Article
Engineering, Environmental
Clovis Nchikou, Jose Angel Loredo-Medrano, Aracely Hernandez-Ramirez, Jose Angel Colina-Marquez, Miguel Angel Mueses
Summary: In this study, a new Six Flux Model in two dimensions (SFM-2D) was introduced to estimate the local volumetric rate of photon absorption in polar coordinates, and it was applied and validated on a photocatalytic reactor. An analytical solution of the radiant transfer equation was obtained based on the novel SFM-2D, which also included the estimation of the radiant field in a compound parabolic photoreactor. The numerical results from simulations showed satisfactory comparisons with previous works, with discrepancies less than 0.5% for the overall performance of the new model.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
I. Rapti, C. Kosma, T. Albanis, I. Konstantinou
Summary: Hospital wastewaters contain pharmaceutical compounds that cannot be removed by conventional treatment processes. This study investigates the degradation of these Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) using TiO2 and solar compound parabolic collector pilot plant. The results show that photocatalytic degradation of PhACs follows first order kinetics and higher catalyst loadings result in higher removal percentages. Photocatalytic treatment also improves the physicochemical characteristics and biodegradability of the effluent.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hana M. Alanazi, Maha Alhaddad, Ahmed Shawky, Reda M. Mohamed
Summary: This study demonstrates the catalytic effect of rare earth-based oxide heterojunction photocatalysts, specifically a metal oxide nanocomposite composed of n-type nanostructured cerium oxide (CeO2) supported with p-type silver oxide (Ag2O), in the oxidative mineralization of atrazine (AtZ) in water under visible light. The Ag2O/CeO2 nanocomposites, synthesized through surfactant-assisted sol-gel technique, showed excellent visible light absorption due to the narrowing of bandgap energy and maintained mesostructured surface structure. The 7% Ag2O/CeO2 exhibited the best performance, achieving complete photooxidation of AtZ within 40 minutes with a reaction rate of 79.23 x 10-3 min-1 and a sustainable reusability of 96%.
MATERIALS RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Naomi Harrisankar, Pieter Levecque, Eric van Steen
Summary: The introduction of catalyst coated optical fibre in photocatalytic reactor systems can improve illumination efficiency, but requires a large amount of coated fibre. The automated optical fibre catalyst coating process has been developed to influence coating thickness and surface morphology.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND PROCESSING-PROCESS INTENSIFICATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniel Olivo-Alanis, Alcione Garcia-Gonzalez, Miguel Angel Mueses, Refugio Bernardo Garcia-Reyes
Summary: A novel kinetic model was developed to predict the photocatalytic degradation of wastewater. The model takes into account the generation of reactive oxygen species, the rate of electron-hole pair generation, and the impact of reactive oxygen species on pollutants. The model demonstrated robustness and high accuracy under various operational conditions.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Aayush Gupta, Blaz Likozar, Runia Jana, Wairakpam Chinglembi Chanu, Mahesh Kumar Singh
Summary: Renewable energy plays a vital role in the strategies of decarbonization, decentralization, and the digitalization of energy. The current global climate, health, and economic conditions demand the use of renewable energy and the development of novel materials for efficient generation, storage, and transportation. Hydrogen is recognized as one of the most important green energy sources and carriers, but its storage presents challenges. Photocatalytic green hydrogen production processes focus on intensifying separated solar energy harvesting, storage, and electrolysis. However, research on reactor unit design, optimization, and scaling, be it material or operation-related, is limited. This study compares various materials and provides an overview of prominent pilot systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
H. Zangeneh, A. A. Zinatizadeh, S. Nazari, M. Joshaghani, S. Zinadini, L. Sibali, M. Feyzi
Summary: In this study, a visible-driven nanocomposite was prepared for photocatalytic degradation of azo dye. The reaction conditions were optimized and the effects of various factors on the degradation process were investigated. The results showed that the prepared nanocomposite exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance and could be reused.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lucia del C. Cid, Claudia M. C. Vera, Patricio A. Sorichetti
Summary: This work presents a model of an annular batch slurry photocatalytic reactor using titanium dioxide at high concentrations and near-neutral pH. The model considers factors such as catalyst particle agglomeration and adsorption/desorption equilibrium, and was validated with measurements and simulations to find optimal design criteria at high catalyst concentrations. The mathematical model is simple and robust, suitable for design and scaling of photocatalytic reactors.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenda Kang, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Tengyao Xu, Shuai Wu, Xiaoting Wang, Na Lu, Xie Quan, Heng Liang
Summary: The study improved the mass-transfer performance of the PCO/O-3 process by using a helical photocatalytic module (HPM) in an annular UVC reactor, resulting in significantly higher TOC removal efficiency. The flowing through reactor demonstrated good stability in a continuous test, and the energy efficiency of the PCO/O-3 process in this reactor was higher compared to other processes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jonathan C. Espindola, Marlon Caianelo, Nazareno Scaccia, Caio Rodrigues-Silva, Jose R. Guimaraes, Vitor J. P. Vilar
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the innovative FluHelik photoreactor for removing antimicrobial drugs through a photochemical UVC/H2O2 process. Experimental studies demonstrated the impact of various factors on the efficiency of GAT removal, and showed that the photochemical space-time yield (PSTY) is a reliable metric for quantitatively measuring the reactor performance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christos Lykos, Theodora Kourkouta, Ioannis Konstantinou
Summary: The increased consumption of antibiotics has led to their introduction in wastewater and surface waters. Heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO2 can efficiently degrade antibiotics, such as metronidazole (MTZ). The photocatalytic degradation of MTZ was studied under lab and pilot conditions and achieved high removal rates. By investigating the generated reactive species, hydroxy radicals were identified as the predominant species. The transformation products (TPs) were identified and found to be less toxic than the parent compound. The ecotoxicity monitoring and stability of the photocatalyst were also assessed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Faiza Bensaibi, Malika Chabani, Souad Bouafia, Hayet Djelal
Summary: In this study, the solar photo-Fenton (SPF) process using a solar compound parabolic collector (CPC) reactor was examined for the degradation of doxycycline (DOX). The effects of operating parameters such as H2O2, Fe2+ dosage, and DOX concentration were investigated. The results showed that under optimized conditions, the SPF process achieved high DOX degradation, COD and TOC removal rates, and reduced phytotoxicity, suggesting that SPF is a promising technology for the removal of doxycycline from wastewater.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qingyu Wei, Yao Wang, Bin Dai, Yan Yang, Haijun Liu, Huaijie Yuan, Dengwei Jing, Liang Zhao
Summary: By applying an optimized six-flux model in a tubular solar photocatalytic reactor, it was found that increasing catalyst concentration and reducing circulation speed can significantly improve the reactor performance.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Maryam Khodayari, Ezzat Rafiee
Summary: In this study, a novel photoreactor for wastewater treatment was fabricated and presented. The photocatalysts TiO2/PEG/PDA-Co3W9 and TiO2/PEG/PW were synthesized and optimized for the photocatalytic degradation reaction. The immobilized catalyst on glass rods exhibited good stability and adhesion, resulting in high degradation efficiency of 90% after 120 minutes. The system also demonstrated effective dye removal and wastewater disinfection ability, making it a promising technology for treatment and disinfection.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cristian Ferreiro, Natalia Villota, Jose Ignacio Lombrana, Maria J. Rivero, Veronica Zuniga, Jose Miguel Rituerto
Summary: This study presents an efficient method for treating industrial wastewater containing aniline and benzothiazole, two substances refractory to conventional treatments. By using heterogeneous photocatalysis in a fluidised bed reactor, mass transfer is increased and reaction times are reduced, achieving high degradation and mineralization. The manganese dioxide catalyst supported on granular activated carbon with environmentally friendly characteristics shows promising results in the treatment process.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandre Diorio, Jennyfer Diaz-Angulo, Reynel M. Castellanos, Ana I. Gomes, Rosangela Bergamasco, Marcelo Fernandes Vieira, Marcia Dezotti, Miguel Angel Mueses, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Vitor J. P. Vilar
Summary: This study aimed to integrate multiple hydrogen peroxide activation mechanisms for reactive oxygen species generation towards the removal of contaminants of emerging concern in a continuous-flow unit. The combination of UVC/H2O2/TiO2 system with radial addition of H2O2 and multiple TiO2-P25 layers achieved high efficiency in removing the antibiotic amoxicillin. Urban wastewater matrix negatively affected the removal of amoxicillin due to the presence of ROS scavengers and light-filtering species.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eliana M. Jimenez-Bambague, Juan S. Florez-Castillo, Rosa D. Gomez-Angulo, Paola A. Morales-Acosta, Enrique J. Pena-Salamanca, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Carlos A. Madera-Parra
Summary: Pharmaceutical compounds like ibuprofen and diclofenac have been found in water sources in Latin America, and microalgal-based systems have shown promise in removing these micropollutants. In this study, Parachlorella kessleri demonstrated good removal efficiency for ibuprofen and diclofenac through mechanisms like bioaccumulation and biodegradation.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nestor A. Urbina-Suarez, Darly D. Ayala-Gonzalez, Jennyfer D. Rivera-Amaya, Andres F. Barajas-Solano, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: The study evaluated the effect of tannery wastewater on biomass and product production of three microorganisms. The results indicate that the use of a constant light regime and the concentration of real wastewater have a significant impact on biomass production.
Article
Electrochemistry
Bryan Acosta-Angulo, Jennyfer Diaz-Angulo, Jose Lara-Ramos, Ricardo Torres-Palma, Diana Martinez-Pachon, Alejandro Moncayo-Lasso, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: This article explores the spread of genetic algorithms (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) in the study of reaction kinetics using bibliometric analysis of the Scopus database. The study focuses on applications in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), examining collaborations between countries and authors, and keyword co-occurrences. The findings reveal that GA methods are the preferred choice for reaction kinetic studies, with the USA being the most influential country in terms of collaboration. However, there is still a lack of collaboration among most countries, including authors. Furthermore, literature on AOPs remains scarce. The forecasting suggests that there will be further growth in the implementation of evolutionary algorithms, particularly PSO.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo A. Munoz Meneses, Gerardo Cabrera-Papamija, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Luis A. Rodriguez, Jesus E. Diosa, Edgar Mosquera-Vargas
Summary: Pollution caused by plastic materials poses a negative impact on the health of the planet. Finding solutions to transform discarded plastics into new materials is crucial for establishing a circular and sustainable production model.
Article
Electrochemistry
Eliana M. Jimenez-Bambague, Carlos A. Madera-Parra, Maria F. Rangel-Delgado, Isabel Quintero-Martinez, Daniela Miranda-Mosquera, Juan S. Aristizabal-Apolinar, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Photo-Fenton (PF) and Electro-Fenton (EF) processes for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater. The operational conditions and removal efficiencies were assessed for both processes. EF showed a higher removal efficiency for all identified compounds, making it the best option for treating this real effluent.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jose David Venecia-Nunez, Leidy Tatiana Ramirez-Parra, Jose Antonio Lara-Ramos, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Jose Angel Colina-Marquez, Miguel Angel Mueses
Summary: Caffeine, as a commonly found contaminant in the environment, has significant effects on aquatic species and human health. The study used a photocatalysis-based technique, O-3/UV/GHT, to degrade and mineralize caffeine in solution. By optimizing factors such as O-3 dose, GHT charge, agitation speed, pH, initial caffeine concentration, and UV light, the process achieved a degradation rate of approximately 99.97% in less than 20 minutes, with a mineralization rate of 38.02%.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Munoz-Chilito, Jose A. Lara-Ramos, Lorena Marin, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Juan P. Correa-Aguirre, Miguel A. Hidalgo-Salazar, Serafin Garcia-Navarro, Luis Roca-Blay, Luis A. Rodriguez, Edgar Mosquera-Vargas, Jesus E. Diosa
Summary: The impacts of adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plates were investigated in terms of morphology, electrical conductivity, and hardness. TPU/MWCNT nanocomposite plates were fabricated using compression molding, with MWCNT loadings ranging from 1% to 7%. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the incorporation of MWCNTs increased the ordered range of the TPU polymer matrix. SEM images showed that the fabrication route used resulted in a uniform dispersion of nanotubes inside the TPU matrix, creating a conductive network for electronic conduction. Impedance spectroscopy revealed that the TPU/MWCNT plates exhibited percolation and tunneling conduction mechanisms, with increasing conductivity values as the MWCNT loading increased. Additionally, the addition of MWCNTs increased the Shore A hardness behavior of the TPU plates, despite a reduction in hardness compared to pure TPU.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nestor A. Urbina-Suarez, Christian Rivera-Caicedo, Angel Dario Gonzalez-Delgado, Andres F. Barajas-Solano, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: The research focuses on the use of advanced oxidation process (AOPs) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) for the treatment of tannery wastewater. The optimal process conditions for removing different compounds were found to be NaHCO3 1 M, H2O2 2 M, and 60 degrees C, with high removal efficiencies for color and ammoniacal nitrogen. This study concludes that AOPs using H2O2 and NaHCO3 are recommended for effective removal of color and ammoniacal nitrogen in tannery wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Santiago Sinisterra, Ruben Camargo-Amado, Diego Trivino, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: This article introduces a research methodology based on patent analysis and the behavior of technology over time. Two software were used to extract and analyze patent data, and the results of the technological maturity cycle and future projections of the technology were obtained. A case study on antibacterial and self-cleaning surfaces technology was conducted, and it was found that the technology is in the maturity phase. This methodology is important for decision-making in research and development.
REVISTA FACULTAD DE INGENIERIA, UNIVERSIDAD PEDAGOGICA Y TECNOLOGICA DE COLOMBIA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eliana M. Jimenez-Bambague, Carlos A. Madera-Parra, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global health and the environment. The excessive use of pharmaceuticals during the pandemic has led to an increase in micropollutants entering the environment. Monitoring data in Cali, Colombia, shows a 91% increase in the concentration of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs in wastewater after the pandemic, which is associated with the consumption of these drugs for mild symptoms. This increase poses a high ecological threat, being 14 times higher than pre-COVID-19 levels.
CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nestor A. Urbina-Suarez, German L. Lopez-Barrera, Janet B. Garcia-Martinez, Andres F. Barajas-Solano, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Antonio Zuorro
Summary: The UV/H2O2 system in real tannery wastewater was evaluated using experimental design and optimal reaction surface analysis. pH and temperature were found to have the largest impact on the process. Acidic pH of 4.5-5.5 and temperatures between 50 and 70(degrees)C were found to improve COD and ammonium oxidation. The study confirmed the process conditions and evaluated the removal rates of nitrite, ammonium, chromium, chlorides, BOD, COD, and color.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nestor A. Urbina-Suarez, Cristian J. Salcedo-Pabon, Jefferson E. Contreras-Ropero, German L. Lopez-Barrera, Janet B. Garcia-Martinez, Andres F. Barajas-Solano, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: This study investigates the influence of photoperiod and wastewater concentration on the growth of microalgae and cyanobacteria for the removal of environmentally significant parameters from dyeing wastewater. The findings indicate that extended photoperiods and higher wastewater concentrations enhance biomass production. Hapalosiphon and Chlorella sp. demonstrate better tolerance to wastewater toxicity and improved removal of COD and BOD.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nestor A. Urbina-Suarez, Cristian J. Salcedo-Pabon, German L. Lopez-Barrera, Janet B. Garcia-Martinez, Andres F. Barajas-Solano, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez
Summary: A bicarbonate-peroxide (BAP) system was used to improve the quality of industrial tannery wastewater. The I-optimal experimental design was used to optimize critical variables, including temperature, initial pH, bicarbonate, and H2O2 concentration. The experiments were conducted in 500 mL reactors with an operational volume of 250 mL and agitation at 550 rpm. The optimized conditions were validated using statistical analysis, and it was found that temperatures above 50 degrees C and slightly acidic initial pHs were crucial for the efficiency of the BAP system. The validated optimal data showed high removal percentages for various pollutants, surpassing other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) used for similar types of water.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Jennyfer Diaz-Angulo, Alfonso Barboza-Meza, Fiderman Machuca-Martinez, Miguel-Angel Mueses
Summary: Mathematical analysis and simulation of a discontinuous rectification column were conducted during the start-up process using an operational strategy. The research focused on establishing a mathematical model based on the equilibrium state and utilized MESH equations for solution. The results were validated by experimental data, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
REVISTA FACULTAD DE INGENIERIA, UNIVERSIDAD PEDAGOGICA Y TECNOLOGICA DE COLOMBIA
(2022)