Metabolic flux network and analysis of fermentative hydrogen production.

Fermentative hydrogen production (FHP) has received a great R & D interest in recent decades, as it offers a potential means of producing H2 from a variety of renewable resources, even wastewater via a low energy continuous process. Various extracellular metabolites including ethanol, acetate, butyrate and lactate can be produced during the fermentation, building a complex metabolic network of the FHP. Except for the recognition of its complexity, the metabolic flux network has not been well understood. Studies on biochemical reactions and metabolic flux network associated with the FHP in anaerobic fermentation system have only been drawn attention in recent years. This review summarizes the biochemical reactions taking place in the metabolic network of FHP. We discuss how the key operation factors influence metabolism in the FHP process. Recently developed and applied technologies for metabolic flux analysis have been described. Future studies on the metabolic network to enhance fermentative hydrogen production by strict anaerobes are recommended. It is expected that this review can provide useful information in terms of fundamental knowledge and update technology for scientists and research engineers in the field of biological hydrogen production.

Recent developments in photocatalytic water treatment technology: a review.

In recent years, semiconductor photocatalytic process has shown a great potential as a low-cost, environmental friendly and sustainable treatment technology to align with the "zero" waste scheme in the water/wastewater industry. The ability of this advanced oxidation technology has been widely demonstrated to remove persistent organic compounds and microorganisms in water. At present, the main technical barriers that impede its commercialisation remained on the post-recovery of the catalyst particles after water treatment. This paper reviews the recent R&D progresses of engineered-photocatalysts, photoreactor systems, and the process optimizations and modellings of the photooxidation processes for water treatment. A number of potential and commercial photocatalytic reactor configurations are discussed, in particular the photocatalytic membrane reactors. The effects of key photoreactor operation parameters and water quality on the photo-process performances in terms of the mineralization and disinfection are assessed. For the first time, we describe how to utilize a multi-variables optimization approach to determine the optimum operation parameters so as to enhance process performance and photooxidation efficiency. Both photomineralization and photo-disinfection kinetics and their modellings associated with the photocatalytic water treatment process are detailed. A brief discussion on the life cycle assessment for retrofitting the photocatalytic technology as an alternative waste treatment process is presented. This paper will deliver a scientific and technical overview and useful information to scientists and engineers who work in this field.

Enhancing removal efficiency of anionic dye by combination and calcination of clay materials and calcium hydroxide.

We explored a feasible approach to enhance removal capacity of three natural clays for removing anionic dye from aqueous solution. Optimal mixing proportions of the clay materials and temperature range for the calcination were investigated. We found that the removal efficiency can be improved significantly when the clay materials were mixed at certain ratio with the addition of lime and the mixed clay materials were calcined 100-300 degrees C. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of initial concentration, material dosage, contact time and pH on dye elimination. Kinetic study showed that more than 80% dye removal took place in 5 min. A high removal capacity (>575 mg g(-1)) of the mixed clay materials can be achieved at a low adsorbent dose. The mixed clay materials can be easily recovered by thermal treatment. The recovered mixtures demonstrated an enhanced removal capability after a few cycles of removal and regeneration. The results revealed that use of these clay materials could develop a low-cost treatment process for industrial wastewater.