation of microplastic particles. Material selection, design, and maintenance of the construction must follow best practices, including the system’s removal or replacement at end-of-life. Otherwise, a sustainable use of geotextiles in civil engineering is not possible.
Bakterielle Biofilme stellen in medizinischen und industriellen Bereichen ein ernsthaftes Problem dar. Eine der größten gesellschaftlichen Herausforderungen liegt in der zunehmenden Resistenz von Bakterien gegen Biozide, die bei antimikrobiellen Behandlungen eingesetzt werden, z.B. durch übermäßigen Einsatz in Medizin, Industrie und Landwirtschaft oder durch Reinigung und Desinfektion in Privathaushalten. Daher sind neue effiziente bakterienabweisende Strategien, die den Einsatz von Bioziden vermeiden, dringend erforderlich.
Ein vielversprechender Weg zur Erzielung bakterienabweisender Oberflächen liegt in der berührungslosen und aseptischen großflächigen Laserbearbeitung von technischen Oberflächen. Maßgeschneiderte Oberflächentexturen, ermöglicht durch verschiedene Laserbearbeitungsstrategien, die zu topographischen Skalen im Bereich von Nanometern bis Mikrometern führen, können eine Lösung für diese Herausforderung darstellen.
In dem Vortrag wird ein Überblick über den aktuellen Stand der Technik bei der subtraktiven Texturierung von Laseroberflächen zur Kontrolle der Biofilmbildung bei verschiedenen Bakterienstämmen und in unterschiedlichen Umgebungen gegeben. Auf der Grundlage spezifischer Eigenschaften von Bakterien und laserbearbeiteten Oberflächen werden die Herausforderungen antimikrobieller Oberflächendesigns erörtert und zukünftige Richtungen aufgezeigt.
Sunlight is an almost unavoidable environmental cue and plays a fundamental role in the biology of pro- and eukaryotic organisms. To cope with sunlight-associated stresses e.g., high temperatures, UV radiation, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, desiccation, and osmotic stress, it is important for organisms to accurately sense and respond to changes in light. The benefits of light are obvious for green organisms such as cyanobacteria, algae and plants which use light as an energy source (photosynthesis). Fungi that can share light-flooded habitats with phototrophs may profit from their excess photosynthetic products. Examples are the plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea, the gray mold fungus, and the rock inhabitant Knufia petricola, a microcolonial black fungus which forms multispecies biofilms with bacteria and algae.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a crucial issue for industry and infrastructure. Biofilms are known to form on different kinds of surfaces such as metal, concrete, and medical equipment. However, in some cases the effect of microorganisms on the material can be negative for the consistency and integrity of the material. Thus, to overcome the issues raised by MIC on a system, different physical, chemical, and biological strategies have been considered; all having their own advantages, limitations, and sometimes even unwanted disadvantages. Among all the methods, biocide treatments and antifouling coatings are more common for controlling MIC, though they face some challenges. They lack specificity for MIC microorganisms, leading to cross-resistance and requiring higher concentrations. Moreover, they pose environmental risks and harm non-target organisms. Hence, the demand for eco-friendly, long-term solutions is increasing as regulations tighten. Recently, attentions have been directed to the application of nanomaterials to mitigate or control MIC due to their significant antimicrobial efficiency and their potential for lower environmental risk compared to the conventional biocides or coatings. Use of nanomaterials to inhibit MIC is very new and there is a lack of literature review on this topic. To address this issue, we present a review of the nanomaterials examined as a biocide or in a form of a coating on a surface to mitigate MIC. This review will help consolidate the existing knowledge and research on the use of nanomaterials for MIC mitigation. It will further contribute to a better understanding of the potential applications and challenges associated with using nanomaterials for MIC prevention and control.
Calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4ᐧ0.5H2O), also known as bassanite, has been used as a precursor to produce gypsum (dihydrate, CaSO4ᐧ2H2O) for various construction and decorative purposes since prehistoric times. The main route to obtain hemihydrate is a thermal treatment of gypsum at temperatures typically between 150 °C and 200 °C to remove some of the structural water.
In this contribution, we introduce (Fig. 1) a more efficient and sustainable method (T < 100 °C) that enables the direct, rapid, and reversibly conversion of gypsum to bassanite using reusable high salinity aqueous solutions (brines with c[NaCl] > 4 M). The optimum conditions for the efficientproduction of bassanite in a short time (< 5 min) involve the use of brines with c(NaCl) > 4 M and maintaining a temperature, T > 80 °C. When the solution containing bassanite crystals is cooled down to around room temperature, eventually gypsum is formed. When the temperature is raised again to T > 80 °C, bassanite is rapidly re-precipitated. This contrasts with the typical behaviour of the bassanite phase in low salt environments.
Traditionally, hemihydrate is obtained through a solid state thermal treatment because bassanite is considered to be metastable with respect to gypsum and anhydrite in aqueous solutions, and therefore gypsum-to-bassanite conversion should not occur in water. Its very occurrence actually contradicts numerical thermodynamic predictions regarding solubility of calcium sulfate phases. By following the evolution of crystalline phases with in situ and time-resolved X-ray diffraction/scattering and Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrated that the phase stability in brines at elevated temperatures is inaccurately represented in the thermodynamic databases. Most notably for c(NaCl) > 4 M, and T > 80 °C gypsum becomes readily more soluble than bassanite, which induces the direct precipitation of the latter from gypsum. The fact that these transformations are controlled by the solution provides extensive opportunities for precise manipulation of crystal formation. Our experiments confirmed that bassanite remained the sole crystalline structure for many hours before reverting into gypsum. This property is extremely advantageous for practical processing and efficient crystal extraction in industrial scenarios.
The use of ashes from municipal solid waste incineration as secondary building materials is an important pillar for the circular economy in Germany. However, leaching of potential toxic elements from these materials must be at environmentally acceptable levels. Normally, a three-month ageing period immobilizes most hazardous heavy metals, but antimony (Sb) and vanadium (V) showed previously unusual leaching. In order to clarify the mechanisms, we analyzed the Sb and V species in various bottom and fly ashes from municipal waste incineration by XANES spectroscopy. Antimony oxidizes from Sb(+ III) species used as flame retardants in plastics to Sb(+ V) compounds during waste incineration. However, owing to the similarity of different Sb(+ V) compound in the Sb K- and L-edge XANES spectra, it was not possible to accurately identify an exact Sb(+ V) species. Moreover, V is mainly present as oxidation state + V compound in the analyzed ashes. However, the coarse and magnetic fraction of the bottom ashes contain larger amounts of V(+ III) and V(+ IV) compounds which might enter the waste incineration from vanadium carbide containing steel tools. Thus, Sb and V could be critical potential toxic elements in secondary building materials and long-term monitoring of the release should be taken into account in the future.
Thermochemische Aufarbeitung von Stahlwerksstäuben und -schlämmen zur Zink- und Eisenrückgewinnung
(2024)
Stahlwerksstäube und -schlämme enthalten in der Regel Schwermetalle wie Zink, Blei und Cadmium, die ein direktes Recycling verhindern und diese Stoffe potenziell umweltgefährdend machen. Um diese Schwermetalle aus den Materialien zu entfernen, werden drei thermochemische Verfahren zur Aufarbeitung von Gichtgasschlamm, Elektroofenstaub und ähnlichen Stahlwerksstäuben vorgestellt. Zum einen kann die Mischung von Elektroofenstaub mit chloridhaltigen Lösungen, wie sie z. B. in der Titandioxidproduktion anfallen, gemischt werden, um bei der thermischen Behandlung Schwermetallchloride zu effektiv verdampfen. Weiterhin kann der im Gichtgasschlamm enthaltene Kohlenstoff genutzt werden, um in Mischungen aus Gichtgasschlamm und Elektroofenstaub bei der thermischen Behandlung als Reduktionsmittel zu wirken. Dieses Verfahren führt zur Rückgewinnung von Zink und metallischem Eisen und wird im Technikums- und Pilotmaßstab erprobt. Abschließend wird die Nutzung von Wasserstoff als Reduktionsmittel für Elektroofenstaub vorgestellt. Hierbei lässt sich der Reststoff potenziell klimaneutral in Eisenschwamm umwandeln, wobei die chemischen Grundlagen anhand von DTA-Experimenten und thermodynamischen Simulationen ergründet werden.
Nowadays, people spend most of their time indoors. Thus, a good indoor air quality is important. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from furniture and building materials can cause health complaints1. Quantitative VOC-emission testing is carried out under standardized conditions in emission test chambers. In the presented project an emission reference material (ERM) is developed that emits a defined mixture of VOCs which is required for quality assurance and -control (QA/QC) measures. Porous materials (e.g zeolites, activated carbons, MOFs or aerogels) are used as reservoir materials and impregnated with VOC. The porous materials are selected, among others, by their pore size, pore size distribution, polarity and availability. Due to their regular pore structure zeolites are tested at first. For a prediction of the emission profile, the ERM is supposed to exhibit a constant emission rate over time. The aim is a stability of ≤ 10 % change in the emission rate over a minimum of 14 days.
Method
For impregnation, the material is placed into an autoclave inside a rotatable basket. The VOC is added and the autoclave is closed. Afterwards, CO2 is inserted. The closed system is then heated to the supercritical point of CO2 (31 °C, 73.75 bar). In this state, the CO2 acts as solvent for the VOC. By rotating the basket, the distribution of the VOC is ensured. After a few minutes, the pressure is decreased slowly and the CO2 is released. For the determination of the emission profile, the impregnated sample is placed into an emission test chamber. These chambers can be operated either with dry or humid air (50 ± 5 % rel. humidity). Every second to third day, air samples are taken and analyzed by gas chromatography. For an ideal impregnation, several different pressures and temperatures as well as impregnation times are tested.
Results
Two zeolite materials tested in dry air conditions reach emission profiles with a decrease of less than 10 % over 14 days (heptane and toluene, respectively). Further it was discovered that smaller pellets of the same zeolite show better results than bigger particles. When the pore size of a zeolite is too small, e.g. 0.3 nm, the VOC cannot be absorbed sufficiently. The main disadvantage of zeolites is their hygroscopicity because it has a large impact on the release of VOC when they are used in emission test chambers under standardized test conditions (23 °C, 50 % rel. humidity). Activated carbons have emission profiles with a larger change over 14 days. However, the high hydrophobicity allows measurements in humid air conditions which was not possible with the before mentioned hygroscopic zeolites. It is possible to impregnate powdered materials as well, and thus powdered non-hygroscopic (n.h.) zeolites were impregnated. Their emission profiles are comparable to those of the activated carbons. The use of methylated hygroscopic zeolites with a decrease in hygroscopicity did not yield successful emission measurements. The change over 14 days is calculated only for the stable phase (~250–300 h).
The desired stability of ≤ 10 % change of the emission rate over 14 days could already be reached under dry testing conditions. Further investigations under humid conditions show that zeolites with high Si/Al-ratios are non-hygroscopic and comparable to activated carbons (20–30 % change). The next step is to reduce the change in the emission rate of these materials to the aimed ≤ 10 % over 14 days.