Chapter 5 400 Pollutant Range Associated with the Use of BAT

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Chapter 5 400 Pollutant Range Associated with the Use of BAT Chapter 5 Pollutant Range associated with Techniques that can be used to Comments the use of BAT reach these levels Dust 1 - 5 mg/Nm3 Fabric filter, wet EP. High performance fabric (A wet EP may be applicable to filters can achieve low gases from slag granulation or wet levels of heavy metals. gas quenching.) The concentration of heavy metals is linked to the concentration of dust and content of the metals in the dust. SO2 < 50 - 200 mg/Nm³ Wet alkaline scrubber. Alkali semi-dry scrubber and fabric filter 3 NOx < 100 mg/Nm Low NOx burner. Higher values are < 100 - 300 mg/Nm3 Oxy -fuel burner. associated with oxygen enrichment to reduce energy use. In these cases gas volume and mass emission is reduced. CO and metal Not emitted Wet scrubber To cool and clean the vapour gases of an ISF prior to use as a fuel. Total organic < 5 - 15 mg/Nm3 Afterburner. Pre-treatment of carbon as C < 5 - 50 mg/Nm3 Optimised combustion. secondary material to remove organic coatings if necessary. Dioxins < 0.1 - 0.5 ng High efficiency dust removal TEQ/Nm3 system (i.e. fabric filter), afterburner followed by quenching. Other techniques are available (e.g. adsorption on activated carbon, carbon/lime injection). Note. Collected emissions only. Associated emissions are given as daily averages based on continuous monitoring during the operating period. In cases where continuous monitoring is not practicable the value will be the average over the sampling period. For the abatement system used, the characteristics of the gas and dust will be taken into account in the design of the system and the correct operating temperature used. For SO2 or total carbon removal, the variation in raw gas concentration during batch processes may affect the performance of the abatement system. Table 2.1: Emissions to air from materials pre-treatment, secondary smelting, thermal refining, melting, slag fuming and Waelz kiln operation The metal content of the dust varies widely between processes. In addition for similar furnaces there are significant variations due to the use of varying raw materials. It is therefore not accurate to detail specific achievable concentrations for all metals emitted to air in this document. Some metals have toxic comp ounds that may be emitted from the processes and so need to be reduced to meet specific local, regional or long-range air quality standards. It is considered that low concentrations of heavy metals are associated with the use of high performance, modern abatement systems such as a membrane fabric filter provided the operating temperature is correct and the characteristics of the gas and dust are taken into account in the design. The issue is site specific but the following table gives some indication of the effects on the content of metals in dust that will be encountered locally. Component Zinc FB Zinc ISF process Lead direct Secondary Lead Roaster refining smelting lead refining processes processes Pb% 0.2 – 2 0.15 – 0.86 10 – 15 30 – 50 20 - 55 14 – 83 Zn% 50 – 60 52 – 76 20 – 50 3 – 5 0.01 - 10 3 – 28 Sb% n.a n.a n.a – 0.1 - 40 n.a Cd% 0.2 0.02 – 0.7 0.5 3 – 5 0.01 – 10 n.a 400 Chapter 5 As% 0.004 0.01 - 0.1 n.a 5 - 10 0.01 - 3 n.a n.a - Means not available Table 2.2: Metal content of some dusts from various lead and zinc production processes [tm 25, DFIU 1996] 1.1.3 Wastewater This is a site-specific issue, existing treatment systems are reported to be to a high standard. The use of sulphide precipitation or combined hydroxide/sulphide precipitation is particularly relevant to metals in this section [tm 171, Steil/Hahre 1999]. All wastewater will be treated to remove metals, solids and oils/tars. Absorbed acid gases (e.g. sulphur dioxide, HCl) and should be reused or neutralised if necessary. The techniques listed in section 2.9 are the techniques to consider. In a number of installations cooling water and treated wastewater including rainwater is reused or recycled within the processes. For primary and secondary production of the metals in this group, the total emissions to water are based on: · The slag treatment or granulating system. · The waste gas treatment system. · The leaching and chemical purification system. · The electro-winning process. · The wastewater treatment system: · Surface drainage. The following table gives associated emissions to water after effluent treatment. The data given may not be transposable to all installations. Main components [mg/l] Pb As Hg Cd Zn Process water <0.1 <0.05 <0.01 <0.05 <0.2 Note: The associated emissions to water are based on a qualified random sample or a 24-hour composite sample. The extent of wastewater treatment depends on the source and the metals contained in the wastewater. Table 2.3: Summary of associated emissions to water for some processes Process residues The use or recycling of slags, slimes and filter dusts is considered to be part of the processes. The iron precipitation method used (Goethite or Jarosite) depends on local conditions and the composition of the concentrate. The effective washing and precipitation of the leachable metals as sulphides before disposal should be considered. The solubility of the residue should be monitored using a standard leachate test. Disposal should meet the requirements set out in the directive on landfill. The production processes in this sector have been developed by the industry to maximise the re-use of the majority of process residues from the production units or to produce residues in form that enables them to be used in other non-ferrous metal production processes. An overview of the potential end uses for residues is given earlier in this chapter and some specimen quantities are also given for specific installations. The quantity of residues produced is strongly dependent on the raw materials in particular the iron content of primary materials, the content of other non-ferrous metals in primary and secondary materials and the presence of other contaminants such as organic materials. The emissions to land are therefore very site and material specific and depend on the factors discussed earlier. It is therefore not possible to produce a realistic, typical table of quantities that are associated with the use of BAT without detailing the raw material specification. The principles of BAT include waste prevention and minimisation and the 401 Chapter 5 re-use of residues whenever practical. The production of arsine and stibine from the action of water or water vapour on some residues should be taken into account. The industry is particularly effective in these practices the use and treatment options for some residues from the production of lead and zinc is given in tables 5.29 to 5.30. Costs associated with the techniques Cost data has been compiled for a variety of process variations and abatement systems. The cost data is very site specific and depends on a number of factors but the ranges given may enable some comparisons to be made. The data is provided in an appendix to this note so that costs for processes and abatement systems over the whole of the non-ferrous metal industry can be compared. 402 Chapter 5 Emerging Technologies · Zinc concentrates from some newer mines and from proposed developments, provide both opportunities and challenges to the conventional smelters. These fine ground concentrates are often characterised by low iron, elevated silica, high manganese and levels of elements such as germanium, which may cause concern. New processing technology needed to cope with these changes includes: - de-watering and materials handling of ultra-fine concentrate, novel transport systems, siliceous leach circuits, manganese removal cells and front-end smelting [tm 101, NL Zn 1998]. These concentrates are not be available to all producers and the new technology required to treat them may produce other residues that are difficult to deal with. · Environmental regulations for the disposal of the solid residues can form an incentive to change to the treatment of the iron residue by chemical fixation of the iron residue in the form of a cement (e.g. Jarofix) or other material such as the reaction of Goethite with iron slags (Gravelite). Both processes increase the amount of material produced and will only be effective if the materials are acceptable for civil engineering uses. · Leaching processes based on chloride for zinc and lead recovery are reported as being at the demonstration stage [tm 206, TGI 1999]. · The thermal treatment of jarosite and goethite has been demonstrated using the Ausmelt and Outokumpu processes [tm 41, Ausmelt 1997; tm 101, NL Zn 1998]. Zinc and other volatile metals are fumed off and recovered, the slag produced could be suitable for construction processes. The processes have not been shown to be economically viable as a general residue treatment method. · The processing of Jarosite and sewage sludge in an autoclave at 260 °C has been reported [tm 214, Vaartjes 1999]. Limited data is available and viability is not reported. The cellulose in the sewage sludge is the source of energy and the product is a molten material. Zinc, lead and silver are reported to be concentrated and sold and the stony product used for construction. · The smelting of Jarosite and Goethite has also been demonstrated, but has not been proven to be economic. · The injection of fine material via the tuyeres of a blast furnace has been successfully used and reduces the handling of dusty material and the energy involved in returning the fines to a sinter plant. · Control parameters such as temperature are used for melting furnaces and kettles and reduce the amount of zinc and lead that can be fumed from a process.
Recommended publications
  • Some Problems and Potentials of the Study of Cupellation
    Some problems and potentials of the study of cupellation remains: the case of post-medieval Montbéliard, France Marcos Martinon-Torres, Nicolas Thomas, Thilo Rehren, Aude Mongiatti To cite this version: Marcos Martinon-Torres, Nicolas Thomas, Thilo Rehren, Aude Mongiatti. Some problems and po- tentials of the study of cupellation remains: the case of post-medieval Montbéliard, France. Archeo- sciences, revue d’Archéométrie, G.M.P.C.A./Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2008, pp.59-70. halshs- 00599974 HAL Id: halshs-00599974 https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00599974 Submitted on 19 Jun 2011 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Some problems and potentials of the study of cupellation remains: the case of early modern Montbéliard, France Problèmes et perspectives à partir de l’étude des vestiges archéologiques issus de la coupellation : l’exemple du site de Montbéliard (France) Marcos Martinón-Torres*, Nicolas Thomas**, Thilo Rehren*, and Aude Mongiatti* Abstract: Bone-ash cupels are increasingly identified in medieval and later archaeological contexts related to the refining of noble metals in alchemy, assaying, jewellery or coin minting. These small finds may provide information on metal refining activities, the technical knowledge of different craftspeople, and the versatility of laboratory practices, which often differed from the standard protocols recorded in metallurgical treatises.
    [Show full text]
  • Principles of Extractive Metallurgy Lectures Note
    PRINCIPLES OF EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY B.TECH, 3RD SEMESTER LECTURES NOTE BY SAGAR NAYAK DR. KALI CHARAN SABAT DEPARTMENT OF METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING PARALA MAHARAJA ENGINEERING COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR DISCLAIMER This document does not claim any originality and cannot be used as a substitute for prescribed textbooks. The information presented here is merely a collection by the author for their respective teaching assignments as an additional tool for the teaching-learning process. Various sources as mentioned at the reference of the document as well as freely available material from internet were consulted for preparing this document. The ownership of the information lies with the respective author or institutions. Further, this document is not intended to be used for commercial purpose and the faculty is not accountable for any issues, legal or otherwise, arising out of use of this document. The committee faculty members make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this document and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. BPUT SYLLABUS PRINCIPLES OF EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY (3-1-0) MODULE I (14 HOURS) Unit processes in Pyro metallurgy: Calcination and roasting, sintering, smelting, converting, reduction, smelting-reduction, Metallothermic and hydrogen reduction; distillation and other physical and chemical refining methods: Fire refining, Zone refining, Liquation and Cupellation. Small problems related to pyro metallurgy. MODULE II (14 HOURS) Unit processes in Hydrometallurgy: Leaching practice: In situ leaching, Dump and heap leaching, Percolation leaching, Agitation leaching, Purification of leach liquor, Kinetics of Leaching; Bio- leaching: Recovery of metals from Leach liquor by Solvent Extraction, Ion exchange , Precipitation and Cementation process.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Table of Contents Preface ........................................... xi Chapter 1. Physical Extraction Operations .................... 1 1.1. Solid-solid and solid-fluid separation operations .............. 1 1.1.1. Flotation ................................... 1 1.1.2. Settling under gravity ........................... 3 1.1.3. Centrifugation ................................ 3 1.1.4. Filtration ................................... 4 1.2. Separation operations of the components of a fluid phase ........ 5 1.2.1. Condensation ................................ 5 1.2.2. Vacuum distillation ............................. 5 1.2.3. Liquation ................................... 6 1.2.4. Distillation .................................. 8 1.2.5. Extractive distillation ........................... 11 1.3. Bibliography ................................... 12 Chapter 2. Hydrometallurgical Operations .................... 15 2.1. Leaching and precipitation operations .................... 15 2.1.1. Leaching and precipitation reactors ................... 15 2.1.2. Continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) ................ 18 2.1.3. Models of leaching and precipitation operations ........... 20 2.1.4. Particle-size distribution (PSD) functions ............... 21 2.2. Reactor models based on particle residence time distribution functions ........................................ 24 2.2.1. Performance equations for a single CSTR ............... 24 2.2.2. Performance equations for multistage CSTRs ............. 28 2.3. Reactor models based on the population balance
    [Show full text]
  • Occurrence and Extraction of Metals MODULE - 6 Chemistry of Elements
    Occurrence and Extraction of Metals MODULE - 6 Chemistry of Elements 16 Notes OCCURRENCE AND EXTRACTION OF METALS Metals and their alloys are extensively used in our day-to-day life. They are used for making machines, railways, motor vehicles, bridges, buildings, agricultural tools, aircrafts, ships etc. Therefore, production of a variety of metals in large quantities is necessary for the economic growth of a country. Only a few metals such as gold, silver, mercury etc. occur in free state in nature. Most of the other metals, however, occur in the earth's crust in the combined form, i.e., as compounds with different anions such as oxides, sulphides, halides etc. In view of this, the study of recovery of metals from their ores is very important. In this lesson, you shall learn about some of the processes of extraction of metals from their ores, called metallurgical processes. OBJECTIVES After reading this lesson, you will be able to : z differentiate between minerals and ores; z recall the occurrence of metals in native form and in combined form as oxides, sulphides, carbonates and chlorides; z list the names and formulae of some common ores of Na, Al, Sn, Pb ,Ti, Fe, Cu, Ag and Zn; z list the occurrence of minerals of different metals in India; z list different steps involved in the extraction of metals; * An alloy is a material consisting of two or more metals, or a metal and a non-metal. For example, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; steel is an alloy of iron and carbon.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Copper on the Cupellation of Silver
    Scholars' Mine Bachelors Theses Student Theses and Dissertations 1908 Effects of copper on the cupellation of silver Charles A. Baker Miles Sedivy Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/bachelors_theses Part of the Mining Engineering Commons Department: Mining Engineering Recommended Citation Baker, Charles A. and Sedivy, Miles, "Effects of copper on the cupellation of silver" (1908). Bachelors Theses. 240. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/bachelors_theses/240 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars' Mine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bachelors Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholars' Mine. This work is protected by U. S. Copyright Law. Unauthorized use including reproduction for redistribution requires the permission of the copyright holder. For more information, please contact [email protected]. bl.':~M J1IJ!(JWI.'.~1.. ""'~tlION T ,~~. ][VI'ECTS Ol~ COPP}1~H OU TIm CUPlilJJJAT Ion OF SI J~VER • Charles A. Baker Miles Sedivy. MSM til~ t~lCrlt. \lYj,M.cmloi\l (1) ::.:.. :.. : -~..-. : ...... "' .. " : .. ~ --- The ob~iect of this work is to rind--t-he effec't o~ coppa- in - .. = : : .... : - - .. tbe cupellation of silver. - .. Our Method of attack was: 1st. To find the effect of varying the amount of copper with constant lead and constant temperature. 2nd. Effect in cupel"' ation of varying the temperature and the lead in the presence of a constant amount of copper. 3rd. To detecnine the rate at which the copper is removed during cupellation. R.W.Lodge in his book on Assaying states,"If a lead button contains much copper,CuO will be formed with the PbO and this,when absorbed by the cupel,seems to take silver with it into the cupe1.· 2 ~ a....
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Flux Materials on the Fire Assay of Oxide Gold Ores
    Effects of Flux Materials on the Fire Assay of Oxide Gold Ores Haluk Ozden Basaran1, Ahmet Turan1,2*, Onuralp Yucel1 1Istanbul Technical University; Chemical Metallurgical Faculty, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering; Maslak, Istanbul, 34469, Turkey 2Yalova University, Yalova Community College, 77100, Yalova, Turkey Abstract: Fire assay is the most accurate and widely used method for the determination of gold, silver and the PGM contents of ores and other solid materials. The technique has three steps; first step is the smelting of charge mixtures which consist of ground ore samples, acidic and basic fluxes, lead oxide and a carbon source. Isolation of precious metals which are collected in metallic lead phase as a result of the reduction of PbO is the second step and it is called cupellation. Obtained precious metals are analyzed by using wet analysis methods such as AAS (Atomic absorption spectrometry) and ICP (Inductively coupled plasma spectrometry) at the last stage. The aim of this study is the investigation of the effects of the acidic flux materials for the fire assay of oxide gold ores. Acidic fluxes, sodium borax decahydrate (Borax, Na2B4O7·10H2O) and quartz (SiO2), were individually and together added to the charge mixtures which contain oxide gold ore samples, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and lead oxide with flour as a carbon source. Acidic flux additions were performed in different amounts. Smelting stage of the experiments was conducted at 1100 °C in fire clay crucibles for a reaction time of 60 minutes by using a chamber furnace. After the cupellation step in the chamber furnace, gold containing beads were obtained.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of Scale-Up Model for Flotation with Kristineberg Ore
    Evaluation of Scale-up Model for Flotation with Kristineberg Ore Adam Isaksson Chemical Engineering, master's level 2018 Luleå University of Technology Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering Evaluation of Scale-up Model for Flotation with Kristineberg Ore Adam Isaksson 2018 For degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Luleå University of Technology Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering Division of Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering Printed by Luleå University of Technology, Graphic Production 2018 Luleå 2018 www.ltu.se Preface As you may have figured out by now, this thesis is all about mineral processing and the extraction of metals. It was written as part of my studies at Luleå University of Technology, for a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with specialisation Mineral and Metal Winning. There are many people I would like to thank for helping me out during all these years. First of all, my thanks go to supervisors Bertil Pålsson and Lisa Malm for the guidance in this project. Iris Wunderlich had a paramount role during sampling and has kindly delivered me data to this report, which would not have been finished without her support. I would also like to thank Boliden Mineral AB as a company. Partly for giving me the chance to write this thesis in the first place, but also for supporting us students during our years at LTU. Speaking of which, thanks to Olle Bertilsson for reading the report and giving me feedback. The people at the TMP laboratory deserves another mention. I am also very grateful for the financial support and generous scholarships from Jernkontoret these five years.
    [Show full text]
  • Liquation Cracking in the Heat-Affected Zone of IN738 Superalloy Weld
    metals Article Liquation Cracking in the Heat-Affected Zone of IN738 Superalloy Weld Kai-Cheng Chen 1, Tai-Cheng Chen 2,3 ID , Ren-Kae Shiue 3 ID and Leu-Wen Tsay 1,* ID 1 Institute of Materials Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; [email protected] 2 Nuclear Fuels and Materials Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan 32546, Taiwan; [email protected] 3 Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +886-2-24622192 (ext. 6405) Received: 7 May 2018; Accepted: 25 May 2018; Published: 27 May 2018 Abstract: The main scope of this study investigated the occurrence of liquation cracking in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of IN738 superalloy weld, IN738 is widely used in gas turbine blades in land-based power plants. Microstructural examinations showed considerable amounts of γ’ uniformly precipitated in the γ matrix. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) maps showed the γ-γ’ colonies were rich in Al and Ti, but lean in other alloy elements. Moreover, the metal carbides (MC), fine borides (M3B2 and M5B3), η-Ni3Ti, σ (Cr-Co) and lamellar Ni7Zr2 intermetallic compounds could be found at the interdendritic boundaries. The fracture morphologies and the corresponding EPMA maps confirmed that the liquation cracking in the HAZ of the IN738 superalloy weld resulted from the presence of complex microconstituents at the interdendritic boundaries. Keywords: IN738 superalloy; welding; HAZ cracking; microconstituent 1. Introduction The superior tensile strength, creep and oxidation resistance at elevated temperature make Ni-base superalloys used extensively in industrial gas turbines [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying Materials, Recipes and Choices: Some Suggestions for the Study of Archaeological Cupels
    IDENTIFYING MATERIALS, RECIPES AND CHOICES: SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE STUDY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL CUPELS Marcos Martinón-Torres – UCL Institute of Archaeology, London, United Kingdom Thilo Rehren – UCL Institute of Archaeology, London, United Kingdom Nicolas Thomas – INRAP and Université Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, France Aude Mongiatti– UCL Institute of Archaeology, London, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Used cupels are increasingly identified in archaeological assemblages related to coin minting, alchemy, assaying and goldsmithing across the world. However, notwithstanding some valuable studies, the informative potential of cupellation remains is not always being exploited in full. Here we present a review of past and ongoing research on cupels, involving analytical studies, experiments and historical enquiry, and suggest some strategies for more productive future work. The archaeological case studies discussed are medieval and later assemblages from France (Pymont and Montbéliard) and Austria (Oberstockstall and Kapfenberg), which have been analysed using optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, ED-XRF, WD-EPMA and ICP-AES. Using suitable analytical and data processing methodologies, it is possible to obtain an insight into the metallurgical processes carried out in cupels, and the knowledge and skill of the craftspeople involved. Furthermore, we can also discern the specific raw materials used for manufacturing the cupels themselves, including varying mixtures of bone and wood ash. The variety of cupel-making recipes raises questions as to the versatility of craftspeople and the material properties and performance of different cupels. Can we assess the efficiency of different cupels? Are these variations the results of different technological traditions, saving needs or peculiar perceptions of matter? KEYWORDS Lead, silver, cupellation, fire assay, technological choice, bone ash, wood ash INTRODUCTION Cupellation is a high-temperature oxidising reaction aimed at refining noble metals.
    [Show full text]
  • Mercury and Mercury Compounds
    United States Office of Air Quality EPA-454/R-97-012 Environmental Protection Planning And Standards Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 December 1997 AIR EPA LOCATING AND ESTIMATING AIR EMISSIONS FROM SOURCES OF MERCURY AND MERCURY COMPOUNDS L & E EPA-454/R-97-012 Locating And Estimating Air Emissions From Sources of Mercury and Mercury Compounds Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Office of Air and Radiation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 December 1997 This report has been reviewed by the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and has been approved for publication. Mention of trade names and commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. EPA-454/R-97-012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................ xi 1.0 PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT .............................................. 1-1 2.0 OVERVIEW OF DOCUMENT CONTENTS ................................. 2-1 3.0 BACKGROUND ........................................................ 3-1 3.1 NATURE OF THE POLLUTANT ..................................... 3-1 3.2 OVERVIEW OF PRODUCTION, USE, AND EMISSIONS ................. 3-1 3.2.1 Production .................................................. 3-1 3.2.2 End-Use .................................................... 3-3 3.2.3 Emissions ................................................... 3-6 4.0 EMISSIONS FROM MERCURY PRODUCTION ............................. 4-1 4.1 PRIMARY MERCURY
    [Show full text]
  • Corrosion and Mercury Release from Dental Amalgam
    Corrosion and Mercury Release from Dental Amalgam 1 Jaro Pleva, Ph.D. Abstract been presented, amalgam is still by far the most Corrosion attacks on twenty-two dental extensively used material for dental restorations.2 amalgam restorations after in vivo service have Since the investigations and warnings of the been studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy outstanding German chemist Alfred Stock, 1920- together with the Energy Dispersive X-Ray 19453 4 5 little epidemiological studies of mercury Technique, and by optical microscopy. From the release and its effects have been made. One of the measured depth and type of corrosion attack, possible reasons may be the very interdisciplinary estimates of released mercury amounts are made. character of the problem. For correct answer, The amalgam fillings have been obtained from specialist competence in the following fields is members of a group of 250 individuals, who required: materials science, suspected their health troubles potentially to be corrosion/electrochemistry, toxicology, chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam and medicine/diagnostics, physical biology, analytical were to have all amalgam fillings removed. Three chemistry. typical patient cases are presented. The common type of dental amalgam is an Model calculations of released mercury, based alloy containing typically in weight-%; 50 Hg, 35 on previously published measurements of Ag, 10 Sn, Cu, Zn. corrosion currents with and without abrasion are Reported types of amalgam degradation are also given. crevice corrosion,2 6 7 8 selective corrosion,9 The investigations show, that the long-term galvanic corrosion in contact with dissimilar release of mercury from a few amalgam fillings alloys10 11 and mechanical wear.12 33 Besides will often reach or exceed the recommended selective attack, stress corrosion has been limits for daily intake of mercury.
    [Show full text]
  • NATURE MAY 6, 1944, Vol
    562 NATURE MAY 6, 1944, VoL. 153 If the number of young people leaving school and nineteenth century led to the emancipation of the college is much larger in recent years than at the lower classes and of women, and to increasing de­ beginning of the century, it would seem that this is mands for improved social status and better educa­ less marked in Switzerland than in certain other tion. Dr. Erb considers that, in Switzerland, the countries. For example, it is pointed out that, in exaggerated importance imputed to academic learn­ 1930-31, per 100,000 of population, Germany had 63 ing of the more showy or superficial type was par­ Abiturienten (holders of school-leaving certificates or ticularly marked, and was closely associated with equivalent) whereas Switzerland had only 34. Japan the growing soci»l prejudice for black-coated respect­ and Rumania in 1934 had more than six times as ability. Those who had not themselves attained many with academic training as in 1913. In the to this status were anxious and determined that their same period those of Holland increased by 146 per children should do so; and this delusion, says Dr. cent, of France 112 per cent, of Great Britain 83 per Erb, will continue until it is more generally realized cent, and of Switzerland 59 per cent. According to that the harder one studies the more certainly will Dr. Erb, the most disturbing aspect of this increase he miss the road to wealth. This may be often true, in quantity is the serious decline in quality : he but scarcely attains the dignity of a general thinks the standard, however measured, is definitely proposition ; and in any event strikes a slightly dis­ lower.
    [Show full text]