Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy最新文献

Secondary effluents are regarded as both sources and sinks of emerging contaminants. Adsorption by activated coke (ACO) is successfully being applied in the advanced treatment of secondary effluent from the wastewater treatment plant of China. However, ACO proved ineffective in removing the sweetener acesulfame (ACE). Herein, both mesoporous ACO and microporous activated carbon (AC) were comparatively used for the innovative confinement of Mn oxides within their porous structures by impregnation/calcination to enhance ACE adsorption. The optimal synthesis conditions were determined to be a MnSO₄·H₂O/ACO mass ratio of 1.0% and a calcination temperature of 600°C (Mn-ACO600). Mn-ACO600 exhibited superior ACE adsorption compared to Mn-modified AC. Stable adsorption performance was observed within the neutral pH range, which favors practical applications. The pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption kinetics, indicating a possible chemisorption mechanism. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models could effectively simulate ACE adsorption, with a q_max of 299.6 mg/g at 298 K. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and exothermic process (ΔH⁰ = −68.51 kJ/mol) with entropy reduction (ΔS⁰ = −218.56 J mol⁻¹·K⁻¹). Both coexisting inorganic anions and natural organic matter had insignificant influences. Furthermore, the recycled Mn-ACO600 retained an acceptable adsorption capability. Three-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix analysis demonstrated that Mn-ACO600 adsorption effectively removed organic matter from real secondary effluent.

This work aims to experimentally investigate the improvement in the performance and water productivity of a single-basin single-slope solar water distiller system by adding a porous structure (stones) and phase change material (PCM) above the basin surface. To explore the impact of adding a porous structure and PCM, two models are tested. The modified model that uses a porous structure and PCM is called (MSD-FSP), whereas the normal model is called (SD-F). Both systems include fins fixed above the absorber surface. A paraffin wax filled inside tubes as PCM is used with the MSD-FSP model. The experiments are conducted in Mosul City, Iraq, during November and December 2023. The MSD-FSP model is tested with only PCM and PCM with stones. The findings obtained from MSD-FSP and SD-F are compared under various water depths. The results showed that the MSD-FSP model is more effective than the SD-F model, where the performance of the MSD-FSP is higher than the SD-F by 31% for 30 mm water depth and 27% for 50 mm water depth. The findings also observed that the water productivity of the MSD-FSP model is larger than that of the SD-F model by 35% (for 30 mm water depth) and 28% (for 50 mm water depth). The findings indicated that the highest water temperature and water productivity are achieved while using the MSD-FSP model, and these values are equal to 49.8°C and 0.81 kg/m² at a water depth of 30 mm. The results confirm that using a porous structure (stones) and PCM has considerable impacts on heat exchange, evaporation rate, and heat transfer and hence, improves system performance.

Municipal wastewater often causes foul odor and causes economic loss due to corrosion, health and safety issues at the workplace, and environmental problems. The primary explanation for these findings is the work of microorganisms, specifically sulfate-reducing bacteria, which are involved in sulfur reduction. In both aerobic and anaerobic processes, sulfur, a multivalent element, participates in intricate bioreactions. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) generation is a major drawback for anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater. H₂S adversely affects process performance. Several chemical treatments under investigation include the addition of H₂O₂, FeCl₃, oxygen, air, and KMnO₄ to control H₂S emission. However, biological treatment is considered a more efficient and economical route to H₂S control. This paper comprehensively reviews the formation, control, and removal of sulfide during anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater. Methods of H₂S prevention inside anaerobic reactors, methodology for processing biogas, and methods applicable for anaerobic effluent purification with key emphasis on H₂S removal have been discussed. In addition, a new concept has been proposed to control sulfide production in anaerobic systems along with economic considerations.

It is aimed in this work to explore the possibility of using the reed stalks for the production of pulp suitable for papermaking. To attain this goal, chemical kraft pulping followed by a number of bleaching sequences was implemented. We bleached a reed kraft pulp using H₁H₂, D₀EOD₁ and ZEOD sequences (where H, D, EO and Z represent hypochlorite, chlorine-dioxide, alkaline extraction, and ozone respectively) to attain considerably good quality pulp that boosts the brightness and brings high mechanical strength. The elementary chlorine-free (ECF) light bleaching sequences (ZEOD) include an ozone stage which results in imparting a pulp quality to be better than the conventional ECF procedure (D₀EOD₁) and (H₁H₂). Furthermore, to determine the optical, physical, and mechanical properties of reed pulp and paper, the impact of filler retention regarding the properties of paper that incorporates fibers from nano-filler (CaCO₃) loading was investigated and compared with the conventional filler loading. The same amount of nano calcium carbonate additive helps impart optical and mechanical properties compared against the paper manufactured by conventional calcium carbonate.

Matuch, C., Chen, W., Ternes, M. J. Seay. “Navigating the complexities of advanced recycling: processes, feedstock, and public health connections in the context of the global plastic pollution crisis”, Environ Prog Sustain Energy. (2025) 44: e14601. 10.1002/ep.14601.

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A promising sustainable biofuel was successfully produced from waste frying oils using a calcium oxide (CaO) catalyst derived from Mourgueta snail shell waste, representing a renewable and low-cost resource. The transesterification reaction was conducted at room temperature by varying the methanol to oil molar ratios (6.4:1, 7.7:1, 9:1, 10.25:1) and catalyst loading (0.5–3 wt%). Additionally, the effect of calcination temperature on catalytic activity was investigated at 700°C, 800°C, and 900°C. Under optimal conditions, specifically, 1.5 wt% catalyst calcined at 900°C with a methanol to oil molar ratio of 9:1, the high conversion efficiency of 99.8% was achieved. This reactivity highlights the effectiveness of the biogenic CaO as a solid base catalyst for biodiesel production. The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of the biodiesel product was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and GC–MS analyses. The identified methyl esters included key components such as methyl linolelaidate, methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, and methyl stearate, indicating a high-quality biodiesel composition. These results demonstrate the viability of converting agro-waste into efficient heterogeneous catalysts, contributing to green chemistry, waste valorization, and the advancement of sustainable biofuel technologies.

Biomass to energy conversion has evolved into an essential route for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence. Anaerobic digestion (AD), among other biomass conversion technologies, has received considerable interest because it can generate biogas—a clean and renewable energy carrier. Nevertheless, difficulties surrounding substrate heterogeneity, process inefficiency, and scaling have limited the mass implementation of improved biogas systems. To this end, this review comprehensively investigates novel optimization methods for enhancing biogas yield, conversion efficiency, and process sustainability. The review thoroughly analyzes important aspects like substrate selection, process parameter optimization, reactor design, and microbial community management. Agricultural residues, food waste, and organic sludge are presented as major substrates, whose biochemical characteristics determine biogas productivity. It is discovered that microbial activity and biogas kinetics are significantly impacted by parameter tuning, including hydraulic retention duration, temperature, pH, and organic loading rate. The function of reactor design, such as continuous stirred tank and plug-flow systems, is examined in terms of mixing strategy and scalability. Microbial engineering developments, co-digestion strategy, and digestate management are also discussed to enhance process efficiency. The findings emphasize not only the technical progress but also the challenges in the availability of substrates, scale-up of reactors, and techno-economy viability. With solutions to these, the review emphasizes the crucial role of optimized AD processes in the attaining of sustainable energy solutions. This paper offers insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the industry towards a more circular and more resilient future energy.

The global economy's continuous development has intensified the challenges associated with industrial wastewater treatment. This study synthesizes bentonite-loaded zero-valent aluminum (B-ZVAl) materials using physicochemical methods and explores their application for adsorbing and degrading pollutants in dye wastewater. The process exploits the intrinsic electron transfer capability of zero-valent aluminum (ZVAl) alongside the generation of active free radicals and flocs during the reaction. Orthogonal experiments were conducted to assess the impact of key factors including material loading, reaction pH, dosage, reaction temperature, and settling time on the decolorization efficiency of dye wastewater. Under optimal conditions (50% loading, 90-min settling time, pH 3, 2.5 g/L dosage, and 20°C reaction temperature), the decolorization rate of acid red dye wastewater reached 98.07%. Additionally, chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced by 72.36%, total organic carbon (TOC) by 65.34%, with an effluent pH of 7.38 and an aluminum concentration of 0.024 mg/L. Reusability tests indicated that the material retained significant decolorization and adsorption performance after three cycles. Characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the stability of the B-ZVAl material before and after reactions, while UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D EEM) analysis further demonstrated the composite material's efficiency in decolorizing dye wastewater and reducing pollutant levels. In conclusion, the novel composite material not only overcomes the issue of ZVAl oxidation but also ensures a low residual aluminum concentration in the treated water, thereby reducing the potential risk of biological toxicity.

In order to improve the resource utilization rate of slag, phosphogypsum, and steel slag, full solid waste groups (ultrafine grinding group A, B, C and ungrinding group E) and full cement group D were used to prepare concrete in laboratory experiments. The influence laws of grinding and dosage on the slump, compressive strength, and pore structure of concrete were studied. The results showed that the slump of group E was the largest, reaching 216 mm. At the curing age of 3 days, the strength of group D was the greatest, with a value of 31.77 MPa, while group E was the smallest, with a value of 15.6 MPa. The compressive strength of groups A, B, and C was much higher than that of ungrinding group E, which indicated that ultrafine grinding had an excellent effect on improving the early strength of concrete. Within the curing age of 28 days, the early compressive strength of group A with the minimum amount of ultrafine slag powder was the highest, reaching 40.2 MPa. The compressive strength of group C was the highest at the curing age of 60 and 90 days, which were 43.2 and 45 MPa, respectively. The formation of ettringite was the main source of concrete early strength. Ettringite and C-S-H gel were generated in large amounts and intertwined with each other; the hydration product structure of the ultrafine grinding groups was denser, the paste structure was filled more fully, the pores were smaller, and the concrete compressive strength was greater.

Based on panel data from 278 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2021, this study constructed a multi-period difference-in-difference model to empirically test the impact of the launch of public data open platforms on regional carbon productivity. Empirical evidence shows that the launch of public data open platforms can significantly improve carbon productivity. Public data openness mainly promotes carbon productivity through information effects, resource allocation effects, and green management effects. In terms of heterogeneity, public data openness can promote green transformation in cities with high marketization, “two control zones” cities, and resource-based cities better. Further research shows that government intervention plays a “quantitative change leads to qualitative change” role in the impact of information effects on carbon productivity, and a “positive U-shaped” non-linear role in the impact of human resource allocation on carbon productivity.