Developing sulfide-oxidizing biofilm on H2S-exhausted carbon for sustainable bio-regeneration and biofiltration

The feasibility of developing biofilm on exhausted carbon using pre-deposited sulfur compounds as the sole energy source was studied, aiming to re-use them in odor biofiltration. The exhausted carbon with different properties, including surface pH, sulfur content and porosity, was used. A series of off-line trials were conducted to investigate the release of sulfur compounds from the exhausted carbon and the attachment of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria on the exhausted carbon. Without any pre-treatment, a few bacteria attachment on exhausted carbon was observed by SEM, due to possibly the limitation of reduced sulfur compounds release for bacterial growth. The biofilm development was much improved by adding NaOH solution to partially pre-desorb the deposited sulfur into liquid phase, which provided initial energy for bacterial growth. With the attached bacteria, the further significant release of the deposited sulfur was achieved through an additional driving force: biodegradation. The key issues for developing biofilm on exhausted carbon were concluded, which mainly concerned of desorption of pre-deposited reduced sulfur compounds and porosity of carbon. The sulfur-associated reactions occurring in developing biofilm on exhausted carbon was proposed. Bio-regeneration of exhausted carbon in the course of biofilm development was also preliminarily assessed.     

Procedure for Measuring Low Concentrations of H2 and H2S Above a Water Surface

A simple measuring procedure for low concentrations of H₂ and H₂S (at the level of ppm fractions) above the surface of water by using sensitive gas analyzers is suggested. The procedure is easily accomplished in conditions outside the laboratory (under field conditions).     

Decay time characteristics of La2O2S:Eu and La2O2S:Tb for use within an optical sensor for human skin temperature measurement

We focus on the development of a remote temperature sensing technology, i.e., an optical laser-based sensor, using thermographic phosphors for medical applications, particularly within an electromagnetically hostile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. A MRI scanner uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of the inside of the body. The quality of the image improves with increasing magnetic resonance; however, the drawback of applying a greater magnetic strength is the inducement of heat into the body tissue. Therefore, monitoring the patient's temperature inside MRI is vital, but until now, a practical solution for temperature measurement did not exist. We show europium doped lanthanum oxysulphide (La(2)O(2)S:Eu) and terbium doped lanthanum oxysulphide (La(2)O(2)S:Tb) are both temperature sensitive to a low temperature range of 10-50 degrees C when under ultraviolet (UV) excitation. The emission spectra and decay time characteristics of these phosphors were demonstrated. The results indicate that La(2)O(2)S:Eu has a quenching rate of 13.7 m degrees C(-1) and 4 m degrees C(-1) at 512 nm and 538 nm, respectively. In addition, La(2)O(2)S:Tb has a lower quenching rate of 4.19 m degrees C(-1) at 548 nm due to its faster decay time.     

Insights into the use of landfill leachate to grow Chlorella sp. for lipid and fatty acids production

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Microalgae provide a potential alternative for high-value products. Integrating microalgae into the landfill leachate valorization process gives the...     

直流热阴极PCVD法CH_4:N_2:H_2气氛下制备纳米金刚石膜

采用直流热阴极等离子体化学气相沉积(PCVD)技术,在CH4:H2中加入N2改变等离子体能量分布状态,提高二次形核比例,制备纳米金刚石膜。在CH4:H2气体中,在不同压力和温度下,改变通入N2的比例,分析直流热阴极等离子体放电下N2对金刚石膜生长的影响。采用拉曼光谱仪、扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射分析仪(XRD)对样品进行了表征,结果表明,直流热阴极PCVD系统中,CH4:N2:H2气氛下,N2流量小于气体总流量的50%时,在6×103 Pa、850℃条件下,制备的金刚石膜样品的晶粒小于100nm、金刚石1332 cm-1特征峰展宽且强度较高、金刚石的XRD衍射峰强度也较高,具备纳米金刚石膜的基本特征。因此,利用直流热阴极PCVD方法,在较低温度和气压下,CH4:H2中加入少量N2,可以制备出纳米金刚石膜。     

The formation of ilmenite FeTiO3 powders by a novel liquid mix and H2/H2O reduction process

FeTiO₃ powder was prepared via a liquid mix and H₂/H₂O reduction process. First, an intermediate compound was synthesized by a liquid mix process. This precursor compound to FeTiO₃ was characterized by thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Second, the precursor was annealed in the air, H₂/H₂O(g) mixing gas stream, respectively. The obtained powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectroscopy (EDAX) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was showed that pure and homogenous FeTiO₃ was successfully obtained below 600 °C.     

Cleaner energy production with integrated gasification combined cycle systems and use of metal oxide sorbents for H2S cleanup from coal gas

 World primary energy demand increases with increases in population and economic development. Within the last 25 years, total energy consumption has almost doubled. In order to meet this demand, research into new sources of energy as well as improving the efficiency of energy production technologies is being carried out. In both cases, the production of clean energy is very important because of environmental concerns and regulations. Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology seems to be one of the most promising technologies for production of energy by using fossil fuels, especially coal. Hot gas desulfurization is a crucial issue in the development of the IGCC system. This paper reviews the importance of clean energy production, the IGCC technology and focuses on the development of several metal oxide-based sorbents used for desulfurization of the hot coal gas in the IGCC system.     

环境和使用频率对硫化氢监测仪置信度的影响

依据对大量含硫油气井钻井过程中的硫化氢监测仪的检定实践，研究了当监测仪安装在钻井队的不同工作位置时，温度对监测仪置信度的影响、湿度对监测仪置信度的影响、以及使用频率对监测仪置信度的影响，建立了环境条件和使用频率对监测仪置信度的影响公式，把综合置信度概念引入对计量器具检定周期的评定。     

Rate of dibutylsulfide decomposition by ozonation and the O3/H2O2 advanced oxidation process

A process of dibutylsulfide (DBS) oxidation using advanced methods of oxidation with ozone and hydrogen peroxide was studied. It was demonstrated that depending on pH value there are two mechanisms of DBS oxidation present: ionic and radical. The ionic mechanism predominates in acidic environment and the radical mechanism predominates in alkaline environment. At high pH ozone stability decreases and hydrogen peroxide has a deciding effect on DBS oxidation rate. At pH 9, and at high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (ranging from 0.1 to 1 mol/L), a clear increase in DBS decomposition rate was observed. That was caused by production of hydroperoxide radicals in reaction of hydrogen peroxide and ozone. In solutions pH value of which is close to 2, the rate of DBS oxidation by ozone alone is slower than in a O(3)/H(2)O(2) system, regardless the H(2)O(2) concentration. For higher H(2)O(2) concentrations (ranging from 0.1 to 1 mol/L), regardless the pH value of the solution, oxidation in a O(3)/H(2)O(2) system is faster, compared to a situation in which ozone is a sole oxidizer. For H(2)O(2) concentrations below 0.1 mol/L and when pH>2DBS oxidation in O(3)/H(2)O(2) system is slower compared to the situation in which ozone was the only oxidizer.     

Synthesis and sintering of ZrO2-CeO2 powder by use of polymeric precursor based on Pechini process

Nanocrystalline ZrO₂-12 mol % CeO₂powders were synthesized using a polymeric precursor method based on the Pechini process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that the method was effective to synthesize tetragonal zirconia single-phase. The mean crystallite size attained ranges from 6 to 15 nm. The BET surface areas were relatively high reaching 97 m²/g. Studies by nitrogen adsorption/desorption on powders, dilatometry of the compacts, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the powders, were also developed to verify the particles agglomeration state. Both citric acid : ethylene glycol ratio and calcination temperature affected the powder morphology, which influenced the sinterability and microstructure of the sintered material, as showed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Nanocrystalline spinel Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4: A novel material for H2S sensing

Nanocrystalline powders of Ni_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) mixed ferrites, with cubic spinel structure and average crystallite size ranging from 28 to 42 nm, were synthesized by the ethylene glycol mediated citrate sol–gel method. The structure and crystal phase of the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microstructure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The response of prepared Ni_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ mixed ferrites to different reducing gases (liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen sulfide, ethanol gas and ammonia) was investigated. The sensor response largely depends on the composition, temperature and the test gas species. The Zn content has a significant influence on the gas-sensing properties of Ni_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄. Especially, Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ composition exhibited high response with better selectivity to 50 ppm H₂S gas at 225 °C. Incorporation of palladium (Pd) further improved the response, selectivity and response time of Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ to H₂S with the shift in the operating temperature towards lower value by 50 °C. The enhanced H₂S sensing properties can mainly be attributed to the selectivity to oxidation of H₂S and noble metal additive sensitization. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited a fast response and a good recovery.     

The Total Source Error of Adjustment model: A methodology for the elimination of setup and process adjustment

The Total Source Error of Adjustment (TSEA) model identifies and describes the sources of error that create the need for setup and process adjustment. Adjustment is the result of uncontrolled sources of variation or error. To control error, it must first be systematically identified and described. The TSEA model is a systematic means of identifying and classifying the error sources contributing to setup adjustment and process adjustment for machining processes. Once error sources are properly classified, touch-trigger probing can then be effectively used to eliminate variability. When implementing the TSEA model, probing is applied to control error sources of adjustment. A case study examines the utility of the TSEA methodology in identifying the sources of variation causing adjustment. The analysis and control of error sources that occur in machining will reduce setup time, increase consistency in manufacturing, and improve the quality of the final product.     

Surface etching effects of amorphous C:H and CNx:H films formed by supermagnetron plasma for field emission use

Supermagnetron plasma was used to deposit amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) and hydrogenated carbon nitride (a-CN_x:H) films for field-emission devices using i-C₄H₁₀/(H₂ or N₂). It was also used to improve the field-emission characteristics by surface etching using N₂/H₂ plasma. The best emission threshold electric field (E_TH) was 13 and 12 V/μm for devices using as-deposited a-C:H and as-deposited a-CN_x:H films, respectively, while they were remarkably improved to 11 and 8 V/μm by surface etching using N₂/H₂ (120/40 sccm) gas, though surface roughness was slightly increased by the surface etching. The hardness of as-deposited films was higher than 22 GPa.     

Superparamagnetic magnesium ferrite/silica core-shell nanospheres: A controllable SiO2 coating process for potential magnetic hyperthermia application

The control of coating shell becoming important to improve the applicability of magnetic nanoparticles. Herein, we present the scalable technique for preparing MgFe₂O₄/SiO₂ core-shell nanospheres with finely tuned shell thickness and their efficiency in magnetic hyperthermia heating agent. At first, MgFe₂O₄ dense nanosphere derived from one-step ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) technique. Silica shells were then coated on the as prepared nanospheres with tunable thickness from 10 to 30 nm. We show that the thickness of this coating is finely controlled at allowing our proposed level by using the required amount of SiO₂ precursor (SiC₈H₂₀O₄)/acidic catalyst (HCl) ratio where the surface area of core nanospheres are significantly considered. X-ray diffraction reveals the cubic spinel ferrite structure of core particles with crystallite size 9.6 ± 1.8 nm and Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis confirmed the formation of SiO₂. The morphological observation clarified the uniform and smooth SiO₂ shell where core-shell nanostructure is highly monodispersed in a liquid medium. M-H loops confirmed the superparamagnetic nature of all samples at room temperature. Significantly reduced ion release concentration in an aqueous solvent of the coated nanospheres compared with uncoated sample demonstrates the hermetically coating feature of dense SiO₂. This MgFe₂O₄/SiO₂ core-shell nanospheres with thine SiO₂ shell (10 nm) shows effective heating rate in the operative region (<46 °C) which makes them promising candidates for application as magnetic hyperthermia heating agent.     

Effect of C6H14N2O7 and reaction temperature on sensing properties of hierarchical WO3 for H2S sensor

In this study, WO₃ nanoparticles with hierarchical structures are prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using diammonium hydrogen citrate (C₆H₁₄N₂O₇) as an additive, and the effects of reaction temperature and addition of C₆H₁₄N₂O₇ on their morphology are investigated in detail. The physical properties and morphology of the prepared WO₃ materials are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction , transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, and a possible growth mechanism is proposed. The results show that C₆H₁₄N₂O₇ is adsorbed on the edges of the nanosheets and inhibits their anisotropic growth. In addition, based on this material, sensors are self-assembled for detecting the decomposition products of SF₆, and the gas-sensitive properties of the material are investigated. The experimental results show that the sensors based on WO₃ with hierarchical structures are highly sensitive to H₂S and exhibit a low operating temperature. This indicates that such sensors can be effectively used to detect the main decomposition products of SF₆.

     

Kinetics of removal of chromium from water and electronic process wastewater by ion exchange resins: 1200H, 1500H and IRN97H

The removal of chromium from aqueous solution by an ion exchange resin is described. Ion exchange resins 1200H, 1500H and IRN97H show a remarkable increase in sorption capacity for chromium, compared to other adsorbents. The adsorption process, which is pH dependent show maximum removal of chromium in the pH range 2-6 for an initial chromium concentration of 10mg/l. The metal ion adsorption obeyed linear, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption of chromium on these cation exchange resins follows first-order reversible kinetics and pseudo-first-order kinetics. The intraparticle diffusion of chromium on ion exchange resins represents the rate-limiting step. The uptake of chromium by the ion exchange resins was reversible and thus have good potential for the removal/recovery of chromium from aqueous solutions. We conclude that such ion exchange resins can be used for the efficient removal of chromium from water and wastewater.     

Decolorization of azo dye acid black 1 by the UV/H2O2 process and optimization of operating parameters

An advanced oxidation process, UV/H2O2, was applied for decolorization of a di-azo dye (acid black 1). The effects of operating parameters such as hydrogen peroxide dosage, UV dosage and initial dye concentration, on decolorization have been evaluated. The acid black 1 solution was completely decolorized under optimal hydrogen peroxide dosage of 21.24 mmol/l and UV dosage of 1400 W/l in less than 1.2 min. The decolorization rate followed pseudo-first order kinetics with respect to the dye concentration. The rate increased linearly with volumetric UV dosage and nonlinearly with increasing initial hydrogen peroxide concentration. It has been found that the degradation rate increased until an optimum of hydrogen peroxide dosage, beyond which the reagent exerted an inhibitory effect. For real case application, an operation parameter plot of rate constant was developed. To evaluate the electric power and hydrogen peroxide consumption by UV/H2O2 reactor, 90% color removal was set as criteria to find the balance between both factors.     

Zr61Ti2Cu25Al12 metallic glass for potential use in dental implants: Biocompatibility assessment by in vitro cellular responses

In comparison with titanium and its alloys, Zr₆₁Ti₂Cu₂₅Al₁₂ (ZT1) bulk metallic glass (BMG) manifests a good combination of high strength, high fracture toughness and lower Young's modulus. To examine its biocompatibility required for potential use in dental implants, this BMG was used as a cell growth subtract for three types of cell lines, L929 fibroblasts, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and osteoblast-like MG63 cells. For a comparison, these cell lines were in parallel cultured and grown also on commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) and Ti6–Al4–V alloy (Ti64). Cellular responses on the three metals, including adhesion, morphology and viability, were characterized using the SEM visualization and CCK-8 assay. Furthermore, real-time RT-PCR was used to measure the activity of integrin β, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and type I collagen (COL I) in adherent MG63 cells. As indicated, in all cases of three cell lines, no significant differences in the initial attachment and viability/proliferation were found between ZT1, CP-Ti, and Ti64 until 5 d of incubation period. It means that the biocompatibility in cellular response for ZT1 BMG is comparable to Ti and its alloys. For gene expression of integrin β, ALP and COL I, mRNA level from osteoblast cells grown on ZT1 substrates is significantly higher than that on the CP-Ti and Ti64. It suggests that the adhesion and differentiation of osteoblasts grown on ZT1 are even superior to those on the CP-Ti and Ti64 alloy, then promoting bone formation. The good biocompatibility of ZT1 BMG is associated with the formation of zirconium oxide layer on the surface and good corrosion-resistance in physiological environment.