Removal of boron from ceramic industry wastewater by adsorption-flocculation mechanism using palm oil mill boiler (POMB) bottom ash and polymer

Boron is extensively used in the ceramic industry for enhancing mechanical strength of the tiles. The discharge of boron containing wastewater to the environment causes severe pollution problems. Boron is also dangerous for human consumption and causes organisms' reproductive impediments if the safe intake level is exceeded. Current methods to remove boron include ion-exchange, membrane filtration, precipitation-coagulation, biological and chemical treatment. These methods are costly to remove boron from the wastewater and hence infeasible for industrial wastewater treatment. In the present research, adsorption-flocculation mechanism is proposed for boron removal from ceramic wastewater by using Palm Oil Mill Boiler (POMB) bottom ash and long chain polymer or flocculant. Ceramic wastewater is turbid and milky in color which contains 15 mg/L of boron and 2000 mg/L of suspended solids. The optimum operating conditions for boron adsorption on POMB bottom ash and flocculation using polymer were investigated in the present research. Adsorption isotherm of boron on bottom ash was also investigated to evaluate the adsorption capacity. Adsorption isotherm modeling was conducted based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The results show that coarse POMB bottom ash with particle size larger than 2 mm is a suitable adsorbent where boron is removed up to 80% under the optimum conditions (pH = 8.0, dosage = 40 g bottom ash/300 ml wastewater, residence time = 1 h). The results also show that KP 1200 B cationic polymer is effective in flocculating the suspended solids while AP 120 C anionic polymer is effective in flocculating the bottom ash. The combined cationic and anionic polymers are able to clarify the ceramic wastewater under the optimum conditions (dosage of KP 1200 B cationic polymer = 100 mg/L, dosage of AP 120 C anionic polymer = 50 mg/L, mixing speed = 200 rpm). Under the optimum operating conditions, the boron and suspended solids concentration of the treated wastewater were reduced to 3 mg/L and 5 mg/L respectively, satisfying the discharge requirement by Malaysia Department of Environment (DOE). The modeling study shows that the adsorption isotherm of boron onto POMB bottom ash conformed to the Freundlich Isotherm. The proposed method is suitable for boron removal in ceramic wastewater especially in regions where POMB bottom ash is abundant.     

Physical,microstructure and leaching assessments for pavement road base containing mixed steel slag and cathode ray tube glass

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Use of by-product materials, such as steel slag and cathode ray tube glass, as alternative recycled materials in the construction of roads, could...     

Assessment of the long-term possible radiological risk from the use of ceramic tiles in Malaysia

This study investigated the level of natural radioactivity and radiological risks of 40 different ceramic tiles through gamma-ray spectroscopy using a high-purity germanium detector. The calculated activity concentrations were evaluated to determine their potential radiological risks to human health. Furthermore, the activity concentrations were subjected to the RESRAD-BUILD computer code to assess the effect of ventilation rate, dweller position, and room size and direction on the total effective dose(TED). The simulated TED received by a receptor when changing the ventilation rate in a room ranged from0.26 ± 0.01 to 0.61 ± 0.01 mSv/y; however,the percentage variations in the TED due to dweller position and room size are 34, 31,and 35% and 33, 27, and 40% for the x-,y-,and z-directions, respectively. The overall TED received by the dweller based on room size and direction is 0.75 mSv/y. The calculated radiological risk parameters were all below the recommended maximum limit. However, the TED received by the dweller is significantly affected by the directions of the measurement, position,room size,and ventilation. Therefore,estimating the TED from one direction would underestimate the total dose received by the dweller.     

Modification of Polymer Based Dentures on Biological Properties: Current Update,Status, and Findings

Polymers remain an integral part of denture fabrication materials, specifically polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA). PMMA has been extensively used, particularly in construction as a denture base material. Nonetheless, various challenges, including microbial threats in the form of candidiasis occurrence, still remain a biological challenge to denture wearers. The present article comprehensively reviews the biomodifications introduced to denture components, in particular denture base material, to improve the overall biological properties, together with physical, mechanical, structural integrity, and optical properties. In addition, fundamental information specifically to PMMA as a conventional denture base material and the causative aetiological microbial agents for biological threat to dentures are explored.     

Crosslinking of fibers via azide–alkyne click chemistry: Synthesis and characterization

There has been growing interest in fiber modification for several industrial applications. The modifications have mostly been done to improve the fiber properties. However, the information regarding fiber modification via click chemistry is still limited. In this work, two strategies of click chemistry are evaluated for modifying commercial paper without the addition of copper catalyst. The first strategy is the direct reaction between azidated fiber and propargylated fiber, and the second strategy is to bridge azidated fiber with a self‐made alkyne terminal crosslinker. Native and chemically modified fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The effects of the two clicking strategies on the fiber were further investigated by making handsheets. In terms of mechanical properties, the bridge‐clicking strategy was found to produce better handsheets than the direct‐clicking strategy. These modified fibers would be an interesting application for the packaging and printing industries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43576.