Development of a ~3He Gas Filling Station at the China Spallation Neutron Source

At the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS), we have developed a custom gas-filling station, a glassblowing workshop, and a spin-exchange optical pumping(SEOP) system for producing high-quality ^(3)He-based neutron spin filter(NSF) cells. The gas-filling station is capable of routinely filling ^(3)He cells made from GE180 glass of various dimensions, to be used as neutron polarizers and analyzers on beamlines at the CSNS. Performance tests on cells fabricated at our gas-filling station are conducted via neutron transmission and nuclear-magneticresonance measurements, revealing nominal filling pressures, and a saturated ~3He polarization in the region of 80%, with a lifetime of approximately 240 hours. These results demonstrate our ability to produce competitive NSF cells to meet the ever-increasing research needs of the polarized neutron research community.

Petroleum Filling Stations and Their Impact on the Environment in Nigeria

The poor state of the environment,especially in urban areas,has become a major global issue,with developing countries such as Nigeria voicing growing concern.There is a scarcity of knowledge on the environmental impact of PFSs as a result of the loss of life and property,as well as other serious socio-economic implications of non-compliance with PFSs siting criteria.The historical literature on the impact of residential buildings,the environment,and human health on PFSs in Nigeria,as well as the study’s gap,is examined in this research.It also outlines DPR compliance with PFSs location as well as established criteria for prohibiting PFS siting in Nigeria’s states.Relevant publications on PFSs-related topics were downloaded from Google Scholar.The goal of this study is to look back on a previous essay about PFSs in Nigeria and its impacts on the environment and human health.This study’s main purpose is to give a complete overview of Nigerian PFSs.According to the article analyzed,the majority of PFSs were located close to residents,with setbacks from the road and residential areas of less than 30 m in 90%of the filling stations.As a result,the landowners can band together to argue that a facility that is improperly sited cannot be built.A great deal of public participation is required.A campaign should be launched to raise awareness among filling station owners and other developers of the dangers of non-compliance with established norms.All violators of the established norms,as well as corrupt officials of enforcement agencies/bodies,should face open punishment so that others might learn their lessons.Finally,appropriate planning is required to allow future road expansion.

Comparison of Soil Samples from Selected Anthropogenic Sites within Enugu Metropolis for Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metal Levels Determination

This study compared the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in soil samples from selected anthropogenic sites within Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria using standard analytical methods. Soil samples at depths (0 - 20 cm) and (20 - 40 cm) were collected from waste dump sites, metal scrap dumps, fuel filling stations and auto-mechanic workshops and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for heavy metal determination while conventional analytical methods were employed for physicochemical parameters evaluation of the soil samples. At soil depths 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm the respective mean range of pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and organic carbon contents in the soil samples were, 6.33 - 6.74, 101.46 - 123.21 μS/cm, 6.41% - 8.35% and 13.73% - 16.14% for auto-mechanic workshops;6.92 - 7.43, 56.46 - 60.02 μS/cm, 1.53% - 2.20% and 11.93% - 12.60% for fuel filling stations;7.14 - 7.84, 70.81 - 77.71 μS/cm, 3.81% - 4.12% and 8.57% - 9.24% for metal scrap dumps;6.54 - 6.81, 94.40 - 100.71 μS/cm, 8.83% - 10.75% and 18.26% - 20.81% for waste dump sites. The pH of the top soil samples from auto-mechanical workshop was below the WHO recommended limits for agricultural purposes. The physic-chemical characteristics of the soil samples decreased with soil depths indicating therefore that anthropogenic activities greatly influence the soil characteristics at the top soils than the sub-soils. The electrical conductivity values of top and sub-soil samples from the studied auto-mechanical workshops were above the recommended limits. At soil depths 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm, the respective mean range of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soil samples were 17.29 - 19.16 μg/g, 0.704 - 0.96 μg/g and 0.26 - 0.33 μg/g for auto-mechanic workshops;4.13 - 4.88 μg/g, 0.21 - 0.32 μg/g and 0.03 - 0.11 μg/g for fuel filling stations;30.02 - 36.11 μg/g, 0.43 - 0.48 μg/g and 0.15 - 0.19 μg/g for metal scrap dumps;9.30 - 10.84 μg/g, 0.53 - 0.60 μg/g and 0.38 - 0.45 μg/g for waste dump sites. The mean levels of Pb in soil samples from mechanic workshops and waste dump sites were above the recommended permissible limits for agricultural purposes. The study therefore indicated that these sites (auto-mechanic workshops and waste dump sites) could be major sources of Pb pollution to nearby farmlands, streams and the general environment. Plants grown on or around these sites may not produce high yields and could be severely contaminated with heavy metals which portend health danger to food consumers within the environment.

Assessment of Locational Compliance Status of Petroleum Products Handling Facilities in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

This study was aimed at assessing the locational compliance status of petroleum handling facilities in the Niger Delta to the specifications of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) locational standards. A cross-sectional research design was employed using a Standard checklist of seventeen compliance specifications of NUPRC. A walk-through survey was carried out in 118 identified facilities in three locations: Eket in Akwa-Ibom State, Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Warri in Delta State, respectively. The data obtained were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics, Kendall Tau-B and Principal Component analyses. The results indicate that the Petroleum Product facilities complied with 6 (35.29%) out of 17 specifications while 11 (64.70%) specifications were violated. Locations compliance of stations in the Niger Delta region is generally poor, but Stations in Port Harcourt recorded a higher compliance rate compared to Eket and Warri. Results of Kendall’s tau-b and Principal Component analysis indicated positive association between all the land space locational compliances. This study attributes the poor compliance rate to rapid urbanization, overpopulation, proliferation of filling stations and poor monitoring by regulatory agencies. It is recommended that, NUPRC should improve its monitoring and enforce regulatory operational specifications.