Article
Environmental Sciences
Ya-nan Luan, Yue Yin, Gongfa Chang, Feng Zhang, Changqing Liu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of anaerobic duration on phosphorus removal in the reversed AAO process. The results show that the amount of released P and stored PHAs can be controlled by different anaerobic durations, but higher stored PHAs do not guarantee higher P removal efficiency. Additionally, extending the anaerobic duration has a significant effect on microbial activity, and the highest P removal efficiency is achieved at an anaerobic duration of 4 hours.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Han HongGui, Zhang JiaCheng, Du ShengLi, Sun HaoYuan, Qiao JunFei
Summary: A robust optimal control (ROC) strategy was developed to improve the operation performance of A(2)O reactors, utilizing systematic evaluation criteria, an optimization algorithm, and a fuzzy neural network. The strategy showed great potential for application in real A(2)O reactors.
SCIENCE CHINA-TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liru Fan, Hong Yao, Shihai Deng, Fangxu Jia, Weiwei Cai, Zhifeng Hu, Jianhua Guo, Huan Li
Summary: The SF-A/OA/O process has demonstrated superior performance in full-scale coking wastewater treatment compared to the A/O/O process, showing efficient removal of COD, NH4+-N, TN, phenols, and cyanide. The abundance and structure of the microbial community may be key factors contributing to the strong stability of the SF-A/OA/O system.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianwei Liu, Jingyun Ge, Xinyue Kang, Hongyu Tian
Summary: This study investigated the fugitive bioaerosols from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (AAO) processes and proposed control measures based on the results. The bioaerosols were found to be composed of microorganisms from dominant genera and water-soluble ions dominated by SO42-. Factors such as TSP, RH, WS, Ca2+, NH4+, Na+, Cl-, NO3-, and K+ had positive effects on most dominant genera, while T and SO42- had negative effects. Source analysis showed that the bioaerosols mainly originated from sewage, sludge, or background air of WWTPs. Based on the characteristics of bioaerosols and source analysis, targeted control measures were proposed. This study provides theoretical basis and ideas for controlling bioaerosols in WWTPs with AAO processes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liqi Peng, Feifei Wang, Di Zhang, Chao Fang, Jan Peter van der Hoek, Wenhai Chu
Summary: The high chlorine dosages in wastewater treatment plants during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to increased DBPs formation, posing threats to the aquatic ecosystem and public health downstream. Biological treatment processes were found to decrease some DBPs while increasing the formation of others, especially brominated DBPs, despite the efficient removal of organic matters. This study provides insights into DBP risk control in wastewater treatment, particularly during the ongoing pandemic.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Justin Fisk Marcus, Timothy A. DeMarsh, Samuel David Alcaine
Summary: This study identified yeast species capable of utilizing lactose from whey permeate to produce ethanol or organic acids, and identified fungal species that reduced the acidity of whey by-products. Fermentation of whey could produce value-added alcoholic or organic acid beverages, or increase the pH of acidic by-products, yielding new products and increasing sustainability.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lu-Man Jiang, Wen Zhang, Yunhui Li, Yanjun Shao, Zhenjian Zhang, Ming Zhang, Junli He, Ji Qiu, Wenxiang Li, Junwei Wang, Zhen Zhou
Summary: A systematic aeration control strategy was proposed for energy saving in wastewater treatment plants. The comprehensive model used in this strategy included a mass flow analysis module, an oxygen transfer rate module, and an aeration optimization module. The model was calibrated and validated using data from a full-scale AAO process WWTP. The implementation of the aeration control strategy reduced the energy saving potential of the blowers from 26.3% to 12.2%, without compromising pollutant removal. Model-predictive control, together with sensor-based control, holds promise for energy conservation in full-scale WWTPs.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qianwen Sui, Fei Di, Junya Zhang, Hui Gong, Li'an Jiang, Yuansong Wei, Jie Liu, Jia Lin
Summary: This study confirmed the feasibility of anaerobic ammonia oxidation as a tertiary nitrogen removal process, and identified the main nitrogen removal pathway using anammox in an upflow fixed-bed reactor. It also investigated the cooperation mechanism among AOA, AOB, and AnAOB in the inner-layer of biofilm in the reactor.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiaoying Ban, Liguo Zhang, Jianzheng Li
Summary: The study evaluated the removal of contaminants in a CWWTP and revealed the function of bacterial and archaeal communities in different bioreactors, highlighting the differences in relative abundance of bacteria and archaea in various reactors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xianda Hu, Jinju Geng, Fuzheng Zhao, Chao Min, Linchang Guan, Qingmiao Yu, Hongqiang Ren
Summary: This study investigated the transformation products of progesterone (P4) and norgestrel (NGT) in the anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A/A/O) process and explored potential functional genes involved in their biotransformation. It was found that P4 and NGT were mainly eliminated in the anaerobic and anoxic units, while the transformation products were mainly formed in the anaerobic and anoxic units and then eliminated in the aerobic unit. The effluent still posed adverse effects on the transcript levels of zebrafish, indicating potential ecological risks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Weihua Zhao, Yanyan Wang, Meng Bai
Summary: The enhancement of nitrogen removal was achieved through the nitritation/anammox process in an anaerobic/oxic/anoxic (AOA) system with integrated fixed biofilm activated sludge. Nitritation was initially accomplished by inhibiting ammonia residues using free nitrous acid (FNA), and anaerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) were subsequently introduced into the system to enable nitritation coupled with anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox). The results demonstrated that the nitritation/anammox pathway significantly enhanced nitrogen removal efficiency to 88.9%. Microbial analysis revealed the enrichment of ammonia oxidizing bacterium (AOB) Nitrosomonas on the biofilm (5.98%) and in the activated sludge (2.40%), while the AnAOB Candidatus Brocadia was detected on the biofilm at a proportion of 0.27%. The successful achievement and maintenance of nitritation/anammox were attributed to the accumulation of functional bacteria.
BIOPROCESS AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ming Xu, Peng Gao, Hao-qiang Chen, Xing-hao Huang, Zhao-xia Xue, Xiao-xiao Shen, Chao Li, Jia-shun Cao
Summary: This study revealed the spatiotemporal variations of functional microorganisms in a full-scale anaerobic baffled reactor-anoxic/oxic (ABR-A/O) treatment plant for printing and dyeing wastewater (PDW). Several important microbial communities were identified, and the findings expand the understanding of microbial communities associated with PDW treatment.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Duc-Thuong Vo, Hoang-Vinh-Truong Phan, Le-Thuy-Thuy-Trang Hoang, Van-Kieu Nguyen, Thanh-Nha Tran, Minh-Trung Dao
Summary: Untreated domestic wastewater has had negative impacts on aquatic environments and public health in many Vietnamese cities. Researchers have improved an AAO system by increasing the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the oxic zone through the addition of more oxic orders and a biological membrane. After 168 days of operation, the system demonstrated stable performance and high removal efficiency for various pollutants.
JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lingna Xu, Ji Zhao, Jimiao Wang, Ruihuan Gu, Yong Qu, Jianhui Yin, Deshuang Yu, Zhengda Yu, Juan Feng, Xiaoxia Wang
Summary: This study aimed to verify whether AOA could be established in an ongoing anaerobic-oxic (AO) system. Contrary to expectations, under AOA mode, little nitrate reduction indicated the failure of endogenous denitrification (ED).Additionally, within the long-term AOA operation, nitrification weakened due to low dissolved oxygen and long unaerated duration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhehua Xue, Zhen Lv, Chenyang Liu, Xin Yang, Shuili Yu, Lei Li
Summary: In this study, the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process with tertiary filtration (A(2)OWTF) and the membrane bioreactor (MBR) were compared in terms of dissolved organic matter (DOM) variation. The results revealed that MBR had a lower removal rate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and a higher presence of humic-like substances (HS) in the effluent, indicating a deficiency in DOM removal. It was also found that MBR had a higher trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) for final effluent compared to A(2)OWTF.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yunfei Yu, Xue Yang, Chenchen Zhang, Jie Chen, Wei Lin, Jianqiang Meng
Summary: This study reports an environmentally friendly and simple approach for preparing double-network (DN) ion gel membranes with high strength and excellent gas separation performance. By optimizing crosslinking density, mass ratio, and the type and content of free ionic liquid, the mechanical and gas separation properties of the DN membrane are improved.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Si-qi Jiang, Qiang Gao, Xi-guang Li, Chao-zhu Deng, Jun Qiu, Xiang-nan Zhu
Summary: A dual-strengthening pretreatment method is proposed to remove PVDF more efficiently and enhance the leaching of LiCoO2. Experimental results show that dual-strengthening pretreatment can effectively remove PVDF and significantly improve the leaching efficiency compared to single pretreatment methods.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zengchi Hu, Xiaoyu Wang, Xiaohui Zhang, Xue Li, Jiangbin Xia
Summary: The rapid fabrication of high-performance composite membranes based on CMPs using simple and low-cost methods is challenging. In this study, three CMPs-based composite membranes were rapidly fabricated with adjustable size using unidirectional diffusion synthesis. The microstructural design enhanced the rejection rates of the membranes and they showed strong hydrolytic resistance, thermal stability, and acid-base resistance. Electrostatic adsorption and the adjustable microstructures significantly varied the repellence of the membranes to different charged molecules.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Farzaneh Rouhani, Matineh Ayedi, Nasser Safari
Summary: Introducing defects into porous metal-organic frameworks is important for improving their adsorption performance. Quasi-MOFs, an underutilized variant of large-scale, fundamentally deficient MOFs, have been found to have substantial amounts of unsaturated metal sites to offset the drawbacks of MOFs. In this study, a quasi-MOF was produced using a water-stable MOF and demonstrated significantly improved phosphate adsorption capability due to the presence of defect sites.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Valentin Reungoat, Morad Chadni, Louis M. M. Mouterde, Fanny Brunissen, Florent Allais, Helene Ducatel, Irina Ioannou
Summary: This study focuses on the recovery of sinapic acid using liquid-liquid extraction assisted by a hollow fiber membrane contactor from an aqueous feed obtained through the hydrolysis of mustard bran. The screening of solvents of different chemical nature showed that all tested solvents had an extraction efficiency of more than 80% for pH < 5. Four solvents were selected for use in the hollow fiber membrane contactor, and the volatile solvents showed higher mass transfer coefficients compared to non-volatile solvents. The extraction efficiency was intensified by increasing the initial concentration of sinapic acid and the feed-to-solvent ratio. CPME was found to have optimal recovery efficiency at a phase ratio of 8:1, yielding 0.9 g of sinapic acid per liter of CPME used.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Takahiro Sakamoto, Takafumi Hanada, Hayate Sato, Mayu Kamisono, Masahiro Goto
Summary: The emergence of the battery society has led to a high demand for battery metals, resulting in a strain on their supply. This study introduces a novel technique using a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) for leaching and recovering battery metals from low-grade nickel laterite ores. The DES enables selective leaching and recovery of the metals, offering a promising pathway for the extraction of critical battery metals.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Rongrong He, Jiarui Chen, Chunyao Zhang, Dan Lu, Lin Zhang, Tao He
Summary: Researcher has developed a method to quantify the charge density in nanofiltration (NF) membrane separation layer and applied it in NF membranes that can separate Mg2+ and Li+. The results showed that overcompensated amine groups played a major role, and there was a linear relationship between charge density and coating bi-layers or PAH layers.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijian Zhang, Min Chen, Zhe Lin, Zhichao Yang, Yafeng Du, Zhihui Chen, Zhenhao Yang, Kongyin Zhao, Ligang Lin
Summary: Membrane technology plays an important role in molecular/ion separation processes, but faces challenges such as membrane fouling. This study introduces a new ion-crosslinking method to fabricate copper alginate hydrogel membranes with improved mechanical strength and antimicrobial capabilities. The membranes exhibit excellent separation performance and enhanced long-term molecule/ion separation through improved anti-swelling properties. Molecular dynamics simulations and life cycle analysis highlight the pore structure and environmental friendliness of the hydrogel membranes. These findings provide valuable insights for developing sustainable hydrogel membranes with stable performance and high separation efficiency.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dongmei Liu, Aiying Guo, Yanling Qi, Zhixin Ji, Hongjuan Li, Zhiwei Zhang, Xinyue Zhang, Kunze Wu, Aijun Cai
Summary: In this study, a stable magnetic Mg/Mn-layered double oxide-doped biochar composite (MgMnLDO-MBC) was prepared and successfully used for the removal of antibiotics and bacteria from wastewater. The composite exhibited enhanced surface areas, adsorption sites, and free radicals, leading to improved catalytic activity. The effects of different factors on the removal efficiency were evaluated, and the composite showed good reusability.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Feng Wang, Zhaoyong Bian, Yaru Zhang, Wenchao Yu, Qiang Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: In this study, a nanofibrous layered structure of Ff-Ti3C2Tx-Co3O4 was prepared by self-assembling nanofibrous Co3O4 with lamellar fluorine-free MXene (Ff-Ti3C2Tx). The Ff-Ti3C2Tx-Co3O4 exhibited excellent catalytic activity for degradation, resistant to ionic interference, and maintained high removal efficiency of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in municipal wastewater. The rapid SMX degradation involved fast electron transfer in redox cycles with PMS and the generation of 1O2 via PMS ->center dot O2 -> 1O2. This work provides new insights into antibiotic degradation mechanisms and electron transfer based on PMS activation.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Weipeng He, Jiacheng Luo, Yujie Wu, Tianhao Luo, Chen Tang
Summary: This study comparatively evaluated the role of cationic, anionic, and nonionic polyacrylamides (PAMs) in ballasted flocculation of clay suspensions under different aluminum sulfate (AS) coagulant dosages. The selection of PAMs and AS dosage had a significant influence on the size and shear resistance of ballasted floc aggregates.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lixian Wang, Lizhi Zhao, Didi Si, Zhixin Li, Huiqin An, Hui Ye, Qingping Xin, Hong Li, Yuzhong Zhang
Summary: Metalloporphyrin-based nanozymes integrated with poly (vinylidene fluoride) membrane show high catalytic activity and reusability for the decolorization of Congo Red dye in continuous flow process.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yongfei Ma, Chenyu Zeng, Yongzhen Ding, Jiayi Tang, Ondrej Masek, Zhikang Deng, Rui Mu, Zulin Zhang
Summary: In this study, sludge-derived biochar (SBC) was functionalized with various iron salts to enhance its adsorption ability for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and magnetic collection performance. Ball milling was further employed to treat the optimal iron salt functionalized SBC (MSBC), resulting in ball milled SBC (BMSBC) with improved adsorption performance for SMX. The dominant driving mechanism for SMX adsorption onto BMSBC was confirmed to be multiple physicochemical forces, including 7C-7C conjugation, pore filling, H-bonding, Fe-O complexation, and electrostatic interactions. BMSBC exhibited favorable adsorption ability for SMX in actual waters and could be easily collected within 1 min due to its magnetic sensitivity.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jinglin Tan, Xiaohui Mao, Wenjihao Hu, Hongbo Zeng
Summary: This study investigates the influence of PDMS chain architectures on surface properties and reveals that PDMS coatings with looped structures exhibit superior hydrophobicity, self-cleaning, and water sliding compared to coatings with linear structures. Additionally, both looped and linear PDMS coated stainless steel mesh/polyester fibers show efficient separation of oil/water mixture.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wei-Liang Chen, Chih-Chia Cheng, Chien-Hsing Lu, Jem-Kun Chen
Summary: This study designs a novel sandwich-structured capacitor that reduces the absorption time of pollutants using dielectrophoresis force. By coating graphene oxide on polystyrene microspheres as adsorbents and encapsulating them within the capacitor, the adsorption rate is significantly enhanced. Additionally, frequency manipulation allows for the recycling of adsorbents and concentration of dyes, minimizing secondary pollution.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)