![\"Consumer](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BFR-in-electronics.jpg\")
![\"IT](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BFR-in-IT.jpg\")
![\"White](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BFR-in-white-goods.jpg\")
According to the US Department of Homeland Security a fire can become life-threatening in just 2 minutes. It takes no more than 30 seconds for a small flame to burst into a sizable fire. It is clear that when you are trying to escape a fire, every second counts.
\nAccidental fires can start easily by many different reasons: for example\u00a0gas stoves, burning cigarettes, failing electronics \u2026 We all use highly flammable materials\u00a0in our homes, workspaces and public places on a daily basis, but we might not be aware of the risks they present.
\n\n
Over time more and more of these materials have become commonplace for all of us. We rely on them in every aspect of our lives. That is especially the case with electrical appliances and electronics. Our dependency on electronics has indeed increased our level of comfort and made our lives easier, but in the same time it decreased fire safety in our homes, offices, factories, public places \u2026
\nHow? All kinds of electronics contain a high level of plastics, or polymers. These plastics present a significant fire risk.
\nThe figures are clear, yet alarming:
\nThe time available to escape from a burning building shortened drastically from 17 minutes in the 70s to even less than 3 minutes in 2015.\u00a0Taking into account the pace of digital evolution, we will be seeing even more electronics in the future – everywhere. Does this mean that in a few years\u2019 time, trying to escape from a burning building will be futile? Do we have to \u2026 embrace our horrible faith in the event of fire?
\nLuckily, it won\u2019t go this far if we make use of brominated flame retardants. They make it possible to avoid or slow down the burning process, extending escape time and improving your chances of getting out safely.
\nFlame retardants are chemicals that are added to materials to slow down the ignition process in case of a fire. In that way they reduce risks of fire, property losses and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 human casualties.
\nGuillermo Rein is a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. For our previous newsletter we had an interesting talk with him about fire science and the importance of flame retardants in society. He states that adding flame retardants to plastics \u2018is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics’.
\nAs we already pointed out, electronics and electrical appliances, such as televisions, computers, radios, fridges and washing machines mostly consist of a high volume of plastics, which are highly flammable.\u00a0Ignition may be initiated from both inside the device and from external sources.
\nAdding brominated flame retardants to these\u00a0materials helps them meet safety standards and protect their users, since they prevent ignition from inside and out. Professor Rein agrees that bromine is a vital element for fire safety: \u2018(\u2026) I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential\u2019.
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Brominated flame retardants are being added in appliances\u2019 manufacturing process:
\n\n
The European Commission adopted a ban on halogenated flame retardants, which include brominated flame retardants, in the Ecodesign Directive\u2019s requirements for electronic displays on 1 October.
\nUnheard of, says BSEF. This ban goes beyond the scope of the Ecodesign Directive and subordinates RoHS, which should be the vehicle for any substance restrictions such as this one.
\nThe ban is being justified by the EC by stating that these halogenated flame retardants prevent WEEE plastics from being recycled. Well, this is not the case for the entire group of halogenated flame retardants.
\nBSEF, along with the plastics industry and recyclers are (and will be in the future) working on new technologies to address recycling properly. For many years now, it has been possible to recycle products containing brominated flame retardants. In fact, recycled plastics with brominated fire retardants in them, meet the same levels of fire safety as virgin material. No value is lost in the recycling process.
\nIn case recycling a particular product is not possible, we have provided a number of eco-efficient waste management options:
\nRead more about BSEF\u2019s take on this ban in our press release: BSEF objects to ban on halogenated flame retardants in EU ecodesign requirements for electronic displays.
\nIntrigued about the importance of fire safety and flame retardancy?
\nProfessor\u00a0Masaru Kitano of the\u00a0Shukutoku\u00a0University in Japan brought together his experiences, thoughts and views on fire safety and flame retardancy science\u00a0in his book \u2018Introduction to flame retardancy \u2013 Protect your life and property from fire\u2019, and BSEF is proud to have worked on the translation of his book.
\nIt is a highly fascinating book that applies to\u00a0every one\u00a0of us, since fire safety also affects every one of us. Read more about it:\u00a0\u2018Introduction to flame retardancy: the book\u2019.
\n![\"Professor](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/book-flame-retardancy.jpg\")
Professor Kitano\u2019s book is not for sale. If you are interested in reading it, please contact us and we will be happy to send you an exclusive copy!
\nSend your request to letstalkbromine@bsef.org.
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/03/08/response-dr-alexander-morgan-flame-retardants-uk-furniture-increase-smoke-toxicity-reduce-fire-growth-rate-chemosphere-2018-196-429-439/
\nhttps://www.flameretardants.eu
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/
\nhttps://www.bsef.com/fire-safety/
\nhttps://www.ready.gov/home-fires
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/
\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/82803/industry-blasts-eu-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays#overlay-strip
\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75831/ecodesign-directives-proposed-halogens-ban-not-a-precedent-eu-says#overlay-strip
\nhttps://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings
The post The role of brominated flame retardants in electric and electronic appliances appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Fire spreads rapidly: escape time is limited\nAccording to the US Department of Homeland Security a fire can become life-threatening in just 2 minutes. It takes no more than 30 seconds for a small flame to burst into a sizable fire. It is clear that when you are trying to escape a fire, every second counts.\nAccidental fires can start easily by many different reasons: for example\u00a0gas stoves, burning cigarettes, failing electronics \u2026 We all use highly flammable materials\u00a0in our homes, workspaces and public places on a daily basis, but we might not be aware of the risks they present.\nThese materials are especially flammable:\u00a0\n\nElectrical appliances and electronics\nSynthetics and fibres\u00a0such as upholstered furniture, carpets, wall coverings and drapery\nInsulation material\n\n \nThe impact of our electronics addiction on fire safety\nOver time more and more of these materials have become commonplace for all of us. We rely on them in every aspect of our lives. That is especially the case with electrical appliances and electronics. Our dependency on electronics has indeed increased our level of comfort and made our lives easier, but in the same time it decreased fire safety in our homes, offices, factories, public places \u2026\nHow? All kinds of electronics contain a high level of plastics, or polymers. These plastics present a significant fire risk.\nThe figures are clear, yet alarming:\nThe time available to escape from a burning building shortened drastically from 17 minutes in the 70s to even less than 3 minutes in 2015.\u00a0Taking into account the pace of digital evolution, we will be seeing even more electronics in the future – everywhere. Does this mean that in a few years\u2019 time, trying to escape from a burning building will be futile? Do we have to \u2026 embrace our horrible faith in the event of fire?\nLuckily, it won\u2019t go this far if we make use of brominated flame retardants. They make it possible to avoid or slow down the burning process, extending escape time and improving your chances of getting out safely.\nWhy are flame retardants so important?\nFlame retardants are chemicals that are added to materials to slow down the ignition process in case of a fire. In that way they reduce risks of fire, property losses and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 human casualties.\nGuillermo Rein is a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. For our previous newsletter we had an interesting talk with him about fire science and the importance of flame retardants in society. He states that adding flame retardants to plastics \u2018is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics’.\nBromine reduces fire risk in electronics\nAs we already pointed out, electronics and electrical appliances, such as televisions, computers, radios, fridges and washing machines mostly consist of a high volume of plastics, which are highly flammable.\u00a0Ignition may be initiated from both inside the device and from external sources.\n\n\n\nAdding brominated flame retardants to these\u00a0materials helps them meet safety standards and protect their users, since they prevent ignition from inside and out. Professor Rein agrees that bromine is a vital element for fire safety: \u2018(\u2026) I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential\u2019.\nWhere are brominated flame retardants used?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nBrominated flame retardants are being added in appliances\u2019 manufacturing process:\n\nthey can either be added\u00a0when manufacturing the\u00a0polymer materials, or\nwhen manufacturing the printed circuit boards, in which case they react with materials such as epoxy.\n\n \nBan on halogenated flame retardants in electronic display\nThe European Commission adopted a ban on halogenated flame retardants, which include brominated flame retardants, in the Ecodesign Directive\u2019s requirements for electronic displays on 1 October.\nUnheard of, says BSEF. This ban goes beyond the scope of the Ecodesign Directive and subordinates RoHS, which should be the vehicle for any substance restrictions such as this one.\nBrominated flame retardants are recyclable\nThe ban is being justified by the EC by stating that these halogenated flame retardants prevent WEEE plastics from being recycled. Well, this is not the case for the entire group of halogenated flame retardants.\nBSEF, along with the plastics industry and recyclers are (and will be in the future) working on new technologies to address recycling properly. For many years now, it has been possible to recycle products containing brominated flame retardants. In fact, recycled plastics with brominated fire retardants in them, meet the same levels of fire safety as virgin material. No value is lost in the recycling process.\nIn case recycling a particular product is not possible, we have provided a number of eco-efficient waste management options:\n\nincineration with energy recovery,\nprecious metals melting, or\nchemical recycling, which even allows the bromine to re-enter the circular economy as valuable resource.\n\nRead more about BSEF\u2019s take on this ban in our press release: BSEF objects to ban on halogenated flame retardants in EU ecodesign requirements for electronic displays.\nWant to know more about flame retardancy?\nIntrigued about the importance of fire safety and flame retardancy?\nProfessor\u00a0Masaru Kitano of the\u00a0Shukutoku\u00a0University in Japan brought together his experiences, thoughts and views on fire safety and flame retardancy science\u00a0in his book \u2018Introduction to flame retardancy \u2013 Protect your life and property from fire\u2019, and BSEF is proud to have worked on the translation of his book.\nIt is a highly fascinating book that applies to\u00a0every one\u00a0of us, since fire safety also affects every one of us. Read more about it:\u00a0\u2018Introduction to flame retardancy: the book\u2019.\n\nWant your exclusive copy of \u2018Introduction to flame retardancy\u2019?\nProfessor Kitano\u2019s book is not for sale. If you are interested in reading it, please contact us and we will be happy to send you an exclusive copy!\nSend your request to letstalkbromine@bsef.org.\nSOURCES\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/03/08/response-dr-alexander-morgan-flame-retardants-uk-furniture-increase-smoke-toxicity-reduce-fire-growth-rate-chemosphere-2018-196-429-439/\nhttps://www.flameretardants.eu\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/\nhttps://www.bsef.com/fire-safety/\nhttps://www.ready.gov/home-fires\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/82803/industry-blasts-eu-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays#overlay-strip\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75831/ecodesign-directives-proposed-halogens-ban-not-a-precedent-eu-says#overlay-strip\nhttps://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings\nThe post The role of brominated flame retardants in electric and electronic appliances appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-12-10T15:55:41+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-11T13:50:52+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/header1.png", "tags": [ "brominated flame retardants", "bromine", "bsef", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "Guillermo Rein", "masaru kitano", "Fire retardancy", "Recycling" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/12/10/bsef-around-world-bsef-japan-supports-iypt2019-closing-ceremony-tokyo/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/12/10/bsef-around-world-bsef-japan-supports-iypt2019-closing-ceremony-tokyo/", "title": "BSEF around the World: BSEF Japan supports the IYPT2019 closing ceremony (Tokyo)", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/closing-ceremony-iypt-japan.jpg\")
BSEF, the International Bromine Council, sponsored the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT2019) Closing Ceremony that took place at Tokyo Prince Hotel (Minato-ku, Tokyo) on December 5th.
The event counted with 500 people from 24 countries including the presence of Mr. Yuki Kawai, chairman of the Chemical Society of Japan (Director, Institute of Molecular Chemistry, National Institutes of Natural Sciences) and Chairman Kohei Tamao (former chairman of the Chemical Society of Japan, Director of RIKEN Toyota).
\nDirector Tamao welcomed all the participants and said ‘The closing ceremony of the International Year of the Periodic Table allows us to recall all the events organized in honour of the anniversary of the Table held all over the world. These events brought glory to the efforts of scientists and engineers who made their contribution to the discovery and development of the Periodic Table, as well as work of those who continue studying new elements nowadays to make a contribution to our modern world.’
\n2019 has been designated by UNESCO as the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT), marking the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev periodic table, which is an iconic image and a vital tool to all who learn and work in science, at all stages of their learning and careers.
\nThe opening ceremony took place in January in Paris, France, and throughout the year many events were held globally to reaffirm the importance![\"Presentation](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ceremony-scene.jpg\")
of elements in each country.
During the closing ceremony, we assisted to various keynote speakers and an excellent presentation from junior and senior high school students.
\nHonorary Fellow Akira Yoshino (professor at Meijo University), Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, presented a video message about the importance of elements. Lastly, Prof. Qi-Feng Zhou (President IUPAC) and others greeted and closed.
\nThe post BSEF around the World: BSEF Japan supports the IYPT2019 closing ceremony (Tokyo) appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "BSEF, the International Bromine Council, sponsored the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT2019) Closing Ceremony that took place at Tokyo Prince Hotel (Minato-ku, Tokyo) on December 5th.\nThe event counted with 500 people from 24 countries including the presence of Mr. Yuki Kawai, chairman of the Chemical Society of Japan (Director, Institute of Molecular Chemistry, National Institutes of Natural Sciences) and Chairman Kohei Tamao (former chairman of the Chemical Society of Japan, Director of RIKEN Toyota).\nDirector Tamao welcomed all the participants and said ‘The closing ceremony of the International Year of the Periodic Table allows us to recall all the events organized in honour of the anniversary of the Table held all over the world. These events brought glory to the efforts of scientists and engineers who made their contribution to the discovery and development of the Periodic Table, as well as work of those who continue studying new elements nowadays to make a contribution to our modern world.’\n2019 has been designated by UNESCO as the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT), marking the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev periodic table, which is an iconic image and a vital tool to all who learn and work in science, at all stages of their learning and careers.\nThe opening ceremony took place in January in Paris, France, and throughout the year many events were held globally to reaffirm the importance of elements in each country.\nDuring the closing ceremony, we assisted to various keynote speakers and an excellent presentation from junior and senior high school students.\nHonorary Fellow Akira Yoshino (professor at Meijo University), Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, presented a video message about the importance of elements. Lastly, Prof. Qi-Feng Zhou (President IUPAC) and others greeted and closed.\nThe post BSEF around the World: BSEF Japan supports the IYPT2019 closing ceremony (Tokyo) appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-12-10T15:55:27+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-17T07:37:27+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IYPT-closing-ceremony-japan.png", "tags": [ "bsef", "International Year of the Periodic Table", "IYPT 2019", "General news", "Periodic table" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/bsef-around-the-world-bsef-china-takes-part-in-the-2019-international-cpca-shanghai/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/bsef-around-the-world-bsef-china-takes-part-in-the-2019-international-cpca-shanghai/", "title": "BSEF around the World: BSEF China takes part in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai)", "content_html": "From March 19 to March 21, the International Bromine Council (BSEF) participated in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) Show, with the theme of its exhibition stand \u201cFlame Retardant Expert of Printed Circuit Board– TBBPA\u201d.
\nOver 250 visitors dropped by the BSEF booth and nearly 100 participated in our questionnaire.
\nTBBPA is the best choice to ensure PCB to reach the fireproofing grade V0 of UL94. As an important flame retardant substance which can be developing in a continuous way, TBBPA will never constitute a threat to people\u2019s body health and the environment in the major application fields. 90% of TBBPA is used as the reactive fire retardant (producing brominated epoxy polymer) to apply to the printed circuit board of the electronic and electrical appliance. In that process, TBBPA will never exist in its original form through covalent binding or being \u201creacted\u201d to the polymer matrix. As a result, TBBPA hardly has no potential to be discharged to the air. Lower than 20% of TBBPA is used as raw material of brominated low polymer and polymer (covalent binding) and as the additive flame retardant of ABS plastics. In this process, it is sealed in the polymer matrix so that it is not likely for people to contact with it.
\nIn late 2013, Canada published the filtering and assessment report on TBBPA, indicating that TBBPA has a negligible influence on human health. In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the result of a study on the risks of the TBBPA and its ramification exposure to food, showing that \u201cthe amount of the TBBPA exposed to food in the EU will not trigger the concern about health\u201d.
\nAccording to the result of an eight- year risk assessment of the TBBPA issued by the EU in 2008, the TBBPA causes a lower environmental risk which can be controlled.
\nUnder EU RoHS, the European Commission launched an assessment of TBBPA in early 2018 and planned to finish it in late 2019.
\n\n
The post BSEF around the World: BSEF China takes part in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "From March 19 to March 21, the International Bromine Council (BSEF) participated in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) Show, with the theme of its exhibition stand \u201cFlame Retardant Expert of Printed Circuit Board– TBBPA\u201d.\nOver 250 visitors dropped by the BSEF booth and nearly 100 participated in our questionnaire.\nTBBPA is the best choice to ensure PCB to reach the fireproofing grade V0 of UL94. As an important flame retardant substance which can be developing in a continuous way, TBBPA will never constitute a threat to people\u2019s body health and the environment in the major application fields. 90% of TBBPA is used as the reactive fire retardant (producing brominated epoxy polymer) to apply to the printed circuit board of the electronic and electrical appliance. In that process, TBBPA will never exist in its original form through covalent binding or being \u201creacted\u201d to the polymer matrix. As a result, TBBPA hardly has no potential to be discharged to the air. Lower than 20% of TBBPA is used as raw material of brominated low polymer and polymer (covalent binding) and as the additive flame retardant of ABS plastics. In this process, it is sealed in the polymer matrix so that it is not likely for people to contact with it.\nIn late 2013, Canada published the filtering and assessment report on TBBPA, indicating that TBBPA has a negligible influence on human health. In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the result of a study on the risks of the TBBPA and its ramification exposure to food, showing that \u201cthe amount of the TBBPA exposed to food in the EU will not trigger the concern about health\u201d.\nAccording to the result of an eight- year risk assessment of the TBBPA issued by the EU in 2008, the TBBPA causes a lower environmental risk which can be controlled.\nUnder EU RoHS, the European Commission launched an assessment of TBBPA in early 2018 and planned to finish it in late 2019.\n \nThe post BSEF around the World: BSEF China takes part in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:47:45+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-20T09:52:45+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Aroundtheworld.jpg", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "TBBPA", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/making-electrical-electronic-equipment-safe/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/making-electrical-electronic-equipment-safe/", "title": "Making electrical & electronic equipment safe", "content_html": "The last 20 years have seen a dramatic rise in the amount and variety of electrical and electronic equipment (E&E) in houses, offices and public buildings.
\nBetween 2015 and 2016, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment put on the market increased by 2.9\u00a0% from 9.8 million tonnes to 10.1 million tonnes in the EU.[1]
\nThe proliferation of electronic devices such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, tablets or laptops. has been matched by a bustuing in the use of plastics.
\nWhile these devices make work, living and commercial spaces much more practical, versatile and comfortable, they simultaneously increase the fire risk as many of these polymers can be highly flammable.
\nFor example, electronic appliances can easily ignite or burn rapidly if they are not adequately protected and compliant with high fire safety standards. \u00a0Brominated flame retardant technologies, are helping to address the complex challenges posed by the diversity of materials used in electrical and electronic products.
\n[1]https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Waste_statistics_-_electrical_and_electronic_equipment
\nPlastics are versatile, diverse, mouldable and lightweight, which is why this material is very popular to use in the production of electrical equipment and electronic appliances.
\nThe high volume of plastics in this kind of equipment poses a fire risk. Most E&E devices contain 1 to 9kg of plastic materials; often used in thin sheets and relatively easy to ignite when in contact with internal and external electrical current and heat sources.
\nThat\u2019s why it is very important to if they are being used anywhere near an electrical current as well as other sources of heat or ignition.
\nIncorporating brominated flame retardants (BFRs) into polymers components\u00a0gives flame retardant properties. BFRs can either be added to polymer materials during production or can be reacted with materials such as epoxy used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5.-Electronics.png\")
Consumers have the right to expect products which are efficient, reliable and safe. For that reason the Flame retardant industry has been committed to developed innovative products that meet the most stringent fire safety requirements. National governments are also attentive to the products that may not meet the fire safety requirements. For example, the UK government recently ordered to recall 500,000 tumble dryers due to fire safety concerns.
Thanks to the presence of brominated flame retardants in electronic devices and electrical equipment, the flammability risk is much reduced.
\nBrominated flame retardants provide the necessary flame retardancy\u00a0to resist both ignition from the inside, as well as ignition from external sources. Two vital requirements that are essential in preventing fire and ensuring human safety.
\nCheck our website if you would like to know more about the benefits of brominated flame retardants in increasing fire safety.
\n\n
SOURCES
\nhttp://bsef.com/
\nhttp://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings
\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75001/proposed-ecodesign-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-under-scrutiny
\nhttp://ecostandard.org/ecos-and-partners-welcome-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays/
The post Making electrical & electronic equipment safe appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "The last 20 years have seen a dramatic rise in the amount and variety of electrical and electronic equipment (E&E) in houses, offices and public buildings.\nBetween 2015 and 2016, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment put on the market increased by 2.9\u00a0% from 9.8 million tonnes to 10.1 million tonnes in the EU.[1]\nThe proliferation of electronic devices such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, tablets or laptops. has been matched by a bustuing in the use of plastics.\nWhile these devices make work, living and commercial spaces much more practical, versatile and comfortable, they simultaneously increase the fire risk as many of these polymers can be highly flammable.\nFor example, electronic appliances can easily ignite or burn rapidly if they are not adequately protected and compliant with high fire safety standards. \u00a0Brominated flame retardant technologies, are helping to address the complex challenges posed by the diversity of materials used in electrical and electronic products.\n[1]https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Waste_statistics_-_electrical_and_electronic_equipment\n\n\n\nBrominated flame retardants in the production process\nPlastics are versatile, diverse, mouldable and lightweight, which is why this material is very popular to use in the production of electrical equipment and electronic appliances.\nThe high volume of plastics in this kind of equipment poses a fire risk. Most E&E devices contain 1 to 9kg of plastic materials; often used in thin sheets and relatively easy to ignite when in contact with internal and external electrical current and heat sources.\nThat\u2019s why it is very important to if they are being used anywhere near an electrical current as well as other sources of heat or ignition.\nIncorporating brominated flame retardants (BFRs) into polymers components\u00a0gives flame retardant properties. BFRs can either be added to polymer materials during production or can be reacted with materials such as epoxy used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards.\nEnsure fire safety\nConsumers have the right to expect products which are efficient, reliable and safe. For that reason the Flame retardant industry has been committed to developed innovative products that meet the most stringent fire safety requirements. National governments are also attentive to the products that may not meet the fire safety requirements. For example, the UK government recently ordered to recall 500,000 tumble dryers due to fire safety concerns.\nThanks to the presence of brominated flame retardants in electronic devices and electrical equipment, the flammability risk is much reduced.\nBrominated flame retardants provide the necessary flame retardancy\u00a0to resist both ignition from the inside, as well as ignition from external sources. Two vital requirements that are essential in preventing fire and ensuring human safety.\nCheck our website if you would like to know more about the benefits of brominated flame retardants in increasing fire safety.\n \nSOURCES\nhttp://bsef.com/\nhttp://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75001/proposed-ecodesign-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-under-scrutiny\nhttp://ecostandard.org/ecos-and-partners-welcome-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays/\nThe post Making electrical & electronic equipment safe appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:46:02+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-20T10:15:28+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FireSafety-2.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "ecoban", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "halogenated flame retardants", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/what-the-periodic-table-has-taught-us/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/what-the-periodic-table-has-taught-us/", "title": "#IYPT2019 \u2013 What the periodic table has taught us", "content_html": "In our previous article we explained that 2019 marks the 150thbirthday\u00a0of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements. But what are the origins of the periodic table and what did we learn from it? Join us in looking back and discover what the table has taught us to this day.
\nBSEF is no exception! Together with the BSEF global representatives, BSEF is also celebrating the International Year of The Periodic Table – #IYPT2019! Watch our video with Nuno Bacharel, BSEF communications manager, and discover why the periodic table has been so important for modern science and innovation:
\nThroughout history, scientists discovered that matter could be composed of various chemical elements other than just earth, wind, water and fire. Observing these different elements suggested that a principle could be used to arrange them. This principle would later be known as the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements.
\nContrary to popular belief, Mendeleev was not the first person who tried to organize the chemical elements into a meaningful chart. French geologist named\u00a0Alexandre-Emile B\u00e9guyer de Chancourtois was the first person to notice the periodicity of chemical elements in 1862.
\nOther scientists and chemists, including Englishman John Newlands and German Julius Lothar Meyer, published versions of the periodic table before Mendeleev\u2019s system gained widespread attention.
\nNevertheless, in 1869\u00a0Mendeleev laid the foundations for the iconic arrangement of elements: he listed elements in columns, and lined up the columns to place elements that have similar properties along the same row. The pattern repeats on the basis of similar physical or chemical characteristics\u00a0of the elements.
\nLater refinements and adjustments resulted in the modern periodic table as we know it today.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3.-Periodic_table.png\")
To this day, there are 118 confirmed elements, neatly ordered according to atomic number (the number of protons found in the nucleus of each element). The remaining gaps on the bottom row were finally filled in December 2016\u00a0when the synthetic elements nihonium, moscovium, tennessine and oganesson were formally recognized.
The current periodic table not only contains all of the atomic building blocks found so far, it also provides a framework for future finds.
\nDid you know that the search for element 119 (which would be the first in a brand new row) is already ongoing in some laboratories? Hideto En’yo the director of the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Saitama, Japan, predicted in 2017 that elements 119 and 120 would both be found within five years.
\nTo date the periodic table has proven to be an indispensable tool for students, chemists, nanotechnologists, researchers and other scientists.
\nYou can quickly see the properties of chemical elements and how they interact with one another. The table also helps predict the\u00a0types of chemical reactions\u00a0that are likely for an element, which is useful for current scientists who are continuously working on discovering new materials and are further investigating the properties of existing elements.
\nThe history of the periodic table tells many fascinating stories of how science has become inextricably intertwined with our society over the past 150 years.
\nIn addition, the periodic table and its influences can be found in numerous everyday aspects of our lives and culture: from modern education to songs, printed T-shirts, tote bags, TV shows (such as Breaking Bad), lunch boxes and more.
\nDo you want to find out more about the periodic table? Join the celebrations during the International Year of the Periodic Table or check out the designated Twitter, Facebook or Instagramaccounts to learn more fun facts.
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://www.iypt2019.org
\nhttp://bsef.com/
\nhttp://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1982306,00.html
\nhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-019-0285-8
\nhttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00281-z
\nhttps://www.lenntech.com/periodic/history/history-periodic-table.htm
\nhttps://www.thoughtco.com/why-is-the-periodic-table-important-608829
The post #IYPT2019 – What the periodic table has taught us appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "In our previous article we explained that 2019 marks the 150thbirthday\u00a0of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements. But what are the origins of the periodic table and what did we learn from it? Join us in looking back and discover what the table has taught us to this day.\nCelebrate the periodic table with us\nBSEF is no exception! Together with the BSEF global representatives, BSEF is also celebrating the International Year of The Periodic Table – #IYPT2019! Watch our video with Nuno Bacharel, BSEF communications manager, and discover why the periodic table has been so important for modern science and innovation:\n\n\n\n\n\nHistory of the periodic table\nThroughout history, scientists discovered that matter could be composed of various chemical elements other than just earth, wind, water and fire. Observing these different elements suggested that a principle could be used to arrange them. This principle would later be known as the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements.\nContrary to popular belief, Mendeleev was not the first person who tried to organize the chemical elements into a meaningful chart. French geologist named\u00a0Alexandre-Emile B\u00e9guyer de Chancourtois was the first person to notice the periodicity of chemical elements in 1862.\nOther scientists and chemists, including Englishman John Newlands and German Julius Lothar Meyer, published versions of the periodic table before Mendeleev\u2019s system gained widespread attention.\nNevertheless, in 1869\u00a0Mendeleev laid the foundations for the iconic arrangement of elements: he listed elements in columns, and lined up the columns to place elements that have similar properties along the same row. The pattern repeats on the basis of similar physical or chemical characteristics\u00a0of the elements.\nLater refinements and adjustments resulted in the modern periodic table as we know it today.\nThe\u00a0periodic table today\nTo this day, there are 118 confirmed elements, neatly ordered according to atomic number (the number of protons found in the nucleus of each element). The remaining gaps on the bottom row were finally filled in December 2016\u00a0when the synthetic elements nihonium, moscovium, tennessine and oganesson were formally recognized.\nThe current periodic table not only contains all of the atomic building blocks found so far, it also provides a framework for future finds.\nDid you know that the search for element 119 (which would be the first in a brand new row) is already ongoing in some laboratories? Hideto En’yo the director of the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Saitama, Japan, predicted in 2017 that elements 119 and 120 would both be found within five years.\nWhat have we learned?\nTo date the periodic table has proven to be an indispensable tool for students, chemists, nanotechnologists, researchers and other scientists.\nYou can quickly see the properties of chemical elements and how they interact with one another. The table also helps predict the\u00a0types of chemical reactions\u00a0that are likely for an element, which is useful for current scientists who are continuously working on discovering new materials and are further investigating the properties of existing elements.\nThe history of the periodic table tells many fascinating stories of how science has become inextricably intertwined with our society over the past 150 years.\nIn addition, the periodic table and its influences can be found in numerous everyday aspects of our lives and culture: from modern education to songs, printed T-shirts, tote bags, TV shows (such as Breaking Bad), lunch boxes and more.\nDo you want to find out more about the periodic table? Join the celebrations during the International Year of the Periodic Table or check out the designated Twitter, Facebook or Instagramaccounts to learn more fun facts.\nSOURCES\nhttps://www.iypt2019.org\nhttp://bsef.com/\nhttp://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1982306,00.html\nhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-019-0285-8\nhttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00281-z\nhttps://www.lenntech.com/periodic/history/history-periodic-table.htm\nhttps://www.thoughtco.com/why-is-the-periodic-table-important-608829\nThe post #IYPT2019 – What the periodic table has taught us appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:45:05+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-20T09:55:33+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PeriodicTable.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "chemical elements", "chemistry", "history of the periodic table", "innovation", "International Year of the Periodic Table", "IYPT 2019", "periodic table", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/international-flow-battery-forum/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/international-flow-battery-forum/", "title": "Meet BSEF at the International Flow Battery Forum", "content_html": "With an ever-growing electricity demand and rising pressure on reducing costs for energy storage and increasing performance, it is important to pay attention to and discuss all aspects of energy storage , development, and deployment.
\nAs per this recent art![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2.-FlowBatteryForumLyon-1.png\")
icle by the Business Reporter, bromine flow batteries are an innovative and efficient energy storage solution
Bromine-based flow batteries are a highly efficient and cost-effective electro-chemical energy storage solution, providing a range of options to successfully manage energy from renewable sources, minimizing energy loss, reducing overall energy use and cost and safeguarding security of supply.
\nFor this reason, BSEF will again participate at the International Flow Battery Forum: to support the business case for flow batteries and long duration energy storage, with case studies from around the world.
\nThis tenth annual edition will be held from the 9th\u00a0until the 11th\u00a0of July in Lyon, France\u00a0at the Lyon Convention Centre.
\nWould you like to join us in the discussions? It is not too late yet, register here and come find us. We would love to meet you and talk about new developments together!
\nThe International Flow Battery Forum is a 3-day conference dedicated to flow batteries.
\nThe event will be covering flow battery operations, applications, manufacture, development and research. The aim is to bring together users, industry, suppliers and the R&D community to meet, learn, discuss and raise the profile of flow batteries as they are a crucial technology within the electrical energy storage sector.
\nThe 2019 programme will be looking at wh![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2.-Windmolen.png\")
at is happening in the industry from the perspectives of manufacturers, developers, as well as users of flow batteries:
Various delegates and representatives from international companies will be speaking, including Andy Klassen from Avalon, Ben Sheppard from Redflow, Guillaume Chazelet from Kemiwatt and Daniel Manschke from Volterion GmbH.
\nFollow the International Flow Battery Forum on Twitter.
\n\n
SOURCES
\nhttps://flowbatteryforum.com/
\nhttps://www.business-reporter.co.uk/2019/05/13/bromine-flow-batteries-an-innovative-energy-storage-solution/#gsc.tab=0
\nhttps://redflow.com/
\nhttps://www.elestor.nl/
\nhttp://energystoragereport.info/israel-chemicals-icl-bromine-zinc-bromide-flow-battery/#sthash.GCBtaSPj.dpbs
The post Meet BSEF at the International Flow Battery Forum appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "With an ever-growing electricity demand and rising pressure on reducing costs for energy storage and increasing performance, it is important to pay attention to and discuss all aspects of energy storage , development, and deployment.\nAs per this recent article by the Business Reporter, bromine flow batteries are an innovative and efficient energy storage solution\nBromine-based flow batteries are a highly efficient and cost-effective electro-chemical energy storage solution, providing a range of options to successfully manage energy from renewable sources, minimizing energy loss, reducing overall energy use and cost and safeguarding security of supply.\nFor this reason, BSEF will again participate at the International Flow Battery Forum: to support the business case for flow batteries and long duration energy storage, with case studies from around the world.\nThis tenth annual edition will be held from the 9th\u00a0until the 11th\u00a0of July in Lyon, France\u00a0at the Lyon Convention Centre.\nWould you like to join us in the discussions? It is not too late yet, register here and come find us. We would love to meet you and talk about new developments together!\nWhat is the International Flow Battery Forum?\nThe International Flow Battery Forum is a 3-day conference dedicated to flow batteries.\nThe event will be covering flow battery operations, applications, manufacture, development and research. The aim is to bring together users, industry, suppliers and the R&D community to meet, learn, discuss and raise the profile of flow batteries as they are a crucial technology within the electrical energy storage sector.\nWho will discuss what?\nThe 2019 programme will be looking at what is happening in the industry from the perspectives of manufacturers, developers, as well as users of flow batteries:\n\nRecent progress in the flow battery industry and news of recent flow battery installations\nPromotion of the business case for flow batteries and long duration storage\nTechnical sessions covering materials and components\nDiscussions on battery recycling, supply of raw materials as well as presentation of less familiar concepts in flow batteries\n\nVarious delegates and representatives from international companies will be speaking, including Andy Klassen from Avalon, Ben Sheppard from Redflow, Guillaume Chazelet from Kemiwatt and Daniel Manschke from Volterion GmbH.\nFollow the International Flow Battery Forum on Twitter.\n \nSOURCES\nhttps://flowbatteryforum.com/\nhttps://www.business-reporter.co.uk/2019/05/13/bromine-flow-batteries-an-innovative-energy-storage-solution/#gsc.tab=0\nhttps://redflow.com/\nhttps://www.elestor.nl/\nhttp://energystoragereport.info/israel-chemicals-icl-bromine-zinc-bromide-flow-battery/#sthash.GCBtaSPj.dpbs\nThe post Meet BSEF at the International Flow Battery Forum appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:44:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-20T09:50:53+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FlowBatteryForum-1.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bromine-based technologies", "bsef", "flow batteries", "IFBF 2019", "innovation", "Energy storage", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/meet-the-experts-professor-guillermo/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/meet-the-experts-professor-guillermo/", "title": "Meet the Experts: Professor Guillermo Rein", "content_html": "For this edition of Meet the Experts we spoke with a renowned figure in the field of Fire Science. We talked with Guillermo Rein, professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London.
\nHis ample research and projects focus on fire, heat transfer and combustion. The main purpose of his work is to reduce the worldwide burden of accidental fires and\u00a0protect people, their property, and the environment. He especially enjoys solving multidisciplinary problems combining experimental and modelling techniques.
\nMake sure to read our interview below if you would you like to know more about professor Rein\u2019s expertise and his view on the role and the future of fire safety.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1.-Professor-Guillermo-Rein.png\")
\u00a9 Image by Joe McGory via Imperial College London.
Guillermo Rein gained his years of experience through extensive practice and education: he studied Mechanical Engineering at ICAI Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Ingeniero Industrial, 1999) and also holds an MSc\u00a0(2003) and PhD\u00a0(2005) from the University of California at Berkeley.
\nHe has studied a wide range of fire dynamics topics\u00a0in the built and the natural environments, including pyrolysis, smouldering, fire modeling, wildfires, structures and fire, design methodologies and forecasting techniques.
\nRein is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Fire Technology and he leads the research group Imperial Hazelab. Moreover, he is an extremely motivated teacher, enthusiastic about the education of the next generation of engineers, and passionate about outreach in engineering.
\nHis work is well-known and has been recognised internationally with various research awards\u00a0including: 2018 SFPE Guise Medal, 2017 The Engineer Collaborate-to-Innovate Prize, 2017 Combustion Institute Sugden Award, 2016 SFPE Lund Award.
\nGuillermo, as a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London, could you tell us what moved you to study and work on this area and what exactly is fire science?
\nI\u2019m a mechanical engineer, both in my bachelor\u2019s degree and my master degree and my PhD. And when I was finishing my PhD I was working at the University of California in Berkeley helping to understand how polymers burn in space, how plastics burn in space, inside a spacecraft, because there is no gravity.
\nAnd when I graduated I thought that was an absolutely fascinating topic: to protect the lives of people and to go to space, to go to Mars. And then I wanted to have an academic career on Earth. So I have my background in mechanical engineering and heat transfer and combustion and chemistry. And I use all that to understand fires on earth, in buildings and forests, so I can protect and help citizens, properties and the environment.
\nFire science is the scientific branch to discover knowledge on how fires behave, how they ignite, how they spread, how they emit smoke and how they can be suppressed. This scientific knowledge is then given to engineers and authorities, who can then use that knowledge to create new technologies, combine it with previous things that they know work or to create new things. And little by little, by combining knowledge and engineering we can create a safer world.\u00a0
\nProf. Isaac Asimov\u00a0(1920-1992) said that \u201cFire is the greatest single discovery in human history\u201d, could you briefly explain to us how you see the progression of fire safety?
\n\u00a0So fire safety engineering is facing a significant number of challenges, but we like to convert these challenges into opportunities. They are all opportunities to do things even better. Things that are on the forefront right now are facades, because of known tragedies that have happened recently. The facade is a very important part of the building and for the last 30 or 40 years polymers/plastics have been integrated into facades to make them even better, lighter, more beautiful and insulating, etc. It has all these incredible benefits, but all polymers have a degree of flammability, all plastics can burn. Some of them are really hard to ignite, although they spread very slowly, some of them are really easy to ignite and they will spread really fast. And it is up to the engineers to manipulate those properties and to choose a polymer in such an amount and to put it in a location in the structure of a fa\u00e7ade or any structure so that flammability is as low as is required for the safety of the people in the building.
\nIn the end, in general, we humans are addicted to plastics to polymers. It is a well-known addiction that has many benefits for society, but it has 2 issues: one is biodegradability (not al polymers can be degraded) and the other one is that all polymers are flammable.
\nFire science is a discipline of knowledge creation that helps engineers to manipulate those properties so they can actually create polymers with lower levels of flammability.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1.-Professor-Guillermo-Rein3.png\")
In the last 20 years there has been a dramatic rise in the amounts of plastics around us and the presence of flammable materials in our homes and appliances. The\u00a0Guardian\u00a0(2017) predicts that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next ten years. Can you tell us the role and the importance of flame retardants in society?
Flame retardants are a variety of components that are \u201cretardant\u201d. Retardancy makes plastic less flammable. There are many ways to achieve this, some of them are more in the scientific realm, some of them are more related to reality and the current industry.
\nAdding flame retardants, which are an additive that is added to the plastic, as it is being manufactured is a specific way to achieve this. Actually it is based on the chemical alteration and the physical properties of the plastic. It is a very important engineering step. Actually it is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics and have them as safe as we need them to be: by adding retardants.\u00a0
\nWhen there is a fire, retardants can act chemically or physically, the two of them are possible. My research in particular is based more on the physical side. When you add new components to the polymer/plastic, they will heat up slower when there is a fire and only ignite later on (you can control how late). And even when they catch on fire, they will burn slowly and when there is time to suppress the fire, it will be easy to suppress. For my specific research I try to modify all these properties physically, but there is also the possibility to modify them chemically: when the polymer starts to ignite, it releases a gas that actually stops the flame from forming further.
\nWe have assisted to an evolution on the various flame retardant technologies. Can you tell us about the findings from research/papers that you are working on and how that data will have an impact in the future of flame retardancy?
\nMy specific research focuses on how to physically alter the properties of plastics so that it heats up slower, ignites later and only allows fire to spread slowly. As we speak I am working with companies that have found value in this way of altering the properties of plastics. The results of my research are being published and read as we speak.
\nI will probably start working soon on composites, the strongest polymer that is known to man, (they are sometimes even stronger than steel). These are used in aerospace, cars, trains and ships. And there is a desire from citizens and engineers to use more of these composites. They are very strong and light, which means there is less fuel consumption, more fuel efficiency and energy savings, less pollution and less environmental impact. All beautiful results because of composites. But because plastic is involved, they always have some degree of flammability. I will be working with companies to decrease that level of flammability so the risk will be as small as when you have a train or a ship made of metal.
\nBromine, due to its characteristics, plays a key role to help meeting fire safety standards. New brominated technologies have been developed such as the Brominated Butadiene-Styrene Block Co-polymer. Can you tell us your views on the benefits of brominated flame retardants?
\nBromine is one of the chemical elements that, when added, can make plastic less flammable. It is a flame retardant that acts chemically, not physically. My expertise is not on chemical flame retardants. But as an engineer I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential. No matter how it is achieved, but decreasing the flammability or having the ability to control the flammability of a polymer to a required level is absolutely essential. And my understanding is that brominated flame retardants do this.\u00a0 \u00a0
\nThe importance of flame retardants is not always understood by the public or the media. Do you think that flame retardants chemistries are undermined? What is your view on Flammability vs. Toxicology?
\nThe worst thing that can happen is to have even more plastics, which is what all the trends are showing, and allow them to be as flammable as they are right now or even more flammable.
\nFire safety engineering is a really tough profession. Because the more we succeed at protecting the citizens, and decreasing fatalities, and decreasing damage and fires, the faster society forgets about us. We practise a profession where people only know that we exist, when we fail. The more we succeed in our field, the more we are forgotten by citizens.
\nA fire hazard is not an opinion, it is an actual fact. So it is absolutely essential that citizens are guided in the process of looking into concerns about toxicology.
\nThere is an ongoing discussion in the UK, US and the European union about a trade-off between flammability and perceived toxicology of some elements that have been added to polymers. And not when the polymer is burning, but even when the polymer is not burning yet. And I as an engineer feel very uncomfortable about a trade-off of two risks, because it is like saying: \u201cBoth are risks, but I want to decrease one, by increasing the other or vice versa\u201d, and that is very dangerous. Because if you don\u2019t approach this trade-off with a full and complete understanding of the consequences of manipulating the risks, then you are taking the wrong decisions. So I would recommend authorities to prevent flammability and toxicology being minimised, without modifying the other. Or that they invest tremendously in fire science and toxicology so that we can figure it out and understand these two risks. And then maybe a trade-off is allowed. \u00a0\u00a0
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein
\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein/cv/GRein_CV.pdf
\nhttp://bsef.com/
\nhttps://www.iawfonline.org/members/guillermo-rein/
\n
The post Meet the Experts: Professor Guillermo Rein appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "For this edition of Meet the Experts we spoke with a renowned figure in the field of Fire Science. We talked with Guillermo Rein, professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London.\nHis ample research and projects focus on fire, heat transfer and combustion. The main purpose of his work is to reduce the worldwide burden of accidental fires and\u00a0protect people, their property, and the environment. He especially enjoys solving multidisciplinary problems combining experimental and modelling techniques.\nMake sure to read our interview below if you would you like to know more about professor Rein\u2019s expertise and his view on the role and the future of fire safety.\n\u00a9 Image by Joe McGory via Imperial College London.\nAuthority in the field\nGuillermo Rein gained his years of experience through extensive practice and education: he studied Mechanical Engineering at ICAI Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Ingeniero Industrial, 1999) and also holds an MSc\u00a0(2003) and PhD\u00a0(2005) from the University of California at Berkeley.\nHe has studied a wide range of fire dynamics topics\u00a0in the built and the natural environments, including pyrolysis, smouldering, fire modeling, wildfires, structures and fire, design methodologies and forecasting techniques.\nRein is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Fire Technology and he leads the research group Imperial Hazelab. Moreover, he is an extremely motivated teacher, enthusiastic about the education of the next generation of engineers, and passionate about outreach in engineering.\nHis work is well-known and has been recognised internationally with various research awards\u00a0including: 2018 SFPE Guise Medal, 2017 The Engineer Collaborate-to-Innovate Prize, 2017 Combustion Institute Sugden Award, 2016 SFPE Lund Award.\nConversation with a specialist\nGuillermo, as a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London, could you tell us what moved you to study and work on this area and what exactly is fire science?\nI\u2019m a mechanical engineer, both in my bachelor\u2019s degree and my master degree and my PhD. And when I was finishing my PhD I was working at the University of California in Berkeley helping to understand how polymers burn in space, how plastics burn in space, inside a spacecraft, because there is no gravity. \nAnd when I graduated I thought that was an absolutely fascinating topic: to protect the lives of people and to go to space, to go to Mars. And then I wanted to have an academic career on Earth. So I have my background in mechanical engineering and heat transfer and combustion and chemistry. And I use all that to understand fires on earth, in buildings and forests, so I can protect and help citizens, properties and the environment.\nFire science is the scientific branch to discover knowledge on how fires behave, how they ignite, how they spread, how they emit smoke and how they can be suppressed. This scientific knowledge is then given to engineers and authorities, who can then use that knowledge to create new technologies, combine it with previous things that they know work or to create new things. And little by little, by combining knowledge and engineering we can create a safer world.\u00a0\nProf. Isaac Asimov\u00a0(1920-1992) said that \u201cFire is the greatest single discovery in human history\u201d, could you briefly explain to us how you see the progression of fire safety?\n\u00a0So fire safety engineering is facing a significant number of challenges, but we like to convert these challenges into opportunities. They are all opportunities to do things even better. Things that are on the forefront right now are facades, because of known tragedies that have happened recently. The facade is a very important part of the building and for the last 30 or 40 years polymers/plastics have been integrated into facades to make them even better, lighter, more beautiful and insulating, etc. It has all these incredible benefits, but all polymers have a degree of flammability, all plastics can burn. Some of them are really hard to ignite, although they spread very slowly, some of them are really easy to ignite and they will spread really fast. And it is up to the engineers to manipulate those properties and to choose a polymer in such an amount and to put it in a location in the structure of a fa\u00e7ade or any structure so that flammability is as low as is required for the safety of the people in the building.\nIn the end, in general, we humans are addicted to plastics to polymers. It is a well-known addiction that has many benefits for society, but it has 2 issues: one is biodegradability (not al polymers can be degraded) and the other one is that all polymers are flammable. \nFire science is a discipline of knowledge creation that helps engineers to manipulate those properties so they can actually create polymers with lower levels of flammability.\nIn the last 20 years there has been a dramatic rise in the amounts of plastics around us and the presence of flammable materials in our homes and appliances. The\u00a0Guardian\u00a0(2017) predicts that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next ten years. Can you tell us the role and the importance of flame retardants in society?\nFlame retardants are a variety of components that are \u201cretardant\u201d. Retardancy makes plastic less flammable. There are many ways to achieve this, some of them are more in the scientific realm, some of them are more related to reality and the current industry. \nAdding flame retardants, which are an additive that is added to the plastic, as it is being manufactured is a specific way to achieve this. Actually it is based on the chemical alteration and the physical properties of the plastic. It is a very important engineering step. Actually it is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics and have them as safe as we need them to be: by adding retardants.\u00a0\nWhen there is a fire, retardants can act chemically or physically, the two of them are possible. My research in particular is based more on the physical side. When you add new components to the polymer/plastic, they will heat up slower when there is a fire and only ignite later on (you can control how late). And even when they catch on fire, they will burn slowly and when there is time to suppress the fire, it will be easy to suppress. For my specific research I try to modify all these properties physically, but there is also the possibility to modify them chemically: when the polymer starts to ignite, it releases a gas that actually stops the flame from forming further.\nWe have assisted to an evolution on the various flame retardant technologies. Can you tell us about the findings from research/papers that you are working on and how that data will have an impact in the future of flame retardancy?\nMy specific research focuses on how to physically alter the properties of plastics so that it heats up slower, ignites later and only allows fire to spread slowly. As we speak I am working with companies that have found value in this way of altering the properties of plastics. The results of my research are being published and read as we speak. \nI will probably start working soon on composites, the strongest polymer that is known to man, (they are sometimes even stronger than steel). These are used in aerospace, cars, trains and ships. And there is a desire from citizens and engineers to use more of these composites. They are very strong and light, which means there is less fuel consumption, more fuel efficiency and energy savings, less pollution and less environmental impact. All beautiful results because of composites. But because plastic is involved, they always have some degree of flammability. I will be working with companies to decrease that level of flammability so the risk will be as small as when you have a train or a ship made of metal.\nBromine, due to its characteristics, plays a key role to help meeting fire safety standards. New brominated technologies have been developed such as the Brominated Butadiene-Styrene Block Co-polymer. Can you tell us your views on the benefits of brominated flame retardants?\nBromine is one of the chemical elements that, when added, can make plastic less flammable. It is a flame retardant that acts chemically, not physically. My expertise is not on chemical flame retardants. But as an engineer I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential. No matter how it is achieved, but decreasing the flammability or having the ability to control the flammability of a polymer to a required level is absolutely essential. And my understanding is that brominated flame retardants do this.\u00a0 \u00a0\nThe importance of flame retardants is not always understood by the public or the media. Do you think that flame retardants chemistries are undermined? What is your view on Flammability vs. Toxicology?\nThe worst thing that can happen is to have even more plastics, which is what all the trends are showing, and allow them to be as flammable as they are right now or even more flammable.\nFire safety engineering is a really tough profession. Because the more we succeed at protecting the citizens, and decreasing fatalities, and decreasing damage and fires, the faster society forgets about us. We practise a profession where people only know that we exist, when we fail. The more we succeed in our field, the more we are forgotten by citizens. \nA fire hazard is not an opinion, it is an actual fact. So it is absolutely essential that citizens are guided in the process of looking into concerns about toxicology. \nThere is an ongoing discussion in the UK, US and the European union about a trade-off between flammability and perceived toxicology of some elements that have been added to polymers. And not when the polymer is burning, but even when the polymer is not burning yet. And I as an engineer feel very uncomfortable about a trade-off of two risks, because it is like saying: \u201cBoth are risks, but I want to decrease one, by increasing the other or vice versa\u201d, and that is very dangerous. Because if you don\u2019t approach this trade-off with a full and complete understanding of the consequences of manipulating the risks, then you are taking the wrong decisions. So I would recommend authorities to prevent flammability and toxicology being minimised, without modifying the other. Or that they invest tremendously in fire science and toxicology so that we can figure it out and understand these two risks. And then maybe a trade-off is allowed. \u00a0\u00a0\nSOURCES\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein/cv/GRein_CV.pdf\nhttp://bsef.com/\nhttps://www.iawfonline.org/members/guillermo-rein/\n\nThe post Meet the Experts: Professor Guillermo Rein appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:42:55+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-24T13:15:21+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Guillermo_interview_i2.jpg", "tags": [ "bsef", "fire safety", "fire science", "flame retardants", "Guillermo Rein", "Imperial College London", "mechanical engineering", "polymers", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/03/05/meet-experts-phd-students-develop-next-generation-bromine-based-flow-batteries/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/03/05/meet-experts-phd-students-develop-next-generation-bromine-based-flow-batteries/", "title": "Meet the Experts \u2013 PhD students develop the next generation of bromine-based flow batteries", "content_html": "Have you read our previous Meet the Experts-article where we talked with Wiebrand Kout, Ing. and CTO of Elestor? We took a closer look at the energy storage sector and how PhD students and programmes such as FlowCamp help to develop and improve energy storage applications and materials, more specifically bromine-based redox flow batteries (RFBs).
\nFlowCamp\u2019s training project offers students and researchers the unique chance to learn more about these technologies, improve materials that will be used in the next-generation redox-flow batteries and also make their own contributions.
\nFor example, Sanaz Abassi works in Elestor\u2019s labs as part of FlowCamp\u2019s training network. She studies and improves the membrane that is used in the flow batteries.
\n\u201cI am working on the membrane development for the hydrogen bromine system. The membrane in the system should be resistant to bromine and should also be conductive. And there is always a trade-off between these 2 properties of the membrane in hydrogen bromine flow batteries\u201d, she says.
\n\nFlowCamp is a training & research network consisting of 11 partners from 8 different countries, coordinated by Fraunhofer ICT in Germany and funded by the European Union\u2019s Marie-Sklodowska-Curie programme.
\nThe funding will be allocated to a group of 15 postgraduates that will get the chance to practically apply their battery technology knowledge and expertise for a period of 3 years.
\nAll 15 participants are both European and non-European and will be able to conduct research and carry out project activities in a European country other than their native country.
\nFurthermore, the researchers will be individually trained in electrochemistry, material science, cell design/engineering and will also be able to actively take part in the process of battery development.
\nPhD student Sanaz Abbasi says that \u201cit is fascinating\u201d to study membranes for hydrogen bromine flow batteries and she is convinced that \u201cby using hydrogen bromine flow batteries we can store a huge amount of energy from renewable sources at a much lower cost, which can result in, finally, having a cleaner world.\u201d
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BSEF_Newsletter_Q1_2019_PHDhand.png\")
FlowCamp\u2019s main goal is to further develop and improve materials (membranes, electrodes, electrolytes, catalysts, sealing materials) and models for 3 types of new generation high-performance, low-cost redox-flow batteries (hydrogen-bromine, aqueous organic, zinc-air systems), which are currently regarded as one of the most promising energy storage solutions.
\nBSEF actively supports and encourages the fact that students and professionals receive the chance to conduct research on new bromine-related technologies.
\nVisit our website if you would like to know more about bromine and its applications.
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://www.flowcamp-project.eu/\u00a0
\nhttp://www.elestor.nl/
\nhttp://bsef.com/
\nhttp://bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BSEF-ENERGY-STORAGE.pdf
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/bromine-flow-batteries-energy-storage/
The post Meet the Experts – PhD students develop the next generation of bromine-based flow batteries appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Have you read our previous Meet the Experts-article where we talked with Wiebrand Kout, Ing. and CTO of Elestor? We took a closer look at the energy storage sector and how PhD students and programmes such as FlowCamp help to develop and improve energy storage applications and materials, more specifically bromine-based redox flow batteries (RFBs).\nFlowCamp\u2019s training project offers students and researchers the unique chance to learn more about these technologies, improve materials that will be used in the next-generation redox-flow batteries and also make their own contributions.\nFor example, Sanaz Abassi works in Elestor\u2019s labs as part of FlowCamp\u2019s training network. She studies and improves the membrane that is used in the flow batteries.\n\u201cI am working on the membrane development for the hydrogen bromine system. The membrane in the system should be resistant to bromine and should also be conductive. And there is always a trade-off between these 2 properties of the membrane in hydrogen bromine flow batteries\u201d, she says.\n\nWhat is FlowCamp?\nFlowCamp is a training & research network consisting of 11 partners from 8 different countries, coordinated by Fraunhofer ICT in Germany and funded by the European Union\u2019s Marie-Sklodowska-Curie programme.\nThe funding will be allocated to a group of 15 postgraduates that will get the chance to practically apply their battery technology knowledge and expertise for a period of 3 years.\nTraining of the PhD students\nAll 15 participants are both European and non-European and will be able to conduct research and carry out project activities in a European country other than their native country.\nFurthermore, the researchers will be individually trained in electrochemistry, material science, cell design/engineering and will also be able to actively take part in the process of battery development.\nPhD student Sanaz Abbasi says that \u201cit is fascinating\u201d to study membranes for hydrogen bromine flow batteries and she is convinced that \u201cby using hydrogen bromine flow batteries we can store a huge amount of energy from renewable sources at a much lower cost, which can result in, finally, having a cleaner world.\u201d\n\nWhat is the goal of the program?\nFlowCamp\u2019s main goal is to further develop and improve materials (membranes, electrodes, electrolytes, catalysts, sealing materials) and models for 3 types of new generation high-performance, low-cost redox-flow batteries (hydrogen-bromine, aqueous organic, zinc-air systems), which are currently regarded as one of the most promising energy storage solutions.\nBSEF actively supports and encourages the fact that students and professionals receive the chance to conduct research on new bromine-related technologies.\nVisit our website if you would like to know more about bromine and its applications.\nSOURCES\nhttps://www.flowcamp-project.eu/\u00a0\nhttp://www.elestor.nl/\nhttp://bsef.com/\nhttp://bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BSEF-ENERGY-STORAGE.pdf\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/bromine-flow-batteries-energy-storage/\nThe post Meet the Experts – PhD students develop the next generation of bromine-based flow batteries appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-03-05T14:49:05+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-04T06:52:30+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BSEF_newsletter_PhD.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bromine-based technology", "bsef", "climate", "Energy storage", "flow batteries", "FlowCamp", "hydrogen bromine", "Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie", "renewable energy" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/10/17/sipp-2018/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/10/17/sipp-2018/", "title": "ABICHAMA sponsors SIPP 2018 \u2013 The International Seminar of Passive Protection, in S\u00e3o Paulo", "content_html": "Another edition of SIPP \u2013 The International Seminar on Passive Protection took place on August 15 and 16, in S\u00e3o Paulo. The event was attended by national and international experts who debated the current challenges related to fire safety, as well as stimulated the dissemination of knowledge, innovation and technology to the Brazilian market.
\nSponsored by ABICHAMA, BSEF\u2019s representative association in Brazil, the initiative is the result of a partnership between the Brazilian Association for Passive Fire Protection (ABPP) and the Technological Research Institute (IPT) through the Fire and Explosion Safety Laboratory / CETAC LSFEx).
\nThe seminar was divided into four major themes: passive fire protection on fa\u00e7ades; regulation, standardization and professional performance in passive protection; passive protection applied to the internal fstructure, and passive fire protection of the tructures. At the end of each session ? , a round table discussion was organized with the speakers, who responded to the audience’s questions on the presentations.
\nThe seminar took place at the headquarters of Secovi, the Housing Syndicate in S\u00e3o Paulo and was attended by more than 200 people, surpassing the previous edition of the event. ABICHAMA was represented by the president of the association, Sylvio do Carmo.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nieuwsbrief6-300x168.png\")
\n
The Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) was created in Brazil in 2011, with the mission to increase fire safety in the country. The organization brings together companies that manufacture flame retardants and works to raise awareness among government agencies, the business community and the population about the importance of fire safety. The association is the local representative of BSEF – The International Bromine Council.
\nIn Brazil, ABICHAMA represents Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products and LANXESS.
\n\n
For more information, please visit: www.abichama.com.br
\n\n
Do not hesitate\u00a0to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.
\nThe post ABICHAMA sponsors SIPP 2018 \u2013 The International Seminar of Passive Protection, in S\u00e3o Paulo appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Another edition of SIPP \u2013 The International Seminar on Passive Protection took place on August 15 and 16, in S\u00e3o Paulo. The event was attended by national and international experts who debated the current challenges related to fire safety, as well as stimulated the dissemination of knowledge, innovation and technology to the Brazilian market.\nSponsored by ABICHAMA, BSEF\u2019s representative association in Brazil, the initiative is the result of a partnership between the Brazilian Association for Passive Fire Protection (ABPP) and the Technological Research Institute (IPT) through the Fire and Explosion Safety Laboratory / CETAC LSFEx).\nThe seminar was divided into four major themes: passive fire protection on fa\u00e7ades; regulation, standardization and professional performance in passive protection; passive protection applied to the internal fstructure, and passive fire protection of the tructures. At the end of each session ? , a round table discussion was organized with the speakers, who responded to the audience’s questions on the presentations.\nThe seminar took place at the headquarters of Secovi, the Housing Syndicate in S\u00e3o Paulo and was attended by more than 200 people, surpassing the previous edition of the event. ABICHAMA was represented by the president of the association, Sylvio do Carmo.\n\n \nAbout ABICHAMA\nThe Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) was created in Brazil in 2011, with the mission to increase fire safety in the country. The organization brings together companies that manufacture flame retardants and works to raise awareness among government agencies, the business community and the population about the importance of fire safety. The association is the local representative of BSEF – The International Bromine Council.\nIn Brazil, ABICHAMA represents Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products and LANXESS.\n \nFor more information, please visit: www.abichama.com.br\n \nDo not hesitate\u00a0to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.\nThe post ABICHAMA sponsors SIPP 2018 \u2013 The International Seminar of Passive Protection, in S\u00e3o Paulo appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2018-10-17T11:14:57+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-04T06:54:17+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/visual-vlam-1.png", "tags": [ "Abichama", "antimony", "Brazil", "brominated flame retardants", "bromine", "bsef", "fire safety", "SIPP", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/10/17/india-mercury-emissions-reduction/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/10/17/india-mercury-emissions-reduction/", "title": "BSEF around the world: India brings to 93 the number of parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury", "content_html": "On 18th June, 2018, the Government of India officially deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Minamata Convention, becoming the 93rd country in the world to do so.
\nThe Minamata Convention is a global treaty whose objective is to protect human health and the environment from the anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
\nPost ratification, the next stage is for the Indian government to come up with a National Implementation Plan to reduce emissions. One of the key emission sources is coal-fired power plants, where bromine-based techniques can be employed to reduce mercury emissions.
\nIndia as an economy has been heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants as its primary energy source. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change had, in 2015, issued emission norms for coal-fired power plants, indicating a limit of 30 ug/m3 for mercury emissions.
\nIn light of this, Avalon Consulting, BSEF\u2019s consulting partner in India, has been engaging with key stakeholders in the government, power produc ing companies and NGOs to keep track of developments on how India plans to reduce mercury emissions. Experience from other regions demonstrates that bromine based technologies can play a useful role in complying with air emissions legislation, as for example, the Mercury Air Toxics Standards ( MATS) regulations in the United States.
\n\n
Have a look at our website and discover how Bromine is used in coal fired power plant to significantly reduce mercury emissions.
\nDo not hesitate\u00a0to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.
\nThe post BSEF around the world: India brings to 93 the number of parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "On 18th June, 2018, the Government of India officially deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Minamata Convention, becoming the 93rd country in the world to do so.\nThe Minamata Convention is a global treaty whose objective is to protect human health and the environment from the anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.\nPost ratification, the next stage is for the Indian government to come up with a National Implementation Plan to reduce emissions. One of the key emission sources is coal-fired power plants, where bromine-based techniques can be employed to reduce mercury emissions. \nIndia as an economy has been heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants as its primary energy source. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change had, in 2015, issued emission norms for coal-fired power plants, indicating a limit of 30 ug/m3 for mercury emissions.\nIn light of this, Avalon Consulting, BSEF\u2019s consulting partner in India, has been engaging with key stakeholders in the government, power produc ing companies and NGOs to keep track of developments on how India plans to reduce mercury emissions. Experience from other regions demonstrates that bromine based technologies can play a useful role in complying with air emissions legislation, as for example, the Mercury Air Toxics Standards ( MATS) regulations in the United States. \n \nHave a look at our website and discover how Bromine is used in coal fired power plant to significantly reduce mercury emissions.\nDo not hesitate\u00a0to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.\nThe post BSEF around the world: India brings to 93 the number of parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2018-10-17T11:09:15+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-04T06:54:49+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BSEF_visual_India.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "Mercury emission reduction", "General news" ] } ] }