Browsing by Author "Li, Hong"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    China's soil and groundwater management challenges: Lessons from the UK's experience and opportunities for China
    (Elseveir, 2016-03-10) Coulon, Frederic; Jones, Kevin; Li, Hong; Hu, Qing; Gao, Jingyang; Li, Fasheng; Chen, Mengfang; Zhu, Yong-Guan; Liu, Rongxia; Liu, Ming; Canning, Kate; Harries, Nicola; Bardos, Paul; Nathanail, C. Paul; Sweeney, Rob; Middleton, David; Charnley, Maggie; Randall, Jeremy; Richell, Martin; Howard, Trevor; Martin, Ian; Spooner, Simon; Weeks, Jason; Cave, Mark; Yu, Fang; Zhang, Fang; Jiang, Ying; Longhurst, Philip J.; Prpich, George; Bewley, Richard; Abra, Jonathan; Pollard, Simon J. T.
    There are a number of specific opportunities for UK and China to work together on contaminated land management issues as China lacks comprehensive and systematic planning for sustainable risk based land management, encompassing both contaminated soil and groundwater and recycling and reuse of soil. It also lacks comprehensive risk assessment systems, structures to support risk management decision making, processes for verification of remediation outcome, systems for record keeping and preservation and integration of contamination issues into land use planning, along with procedures for ensuring effective health and safety considerations during remediation projects, and effective evaluation of costs versus benefits and overall sustainability. A consequence of the absence of these overarching frameworks has been that remediation takes place on an ad hoc basis. At a specific site management level, China lacks capabilities in site investigation and consequent risk assessment systems, in particular related to conceptual modelling and risk evaluation. There is also a lack of shared experience of practical deployment of remediation technologies in China, analogous to the situation before the establishment of the independent, non-profit organisation CL:AIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications In Real Environments) in 1999 in the UK. Many local technology developments are at lab-scale or pilot-scale stage without being widely put into use. Therefore, a shared endeavour is needed to promote the development of technically and scientifically sound land management as well as soil and human health protection to improve the sustainability of the rapid urbanisation in China.
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    Combining solvent extraction and bioremediation for removing weathered petroleum from contaminated soil
    (Elsevier, 2013-08-31T00:00:00Z) Wu, Guozhong; Coulon, Frederic; Yang, Yuewei; Li, Hong; Sui, Hong
    This study aimed to remediate a highly contaminated soil with weathered petroleum using an integrated technology combining solvent extraction and biodegradation. Soils were washed using a composite organic solvent consisted of hexane and pentane (4:1 v/v) and then bioremediated in microcosms which were bioaugmentated with Bacillus subtilis FQ06 strains and/or rhamnolipid. The optimal solvent extraction conditions were determined as extraction for 20 min at 25 °C with solvent-soil ratio of 6:1 (v/w). On this basis, total petroleum hydrocarbon was decreased from 140,000 to 14,000 mg kg-1, which was further reduced to < 4000 mg kg-1 by subsequent bioremediation for 132 days. Sustainability assessment of this integrated technology showed its good performance for both short- and long-term effectiveness. Overall results encouraged its application for remediating contaminated sites especially with high concentration weathered hydrocarbons.
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    Enhancing microstructural and mechanical characteristics of laser welded NiTi SMA/304 SS lap joints with medium and high entropy alloy fillers
    (Springer, 2024-01-03) Wang, Yipeng; Zhang, Dongni; Li, Hong; Li, Zhuoxin; Yang, Zijia; Chen, Xin; Cong, Baoqiang
    The demand for high-quality nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy (SMA) and stainless steel (SS) welded structures has led to significant challenges in fusion welding technology, which is largely influenced by filler materials. This study explores the application of CoCrNi medium entropy alloy and CoCrNiFe high entropy alloy as filler materials for laser lap welding of NiTi SMA and 304 SS. A self-fusing joint was produced for comparison. The results demonstrate that the interface zone on the NiTi side was the weakest area regarding cracking defects in NiTi/304 SS lap joints. However, using CoCrNi and CoCrNiFe fillers effectively eliminated cracking defects by considerably suppressing the formation of brittle FeTi and Fe2Ti intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The average microhardness value of the weld zone without filler was higher than with CoCrNi and CoCrNiFe. Furthermore, the addition of CoCrNi and CoCrNiFe fillers to NiTi/304 SS lap joints resulted in a substantial increase in tensile properties, with tensile strength reaching 196 ± 39 MPa without filler, 319 ± 25 MPa with CoCrNi, and 377 ± 33 MPa with CoCrNiFe, respectively.
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    Land Contamination and Brownfield Management Policy Development in China: Learning from the UK Experience
    (2016-03) Coulon, Frederic; Bardos, Paul; Harries, Nicola; Canning, Kate; Chen, Mengfang; Hu, Qing; Jones, Kevin Christopher; Li, Fasheng; Li, Hong; Gomes, Diogo; Liu, Ming; Liu, Rongxia; Yang, Xia
    Over the last 30 years, China’s fast urbanisation along with huge expansion of its manufacturing industry has led to the emergence of significant soil and water contamination problems across China. In the meantime, a number of policies and regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment have been implemented to stop deliberate pollution and more recently to address pollution prevention at source on a wider scale. Soil protection and management have been featured in policy discussions since the late 1950s in China. However, the topic has recently been of greatly expanded interest in the development of emerging policies, particularly with regards to the role of soil as a resource, independent of the functions that it carries out. Soil provides multiple important functions such as provision of food and raw materials, a platform for urban development and human wellbeing and a filtering and transforming media for water, nutrients, and carbon. However as pointed out by Yuan Si, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the National People Congress (China Daily, 11 March 2016), the move toward integrated management that has been driving policies for air and water has proven to be a challenge for soil management, mainly due to the multiple functions that soils provide. This is also true internationally and explained by several drivers for soil protection including among others soil contamination, construction, agriculture and amenity value.
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    Pilot Application of SVE-Enhanced Bioremediation Technology for in situ Clean-up of a Light Oil-Contaminated Site
    (HARD Publishing; 1999, 2012-12-31T00:00:00Z) Yang, Yuewei; Wu, Guozhong; Li, Xingang; Coulon, Frederic; Li, Hong; Sui, Hong
    Light oil (isooctane) removal using soil vapor extraction (SVE) enhanced bioremediation (BR) was investigated by four steps, including: (i) amendment of substrates in batches (ii) continuous induction of contaminants for 15 days (iii) in situ acclimation for 100 days (iv) biodegradation assisted with SVE venting for 120 h at 20 m³·h-1 Results showed that the total removal efficiency was up to 90% after BR-SVE treatments. BR contributed predominantly to isooctane removal during the last 36 h of BR-SVE treatment. This implied that it would be an important strategy to limit water content at the early stage while increasing water supply at the end stage during implementation of BR-SVE, because water content was a significant factor hindering SVE but favoring BR. The overall results demonstrated a good complementarity between SVE and BR, and a potential for their combination in real-world applications.
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    Promoting Sino-UK Collaboration on Developing Low Carbon and Sustainable Methodologies for Brownfields and Marginal Land Re-use in China
    (2017-01) Coulon, Frederic; Campo Moreno, Pablo; Jiang, Ying; Longhurst, Phil; Bardos, Paul; Li, Xiaonuo; Harries, Nicola; Jones, Kevin; Li, Hong; Li, Fasheng; Cao, Yunzhe; Hu, Qing; Gao, Jingyang; Chen, Mengfang; Zhu, Yong-Guan; Cai, Chao
    Rapid urbanisation and changes in land use resulting from industrial change has left a legacy of vast polluted industrial and commercial areas (also called brownfields) and marginal land areas. Recent evidence from the UK, EU and USA indicate that these land areas may have considerable potential for renewables production, for example from solar, wind or biomass. In parallel there are opportunities for carbon storage in rehabilitated soil, as well as substitution by the production of renewables. The UK is also leading the understanding in the wider parallel benefits that can be achieved from ecosystem services and public health benefits from improved provision of green space. These multiple services can be provided together, in synergy, from soft re-uses of post-industrial sites, and in this way the post-industrial regeneration areas in China should be seen as a major opportunity for new enterprise, society and the wider environment. The improving bankability of renewable energy projects, and the possibility of creating a voluntary carbon offset business, means that revenue streams may be sufficient to pay for ongoing land management over time as a profit generating activity. In terms of fastest benefit to UK PLC and China, the likelihood is that combination of renewable energies with “dual use” for habitat will provide both more readily commercial brownfield re-use opportunities for cities in China in the short term, and also create better carbon management opportunities, as well as a variety of wider sustainability benefits. Thus this type of re-uses will create a platform for rapid commercial exchange and development between Chinese and UK companies. Considering that China is preparing an action plan for managing soil pollution and remediation across the country estimated to be RMB 7tn which is equivalent to one-third of the national exchange reserves, this report on developing low carbon and sustainable methodologies for brownfields and marginal land re-use in China provides timely information that will support the decision making for sustainable remediation opportunities in China. The report is intended to serve as a tool and resource guide to stakeholders involved in land remediation willing to engage in sustainable remediation implementation for renewable energy and carbon management applications. It is intended to inform remediation stakeholders unfamiliar with sustainable remediation about the concept, practices, and available resources. The report capitalises on UK leadership positions on the sustainable rehabilitation of brownfields land (SURF-UK), the soft re-use of brownfields (e.g. for energy or amenity rather than buildings); effective end-use directed risk management for contaminated land, and sustainable remediation.
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    Recycling of solvent used in a solvent extraction of petroleum hydrocarbons contaminated soil.
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2011-02-15T00:00:00Z) Wu, Guozhong; Li, Xingang; Coulon, Frederic; Li, Hong; Lian, Jingyan; Sui, Hong
    The application of water washing technology for recycling an organic composite solvent consisting of hexane and pentane (4:1; TU-A solvent) was investigated for extracting total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) from contaminated soil. The effects of water volume, water temperature, washing time and initial concentration of solvent were evaluated using orthogonal experiments followed by single factor experiments. Our results showed that the water volume was a statistically significant factor influencing greatly the water washing efficiency. Although less important, the other three factors have all increased the efficacy of water washing treatment. Based on a treatment of 20g of contaminated soil with a TPH concentration of 140mgg(-1), optimal conditions were found to be at 40°C, 100mL water, 5min washing time and 660mgg(-1) solvent. Semi-continuous water extraction method showed that the concentration of the composite solvent TU-A was reduced below 15mgg(-1) d.w. soil with a recovery extraction efficiency >97%. This finding suggests that water washing is a promising technology for recycling solvent used in TPH extraction from contaminated soils
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    Redevelopment of urban brownfield sites in China: motivation, history, policies and improved management
    (Elsevier, 2022-07-06) Sun, Yiming; Li, Hong; Lei, Shuo; Semple, Kirk T.; Coulon, Frederic; Hu, Qing; Gao, Jingyang; Guo, Guanlin; Gu, Qingbao; Jones, Kevin C.
    Rapid urbanisation in China has resulted in an increased demand for land in towns and cities. To upgrade and modernise, China has also moved many major industries from urban centres to less populated areas. With the high economic value of urban land, the transformation and utilisation of brownfield areas have become important economically and socially. The Chinese government has recognised the need for strong frameworks to safeguard soil and groundwater quality, with brownfield sites a key category for management. Strong scientific, regulatory and decision-making frameworks are needed and being adopted to ensure practical, careful and wise use of central and localised government resources, to manage the reuse and regeneration of these brownfield sites. This paper reviews the context, policies and management procedures of developing brownfield sites in countries with a history of brownfield management and discusses China’s current situation and priorities for brownfield governance and redevelopment. These include (1) clarification of brownfield site soil contamination risk control standards and risk assessment procedures, (2) the responsibilities of different national and local agencies, (3) the establishment of a national expert committee to advise on best practices, policy and process, (4) the use of registered brownfield databases at national, provincial, municipal and county levels, and (5) the set up of soil pollution prevention fund at the provincial level.
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    Refining microstructure of medium-thick AA2219 aluminium alloy welded joint by ultrasonic frequency double-pulsed arc
    (Elsevier, 2023-02-14) Wang, Yipeng; Li, Hong; Li, Zhuoxin; Zhang, Yu; Qin, Jian; Chen, Guangyu; Qi, Bojin; Zeng, Caiyou; Cong, Baoqiang
    The increasing demand for achieving high-efficiency and high-quality medium-thick aluminium alloy welded structures, especially for large scale aerospace components, presents an urgent challenge to the conventional TIG arc welding process. This work proposed a novel double-pulsed variable polarity tungsten inert gas (DP-VPTIG) arc, in which the variable polarity square wave current was simultaneously modulated into ultrasonic frequency (20–80 kHz) and low frequency (0.5–10 Hz) pulses. Full penetration welds of 6 mm thick AA2219 aluminum alloy were successfully obtained by using this process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld produced by DP-VPTIG arc were investigated, taking the conventional VPTIG arc as a comparative study. Results show that the microstructure of weld zone by DP-VPTIG arc showed an alternating distribution of fine equiaxed grain band and slightly coarse equiaxed grain band. Compared to VPTIG arc, the grain structure was effectively refined in the weld zone with DP-VPTIG arc, showing a significant reduction of average grain size by 51.2% along transverse section and 61.3% along longitudinal section. The morphology of α-Al+θ-CuAl2 eutectics transformed from continuously distributed netlike shape to separately distributed granular shape, and segregation of Cu solute element was obviously improved. The average microhardness of weld zone was increased by about 8.7% and 5.6% along transverse section and along longitudinal section. The tensile properties of ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation were increased by 6.6%, 10.6% and 20.5%, respectively. The results provide a valuable basis for improving welding efficiency and joint quality through a hybrid pulsed arc.