Liquefaction of Biomass and Upgrading of Bio-Oil: A Review.

The liquefaction of biomass is an important technology to converse the biomass into valuable biofuel. The common technologies for liquefaction of biomass are indirect liquefaction and direct liquefaction. The indirect liquefaction refers to the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process using the syngas of biomass as the raw material to produce the liquid fuel, including methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and dimethyl ether. The direct liquefaction of biomass refers to the conversion biomass into bio-oil, and the main technologies are hydrolysis fermentation and thermodynamic liquefaction. For thermodynamic liquefaction, it could be divided into fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction. In addition, this review provides an overview of the physicochemical properties and common upgrading methods of bio-oil.

Entangled stakeholder roles and perceptions of sustainable consumption: An evaluation of sustainable consumption practices in Tianjin, China.

Sustainable consumption and production are considered to be fundamental ways to solve problems with environmental resources that human beings are facing. There is a broad consensus that promoting sustainable consumption requires the joint efforts of different social actors. This paper aims to define the roles of different stakeholders and the relationships between them, and then establish a modeling framework to analyze those relationships between stakeholders, which include members of government, business, consumer, mass media, environmental non-government organizations, education and research institutions, financial markets, etc. The research found that members of government, business, and consumers make up the core stakeholder network. The modeling framework could be used to evaluate sustainable consumption practices and identify deficiencies that would assist in defining better trajectories. This paper describes the evaluation of sustainable consumption practice in Tianjin, China from a stakeholder perspective to show how the modeling framework can function. According to this analysis, the following six actions may promote sustainable consumption practices in areas like Tianjin: 1) the cultivation of a consciousness of sustainable consumption, 2) the exemplary role of government, 3) a series of laws, regulations, and policies, 4) a thorough sustainable consumption action plan, 5) an insistence on sustainable production and consumption by businesses and consumers, and 6) the concerted efforts of various stakeholders.

Performance analysis of CO(2) emissions and energy efficiency of metal industries in China.

Nonferrous metal industries play an important role in China's national economy and are some of the country's largest energy consumers. To better understand the nature of CO(2) emissions from these industries and to further move towards low-carbon development in this industry sector, this study investigates the CO(2) emissions of 12 nonferrous metal industries from 2003 to 2010 based on their life-cycle assessments. It then classifies these industries into four "emission-efficiency" types through cluster analysis. The results show that (1) the industrial economy and energy consumption of China's nonferrous metal industries have grown rapidly, although their recent energy consumption rate shows a declining trend. (2) The copper, aluminum, zinc, lead, and magnesium industries, classified as high-emission industries, are the main contributors of CO(2) emissions. The results have implications for policy decisions that aim to enhance energy efficiency, particularly for promoting the transformation of low-efficiency industries to high-efficiency ones. The study also highlights the important role of policy development in technological innovations, optimization, and upgrades, the reduction of coal proportion in energy consumption, and the advancement of new energy sources.

From prospecting to mining: A review of enabling technologies, LCAs, and LCCAs for improved construction and demolition waste management.

Knowledge gained from anthropogenic resource prospecting can shed light on the theoretical potential of secondary resources stored in anthropogenic systems. Among others, secondary resources accumulated in the built environment account for a big fraction of anthropogenic resources, indicating great potential for urban mining. However, realizing these opportunities and developing urban mining strategies will require a comprehensive understanding of the technical viability of urban mining technologies, and how their implementation will affect the technical, economic, and environmental performance of a construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management system. To address these important issues, this review summarizes (1) current and emerging technologies that can enable the transition from anthropogenic resource prospecting to anthropogenic resource mining, (2) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) results to date on various C&DW management systems, (3) key parameters that govern the technical, economic, and environmental performance of a C&DW management system, and (4) opportunities for improving the methodology of LCAs and LCCAs for future C&DW management. We find that enhancing the utility of extant LCAs and LCCAs in guiding technology deployment and policy decisions can be achieved by considering key parameters governing the techno-economic and environmental performance of C&DW management. In addition, it is critical to adopt and upscale emerging technologies to increase the added value of materials or products recovered from C&DW.

Effect of operating parameters on hydrothermal liquefaction of corn straw and its life cycle assessment.

As the shortage of non-renewable fossil fuels, the renewable fuels should be further developed. Biomass energy has emerged the great utilization potential, and liquefaction of biomass is a typical technology. This paper studied the effect of the operation parameters on the hydrothermal liquefaction of corn straw using a batch reactor, including liquefaction temperature, initial pressure, retention time, solvent, and catalyst. The optimal liquefaction conditions for corn straw were 300 °C under 4 MPa for 15 min using the mixture of water and methanol as the solvent. After the addition of catalyst, NKC-11 catalyst showed the excellent performance, and the primary components were phenol and derivatives, alkane, furan, and the low concentration of organic acids. Lastly, the life cycle assessment on the hydrothermal liquefaction of corn straw for bio-oil production was executed. The results of LCA suggested that a net 1.31 kg of CO2 equivalent was produced for 1 kg of bio-oil product without considering syngas, while the value changed to 13.03 kg with considering syngas. Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis further suggested that the syngas was a key factor on the environmental impacts in the hydrothermal liquefaction of corn straw process.

Display of alpha-amylase on the surface of Corynebacterium glutamicum cells by using NCgl1221 as the anchoring protein, and production of glutamate from starch.

We developed a new cell surface display system in Corynebacterium glutamicum based on the C-terminally truncated NCgl1221 anchor protein to increase L-glutamate production from starch directly. The C-terminally truncated NCgl1221 protein is a mutant NCgl1221 and leads to the constitutive export of L-glutamate. The N terminus of alpha-amylase (AmyA) was fused to truncated NCgl1221, and the resulting fusion protein was expressed on the cell surface by IPTG induction. Localization of the fusion protein was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analysis. The results of L-glutamate fermentation showed that the soluble starch was utilized to grow and produce L-glutamate by the recombinant strain displaying AmyA. The amount of soluble starch was reduced from 30.0 +/- 2.8 to 4.5 +/- 0.7 g/l under non-inducing condition and from 50.0 +/- 2.4 to 12.5 +/- 1.1 g/l under biotin limitation in 36 h. The glutamate concentration in the medium was transiently increased in 14 h under no induction, while under biotin-limiting condition, glutamate production was continuously elevated during fermentation. The amount of glutamate reached 19.3 +/- 2.1 g/l after 26 h of fermentation with biotin limitation, which was greater than that produced by the strain using PgsA, one of the poly-gamma-glutamate synthetase complexes, as the anchor protein under the same condition. Therefore, the truncated NCgl1221 anchor protein has more advantages than the PgsA anchor protein in glutamate fermentation because truncated NCgl1221 leads to the constitutive export of L-glutamate without any treatments.

Effective removal of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution by biochar supported manganese sulfide.

In order to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) efficiently and simplify the adsorbent preparation process, we employed a single step method to prepare a new biochar supported manganese sulfide material. The nanoscale MnS particles were highly soldered on the biochar support surface, and this adsorbent displayed the effective removal of Cr(vi) (98.15 mg L-1) via synergistic effect between adsorption and reduction/precipitation under weak acid conditions (pH = 5.0-6.0). The adsorption kinetic data were described well by the pseudo second-order kinetic model, suggesting that the reaction process was a chemisorption process. The adsorption isotherm data were described well by the Redlich-Peterson model, further suggesting that this reaction was a hybrid chemical reaction-sorption process. In addition, the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model with 8.28, 8.57, and 12.91 kJ mol-1 adsorption energy also suggests that it was a chemisorption process. The simple and eco-friendly preparation process, low-cost, and the high removal efficiency could make it a promising material for the purification of Cr(vi)-contaminated wastewater.

A Bayesian modeling approach for phosphorus load apportionment in a reservoir with high water transfer disturbance.

Phosphorus loading from external and internal sources poses a potential risk to eutrophication of lakes or reservoirs. However, the relative contribution of external and internal sources to eutrophication is still unclear especially for reservoirs with water transfer disturbance. The objective of this paper is to estimate the phosphorus loading from external (water transfer and diffusing emission) and internal sources (sediment release) in Yuqiao Reservoir (YQR) and compare their relative contribution of external and internal sources. In this study, we estimated the phosphorus loading considering both external (water transfer and diffusing source emission) and internal (release from sediment) sources of YQR. The phosphorus loading from water transfer was estimated by total phosphorus (TP) concentration × monthly flow of inflow. The phosphorus loading from nonpoint source emission was estimated using a generalized watershed loading function (GWLF). The phosphorus loading from internal sources was estimated with a Bayesian phosphorus budget model. Our result showed that water transfer TP load is the biggest (45.2%) source of TP load in YQR and internal TP load (20.5%) accounts for a comparable proportion of TP load as nonpoint source (34.3%) in YQR and dominates the total loading in some months. Analysis of seasonal total phosphorus load apportionment indicated that water transfer TP load takes the largest proportion in winter (60.8%), spring (60.2%), and autumn (47.8%). Nonpoint source TP load takes the largest proportion in summer (60.1%), and internal TP load is the second source of YQR in summer (22.4%). Our study indicates that water transfer may be the major driver of eutrophication for some reservoir systems, and sediment release may prevent recovery of many eutrophic lakes and reservoirs. Our analysis suggests that TP pollution control strategies in YQR should be preferentially focused on the improvement of water quality in the upstream reservoir, and nonpoint source TP load reductions should be focused on summer. Compared with conventional nutrient apportionment model applications, this paper provides a new approach to estimate external and internal TP loads simultaneously. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Water Environment Assessment as an Ecological Red Line Management Tool for Marine Wetland Protection.

A 'red line' was established, identifying an area requiring for ecological protection in Tianjin, China. Within the protected area of the red line area, the Qilihai wetland is an important ecotope with complex ecological functions, although the ecosystem is seriously disturbed due to anthropogenic activities in the surrounding areas. This study assesses the water quality status of the Qilihai wetlands to identify the pollution sources and potential improvements based on the ecological red line policy, to improve and protect the waters of the Qilihai wetlands. An indicator system was established to assess water quality status using single factor evaluation and a comprehensive evaluation method, supported by data from 2010 to 2013. Assessment results show that not all indicators met the requirement of the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB3838-2002) and that overall, waters in the Qilihai wetland were seriously polluted. Based on these findings we propose restrictions on all polluting anthropogenic activities in the red line area and implementation of restoration projects to improve water quality.

A water quality management strategy for regionally protected water through health risk assessment and spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution in 3 marine reserves.

Severe water pollution and resource scarcity is a major problem in China, where it is necessary to establish water quality-oriented monitoring and intelligent watershed management. In this study, an effective watershed management method is explored, in which water quality is first assessed using the heavy metal pollution index and the human health risk index, and then by classifying the pollution and management grade based on cluster analysis and GIS visualization. Three marine reserves in Tianjin were selected and analyzed, namely the Tianjin Ancient Coastal Wetland National Nature Reserve (Qilihai Natural Reserve), the Tianjin DaShentang Oyster Reef National Marine Special Reserve (DaShentang Reserve), and the Tianjin Coastal Wetland National Marine Special Reserve (BinHai Wetland Reserve) which is under construction. The water quality and potential human health risks of 5 heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg, Cr) in the three reserves were assessed using the Nemerow index and USEPA methods. Moreover, ArcGIS10.2 software was used to visualize the heavy metal index and display their spatial distribution. Cluster analysis enabled classification of the heavy metals into 4 categories, which allowed for identification of the heavy metals whose pollution index and health risks were highest, and, thus, whose control in the reserve is a priority. Results indicate that heavy metal pollution exists in the Qilihai Natural Reserve and in the north and east of the DaShentang Reserve; furthermore, human health risks exist in the Qilihai Natural Reserve and in the BinHai Wetland Reserve. In each reserve, the main factor influencing the pollution and health risk were high concentrations of As and Pb that exceed the corresponding standards. Measures must be adopted to control and remediate the pollutants. Furthermore, to protect the marine reserves, management policies must be implemented to improve water quality, which is an urgent task for both local and national governments.

Contrasting Eutrophication Risks and Countermeasures in Different Water Bodies: Assessments to Support Targeted Watershed Management.

Eutrophication is a major problem in China. To combat this issue, the country needs to establish water quality targets, monitoring systems, and intelligent watershed management. This study explores a new watershed management method. Water quality is first assessed using a single factor index method. Then, changes in total nitrogen/total phosphorus (TN/TP) are analyzed to determine the limiting factor. Next, the study compares the eutrophication status of two water function districts, using a comprehensive nutritional state index method and geographic information system (GIS) visualization. Finally, nutrient sources are qualitatively analyzed. Two functional water areas in Tianjin, China were selected and analyzed: Qilihai National Wetland Nature Reserve and Yuqiao Reservoir. The reservoir is a drinking water source. Results indicate that total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) pollution are the main factors driving eutrophication in the Qilihai Wetland and Yuqiao Reservoir. Phosphorus was the limiting factor in the Yuqiao Reservoir; nitrogen was the limiting factor in the Qilihai Wetland. Pollution in Qilihai Wetland is more serious than in Yuqiao Reservoir. The study found that external sources are the main source of pollution. These two functional water areas are vital for Tianjin; as such, the study proposes targeted management measures.

Structure-Activity Relationship of Membrane-Targeting Cationic Ligands on a Silver Nanoparticle Surface in an Antibiotic-Resistant Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity Assay.

To explore the structure-activity relationship of membrane-targeting cationic ligands on a silver nanoparticle surface in an antibiotic-resistant antibacterial and antibiofilm activity assay, a series of functionalized silver nanocomposites were synthesized. Tuning the structural configuration, molecular weight, and side-chain length of the cationic ligands on the nanoparticle surface provided silver nanocomposites with effective antibacterial activity against both antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including bacterial biofilms. These silver nanocomposites did not trigger hemolytic activity. Significantly, the bacteria did not develop resistance to the obtained nanocomposites even after 30 generations. A study of the antibacterial mechanism confirmed that these nanocomposites could irreversibly disrupt the membrane structure of bacteria and effectively inhibit intracellular enzyme activity, ultimately leading to bacterial death. The silver nanocomposites (64 µg/mL) could eradicate 80% of an established antibiotic-resistant bacterial biofilm. The strong structure-activity relationship toward antibacterial and antibiofilm activity suggests that variations in the conformational property of the functional ligand could be valuable in the discovery of new nano-antibacterial agents for treating pathogenic bacterial infections.

[Mass spectrometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in HCV infected patients].

AIM: To investigate the diversity of proteins' pattern of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, identify the differentially expressed proteins and analyze their roles in the mechanism of chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: The total proteins from PBMCs in HCV infected patients (28) and healthy persons (10) were separated by the immobilized pH gradient-based 2-DE. The differentially expressed proteins were screened by PDQuest analysis software, and then identified by peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and database searching. RESULTS: 2-DE results showed that the mean number of protein spots in HCV infected patients and healthy persons was 625 and 614. Twelve differential proteins were tested by MALDI-TOF-MS, and 10 of them were identified. Some of the proteins participated in protein synthesis and degradation, signal transduction, metabolism, or cytoskeleton construction while some of them were proteins of virus. CONCLUSION: 2-DE pattern of PBMCs from HCV infected patients or healthy persons has been established and ten differentially expressed proteins has been characterized. Our study is helpful for clinical detection of HCV infection and further research into the mechanisms of chronic hepatitis C.