Removal of phenol from wastewater using Luffa cylindrica fibers in a packed bed column: Optimization, isotherm and kinetic studies.

This research entails a comparison of the effectiveness of unmodified Luffa cylindrica fiber in a fully packed bed (RLCF) and NaOH-modified Luffa cylindrica fiber in another fully packed bed (MLCF) in the context of phenol removal from wastewater. Experimental data obtained through batch adsorption experiments were utilized to determine the most suitable model. It was observed that as the initial concentration of phenol increased from 100 to 500 mg/l, the maximum percentage removal increased from 63.5 to 83.1% for RLCF-PB and from 89.9 to 99.5% for MLCF-PB. The correlation coefficient (R2) was calculated for the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Harkin-Jura, Halsey, and Flory-Huggins models for both materials. The analysis revealed that the pseudo-second-order model was the most suitable, followed by the Elovich model, with the pseudo-first-order model being the least suitable. The Weber-Morris diffusion model suggested that pore diffusion was the rate-determining step, and diffusion at the border layer was determined to be endothermic, feasible, heterogeneous, and spontaneous. In summary, this study indicates that MLCF-PB is a promising material for the efficient removal of phenol from aqueous solutions.

Management of sugar dust in the sugar industry.

Sugar dust poses significant risks in the sugar industry, threatening workers' safety and health as well as the potential for explosions and fires. The combustibility of sugar dust arises from its small, lightweight particles that disperse easily and ignite readily. Effective management strategies are essential to ensuring a safe work environment and preventing accidents. This perspective article provides an overview of sugar dust management in the global sugar industry. Various methods are employed to collect and manage sugar dust, including dust collectors, air handling systems, and proper housekeeping procedures. Advancements like electrostatic precipitators, high-efficiency particulate air filters, and self-cleaning dust collection systems show promise for future management. Utilizing both artificial intelligence and nanotechnology can also contribute to minimizing the concentrations of sugar dust in facilities. Stringent regulations and guidelines exist to control dust explosions in the industry. Implementation of robust safety measures and training programs significantly curbs the economic and environmental toll of sugar dust explosions. The paper concludes with recommendations to address sugar dust challenges, including enhanced regulation, investment in technology and research, and improved collaboration among industry stakeholders. These measures will mitigate hazards, ensure worker well-being, and safeguard the sugar industry's operations.

Effect of light on concomitant sequestration of Cu(II) and photodegradation of tetracycline by H-MOR/H-ß/H-ZSM5 zeolites.

It is important that a pollution remediation system be able to cater for a variety of pollutant species present in the water to be treated. The aim of this study was to utilise a series of commercial zeolites (H-MOR, H-ß, and H-ZSM5) for the concomitant adsorption and photodegradation of Cu2+ and tetracycline (TC) molecules. The adsorbent cum photocatalyst was characterised by SEM and FTIR. FTIR confirmed the key functional groups (Si-O-Si and Al-O-Si) in the series of zeolites, and H-ß zeolite was demonstrated to be the most effective adsorbent cum photocatalyst for both adsorption and photodegradation of Cu2+ and TC molecules. These results were further corroborated from the pseudo-first-order rate constant values. Among the investigated zeolites, H-ZSM5 displayed the least adsorption and photodegradation performance for Cu2+ and TC molecules. The photolysis reaction confirms the significant role of zeolites in the photodegradation test, as low performance was recorded in the absence of the zeolites.

Photocatalytic remediation of methylene blue using hydrothermally synthesized H-Titania and Na-Titania nanotubes.

Although nanotube is among the most effective morphology of Titania due to its unilateral pathway for photo-generated charge transfer and mechanical stability, its performance is still hampered by high recombination. In the present study, to further improve the photocatalytic degradation performance of Titania, univalent elements of H and Na were respectively ion-exchanged into the Titania nanotubes (TNTs). The photocatalyst was characterized using XRD, TEM, ICP-AES, and FTIR. The modified samples displayed enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance over Degussa TiO2 under UV-A light illumination of MB. The rate constants of NaTNT and HTNT were 16 and 13 times that of Degussa TiO2. Specifically, the Na-TNTs showed better photocatalytic degradation activity than H-TNTs with a rate constant of 0.12 min-1 while the latter showed 0.09 min-1. The optimum adsorption and photocatalytic performance of NaTNT were determined at pH 6 achieving about 99% MB removal within 10 min of irradiation. The ion exchange NaTNT displayed excellent reusability after the fifth cycle of the photocatalytic tests and superoxide radicals were experimentally determined to be the main reactive oxygen species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of MB.