Recovering struvite from livestock wastewater by fluidized-bed homogeneous crystallization as a pre-treatment process to sludge co-digestion.

Livestock wastewater can contain high levels of phosphates and trace amounts of various ionic species harming the environment and human health. These ions can be successfully removed from livestock effluent and recovered in a non-toxic crystal form via crystallization. The fluidized bed homogeneous crystallization (FBHC) technology is a cutting-edge pretreatment method that removes phosphate and ammonium by crystallizing struvite. The findings demonstrated a 37% removal for ammonium solutions alone, 38% with copper, 35% with zinc, and 33% when copper and zinc were present, while the crystallization efficiency was achieved at 35%, 33% with copper, 28% with zinc, and 26% with copper and zinc. For phosphate-containing solutions, 95% was removed, 81% with copper, 96% with zinc, and 88% with copper and zinc. Similarly, crystallization efficiency was attained at 87%, 60% with copper, 94% with zinc, and 81% when copper and zinc were combined with phosphates. For ammonium solutions, copper and zinc reduced the removal and crystallization efficiency at constant pH and increased at increasing pH. For phosphate solutions, the removal and crystallization efficiencies increased at increasing pH. However, zinc ions resulted in the highest removal, and crystallization efficiency for phosphate solutions was attained. Based on SEM, EDS, XRD, and XPS analyses, the peaks revealed the presence of struvite in the form of magnesium ammonium phosphate.

Disinfection efficiency of hospital infectious disease wards with chlorine dioxide and hypochlorous acid.

The disinfection efficiencies of two chemical disinfectants, chlorine dioxide and weak acid hypochlorous water (WAHW), were examined in the soiled room and dishwashing room of a hospital infectious disease ward in Taiwan. The investigations were conducted in two seasons, namely winter and summer, in order to examine the correlation between the bioaerosol concentration and the environmental factors. In addition, a single-daily disinfection mode (SM) and a twice-daily disinfection mode (TM) were applied in this study. The results showed that the bacteria and fungi colony counts were strongly correlated with the temperature. Both disinfectants reduced the bacteria and fungi concentrations in the considered rooms. However, of the two disinfectants, the ClO2 showed a stronger disinfection effect than the WAHW. It means that when using ClO2 as the disinfectant, the disinfection efficiency of the TM treatment mode is significantly better than that of the SM treatment mode. But, when using WAHW as the disinfectant, no significant difference is found between the disinfection efficiencies of the two methods. Overall, the results showed that the application of ClO2 twice daily provided the most effective means of satisfying the Taiwan EPA guidelines for the indoor air quality of hospital medical wards.

Theoretical design of two-dimensional carbon nitrides.

The study of two-dimensional (2D) materials has attracted considerable attention owing to their unique but fascinating properties. Here we systematically explored 2D carbon nitride monolayer sheets via the particle swarm optimization algorithm in combination with density functional theory. As a result of structural searches, four carbon nitride monolayers are predicted with stable stoichiometries of C5N2, C2N, C3N2and CN. These predicted structures are semiconductors with an optimal band gap for solar cell application as indicated in our electronic simulations. Our current results also reveal the high tensile strengths of the predicted structures compared to known porous carbon nitride monolayer sheets. This work may provide a route for the design of 2D candidates in the application of photovoltaic materials.

Improvement of indoor air quality in pet shop using gaseous chlorine dioxide.

Many studies have shown that pet shops have a high concentration of bioaerosols. Thus, effective disinfection protocols are essential to protect the pet shop staff and visitors to the store. The present study examines the effectiveness of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) fogging in minimizing the residual bacteria and fungi levels in a typical pet shop in Taiwan consisting of a commodity area, a lodging area, and a grooming area. This investigation uses three disinfection modes (DMs) according to different disinfection periods, namely once every hour (1DM), once every 2 h (2DM), and once every 3 h (3DM). The bacteria and fungi concentrations are measured before and after disinfection treatment, and the effectiveness of each disinfection mode is evaluated using standard statistical techniques. To assess the effect of the environmental factors on the disinfection efficiency, measurements are taken of temperature, relative humidity, airflow velocity, the carbon dioxide concentration, the PM1, PM2.5, PM7, PM10, and TSP level at each sampling locations. The results reveal that the effectiveness of the three disinfection modes depends on both the environmental parameters and the use of the three areas (e.g., commodity, lodging, or grooming). Hence, the choice of disinfection method should be adjusted accordingly. For all three disinfection modes, a faster air velocity is beneficial in spreading the disinfectant throughout the indoor space and improving the disinfection performance. Overall, the results presented in this study confirm that gaseous chlorine dioxide disinfection improves the air quality in the pet shop interior, and thus beneficial in safeguarding the health of the pet shop staff and visitors.

Disinfection of indoor air microorganisms in stack room of university library using gaseous chlorine dioxide.

As with all indoor public spaces in Taiwan, the stack rooms in public libraries should meet the air quality guidelines laid down by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. Accordingly, utilizing a university library in Taiwan for experimental purposes, this study investigates the efficiency of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) as a disinfection agent when applied using three different treatment modes, namely a single-daily disinfection mode (SIM), a twice-daily disinfection mode (TWM), and a triple-daily disinfection mode (TRM). For each treatment mode, the ClO2 is applied using an ultrasonic aerosol device and is performed both under natural lighting conditions and under artificial lighting conditions. The indoor air quality is evaluated before and after each treatment session by measuring the bioaerosol levels of bacteria and fungi. The results show that for all three disinfection modes, the application of ClO2 reduces the indoor bacteria and fungi concentrations to levels lower than those specified by the Taiwan EPA (i.e., bacteria <1500 CFU/m(3), fungi <1000 CFU/m(3)), irrespective of the lighting conditions under which the disinfection process is performed. For each disinfection mode, a better disinfection efficiency is obtained under natural lighting conditions since ClO2 readily decomposes under strong luminance levels. Among the three treatment modes, the disinfection efficiencies of the TWM and TRM modes are very similar under natural lighting conditions and are significantly better than that of the SIM mode. Thus, overall, the results suggest that the TWM treatment protocol represents the most cost-effective and efficient method for meeting the indoor air quality requirements of the Taiwan EPA.

Hardness of FeB4: density functional theory investigation.

A recent experimental study reported the successful synthesis of an orthorhombic FeB4 with a high hardness of 62(5) GPa [H. Gou et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 157002 (2013)], which has reignited extensive interests on whether transition-metal borides compounds will become superhard materials. However, it is contradicted with some theoretical studies suggesting transition-metal boron compounds are unlikely to become superhard materials. Here, we examined structural and electronic properties of FeB4 using density functional theory. The electronic calculations show the good metallicity and covalent Fe-B bonding. Meanwhile, we extensively investigated stress-strain relations of FeB4 under various tensile and shear loading directions. The calculated weakest tensile and shear stresses are 40 GPa and 25 GPa, respectively. Further simulations (e.g., electron localization function and bond length along the weakest loading direction) on FeB4 show the weak Fe-B bonding is responsible for this low hardness. Moreover, these results are consistent with the value of Vickers hardness (11.7-32.3 GPa) by employing different empirical hardness models and below the superhardness threshold of 40 GPa. Our current results suggest FeB4 is a hard material and unlikely to become superhard (>40 GPa).

Heavy metals in bivalve mollusks collected from Da-Peng Bay Lagoon in south-southwestern Taiwan.

In this study, concentrations of several heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Cd) were measured in Katelysia hiantina, Anomalocardia squamosa, Perna viridis, Anadara antiquata, Paphia undulata, and Sanguinolaria diphos bivalve mollusks from Da-Peng Bay Lagoon near the south-southwestern coast of Taiwan. The metal pollution index (MPI) values were highest and lowest in winter and autumn, respectively. The MPI value in the viscera of P. viridis was higher than in muscles. In all four seasons, Zn concentrations in viscera and muscles of P. viridis were higher than for other metals. The capacities of A. squamosa to accumulate the concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Cr and of A. antiquata to accumulate concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd were significant. Analytical results suggested that A. squamosa and A. antiquata may be used as bioindicators for monitoring Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn, and Cd heavy-metal pollution in Da-Peng Bay Lagoon throughout the year.

Seasonal variations of heavy metals content in muscle and viscera of green-lipped mussel Perna viridis from Da-Peng Bay Lagoon in Taiwan.

As a natural lagoon, rich in biological resources including fish, crabs, and bivalves, Da-Peng Bay Lagoon receives the discharges from the neighboring rivers, Kao-ping, Dong-gang, and Lin-Bian, which have harmed the ecology and reduced the water quality of the lagoon. This study analyzes seasonal variation of heavy metals concentration (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the muscle and viscera of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis from Da-Peng Bay Lagoon. Data from this study may provide information on the use of Perna viridis as a bioindicator for heavy metals pollution in the lagoon. The heavy metals concentrations were greater in viscera than in muscles of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis. Results showed that the mussel is capable of accumulating high contents of Cu and Zn. Generally, the order of concentrations in the muscle by season was Zn > Cu > Cr or As. In viscera, the general order of concentrations was Zn > Cu > Pb or Cr or As. Mercury was not detected in winter and spring in muscle and viscera. Cadmium displayed significant variation with season. There was also significant correlation between tissue concentration and heavy metals, including Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, and As.

Kinetic study of acetaminophen degradation by visible light photocatalysis.

In this work, a novel photocatalyst K3[Fe(CN)6]/TiO2 synthesized via a simple sol-gel method was utilized to degrade acetaminophen (ACT) under visible light with the use of blue and green LED lights. Parameters (medium pH, initial concentration of reactant, catalyst concentration, temperature, and number of blue LED lights) affecting photocatalytic degradation of ACT were also investigated. The experimental result showed that compared to commercially available Degussa P-25 (DP-25) photocatalyst, K3[Fe(CN)6]/TiO2 gave higher degradation efficiency and rate constant (kapp) of ACT. The degradation efficiency or kapp decreased with increasing initial ACT concentration and temperature, but increased with increased number of blue LED lamps. Additionally, kapp increased as initial pH was increased from 5.6 to 6.9, but decreased at a high alkaline condition (pH 8.3). Furthermore, the degradation efficiency and kapp of ACT increased as K3[Fe(CN)6]/TiO2 loading was increased to 1 g L(-1) but decreased and eventually leveled off at photocatalyst loading above this value. Photocatalytic degradation of ACT in K3[Fe(CN)6]/TiO2 catalyst system follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation was also satisfactorily used to model the degradation of ACT in K3[Fe(CN)6]/TiO2 catalyst system indicated by a satisfactory linear correlation between 1/kapp and Co, with kini = 6.54 × 10(-4) mM/min and KACT = 17.27 mM(-1).

Tributyltin distribution and producing androgenic activity in water, sediment, and fish muscle.

This study investigated the concentrations of Tributyltin (TBT) in water, sediment, and fish muscle samples taken from Kaohsiung Harbor and Kaoping River estuary, Taiwan. TBT concentrations in water and sediment samples ranged from less than 18.5 to 34.1 ng Sn L(-1) and from 2.44 to 29.7 ng Sn g(-1) weight per weight (w/w), respectively. Concentrations in the TBT-contaminated fish muscle samples ranged from 10.8 to 79.6 ng Sn g(-1) w/w. The TBT concentrations in fish muscle were higher than those in water and sediment samples. The fish muscle/water TBT bioconcentration factor (BCF) ranged from 590 to 3363 L kg(-1). Additionally, the water samples were assessed for androgenic activity with an MCF7-AR1 human breast cancer cell line. The androgenic activity ranged from 0.94 to 3.1 ng-dihydrotestosterone per litre water (ng-DHT L(-1)). Higher concentrations of TBT in water and sediment samples occurred in the dry season, but the androgenic activity had higher values in the rainy season.

Effect of the iron oxide catalyst on o-toluidine oxidation by the fluidized-bed fenton process.

This study investigates the effects of the Fe2+ concentration and synthetic iron oxide catalysts on o-toluidine degradation using a fluidized-bed Fenton process. The mineralization ofo-toluidine in the synthetic catalyst system is also examined. The H3.5 and H7.3 Fe/SiO2 and A7.8 and A 12.5 Fe/SiO2 catalysts were successfully synthesized by adding H202 and injecting air process, respectively. The optimum initial ferrous ion concentration for degradation of 1 mM o-toluidine was 1 mM. Experimental results reveal that 1 mM o-toluidine can be 100% degraded at 60 and 120 min in the modified fluidized-bed Fenton process with A7.8 Fe/SiO2 and the conventional fluidized-bed Fenton process with SiO2 carrier, respectively, when the optimum conditions of 1mM Fe2+ and 17mM H202 at pH 3 were used. The A7.8 Fe/SiO2 catalyst had a stronger oxidation ability than the H3.5 Fe/SiO2, H7.3 Fe/SiO2 and A12.5 Fe/SiO2 catalysts, and was attributed to the high iron content on the surface of the SiO2 support. The Fenton and Fenton-like reactions occurred in the A7.8 Fe/SiO2 catalyst system. Degradation of o-toluidine in the Fenton-like process follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. The A7.8 Fe/SiO2 catalyst efficiently enhanced o-toluidine oxidation under the pH range of 2-4.

Application of Fered-Fenton process for m-phenylenediamine degradation.

This study was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of applying the Fered-Fenton process to the degradation of m-phenylenediamine, by examining the effect of varying the initial H2O2 and Fe(2+) concentrations, the initial pH and electric current on the process efficiency. The degradation behavior of m-phenylenediamine was also compared to that of aniline. The Fered-Fenton reactor consists of anodes and cathodes with mesh-type titanium metal coated with IrO2/RuO2 and stainless steel, respectively. The experiments showed that m-phenylenediamine was rapidly degraded by the Fered-Fenton process. Initial pH of 3.2 is optimal for the removal of m-phenylenediamine and chemical oxygen demand (COD). m-Phenylenediamine and COD removal efficiencies increased with the increasing electrical current from 0 A to 4 A, and decreased with a further increase in electrical current. Optimum efficiency resulting in 100% degradation of m-phenylenediamine and elimination of 30% of COD was achieved at pH 3.2 at 60 min in the presence of 10 mM of m-phenylenediamine, 0.268 mM of Fe(2+), 43.6 mM of H2O2, and under a current of 4 A.

Photocatalytic oxidation of Reactive Red 195 by bimetallic Fe-Co catalyst: Statistical modeling and optimization via Box-Behnken design.

Response surface methodology (RSM) is an effective tool for process optimization with multi-complex operational factors. The present work aims to model and optimize the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) parameters of Reactive Red 195 (RR195) dye decoloration with the SiO2-supported Fe-Co catalyst (FCS) derived from a novel catalyst synthesis method, fluidized-bed crystallization (FBC) process, using Box-Behnken design (BBD) as the RSM statistical model. The Fe-Co@SiO2 catalyst was successfully fabricated using the FBC process, and it showed good catalytic activity and performance toward the degradation of RR195. The extent of the effects of pH, H2O2 dosage (HD), catalyst loading (CL), and operating time (t) on the decoloration of RR195 was studied. Hence, the order of variable significance follows the sequence: pH > t > CL > HD. pH has the most significant effect among the variables for RR195 decoloration. The decoloration efficiency predicted by the BBD model was 88.3% under the optimized operation conditions of initial pH of 3.15, 0.76 mM H2O2, 1.18 g L-1 FCS and 59.4 min of operating time. The actual decoloration efficiency was very close to the predicted value indicating that BBD can efficiently be utilized to optimize RR195 degradation with FCS under the PCO system.

Aspergillus niger DLFCC-90 rhamnoside hydrolase, a new type of flavonoid glycoside hydrolase.

A novel rutin-α-L-rhamnosidase hydrolyzing α-L-rhamnoside of rutin, naringin, and hesperidin was purified and characterized from Aspergillus niger DLFCC-90, and the gene encoding this enzyme, which is highly homologous to the α-amylase gene, was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The novel enzyme was classified in glycoside-hydrolase (GH) family 13.

Application of chlorine dioxide for disinfection of student health centers.

In Taiwan, the immediate health care requirements of students and faculty members are satisfied by on-campus medical service centers. The air quality within these centers should comply with the guidelines laid down by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Accordingly, this study performed an experimental investigation into the efficiency of various chlorine dioxide applications in disinfecting a local student health center (SHC). The air quality before and after disinfection were evaluated in terms of the bioaerosol levels of bacteria and fungi. The average background levels of bacteria and fungi before disinfection were found to be 1,142 ± 455.4 CFU/m(3) and 520 ± 442.4 CFU/m(3), respectively. Chlorine dioxide (0.3 mg/m(3)) was applied using three different methods, namely a single, one-off application, multiple applications within a single day, and regular (daily) applications. Among the three disinfection methods, the regular application method was found to yield a high disinfection efficiency for both bacteria and fungi, i.e., 6.5 ± 0.7% and 4.2 ± 0.3%, respectively. The average residual bacteria and fungi levels after regular daily interval disinfection were 318.8 ± 51.5 CFU/m(3) and 254.0 ± 43.8 CFU/m(3), respectively. Therefore, the results suggest that the air quality guidelines prescribed by the Taiwan EPA for SHCs and other healthcare facilities can best be achieved by applying chlorine dioxide at regular (daily) intervals.

Competitive effect of copper and nickel recovery with carbonate in the fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation process.

With the rapid growth of the world's informatics innovation, printed circuit boards (PCBs) processing produces wastewaters with copper and nickel ions. This study aims to remove and recover copper and nickel ions from synthetic PCB wastewater using a fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation process (FBHGP). FBHGP is an advanced green technology that removes copper and nickel and transforms the sludge into a hard granule. The impacts on the removal and granulation of copper and nickel of the initial operating pH, molar ratio (MR) of precipitant to metal, and precipitant flow rate have been evaluated. The highest copper removal was attained at 97% at pH of 6.5 and 98% copper removal at an MR of 2.0 and 10 mL·min-1. A 93% copper granulation was achieved at the same pH, while a 94% copper granulation was also achieved at the same MR and precipitant flow rate. At a pH of 7.5, 85% nickel removal and 74% granulation were attained for a nickel. At an MR of 1.75, 82% and 74% were the highest removal and granulation. While at 25 mL·min-1, the highest removal was 83%, and 73% nickel granulation was achieved. Copper has been successfully recovered from synthetic PCB wastewater using FBHGP. At the same time, nickel needs a multi-step FBR, which is more suitable for the recovery of nickel under the same conditions applied during the same period.

Kinetics and thermodynamics of organo-sulfur-compound desorption from saturated neutral activated alumina.

Desulfurization of liquid fuels mitigates the amount of noxious sulfur oxides and particulates released during fuel combustion. Existing literature on oxidative-adsorptive desulfurization technologies focus on sulfur-in-fuel removal by various materials, but very little information is presented about their desorption kinetics and thermodynamics. Herein, we report for the first time, the mechanism of sulfur desorption from neutral activated alumina saturated with dibenzothiophene sulfone. Batch experiments were conducted to examine the effects of agitation rate, desorption temperature, sulfur content, and eluent type on sulfur desorption efficiencies. Results show enhanced desorption capacities at higher agitation rate, desorption temperature, and initial sulfur content. Desorption efficiency and capacity of acetone were found to be remarkably superior to ethanol, acetone:ethanol (1:1), and acetone:isopropanol (1:1). Desorption kinetics reveal excellent fit of the nonlinear pseudo-second-order equation on desorption data, indicating chemisorption as the rate-determining step. Results of the thermodynamics study show the spontaneous (ΔG° ≤ -2.08 kJ mol-1) and endothermic (ΔH° = 32.35 kJ mol-1) nature of sulfur desorption using acetone as eluent. Maximum regeneration efficiency was attained at 93% after washing the spent adsorbent with acetone followed by oven-drying. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy analyses reveal the intact and undamaged structure of neutral activated alumina even after adsorbent regeneration. Overall, the present work demonstrates the viability of neutral activated alumina as an efficient and reusable adsorbent for the removal of sulfur compounds from liquid fossil fuels.

Electrochemically-driven regeneration of iron (II) enhances Fenton abatement of pesticide cartap.

Cartap is a carbamate insecticide intended to protect crops such as rice, tea, and sugarcane. Cartap in the environment presents a serious threat to non-target organisms through direct exposure or via biomagnification. Electro-assisted Fenton technology taps the potential of Fenton reagents to degrade cartap. Electrochemical reduction of iron accelerates catalyst regeneration. Cartap degradation was first investigated by varying reaction pH, as well as the initial H2O2 and Fe2+ dosage, followed by optimization studies using central composite design. Parametric results indicate the highest cartap removal of 98.10% was achieved at 1.6 pH, 3.0 mM Fe2+, and 40 mM H2O2 at I = 1.0 A and t = 30 min. These results notoriously surpass conventional Fenton that only achieved 53.8% cartap removal under similar conditions. The hybridization of Fenton process through electrochemical regeneration enhances removal and increases degradation kinetic up to a pseudo-first-order rate constant value of 21.30 × 10-4 s-1. Effects of coexisting inorganic salts PO43-, NO3-, and Cl- at 1 mM and 10 mM concentrations were investigated. These results demonstrate that Fenton electrification as process intensification alternative can enhance the performance and competitiveness of conventional Fenton by ensuring higher availability of iron catalyst while minimizing sludge production.