Technical Feasibility of Recycling Waste Cooking Oils (WCO) Produced in Qom to Biodiesel

Background: The aim of this research was to study the technical feasibility of recycling waste cooking oils (WCO) produced in Qom to biodiesel. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Qom in the first half of 2013. In this study, 147 domestic, commercial, and industrial sources producing WCO were identified, selected, and asked to collect and deliver the WCO produced by them within a week. The samples obtained from the sources were mixed separately at a ratio of one to one, and finally, a WCO sample was obtained from each source. Then, some characteristics of samples such as chemical profiles were analyzed and the esterification and transesterification process were used to convert WCO into biodiesel. Finally, some of the technical characteristics of produced biodiesel such as flash point, viscosity, density, moisture, and acidic number were determined and compared with the standard. Results: In terms of basic properties, domestic WCO had the best quality for conversion to biodiesel. Also, in terms of viscosity, density, acidic number and flash point, biodiesel produced from domestic WCO had more favorable conditions. In terms of the percentage of humidity, biodiesel produced from industrial WCO was the best one. Conclusion: WCO produced from domestic and commercial sources has the potential to be converted into biodiesel with standard features but WCO produced from industrial sources due to their very poor quality needs more pre-treatment processes

Knowledge, attitude and practice of university managers towards green management: A cross-sectional survey in Qom University of Medical Sciences

Background and Aims: The establishment of green management to reduce the consumption of resources is now a high priority for the government. Organizational managers play a key role in the implementation of green managementplans. The present study was, therefore, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of managers in Qom University of Medical Sciences towards green management.Materials and Methods: According to the aim of study, the present research is considered as an applied crosssectional study. A questionnaire survey consisting of 50 managers of Qom University of Medical Sciences was performed to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards green management, as well as theirdemographic factors. All stages of research were conducted ethically. Data were analyzed with independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS software.Results: The results of this study showed that the managers mean scores on knowledge, attitude, and performance were 97.04 ±17.28, 32.60 ±7.70, and 29.86±50, respectively. The respective attributable maximum scores acquiredwere 120, 40, and 40. The data analyzed suggests, therefore, that about 82% of managers had a good (positive) knowledge, and 70% positive attitude to take part in green management plans. However, only around 52% of respondents preferred to take practices about green management. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant relationship between the knowledge and demographic variables in this study.Conclusion: This study found that managers had a relatively good knowledge, attitude and practice to green management. It should also be noted that besides a proper environmental knowledge and attitude, the implementationof green management system requires the allocation of credit and funding, formation of green management committee, as well as training and cultural programs.Keywords: Green management, Managers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice, Qom University of Medical SciencesFor downloading the full text please click here

Optimization of Wastewater Refinery in Shokoohiyeh Industrial City of Qom Before Entering RO System Using Chlorophyll, Alum and PAC Coagulators

The effluent from the active sludge treatment plant of Qom Shokoohiyeh industrial flows into surface water and reuse of water in industrial process is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of aluminum sulfate, chlorofluorocarbons and poly aluminum chloride in removing turbidity and other parameters in industrial wastewater before entering RO in Shokoohiyeh Qom industrial refinery. This study was applied in a laboratory scale using a jar-test and experiments based on varying concentrations of coagulants (200, 400, 700, 800, 1000, 1200 mg/L) and pH=2.4.6.7.8.10 has been done. Steady mixing, slow mixing and stagnation have been performed and factors such as turbidity, pH, COD, BOD5, EC, SVI and TSS have been investigated. Coagulants are effective in removing turbidity. The highest removal rate was for polyvinyl chloride (95%) and the least amount of turbidity removal was in chlorofacry (50%). The highest and lowest levels of pH were detected at pH=2 (72%) and pH=8 (10%), respectively. The lowest BOD5 removal efficiency in poly aluminum chloride was 88% at pH=4 and the highest removal rate of BOD5 was found in chloroformate coagulant with pH=4 (96%). The highest COD reduction was observed in poly aluminum chloride at pH=9 (89%) and the lowest COD reduction was observed at a concentration of 800 mg/L alum with 34%. The highest reduction in electric conductivity in poly aluminum chloride with 87% and the lowest amount of electrical conductivity reduction occurred at a concentration of 500 mg per liter of alum with 12%. The highest total removal of suspended solids in chlorofacrylic coagulant was 88% and the lowest amount was removed in chloroform with up to 18%. The maximum amount of sludge deposited at  pH=9 (240 mg/L) in aluminum chloride and the lowest amount of sludge deposited at pH=2 (5 mg/L). The use of coagulant materials can increase the purification efficiency, eliminate opacity and return water to the cycle. PAC and Alum coagulant have high efficiency in removing turbidity and other wastewater treatment parameters that can be used to treat wastewater for RO systems

Sludge quality in wastewater treatment plant in Shokohieh industrial Park of Qom province in Iran

The general attitude of the wastewater treatment process in our country is focus on the effluent quality and unfortunately waste sludge quality is rarely considered. Since multiple natural hazards and routes the contact with sludge requires a comprehensive approach to protect public health and the environment. The aim of this study is an assessment of sludge management and finding out the potential use of sludge for land application. The study was conducted in January to December 2014. samples were gathered in four seasons, winter, spring, summer and autumn from wastewater treatment plant in industrial park of Shokohieh of Qom province according to the instructions in standard method. Sampling was moments and composite. Numbers of Samples were 24 that 2 samples were captured in every month. Samples measured base on standard method for water wastewater examination references and then data was analyzed by SPSS and t-test. The results show that the Physical Parameters qualities and nutrients qualities in sludge are good. The Phosphate quality is not suitable. Based on t-test, the results show that levels of fecal coliform and total coliform in cold and warm seasons are different (

سنجش آگاهی، نگرش و عملکرد مدیران دانشگاه علوم پزشکی قم در خصوص مدیریت سبز

Background and Aims: The establishment of green management to reduce the consumption of resources is now a high priority for the government. Organizational managers play a key role in the implementation of green managementplans. The present study was, therefore, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of managers in Qom University of Medical Sciences towards green management.Materials and Methods: According to the aim of study, the present research is considered as an applied crosssectional study. A questionnaire survey consisting of 50 managers of Qom University of Medical Sciences was performed to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards green management, as well as theirdemographic factors. All stages of research were conducted ethically. Data were analyzed with independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS software.Results: The results of this study showed that the managers mean scores on knowledge, attitude, and performance were 97.04 ±17.28, 32.60 ±7.70, and 29.86±50, respectively. The respective attributable maximum scores acquiredwere 120, 40, and 40. The data analyzed suggests, therefore, that about 82% of managers had a good (positive) knowledge, and 70% positive attitude to take part in green management plans. However, only around 52% of respondents preferred to take practices about green management. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant relationship between the knowledge and demographic variables in this study.Conclusion: This study found that managers had a relatively good knowledge, attitude and practice to green management. It should also be noted that besides a proper environmental knowledge and attitude, the implementationof green management system requires the allocation of credit and funding, formation of green management committee, as well as training and cultural programs.زمینه و اهداف: از آنجایی که استقرار مدیریت سبز در راستای کاهش مصرف منابع مختلف، در سازمان‌ها و ارگان‌های مختلف جزء اولویت‌های دولت می‌باشد و مدیران، نقش کلیدی در اجرای برنامه مدیریت سبز دارند، این مطالعه با هدف سنجش آگاهی، نگرش و عملکرد مدیران دانشگاه علوم پزشکی قم در خصوص مدیریت سبز انجام شد. مواد و روش‌ها: پژوهش حاضر بر حسب هدف، یک تحقیق کاربردی و از نظر نحوه گردآوری داده‌ها، توصيفي- مقطعي می‌باشد. جامعه آماري پژوهش شامل 50 نفر از مدیران شاغل دانشگاه علوم پزشکی قم بود، جمع‌آوری داده‌ها با استفاده از پرسش‌نامه‌ایی، حاوی سوالات چهار قسمتی شامل سوالات دموگرافیک، آگاهی، نگرش و عملکرد، صورت گرفت. تمام مراحل این تحقیق با رعایت موازین اخلاقی و پژوهشی انجام شد. داده‌های حاصله با آزمون‌های T مستقل، ANOVA و ضریب همبستگی پیرسون در نرم‌افزار SPSS تجزیه و تحلیل شد. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد که میانگین نمره مدیران در خصوص آگاهی 17/28± 97/04 (حداکثر نمره اکتسابی120)، نگرش 7/70 ± 32/60(حداکثر نمره اکتسابی40) و عملکرد 50 ± 29/86(حداکثر نمره اکتسابی40) می‌باشد، بر این اساس 82% مدیران نمره آگاهی، 70% نمره نگرش و 52% نمره عملکرد خوبی دارند. ارتباط معنی‌دار آماری بین آگاهی و متغیرهای دموگرافیک مطالعه مشاهده نگردید. نتیجه‌گیری: با توجه به نتایج بدست آمده، مدیران از آگاهی، نگرش و عملکرد نسبتا مناسبی در زمینه مدیریت سبز برخوردارند. البته اجرای نظام مدیریت سبز در سازمان‌ها علاوه ‌بر ملزم بودن آگاهی و نگرش مناسب زیست محیطی مدیران و کارکنان، مستلزم تخصیص اعتبار و بودجه، تشکیل کارگروه‌های مدیریت سبز و آموزش و فرهنگ‌سازی در جهت اجرای برنامه‌های مدیریت سبز می‌باشد. &nbsp

The Relation between Energy Consumption in Small Urban Workshops and their Environmental Pollution Emissions: a case study from Qom city

Background: One of the major environmental impacts of energy use is air pollutant emissions such as greenhouse gases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between energy consumption in small urban businesses and their air pollution in small urban businesses in the city of Qom in 2015. Methods: In the first step, by referring to Qom chamber of trade, a list of all urban jobs from 67 trade :::union:::s was prepared and then, a total of 223 workshops were selected randomly and visited. Means consumption of electricity and gas were calculated by referring to the related gas and electricity offices in Qom. The amount of pollutants produced from energy consumption was calculated by using the software available at the Abraxas Energy website. Results: The results showed that the average monthly consumption of 9098.86 kwh and 41669.35 cubic meters of gas in the small businesses of Qom, on average produced 50.995 of carbon dioxide, 78.963 kg of lead compounds, 52.39 kg nitrogen compounds, 8.403 kg carbon monoxide, 5.02 kg volatile organic compounds, 1.996 kg nitrogen oxides, 1.781 kg mercury compounds and less than 1 kg per month particulate matter and SO2. Conclusion: Any attempt for reducing energy consumption, in addition to its economic benefits, can be a basic measure to reduce environmental pollutants. Implementation of proper management plans for reducing electricity and gas consumption is a major step in this direction. Keywords: Air pollution, Energy, Small workshops, Qom, Ira

Status, Restrictions and Suggested Approaches in Wastewater Management in Rural Areas of Iran

Please cite this article as: Fahiminia M, Farrokhi M, Talebi M, Memary G, Fazlzadeh Davil M. Status, restrictions and suggested approaches in wastewater management in rural areas of Iran. Arch Hyg Sci 2012;1(1):12-9. Aims of the Study: The objective of this study was to appraise wastewater management approaches in rural areas of Iran, restrictions, effects on environment and also definition of suitable management approaches in wastewater for future. Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was performed in 2010 in rural areas of Iran. A questionnaire was prepared with subjects such as available management approaches on wastewater, suggested approaches on collecting wastewater and its final disposal and was sent to rural area’s wastewater companies in each province. Study results of 4588 rural areas of Iran (with above 200 families) were collected. Results were analyzed using mean and percentage. Results: The current available management systems were mainly based on absorption wells. The main problem in this system was high ground water levels, and low permeability of soil. The most important current problem of the absorbing wells was considerable damaging effects on surface and ground water. Conclusions: The current wastewater management in rural areas especially in the field of wastewater collection was improper and undesirable. To overcome the current problem, it is necessary to use collecting methods relative to that of region. Considerable attention is required for the application of reused wastewater in agriculture. References: 1. Wilderer PA, Schreff D. Decentralized and centralized wastewater management: a challenge for technology developers. Wat Sci Tech 2000; 41(1):1-8. 2. Jackson HB. Global needs and developments in urban sanitation. in: Mara D, editor. Low-Cost sewerage. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons; 1996. p. 77-90. 3. UNEP/GPA. Strategy options for sewage management to protect the marine environment. The Netherlands: UNEP/GPA; 1996. p. 32-5. 4. Burian SJ, Nix SJ, Pitt RE, Durrans SR. Urban wastewater management in the United States: Past, present, and future. Urban Technol 2000;7(3):33-62. 5. Crites R, Tchobanoglous G. Small and decentralized wastewater management systems. Boston: McGraw-Hill; 2003. p. 203-11. 6. Bakir HA. Sustainable wastewater management for small communities in the Middle East and North Africa. J Environ Manage 2005;61(4):319-28. 7. Friedler E. Water Reuse – an integral part of water resources management: Israel as a case study. Water Policy 2001;3:29-39. 8. Reed RA. Selecting communities for sewerage. In: Mara D, editor. Low-Cost sewerage. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 1996. p. 25-9. 9. Massoud MA, Tarhini A, Nasr JA. Decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment and management: applicability in developing countries. J Environ Manage 2006;90(1):652–9. 10. Engin GO, Demir I. Cost analysis of alternative methods for wastewater handling in small communities. J Environ Manage 2006;79(4):357-63. 11. Fahimainia M. [A Guideline to wastewater treatment in small communities and urban areas]. Iran: Center of research and operation of water industry; 2006. p. 70-95. [Full text in Persian] 12. Water and Wastewater Engineering Company. [A report of study of investigation of required priorities in water and wastewater facilities design]. Iran: Water and Wastewater Engineering Company; 2007. p. 73-98. (Full text in Persian) 13. Economic commission for Europe: Committee on environmental policy. Environmental performance reviews: Bosnia and Herzegovina [Internet]. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (NECE). 2004 [cited 2011 Jan 25]. Available from: www.unece.org/env/epr/epr_studies/bosnia_and_herzegovina.pdf/. 14. Economic commission for Europe: Committee on environmental policy. Environmental performance reviews: Romania [Internet]. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (NECE). 2001 [cited 2011 Jan 20]. Available from: http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/epr/epr_studies/romania.pdf/. 15. United Nations (UN) (2002). Country profile: Poland [Internet]. 2002 [cited 2011 Jan 25]. Available from: www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/wssd/poland.pdf/. 16. James A, LaGro Jr. Designing without nature: unsewered residential development in rural Wisconsin. Landsc Urban Plan 1996;35 (1):1–9. 17. El-Fadel M, Zeinati M, Jamali D. Water resources in Lebanon: characterization, water balance, and constraints. Int J Water Resour Dev 2002;16(4):619-2

Wastewater Treatment of Stone Cutting Industries by Coagulation Process

Background & Aims of the Study: The wastewater created as a result of stone cutting industries enters some pools for re-consumption so that its suspended solids settle by gravity. By taking to account the high volume of water and sludge, treatment of wastewater and removal of sludge cause many problems for stone cutting units. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of wastewater and to investigate the effects of coagulants on suspended solids removal efficiency from wastewater of some stone cutting industries (Qom, Iran). Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, the effects of different doses of coagulants including Alum, poly aluminum chloride, Polymer, Ferric chloride (Fecl3) and Lime on Turbidity, “total suspended solids” (TSS) and “total solids” (TS) removal were investigated by Jar Test. Removal efficiency of different coagulates was estimated. Results: The results indicated that lime in dose 100 PPM is the best coagulant for turbidity removal and the highest efficiency for TS removal is related to using Alum in dose 100 PPM. Conclusions: Considering the findings of this study, it can be concluded that using coagulants causes reduction in settling time and speeds up the return of water to the consumption cycle of stone cutting factories, and also increases turbidity removal efficiency

Internal Evaluation of the Department of Environmental Health Engineering of Qom University of Medical Sciences, 2010

Background and Objectives: Improvement of education quality of a university depends on the quality improvement of its departments. Therefore, internal evaluation of the department is an effective step in the quality growth of higher education system. The present study was performed aiming at internal evaluation of the Department of Environmental Health Engineering of the Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2010 took place. Methods: This study was done using a descriptive cross-sectional method. Four questionnaires, including department manager, faculty members, students, and graduates were used to collect the data. In completing these questionnaires, interviews, observations and review of documents were also done, and they were interpreted and concluded by employing descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and dispersion.Results: The scores obtained for the goals and mission, management, and development of the department were 2.2, 2.1, and 2.82, respectively; the ratio of the number of faculty members to students, faculty members’ research activities, and satisfaction of the department were 2.23, 2.1, and 1.12, respectively; the ratio of the number of the students to the existing facilities, and awareness of the goals and missions of the department were 2.1, 1.75, respectively; and the ratio of the courses to the need of the graduates, satisfaction of the educational programs, and satisfaction of the content of the department programs were 1.68, 1.84, and 2.1, respectively.Conclusion: According to the results of this research, there is necessary that university departments attempt to protect and promote the factors, which are in ideal conditions and plan to improve the adverse factors. University officials should provide necessary conditions and resources to improve the present situation and achieve the most desirable level