Solidification of electroplating sludge using alkali-activated pulverized fuel ash as cementitious binder

This work investigated the potential for utilization of alkali-activated PFA as solidification binder to treat electroplating sludge. The sludge was solidified using 30 wt.% of lime and 70 wt.% of PFA. Two alkali activators, Na₂SiO₃ and Na₂CO₃, were added at 0, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%. Results showed that early strength development of lime-PFA cements with Na₂SiO₃ and Na₂CO₃ was considerably higher than those without. Addition of electroplating sludge resulted in reduced strength. The strength reduction was greater when 4% Na₂SiO₃ activator was used than when 8% Na₂CO₃ activator was used. A higher pH of Na₂SiO₃ solution (pH=13.5) compared to that of Na₂CO₃ solution (pH=11.9) resulted in resolubilization of metal hydroxides from the electroplating sludge, which competed with calcium ion for soluble silicate. In addition, Pb, Cd, and Cu were not found in the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachates. Cr, Zn, and Fe were detected and in some cases Cr exceeded U.S. EPA allowable limits.     

Immobilization of metal-containing waste in alkali-activated lime-RHA cementitious matrices

This research investigated the immobilization potential of alkali-activated lime-rice husk ash (RHA) for synthetic Cr(OH)₃, Fe(OH)₃, Zn(OH)₂ and zinc cyanide plating sludge. The binder consists of hydrated lime and RHA at a weight ratio of 45:55. Waterglass (Na₂SiO₃) with SiO₂/Na₂O ≈ 3 and anhydrous sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) were used as alkali activator between 0 and 8 wt.% of the binder. Results showed that Zn(OH)₂ addition causes a considerable strength development in control and sodium silicate-activated samples but only after 14 days. Similar observations were found for the sample loaded with 10 wt.% plating sludge but this only occurred after 28 days. A possible explanation for these phenomena is that the initial formation of calcium zincate, which has a set retarding effect, inhibits early strength development. At later ages, calcium zincate dissolves and Zn is taken up in the formation of C-S-Z-H solid solutions leading to strength development. These phenomena were not observed from the sodium carbonate-activated lime-RHA matrices. In these, it is believed that zinc/calcium carbonates readily form inhibiting calcium zincate and C-S-Z-H formation. Despite this, carbonate-containing mixes with up to 30 wt.% plating sludge gave a 14-day strength and Cr concentration in TCLP leachate that meet the regulatory limit for landfilling.     

Conventional and microwave hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite ZSM-5 from the cupola slag

ZSM-5 type zeolites have been prepared from cupola slag waste using both conventional hydrothermal and microwave syntheses at 130–200 °C. The ZSM-5 was synthesized by conventional heating by taking advantage of the high silica content of cupola slags. Microwave heating increased the rate of ZSM-5 formation by 4 times at 150 °C compared with conventional heating. The Si/Al ratio of the ZSM-5 produced by the conventional heating and the microwave crystallization were similar 28 and 29, respectively. The conventional-heating produced ZSM-5 particles 3 μm in diameter, while, microwave-heating produced smaller ZSM-5 particles only 0.3 μm in size.     

Comparative study of fuel gas production for SOFC from steam and supercritical-water reforming of bioethanol

Theoretical study of fuel gas (H₂ + CO) production for SOFC from bioethanol was carried out to compare performances between two reforming technologies, including steam reforming (SR) and supercritical-water reforming (SCWR). It demonstrates that the fuel gas productions are comparable among the two reforming systems; however, SCWR requires the operation at much higher temperature and pressure than SR. The maximum hydrogen yield can be obtained at 850 K, atmospheric pressure, ethanol to water molar feed ratio of 1:20 for SR system and at 1300 K, 22.1 MPa, and ethanol to water feed ratio of 1:20 for SCWR. The use of a distillation column to purify the bioethanol feed was proven to improve the fuel conversion efficiency of both systems. The analysis reveals that SCWR is a promising system for fuel production for SOFC when a gas turbine is incorporated to the system for energy recovery. Further, it is not necessary to distil bioethanol to obtain too high ethanol recovery (i.e. >90%) as higher energy consumption at the distillation column could lead to lower overall thermal efficiency.     

Integrated methane decomposition and solid oxide fuel cell for efficient electrical power generation and carbon capture

This work proposes the application of methane decomposition (MD) as a fuel processor to replace methane steam reforming (MSR) for hydrogen production for a methane-fuelled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. In this work, comparison between the MD–SOFC and the MSR–SOFC was performed in terms of SOFC performances and economic analysis to demonstrate a benefit of using MD as a fuel processor. Energy analysis of SOFC system was evaluated based on thermally self-sufficient condition where no external energy is required for the system. Although the MD–SOFC system offers lower electrical efficiency than that of the MSR–SOFC as solid carbon is generated without being further combusted to generate energy; however, the MD–SOFC stack can be operated at higher power density due to high purity of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell, resulting in smaller size of the system when compared to the MSR–SOFC. Moreover, the MD–SOFC system is less complicated than that of the MSR–SOFC as the CCS facility is not necessary to be included to reduce CO₂ emission. Economic analysis demonstrated that the SOFC system with MD is more competitive than the conventional system with MSR when considering the valuable by-products of solid carbon even with the low-valued carbon black. It is suggested that the success of this proposed SOFC system with MD relies on the technology development on cogeneration of hydrogen and valuable carbon products.     

Effect of zinc fortifications on rheological properties and micro-structure of water-in-oil spreads containing κ-carrageenan

Work was undertaken to investigate the effect of zinc fortification (up to 15 mM) on the rheology, firmness and microstructure of water-in-oil spreads (60% fat) produced using 0.25% κ-carrageenan. Increasing levels of zinc from 0 to 15 mM caused a significant reduction in the apparent viscosity of the aqueous phase from 10.9 to 7 mPa s at 60 °C but resulted in an increase in the storage modulus (from 2.5 to 17688 Pa) and the gelling temperature (from 11.2 to 31.1 °C) on cooling to 6 °C. The firmness and storage moduli of water-in-oil spreads was significantly increased with increasing zinc addition up to levels of 1.5 mM zinc. At higher levels of zinc addition, the firmness and storage moduli of the water-in-oil spreads were significantly reduced compared to the control. The microstructure of water-in-oil spreads containing zinc was similar to the control in terms of droplet size of the aqueous phase (1–9 μm). Results indicated that fortification with zinc altered the rheology and firmness of κ-carrageenan-based water-in-oil spreads.     

Production of isomaltooligosaccharides from banana flour

BACKGROUND: Banana is one of the important crops native to tropical Southeast Asia. Since overproduction frequently leads to excessive waste of produce, alternative uses are continuously sought in order to utilise fruits at all stages of maturity. The aim of this study was to investigate the production of isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) from banana flour. RESULTS: Banana slurries liquefied by Termamyl SC and saccharified by either Fungamyl 800 L or barley β‐amylase were used for IMO synthesis by Transglucosidase L. After 12 h of transglucosylation, maximum IMO yields of 76.67 ± 2.71 and 70.74 ± 4.09 g L^?1 respectively were achieved. Although the yields were comparable, the IMO profiles obtained through the use of the two saccharification enzymes were different. Glucose and maltose were removed by 10 g L^?1 bakers' yeast fermentation for 12 h. Regarding total sugars, the final IMO mixture was composed of 53% isomaltotriose, 21% isomaltotetraose and 26% maltooligoheptaose and larger oligomers. CONCLUSION: Banana flour could be used as a potential raw material for IMO synthesis. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physical,Barrier, and Antioxidant Properties of Pea Starch-Guar Gum Biocomposite Edible Films by Incorporation of Natural Plant Extracts

Active food packaging based on pea starch and guar gum (PSGG) films containing natural antioxidants (NAs) was developed. Four kinds of NAs (epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), blueberry ash (BBA) fruit extract, macadamia (MAC) peel extract, and banana (BAN) peel extract) were added into the PSGG-based films as antioxidant additive. The effects of these compounds at different amounts on the physical and antioxidant characteristics of the PSGG film were investigated. The antioxidant activity was calculated with three analytical assays: DPPH radical scavenging ability assay, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric reducing activity power (FRAP). EGCG-PSGG films showed higher antioxidant activity, followed by BBA-PSGG, MAC-PSGG, and BAN-PSGG films, at all concentrations (0.75–3 mg/mL) and with all procedures tested. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of films showed a concentration dependency. The results revealed that addition of NAs made the PSGG film darker and less transparent. However, the moisture barrier was significantly improved when NAs were incorporated into the film. The FTIR spectra were examined to determine the interactions between polymers and NAs. The results suggested that incorporation of EGCG, BBA, MAC, and BAN into PSGG films have great potential for use as active food packaging for food preservation.     

Chromium behavior during cement-production processes: a clinkerization, hydration, and leaching study

The behavior of chromium during the production of cement clinker, during the hydration of cement and during the leaching of cement mortars was investigated. The microstructures of clinker and mortar properties were investigated using free lime, XRD, SEM/EDS, and TG/DTA techniques. Chromium was found to be incorporated in the clinker phase. The formation of new chromium compounds such as Ca(6)Al(4)Cr(2)O(15), Ca(5)Cr(3)O(12), Ca(5)Cr(2)SiO(12), and CaCr(2)O(7), with chromium oxidation states of +3, +4.6, +5, and +6, respectively, was detected. After the hydration process, additional chromium compounds were identified in the mortar matrix, including Ca(5)(CrO(4))(3)OH, CaCrO(4)·2H(2)O, and Al(2)(OH)(4)CrO(4), with chromium oxidation states of +4.6, +6, and +6, respectively. Additionally, some species of chromium, such as Cr(3+) from Ca(6)Al(4)Cr(2)O(15) and Cr(6+) from CaCr(2)O(7), CaCrO(4)·2H(2)O, and Al(2)(OH)(4)CrO(4), were leached during leaching tests, whereas other species remained in the mortar. The concentrations of chromium that leached from the mortar following U.S. EPA Method 1311 and EA NEN 7375:2004 leaching tests were higher than limits set by the U.S. EPA and the Environment Agency of England and Wales related to hazardous waste disposal in landfills. Thus, waste containing chromium should not be allowed to mix with raw materials in the cement manufacturing process.     

High-Performance Bimetallic Catalysts for Low-Temperature Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane

Catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a promising way for renewable syngas production due to the utilization of both CO₂ and CH₄ greenhouse gases. Current approaches were made to improve the catalytic activity and coke resistance by introducing a second metal into the Ni-based catalytic system. This bimetallic catalytic system showed a significant improvement in coke resistance due to the synergistic effect of both metals towards the reaction. This review summarizes recent developments in bimetallic catalysts in DRM which focused on the evaluation of catalysts, deactivation studies, and reaction mechanisms of developed bimetallic catalysts.