Review
Agricultural Engineering
Mani Jayakumar, Natchimuthu Karmegam, Marttin Paulraj Gundupalli, Kaleab Bizuneh Gebeyehu, Belete Tessema Asfaw, Soon Woong Chang, Balasubramani Ravindran, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
Summary: Recent research has shown that heterogeneous catalysts are preferred in biodiesel production, with animal shells and bones being suitable biowastes for synthesizing environmentally friendly and cost-effective catalysts.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sukanya Chakraborty, Vandana Sirotiya, Anshuman Rai, Sunita Varjani, Vandana Vinayak
Summary: Microalgae, especially diatoms, are considered as rich sources of crude oil for biofuel production. However, there are limitations for the entry of such biofuel into the commercial market due to various factors. High yield and low cost of production are crucial for selecting microalgae for biofuel production. Catalysts play an important role in the transesterification process to form biofuels, and their cost and availability need to be considered for large-scale, economical biofuel production towards green vehicles with zero carbon footprint and pollution.
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Madonna Roy, Kaustubha Mohanty
Summary: A novel carbon-based solid acid catalyst was synthesized from de-oiled microalgal biomass, showing high catalytic activity in fatty acid methyl ester production. The catalyst was characterized by various methods, and achieved high FAME yields for both microalgal oil and waste cooking oil under optimized transesterification conditions. The biodiesel produced met most of the EN 14,212 and ASTM D6751 standards.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lanxin Wu, Yang Yang, Jiong Cheng, Xiaoyu Shi, Heng Zhong, Fangming Jin
Summary: This study established a simple and efficient MgO-H2O2 system for the oxidation of glucose into formic acid in water medium, with the catalyst being recyclable and cost-effective.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anupam Singha Roy, Aby Cheruvathoor Poulose, Aristides Bakandritsos, Rajender S. Varma, Michal Otyepka
Summary: 2D carbon materials like graphene derivatives have been explored as catalysts for biodiesel production due to their exceptional properties, but challenges such as irreversible agglomeration, low bulk density, and poor dispersibility in organic solvents limit their applications as catalysts or heterogeneous catalysts support.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Indrajeet Arya, Asha Poona, Pritam Kumar Dikshit, Soumya Pandit, Jatin Kumar, Himanshu Narayan Singh, Niraj Kumar Jha, Hassan Ahmed Rudayni, Anis Ahmad Chaudhary, Sanjay Kumar
Summary: Biofuel is a great alternative to petroleum-derived fuels globally, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, scaling up biofuel production is time-consuming, and the use of nanoparticles can enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Olayomi Abiodun Falowo, Eriola Betiku
Summary: This study developed a new green heterogeneous alkali catalyst from cocoa, kola nut, and fluted pumpkin wastes for transesterification of yellow oleander-rubber seed oil blend. By optimizing catalyst concentration, temperature, and time, high yields of biodiesel were achieved, demonstrating the potential for sustainable and economic biodiesel production using agricultural waste materials.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gaurav Yadav, Nidhi Yadav, Md Ahmaruzzaman
Summary: In this study, a solid acid catalyst was synthesized using low temperature hydrothermal carbonization method. The catalyst exhibited enhanced sulfonic active sites and high acid density, making it effective for biodiesel synthesis at low temperatures. Various techniques were used to determine the chemical composition and morphology of the catalyst. The conversion of oleic acid to methyl oleate reached 96.4% under optimized conditions, with low activation energy. The presence of porous structure and sulfonic groups contributed to the high activity of the catalyst. The synthesis of biodiesel was confirmed using GC-MS and NMR. The catalyst showed good reusability, with a high transformation rate even after four consecutive cycles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bahar Ghasemzadeh, Amir Abbas Matin, Biuck Habibi, Mostafa Ebadi
Summary: This research aims to design and prepare a new magnetically recoverable catalyst based on agrowastes, specifically cotton waste, for the production of biodiesel. The proposed core-shell nanocomposite catalyst showed excellent performance in catalyzing transesterification reaction and achieved optimal results under certain conditions.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Sivasubramanian Manikandan, Ramasamy Subbaiya, Muniyandi Biruntha, Radhakrishnan Yedhu Krishnan, Govarthanan Muthusamy, Natchimuthu Karmegam
Summary: Biofuels, derived from biomass, are viewed as important technologies for energy supply, climate, foreign exchange savings, and rural socioeconomic issues. Modern biomass technologies can effectively utilize biomass resources for various purposes.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bryan R. Moser, Christina Dorado, Grigor B. Bantchev, Jill K. Winkler-Moser, Kenneth M. Doll
Summary: The citrus industry produces a significant amount of biomass waste during juice production. Oil extracted from inedible sweet orange seeds was explored as a feedstock for biodiesel production. The resulting methyl esters met most of the biodiesel standards, except for oxidative stability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Matheus Arrais Goncalves, Erica Karine Lourenco Mares, Jose Roberto Zamian, Geraldo Narciso da Rocha Filho, Leyvison Rafael Vieira da Conceicao
Summary: In this study, a heterogeneous magnetic acid catalyst MoO3/SrFe2O4 was synthesized and applied in transesterification of waste cooking oil, providing an environmentally friendly approach to biodiesel production. By developing a mathematical model and optimizing reaction conditions, a high ester conversion rate of 95.4% was achieved with excellent catalyst reusability and stability demonstrated through five runs.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Se-Eun Ban, Eun-Ju Lee, Jihyun Yoon, Da-Jung Lim, In-Seon Kim, Jae-Won Lee
Summary: This study investigated the effects of carbohydrate and lignin content in biomass on biochar production, and evaluated the adsorption behaviors of diazinon on biochar obtained from delignified oak. Delignification control the lignin content in biomass, resulting in decreased lignin content and increased cellulose content in delignified oak. The specific surface area and total pore volume of biochar from delignified oak were higher compared to raw material, and the removal efficiency of diazinon increased with delignification time. The adsorption of diazinon to biochar followed the Langmuir model.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ramon S. B. Ferreira, Isabel J. Bejarano-Alva, Gustavo G. Shimamoto, Matthieu Tubino, Antonio J. A. Meirelles, Eduardo A. C. Batista
Summary: This study investigated the performance of Purolite A503S anion exchange resin as a heterogeneous catalyst in the production of ethyl biodiesel from palm olein. Optimization of independent variables using response surface methodology and factorial design resulted in a conversion rate of approximately 98.10% under optimized conditions, showcasing the potential of Purolite A503S resin as a catalyst in transesterification reactions.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sana Gohar Khan, Muhammad Hassan, Mustafa Anwar, Zeshan, Uneeb Masood Khan, Chao Zhao
Summary: This research presents the synthesis and application of Pr-CaO catalysts for biodiesel production from castor oil, which showed stable, active, and low-cost characteristics. The obtained catalyst exhibited a high FAME yield of 87.42% under optimal reaction conditions using 7% Pr-CaO mixed oxide catalyst.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Samar Hadroug, Salah Jellali, Mejdi Jeguirim, Marzena Kwapinska, Helmi Hamdi, James J. Leahy, Witold Kwapinski
Summary: The study found that biochar derived from raw poultry manure can slowly release phosphorus and potassium nutrients, making it effective for improving poor soils. Compared to other biochars, poultry manure biochar has a slower release rate and sustainable nutrient release.
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Elena Romanovskaia, Valentin Romanovski, Witold Kwapinski, Irina Kurilo
Summary: The study focused on extracting vanadium from spent vanadium catalysts of sulfuric acid production through a two-step leaching process, resulting in a V2O5 product with a purity of 85-87 wt%. The highest vanadium extraction yield achieved was 98 wt% through oxidizing of leaching solutions by 30 wt% (NH4)2S2O8.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Witold Kwapinski, Iva Kolinovic, James J. Leahy
Summary: Phosphorus is a limited, irreplaceable and essential nutrient for organism growth, with sewage sludge being an important source of phosphorus. Thermal treatment technologies offer a promising option for efficient phosphorus recovery. Studies have shown that thermochemical methods have advantages over wet chemical methods in phosphorus recovery.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maksim Kamarou, Natalia Korob, Witold Kwapinski, Valentin Romanovski
Summary: The study found that synthetic gypsum is a promising source of gypsum-containing raw materials for producing gypsum binders, with performance that even exceeds that of binders obtained from natural gypsum stone.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nicolas Abdel Karim Aramouni, Joseph Zeaiter, Witold Kwapinski, James J. Leahy, Mohammad N. Ahmad
Summary: This study investigates the impact of Ni/Co ratio and calcination temperature on the performance of trimetallic Ni-Co-Ru catalysts supported on MgO-Al2O3. Higher Ni/Co ratios result in higher activity, while addition of Ru improves stability. High calcination temperature leads to increased coking rate.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Emile Atallah, Joseph Zeaiter, Mohammad N. Ahmad, James J. Leahy, Witold Kwapinski
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization is an effective technology for treating organic waste, with the potential to improve energy performance and soil enhancement characteristics. Compared to other treatment methods, HTC offers lower energy costs and comparable energy capabilities at significantly lower temperatures.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bashir Ghanim, James J. Leahy, Thomas F. O'Dwyer, Witold Kwapinski, J. Tony Pembroke, John G. Murnane
Summary: The study explores the use of modified hydrochar derived from acid-treated poultry litter for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Results show pH-dependent adsorption of Cr(VI) with high capacity and potential for regeneration.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Zarrar Salahuddin, Sarah Farrukh, Arshad Hussain, Tayyaba Noor, Witold Kwapinski
Summary: The addition of more filler can increase the gas permeability of ZIF membranes, but it can also cause structural defects and decrease tensile strength. When choosing high-loaded membranes, the selectivity is better, while the tensile strength of low-loaded membranes is higher, requiring a balance to choose the suitable membrane.
POLYMERS & POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Anastasiya Kutuzova, Tetiana Dontsova, Witold Kwapinski
Summary: The widespread occurrence of antibiotics in water due to their extensive use in human and veterinary medicine has led to the rapid development of antimicrobial resistance. TiO2-based photocatalysis shows promise in addressing this issue in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohamed Hechmi Aissaoui, Aida Ben Hassen Trabelsi, Samira Abidi, Kaouther Zaafouri, Khouloud Haddad, Faycel Jamaaoui, James J. Leahy, Witold Kwapinski
Summary: This study investigates the co-valorisation of olive mill wastewater and olive pomace into renewable biofuels, bio-chemicals, and nutrient-rich bio-char through co-pyrolysis process. The results show that adding olive pomace can increase the yield and energy content of bio-oil and biochar, with the produced products showing potential for various applications.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Samar Hadroug, Salah Jellali, Ahmed Amine Azzaz, Marzena Kwapinska, Helmi Hamdi, James J. Leahy, Mejdi Jeguirim, Witold Kwapinski
Summary: This research demonstrated that post-modifying biochar can significantly enhance its surface properties and phosphorus recovery efficiency. Phosphorus recovery mainly occurs homogeneously on monolayer surfaces through adsorption, precipitation, and electrostatic interactions, while desorption efficiency of phosphorus is influenced by solution pH values.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anastasiya Kutuzova, Tetiana Dontsova, Witold Kwapinski, James J. Leahy, Jennifer Strunk
Summary: TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel and hydrothermal methods showed good photocatalytic removal efficiency for antibiotics under UVA light. The sol-gel synthesized sample exhibited higher crystallinity but lower specific surface area, while the hydrothermal synthesized sample had a higher specific surface area.
MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND LIQUID CRYSTALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ayman Hijazi, Nidal Khalaf, Witold Kwapinski, J. J. Leahy
Summary: This review explores the catalytic valorisation of agroforestry biomass towards high-value chemicals, particularly gamma-valerolactone. It focuses on the role of catalysts, highlighting the efficiency of the hydrogenation of levulinic acid through an internal hydrogen transfer reaction with formic acid. The review also discusses heterogeneous catalysts and the use of photo catalysis for H-2 production. Overall, it provides readers with valuable knowledge and identifies research gaps in the field.
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Shubhangi Kakkar, Witold Kwapinski, Christopher A. Howard, K. Vasanth Kumar
Summary: With the advancement of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are becoming essential skills for chemical engineers. Training students in these methods is crucial for their adaptation to the digitized industries. The introduction of deep neural networks in a computer laboratory exercise provided students with essential knowledge of AI, awareness of machine language, and coding skills necessary to model and predict chemical engineering processes accurately.
EDUCATION FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
K. Vasanth Kumar, Srinivas Gadipelli, Christopher A. Howard, Witold Kwapinski, Dan J. L. Brett
Summary: The binding affinity distribution plays a crucial role in molecular recognition in chromatographic separations and gas storage and separation applications. This study develops universal analytical models based on Toth isotherms to accurately characterize different classes of industrially-important adsorbents.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)