An IR study of thermally stable V2O5-WO3 -TiO2 SCR catalysts modified with silica and rare-earths (Ce, Tb, Er

The catalytic activity of silica-free and silica-modified rare earth (Ce, Tb, Er) containing V2O5-WO3 -TiO2 catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by ammonia has been investigated as a function of ageing temperatures. The adsorption of ammonia on the catalysts and the behavior of their surface hydroxy groups and of bulk vibrations has also been studied by IR spectroscopy. Rare earths slightly decrease the catalytic activity of catalysts in a fresh state, and this has been attributed to the perturbation, observed by IR, of the vanadyl groups with a likely lowering of their Lewis acidity. However, rare earths (in particular Tb and Er) increase strongly the catalytic activity of catalysts after ageing. Silica only does not seem to have a positive effect on thermal stability and activity when vanadium is present. It has been concluded that rare earths strongly increase the thermal resistance of the catalysts and inhibit rutilization and surface area loss because they do not penetrate the anatase bulk while tend to cover the external surface. In addition the negative action of free vanadium on phase stability is decreased due to formation of rare earth vanadates

Salud y paisaje: contribución desde el termalismo a la revitalización de zonas rurales (el caso de Pozo Amargo, Cuenca Del Guadaira, España) Health and landscape: a contribution to the renew of rural lands (the case of Pozo Amargo, Cuenca Del Guadaira, España)

Ubicado en la contaminada cuenca del río Guadaíra (Andalucía, España) el balneario de Pozo Amargo es una buena muestra del rico patrimonio arquitectónico vinculado al agua que han generado sus habitantes a lo largo de estos últimos siglos. Este patrimonio ha experimentado un abandono similar al del propio río pero tanto el movimiento ciudadano como la respuesta de la administración han permitido paliar ambas situaciones. Hoy en día, la rehabilitación del antiguo balneario puede suponer una interesante iniciativa que aúne la mejora ambiental y paisajística del alto Guadaíra con la recuperación del patrimonio artístico y etnográfico de la zona, así como la puesta en marcha de una experiencia pionera de proyecto paisajístico aplicado a destinos turísticos de salud capaz de generar riqueza en la zona.<br>Located in the polluted basin of Guadaira's river (Andalusia, Spain), the Pozo Amargo's spa is a good example of a rich architectonical heritage related to water that inhabitants have created over the last few centuries. This heritage has suffered a similar degradation to the river, but both the citizen's movement and the Administration's response have made possible the mitigation of both situations. Nowadays, the restoration of the former spa can be an exciting initiative that joins the environmental improvements and the landscape value of the Alto Guadaira's with the recovery of artistic and ethnographic heritage of this area. Moreover, it will make possible the launching of a pioneering experience of a landscape's project applied to touristic and health destinations that can generate wealth in the area