Enhancing the properties of geopolymer concrete using nano-silica and microstructure assessment: a sustainable approach.

Nowadays low calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concrete can be replaced with cement-based concrete to avoid the adverse effect of manufacturing cement on the environment. Utilization of geopolymer concrete instead of traditional concrete using low calcium fly ash and nano silica reduces a significant amount of CO-2 emission towards the atmosphere. However, the performance of geopolymer concrete is less than that of Portland cement concrete. To improve the performance of geopolymer concrete nano silica was used in the present study. In this work, geopolymer concrete was made utilizing fly ash, ground granular blast furnace slag (GGBS), and sugarcane bagasse ash. In the first instance, binary combinations i.e. fly ash and GGBS were employed as cementitious materials for the production of geopolymer concrete. In the second instance, a ternary mixture of pozzolanic material was prepared by taking 25% GGBS, 65% Fly ash, and 10% bagasse ash. In the third instance, varying percentages of nanoparticles were used for the above ternary mixture. The mechanical and durability properties of the geopolymer composite that was made earlier were tested. The compressive strength and split tensile strength of geopolymer composites were assessed for mechanical properties and a rapid chloride permeability test, water absorption test, and acid attack test were done to know about the porosity of concrete. Results showed that, with a dose of 4% nanoparticles, the durability and strength properties of the concrete had improved the most. The GCBA-N4 mixture had the highest split tensile and compressive strength was measured to be 2.91 MPa and 41.33 MPa and the rapid chloride permeability test, water absorption rate, and percentage of mass loss due to sulfate attack were found as a minimum for GCBA-N4 specimen.

Utilization of the Nannochloropsis microalgae biochar prepared via microwave assisted pyrolysis on the mixed biomass fuel pellets.

Nannochloropsis microalgae biochar has become increasingly attractive due to its potential as a component of microalgae-based biodiesel blends. This biochar is a by-product of the pyrolysis process, but its use in the energy sector has been limited. In this study, pellets were formed using microalgae residues and their physiochemical properties were analyzed to assess the feasibility of using microalgae biochar as a fuel source. Three types of biomasses, namely date seed dust, coconut shell waste, and microalgae biochar, were utilized to produce fuel pellets. These pellets were categorized into three types, B1, B2, and B3, based on the composition of the biomass. The inclusion of microalgae biochar in the pellets resulted in enhanced calorific value, as well as improved heating value and bulk density. Moreover, the mechanical strength of microalgae-based pellets was higher due to their high lignin content compared to another biomass. The moisture absorption test results showed that the use of mixed biomass reduced the moisture content over an extended period. Microalgae pellets exhibited higher young's modulus and greater impact resistance, indicating greater mechanical strength. Furthermore, due to their higher calorific value, the combustion time of microalgae pellets was greater than that of other biomass. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that microalgae biochar can be a promising alternative fuel source for the energy sector.

Experimental evaluation of soapberry seed oil biodiesel performance in CRDI diesel engine.

Due to the ongoing demand for alternative fuels for CI engines, biodiesel-based research has received support globally. In this study, soapberry seed oil produced by transesterification process to creates biodiesel. It is referred to as BDSS (Biodiesel of Soapberry Seed). According to criteria, the oil qualities are recognized, hence, three different blends and pure diesel were tested in CRDI (Common Rail Direct Injection) engines. The blends descriptions are: 10BDSS (10% BDSS + 90% diesel), 20BDSS (20% BDSS + 80% diesel), and 30BDSS (30% BDSS + 70% diesel). The outcomes of the related tests for combustion, performance, and pollution were contrasted with those achieved using 100% diesel fuel. In this case, the mixing has resulted in worse braking thermal efficiency than diesel and lower residual emissions with greater NOx emissions. The superior results were obtained by 30BDSS, which had BTE of 27.82%, NOx emissions of 1348 ppm, peak pressure of 78.93 bar, heat release rate (HRR) of 61.15 J/deg, emissions of CO (0.81%), HC (11 ppm), and smoke opacity of 15.38%.

Impact of reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) mode engine operation in diesel engine powered with B20 blend of waste cooking oil biodiesel.

The purpose of this study is to conduct an experimental assessment of the impact of RCCI (reactivity regulated compression ignition) on the performance, emissions, and combustion of a CRDI engine. A fuel mix (20% biodiesel, 80% diesel, and a NaOH catalyst) is generated. The produced combination is evaluated for attributes using standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The engine research included three distinct kinds of injections: 10% Pen RCCI, 20% Pen RCCI, and 30% Pen RCCI. Increasing the injection pressure increases the brake thermal efficiency, often known as BTE. NOx emissions increased as a consequence of higher injection pressures and improved combustion. However, when the injection rate is increased, the Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) falls. The CO2 and hydrocarbon emissions, as well as the smoke opacity values, increased as the charge increased. The resultant mixture may be utilized in a CI engine with pre-mixed ignition to improve overall engine performance as well as combustion characteristics.

Utilisation of persistent chemical pollutant incorporating with nanoparticles to modify the properties of geopolymer and cement concrete.

The majority of industrial products are identified as persistent organic pollutants after their date of expiry, which is highly harmful to the ecosystem and human health and also going to be banned around the world. Paint latex is one of those pollutants which become a hazardous waste material after stocking for a long time. Approximately 20% of color paints do not get used for their desired purpose after getting sold out and end up in a landfill. Now a day's construction industry is inclining towards the various types of geo-polymer concrete since it does not require cement. But that geo-polymer concrete has too much less workability as compared to the same grade of control cement concrete. To achieve the desired workability as well as other properties of geo-polymer concrete by using waste paint latex as performance improving admixture is the main motive of the present research. Fourteen different mixes of control and calcined clay-based geo-polymer concrete have been prepared by adding up to 3% waste paint latex of weight of cementitious materials and a detailed study has been done on various properties such as workability, rheology, shrinkage, strength and its microstructure. The presence of nanoparticles of TiO2 in waste paint latex has helped to produce extra hydration products, by which the mechanical properties, durability and microstructure of both traditional and geo-polymer concrete have increased. It has been concluded that a higher dose of waste paint latex improves the workability but the strength and durability properties of traditional and geo-polymer concrete improve up to 2-2.5% of waste paint latex replaced to water.

A review on role of nitrous oxide nanoparticles, potential vaccine targets, drug, health care and artificial intelligence to combat COVID-19.

The lives of human individuals and groups around the globe have changed drastically due to the emergence of novel corona virus in late 2019. The significant part of CoV-19 from the global point is transmission rate, and therefore, it is mandatory to identify and isolate the affected persons even with the mild infection. To stop the rapid transmission of virus to drastic manner, it is essential to follow the hygienic practices, identification of potential vaccines and proper health care management systems to combat the novel virus. Despite the serious mortality rates and high confirmed cases, at present, there is no proven treatment and vaccine to treat the pandemic coronavirus. The current review prioritizes the recent trends in the health care sector, vaccine development pipeline and artificial intelligence role to combat CoV-2. Due to the unprecedented situation, the health care professionals was under high working stress and they were pushed to make serious decisions on time. Several health care workers pose directly threat to the occupational health risk. Besides, the industry is also experiencing a decrease in the outpatient footfalls along with the reduction of international patients. Furthermore, the services such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular affected by 53%, 49%, 42% and 31%, respectively, due to the pandemic. Vaccines and treatments are the urgent need and have been extensively on progress worldwide. Despite the new technologies, the effectiveness of the old antiviral, such as Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir-Ritonavir, Nafamostat and Camostat, and Remdesiviron COVID-19, was reviewed. The reviews on different vaccinations were effective in the understanding the efficiency of drugs in reducing the symptoms of COVID-19. Although vaccination and social distancing can reduce the infection, the role of the Artificial intelligence technology will enable the highest reduction of the COVID-19 infection by reducing the time and increasing the reliability.

Treatment of heavy metals containing wastewater using biodegradable adsorbents: A review of mechanism and future trends.

The direct disposal of industrial effluents into the aquatic system is considered as a significant environmental hazard in many countries. Because of poisonous chemicals, substantial volumes of effluent release, as well as the lack of adequate of conventional treatment methodologies, industrial effluent treatment is extremely difficult. Numerous researchers have been interested in adsorption technology for its high efficiency of pollutant removal, low cost, and abundantly available adsorbent. Various adsorbent materials, both natural and modified form, have been widely used for the removal of toxic contaminants from industrial effluent. This paper highlights recent advancements in multiple modification types to functionalize the adsorbent material, resulting in higher adsorption capacity on various toxic pollutants. This review provides an overview of the adsorption mechanism and parameters (pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, temperature and interaction time), which influencing the removal efficiency of adsorbents. Furthermore, this review compiles the desorption study to recover the adsorbent and improve the cycle's financial viability. This review provides a concise overview of the future directions and outlook in the framework of adsorbent application for industrial wastewater treatment.

Production and utilization of pyrolysis oil from solidplastic wastes: A review on pyrolysis process and influence of reactors design.

This paper reviews the new progress, challenges and barriers on production of pyrolysis oil from the plastic waste. Among the different processes thermal and catalytic are the potential methods to produce oil. Since the global plastic production increased over years the accumulation of plastic waste increases. Thus, converting the waste plastics into useful energy is very essential to avoid the environmental concerns. Initially the thermal pyrolysis process and its advantage on production of pyrolysis oil were discussed. During the thermal decomposition the waste plastic had been converted into the products such as gas, crude oil and solid residues. Secondly, the catalytic process and its recent trends were discussed. In addition, the factors affecting the catalytic pyrolysis process had been evaluated. Furthermore, the optimized concentration of catalyst subjected to the higher yield of fuel with low hydrocarbon content was found. The pyrolysis oil produced from the catalytic process has higher heating values, lower density and lower viscosity compared to thermal process. In addition, the application of pyrolysis oil on the diesel engines had been discussed. The effects of pyrolysis oil on combustion and emission characteristics were observed. This review summarizes the potential advantages and barriers of both thermal and catalytic process. Further, the optimized solutions and applications of pyrolysis oil are suggested for sustainability of the process. Besides the introduction of the pyrolysis oil were viable without making major modification to the existing engine design.