Psychrophilic hydrogen production from petrochemical wastewater via anaerobic sequencing batch reactor: techno-economic assessment and kinetic modelling

Independent hydrogen production from petrochemical wastewater containing mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) via anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) was extensively assessed under psychrophilic conditions (15–25 °C). A lab-scale ASBR was operated at pH of 5.50, and different organic loading rates (OLR) of 1.00, 1.67, 2.67, and 4.00 gCOD/L/d. The hydrogen yield (HY) progressed from 134.32 ± 10.79 to 189.09 ± 22.35 mL/gMEG_initial at increasing OLR from 1.00 to 4.00 gCOD/L/d. The maximum hydrogen content of 47.44 ± 3.60% was achieved at OLR of 4.0 gCOD/L/d, while methane content remained low (17.76 ± 1.27% at OLR of 1.0 gCOD/L/d). Kinetic studies using four different mathematical models were conducted to describe the ASBR performance. Furthermore, two batch-mode experiments were performed to optimize the nitrogen supplementation as a nutrient (C/N ratio), and assess the impact of salinity (as gNaCl/L) on hydrogen production. HY substantially dropped from 62.77 ± 4.09 to 6.02 ± 0.39 mL/gMEG_initial when C/N ratio was increased from 28.5 to 114.0. Besides, the results revealed that salinity up to 10.0 gNaCl/L has a relatively low inhibitory impact on hydrogen production. Eventually, the cost/benefit analysis showed that environmental and energy recovery revenues from ASBR were optimized at OLR of 4.0 gCOD/L/d (payback period of 7.13 yrs).     

Validation of performance of real-time kinematic PPP. A possible tool for deformation monitoring

Structural failures (bridge or building collapses) and geohazards (landslides, ground subsidence or earthquakes) are worldwide problems that often lead to significant economic and loss of life. Monitoring the deformation of both natural phenomena and man-made structures is a major key to assessing structural dynamic responses. Actually, this monitoring process is under real-time demand for developing warning and alert systems.One of the most used techniques for real-time deformation monitoring is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) real-time procedure, where the relative positioning approach, using a well-known reference station, has been applied.This study was conducted to evaluate the actual quality of the real-time kinematic Precise Point Positioning (PPP) GNSS solution for deformation monitoring, where it can be concluded that a promise tool is under development and should be taken into account on actual and near future real-time deformation monitoring studies and applications.     

A zirconium-free glaze system for sanitary ceramics with SiO2-CaCO3-TiO2 composite opacifier containing anatase: Effect of interface combination among SiO2, CaCO3 and TiO2

TiO₂ is an ideal substitute to ZrSiO₄ ceramic opacifier, yet it is limited to application because of the undesirable yellowing resulting from rutile formation. Herein, the SiO₂-CaCO₃-TiO₂ composite opacifier (Si-Ca-Ti) was constructed. The glaze used Si-Ca-Ti presents a superior opacification performance than ZrSiO₄ opacified glaze without causing yellowing, showing L*, a*, b* values of 94.81, -0.67 and 3.23. By comparison, the glaze using SiO₂, CaCO₃, and TiO₂ mixture shows lower opacification and yellowish surface with L* and b* values of 92.99 and 5.36. It is revealed that there is a close interface bonding among SiO₂, CaCO₃ and TiO₂ in Si-Ca-Ti, which promotes their combination reaction to generate opacification phase titanite and inhibit rutile formation when sintering, resulting in the white surface and opacification improvement of the glaze. This study proposes a green and efficient strategy to achieve white and highly opacified glaze for sanitary ceramics, exhibiting good application prospect.     

Trend Analysis and Spatial Prediction of Groundwater Levels Using Time Series Forecasting and a Novel Spatio-Temporal Method

Water Resources Management - Overexploitation of groundwater in the Malayer Plain has resulted in a continuous decline of groundwater levels over recent years with associated risks to water...     

Synthesis and properties of cinnamic acid series organic UV ray absorbents–interleaved layered double hydroxides

Organic ultraviolet (UV) ray absorbents, cinnamic acid (CA) and p-methoxycinnamic acid (PMOCA) were intercalated into Zn₂Al layered double hydroxides (Zn₂Al-LDHs) by co-precipitation reaction. The organic–inorganic nanocomposites, Zn₂Al-LDH/CA and Zn₂Al-LDH/PMOCA were obtained. The samples showed excellent UV ray absorption ability and their catalytic activity for the air oxidation of castor oil greatly decreased when the organic UV ray absorbents were intercalated in the layers of the Zn₂Al-LDHs. The studies suggested that Zn₂Al-LDH/organic UV absorbent nanocomposites might be used as safe sunscreen materials.     

Comparison of three internationally certified firefighter protective ensembles: Physiological responses,mobility, and comfort

BackgroundFire protective ensembles (FPEs) are essential to safely perform firefighting job tasks; however, they are often burdensome to the workers. The aim of this study was to compare three internationally certified fire protective ensembles from the European Union (EU), South Korea (SK), and United States (US) on physiological responses, mobility, and comfort.MethodsTen male professional firefighters performed a battery of exercises in the laboratory following the ASTM F3031-17 standard to evaluate mobility, occupation-specific performance, and physiological responses (body weight, heart rate (HR), core temperature (T_c), breathing rate (BR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)) to 20 min of treadmill walking (3.2 mph, 5% incline). All participants carried out the evaluation wearing each FPE in a random order. Mixed effects models examined time (pre-vs. post-) by ensemble (EU, SK, US) interactions for all physiological variables and compared comfort, performance, and subjective variables across ensembles.ResultsNo interaction effects were observed for body weight, HR, T_c, BR, or RPE (p = 0.890, p = 0.994, p = 0.897, p = 0.435, and p = 0.221; respectively). SK had greater trunk flexion than EU (78.4° vs. 74.6°, p = 0.026) and US had lower standing reach than EU (105.5 cm vs. 115.4 cm, p = 0.004). Agility circuit time was lower in US (9.3 s) compared to EU (9.8 s) or SK (9.9 s) (p = 0.051 and p = 0.019, respectively).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that physiological burden remained largely unchanged across the international FPEs. However, mobility, performance, and comfort may be significantly influenced across types. International stakeholders and end users should consider design implications when choosing fire protective ensembles.     

Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body

The oil palm industry is one of the important sectors in Malaysia. The growth and development of this industry shows that Malaysia is the world second-largest oil palm producers. However, in the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting process, the harvesters are exposed to many types of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The FFB harvesters tend to develop WMSDs especially the shoulders and trunk. Hence, it is important to identify the exposure levels, awkward postures and the reaction forces of muscle activity based on the posture and movement of the harvesters when using pole, chisel and loading spike during the harvesting process. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the design of oil palm FFB harvesting tools on WMSDs of the upper body. Rapid Upper Limb Analysis (RULA) was used to investigate and assess the exposure level on the harvester body during the harvesting process. The assessment showed that the shoulders and trunk have high exposure level and undergo awkward posture. Human Musculoskeletal Model Analysis (HMMA) was used to identify the reaction force exerted on the muscle during the FFB harvesting process. In this study, 4 muscles were analysed including Triceps, Biceps, Erector Spinae and Psoas Major. The highest reaction force of 16.36 N was found on the left triceps when handling a loading spike. In conclusion, it is important to address the risks by reviewing all possible aspects that contribute to the WMSDs and interventions on the tool design, task and working shifts may be required.     

Preparation of cerium doped Cu/MIL-53(Al) catalyst and its catalytic activity in CO oxidation reaction

Metal-organic framework (MOF) material MIL-53(Al) with high thermal stability was prepared by a solvothermal method, serving as a support material of cerium doped copper catalyst (Ce-Cu)/MIL-53(Al) material for CO oxidation with high catalytic activity. The catalytic performance between the (Cu-Ce)/MIL-53(Al) and the Cu/MIL-53(Al) catalytic material was compared to understand the catalytic behavior of the catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), N₂ adsorption- desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characterization results showed that MIL-53(Al) had good stability and high surface areas, the (Ce-Cu) nanoparticles on the MIL-53(Al) support was uniform. Therefore, the heterogeneous catalytic composite materials (Ce-Cu)/MIL-53(Al) catalyst exhibited much higher activity than that of the Cu/MIL- 53(Al) catalyst in CO oxidation test, with 100% conversion at 80 °C. The results reveal that (Cu-Ce)/MIL- 53(Al) is the suitable candidate for achieving low temperature and higher activity CO oxidation catalyst of MOFs.     

Simple Preparation of Crystal Co3（BTC）2·12H2O and Its Catalytic Activity in CO Oxidation Reaction

Crystalline metal-organic framework cobalt(Ⅱ) benzenetricarboxylate Co3(BTC)2?12H2O(MOF-Co) has been prepared using solvothermal method. The reaction of cobalt(Ⅱ) nitrate and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic(BTC) acid in a mixed solution of N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF)/C2H5OH/H2O(1:1:1, ν/ν) at low temperature for short reaction times produced this crystalline compound. Compared with traditional hydrothermal method, a mixed solution method for the synthesis of crystalline metal complex was found to be highly efficient. After water molecules were removed from this metal complex, its exposed nodes served as active sites. When this MOF-Co was employed in the oxidation of CO, it showed good catalytic properties causing 100% conversion of CO to CO2 at low temperature of 160 ℃.     

高速铁路沿线土地利用/覆盖变化检测方法研究

为开展高速铁路沿线土地利用/覆盖的快速变化检测工作,本文首先对两期高分辨率遥感影像进行主成分分析得到两期影像的第一主成分量,再用GIS矢量数据分割两期第一主成分量得到影像对象层,构造对象的灰度均值向量特征,最后利用最大类间方差阈值分割算法(Otsu法),自动提取变化类与未变化类。为验证该方法在高速铁路沿线土地利用/覆盖变化检测应用中的有效性,本文对2009年与2012年武广高铁武江特大桥沿线的GeoEye影像(分辨率1.6m)进行了变化检测验证性实验,得到变化检测结果的精度能够达到84.7579%,仅耗时5s。在此基础上将该方法应用于2009年与2010年石武客专郑州东站段WorldView-2影像(分辨率2.0m)的变化检测中,得到的变化检测结果精度为88.6953%,耗时86s。可见,该方法在检测高速铁路沿线土地利用/覆盖变化中具有较高的可靠性和效率,对更新高速铁路数据库具有一定的使用价值。