INFLUENCE OF AIR HUMIDITY ON THE SUPPRESSION OF FUGITIVE DUST BY USING A WATER-SPRAYING SYSTEM

One of the main origins of fugitive dust emission arises from bulk handling in quarries or mines, in particular, from bulk materials falling from a hopper or a conveyor belt. Water-spraying systems, using two-phase nozzles, are one of the methods to suppress such dust emission. In this work we tried to develop a mathematical model to correlate air humidity, water flux through the nozzle and the dust （in particular PM10） emission, in order to improve the application and efficiency of these systems. Sand from the Yellow River in China was dropped from a conveyor belt into a dust chamber at 1 kg·min^-1, wherefrom the emitted dust was sucked off and quantified via a cascade impactor. A two-phase nozzle was installed in the dust chamber with a water flux through the nozzle of 1.2 to 3 L·h^-1, whereas the relative air humidity changed between 55 and 73%. Dust emission was found to be linearly dependent on relative air humidity. Furthermore model equations were developed to describe the dependence of PM10 emission on water flux and relative air humidity.

Hyperbranched phthalocyanine enabling black-phase formamidinium perovskite solar cells processing and operating in humidity open air

The extreme instability of pureα-phase FAPbI_(3) under high humidity conditions restricts the highthroughput fabrication in unmodified air environments,resulting in poor performance ofα-phase FAPbI_(3) perovskite devices obtained by scalable fabrication methods.Here we synthesized hyperbranched copper phthalocyanine(HCuPc)as a supramolecular additive with twisted phthalocyanine units to realize the molecular-level encapsulation at the grain boundaries through supramolecular interaction,which greatly broadened the processing window of FAPbI_(3) under high humidity.At the same time,unlike traditional encapsulation layer that carrier can only be collected by tunneling effect,the twisted phthalocyanine ring of HCu Pc in perovskite films is more conducive to hole extraction.Finally,a record efficiency was achieved in pure FAPbI_(3) based inverted structured solar cell by blade-coating to the best of our knowledge,even under unmodified humid air conditions(relative humidity of 65%–85%).The best operational stability of 3D pure FAPbI_(3) devices can also be achieved at the same time and unencapsulated HCuPc-FAPbI_(3) device can even operate with negligible degradation for 100 h in the open air(RH 30%–40%).

Response of Tomato Sugar and Acid Metabolism and Fruit Quality under Different High Temperature and Relative Humidity Conditions

The combined stress of high temperature and high relative air humidity is one of the most serious agrometeorological disasters that restricts the production capacity of protected agriculture.However,there is little information about the precise interaction between them on tomato fruit quality.The objectives of this study were to explore the effects of the combined stress of high temperature and relative humidity on the sugar and acid metabolism and fruit quality of tomato fruits,and to determine the best relative air humidity for fruit quality under high temperature environments.Four temperature treatments(32℃,35℃,38℃,41℃),three relative air humidity(50%,70%,90%)and four duration(3,6,9,12 d)orthogonal experiments were conducted,with 28℃,50%as control.The results showed that under high temperature and relative air humidity,the activity of sucrose metabolizing enzymes in young tomato fruits changed,which reduced fruits soluble sugar content;in addition,enzyme activities involved phosphopyruvate carboxylase(PEPC),mitochondria aconitase(MDH)and citrate synthetase(CS)increased which increased the content of organic acids(especially malic acid).Eventually,vitamin C,total sugar and sugar-acid ratio decreased significantly,while the titratable acid increased,resulting in a decrease in fruit flavor quality and nutritional quality in ripe fruit.Specifically,a temperature of 32℃and a relative air humidity of 70%were the best cultivation conditions for tomato reproductive growth period under high temperature.Our results indicating that fruit quality reduced under high temperature at the flowering stage,while increasing the relative air humidity to 70%could alleviate this negative effect.Our results are benefit to better understand the interaction between microclimate parameters under specific climatic conditions in the greenhouse environment and their impact on tomato flavor quality.

Kinetic study of key species and reactions of atmospheric pressure pulsed corona discharge in humid air

In this study, we examined the key particles and chemical reactions that substantially influence plasma characteristics. In summarizing the chemical reaction model for the discharge process of N_(2)–O_(2)–H_(2)O(g)mixed gases, 65 particle types and 673 chemical reactions were investigated. On this basis, a global model of atmospheric pressure humid air discharge plasma was developed, with a focus on the variation of charged particles densities and chemical reaction rates with time under the excitation of a 0–200 Td pulsed electric field. Particles with a density greater than 1% of the electron density were classified as key particles. For such particles, the top ranking generation or consumption reactions(i.e. where the sum of their rates was greater than 95% of the total rate of the generation or consumption reactions) were classified as key chemical reactions. On the basis of the key particles and reactions identified, a simplified global model was derived. A comparison of the global model with the simplified global model in terms of the model parameters, particle densities, reaction rates(with time), and calculation efficiencies demonstrated that both models can adequately identify the key particles and chemical reactions reflecting the chemical process of atmospheric pressure discharge plasma in humid air. Thus, by analyzing the key particles and chemical reaction pathways, the charge and substance transfer mechanism of atmospheric pressure pulse discharge plasma in humid air was revealed, and the mechanism underlying water vapor molecules’ influence on atmospheric pressure air discharge was elucidated.

Electro-Hydrodynamics and Kinetic Modeling of Dry and Humid Air Flows Activated by Corona Discharges

The present work is devoted to the 2D simulation of a point-to-plane Atmospheric Corona Discharge Reactor （ACDR） powered by a DC high voltage supply. The corona reactor is periodically crossed by thin mono filamentary streamers with a natural repetition frequency of some tens of kHz. The study compares the results obtained in dry air and in air mixed with a small amount of water vapour （humid air）. The simulation involves the electro-dynamics~ chemical kinetics and neutral gas hydrodynamics phenomena that influence the kinetics of the chemical species transformation. Each discharge lasts about one hundred of a nanosecond while the post- discharge occurring between two successive discharges lasts one hundred of a microsecond. The ACDR is crossed by a lateral dry or humid air flow initially polluted with 400 ppm of NO. After 5 ms, the time corresponding to the occurrence of 50 successive discharge/post-discharge phases, a higher NO removal rate and a lower ozone production rate are found in humid air. This change is due to the presence of the HO2 species formed from the H primary radical in the discharge zone.

The Processes-Based Attributes of Four Major Surface Melting Events over the Antarctic Ross Ice Shelf

The Ross-Amundsen sector is experiencing an accelerating warming trend and a more intensive advective influx of marine air streams.As a result,massive surface melting events of the ice shelf are occurring more frequently,which puts the West Antarctica Ice Sheet at greater risk of degradation.This study shows the connection between surface melting and the prominent intrusion of warm and humid air flows from lower latitudes.By applying the Climate Feedback-Response Analysis Method(CFRAM),the temporal surge of the downward longwave(LW)fluxes over the surface of the Ross Ice Shelf(RIS)and adjacent regions are identified for four historically massive RIS surface melting events.The melting events are decomposed to identify which physical mechanisms are the main contributors.We found that intrusions of warm and humid airflow from lower latitudes are conducive to warm air temperature and water vapor anomalies,as well as cloud development.These changes exert a combined impact on the abnormal enhancement of the downward LW surface radiative fluxes,significantly contributing to surface warming and the resultant massive melting of ice.

Design Research of a Novel Aftercool-Humidifier Concept for Humid Air Turbine Cycle

Humid air turbine cycle(HAT)has potential of electrical efficiencies comparable to combined cycle,with lower investment cost and NO_(x) emission.The typical heat exchanger network of HAT consists of intercooler(if there is),aftercooler,recuperator,economizer and humidifier,which brings higher efficiency but makes the system more complex.To simplify HAT layout,a novel humidifier concept is proposed by integrating the aftercooler into traditional counter-current humidifier.Based on this concept,a one-dimensional model including pressure drop and exergy calculation is established to distinguish the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics,and then the structural parameters,such as the number of rows and columns,tube diameter,pitch and type for a micro HAT are identified.The results show that the aftercool-humidifier plays the same role as original aftercooler and humidifier,and can match the in-tube air,out-tube air and water stream well with lower volume.In the case of micro HAT cycle,the volume of heat and mass transfer area can be reduced by 47%compared with traditional design.The major thermal resistance occurred in the convection heat transfer process inside the tube;however,using enhanced tube cannot effectively improve the compactness of device.

Influence of Humidity and Air Pressure on the Ion Mobility Based on Drift Tube Method

The measurement of ion mobility is important for calculating the corona loss of the transmission lines,and for establishing corona loss and ion current models that take humidity and air pressure into consideration.This paper describes a needle-ring corona discharge experiment setup based on a prior study,which simulates different humidity and air pressure conditions;it is observed that the execution of the ion gate is improved in this experiment from off-on-off to off-on to achieve higher ion current amplitude.Additionally,positive and negative ion mobility under different humidity and air pressure is obtained,with the positive ion mobility measurements in the range of 1.1126 to 1.9167 cm2/V·s,and the negative ion mobility measurements in the range of 1.3574 to 2.5643 cm2/V·s.The experimental results indicate that ion mobility decreases nonlinearly with increase in humidity,but trends towards saturation in the 30%–70%relative humidity range.Finally,a parameter correction method for calibrating the relationship among the ion mobility,humidity,and air pressure is proposed.

Enabling Argyrodite Sulfides as Superb Solid-State Electrolyte with Remarkable Interfacial Stability Against Electrodes

While argyrodite sulfides are getting more and more attention as highly promising solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)for solid batteries,they also suffer from the typical sulfide setbacks such as poor electrochemical compatibility with Li anode and high-voltage cathodes and serious sensitivity to humid air,which hinders their practical applications.Herein,we have devised an effective strategy to overcome these challenging shortcomings through modification of chalcogen chemistry under the guidance of theoretical modeling.The resultant Li_(6.25)PS_(4)O_(1.25)Cl_(0.75)delivered excellent electrochemical compatibility with both pure Li anode and high-voltage LiCoO_(2)cathode,without compromising the superb ionic conductivity of the pristine sulfide.Furthermore,the current SSE also exhibited highly improved stability to oxygen and humidity,with further advantage being more insulating to electrons.The remarkably enhanced compatibility with electrodes is attributed to in situ formation of helpful electrolyte–electrode interphases.The formation of in situ anode–electrolyte interphase(AEI)enabled stable Li plating/stripping in the Li|Li_(6.25)PS_(4)O_(1.25)Cl_(0.75)|Li symmetric cells at a high current density up to 1 mA cm^(-2)over 200 h and 2 mA cm^(-2)for another 100 h.The in situ amorphous nano-film cathode–electrolyte interphase(CEI)facilitated protection of the SSE from decomposition at elevated voltage.Consequently,the synergistic effect of AEI and CEI helped the LiCoO_(2)|Li_(6.25)PS_(4)O_(1.25)Cl_(0.75)|Li full-battery cell to achieve markedly better cycling stability than that using the pristine Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl as SSE,at a high area loading of the active cathode material(4 mg cm^(-2))in type-2032 coin cells.This work is to add a desirable SSE in the argyrodite sulfide family,so that high-performance solid battery cells could be fabricated without the usual need of strict control of the ambient atmosphere.

Control Means and Data Analysis of Environmental Factors of Facility Watermelon in Beijing Area

In this study, the environmental indicators(including temperature, light, air relative humidity and CO_2 concentration) of facility watermelon in Beijing area were monitored with US350 environmental sensor during the whole growth period. The results showed that in the solar greenhouses in Beijing area, the average air temperature was in the range of 10.67-29.95 ℃ during the whole growth period of watermelon, the average soil temperature ranged from 16.92 to 35.10 ℃, the average light intensity changed from 268.37 to 13 842.60 lx, the average air relative humidity ranged from 52.40% to 94.26%, and the average CO_2 concentration was in the range of 455-631 ml/m^3; and in the spring greenhouses in Beijing area, the variation range of average air temperature was 14.05-29.84 ℃ during the whole growth period of watermelon, the average soil temperature ranged from17.47 to 28.12 ℃, the average light intensity was in the range of 55.80-12 858.64 lx, the average soil moisture content ranged from 18.19%-34.56%, the variation range of average air relative humidity was 20.72%-96.26%, and the average CO_2 concentration was in the range of 351-544 ml/m^3.

Modeling of Soybean Plant Sap Flow

Soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.) sap flow during the growth stages in relation to soil moisture, nutrition, and weather conditions determine the plant development. Modeling this process helps to better understand the plant water-nutrition uptake and improve the decisions of efficient irrigation management and other inputs for effective soybean production. Field studies of soybean sap flow took place in 2017-2021 at Marianna, Arkansas using heat balance stem flow gauges to measure the sap flow during the reproductive growth stages R3-R7. Plant water uptake was measured using the lysimeter-container method. The uniform sap flow-based hydraulic system in the soil-root-stem-leaf pathway created negative water tensions with osmotic processes and water surface tensions in stomata cells as water evaporation layers increase are the mechanism of the plant water uptake. Any changes the factors like soil water tension, solar radiation, or air relative humidity immediately, within a few seconds, affect the system’s balance and cause simultaneously appropriate reactions in different parts of the system. The plant water use model was created from plant emergence, vegetative to final reproductive growth stages depending on soil-weather conditions, plant morphology, and biomass. The main factors of the model include solar radiation, air temperature, and air relative humidity. The effective sap flow uptake occurs around 0.8 KPa VPD. Further research is needed to optimize the model’s factors to increase the plant growth dynamics and yield productivity.

On the Relationship between Climatic Variables and Pressure Systems over Saudi Arabia in the Winter Season

The synoptic circulation over Saudi Arabia is complicated and frequently governed by the effect of large-scale pressure systems. In this work, we used NCEP–NCAR global data to illustrate the relationship between climatic variables and the main pressure systems that affect the weather and climate of Saudi Arabia, and also to investigate the influence of these pressure systems on surface air temperature（SAT） and rainfall over the region in the winter season. It was found that there are two primary patterns of pressure that influence the weather and climate of Saudi Arabia. The first occurs in cases of a strengthening Subtropical High（Sub H）, a weakening Siberian High（Sib H）, a deepening of the Icelandic Low（Ice L）, or a weakening of the Sudanese Low（Sud L）. During this pattern, the Sub H combines with the Sib H and an obvious increase of sea level pressure（SLP） occurs over southern European, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East. This belt of high pressure prevents interaction between midlatitude and extratropical systems, which leads to a decrease in the SAT,relative humidity（RH） and rainfall over Saudi Arabia. The second pattern occurs in association with a weakening of the Sub H, a strengthening of the Sib H, a weakening of the Ice L, or a deepening of the Sud L. The pattern arising in this case leads to an interaction between two different air masses： the first（cold moist） air mass is associated with the Mediterranean depression travelling from west to east, while the second（warm moist） air mass is associated with the northward oscillation of the Sud L and its inverted V-shape trough. The interaction between these two air masses increases the SAT, RH and the probability of rainfall over Saudi Arabia, especially over the northwest and northeast regions.

Impact of meteorological condition changes on air quality and particulate chemical composition during the COVID-19 lockdown

Stringent quarantine measures during the Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)lockdown period(January 23,2020 to March 15,2020)have resulted in a distinct decrease in anthropogenic source emissions in North China Plain compared to the paralleled period of 2019.Particularly,22.7%decrease in NO_(2)and 3.0%increase of O_(3)was observed in Tianjin,nonlinear relationship between O_(3)generation and NO_(2)implied that synergetic control of NOx and VOCs is needed.Deteriorating meteorological condition during the COVID-19 lockdown obscured the actual PM2.5 reduction.Fireworks transport in 2020 Spring Festival(SF)triggered regional haze pollution.PM2.5 during the COVID-19 lockdown only reduced by 5.6%in Tianjin.Here we used the dispersion coefficient to normalize the measured PM2.5(DN-PM2.5),aiming to eliminate the adverse meteorological impact and roughly estimate the actual PM2.5 reduction,which reduced by 17.7%during the COVID-19 lockdown.In terms of PM2.5 chemical composition,significant NO_(3)−increase was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown.However,as a tracer of atmospheric oxidation capacity,odd oxygen(Ox=NO_(2)+O_(3))was observed to reduce during the COVID-19 lockdown,whereas relative humidity(RH),specific humidity and aerosol liquid water content(ALWC)were observed with noticeable enhancement.Nitrogen oxidation rate(NOR)was observed to increase at higher specific humidity and ALWC,especially in the haze episode occurred during 2020SF,high air humidity and obvious nitrate generation was observed.Anomalously enhanced air humidity may response for the nitrate increase during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Investigation into the roles of interfacial H_(2)O structure in catalytic oxidation of HCHO and CO over CuMnO_(2) catalysts

The rapid deactivation of cost-effective MnO_(2)-based catalysts in humid air limits their application in practice,and the identification of the role of water in an oxidation process is significant for developing water-resistant MnO_(2)-based catalysts.Here,CuMnO_(2)showed a20.3%HCHO conversion in 10 hr at room temperature in humid air with relative humidity of 40%,but deactivated in 3 hr in dry air.The excellent activity and stability of HCHO oxidation in humid air were attributed to the positive effect of H_(2)O on HCHO oxidation to the H_(2)O-HOCH_(2)OH supermolecule assemblies via hydrogen bonds formed on CuMnO_(2).H_(2)O-HOCH_(2)OH supermolecule assemblies tend to be oxidized to carbonate,which is further oxidized to CO_(2).Furthermore,CuMnO_(2)exhibited a much poorer activity of CO oxidation in humid air,but the CO conversion was still 100%in 10 hr in dry air.H_(2)O showed a competitive adsorption effect to CO on CuMnO_(2).CuMnO_(2)could be applied in HCHO elimination in humid air and CO elimination in dry air.

Abscisic Acid Transport and Homeostasis in the Context of Stomatal Regulation

The discovery of cytosolic ABA receptors is an important breakthrough in stomatal research; signaling via these receptors is involved in determining the basal stomatal conductance and stomatal responsiveness. However, the source of ABA in guard cells is still not fully understood. The level of ABA increases in guard cells by de novo synthesis, recycling from inactive conjugates via β-glucosidases BG1 and BG2 and by import, whereas it decreases by hydroxylation, conjugation, and export. ABA importers include the NRT1/PTR family protein AIT1, ATP-binding cassette protein ABCG40, and possibly ABCG22, whereas the DTX family member DTX50 and ABCG25 function as ABA exporters. Here, we review the proteins involved in ABA transport and homeostasis and their physiological role in stomatal regulation. Recent experiments suggest that functional redundancy probably exists among ABA transporters between vascu- lature and guard cells and ABA recycling proteins, as stomatal functioning remained intact in abcg22, abcg25, abcg40, aitl, and bglbg2 mutants. Only the initial response to reduced air humidity was significantly delayed in abcg22. Considering the reports showing autonomous ABA synthesis in guard cells, we discuss that rapid stomatal responses to atmospheric factors might depend primarily on guard cellsynthesized ABA, whereas in the case of long-term soil water deficit, ABA synthesized in the vasculature might have a significant role.

Removal of inhalable particles from coal and refuse combustion by agglomeration with solid nuclei

Airborne inhalable particles are a potent environmental pollutant. Formed via industrial processes, separation of these particles is difficult using conventional clean up techniques. In this work, solid nuclei particles of different chemical compositions were introduced into an agglomeration chamber with simulated flue gases to investigate their ability to remove these particles. Organic nuclei were able to capture more inhalable particles from coal-derived fly ash than inorganic nuclei, though these proved more effective for the agglomeration of inhalable particles in refuse-derived fly ash. Increasing the diameter of the solid nuclei benefitted the agglomeration process for both types of ash. Varying the local humidity changed adhesion between the particles and encouraged them to aggregate. Increasing the relative humidity consistently increased particle agglomeration for the refuse-derived ash. For coal-derived fly ash, the removal efficiency increased initially with relative humidity but then further increases in humidity had no impact on the relatively high efficiencies. After agglomeration in an atmosphere of 62% relative humidity, the mean mass diameter of inhalable particles in the coal-derived fly ash increased from 3.3 to 9.2 μm. For refuse-derived fly ash, agglomeration caused the percentage of particles that were less than 2μm to decrease from 40% to 15%. After treatment at a relative humidity of 61%, the mean size of inhalable particles exceeded 10 μm.

Experimental Analysis on Influencing Factors of NO_(x)emission in Gas-Fired Heating and Hot Water Combi-Boilers

To study the influencing factors of NO_(x)emission in gas-fired heating and hot water combi-boilers,a boiler with the maximum heat input of 26.0 k W was selected,and influencing factors including flue restrictor diameter,fan power,nozzle aperture,nozzle ejection distance and air relative humidity on NO_(x)formation were determined.The NO_(x)test rig has been built and the concentration of NO_(x)at the rated heat input and the NO_(x)weight value(NO_(x))_(pond)with different heat input in the dry flue gas have been tested respectively according to the test methods in Chinese national standard GB 25034-2010.The results show that with the increase of the diameter of flue restrictor at exhaust outlet,the NO_(x)concentration at the rated heat input and the NO_(x)weight value(NO_(x))_(pond)with different heat input in the dry flue gas decreased by 26.9%and 5.9%;with the increase of the diameter of flue restrictor at air intake inlet,the NO_(x)and(NO_(x))_(pond)decreased by 36.5%and 16.0%;with the increase of fan power,the NO_(x)and(NO_(x))_(pond)can be decreased by 48.4%and 16.1%;with the increase of ejection distance of nozzle,the NO_(x)and(NO_(x))_(pond)decreased by 7.7%and 6.8%;with the increase of aperture of nozzle,the NO_(x)and(NO_(x))_(pond)increased by 5.2%and 2.3%;with the increase of air relative humidity,the NO_(x)decreased by 16.4%and the(NO_(x))_(pond)basically remains unchanged.The analysis of the influence factors of NO_(x)emission can be provided as reference for the optimization design of combi-boilers with low NO_(x)emission.

Analysis of Influencing Factors on NO_x emission in Gas-Fired Heating and Hot Water Combi-Boilers Based on Orthogonal Method

In order to determine the sensitivity of influencing factors on NOx emission in gas-fired heating and hot water combi-boilers,the orthogonal method was adopted in this paper.Five predominant factors affecting the formation of NOx and four levels were selected to be analyzed,including the diameter of flue restrictor,power of fan,ejection distance of nozzle,aperture of nozzle and relative humidity of air.The test plan was designed by employing L16(45)orthogonal array,and 16 groups of experiments were conducted.The test results were analyzed with range analysis and variance analysis.The results indicated that the power of fan has the greatest influence on the formation of NOx of the gas-fired combi-boilers,followed by the diameter of flue restrictor and the relative humidity of air,while the ejection distance of nozzle and aperture of nozzle have little effect on the formation of NOx.In addition,with the selected optimal combination of five factors,a minimum NOx volume fraction is obtained,which confirms the superiority of the orthogonal test.The research finding has a certain guiding significance for the reduction of NOx formation of gas-fired heating and hot water combi-boiler.