Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhijian Shi, Stefano Campanaro, Muhammad Usman, Laura Treu, Arianna Basile, Irini Angelidaki, Shicheng Zhang, Gang Luo
Summary: Hydrochar was found to significantly increase methane production rate and yield of waste activated sludge by enhancing acidification and methanogenesis processes. Metagenome-assembled genomes enriched by hydrochar were identified to be involved in direct interspecies electron transfer, contributing to the enhanced methane yield. Additionally, specific microorganisms related to organics degradation were also found to potentially play a role in the increased methane yield.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junguo He, Fei Wu, Yijie Zhong, Pengfei Zhang, Xiang Zou, Xinlei Pan, Jie Zhang
Summary: This study found that magnetite promotes the degradation of soluble protein and soluble polysaccharide, leading to an increase in methane production during the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. The presence of magnetite also stimulates the growth of electroactive bacteria and enhances the pathway of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linli Wang, Yangyang Li, Xuesong Yi, Fei Yang, Dexin Wang, Hongjun Han
Summary: In this study, MnO2 was added into the waste activated sludge anaerobic digestion system as an inducer of dissimilatory manganese reduction (DMnR), showing improved operational performances and optimized microbial interactions in the four stages of AD. High-throughput 16S rRNA pyrosequencing revealed the enrichment of dissimilatory manganese-reducing contributors and methanogens, which played crucial roles in SCFAs oxidation and final methanogenesis. Functional genes expression analysis indicated the up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in acetate oxidation, DIET, and CO2 reduction pathway with the optimum MnO2 dosage.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ting Liang, Khaled Elmaadawy, Bingchuan Liu, Jingping Hu, Huijie Hou, Jiakuan Yang
Summary: This study provides an overview of the recent advancements in volatile fatty acids production from waste activated sludge. Factors affecting VFAs production including sludge properties, metabolic pathways, and pretreatment methods were evaluated. It was found that additives and pretreatment are energetically preferred for accelerating VFAs accumulation, while different structures of humic substances may have varying effects on the fermentation process and VFAs production.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Shuohui Shi, Meng Cao, Ying Zhang, Xing Fan, Shihu Liu, Jiahao Chen, Jian Zhou
Summary: A thermal-alkali-biofilm pretreatment (TAB) was established to improve the anaerobic digestion of high-solid and low-organic-content sludge. TAB significantly enhanced WAS reduction, hydrolysis/acidogenesis efficiency, and biochemical methane potential by stimulating proteolysis and solubilizing WAS. In addition, biofilm assistance accelerated the elimination of autochthonous bacteria and promoted the enrichment of specialized fermentative microorganisms and relevant functional genes, contributing to enhanced hydrolysis/acidogenesis in TAB.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Zhiqiang Zhao, Yang Li, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The conversion of organic wastes to ethanol as a pretreatment strategy may enhance anaerobic digestion by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer. Further research is needed to clarify the advantages of this strategy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingnan Yang, Abing Duan, Dongbo Wang, Xianli Yang, Xuran Liu, Guojing Yang, Qi Yang
Summary: Hydrogen production from waste-activated sludge anaerobic fermentation is an effective method of resource recovery. However, the presence of diclofenac, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits hydrogen production by binding to the active sites of hydrogenase, which leads to the inhibition of acetogenesis and acidogenesis processes that are responsible for hydrogen production.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yahui Zhu, Zhen Jin, Qilin Yu, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: This study combined ethanol-type fermentation pretreatment and biochar addition to alleviate acid accumulation during anaerobic digestion of food waste. The results showed that adding biochar increased methane production and improved the recovery of the digestion process.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mengyu Yin, Hongbo Chen
Summary: Chitosan plays a positive role in anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge, enhancing methane production potential and promoting sludge agglomeration through various mechanisms, ultimately contributing to the gasification process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jin Qian, Yichu Zhang, Linqin Bai, Xueqian Yan, Yufei Du, Rui Ma, Bing-Jie Ni
Summary: In this study, the addition of conductive polypyrrole (Ppy) was found to effectively improve the anaerobic digestion (AD) performance of waste activated sludge (WAS) by enhancing methane production and accelerating acidogenesis and methanogenesis processes. Microbial community analysis showed that Ppy significantly increased the abundance of bacteria associated with acidogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Ppy promoted electron generation during acid production and facilitated acetate utilization and CO2 utilization methanogenesis.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei Zhang, Yiyang Yuan, Yingdi Zhang, Yang Liu
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of using calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)(2)) to improve the thermophilic digestion of anaerobic wasted activated sludge (WAS). The results show that Ca(ClO)(2) pretreatment significantly enhances the removal efficiency and methane yield of WAS under low organic loading rate (OLR) conditions. However, the pretreatment effect is not significant under high OLR conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Jin Sun, Yasunori Kosaki, Koji Kawamura, Nobuhisa Watanabe
Summary: This study demonstrates the performance of ethanol fermentation pretreatment (EP) for food waste in achieving high-load anaerobic digestion operation using an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). By increasing the organic loading rate (OLR) and maintaining a low propionic acid accumulation, the methane content in biogas was significantly improved. Additionally, the study showed that primary methanogens were tolerant to ammonia inhibition, leading to improved buffering capacity at high load, and identified the abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in AnMBR through 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The results suggest that the EP contributes to creating a virtuous cycle by maintaining a lower hydrogen partial pressure and achieving ultra-high load in the system.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yanwen Shen, Yamei Yu, Yue Zhang, Meltem Urgun-Demirtas, Haiping Yuan, Nanwen Zhu, Xiaohu Dai
Summary: Biochar has been reported as an effective additive to improve methane production during anaerobic digestion, with the electron-donating capacity of biochar playing a key role in facilitating methane generation. The study found that electron transfer mediated by redox-active functional groups is a predominant mechanism for enhancing methanogenesis in anaerobic digesters treating waste activated sludge. Additionally, biochar amendment enriched Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium in the microbial community, contributing greatly to improved methane production.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun Wang, Wei Wei, Xiaohu Dai, Bing-Jie Ni
Summary: The study proposed a green method using corncob ash to enhance hydrogen production during anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge. Corncob ash dosage positively correlated with hydrogen production, reaching up to 46.8 +/- 1.0 mL/g VS. Mechanistic studies showed benefits in solubilization, hydrolysis, and acetogenesis processes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Lili Li, Qingwei Gao, Xiping Liu, Qingliang Zhao, Weiye Wang, Kun Wang, Huimin Zhou, Junqiu Jiang
Summary: The addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) to high-solids anaerobic digestion (HS-AD) significantly enhances methane production and process stability. The activated carbon enriches potential direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) partners and contributes to methane production. This study is of great importance for understanding the application of activated carbon in the treatment of food waste.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zisheng Zhao, Yi Cao, Shiyang Li, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrated that biochar pyrolyzed at 600 degrees Celsius with iron dosage can effectively promote the anaerobic digestion of acid orange 7 and improve COD removal efficiency. The presence of more functional groups in 600-1 biochar enhances electron transfer efficiency and enriches exoelectrogens related to syntrophic metabolism. This ultimately benefits electron transfer efficiency and AO7 removal.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting-ting Zhu, Yao-bin Zhang, Yi-wen Liu, Zi-sheng Zhao
Summary: The study shows that microbial electricity coupled with Fe(III) reduction can enhance anaerobic ammonium removal, possibly through the enrichment of iron-reducing bacteria and the generation of nitrite from the Feammox process. The synergistic effect of BES and Feammox process may improve the reaction process and microorganisms, leading to a more efficient ammonium removal process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Li, Zhiqiang Zhao, Qilin Yu, Cheng Sun, Mingwei Wang, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: This study proposed a strategy of enhancing ethanol production from anaerobic fermentation of organic wastes by stimulating ATP synthase of ethanol-producing Fe(III)-reducing bacteria with magnetite. The presence of magnetite significantly increased ethanol yield and influenced microbial communities.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingwei Wang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: A new magnetite-contained biochar was prepared using iron-rich Fenton sludge as raw material, with the transformation of amorphous iron oxides into magnetite at 400 degrees C of pyrolysis and preservation of redox quinone/hydroquinone moieties of biochar. This magnetic biochar exhibited high capacitance and excellent conductivity, leading to significantly enhanced methane production when supplemented into anaerobic digestion system, offering a new approach to recycle hazardous Fenton sludge.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weichao Xu, Fei Long, He Zhao, Yaobin Zhang, Dawei Liang, Luguang Wang, Keaton Larson Lesnik, Hongbin Cao, Yuxiu Zhang, Hong Liu
Summary: The study evaluates three machine learning algorithms for predicting the performance of ZVI-based AD reactors and finds XGBoost to have the highest accuracy. Parameters like total solid of feedstock, sCOD, ZVI dosage, and particle size were identified as dominant factors affecting methane production. Deep learning outperformed XGBoost and random forest with the lowest root mean squared errors for predicting cumulative methane production.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yafei Yang, Cancan Xiao, Qing Yu, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The study confirmed the occurrence of a novel 'anammox' process in the absence of anammox bacteria, driven by NO-induced Fe(II) oxidation and NH-induced Fe(III) reduction (Feammox) in an anaerobic sludge system. The results showed that Fe(II) was anaerobically oxidized to Fe(III) with the addition of NO2-, leading to significant nitrogen removal. XRD and XPS analysis indicated the production of FeOOH from chemical Fe(II) oxidation with NO2-. Additionally, the isotope experiment confirmed the participation of induced Fe(II) oxidation in Feammox for nitrogen removal.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jianfeng Wang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: This study found that optimizing the pyrolytic temperature of biochar to form more redox-active organic functional groups can improve the anaerobic digestion performance of kitchen wastes.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qing Yu, Yafei Yang, Mingwei Wang, Yahui Zhu, Cheng Sun, Yaobin Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhao
Summary: This study found that magnetite can stimulate the secretion of EPS with higher electron accepting and donating capacity, enriching species capable of extracellular electron transfer, and likely improving anaerobic digestion through direct interspecies electron transfer.
Article
Thermodynamics
Zhiqiang Zhao, Yang Li, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The conversion of organic wastes to ethanol as a pretreatment strategy may enhance anaerobic digestion by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer. Further research is needed to clarify the advantages of this strategy.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yafei Yang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The Feammox process, which involves Fe(III) reduction coupled to anaerobic ammonium oxidation, plays a key role in the nitrogen cycle in natural environments. However, the application of Feammox in wastewater treatment is limited by the need for continuous Fe(III) supplementation. This study demonstrated that intermittent aeration with air could facilitate the Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycle in the Feammox system for continuous nitrogen removal, providing a potential in situ remediation method for treating high-content NH4+.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ting-ting Zhu, Zhong-xian Su, Wen-xia Lai, Yao-bin Zhang, Yi-wen Liu
Summary: This review discusses the fate of antibiotics and ARGs in wastewater treatment plants, highlighting the importance of biological treatment technologies and combined processes. It emphasizes that adsorption and biodegradation are the major removal pathways for antibiotics, and suggests further investigation into combined technologies for future application prospects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhen Jin, Zhiqiang Zhao, Lianfu Liang, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The addition of Fe3O4 into anaerobic reactors treating sulfate-containing wastewater with azo dye AO7 has been shown to enhance system performance, increase the production of degradation intermediates, and enrich iron-reducing bacteria capable of degrading azo dye.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yang Li, Chunlei Dong, Yuan Li, Wenqi Nie, Mingwei Wang, Cheng Sun, Lianfu Liang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: The study found that magnetite promotes the anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds under low-concentration sulphate conditions, participating in the process of benzoate degradation coupled to sulphate reduction.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting-ting Zhu, Wen-xia Lai, Yao-Bin Zhang, Yi-wen Liu
Summary: The Feammox process plays a crucial role in the natural nitrogen cycle, but has been rarely investigated in the field of wastewater treatment. This study explored the potential of anaerobic ammonium removal coupled with organics to assess the Feammox process for conventional wastewater treatment. Results showed that the Fe2O3 group had the highest efficiency in ammonium removal, while organics significantly inhibited the Feammox process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Li, Ying Ma, Zisheng Zhao, Xin Wen, Guangkuo Xu, Lin Jiang, Lifen Liu, Yaobin Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhao
Summary: A strategy utilizing magnetite and endogenous electron donors for self-dechlorination of 4-CP was proposed and significantly improved the removal efficiency of 4-CP in biotic groups with magnetite. LC-MS and GC analysis revealed the possible metabolic pathway of 4-CP degradation with magnetite, while high-throughput sequencing showed an increase in beneficial bacterial species in magnetite-supplemented biotic groups.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cameron Bracken, Nathalie Voisin, Casey D. Burleyson, Allison M. Campbell, Z. Jason Hou, Daniel Broman
Summary: This study presents a methodology and dataset for examining compound wind and solar energy droughts, as well as the first standardized benchmark of energy droughts across the Continental United States (CONUS) for a 2020 infrastructure. The results show that compound wind and solar droughts have distinct spatial and temporal patterns across the CONUS, and the characteristics of energy droughts are regional. The study also finds that compound high load events occur more often during compound wind and solar droughts than expected.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ning Zhang, Yanghao Yu, Jiawei Wu, Ershun Du, Shuming Zhang, Jinyu Xiao
Summary: This paper provides insights into the optimal configuration of CSP plants with different penetrations of wind power by proposing an unconstrained optimization model. The results suggest that large solar multiples and TES are preferred in order to maximize profit, especially when combined with high penetrations of wind and photovoltaic plants. Additionally, the study demonstrates the economy and feasibility of installing electric heaters (EH) in CSP plants, which show a linear correlation with the penetration of variable energy resources.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
M. Szubel, K. Papis-Fraczek, S. Podlasek
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Silva, J. C. Goncalves, C. Rocha, J. Vilaca, L. M. Madeira
Summary: This study investigated the methanation of CO2 in biogas and compared two different methanation reactors. The results showed that the cooled reactor without CO2 separation achieved a CO2 conversion rate of 91.8%, while the adiabatic reactors achieved conversion rates of 59.6% and 67.2%, resulting in an overall conversion rate of 93.0%. Economic analysis revealed negative net present worth values, indicating the need for government monetary incentives.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yang Liu, Yonglan Xi, Xiaomei Ye, Yingpeng Zhang, Chengcheng Wang, Zhaoyan Jia, Chunhui Cao, Ting Han, Jing Du, Xiangping Kong, Zhongbing Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effect of using nanofiber membrane composites containing Prussian blue-like compound nanoparticles (PNPs) to relieve ammonia nitrogen inhibition of rural organic household waste during high-solid anaerobic digestion and increase methane production. The results showed that adding NMCs with 15% PNPs can lower the concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen, and increase methane yield.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhong Ge, Xiaodong Wang, Jian Li, Jian Xu, Jianbin Xie, Zhiyong Xie, Ruiqu Ma
Summary: This study evaluates the thermodynamic, exergy, and economic performance of a double-stage organic flash cycle (DOFC) using ten eco-friendly hydrofluoroolefins. The influences of key parameters on performance are analyzed, and the advantages of DOFC over single-stage type are quantified.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nicolas Kirchner-Bossi, Fernando Porte-Agel
Summary: This study investigates the optimization of power density in wind farms and its sensitivity to the available area size. A novel genetic algorithm (PDGA) is introduced to optimize power density and turbine layout. The results show that the PDGA-driven solutions significantly reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) compared to the default layout, and exhibit a convex relationship between area and LCOE or power density.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chunxiao Zhang, Dongdong Li, Lin Wang, Qingpo Yang, Yutao Guo, Wei Zhang, Chao Shen, Jihong Pu
Summary: In this study, a novel reversible liquid-filled energy-saving window that effectively regulates indoor solar radiation heat gain is proposed. Experimental results show that this window can effectively reduce indoor temperature during both summer and winter seasons, while having minimal impact on indoor illuminance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alessandro L. Aguiar, Martinho Marta-Almeida, Mauro Cirano, Janini Pereira, Leticia Cotrim da Cunha
Summary: This study analyzed the Brazilian Equatorial Shelf using a high-resolution ocean model and found significant tidal variations in the area. Several hypothetical barrages were proposed with higher annual power generation than existing barrages. The study also evaluated the installation effort of these barrages.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Francesco Superchi, Nathan Giovannini, Antonis Moustakis, George Pechlivanoglou, Alessandro Bianchini
Summary: This study focuses on the optimization of a hybrid power station on the Tilos island in Greece, aiming to increase energy export and revenue by optimizing energy fluxes. Different scenarios are proposed to examine the impact of different agreements with the grid operator on the optimal solution.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Peimaneh Shirazi, Amirmohammad Behzadi, Pouria Ahmadi, Sasan Sadrizadeh
Summary: This research presents two novel energy production/storage/usage systems to reduce energy consumption and environmental effects in buildings. A biomass-fired model and a solar-driven system integrated with photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels and a heat pump were designed and assessed. The results indicate that the solar-based system has an acceptable energy cost and the PVT-based system with a heat pump is environmentally superior. The biomass-fired system shows excellent efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zihao Qi, Yingling Cai, Yunxiang Cui
Summary: This study aims to investigate the operational characteristics of the solar-ground source heat pump system (SGSHPS) in Shanghai under different operation modes. It concludes that tandem operation mode 1 is the optimal mode for winter operation in terms of energy efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
L. Bartolucci, S. Cordiner, A. Di Carlo, A. Gallifuoco, P. Mele, V. Mulone
Summary: Spent coffee grounds are a valuable biogenic waste that can be used as a source of biofuels and valuable chemicals through pyrolysis and solvent extraction processes. The study found that heavy organic bio-oil derived from coffee grounds can be used as a carbon-rich biofuel, while solvent extraction can extract xantines and p-benzoquinone, which are important chemicals for various industries. The results highlight the promising potential of solvent extraction in improving the economic viability of coffee grounds pyrolysis-based biorefineries.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Luiza de Queiroz Correa, Diego Bagnis, Pedro Rabelo Melo Franco, Esly Ferreira da Costa Junior, Andrea Oliveira Souza da Costa
Summary: Building-integrated photovoltaics, especially organic solar technology, are important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. This study analyzed the performance of organic panels laminated in glass in a vertical installation in Latin America. Results showed that glass lamination and vertical orientation preserved the panels' performance and led to higher energy generation in winter.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhipei Hu, Shuo Jiang, Zhigao Sun, Jun Li
Summary: This study proposes innovative fin arrangements to enhance the thermal performance of latent heat storage units. Through optimization of fin distribution and prediction of transient melting behaviors, it is found that fin structures significantly influence heat transfer characteristics and melting behaviors.
