Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jungsu Park, Roent Dune A. Cayetano, Gi-Beom Kim, Yura Jo, Yeelyung Kwon, Zhongfang Lei, Sang-Hyoun Kim
Summary: Alkaline-thermal pretreatment at 60 degrees Celsius and pH 10 for 24 hours resulted in higher methane yield and maximum net savings for WAS. Considering the degree of sludge disintegration and microbial growth are better indicators for predicting anaerobic digestibility performance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
V Khanh Nguyen, Dhiraj Kumar Chaudhary, Ram Hari Dahal, N. Hoang Trinh, Jaisoo Kim, S. Woong Chang, Yongseok Hong, Duong Duc La, X. Cuong Nguyen, H. Hao Ngo, W. Jin Chung, D. Duc Nguyen
Summary: Anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge is an efficient remediation technique, but the presence of complex floc structures and high organic matter content hinder hydrolysis. Pretreatment techniques such as mechanical, chemical, thermal, and biological processes can accelerate hydrolysis and improve AD efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Durdica Kovacic, Slavko Rupcic, Davor Kralik, Daria Jovicic, Robert Spajic, Marina Tisma
Summary: This review focuses on the current status and application of pulsed electric field (PEF) technology in biogas production, covering basic principles, processing systems, lab- and pilot-scale applications, as well as the emerging technology for lignocellulose pretreatment in biogas production.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Geng, Ying Xu, Linke Zheng, Haoyu Liu, Xiaohu Dai
Summary: This study found that cation exchange resin pretreatment can enhance the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Optimal pretreatment conditions resulted in approximately 30% metal removal and the release of a large amount of organic substances from the sludge solids. The experimental results showed a significant increase in methane production and promoted all stages of anaerobic digestion. Microbial community analysis demonstrated a shift in the major methanogenic pathway.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shinjini Paul Choudhury, Sugato Panda, Izharul Haq, Ajay S. Kalamdhad
Summary: The petroleum refinery sludge (PRS) was treated with a novel lignin peroxidase (LiP) enzyme-producing bacterial strain, Kosakonia oryziphila, to increase its solubility and biodegradability. The treatment resulted in improved production of biogas and removal of pollutants. The process was successfully scaled up, leading to reduced toxicity in the wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jungsu Park, Roent Dune A. Cayetano, Yeelyung Kwon, Gi-Beom Kim, Yura Jo, Sang-Hyoun Kim
Summary: This study investigated the application of dynamic membrane and alkaline-thermal pretreatment for sludge digestion with a low hydraulic retention time. The results showed that the pretreatment effectively increased methane production and the abundance of methanogenic archaea, while the dynamic membrane enabled stable sludge digestion. Furthermore, the pretreatment was found to promote the growth of hydrolytic bacteria.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thomas Lippert, Jochen Bandelin, Dominik Vogl, Zahra Alipour Tesieh, Thomas Wild, Joerg E. Drewes, Konrad Koch
Summary: The study evaluated a novel double-tube ultrasound reactor for waste activated sludge pretreatment at a full-scale wastewater treatment plant, highlighting the economic challenges of applying ultrasonic pretreatment in well-performing WWTPs.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Nabi, Dawen Gao, Jinsong Liang, Yajing Cai, Panyue Zhang
Summary: The study indicates that the combined high pressure homogenization (HPH) and free nitrous acid (FNA) pretreatment, known as HPH-FNA, can effectively solubilize sludge, increase biogas production, and have a positive impact on the bacterial and archaeal community structures.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mahdi Hodaei, Shahnaz Ghasemi, Arash Khosravi, Manouchehr Vossoughi
Summary: This study investigated the impact of ozonation on anaerobic digestion of thickened activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in Tehran. Results showed that lower ozone doses had acceptable performance in short-term operations but negative energy balance, while higher doses reduced biogas production and increased energy demand. Longer retention times decreased the effectiveness of ozone pretreatment. Further evaluation is needed to assess the feasibility of ozone pretreatment for sustainable sludge management.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Emrehan Berkay Celebi, Aysegul Aksoy, F. Dilek Sanin
Summary: Combustion and anaerobic digestion are effective methods for sludge treatment with their own advantages. Laboratory experiments showed that ultrasound pretreatment can increase the soluble COD and biogas production of sludge, while reducing the calorific value.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohd Imran Siddiqui, Izharul Haq Farooqi, Farrukh Basheer, Hasan Rameez, Mohamed Hasnain Isa
Summary: This study aimed to pretreat the sludge of a cattle-based slaughterhouse effluent treatment plant using the electro-Fenton (EF) process to enhance biogas production from anaerobic digestion. The EF-oxidation experiments were conducted with mild-steel electrodes under various conditions. The pretreated sludge showed increased sCOD and sEPS concentrations, and a VSS removal efficiency of 68.1%. Batch anaerobic digestion studies demonstrated an enhancement in the specific biogas yield.
Article
Environmental Studies
Mohamed El Amine Dahou, Mohamed Hadj Kouider, Siham Dehmani, Abdelmadjid Habchi, Said Slimani
Summary: The present research focuses on the experimental study of the effect of alkaline pretreatment with NaOH on biogas production. The results indicate that the chemical alkaline pretreatment can significantly increase the biogas production at an optimal concentration.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Marco Chiappero, Franco Berruti, Ondrej Masek, Silvia Fiore
Summary: Adding activated biochar can enhance methane production in the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge, with activated biochar from rice husk and sewage sludge showing better performance. The physico-chemical properties of biochar, such as surface area, porosity, and hydrophobicity, play a key role in influencing its effectiveness in anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bing Guo, Jiawei Hu, Jingsi Zhang, Zhigen Wu, Zhuo Li
Summary: The combined pretreatment of potassium ferrate and ultrasound showed a positive synergy in enhancing methane yield from sludge. It efficiently promoted sludge disintegration and increased the biodegradability of sludge organics. Additionally, the microbial community involved in anaerobic digestion of sludge was enriched by this pretreatment.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
T. H. Chowdhury
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is an effective way to process waste and recover energy without significant carbon emissions. This study explores the feasibility of anaerobic digestion for various types of waste, aiming to produce electricity and heat as a viable alternative to achieve UN's Sustainable Development Goal of affordable and green energy by 2030. The potential annual methane yield and estimated amount of heat and electricity production through anaerobic digestion indicate its economic viability and environmental benefits.
Article
Thermodynamics
Emrehan Berkay Celebi, Aysegul Aksoy, F. Dilek Sanin
Summary: Combustion and anaerobic digestion are effective methods for sludge treatment with their own advantages. Laboratory experiments showed that ultrasound pretreatment can increase the soluble COD and biogas production of sludge, while reducing the calorific value.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hazal Aksu Bahceci, Selim L. Sanin, F. Dilek Sanin
Summary: The study evaluated the biodegradability and co-digestion performance of industrial sludges alone and mixed with municipal sludge. Reactors containing only municipal sludge showed the highest methane production potential, while those containing only industrial sludge exhibited the lowest. Co-digestion of some industrial sludges with municipal sludge is possible with closely coordinated additions, although it may reduce biogas production.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Ali Shahrokhinia, Sahaj Rijal, Busra Sonmez Baghirzade, Randall A. Scanga, Priyanka Biswas, Shayesteh Tafazoli, Onur G. Apul, James F. Reuther
Summary: Photocontrolled atom transfer radical polymerization-induced self-assembly (PhotoATR-PISA) was used to obtain polymer nanostructures with variable morphologies. Copper catalyst was used at ppm levels to achieve nanospheres, wormlike micelles, and vesicles. Sequential chain extension and click reactions were utilized to fabricate nanostructured networks with different morphologies, which showed potential applications in water treatment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Didar Ergene, Aysegul Aksoy, F. Dilek Sanin
Summary: This study analyzed landfill leachate data from 220 landfills in 46 countries across Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, and America using multivariate statistical approaches. The results showed that inorganic parameters dominated the principal component analyses (PCA) and accounted for the majority of the variation in the data. These highly correlated parameters could provide important information for evaluating the transport and biodegradation mechanisms of leachate, as well as their elimination potential during monitoring activities at landfills.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Chemical
Tuna Yildirim, Sudheera Yaparatne, John Graf, Sergi Garcia-Segura, Onur Apul
Summary: This study evaluates the derivation assumptions of the Young-Laplace equation and discusses possible modifications to make conclusive remarks about its predictive power at the nano-scale.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. Dilara Hatinoglu, F. Dilek Sanin
Summary: The presence of microplastics (MPs) in sludge treatment systems, particularly anaerobic digesters, can have an impact on their performance. However, pretreating the sludge with alkaline solution can increase methane yield and mitigate the negative effects of MPs. Furthermore, the surface morphology, crystallinity, and carbonyl index of PET microplastics change significantly after pretreatment and digestion, which may affect their fate and environmental impact.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ashton Collins, Mohamed Ateia, Kartik Bhagat, Tsutomu Ohno, Francois Perreault, Onur Apul
Summary: This study analyzed the surface interactions and leachate production of six microplastics under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The results showed that UV irradiation caused the release of organic matter from the surface of microplastics, with polystyrene and resin coated polystyrene producing the most leachate. The differences in leachate formation for different polymers were attributed to their chemical makeup and their interaction with UV. These findings suggest that leachate formation is an important source of organic compound influx to natural waters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Busra Sonmez Baghirzade, Priyanka Biswas, Simin Moavenzadeh Ghaznavi, Brian Frederick, James F. Reuther, Onur G. Apul
Summary: Superfine powdered activated carbon (SPAC) is a sub-micron sized activated carbon with superior adsorption kinetics compared to regular powdered activated carbon (PAC). Immobilizing SPAC into a macroscopic scaffolding may be beneficial, but the potential losses of adsorption capacity due to polymer-SPAC interactions is still mostly unknown. This study investigated the accessibility of adsorption sites on electrospun PS/SPAC composite fibers.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Priyanka Biswas, Dylan B. Shuster, Busra Sonmez Baghirzade, Randall A. Scanga, Sophie A. Harris, Cynthia N. Tran, Onur G. Apul, James F. Reuther
Summary: In this study, novel oxime-functionalized poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP-Ox) materials were developed as inexpensive and scalable polymeric substrates for the rapid decontamination of nerve agents. Nanofibers obtained from P4VP functionalized at 20 mol % pendants with ortho-pyridinium oximes moieties provided the fastest reaction kinetics, achieving complete decomposition of DMNP within 1.5 h. The P4VP-Ox substrates were also found to be recyclable, allowing for quantitative DMNP degradation within 8 h over the course of four reaction cycles.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Simin Moavenzadeh Ghaznavi, Charity Zimmerman, Molly E. E. Shea, Jean D. D. MacRae, John M. M. Peckenham, Caroline L. L. Noblet, Onur G. G. Apul, A. Dianne Kopec
Summary: This article discusses the challenges of managing wastewater sludge containing PFAS and proposes potential solutions based on the experience in Maine. Traditional wastewater treatment does not effectively remove persistent toxic substances like PFAS, leading to their partitioning between discharged effluent and sludge. Land application, incineration, and landfill storage are the traditional management options, but they have caused contamination and environmental threats. Innovative options such as preconditioning with solvents, removing PFAS from leachate, and destructive technologies may be considered for long-term solutions.
Editorial Material
Biophysics
Onur Apul, Caitlin Howell, M. Dilara Hatinoglu
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dilara Hatinoglu, Junseok Lee, John Fortner, Onur Apul
Summary: This article discusses the utilization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as recoverable microwave absorbers in the prehydrolysis of sludge to reduce costs and environmental impact. The use of microwave irradiation and microwave-absorbing additives can significantly improve the digestion of sludge, and the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles show great potential in this process.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dilara Hatinoglu, Abdulrahman Adan, Francois Perreault, Ipek Imamoglu, Onur G. Apul
Summary: This study develops predictive models for the adsorption of organic compounds by microplastics using linear solvation energy relationship (LSER). The results demonstrate that polyethylene has a high capability for adsorbing organic compounds, with molecular volume being the most predominant factor.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Areeb Hossain, Busra Sonmez Baghirzade, Onur Apul, Mary Jo Kirisits, Subhabrata Dev, Shalini Das, Sabiq Islam, Ching-Yao Lai, Henry P. Huntington, Schery Umanzor, Wan-Ting Chen, Srijan Aggarwal, Navid B. Saleh
Summary: Classical engineering design focuses on problem-solving without considering potential environmental consequences, while sustainable engineering design passively attempts to minimize harm to the environment. Symbiotic engineering, on the other hand, actively incorporates environmental interactions into the solution paradigm.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eliza Costigan, Ashton Collins, M. Dilara Hatinoglu, Kartik Bhagat, Jean MacRae, Francois Perreault, Onur Apul
Summary: Microplastic formation in aqueous systems is a consequence of plastic pollution with environmental and health implications. As microplastic sizes decrease, their surface areas increase and form a new domain known as the microplastisphere. This study reviews literature on the adsorption of organic compounds (OCs) onto microplastic surfaces and finds that the octanol-water partitioning coefficient can be a good indicator of adsorption capacity for certain polymer and OC types. However, the hydrophobicity of OCs alone may not accurately predict adsorption affinity. Water chemistry also plays a significant role in the adsorption process, as evidenced by the enhanced adsorption of PFAS onto PS in saltwater conditions. Overall, there is a need for standardized microplastics characterization and testing procedures to better understand their interactions with the environment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yinping Xiang, Meiying Jia, Rui Xu, Jialu Xu, Lele He, Haihao Peng, Weimin Sun, Dongbo Wang, Weiping Xiong, Zhaohui Yang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the non-antibiotic pharmaceutical carbamazepine on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during anaerobic digestion. The results showed that carbamazepine induced the enrichment of ARGs and increased the abundance of bacteria carrying these genes. It also facilitated microbial aggregation and intercellular communication, leading to an increased frequency of ARGs transmission. Moreover, carbamazepine promoted the acquisition of ARGs by pathogens and elevated their overall abundance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Weixin Zhao, Tianyi Hu, Hao Ma, Dan Li, Qingliang Zhao, Junqiu Jiang, Liangliang Wei
Summary: This review summarizes the effects and potential mechanisms of biochar on microbial behavior in AD systems. The addition of biochar has been found to promote microbial colonization, alleviate stress, provide nutrients, and enhance enzyme activity. Future research directions include targeted design of biochar, in-depth study of microbial mechanisms, and improved models.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Christina Karmann, Anna Magrova, Pavel Jenicek, Jan Bartacek, Vojtech Kouba
Summary: This review assesses nitrogen removal technologies in reject water treatment, highlighting the differences in environmental impacts and economic benefits. Partial nitritation-anammox shows potential for economic benefits and positive environmental outcomes when operated and controlled properly.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wei-Hao Huang, Ying-Ju Chang, Duu-Jong Lee
Summary: This study modified pinecone biochar with layered double hydroxide (LDH) to enhance its adsorption capacity for heavy metal and phosphate ions. The LDH-biochar showed significantly improved adsorption capacities for Pb2+ and phosphate, and a slight increase for Cu2+ and Co2+. The LDH layer enhanced the adsorption through various mechanisms.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chao Song, Fanfan Cai, Shuang Yang, Ligong Wang, Guangqing Liu, Chang Chen
Summary: This paper developed a machine learning model to predict the biochemical methane potential during anaerobic digestion. Model analysis identified lignin content, organic loading, and nitrogen content as key attributes for methane production prediction. For feedstocks with high cellulose content, early methane production is lower but can be improved by prolonging digestion time. Moreover, lignin content exceeding a certain value significantly inhibits methane production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sang Min Lee, Ju Young Lee, Ji-Sook Hahn, Seung-Ho Baek
Summary: This study successfully developed an efficient platform strain using Yarrowia lipolytica for the bioconversion of renewable resources into adipic acid, achieving a remarkable increase in production level.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sefkan Kendir, Matthias Franzreb
Summary: This study presents a novel approach using magnetic separation to efficiently harvest freshwater microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris. By combining pH-induced calcium phosphate precipitation with cheap natural magnetite microparticles, harvesting efficiencies up to 98% were achieved in the model medium.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ishaq Kariim, Ji-Yeon Park, Wajahat Waheed Kazmi, Hulda Swai, In-Gu Lee, Thomas Kivevele
Summary: The impact of reaction temperature, residence time, and ethanol: acetone on the energy compositions and yield enhancement of biocrudes was investigated. The results showed that under appropriate conditions, biocrudes with high energy and low oxygen content can be obtained, indicating a high potential for utilization.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiyue Zhang, Xiyao Li, Liang Zhang, Yongzhen Peng
Summary: Intermittent aeration is an innovative approach to enhance nitrogen removal in low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio municipal sewage, providing an efficient strategy for the continuous plug-flow AOA process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xu Yang, Mahmoud Mazarji, Mengtong Li, Aohua Li, Ronghua Li, Zengqiang Zhang, Junting Pan
Summary: This study investigated the impact of magnetite on the nitrogen cycle of pig manure biostabilisation. The addition of magnetite increased N2O emissions and decreased NH3 emissions during composting. It also increased the total nitrogen content but should be considered for its significant increase in N2O emissions in engineering practice.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Ty Shitanaka, Haylee Fujioka, Muzammil Khan, Manpreet Kaur, Zhi-Yan Du, Samir Kumar Khanal
Summary: The market value of microalgae has exponentially increased in the past two decades, thanks to their applications in various industries. However, the supply of high-value microalgal bioproducts is limited due to several factors, and strategies are being explored to overcome these limitations and improve microalgae production, thus increasing the availability of algal-derived bioproducts in the market.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Martin Kerner, Thorsten Wolff, Torsten Brinkmann
Summary: The efficiency of using enriched CO2 from flue gas for large-scale production of green microalgae has been studied. The results show that the use of membrane devices and static mixers can effectively improve the CO2 recovery rate and maintain the suitable pH and temperature during cultivation, achieving a more economical and sustainable microalgae production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rui Ma, Ji Li, Rd Tyagi, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the microorganisms capable of using CO2 and CH4 to produce PHAs, illustrating the production process, factors influencing it, and discussing optimization techniques. It identifies the challenges and future prospects for developing economically viable PHAs production using GHGs as a carbon source.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bing Wang, Peng Zhang, Xu Guo, Xu Bao, Junjie Tian, Guomin Li, Jian Zhang
Summary: The addition of zeolite in the co-composting of chicken manure and straw significantly reduced the emissions of ammonia and N2O, and increased the nitrate content. Zeolite also promoted the abundance of nitrification genes and inhibited the expression of denitrification genes.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rohit Dey, Franziska Ortiz Tena, Song Wang, Josef Martin Messmann, Christian Steinweg, Claudia Thomsen, Clemens Posten, Stefan Leu, Matthias S. Ullrich, Laurenz Thomsen
Summary: This study investigated the operation of a 1000L microalgae-based membrane photobioreactor system for continuous secondary wastewater treatment. The research focused on a green microalgae strain called Desmodesmus sp. The study aimed to understand key trends and optimization strategies by conducting experiments in both summer and winter seasons. The findings showed that maintaining low cell concentrations during periods of light inhibition was beneficial for nutrient uptake rates. Effective strategies for enhancing algae-based wastewater treatment included cell mass recycling and adjusting dilution rates based on light availability.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
