Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yangang Lin, Yawen Sun, Liyuan Zhang, Qiong Zhang, Xiyao Li, Jun Sui, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: Balancing the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus in municipal wastewater under carbon limitation remains challenging. The key parameter in achieving this balance is the COD-to-PO43--P ratio. By operating an A(2)/O-BCO system for 205 days, it was found that increasing the COD/P ratio deteriorated the nitrogen removal performance, while decreasing it led to the proliferation of Ca.Competibacter and an increase in nitrogen removal. The nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency reached up to 79.3% and 95.2%. Overall, establishing a balance between DGAOs and DPAOs through strengthening the effect of DGAOs can improve nutrient removal performance and enhance the stability and efficiency of the system.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun Yin, Kristopher A. Hunt, Ting Xie, Bao Nguyen Quoc, Kim Tran, David A. Stahl, Mari-Karoliina H. Winkler
Summary: Coupling denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms (DPAO) with anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (Anammox) bacteria in a single treatment scheme has challenges due to their competition for nitrite and different growth rates. This study aimed to uncouple their solid retention time (SRT) by growing them in different sludge fractions and found that Anammox bacteria had higher nitrite affinity in biofilms, while DPAO were more sensitive to nitrite and better suited for growth in the protective biofilm.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yawen Sun, Yongzhen Peng, Yanhui Chen, Qiong Zhang, Xiyao Li
Summary: The response mechanism of denitrifying phosphate-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) under starvation conditions was investigated. The decay of metabolic activity contributed to the damaged denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) performance, while the biomass decay had a smaller impact. The genus Dechloromonas, affiliated to DPAOs, exhibited stronger adaptability to starvation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingan Meng, Wei Zeng, Zhiwei Fan, Shuangshuang Li, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: This study investigated the impact of sulfide generated from sulfate reduction in wastewater on the stability of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The results showed that the metabolic activity of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) was mainly influenced by hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration. H2S promoted the catabolism of PAOs and GAOs at lower concentrations but inhibited it at higher concentrations. PAOs were more significantly affected by H2S, resulting in poorer aerobic metabolism and recovery compared to GAOs. Additionally, sulfides facilitated the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), with GAOs having a higher amount of EPS than PAOs. Overall, sulfide had a stronger inhibitory effect on PAOs, giving GAOs a competitive advantage in EBPR when sulfide was present.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Min Ni, Yue Chen, Yang Pan, Yong Huang, Da-Peng Li, Lu Li, Bo Huang, Zuowei Song
Summary: In this study, the efficiency of phosphorus (P) removal and enrichment in municipal wastewater by Biofilm Sequencing Batch Reactor (BSBR) was assessed. The role of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) in P removal and the metabolic characteristics of dominant PAOs and GAOs at different influent P concentrations were studied. The findings revealed that BSBR provided sufficient reducing power and ATP for PAOs through different glycogen decomposition pathways, allowing for efficient P removal and enrichment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wen-Jing Xia, Hao Wang, Lin-Qian Yu, Gui-Feng Li, Jin-Rui Xiong, Xiao-Yan Zhu, Xue-Chao Wang, Jia-Rui Zhang, Bao-Cheng Huang, Ren-Cun Jin
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluated the long-term effect of coagulants addition on EBPR systems and found that initial addition of coagulants can effectively reduce chemical oxygen demand and phosphorus concentration in the effluent. However, further addition of metal salts has a negative impact on microbial activities, causing cell membrane damage and deteriorating phosphorus removal performance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jidapa Plaimart, Kishor Acharya, Wojciech Mrozik, Russell J. Davenport, Soydoa Vinitnantharat, David Werner
Summary: The study found that coconut husk biochar can slow down nitrate leaching in soil, reduce the abundance of nitrifying archaea and bacteria, and help improve soil nutrient conditions. This is relevant for the development of a more circular rural economy with waste minimization, renewable energy production, nutrient recycling, and reduced water pollution from agricultural land.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas M. Trebuch, Jasper Sohier, Sido Altenburg, Ben O. Oyserman, Mario Pronk, Marcel Janssen, Louise E. M. Vet, Rene H. Wijffels, Tania V. Fernandes
Summary: Photogranules are a new wastewater treatment technology that uses solar energy for low-energy water treatment and shows potential for nutrient recovery. In this study, polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) were introduced to photogranules, resulting in increased phosphorus removal. The addition of a 12-hour anaerobic phase during nighttime did not negatively affect the PAOs and phototrophs but decreased nitrogen removal and biomass productivity.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xing Fan, Lei He, Shuohui Shi, Yangyang Huang, Xuejie He, Ying Zhou, Jian Zhou
Summary: The aim of this study was to remove refractory organics and nitrogen from high-temperature anaerobic digestate food waste effluent. Iron-based materials were used to enhance the performance of thermophilic hydrolysis-acidification. Magnetite showed the best strengthening effect and the coupling system achieved high nitrate removal efficiency and reduced the fluorescence intensity of refractory organics. Microbiological analysis showed that magnetite increased the relative abundance of hydrolytic acidifying bacteria.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qichen Wang, Miriam Hyman, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: The study found that pretreatment of digestate can promote algal growth and nutrient removal. Chlorella sorokiniana showed significant improvements in growth, nitrogen assimilation, and phosphorus removal after pretreatment on high-strength digestate; while the more sensitive strain benefitted from pretreatment on both low- and high-strength digestate.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Konstantin Dinkler, Bowen Li, Jianbin Guo, Benedikt Huelsemann, Gero C. Becker, Joachim Mueller, Hans Oechsner
Summary: The study found that the majority of phosphate in biogas digestate is inorganic, and it is essential to analyze inorganic phosphate for optimal nutrient recovery. Phosphate concentration in extracts was found to be independent of extraction time, highlighting the importance of controlling parameters during different extraction stages to prevent phosphate losses.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jing Ding, Xinjie Gao, Yi Peng, Yongzhen Peng, Qiong Zhang, Xiyao Li, Shuying Wang
Summary: The study optimized the quantitative distribution of anaerobic carbon source removal pathways for the first time, improving the endogenous denitrification rate. The results showed an increase in NO3- removal rate and the abundance of glycogen accumulating organisms, providing an effective strategy to improve postdenitrification efficiency.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tengzhi Zhou, Yu Xiang, Shiyi Liu, Zhiyu Shao, Yiwen Liu, Haiyuan Ma, Qiang He, Hongxiang Chai
Summary: In this study, the authors analyzed a biofilm system for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment. They found that comammox Nitrospira was the main ammonia-oxidizing microorganism, providing nitrite for anaerobic ammonia oxidation bacteria. Additionally, the bacteria of genus Defluviicoccus dominated the glycogen-accumulating organisms and primarily reduced nitrate. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis confirmed the enrichment of Nitrospira in the inner layer of the biofilm. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of SNPR biofilm systems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ashira Roopnarain, Muyiwa Ajoke Akindolire, Haripriya Rama, Busiswa Ndaba
Summary: Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a waste conversion process that can produce bioenergy. The byproduct of this process, called digestate, is often overlooked but has vast potential. Digestate contains organic matter, inorganic matter, and microorganisms. The microbial content of digestate can be manipulated to target specific applications, potentially making digestate the most lucrative product of the AD process. This review highlights the factors influencing the microbial community structure of digestate, the microorganisms present, and their functionality, as well as the potential applications of digestate from a microbial perspective.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingchang Gao, Shaofang Sun, Qi Qiu, Weiwei Zhou, Liping Qiu
Summary: This study employed the alternating anoxic-anaerobic/aerobic biofilter system for DPAOs enrichment and successfully achieved simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal from domestic wastewater. Results showed that DPAOs contributed 84% to the overall phosphorus removal after 60 days of operation.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justin Box, John Otto, William Kent, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: The study investigated the use of woven polypropylene covers and copper sulfate formulation to prevent algal growth in water treatment plants. The covers effectively suppressed algal growth, while the copper sulfate formulation had little impact. Only a small fraction of cyanobacteria contained genes for producing the microcystin toxin in the system.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Haixin Peng, Luz E. De-Bashan, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: This study found that the plant growth promoting bacteria A. brasilense can reduce oxidative stress in green microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana during co-culture, resulting in increased chlorophyll content by secreting the auxin hormone. Additionally, A. brasilense can mitigate the effects of copper stress and nitrogen limitation on algae product accumulation.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qichen Wang, Miriam Hyman, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: The study found that pretreatment of digestate can promote algal growth and nutrient removal. Chlorella sorokiniana showed significant improvements in growth, nitrogen assimilation, and phosphorus removal after pretreatment on high-strength digestate; while the more sensitive strain benefitted from pretreatment on both low- and high-strength digestate.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Pixiang Wang, Yuriy Sakhno, Sushil Adhikari, Haixin Peng, Deb Jaisi, Temitope Soneye, Brendan Higgins, Qichen Wang
Summary: This study found that the removal of toxic compounds such as ammonia and phenolics during hydrothermal liquefaction can improve methane production efficiency in anaerobic digestion, while also increasing microbial diversity and the relative abundance of methanogens.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Miriam Hyman, Qichen Wang, Alan E. Wilson, Sushil Adhikari, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: The study found that digestate-grown Chlorella sorokiniana can be used as a feed for Daphnia, leading to higher population growth. Chlorella sorokiniana contains high levels of sterols and alpha-linolenic acid, which are often limiting nutrients for Daphnia diets.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alireza Fallahi, Fariba Rezvani, Hashem Asgharnejad, Ehsan Khorshidi Nazloo, Nima Hajinajaf, Brendan Higgins
Summary: Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution can lead to eutrophication which disrupts ecosystems. Wastewater treatment using microalgae-bacteria consortia can enhance nutrient removal efficiency. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between microalgae and bacteria can improve nutrient transformation and recovery, with the nitrogen source in wastewater playing a crucial role in their interaction.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qichen Wang, Jessa Cherones, Brendan Higgins
Summary: The research investigated the growth and treatment performance of a local algae consortium adapted to bacteria-pretreated digestate, showing differences in performance in different digestates and the potential for pretreatment to increase algal growth rates.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brendan T. Higgins, Kristin Chaump, Qichen Wang, Rishi Prasad, Poulomi Dey
Summary: The study investigated the effects of moisture content and active aeration on soluble mineral forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry litter. Higher moisture content led to increased phosphorus solubility but lower nitrification levels. Therefore, lower moisture levels are better for field application to maintain stable phosphate levels, while higher moisture levels may be suitable for low-cost phosphate recovery processes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tawsif Rahman, Hossein Jahromi, Poulami Roy, Sushil Adhikari, Farshad Feyzbar-Khalkhali-Nejad, Tae-Sik Oh, Qichen Wang, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: This study investigated the effects of reaction environments on biocrude production from Tetraselmis sp. algae strain by HTL process using red mud (RM) based catalyst. The Ni/RM catalyst produced the highest biocrude yield and reduced sulfur and oxygen content, while the RRM catalyst maximized the biocrude carbon content.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qichen Wang, Elizabeth Childree, Justin Box, Melissa Lopez-Vela, Dillon Sprague, Jessa Cherones, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: The presence of microalgae in poultry-processing wastewater can enhance nitrification and mitigate the suppressive effects of antimicrobial processing aides, PAA and CPC.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rohit Kalvakaalva, Stephen A. Prior, Mollie Smith, G. Brett Runion, Emmanuel Ayipio, Caroline Blanchard, Nathan Wall, Daniel Wells, Terrill R. Hanson, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: This study investigates the direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a biofloc, decoupled aquaponics facility. The results showed that the intensively aerated areas of the fish tank had significantly higher GHG emissions compared to low-intensity aeration areas. The clarification system was found to have high methane emissions, indicating anaerobic activity. The choice of plant growth substrate did not have a significant effect on GHG emissions. Overall, carbon sequestration in plants could offset a significant proportion of direct GHG emissions from the aquaponics system.
JOURNAL OF THE ASABE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinping Zhang, Yuxin Guo, Xiaoyang Liu, Shun-Yu Wu, Ya-Xuan Zhu, Shao-Zhe Wang, Qiu-Yi Duan, Ke-Fei Xu, Zi-Heng Li, Xiao-Yu Zhu, Guang-Yu Pan, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: This study develops a nanotrigger HCFT for simultaneous photodynamic therapy and light-triggered ferroptosis therapy. The nanotrigger can relieve tumor hypoxia, induce enhanced photodynamic reaction, and facilitate the continuation of Fenton reaction, ultimately leading to lethal ferroptosis in tumor cells.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Olumide Bolarinwa Ayodele, Toyin Daniel Shittu, Olayinka S. Togunwa, Dan Yu, Zhen-Yu Tian
Summary: This study focused on the semihydrogenation of acetylene in an ethylene-rich stream using two alloyed Pt catalysts PtCu and PtCo. The PtCu catalyst showed higher activity and ethylene yield compared to PtCo due to its higher unoccupied Pt d-orbital density. This indicates that alloying Pt with Cu is more promising for industrial relevant SHA catalyst.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guowei Chen, Wen-Cheng Chen, Yaozu Su, Ruicheng Wang, Jia-Ming Jin, Hui Liang, Bingxue Tan, Dehua Hu, Shaomin Ji, Hao-Li Zhang, Yanping Huo, Yuguang Ma
Summary: This study proposes an intramolecular dual-locking design for organic luminescent materials, achieving high luminescence efficiency and performance for deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes. The material also exhibits unique mechanochromic luminescence behavior and strong fatigue resistance.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Joren van Stee, Gregory Hermans, Jinu Joseph John, Koen Binnemans, Tom Van Gerven
Summary: This work presents a continuous solvent extraction method for the separation of cobalt and nickel in a millifluidic system using Cyphos IL 101 (C101) as the extractant. The optimal conditions for extraction performance and solvent properties were determined by investigating the effects of channel length, flow rate, and temperature. The performance of a developed manifold structure was compared to a single-channel system, and excellent separation results were achieved. The continuous separation process using the manifold structure resulted in high purity cobalt and nickel products.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yan Xu, Jingai Jiang, Xinyi Lv, Hui Li, Dongliang Yang, Wenjun Wang, Yanling Hu, Longcai Liu, Xiaochen Dong, Yu Cai
Summary: A programmed gas release nanoparticle was developed to address the challenges in treating diabetic infected wounds. It effectively removes drug-resistant pathogens and remodels the wound microenvironment using NO and H2S. The nanoparticle can eliminate bacteria and promote wound healing through antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tong Xia, Zhilin Xi, Lianquan Suo, Chen Wang
Summary: This study investigated a highly efficient coal dust suppressant with low initial viscosity and high adhesion-solidification properties. The results demonstrated that the dust suppressant formed a network of multiple hydrogen bonding cross-linking and achieved effective adhesion and solidification of coal dust through various chemical reactions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinzhi Cai, Zhenshan Li
Summary: A density functional theory-based rate equation was developed to predict the gas-solid reaction kinetics of CaO carbonation with CO2 in calcium looping. The negative activation energy of CaO carbonation close to equilibrium was accurately predicted through experimental validation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jianxiong Chen, Fuhao Ren, Ningning Yin, Jie Mao
Summary: This study presents an economically efficient and easily implementable surface modification approach to enhance the high-temperature electrical insulation and energy storage performance of polymer dielectrics. The self-assembly of high-insulation-performance boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) on the film surface through electrostatic interactions effectively impedes charge injection from electrodes while promoting charge dissipation and heat transfer.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zijian Li, Zhaohui Yang, Shao Wang, Hongxia Luo, Zhimin Xue, Zhenghui Liu, Tiancheng Mu
Summary: This study reports a strategy for upgrading polyester plastics into value-added chemicals using electrocatalytic methods. By inducing the targeted transfer of *OH species, polyethylene terephthalate was successfully upgraded into potassium diformate with high purity. This work not only develops an excellent electrocatalyst, but also provides guidance for the design of medium entropy metal oxides.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Navneet Singh Shekhawat, Surendra Kumar Patra, Ashok Kumar Patra, Bamaprasad Bag
Summary: This study primarily focuses on developing a sulphur dyeing process at room temperature using bacterial Lysate, which is environmentally friendly, energy and cost effective, and sustainable. The process shows promising improvements in dye uptake and fastness properties.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dengjia Shen, Hongyang Ma, Madani Khan, Benjamin S. Hsiao
Summary: This study developed cationic PVC nanofibrous membranes with high filtration and adsorption capability for the removal of bacteria and hexavalent chromium ions from wastewater. The membranes demonstrated remarkable performance in terms of filtration efficiency and maximum adsorption capacity. Additionally, modified nanofibrous membranes were produced using recycled materials and showed excellent retention rates in dynamic adsorption processes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoyan Wang, Zhikun Wang, Ben Jia, Chunling Li, Shuangqing Sun, Songqing Hu
Summary: Inspired by photosystem II, self-supported Fe-doped NiCoP nanowire arrays modified with carboxylate were constructed to boost industrial-level overall water splitting by employing the concerted proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism. The introduction of Fe and carboxyl ligand led to improved catalytic activity for HER and OER, and NCFCP@NF exhibited long-term durability for overall water splitting.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pengyao Yu, Ge Yang, Yongming Chai, Lubomira Tosheva, Chunzheng Wang, Heqing Jiang, Chenguang Liu, Hailing Guo
Summary: Thin LTA zeolite membranes were prepared through secondary growth of nano LTA seeds in a highly reactive gel, resulting in membranes with superior permeability and selectivity in gas separation applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Baiqin Zhou, Huiping Li, Ziyu Wang, Hui Huang, Yujun Wang, Ruichun Yang, Ranran Huo, Xiaoyan Xu, Ting Zhou, Xiaochen Dong
Summary: The use of machine learning to predict the performance of specific adsorbents in phosphate adsorption shows great promise in saving time and revealing underlying mechanisms. However, the small size of the dataset and insufficient detailed information limits the model training process and the accuracy of results. To address this, the study employs a fuzzing strategy that replaces detailed numeric information with descriptive text messages on the physiochemical properties of adsorbents. This strategy allows the recovery of discarded samples with limited information, leading to accurate prediction of adsorption amount, capacity, and kinetics. The study also finds that phosphate uptake by adsorbents is generally through physisorption, with some involvement of chemisorption. The framework established in this study provides a practical approach for quickly predicting phosphate adsorption performance in urgent scenarios, using easily accessible information.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Paula Alejandra Lamprea Pineda, Joren Bruneel, Kristof Demeestere, Lisa Deraedt, Tex Goetschalckx, Herman Van Langenhove, Christophe Walgraeve
Summary: This study evaluates the use of four esterified fatty acids and three vegetable oils as absorption liquids for hydrophobic VOCs. The experimental results show that isopropyl myristate is the most efficient liquid for absorbing the target VOCs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2024)