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Condition assessment of works of art created with oil media on paper could be a complex matter when presenting problems of damage due to the absorption of oil binders by the paper support, since they depend on several factors and occur in variable conditions. The present work refers to the results of an investigation on the effect of linseed oils on the color, opacity, morphology, tensile strength, and chemical properties of lignocellulosic papers, in comparison to that of pure cellulosic papers. Lignocellulosic papers are involved in research on new, yet significant, parameters that might influence the behavior of the oil-impregnated areas of the supports upon aging. The research was applied to mock-ups, made of two types of lignocellulosic paper impregnated with three types of linseed oil and subjected to accelaratated ageing in specific conditions of relative humidity and temperature in closed environment. The research involved colorimetry, opacity, tensile strength, pH measurements, SEM, FTIR, and VOC analysis with GC-MS. The results indicated that thermal-humid ageing caused the gradual darkening of the oil-impregnated mock-ups, alterations in opacity, and decrease of pH values, depending mainly on the formulation of linseed oil, as well as a reduction in tensile strength. FTIR analysis results indicated that the chemical changes that occur upon ageing supported the recorded optical and mechanical alterations, while VOC emissions are both associated with the paper type and the kinetics of degradation of the different types of linseed oil.

Oil media on paper, such as oil paintings, sketches, prints, and books, occasionally present problems associated with the effect of oil medium on the paper support, raising a composite matter of condition assessment as it depends on several factors. The present work examines the effect of linseed oil on paper and, in particular, the changes caused by three types of linseed oil on the optical, morphological, mechanical, and chemical properties of pure cellulosic paper, employing mock-ups submitted to artificial ageing in controlled conditions of relative humidity and temperature in airtight vessels. The study involved colorimetry, opacity, tensile strength, pH measurements, SEM, FTIR, and VOC analysis with GC-MS. Processing of the results has so far indicated that thermal-humid ageing caused the gradual darkening of the oil-impregnated mock-ups, as well as alterations in opacity, intense fall of pH values, and severe reductions in tensile strength, while linseed oil processing during manufacture has a significant impact. FTIR spectra have indicated that chemical changes upon ageing are in accordance with those of optical and mechanical changes, while VOC emissions are mostly associated with the drying and degradation of the different types of linseed oil.

Bauxite residue, the high alkaline and fine-grained byproduct of Bayer process for alumina’s production, is a material rich in numerous minerals and elements of high value and techno-economical interest in high tech applications such as rare earths, including scandium. Lately, the European Committee has characterized scandium as a critical element because of its risk supply chain. Scandium's high concentration in Greek bauxite residue classifies the waste as a candidate for low cost and high availability of the element, additionally improving its environmental fingerprint. For scandium recovery, hydrometallurgical treatment with inorganic acids is the most common, effective and simple method. In this study, the efficiency of phosphoric acid is investigated for scandium recovery by a direct leaching of bauxite residue without pretreatment. Multi leaching variables, such as acid molarity, solid/liquid ratio, process temperature and leaching time, were examined and optimized individually as well as in a comparative way aiming to scandium selective extraction (mainly with regard to iron) and process viability. A Sc selective recovery of 40% was obtained for phosphoric acid molarity 5 M, solid/liquid ratio 10%, leaching time, 60 min under ambient conditions with low iron leachability, no gel formation and no energy consumption.

The disposal of voluminous, highly alkaline, bauxite residue (BR), the industrial by-product of alumina production by the Bayer process, constitutes an intricate global environmental problem. BR, containing valuable metals such as rare-earth elements (REEs)—in particular, scandium (Sc)—can be used as a secondary source for REE extraction. The scope of this study was the investigation of bioleaching as an innovative and environmentally friendly approach for the extraction of Sc from BR. The bioleaching parameters were studied on Greek BR and experiments were performed using different microbial cultures and solid to liquid ratios (S/L). The maximum extraction of Sc was 42% using Acetobacter tropicalis in a one-step bioleaching process at 1% S/L. The main organic acids produced were acetic, oxalic, and citric. The bioleaching data indicated a probable synergistic effect of the different organic acids produced by microorganisms along with a more targeted leaching mechanism.

Air pollution is an important issue that can have significant implications for human health. Consequently, air quality control is matter of great interest, and the ΕU has established strict legislation with respect to public health protection. A work package of the EMPIR project AEROMET focused on the investigation of traceable validated methods for chemical composition of airborne particulate matter (PM), including heavy metals. Incineration ash typically contains quantities of heavy and toxic metals in excess of the limits imposed for airborne PM, so it provides a candidate source for a Standard Reference Material (SRM). In this work, a method for loading incinerator ash (PM10 and PM2.5 fractions) on quartz filters with a good reproducibility and homogeneity was developed. An intercomparison exercise involving three separate laboratories was conducted for the elemental analysis of the prepared candidate reference material. The filters were treated by acid digestion and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) according to the European standard EN 14902:2005. Eleven elements, including the regulated metals (As, Cd, Ni and Pb), were determined using different ICP-MS instruments and standardization methods. Data evaluation showed a good agreement between the results, with deviations below 10–15%. The development of a Standard Reference Material seems auspicious.

Bauxite residue is the voluminous by-product of alumina production after Bayer process. Its high alkalinity causes disposal problems and harmful environmental impacts. However, the residue contains significant amounts of valuable elements, such as rare earth elements, including scandium. Greek bauxite residue contains a high amount of scandium close to its main resources. Taking into account scandium’s limited availability coupled with its high demand in modern technology, bauxite residue could be considered as a potential resource for scandium recovery. In this study, the optimization of scandium extraction from bauxite residue with sulfuric acid is investigated using Taguchi methodology. Based on previous studies, acid molarity, leaching time, solid/liquid ratio, and reaction temperature were selected as control parameters for the selective Sc recovery. Method optimization targeted the highest concentration of scandium combined with the lowest concentration of iron without taking into account application constraints. Maximization of scandium concentration can be achieved only by reduced selectivity. The predicted values resulted from the Taguchi methodology were affirmed by a confirmation experiment conducted at optimal conditions. Regression analysis provided the respective equations to be applied on several conditions, depending on different applications.

Bauxite residue (BR) is a well promising resource for critical metals, especially scandium (Sc), a rare and expensive metal with increasing applications in advanced technology. Greek BR seems to significantly favor a commercially viable recovery of Sc combining optimized leaching and advanced separation techniques. Leaching with mineral acids emerges as the dominant selection compared to other techniques. This study investigates an optimized leaching condition set for Sc recovery, using the most advantageous option of sulfuric acid. The main target is to develop a leaching scale-up process to be established in the premises of Mytilineos S.A. (formerly Aluminium of Greece, the largest Greek alumina and aluminum producer), taking into account the feed requirements of a subsequent advanced ion exchanged procedure. Several parameters were studied individually or combined in order to achieve high Sc concentration in the leachate and to ensure selectivity, especially concerning iron. The most significant parameters prove to be the solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L), the final pH value, and the leachate’s recycling. The proposed process, with low molarities of sulfuric acid and ambient conditions, integrates rapidly, leading to high and selective Sc recovery. Finally, a leaching process flow diagram under continuous operation on an industrial scale is developed.

Aiming at the industrial scale development of a Scandium (Sc)-selective leaching process of Bauxite Residue (BR), a set of process design aspects has been investigated. The interpretation of experimental data for Sc leaching yield, with sulfuric acid as the leaching solvent, has shown significant impact from acid feed concentration, mixing time, liquid to solids ratio (L/S), and number of cycles of leachate re-usage onto fresh BR. The thin film diffusion model, as the fundamental theory for leaching, either with constant particle size for selective leaching, or with shrinking particle size for less- or non-selective leaching, interprets the relevant experimental data. In both cases, a concept for an unyielding core supplements the basic model. Especially for the selective leaching mild conditions, the simplest model version agrees with the experiments, since both prove 1st order kinetics, while for extreme conditions, a combined conversion rate model with diffusion and chemical reaction inside particles is proposed. The maximization of Sc recovery per unit of consumed solvent emerged as highly critical for the process economics.

Quantitative chemical analysis of airborne particulate matter (PM) is vital for the understanding of health effects in indoor and outdoor environments, as well as for enforcing EU air quality regulations. Typically, airborne particles are sampled over long time periods on filters, followed by lab-based analysis, e.g., with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). During the EURAMET EMPIR AEROMET project, cascade impactor aerosol sampling is combined for the first time with on-site total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy to develop a tool for quantifying particle element compositions within short time intervals and even on-site. This makes variations of aerosol chemistry observable with time resolution only a few hours and with good size resolution in the PM10 range. The study investigates the proof of principles of this methodological approach. Acrylic discs and silicon wafers are shown to be suitable impactor carriers with sufficiently smooth and clean surfaces, and a non-destructive elemental mass concentration measurement with a lower limit of detection around 10 pg/m3 could be achieved. We demonstrate the traceability of field TXRF measurements to a radiometrically calibrated TXRF reference, and the results from both analytical methods correspond satisfactorily.