Self-assembly of metal-polyphenolic network on biomass for enhanced organic contaminant capturing from water with a high cost-to-benefit ratio.

Nanomaterials present a vast potential as functional materials in environmental engineering. However, there are challenges with nanocomplex for recyclability, reliable/stable, and scale-up industrial integration. Here, a versatile, low-cost, stable and recycled easily metal-polyphenolic-based material carried by wood powder (bioCar-MPNs) adsorption platform was nano-engineered by a simple, fast self-assembly strategy, in which wood powder is an excellent substrate serving as a scaffold and stabilizer to prevent the nanocomplex from aggregating and is easier to recycle. Life cycle analysis highlights a green preparation process and environmental sustainability for bioCar-MPNs. The metal-polyphenolic nanocomplex coated on the wood surface in bioCar-MPNs presents a remarkable surface adsorption property (1829.4 mg/g) at a low cost (2.4 US dollars per 1000 g bioCar-MPNs) for organic dye. Quartz crystal microbalance analysis (QCM) demonstrates an existing strong affinity between polyphenols and organic dyes. Furthermore, Independent Gradient Model (IGM) and Hirshfeld surface analysis reveal the presence of the electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonding. Meanwhile, adsorption efficiency of bioCar-MPNs maintains over 95% in the presence of co-existing ions (Na+, 0.5 M). Importantly, the reasonable utilization of biomass for water treatment can contribute to achieving the high-value and resource utilization of biomass materials.

Microplastics pollution: Economic loss and actions needed.

•Microplastic pollution threats environmental and human health.•The resolution of End Plastic Pollution promotes the global strategy against plastic pollution.•The governments should launch relevant policies to implement this resolution.

PM emissions - assessment of combustion energy transfer with Schizochytrium sp. algal biodiesel and blends in IC engine.

The continuous growing demand for fossil fuel puts an enormous pressure on finding a better replacement. This research paper explores the detailed information on the improved production, emission and performance characteristics of the distinct bio-oil derived from the micro algae of Schizochytrium. The algae were grown in the artificial seawater with enough nitrogen supply at the required standard conditions. The lipid growth and production of the bio-oil were monitored closely and measured. Different fuel blends were used at different concentrations as B0 (100% Diesel), B10 (10% schizochytrium biofuel +90% diesel), B20 (20% schizochytrium biofuel +80% diesel) and B30 (30% schizochytrium biofuel +70% diesel). A small single cylinder, four stroke diesel engine was used to conduct the tests. All tests were conducted at different speed conditions of 1200 rpm to 2100 rpm in six intervals. The performance qualities of bio-oil such as CO, NOX, and smoke and CO2 emission along with the performance qualities of brake thermal efficiency and brake specific fuel consumption. Form the results, the Schizochytrium microalgae bio-oil as the bio fuel for diesel engines in the moderate level showed the improved performance by increasing the BTE and reducing the harmful gas emissions except NOX. However, the emission level of NOX was slightly higher than the diesel emitted value. The difference between them was negligible.

Combined effect of CO2 concentration and low-cost urea repletion/starvation in Chlorella vulgaris for ameliorating growth metrics, total and non-polar lipid accumulation and fatty acid composition.

Different CO2 concentration such as 0.03, 5, 10 and 15% and low-cost urea repletion/starvation in Chlorella vulgaris on growth, total and non-polar lipid content and fatty acid composition was studied. Chlorella vulgaris grown at 0.03% CO2 apparently revealed inferior biomass yield 0.55 g/L on 14th day compared to CO2 supplemented cells. In the case of CO2 supply, 15% CO2 has unveiled higher biomass yield at about 1.83 g/L on day 12 whereas biomass yield for 5 and 10% CO2 supplemented cells was 1.61 and 1.73 g/L, respectively on 12th day of cultivation. The biomass productivity (g) per liter per day was 32 mg in control condition whereas it was 125, 134 and 144 mg/L/d in 5, 10 and 15% CO2 supplied cells, respectively. Lipid content of the strain grown at control, 5, 10 and 15% CO2 was 21.2, 22.1, 23.4 and 24.6%, respectively and however, without CO2 addition in low-cost urea repleted and urea depleted medium grown cells revealed 21.2 and 24.2%, respectively. Interestingly, strain grown at 15% CO2 supply in urea deplete medium yielded 28.7% lipid and contribution of non-polar lipids in total lipids is 69.7%. Further, the fatty acid composition of the strain grown in 15% CO2 supply in urea depleted medium showed C16:0, C16:1, C18:1 and C18:3 in the level of 30.12, 9.98, 23.43, and 11.97%, respectively compared to control and urea amended condition.

An assessment of agricultural waste cellulosic biofuel for improved combustion and emission characteristics.

The need for an alternative fuel has been growing swiftly owing to the extravagant use of fossil fuels as a sole energy source for all purposes. This paper investigates the performance, emission and noise characteristics of cellulosic biofuel. A series of tests were conducted in a single cylinder, four stroke DI engine to determine the performance measuring factors such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake power (BP), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and emission factors such as CO emission, NO emission, CO2 emission and smoke and then, the HC emission rates were also measured. All tests were carried out at different load conditions of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% with the constant speed of 1500 rpm. The fuel blends taken for the tests were diesel, E5, E10, E15 and E20. The E20 comparatively showed lower performance than all other fuel blends. However, when considering CO and smoke emission, the E20 fuel blends produced better reduced emission. The lower-level ethanol diesel blend showed better BT as well as BTE and BSFC. From the above findings, it is clear and evident that cellulosic biodiesel blends can be an optimal solution to meet the ongoing energy demands.

Bamboo grid versus polyvinyl chloride as packing material in cooling tower: Energy efficiency and environmental impact assessment.

As an abundant and fast-growing biomass, bamboo can be used as construction materials owing to its desirable physical and mechanical properties, environmentally friendly features, and alternative to replace toxic and hazardous wastes in industrial processing. In this study, grid material made from bamboo (termed 'bamboo grid') was developed and compared to commercially used polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as packing material in cooling towers; PVC packing has drawbacks such as fouling, deposit buildup, low durability, and is harmful to environments. The cooling capacity, energy efficiency and environmental impact of bamboo grid packing were evaluated via life cycle assessment (LCA), particularly the cumulative energy demand (CED) and the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES). Although the thermal performance of the PVC packing was found higher than that of the bamboo grid packing, the bamboo grid packing showed improved resistance characteristic, recording a total saving of 529.2 tons of standard coal during a six-month field test in a real thermal power generation plant. LCA results revealed that the utilization of bamboo-grid packing to replace PVC packing in cooling towers reduced total CED from 3420 MJ to 561 MJ per functional unit, achieving 6 times reduction. A desirable reduction ranging from 1.5 to 10.5 times was also recorded for the BEES indices. This LCA comparison analysis confirmed the improvement of energy efficiency and reduction of environmental impact by using the bamboo grid to replace PVC as packing material in cooling towers. The major environmental impact (BEES) indices (e.g., the total Global warming potential, Acidification, Eutrophication and Smog) were reduced by 1.5-10.5 times via the use of bamboo grid. The results demonstrate that bamboo grid packing is a good alternative to replace existing grid packing materials such as concrete and PVC that are harmful to human health and environments.