Chemical Engineering & Technology最新文献

The osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) process is gaining attention for cost-effective aqueous solution concentration. However, there is a lack of pilot-scale studies. This research used two spiral-wound modules in a pilot-scale plant. The first one, an adapted commercial reverse osmosis module, showed no positive results, likely due to excessive membrane thickness and high internal concentration polarization. In contrast, the second one consisting of a novel forward osmosis prototype demonstrated promising outcomes, achieving water fluxes exceeding 2 L m⁻² h⁻¹ even at high salt concentrations (50 g L⁻¹) and relatively low applied pressures (above 12 bar). The study highlights OARO potential, underscores limitations, and emphasizes the need for dedicated module design.

This review highlights the promising potential of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for solid-state hydrogen storage due to their high surface area, low mass density, and chemical stability. Recent advances in doping and functionalization of MWCNTs have demonstrated enhanced hydrogen adsorption capacities that are closer to the United States Department of Energy targets. Transition metal atom doping has been shown to significantly improve hydrogen binding through spillover mechanisms. Additionally, metal doping of MWCNTs exhibited impressive gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen storage capacities. These developments represent a crucial step toward realizing safe, efficient, and cost-effective solid-state hydrogen storage solutions enabled by tailored MWCNTs for clean energy applications. Hence, this review aims to summarize the findings on the use of MWCNTs for hydrogen storage, where challenges are discussed and recommendations are provided.

Accurate prediction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission is crucial for effectively controlling pollution in municipal solid waste incineration processes. However, it is challenging to construct a NOx emission prediction model with high prediction accuracy and easy engineering application. To address this, this paper proposes a robust and easily applicable NOx emission trend prediction model oriented to engineering applications, utilizing the partial least squares (PLS) method with the time series reconstruction and exponential weighting (TS-EW-PLS). The model is verified using operational data from an actual waste incineration process, and comparative analysis with the PLS model showed that the TS-EW-PLS model achieved a remarkable improvement of 27–38 % in prediction performance.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from ship exhausts pose serious health and environmental concerns. Herein, the SO₂ absorption and desorption characteristics of tertiary amines with different functional groups were explored under simulated ship exhaust gas conditions. Tertiary amines with electron-donating groups had superior absorption performance to those with electron-withdrawing groups, and highly polar absorbents exhibited enhanced SO₂ absorption loading. Dimethylaniline (DMA) showed excellent desorption performance, outperforming other absorbents (amino acids, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents) in terms of cyclic capacity. Thus, tertiary amines, especially DMA, can be potentially used for the prevention of SO₂ emissions from ship exhausts and other desulfurization applications.

This study investigates the potential of a salt bridge-mediated microbial fuel cell (MFC) for power generation and wastewater sludge treatment in breweries. Unlike traditional “one-parameter-at-a-time” methodologies, this study uses a three-variable Box–Behnken design response surface methodology to optimize critical MFC operational parameters. The effects of parameters such as solution pH, salt bridge molarity, and temperature were studied in the range of 4 to 10, 1 to 5 M, and 20 to 45 g L⁻¹. The optimum operating parameters were found to be solution pH of 5.853, salt bridge molarity of 3.343 M, and temperature of 32.5 °C for chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand removal efficiencies of 92.485 % and 88.51 %, respectively. Temperature was found to be the most significant factor affecting the reactor's performance.

An internal thermally coupled air separation column (ITCASC) process is an effective energy-saving technology in the air separation process. However, a large economic investment is a crucial factor for the widespread use of this technology in practical applications. In this article, an alternative configuration design, namely, top-integrated (T-ITCASC), bottom-integrated (B-ITCASC), and top-bottom-integrated ITCASC (T-B-ITCASC) with a focus on energy savings and economic feasibility are studied. A rigorous optimization based on a nonlinear interior-point algorithm was developed by integrating the dynamic model into the optimization formulation. In the context of ITCASC process design and optimization, numerical simulations demonstrated that T-ITCASC, B-ITCASC, and T-B-ITCASC configurations improved energy-saving potential and reduced capital investment, compared to the F-ITCASC and conventional air separation column (CASC) configurations. Among these optimized configurations, the T-B-ITCASC configuration is preferred.

In the pursuit of mitigating CO₂ emissions, this study investigates the optimization of CO₂ purification within a negative CO₂ emission power plant using a spray ejector condenser (SEC) coupled with a separator. The approach involves direct-contact condensation of vapor, primarily composed of an inert gas (CO₂), facilitated by a subcooled liquid spray. A comprehensive analysis is presented, employing a numerical model to simulate a cyclone separator under various SEC outlet conditions. Methodologically, the simulation, conducted in Fluent, encompasses three-dimensional, transient, and turbulent characteristics using the Reynolds stress model turbulent model and mixture model to replicate the turbulent two-phase flow within a gas–liquid separator. Structural considerations are delved into, evaluating the efficacy of single- and dual-inlet separators to enhance CO₂ purification efficiency. The study reveals significant insights into the optimization process, highlighting a notable enhancement in separation efficiency within the dual-inlet cyclone, compared to its single inlet counterpart. Specifically, a 90.7 % separation efficiency is observed in the former, characterized by symmetrical flow patterns devoid of wavering CO₂ cores, whereas the latter exhibits less desirable velocity vectors. Furthermore, the investigation explores the influence of key parameters, such as liquid volume fraction (LVF) and water droplet diameter, on separation efficiency. It is ascertained that a 10 % LVF with a water droplet diameter of 10 µm yields the highest separation efficiency at 90.7 %, whereas a 20 % LVF with a water droplet diameter of 1 µm results in a reduced efficiency of 50.79 %. Moreover, the impact of structural modifications, such as the addition of vanes, on separation efficiency and pressure drop is explored. Remarkably, the incorporation of vanes leads to a 9.2 % improvement in separation efficiency and a 16.8 % reduction in pressure drop at a 10 % LVF. The findings underscore the significance of structural considerations and parameter optimization in advancing CO₂ capture technologies, with implications for sustainable energy production and environmental conservation.

In this work, cellulose was effectively produced from corn husks by a simple and eco-friendly method. Major influencing variables for cellulose extraction were examined, and the highest yield of lignin and hemicellulose cleavage was achieved after corn husks were treated in 12.5 wt % NaOH solution at solid/liquid ratio (S/L) of 1:10 g mL⁻¹, 70 °C for 90 min. Subsequent bleaching conducted in 10 wt % H₂O₂ solution at 80 °C for 90 min produced cellulose with a lightness value (L^*) of ∼87, chromaticity indexes a^* = −1.85, b^* = 2.94 with high purity, 90.86 %, and crystallinity, 64.94 %. Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis showed a clear transition in morphology, structure modification, and crystallinity consistent with the alteration of the chemical composition from raw material to delignified residue and the bleached one. To synthesize microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), the hydrolysis was investigated in H₂SO₄ solutions of different concentrations and durations via monitoring particle size distribution by laser diffraction spectroscopy. At the most efficient conditions (30 wt % H₂SO₄, 18 h, 45 °C, 1:10 S/L ratio), the obtained MCC reached an average particle size of 42.68 µm, crystallinity degree of 61.6 %, and cellulose purity of 92.5 %. Meanwhile, similar parameters with 4 N HCl solution produced MCC with the same purity but higher crystallinity (65.6 %), higher mean size, 67.62 µm, and higher aspect ratio. SEM images showed that 4 N HCl caused less detrimental and erosive action, and less fragmentation on cellulose microfibrils compared to 30 wt % H₂SO₄. The study's outcome supports the feasibility of corn husks to produce cellulose and MCC for further applications.

A thermally coupled distillation technology can bring energy-saving benefits, but it poses challenges to process control. This article explores dynamic control of different side-stream quaternary extractive distillation configurations. One the one hand, the open-loop controllability of these processes is analyzed in terms of various criteria by the control design interface technology of Aspen Plus Dynamics. On the other hand, their control structures are established and examined by introducing large feed flow and composition perturbations. The results show that the triple-side-stream distillation still performs the best state and input–output controllability in spite of the strongest nonlinearity, and is also well resistant to large feed perturbations using a simple control structure.