Random-valued impulse noise removal using adaptive dual threshold median filter

Noise detection and its removal is very important in the image processing. Detection of noise is very crucial and significant in random valued impulse noise because it does not hamper the image pixels uniformly. This paper presents a novel and unique concept of adaptive dual threshold for the detection of random valued impulse noise along with simple median filter at noise removal stage. Simulation results shows that an efficient noise detection leads to a superior quality of de-noised image as compared to existing adaptive threshold based image de-noising techniques. Proposed threshold computation is based on averaging of pixel values of window which enhances the PSNR of our system as compared to existing median filter based image de-noising methods.     

Super-oleophilicity Co-doping Co2+/F-/TiO2 one-dimensional nanotubes for photocatalytic denitrification of light oil

In this study, a simple hydrothermal synthesis method was adapted for the preparation of Co-doping Co²⁺/F^-/TiO₂ nanotubes photocatalyst, and the micro-nano structure of catalysts prepared by biomimetic technology which makes the catalyst have super-oleophilicity property. Co²⁺/F^-/TiO₂ revealed improved photocatalytic performance for denitrification of light oil compared to single TiO₂ photocatalysts. The enhance of photocatalytic activity can be attributed to narrowing the band gap, increasing the light response wavelength and exposing more highly active crystal surfaces due to synergistic effects of Co²⁺ and F^? in the photocatalyst.     

Waste-to-wealth approach in water economy: The case of beneficiation of mercury-contaminated water in hydrogen production

Heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, etc.) are micro-pollutants and result in water contamination. Significant bio-concentration of heavy metal like Hg can lead to fatal disease such as Minamata. Given this context, heavy metal removal from wastewater is essential before discharge. The wastewater treatment process requires considerable amount of energy which is being met by the conventional carbon-based fuels. This contributes to the global carbon dioxide emission, and hence global warming. Therefore, if clean energy sourcing is enabled during the treatment of the wastewater; it would offer obvious advantages. If the energy production is ‘clean’ and achieved via the process itself, it would serve two outcomes: (a) meeting the energy demand for wastewater treatment, and (b) getting rid of the need for external ‘carbon-based’ energy. Recently a few research articles have reported simultaneous clean energy production from wastewater during its treatment. Thus, the energy demand of the wastewater treatment process can be potentially met with the clean energy produced during the process. In this review, we will discuss mercury-contaminated wastewater treatment with simultaneous hydrogen production. We will provide a brief overview of waste-to-wealth approaches currently prevailing in water economy, recent mercury removal processes, and discuss future possibilities of self-sustained Hg-contaminated wastewater treatment.     

Al2O3/Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia Hollow‐Fiber Membrane Incorporated with Iron Oxide for Pb(II) Removal

Removal by absorptive ceramic membranes can simultaneously absorb and separate metal ions from water. Alumina/yttria‐stabilized zirconia (Al₂O₃/YSZ) hollow‐fiber membranes, fabricated using phase inversion and sintering process, were deposited with iron oxide by an in‐situ hydrothermal process. The results showed that α‐Fe₂O₃ was produced and incorporated across the membranes. A reduction in flux was recorded with the deposition of α‐Fe₂O_3. However, it improved the adsorption capacity for heavy metal adsorption. The adsorption‐separation test demonstrated that the optimized membrane is able to completely remove Pb(II) ions after two hours.     

Using hydroacoustics to relate fluctuations in fish abundance to river restoration efforts and environmental conditions in the Penobscot River,Maine

Quantifying change after large habitat restoration efforts is critical to assessing the effort's success. After river restoration activities, fish abundance is expected to increase and also fluctuates naturally by season and with environmental conditions. A side‐looking hydroacoustic system was used to estimate fish abundance in the Penobscot River, ME, from 2010 to 2016 during predam (2010–2013) and postdam (2014–2016) removal years during nonice periods. Automated data processing enabled continuous abundance estimates from fish tracks. A threefold increase in mean fish abundance was recorded after dam removal. A fourfold increase in median fish abundance occurred in the fall relative to spring and summer of the same year, regardless of dam presence. Interannual fish abundance in every season monitored increased at least twofold after dam removal. We related variability in fish abundance to tide, discharge, temperature, diurnal cycle, daylength, moon phase, and restoration activities (focusing on dam presence). Daylength corresponding to the fall and summer was the most important indicator for higher fish abundance. Fish abundance was generally greatest in the fall during outgoing tides at night, with lesser peaks occurring during the month of June at night. Before dam removal, fish abundance peaked when water temperature was less than 9.25°C, at night, during outgoing tides. After dam removal, fish abundance peaked when daylength was less than 11.3 hr, at night, during outgoing tides, when water temperature was above 4.56°C and no full moon was present. Peak fish abundance occurred during only 0.02–2.3% of the total time sampled. The threefold increase in fish abundance recorded after dam removal was observed despite yearly stocking efforts of adult alewife increasing 24% in postdam removal years. Finally, parallel studies of fish presence in the Penobscot River were used to compare the utility of this method as an indicator of fish abundance in response to dam removal.     

Predicting pollutant removal in constructed wetlands using artificial neural networks(ANNs)

Growth in urban population,urbanisation,and economic development has increased the demand for water,especially in water-scarce regions.Therefore,sustainable approaches to water management are needed to cope with the effects of the urbanisation on the water environment.This study aimed to design novel configurations of tidal-flow vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands(VFCWs) for treating urban stormwater.A series of laboratory experiments were conducted with semi-synthetic influent stormwater to examine the effects of the design and operation variables on the performance of the VFCWs and to identify optimal design and operational strategies,as well as maintenance requirements.The results show that the VFCWs can significantly reduce pollutants in urban stormwater,and that pollutant removal was related to specific VFCW designs.Models based on the artificial neural network(ANN) method were built using inputs derived from data exploratory techniques,such as analysis of variance(ANOVA) and principal component analysis(PCA).It was found that PCA reduced the dimensionality of input variables obtained from different experimental design conditions.The results show a satisfactory generalisation for predicting nitrogen and phosphorus removal with fewer variable inputs,indicating that monitoring costs and time can be reduced.     

超重力在冶金和金属材料领域的研究进展及展望

超重力作为一种外场强化新技术,基于其优越的传质和相际分离特性,引起了广泛的关注。本文着重介绍了我国超重力技术在金属熔体提纯、冶金固废中有价物质的富集提取分离、金属材料凝固组织细化、非金属夹杂物的去除以及矿石气基还原等冶金和金属材料领域的研究进展和成果,提出了其应用过程中存在的科学问题,并展望了超重力技术的发展前景。虽然,目前还以实验室研究阶段为主,并未实现普适化。但作为一种外场强化新技术,其在冶金和金属材料凝固控制等相关研究体系中已突显出强大的熔体提纯、有价组分富集提取、组织细化、夹杂物去除等作用效果,这为进一步拓展超重力技术在冶金和金属材料领域的研究和开发应用提供了参考价值。超重力有望凭借自身的优点成为冶金和金属材料领域生产过程中一种新的外场技术。随着超重力设备的发展及相关科学问题的研究探索,相信在不久的将来,超重力技术必会在冶金和金属材料研究领域得到广阔的应用前景。     

集成式铁基质生物膜反应器自养反硝化深度脱氮

以污水厂处理水为研究对象，采用铁基质生物载体与生物膜耦合实现高效自养反硝化脱氮。考察停留时间（HRT）对系统脱氮效能的影响，通过动力学及微生物群落结构分析，揭示耦合技术的脱氮机理。结果表明：HRT为8 h，对一级A和一级B污水厂处理水，总氮(TN)平均去除率分别为95.41%和92.55%，TN处理负荷分别为0.48 kg TN/(m³·d）和0.58 kg TN/(m³·d），硝化过程氨氮(NH₄⁺-N)饱和常数分别为1.17 mg/L和0.72 mg/L，反硝化过程硝氮(NO₃^--N)饱和常数分别为0.87 mg/L和0.67 mg/L。出水水质分别达到《地表水环境质量标准》Ⅲ类、Ⅴ类水质标准。铁基质生物载体与生物膜耦合系统中微生物优势菌属为Maritimimonas、Rhodobacter和Sphaerotilus, 均为自养反硝化菌，证实了铁基质生物载体可为自养反硝化菌提供电子，实现生物自养反硝化脱氮。     

Methanation of syngas from biomass gasification: An overview

Traditional fossil fuel overuse could lead to global warming and environmental pollution. As a renewable energy, biomass energy is a sustainable and low pollution carbon energy, which has a wide range of sources. Syngas production from biomass thermochemical conversion is a promising technology to realize effective utilization of the renewable energy. Syngas produced from gasification could be further converted into value-added chemicals via the method of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Syngas and CO₂ methanation could transform renewable energy into feasible transport and high-density energy. However, tar formation and catalyst deactivation are the main problem during the biomass gasification and methanation. This review sheds light on the development of biomass gasification and syngas methanation. Firstly, we presented the common reactors and some other factors during gasification. Secondly, we provide a comprehensive introduction of the advanced active catalyst for gasification and syngas methanation. Finally, some representative large-scale and commercial plants and companies for biomass gasification were compared and discussed in details. Then the prospective developments in combination of gasification and methanation were concluded to give an outlook for biomass gasification and its downstream development.