Techno-economic investigation on the potential of a hybrid vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) and membrane concept as an end-of-pipe post-combustion CO2 capture solution.

The hydrolysis of cellulose using ionic liquid (IL) has been extensively studied but there is limited understanding of the removal of IL from the biomass hydrolysate. Finding a suitable method for the recovery and reuse of IL is one of the biggest challenges before its large-scale application. Selecting an appropriate combined recovery process is very important. This study proposed a facile ion-exchange combined method for the recovery of IL from the modeled cellulose hydrolysate mixture containing sugars as well as γ-valerolactone (GVL) via an adsorption−desorption mechanism using sulfonic acid cation-exchange (Amberlyst 15 (H)) resin. The results showed that the resin could adsorb more than 94% of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [Emim]Cl IL at ambient conditions within a contact time of 20 min. The other coexisting constituents like glucose and GVL have no significant effect on the adsorption efficiency of IL. The adsorption of IL on Amberlyst 15 (H) resin was observed to be pse... [more]

This study analyzes the adsorption of two model pesticides, namely, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and carbofuran on activated carbons obtained by chemical activation with phosphoric acid of peach stones. The effect of the synthesis conditions on the surface area development was analyzed. The highest surface area was obtained with an impregnation time of 5 h, an impregnation ratio equal to 3.5, an activation temperature of 400 °C, and 4.5 h of activation time. Under these conditions, the maximum specific surface area was equal to 1182 m2·g−1 which confirms the high porosity of the activated carbon, predominantly in the form of micropores. The surface chemistry of this activated carbon was also characterized using pH at point of zero charge, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both kinetics and equilibrium adsorption tests were performed. Adsorption kinetics confirmed that 2,4-D adsorption follows a pseudo first-order adsorption kinetic mod... [more]

Research interest in the behavior of methane inside nanopores has been growing, driven by the substantial geological reserves of shale gas and coalbed methane. The phase diagram of methane in nanopores differs significantly from its bulk state, influencing its existing form and pertinent physical properties—such as density and viscosity—at specific pressures and temperatures. Currently, there is a lack of effort to understand the nanoconfinement effect on the methane phase diagram; this is a crucial issue that needs urgent attention before delving into other aspects of nanoconfined methane behavior. In this study, we establish a fully coupled model to predict the methane phase diagram across various scales. The model is based on vapor-liquid fugacity equilibrium, considering the shift in critical pressure and temperature induced by pore size shrinkage and adsorption-phase thickness. Notably, our proposed model incorporates the often-overlooked factor of capillary pressure, which is gre... [more]

Ciprofloxacin (CPX), an antibiotic considered as an emerging contaminant, needs to be removed from aquatic environments. This work investigates the adsorption of CPX on K2CO3-activated biochar (AB). The biochar was obtained via the pyrolysis of barley bagasse from the brewing industry, and then it was activated with 2M of K2CO3. The activated biochar was characterised using FTIR spectroscopy and a pHPZC assay. Batch adsorption tests were performed to study the influence of pH and temperature on CPX sorption and to obtain kinetic and equilibrium data. The adsorption of CPX on AB was favoured by increasing the temperature from 10 °C to 55 °C, demonstrating the endothermic nature of the process. The level of CPX removal after 24 h of contact and at pH 3.5 was 82% of that obtained when equilibrium was reached. The kinetic study showed that the adsorption is well described by the Elovich and the Bangham kinetic models. The adsorption is favourable, and the best fits to the experimental equi... [more]

The improper discharge of industrial wastewater causes severe environmental pollution and the textile industry’s dye usage contributes significantly to industrial wastewater pollution. Hence, an effective method for removing the harmful substance methylene blue (MB) from dye wastewater is proposed. This method adopts a three-dimensional graphene composite material based on manganese dioxide (MnO2), named polyurethane@ reduced graphene oxide@ MnO2 (PU@RGO@MnO2). First, graphene is prepared with hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent and polyurethane as a framework. MnO2 nanoparticles are synthesized by the reaction of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) with carbon. These nanoparticles are then loaded onto the three-dimensional framework to create the composite material. Finally, adsorption and removal experiments for MB are conducted to compare the performance of the composite material. The results indicate that the graphene based on the polyurethane framework exhibits favorable mechanical p... [more]

The global concern regarding the release of micropollutants (MPs) into the environment has grown significantly. Considerable amounts of persistent micropollutants are present in industrial discharges. Depending solely on a singular treatment approach is inadequate for the effective removal of MPs from wastewater due to their complex composition. The performance of different treatment methods to meet the discharge standards has been widely studied. These efforts are classified as hybrid and sequential processes. Despite their adequate performance, the optimization and industrial application of these methods could be challenging and costly. This review focuses on integrated (sequential) and hybrid processes for MP removal from actual wastewater. Furthermore, to provide a thorough grasp of the treatment approaches, the operational conditions, the source of wastewater containing MPs, and its characteristics are detailed. It is concluded that the optimal sequence to achieve the removal of M... [more]

Large-scale volumetric fracturing is generally used during shale gas development. The return rate of fracturing fluid is low, and a large amount of slickwater is retained in the reservoir. The adsorption and desorption of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), an additive commonly used in slickwater, on the surface of shale was studied using Longmaxi shale from the Sichuan Basin. The experimental results showed that the mass ratio of the HPAM solution to shale reached saturation adsorption at 20:1 when the concentration of HPAM solution was 1000 mg/L and 25:1 when the concentration of HPAM solution was 500 mg/L. The mass ratio of the HPAM solution to shale was fixed at 25:1, and the adsorption equilibrium was reached at a HPAM concentration of 1000 mg/L when the aqueous solution temperature was 30 °C and 800 mg/L when the aqueous solution temperature was 60 °C. The Langmuir adsorption model yielded a better fit than the Freundlich adsorption model. The adsorption equilibrium time... [more]

seeds, in particular, have been used for water and wastewater treatment due to their ability to remove many pollutants. Therefore, the present work aims to produce bioadsorbent materials by pyrolysis using biomass from the seed shell of Moringa oleifera to remove the drug Metronidazole present in an aqueous medium. The biochars produced were activated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) to compare the material’s modifications and adsorption mechanisms with the biochar in nature (BCM). The biochars were characterized by Point-of-zero charges (pHpzc), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The studies showed that the adsorption behavior varied with the pH of the solution. The adsorption study verified that the activated biochars presented better results, so in the kinetic study, the adsorption behavior occurred rapidly in the initial minutes until stabilizing within 3−4... [more]

Biochar, a carbon-dense material known for its substantial specific surface area, remarkable porosity, diversity of functional groups, and cost-effective production, has garnered widespread acclaim as a premier adsorbent for the elimination of heavy metal ions and organic contaminants. Nevertheless, the application of powdered biochar is hindered by the challenges associated with its separation from aqueous solutions, and without appropriate management, it risks becoming hazardous waste. To facilitate its use as an immobilization medium, biochar necessitates modification. In this investigation, sodium alginate, celebrated for its superior gelation capabilities, was amalgamated with polyvinyl alcohol to bolster mechanical robustness, thereby embedding biochar to formulate sodium alginate biochar microspheres (PVA/SA-FMB). A meticulously designed response surface methodology experiment was employed to ascertain the optimal synthesis conditions for PVA/SA-FMB. Characterization outcomes un... [more]

In this paper, coal measure kaolin after flotation decarburization was made into an adsorbent by ball milling and acid modification to absorb methylene blue in water, achieving the treatment of waste with waste. The objective of this paper is to expand the application of coal measure kaolin, reduce its stock, and lower the raw material cost of adsorbents while treating wastewater containing methylene blue. The optimum milling time, acid boiling conditions, and adsorption conditions were investigated. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanism was investigated by kinetic calculation. The results show that the optimum milling time is 7 h. Relatively good acid modification conditions include a boiling temperature of 100 °C, a stirring time of 135 min, a stirring speed of 1000 r·min−1, and a concentration of hydrochloric acid of 8 mol·L−1. When 0.05 g of flotation kaolin adsorbent was used to adsorb the solution with pH 12 and a methylene blue concentration of 100 mg·L−1, the optimal adsorption... [more]

This study addresses the urgent need for effective water treatment methods by synthesizing and characterizing activated bentonite clay (ABC) adsorbents to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions efficiently. Conventional adsorbents often exhibit limitations in efficiency and regeneration capabilities, necessitating novel approaches to water treatment. The primary objective is synthesizing and characterizing high-quality ABC adsorbents capable of effectively removing MB. The activation process was optimized, and adsorbent performance was evaluated regarding MB removal efficiency and regeneration potential. Various activation dos-ages were investigated, and comprehensive physicochemical characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET (Brunauer−Emmett−Teller) analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesized adsorbents demonstrated excepti... [more]

This paper presents the preparation and characterization of bentonite coated with hydroxide double lamellar Mg/Al-bentonite and Zn/Al-bentonite as a potential adsorbent material. The coating process involved co-precipitation of mixed metal nitrate solution (Mg-Al) or (Zn-Al), followed by immersion of bentonite (B-Na+) dispersion. The structures and morphologies of the coated bentonites were characterized using XRD, FTIR, BET, and SEM analysis. The results of the BET analysis indicate that Mg/Al-bentonite and Zn/Al-bentonite have larger surface areas and pore volumes compared to bentonite alone. Specifically, the surface area of Mg/Al-bentonite is 209.25 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.423 cm3/g, while Zn/Al-bentonite has a surface area of 175.95 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.313 cm3/g. In contrast, the surface area and pore volume of bentonite alone are 110.43 m2/g and 0.132 cm3/g, respectively. The Mg/Al-bentonite reaches 85% uptake within 3 h (equivalent to 724.20 mg/g at 25 °C and pH 7),... [more]

This study demonstrates the efficient removal of Alizarin Yellow R anionic dye (AY) from aqueous solutions using green adsorbents. Natural kaolin clay (A1), acid-modified natural clay (A2), chemically treated orange peel (C1) and biochar produced by the thermal treatment of orange peel (C2) were tested for the adsorption of AY. The characteristics of the sorbents were determined by instrumental methods: SEM, EDS, FTIR, BET and TGA. The adsorption experiments were performed under different conditions, including the initial AY dye concentration, adsorbent weight, pH, temperature and contact time. The maximum adsorption capacities had values between 15.72 and 74.62 mg/g at 298 K and the optimal pH of 6.5 at initial concentrations ranging from 30 to 70 mg/L for all adsorbents. The equilibrium data were used for the adsorption isotherm models: Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin. The Freundlich model fit best for the adsorbents A2, C1 and C2, and the Langmuir isotherm had the highest regression... [more]

Due to its unique chemical structure, hydrogen energy inherently has a high calorific value without reinforcing global warming, so it is expected to be a promising alternative energy source in the future. In this work, we focus on nanoconfined hydrogen flow performance, a critical issue in terms of geological hydrogen storage. For nanopores where the pore scale is comparable to hydrogen’s molecular size, the impact on hydrogen molecules exerted by the pore surface cannot be neglected, leading to the molecules near the surface gaining mobility and slipping on the surface. Furthermore, hydrogen adsorption takes place in the nanopores, and the way the adsorption molecules move is completely different from the bulk molecules. Hence, the frequently applied Navier−Stokes equation, based on the no-slip boundary condition and overlooking the contribution of the adsorption molecules, fails to precisely predict the hydrogen flow capacity in nanopores. In this paper, hydrogen molecules are classi... [more]

The presented review is focused on a brief overview of the scientific works on the use of sheep wool outside the textile industry that were published in recent years. The focus of the information is the on construction industry, which is a significant consumer of heat- and sound-insulating materials. With its properties, sheep wool can compete very well with insulators made from non-renewable resources. Other building elements can also be combined with wool, as long as they are used in appropriate conditions. Due to its chemical and physical structure, wool is extremely suitable for the adsorption removal of pollutants from the living and working environment, in native or modified form. Wool can also be used in recycling processes. However, each application must be preceded by an investigation of the optimal conditions of the given process, which offers researchers inspiration and interesting topics for research.

The feasibility of an adsorbent material like biochar (BC) depends on its regeneration capacity and its ability to achieve high removal efficiencies on real wastewater (WW) effluents. In this study, the regeneration capacity of the Pinus patula BC previously used in the removal of Indigo Carmine from water was evaluated. The regeneration technique that resulted in the highest desorption efficiency was a thermo-chemical method that consisted of heating the spent BC in a stove at 160 °C for 45 min followed by regeneration with ethanol (C2H6O) at a concentration of 75% for 6 h. Through this regeneration method, it was found that Pinus patula BC could be used in seven consecutive adsorption−desorption cycles. The feasibility of this BC was also assessed by evaluating the adsorbent’s efficiency in real textile WW. Under optimal operational conditions (solution pH = 3, BC dose = 13.5 g/L, and BC particle size = 300−450 µm), the highest removal efficiencies in terms of colour and dissolved or... [more]

The aim of this study is to purify industrial textile effluents by treating two types of commonly encountered dyes: blue maxilon (BM), of cationic nature, and black eriochrome (NE), of anionic nature. We intend to employ an innovative approach based on the adsorption of these dyes onto a novel vegetal biomaterial derived from Aleppo pine fibers (FPAs). A kinetic and thermodynamic study was conducted. The effect of some physicochemical parameters on both dye adsorption and FPAs was also evaluated. The modeling of the adsorption results was performed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The results indicate that the equilibrium time strongly depends on the initial concentration of the two dyes, being 60 min with pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics for both dyes. Adsorption isotherms under the optimal conditions of adsorbent mass, temperature, medium pH, and dye concentration were used to determine the maximum adsorption efficiency, which was c... [more]

Many studies have used fractal theory to characterize pore structure distribution heterogeneity through mercury intake curves. However, there is relatively little research on the fractal model calculation of mercury removal curves. In this study, a high-pressure mercury intrusion test is used to describe the pore and fracture distribution heterogeneity (PFDH). The fractal physical meaning of the mercury removal curve was determined by calculating the change in the curve’s fractal dimension value. The results are as follows. (1) According to mercury removal efficiency and porosity, samples can be divided into types A (mercury removal efficiency above 35%) and B (mercury removal efficiency below 35%). In general, type A sample belongs to micro-pore-developed types, and type B samples belong to the macro-pore-developed type. (2) The Menger model (M) represents the complexity of a specific surface area, while the Sierpinski model (S) represents the roughness of the pore volume. Among all t... [more]

The quantum chemical properties of long-flame coal (LFC) and collectors (kerosene, diesel, diethyl phthalate (DEP), biodiesel collector (BDC), and emulsified biodiesel collector (EBDC)) were analyzed via the density functional theory (DFT). The molecular dynamics (MD) of the coal−collector−water system and the adsorption of collectors on LFC were conducted based on the first principles. The results showed that the frontier molecular orbitals of kerosene, diesel, DEP, and BDC were 0.38 eV, 0.28 eV, 0.27 eV, and 0.20 eV, respectively. The chemical reactivity order of the above mentioned collectors was BDC > DEP > diesel > kerosene. Kerosene, diesel, and DEP adsorbed with carbonyl, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups in LFC, respectively. Carboxyl groups in BDC and carboxyl groups in LFC bilaterally adsorbed, while BDC repelled water molecules via hydrogen bonds on the LFC surface. In the systems of BDC and EBDC, the diffusion coefficients of a water molecule were 2.83 × 10−4 cm2/s and 3.73 × 1... [more]

Waste valorization is attracting not only the scientific world but also the world. Acetylcellulose wastes from cigarette filter residuals are signified as the largest global impact of solid waste. Acetylcellulose recycling for desired products is a promising way for environmental management. In this regard, the current investigation is dealing with the immersion of residual filters sequentially into aqueous solutions of alkali and ethanol before water washing, which converts them into a superhydrophobic acetylcellulose adsorbent material. The morphology and characteristics of the acetylcellulose fiber were characterized using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption tendency was checked for Levafix Blue dye compromised in an aqueous stream as a model textile polluted effluent. The experimental results exposed that the acetylcellulose fiber displayed a sensible textile dye elimination from the dying stream. Langmuir isotherm... [more]

Dyes are responsible for major environmental issues globally due to their toxicity, large-scale production, and extensive use in various industrial sectors. Pollution caused by hazardous dyes is mainly due to textile waste, which is constantly discharged into the aquatic system, often causing harm to humans and affecting water quality. In recent years, the removal of dyes from industrial textile wastewater has been a major challenge. Numerous technologies and methods have been developed to remove dyes from wastewater and meet clean water requirements. In this study, the effectiveness of activated carbon prepared by chemical activation of jujube stones for textile wastewater treatment was investigated. The effects of the concentration of H3PO4 and the carbonization temperature on the activated carbon’s properties were studied. Several physicochemical methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, methylene blue i... [more]

Magnetic granite (MG), a new and low-cost adsorbent, was prepared by the chemical co-precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ using granite (G), which is a magmatic rock type. The adsorption of the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye from aqueous solutions on Fe3O4-modified granite was examined in a batch system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), N2 adsorption−desorption, vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), and point-of-zero charge (pHpzc) analysis were used to characterize the prepared MG. Magnetic granite displayed significant magnetization and could be easily separated using external magnets. The maximum adsorption capacity was 29.85 mg/g at 298 K. According to kinetic and isothermal examinations, the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isothermal adsorption were the best fit for adsorption. It was found that the enthalpy change ΔH (kJ/mol) was −31.76,... [more]

The absorption of triclosan on the surface of four different carbon adsorbents, obtained on the base of plant and household waste (RDF), provided by Sofia Waste Plant, was investigated. The obtained results indicate that the most important parameters, which determine the process of triclosan adsorption by adsorbent surface are pore texture, the size of the accessible surface for the molecules of triclosan, and the chemical nature of the adsorbent surface. It was found that the obtained adsorbents can be successfully applied for the extraction of triclosan from waste and drinking water. The possibilities for solid products, obtained by thermal treatment of household and vegetable waste, to be applied successfully in a water purification technique are discussed.

The process of energy transition in Colombia has sparked an exploration into appropriate geographical areas for the utilization of solar energy. The country’s rugged terrain and significant climate variability pose challenges for implementing standardized technologies uniformly across all regions. Consequently, this study aims to develop and apply a mathematical model to characterize the performance of a solar adsorption cooling system under the environmental conditions found in six distinct Colombian cities, taking into account different thermal profiles and extreme weather periods such as the El Niño and La Niña phenomena. The selected mathematical model was simulated in these cities, considering ambient temperature and solar radiation variables over a twelve-month period during these extreme weather phenomena and an additional twelve-month period representative of a typical year with minimal influence from these phenomena. The results indicated that despite a lower coefficient of pe... [more]