OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the significance of two biomarkers; antibody to benzo(a)pyrene DNA adducts and concentration of hydroxyethylvaline haemoglobin adducts in samples from a well studied group of coke oven workers. As a measure of exposure we have used 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. METHODS Urine and blood samples were collected from coke oven workers and a control group. Samples from c...

Coke formation on n-butene cracking catalyst is the main reason for reducing of its lifetime. To study effects acidity and textural properties coke process, a series HY zeolite-type catalysts were prepared by ammonium hexafluorosilicate treatment (AHFS). NH3-TPD Py-IR-TPD used to systematically change law zeolite acidity. It was found that with increase AHFS concentration, acid density decrease...

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to determine the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) apoptosis in coke oven workers so that we can take effective measures to protect coke oven workers. METHODS The subjects, 129 coke oven workers and 37 warehouse workers (controls), were investigated using a questionnaire to collect information about their age, working years, smoking and drink...

The dusty challenge Obtaining reliable level measurement has traditionally been a severe challenge because cement production is such a dusty process. During homogenization, for example, silos are continuously filled and emptied, and the component materials are constantly aerated to ensure good mixing. This creates a tremendous amount of dust that makes it difficult to obtain reliable readings w...

Air pollution in Poland and particularly in Silesia is among the worst in Europe. Many coal mines and coke oven plants are located in this area, representing a major source of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We quantitated the PAH exposure level in air samples using personal sampling devices, collected urine samples from the same individuals, and measured 1-hydroxypyrene w...

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess sperm quality and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity of coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as compared to control subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS The coke oven workers (N = 52) and administrative staff (N = 35) of a steel plant served as the exposed and control groups, respectively. Exposure to PAHs was a...

Petroleum coke is processed into calcined coke in a rotary kiln, where the temperature profiles of flue gas and coke bed are highly nonuniform due to different flow and combustion mechanisms. Motivated by saving energy costs, the effect of refractory brick's thermal properties on potential energy savings is investigated. This study focuses on investigating potential energy savings by replacing ...

Plastic wastes, lube oils and coal-tar are evaluated, individually and combined, as additives to coal blends for the production of blast-furnace coke. The effects of adding 2 wt% of potential additives or their mixtures (50:50 w/w) on the coking capacity of coal, the pressure generated during the coking process and the coke quality parameters were evaluated. Using a combination of polyolefin wa...

Catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) can efficiently be used for the autothermal conversion of logistic fuels to hydrogen and synthesis gas in compact reactors to supply fuel for portable and stationary fuel cells. CPOX of characteristic constituents of logistic transportation fuels are studied experimentally in Rh/ Al2O3 coated honeycomb monoliths at short contact times. Towards a fundamental un...

OBJECTIVES It was reported previously that topside oven workers with heavy exposure to coke oven emissions had increased serum activities of hepatic aminotransferase in one coke oven plant. This study was conducted to investigate the modifying effect of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism on liver function profiles in coke oven workers. METHODS 88 coke oven workers from a large steel company in Taiwan w...