Colour removal from a simulated dye wastewater using a two-phase anaerobic packed bed reactor

In recent years, rapid technological advances in the textile and dyeing industry have yielded benefits to society but have also generated new and significant environmental problems. The treatment alternatives applicable for the removal of colour vary, depending upon the type of dye wastewater. A synthetic, simulated mixed dye waste (Basic Yellow 28, Basic Yellow 21, Basic Red 18.1, Basic Violet Red 16, Basic Red 46, Basic Blue 16, Basic Blue 41) representing a known waste from a fibre production factory, was investigated. The biological process of anaerobic digestion has been recognised as a simple and energy-efficient means of treating and stabilising a wide range of organic industrial wastewaters. This study sets out to demonstrate the effect of different loading rates, dye concentrations and hydraulic retention times (HRTs) on colour removal efficiency under mesophilic anaerobic conditions. The reactor was operated under mesophilic conditions at different organic loading rates (OLRs) and HRTs for nine months. The results of this study show that a 2-stage mesophilic anaerobic up-flow packed bed reactor can remove up to 90% of the colour from a mixed cationic dye containing 1000 mg/l of dye. Colour removal efficiency falls as the influent dye concentration increases, but rises with increased hydraulic retention time and increased organic loading. The primary colour removal mechanism was one of biosorption with subsequent biodegradation. Acetoclastic methanogens were moderately inhibited at low organic loading rates of 0.25 kg COD/m3 d, at which level, acidogenesis and acetogenesis appeared to be unaffected. Inhibition of acidogenesis became marked at higher OLRs (1 kg COD/m3 d) and when the HRT was reduced from 5 to 3 days.     

A multiobjective integrated multiproject scheduling and multiskilled workforce assignment model considering learning effect under uncertainty

Today, organizations try to decline academically expenses using humans and resources in addition to rising managers and operators' satisfaction. Meantime, a very important step in the process of decision is the assignment of human resources, particularly in connection with research and development (R&D) projects in which the system is highly dependent on the capabilities of human resources. In this study, we tried all the assumptions that come true in the real world, considered a model for applied R&D projects to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of projects. Therefore, an integrated multiproject scheduling and multiskill human resource assignment model under uncertainty has developed for R&D projects. Furthermore, it is assumed that the activity processing time is related to human resources assignment that means the learning effect is considered. To demonstrate the proposed model efficiency, the various dimensions instance problem was solved accurately and efficiently in GAMS software, and the results have been reported. In addition, the proposed model is validated through the input parameter sensitivity analysis. The results indicate a suitable performance of the proposed fuzzy mathematical programming model is due to the complexity of the problem.     

Predictive simulation-based lighting and shading systems control in buildings

This paper presents a prototypically implemented daylight-responsive lighting and shading systems control in buildings that makes use of real-time sensing and lighting simulation. This system can control the position of window blinds and the status of the luminaires. It operates as follows: (1) at regular time intervals, the system considers a set of candidate control states for the subsequent time step; (2) these alternatives are then virtually enacted via a lighting simulation application that receives input data from a self-updating model of sky (luminance distribution maps obtained via calibrated digital photography), room, and occupancy; (3) the simulation results are compared and ranked according to the preferences (objective function) specified by the occupants and/or facility manager to identify the candidate control state with the most desirable performance.     

Underlying solvent-based factors that influence permanent porosity in porous liquids

Porous liquids(PLs)offer the potential to combine the ready handling and mature industry status of liquid absorbents,with the high permanent porosity of metal o...     

Application of a fuzzy TOPSIS method base on modified preference ratio and fuzzy distance measurement in assessment of traffic police centers performance

In this paper we have presented a TOPSIS approach based on preference ratio and an efficient fuzzy distance measurement for a Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Group Decision-Making Problem (FMCGDMP). Preference ratio with a moderate modification for negative fuzzy numbers was used as an efficient ranking method for fuzzy numbers in a relative manner. As human reasoning persuades that distances between two fuzzy numbers should be a fuzzy measure, so all distances between fuzzy numbers (i.e. distances between alternatives, Fuzzy Positive Ideal solutions, and Fuzzy Negative Ideal solutions) have been calculated as fuzzy numbers using an efficient fuzzy distance measurement. The aforementioned arguments make the proposed algorithm unique and well posed for real-life problem modeling. Moreover, the main novelties of the proposed procedure (i.e. the fuzzy distance measurement and Preference Ratio) have been developed for Generalized Fuzzy Numbers (GFNs). The proposed algorithm has efficiently been applied in assessment of traffic police centers which is treated as a FMCGDMP.     

Effective gas separation through graphene oxide containing mixed matrix membranes

In the present study, graphene oxide (GO) was incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and chemically modified PVDF (M‐PVDF) to prepare mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separation application. Performed analyses proved appropriate dispersion of exfoliated GO sheets in polymer matrices and sufficient compatibility at the interfacial phases. M‐PVDF based MMMs were thermally and mechanically more stable relative to the PVDF‐based MMMs. The oxygen containing functional groups in M‐PVDF was probably the main reason for this more stability. PVDF/GO MMMs rendered low gas permeability and high selectivity. Both impermeable GO sheets and crystalline phases of PVDF were responsible for such behavior. On the other hand, interestingly gas permeability of M‐PVDF/GO MMMs was enhanced while no substantial decline was recorded in gas selectivity. For instance, He and CO₂ permeability was increased 12.46% and 25.89%, respectively, compared to the pure PVDF membrane. This behavior originated from functional groups of M‐PVDF and the interaction of these groups with GO sheets. Since GO often amplified gas barrier properties of polymers, such increscent would be appreciable. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46271.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ether-<Emphasis Type="Italic">block</Emphasis>-amide) copolymers/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite membranes for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> separation

One of the effective techniques for improving separation properties of polymeric membranes is incorporation of suitable nanoparticles into their matrices. This study presents the preparation of three types of nanocomposite membranes comprising three grades of poly (ether-block-amide) (Pebax 1074, Pebax 1657 and Pebax 2533) and modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different loadings (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 wt%). The prepared membranes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Permeation of CO₂ and CH₄ gases through the prepared membranes was measured at the pressure range of 2-8 bars and 25 °C. The results showed that the incorporation of MWCNTs into the polymers matrices improves CO₂/CH₄ selectivity. Further, Pebax 1074/MWCNT nanocomposite membrane exhibits better performance for CO₂/CH₄ separation compared to the neat Pebax and the two other nanocomposite membranes.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of WO(3) nanoparticles prepared by the arc discharge method in deionized water

In this paper, we discuss the synthesis and characterization of tungsten trioxide nanoparticles prepared by the arc discharge method in deionized (DI) water. The size and morphology of WO(3) nanoparticles prepared using different arc currents (25, 35 and 45?A) were studied. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicate that at an arc current of 25?A, the size of the particles is about 30?nm, and this increases to 64?nm by increasing the arc current. This size increase caused a decrease of optical band gap from 2.9 to 2.6?eV. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra demonstrate the formation of the WO(3) phase. Photodegradation of Rhodamine B shows that samples prepared at the lowest current have more photocatalytic activity due to having the smallest particle size and highest surface area. The results demonstrate the ability of the arc discharge method for direct formation of WO(3) nanoparticles in DI?water medium.