Article
Infectious Diseases
Soibam Ngasotter, K. A. Martin Xavier, Layana Porayil, Amjad Balange, Binaya Bhusan Nayak, Shibu Eapen, K. J. Adarsh, M. S. Sreekala, Rupam Sharma, George Ninan
Summary: This study successfully prepared chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) from shrimp shell chitin using steam explosion method for the first time. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the conditions, and the maximum yield achieved was 76.78%. The ChNCs produced by steam explosion had an irregular spherical shape with an average diameter of 55.70 ± 13.12 nm, slightly different from chitin in terms of peak positions and intensities in FTIR spectra, and exhibited a typical α-chitin structure according to XRD patterns. Thermal analysis showed ChNCs were less thermally stable than chitin. Compared to conventional acid hydrolysis, the steam explosion method described in this study is simpler, faster, and requires less acid concentration and quantity, making it more scalable and efficient for synthesizing ChNCs. Furthermore, the characteristics of the ChNCs have potential industrial applications.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hina Habib, Michelle Wagner, Cornelis Peter Balde, Lucia Herreras Martinez, Jaco Huisman, Jo Dewulf
Summary: This study develops a quantitative model to describe the flows of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in European Union (EU) Member States, Great Britain, Norway, and Switzerland in 2018. The results show that a significant amount of WEEE was not properly collected and recycled, highlighting the need for improved waste management targets.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andreas Bill, Arthur Haarman, Michael Gasser, Heinz Boeni, Matthias Roesslein, Patrick A. Waeger
Summary: This study investigated the presence of Brominated Flame Retardants, heavy metals, and plastic additives in shredded mixed plastics from large household appliances. While current recycling threshold values for heavy metals and BFRs were not exceeded, significant amounts of PBDEs, tetrabromobisphenol-A, and antimony were detected, raising concerns over potential regulation in the EU. The study highlighted challenges in quantifying legacy substances in mixed WEEE plastic fractions, urging for more precision and representative sampling in future threshold definitions for a sustainable circular economy.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eugenio Quaranta, Ernesto Mesto, Maria Lacalamita, Cosimino Malitesta, Elisabetta Mazzotta, Enrico Scelsi, Emanuela Schingaro
Summary: This study investigates the use of natural clay mineral as a catalyst for the chemical valorization of poly-[bisphenol A carbonate] wastes. It was found that the mineral promoted depolymerization of the waste material effectively and achieved selective regeneration of the monomer. Factors such as temperature, catalyst loading, and H2O/PC weight ratio significantly influenced the productivity of the process.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dhiya Durani Sofian Azizi, Marlia M. Hanafiah, Kok Sin Woon
Summary: Recently, there has been significant interest in the material flow analysis (MFA) of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) as a decision-making tool for sustainable WEEE management. However, there is a lack of review studies on the development of MFA in WEEE management. In this study, 115 MFA studies published between 2010 and 2022 were analyzed to provide an overview of research progress and recommendations for future studies. The analysis revealed an increase in MFA studies in major OECD nations, but limited research in concentrated areas of WEEE, particularly in non-OECD countries. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies addressing uncertainty analysis, circular economy, and life cycle analysis in MFA research.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martin B. Johansen, Bjarke S. Donslund, Martin L. Henriksen, Steffan K. Kristensen, Troels Skrydstrup
Summary: The options for recycling waste fabrics in the textile industry are limited, especially for blended textiles. A new study shows that selective disassembly using a solvolysis process can successfully recover elastane and polyurethane coatings from blended textiles.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ville Lahtela, Katriina Mielonen, Prashant Parkar, Timo Karki
Summary: With the increasing amount of waste, such as WEEE and plastic waste, it is crucial to improve the recycling rates to contribute to a circular economy. This study focuses on the effects of a WEEE polymer containing bromine on its recycling ability and analyzes its physical and mechanical features. The study suggests that polymer sorting is profitable for WEEE polymers, and the separation of bromine concentration is recommended. The results support the idea of implementing novel circular economy actions for efficient WEEE polymer recycling processes with technological innovations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yulong Ma, Ester Konecna, Reginald Cline-Cole, Stuart Harrad, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah
Summary: Investigations into the impacts of e-waste recycling activities on urban environments in Europe are limited. Dust samples from UK e-waste recycling facilities were analyzed for concentrations of PBDEs, NBFRs, and HBCDD. The results showed varying levels of contamination, with one facility identified as a likely source of BFR contamination to UK urban environments. Occupational exposure of UK e-waste recycling workers to BFRs was comparatively low.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abraham Kusi Obeng, Duangporn Premjet, Siripong Premjet
Summary: The study found that using sodium hydroxide pretreatment and autoclaving technique can result in maximum glucose recovery from durian peel. The optimal pretreatment conditions were determined to be 2% NaOH concentration and 110 degrees C autoclave temperature.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shengbo Zhang, Qikun Hu, Yu-Xiao Zhang, Haoyue Guo, Yanfen Wu, Mingze Sun, Xingsong Zhu, Jiangang Zhang, Shuyan Gong, Ping Liu, Zhiqiang Niu
Summary: Plastics are indispensable in modern society, but the continuous growth in production poses threats to human health and ecosystems. To address this, scientists have developed a catalyst that can efficiently degrade various plastics, including PET, and provide a practical solution for sustainable plastic waste management.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Salsabil Trigui, Davorka K. Hackenberger, Nikolina Stjepanovic, Zeljka Loncaric, Marija Kovacevic, Branimir K. Hackenberger, Amjad Kallel
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the adverse effects of olive mill wastewater (OMW) on Enchytraeus albidus and whether the addition of clay and diatomaceous earth can mitigate these effects. The results showed that untreated OMW contaminated soil is harmful to plants and soil organisms. The application of clay and diatomaceous earth can reduce phenol concentration and improve reproductive capacity and neurotoxic effects. However, diatomaceous earth treatment may induce stress.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maximilien Gibier, Mohammad Sadeghisadeghabad, Pierre Girods, Andre Zoulalian, Yann Rogaume
Summary: This study investigated the hydrolysis process of wood waste from the French furniture industry. A novel method using an online FTIR spectrometer and a dilution system was successfully applied to measure the emission of formaldehyde and ammonia. The impact of operational conditions on the release of formaldehyde and ammonia was discussed. A mathematical model was also introduced to predict the behavior of formaldehyde and ammonia emissions during wood waste hydrolysis.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniel Baratieri Valente, Ricardo Cesar da Silva Guabiroba, Marco Antonio Conejero, Marcelino Aurelio Vieira da Silva, Aldara da Silva Cesar
Summary: This study concludes that the inclusion of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the operating systems of recycling cooperatives in a certain Brazilian municipality is economically attractive when supported by scrap dealers and the government. However, barriers to the operation of these cooperatives include the distance between cooperatives and the recycling industry, as well as the lack of direct agreements with large generators and recycling industries due to the cooperatives' limited material volume.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alexander Boudewijn, Jef R. Peeters, Dirk Cattrysse, Wim Dewulf, Luca Campadello, Alessia Accili, Joost R. Duflou
Summary: Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a significant and growing waste stream in the European Union. To achieve ambitious recycling targets, it is necessary to develop adequate infrastructure and policies for recycling plastics. However, there is currently a lack of quantitative overview on WEEE plastics, hindering strategic decision-making for policymakers and recyclers. This study proposes a novel method combining experimental results and prior literature to provide quantitative insights into the volume and characteristics of WEEE plastics collected in the European Union. The findings confirm the presence of different plastic types and high concentrations of flame retardants in specific waste streams or components.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kathleen McMahon, Yvonne Ryan-Fogarty, Colin Fitzpatrick
Summary: This research focuses on job creation in WEEE treatment, specifically investigating the labor requirements at a certified e-recycling facility in Ireland. By estimating the mass of WEEE associated with full-time job equivalencies per category treated, the study found that diverting WEEE to a pre-treatment facility could result in the creation of more than 12 jobs. The methods developed here have the potential to be applied across EU member states and globally for further research on job creation in the WEEE sector.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tomohito Kameda, Yuriko Takahashi, Shogo Kumagai, Yuko Saito, Satoshi Fujita, Ichirou Itou, Tianye Han, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: In this study, the removal of NO from HCl-SO2-NO mixed gas using MnO2/Mg-Al LDH was investigated, and the influence of CO2 gas, as well as the regeneration and cyclic use of MnO2/Mg-Al LDH, were examined.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2022)
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuan Ma, Shogo Kumagai, Yuko Saito, Tomohito Kameda, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew C. Dyer, Mohamad A. Nahil, Paul T. Williams
Summary: In this study, a two-stage fixed bed reactor system was used to co-pyrolyze biomass and waste polystyrene plastic to produce upgraded bio-oils. Different metal impregnated ZSM-5 catalysts were investigated, and they showed varying effects on the yield and composition of the product oils and gases. Deoxygenation of the bio-oils was achieved mainly through different pathways depending on the catalyst used. The addition of metal impregnated catalysts resulted in an increase in the yield of single-ring aromatic compounds in the oil.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yeshui Zhang, Hualun Zhu, Ruike Zhang, Lu Yu, Ziqi Liu, Paul R. Shearing, Dan J. L. Brett, Paul T. Williams
Summary: The pyrolysis-catalysis process of waste tires can produce high value carbon nanomaterials, and the aromatic compounds in tire pyrolysis oils have a greater influence on the production of carbon nanomaterials.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Idris Aminu, Mohamad A. Nahil, Paul T. Williams
Summary: A two-stage pyrolysis-nonthermal plasma/catalytic steam reforming reactor system was used to produce hydrogen from waste high-density polyethylene. Different catalyst support materials have different effects on the generation of plasma, and MCM-41 shows the highest gas yield and hydrogen yield.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
James M. Illingworth, Brian Rand, Paul T. Williams
Summary: The pyrolysis and alkaline activation process for producing activated carbon fiber matting material from fibrous biomass has been investigated. The activation with KOH involves melting of the KOH and reaction with the disorganised/volatile material, while the activation with K2CO3 is controlled by the decomposition of K2CO3 to K2O and CO2. The development of surface area and porosity occurs through the reaction of the pyrolysis char with K2O and CO2.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengyu Xie, Shogo Kumagai, Naomichi Takahashi, Tomohito Kameda, Yuko Saito, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: This study utilized hierarchical clustering analysis and response surface methodology to rapidly determine the synergies and predict the product yields of xylan and polyethylene co-pyrolysis. The results showed that co-pyrolysis promoted liquid production and suppressed solid and char formation. The pyrolytic interactions improved the decomposition of PE-derived wax, resulting in higher yields of heavy gas oil and C >= 26 hydrocarbons.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yibing Mu, Paul T. Williams
Summary: This review summarizes state-of-the-art research on the plasma catalysis of VOCs degradation, focusing on catalyst design, deep catalytic degradation strategies, and mechanism research. Special attention is given to the degradation of Cl-VOCs, and future challenges and opportunities are discussed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhuze Shao, Shogo Kumagai, Tomohito Kameda, Yuko Saito, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: In this study, poly-lactic acid (PLA) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBH) were pyrolyzed at different temperatures and heating rates using Py-GC/MS. The main pyrolysis products of PLA were acetaldehyde, lactide, and oligomers, while crotonic acid and its oligomers accounted for most of the PHBH pyrolyzates. The pyrolysis temperature had a significant effect on product distribution, and lactide and crotonic acid showed high yields at specific temperatures.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tomohito Kameda, Satoru Nagano, Shogo Kumagai, Yuko Saito, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: This study investigates the potential of CO3 center dot Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as CO2 adsorbents. The results demonstrate that CO3 center dot Mg-Al LDH has high CO2 adsorption capacity and CO2 desorption rate, making it a promising material for CO2 capture and storage.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Paul T. Williams, Yukun Li, Mohamad A. Nahil
Summary: Single plastics and mixed waste plastics were processed using pyrolysis-catalytic steam reforming with a carbonaceous char catalyst from waste tires. The gas yield was high, with total gas yields from single plastics ranging from 36.84% to 39.08%. The product gas was mainly composed of syngas (80 vol %) and the hydrogen yield increased with the temperature of the char catalyst.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Rayed Alshareef, Mohamad A. Nahil, Paul T. Williams
Summary: The three-stage processing of waste plastic (pyrolysis, catalytic steam reforming, and water gas shift) for hydrogen production was investigated. The influence of process conditions in the water gas shift reactor, such as catalyst type, temperature, steam/carbon ratio, and support material, was studied. The Fe/Al2O3 catalyst showed the highest hydrogen yield, and increased Fe metal loading and addition of steam resulted in improved yield. Various catalyst support materials were also tested, with most showing similar hydrogen yields except for Fe/MCM-41.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Itsuki Takanashi, Tomohito Kameda, Shogo Kumagai, Yuko Saito, Yasuyuki Nomura, Daiki Kawamura, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: This study successfully established a new sol-gel synthesis method for layered double oxides (LDO) by adding organic chains. The LDO synthesized by this method showed approximately 2.6 times larger specific surface area compared to the LDO synthesized by the coprecipitation method. Furthermore, the addition of organic chains in the sol-gel synthesis process further increased the specific surface area of LDO, achieving a value approximately 2.7 times higher than that of LDO synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The maximum adsorption amount for arsenic on LDO synthesized by the sol-gel method was calculated to be 282.6 mg/g. The results confirmed the correlation between specific surface area and adsorption capacity, and demonstrated the successful synthesis of LDO with enhanced adsorption capacity using this method.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tomohito Kameda, Yuriko Takahashi, Shogo Kumagai, Yuko Saito, Satoshi Fujita, Ichirou Itou, Tianye Han, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different preparation methods on the removal of NO using Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). The results showed that MnO2/Mg-Al LDH prepared by rehydration and anion exchange exhibited high NO removal rates, while MnO2/Mg-Al LDH prepared by co-precipitation had poor NO removing ability. The presence of MnO2 and Mn2O3 as bridges between LDH layers was found to be essential for the oxidation of NO.
RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tomohito Kameda, Tanya Kurutach, Yuriko Takahashi, Shogo Kumagai, Yuko Saito, Satoshi Fujita, Ichirou Itou, Tianye Han, Toshiaki Yoshioka
Summary: A novel method using MnO2/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (MnO2/Mg-Al LDH) for treatment of acidic gases is presented in this study, which efficiently removes HCl, SO2, and NOx. The dry process was used to recover the adsorbed gases from LDH, achieving their reuse and regeneration of the adsorbent. The experimental results showed high efficiency and concentration in the recovery of HCl, NO, and SO2 using MnO2/Mg-Al LDH.
RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
