[en] In this review, a summary of current legislation applicable to End-of-Life Tyres (ELTs), management of that waste, both in Spain and Europe, and a compilation of existing technologies to enlarge the life of tyres and treatment technologies for material and energy recoveries, are provided. In recent years, there have been a number of studies in the field of treatment of ELTs, therefore applicable emerging technologies as more efficient, clean and cost effective technologies, are discussed. (Author) 48 refs.

[en] The removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by rolling mil scale occurs through a process of oxidation-reduction or cementation of Cu''2+ ions in aqueous solution onto metallic iron (Fe''0) contained in the mill scale. The kinetics of cementation of copper onto iron was evaluated over different temperatures, initial copper concentrations and solid/liquid relations. Process of copper removal by rolling mill scale obeys a first-order kinetic law. The rate constant value (k) varies with temperature and initial cation concentration in solution at low temperatures. At high temperatures the value of k remains practically constant. the solid/liquid relation value affects the rate constant value too. (Author) 19 refs

[en] Nowadays and in the recent past when the word nano appeared in almost anything it attracted immediate attention and interest, this is why carbon nano tubes, since its discovery nearly twenty years ago, caught the interest of a wide scientific and industrial population to apply the somewhat amazing properties of these nano materials in a number of applications. Among them, the removal of toxic and sometimes profitable metals from aqueous streams appeared, due to its economical and social impact, as one of the targets for their uses. This paper reviews some recent advances (2009-2013 years) in the application of carbon nano tubes materials in the removal of a variety of metals from these aqueous streams. (Author)

[en] Aluminium dust from aluminium remelting industry is a hazardous residue because of its high reactivity in the presence of water (production of ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulphide...) potential aluminothermy and its content in leaching heavy metals. In order to apply the new European Directive about landfill of waste, a Stabilization/Solidification (S/S) process was developed in the CENIM with the aim of decreasing its reactivity and to assure an easy transport and storage of the residue. Gypsum was used as a binder material. This work summarizes the study of the mechanical properties of the stabilized residue en comparison with the gypsum ones. The reactivity of the dust, before and after the S/S process was investigated by analysing the ammonia and metallic aluminium. (Author) 16 refs

[en] The extraction of cadmium(II) by the ionic liquid (R₃NH⁺Cl^-) (R: tri-iso-octyl) in Exxsol D100 from hydrochloric acid solution has been investigated. The extraction reaction is exothermic. The numerical analysis of metal distribution data suggests the formation of R₃NH⁺CdCl^-₃ - and (R₃NH⁺)₂CdCl₄²- species in the organic phase. The results obtained for cadmium(II) distribution have been implemented in an impregnated multi-walled carbon nanotubes system. The influence of aqueous solution stirring speed (250-2000 min^-1), adsorbent dosage (0.05-0.2 g) and temperature (20 degree centigrade-60 degree centigrade) on cadmium adsorption have been investigated. (Author)

[en] The generation of liquid effluents containing organic and inorganic residues from industries present a potential hazardousness for environment and human health, being mandatory the elimination of these pollutants from the respective solutions containing them. In order to achieve this goal, several techniques are being used and among them, supported liquid membranes technologies are showing their potential for their application in the removal of metals contained in liquid effluents. Supported liquid membranes are a combination between conventional polymeric membranes and solvent extraction. Several configurations are used: flat-sheet supported liquid membranes, spiral wounds and hollow fiber modules. In order to improve their effectiveness, smart operations have been developed: non-dispersive solvent extraction, non-dispersive solvent extraction with strip phase dispersion and hollow fiber renewal liquid membrane. This paper overviewed some of these supported liquid membranes technologies and their applications to the treatment of metal-bearing liquid effluents. (Author) 125 refs.

[en] The Almaden mining district (Ciudad Real, Spain) was the largest cinnabar (mercury sulphide) mine in the world. Its soils have high levels of mercury a consequence of its natural lithology, but often made much worse by its mining history. The present work examines the thermal desorption of two contaminated soils from the Almaden area under non-isothermal conditions in a N₂ atmosphere, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC was performed at different heating rates between room temperature and 600 degree centigrade. Desorption temperatures for different mercury species were determined. The Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Coasts Redfern methods were employed to determine the reaction kinetics from the DSC data. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor for mercury desorption were calculated. (Author)

[en] Under the European LIFE Program a microencapsulation process was developed for liquid mercury using Sulfur Polymer Stabilization/Solidification (SPSS) technology, obtaining a stable concrete-like sulfur matrix that allows the immobilization of mercury for long-term storage. The process description and characterization of the materials obtained were detailed in Part I. The present document, Part II, reports the results of different tests carried out to determine the durability of Hg-S concrete samples with very high mercury content (up to 30 % w/w). Different UNE and RILEM standard test methods were applied, such as capillary water absorption, low pressure water permeability, alkali/acid resistance, salt mist aging, freeze-thaw resistance and fire performance. The samples exhibited no capillarity and their resistance in both alkaline and acid media was very high. They also showed good resistance to very aggressive environments such as spray salt mist, freeze-thaw and dry-wet. The fire hazard of samples at low heat output was negligible. (Author)

[en] European Directives consider mercury a priority hazardous substance due to its adverse effects on human health and the environment. In response to environmental concerns, a microencapsulation process has been developed within the European LIFE program as a long-term storage option for mercury. This process leads to the obtainment of a stable concrete-like sulfur matrix that allows the immobilization of mercury. The final product, in the form of a solid block containing up to 30 % Hg, exhibits excellent mechanical properties (compressive strength 53-61MPa and flexural strength 7-10 MPa), low porosity (0.57 % PHe), very low total pore volume (0.63x10-2 cm³ g^-1), and extremely low permeability (coefficient of water absorption by capillarity 0.07 g cm^-2). Toxicity characteristic leaching tests reveal a mercury concentration in leachates well below the 0.2 mg L^-1 set out in US EPA Land Disposal Restrictions (LDRs). The values of mercury vapor emissions of final products were lower than those of cinnabar and meta cinnabar. (Author)

[en] Aluminium dust from aluminium remelting industry is a hazardous residue because of its high reactivity in the presence of water. In order to apply the new European Directive about landfill of waste, a study of its hydrolysis was carried out. The influence of temperature, time and pH on the hydrolysis of the aluminium dust was studied. The hydrolysed solids were characterized by XRD and AAS; in the aqueous solutions the pH and the ionic conductivity were determined. The evolved gases were analysed by mass spectrometry. The reactivity of the dust , before and after hydrolysis, was investigated by analysing the ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and metallic aluminium. By hydrolysis at 60 degree centigrade and 48 h a much lower reactive material was obtained which could be disposed with minimal environmental impact. (Author) 7 refs