Cadmium and Copper Removal by a Granular Activated Carbon in Laboratory Column Systems

Single and competitive removal of Cd and Cu from aqueous solutions by using Darco 12–20 mesh granular activated carbon in column systems has been investigated. Seven experiments modifying the initial pH and the flow rate were performed. Results showed the efficiency of activated carbon as a sorbent for both metals. pH is shown to be the decisive parameter on metal removal in the column; metal removal increases when the influent pH value is raised. The influence of the flow rate for the experimental conditions is negligible. Batch adsorption and column data are compared. Column modeling assuming local equilibrium and rate-controlled pore diffusion was performed.

Start-Up of Chitosan-Assisted Anaerobic Sludge Bed Reactors Treating Light Oxygenated Solvents under Intermittent Operation

Quality of the granular sludge developed during the start-up of anaerobic up-flow sludge bed reactors is of crucial importance to ensure the process feasibility of treating industrial wastewater such as those containing solvents. In this study, the microbial granule formation from suspended-growth biomass was investigated in two chitosan-assisted reactors. These reactors operated mimicking industrial sites working with night closures treating a mixture of ethanol, ethyl acetate, and 1-ethoxy-2-propanol. Each reactor operated under different hydrodynamic regimes typical from UASB (R1: &lt

Effect of substrate composition on the stability and microbial community of an anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed reactor treating printing solvent mixtures of ethanol and glycol ethers

Abstract The performance and microbial community analysis of an expanded granular sludge bed reactor (EGSB) treating wastewater polluted with mixtures of ethanol and glycol ethers –such as 1-ethoxy-2-propanol (E2P) and 1-methoxy-2-propanol (M2P)– were evaluated. The results showed good EGSB performance during start-up (100% of ethanol) in terms of global removal efficiency (RE > 95%). When glycol ethers were added, an initial adaptation period was observed of ~20 days. While the RE of M2P became complete, the RE of E2P reached only 65%. The proportion of glycol ethers was gradually increased and at the end of this study only a binary mixture of E2P and M2P was fed. In the last stage, the gl…

Utilización de sistemas informáticos para el diseño de estaciones de tratamiento de aguas residuales

Los sistemas informáticos para el diseño de Estaciones de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales (ETAR) resultan de gran utilidad para la toma de decisiones relacionadas con la gestión de la calidad del agua en el medio natural. En este artículo se presenta el sistema DATAR, desarrollado para el diseño completo y riguroso de una ETAR que cumpla las especificaciones impuestas al vertido. Para ello se han desarrollado modelos matemáticos que describen los procesos que tienen lugar en los distintos elementos de tratamiento considerando los parámetros de calidad demanda biológica de oxígeno a los 5 días (DBO5), demanda química de oxígeno (DQO), sólidos suspendidos (SS), nitrógeno Kjeldhal (NKT) y fósf…

Cadmium and Zinc Adsorption onto Activated Carbon: Influence of Temperature, pH and Metal/Carbon Ratio

The adsorption characteristics of cadmium and zinc onto a granular activated carbon were studied. Cadmium and zinc removals increased on raising pH and temperature, and decreased on raising the molar metal/carbon ratio. The adsorption processes were modelled using the surface complex formation (SCF) Triple Layer Model (TLM) with an overall bidentate species. A dependence of the SCF constant on pH, the molar metal/carbon ratio and temperature was observed, and a correlation for log K ads was determined. The SCF model successfully predicted cadmium and zinc removals.

Performance evaluation of a biotrickling filter treating a mixture of oxygenated VOCs during intermittent loading

Laboratory scale-studies on the biodegradation of a 1:1:1 weight mixture of three oxygenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ethanol, ethyl acetate, and methyl-ethyl ketone (MEK) in a biotrickling filter (BTF) were carried out using two identically sized columns, filled with different polypropylene rings. The performance of the BTFs was examined for a period of 10 months applying several operational strategies. Similar performance was obtained for both supports. Intermittent flow rate of trickling liquid was shown beneficial to improve the removal efficiency (RE). Continuous feeding of VOC resulted in an excessive accumulation of biomass so high pressure drop was developed in less than 2…

Effect of EDTA on divalent metal adsorption onto grape stalk and exhausted coffee wastes

In the present work, two industrial vegetable wastes, grape stalk, coming from a wine producer, and exhausted coffee, coming from a soluble coffee manufacturer, have been investigated for the removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solutions in presence and in absence of the strongly complexing agent EDTA. Effects of pH and metal-EDTA molar ratio, kinetics as a function of sorbent concentration, and sorption equilibrium for both metals onto both sorbents were evaluated in batch experiments. Metal uptake was dependent of pH, reaching a maximum from pH around 5.5. EDTA was found to dramatically reduce metal adsorption, reaching total uptake inhibition for both metals onto both sorbents at e…

Coupling Adsorption and Biological Technologies for Multicomponent and Fluctuating Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions Abatement: Laboratory-Scale Evaluation and Full-Scale Implementation

The capacity of activated carbon as a buffer pretreatment combined with biotrickling filtration for volatile organic compound (VOC) removal has been studied. The adsorption capacity of commercial activated carbons for m-xylene, acetone and n-butyl acetate (typical paint solvents) was evaluated, including the response to the interchanging of adsorbed compounds and to mixtures over fluctuating inlet conditions. The adsorption of m-xylene and n-butyl acetate was mainly irreversible and more than three times higher than for acetone. The prior use of activated carbon influenced adsorption and buffer capacities in consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles. The Dubinin–Radushkevich equation was use…

Biofiltration of ethyl acetate under continuous and intermittent loading

A laboratory-scale peat biofilter was used for ethyl acetate removal from an air stream over a period lasting 1 yr. In a first stage, the biofilter was operated under continuous mode: a maximum elimination capacity of 400 g m−3 h−1 was obtained, and ethyl acetate was efficiently degraded with empty bed residence time (EBRT) as short as 22 s. The estimated yield coefficient, determined from the carbon dioxide production, resulted in 0.42 g dry biomass produced per gram of ethyl acetate consumed. The living and the dead cell concentrations were also monitored. The dead cell percentages varied between 18 and 85%, progressive increases in the dead cell percentages were achieved as EBRT decrease…

Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibria for binary and ternary systems composed of water, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol at 100 kPa

Isobaric vapor−liquid equilibria data were obtained for the 2-propanol + 1-propanol binary system and the water + 1-propanol + 2-propanol ternary system at 100 kPa. The data were found to be thermodynamically consistent according to the Van Ness−Byer−Gibbs method for the binary system and according to the McDermott−Ellis method for the ternary one. The binary system is well represented by assuming ideal behavior. The binary interaction parameters obtained from this and our previous work are used to predict the vapor−liquid equilibrium for the ternary system using the UNIQUAC, NRTL, and Wilson models. The ternary system is well predicted from binary data.

Modelling Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions by adsorption on a highly mineralized peat. Batch and fixed-bed column experiments

This paper evaluates the potential use of a locally available organic soil amendment as a low-cost adsorbent. The removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions was studied by means of kinetic, batch and fixed-bed experiments. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the process kinetics and the removal equilibrium over a broad pH range. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich equilibrium parameters were obtained. Six column experiments were carried out at different flow-rates and feed concentrations. Breakthrough curves showed higher metal retention than expected from the batch adsorption isotherms. Column modelling assuming rate-controlled pore diffusion was successfully performed. The…

Evaluation of biosorbents for Cu removal from wastewater in the presence of EDTA

BACKGROUND: This paper evaluates the use of several biosorbents for Cu removal from aqueous solutions in the absence and presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The objective was to determine the applicability of the sorption process after conventional physicochemical wastewater treatment, or as primary treatment, replacing the physicochemical process. RESULTS: Fixed-bed experiments were performed at Cu influent concentrations of 2 and 20 mg dm−3 and EDTA doses between 0 and 10 mg dm−3. At low Cu concentration without EDTA, Cu uptake capacity followed the order Posidonia oceanica > chitosan > chitin > Scharlau AC > Darco AC, with a maximum, at C/C0 = 0.2, of 23.2 mg g−1. In the …

Phase Equilibria in the Binary and Ternary Systems Composed of Diethyl Ketone, 2-Pentanone, and 3-Pentanol at 101.3 kPa

New vapor−liquid equilibrium data for the binary systems diethyl ketone + 2-pentanone, diethyl ketone + 3-pentanol and 2-pentanone + 3-pentanol and for the diethyl ketone + 2-pentanone + 3-pentanol ternary system are reported at 101.3 kPa. The data were found to be thermodynamically consistent according to the Van Ness−Byer−Gibbs method for the binary systems and according to the McDermott−Ellis method for the ternary one. The experimental results show that the diethyl ketone + 2-pentanone system is well represented by assuming ideal behavior. The other binary systems exhibit slight positive deviations from ideality, and no azeotrope is present. The VLE data have been correlated with the Wi…

Isobaric Vapor−Liquid Equilibria for the Binary System 3-Methylpentane + Ethanol and for the Ternary System 2-Methyl-2-propanol + Ethanol + 3-Methylpentane at 101.3 kPa

Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibria data were measured for the 3-methylpentane + ethanol binary system and 2-methyl-2-propanol + ethanol + 3-methylpentane ternary system at 101.3 kPa in a temperature range from 329 to 356 K. The data were found to be thermodynamically consistent according to the Van Ness-Byer-Gibbs method for the binary system and according to the McDermott-Ellis method for the ternary one. The binary system shows a minimum boiling azeotrope that boils at 327.9 K and contains 71.4 mol % 3-methylpentane. The binary interaction parameters obtained from this work and literature data are used to predict the vapor-liquid equilibrium for the ternary system using the UNIQUAC, NRTL, a…

Sorption characteristics of heavy metal ions by a natural zeolite

Zeolites have been shown to be effective adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. A natural material from Cuba, containing zeolite, has been used for the removal of several metal ions, namely Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+, to evaluate its potential use as a low-cost adsorbent. Batch experiments have been conducted to evaluate the process kinetics and the removal equilibrium at different pH values, metal and zeolite concentrations. Pseudo-second order kinetics and Freundlich equilibrium parameters have been obtained. Results suggested that this natural zeolite has a high potential for heavy metal retention. The selectivity of the studied metals was determined as Cu2+ ≫ Zn2+ …

Interference of EDTA in the treatment of metal plating wastewater by biosorption

Fixed‐Bed Removal of Free and Complexed Ni from Synthetic and Industrial Aqueous Solutions

Abstract This paper evaluates the application of several biosorbents for Ni removal from aqueous solutions in the absence and in the presence of EDTA. Fixed bed experiments were performed (Ni influent concentration, 2 mg dm−3; EDTA doses, 0, 5, and 10 mg dm−3; pH=7) to study the process feasibility as refining after conventional physicochemical treatment. In absence of EDTA, uptake capacity followed the order peat > Posidonia oceanica > chitosan > chitin ≫ Scharlau AC. Maximum uptakes of 8.95 mg g−1 and 5.10 mg g−1 were found for peat and Posidonia oceanica, respectively. In the presence of EDTA, removal capacity decreased for all biosorbents; Ni was detected in the effluent from the beginn…

Single and competitive adsorption of Cd and Zn onto a granular activated carbon

Single and competitive adsorption of cadmium and zinc onto granular activated carbon DARCO 12–20 mesh has been investigated. This activated carbon has been shown as an effective adsorbent for both metals. Cadmium and zinc removals increased with pH and decreased with molar metal/carbon ratio. Surface precipitation phenomena have been detected for the higher pHs and molar ratios. The adsorption process has been modelled on the surface complexation Triple Layer Model (TLM). For this purpose, the amphoteric nature of the activated carbon has been studied. Single metal adsorption data have been used to calibrate TLM parameters. A dependence of the adsorption constants on pH and molar metal/carb…

Understanding the gender gap in STEM careers. A longitudinal data analysis

Este trabajo presenta la aplicación de un análisis longitudinal a los datos del porcentaje de mujeres matriculadas en estudios relacionados con las disciplinas CTIM (STEM, por sus siglas en inglés) en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de la Universitat de València. El objetivo es evaluar el posible impacto del programa desarrollado desde 2011 en esta entidad para promocionar los estudios relacionados con la Ingeniería, especialmente entre las chicas.

Isobaric Vapor−Liquid Equilibria for the Binary System 3-Methylpentane + 2-Methyl-2-propanol and for the Ternary System Methyl 1,1-Dimethylethyl Ether + 3-Methylpentane + 2-Methyl-2-propanol at 101.3 kPa

Isobaric vapor−liquid equilibria data were obtained for the 3-methylpentane + 2-methyl-2-propanol binary system and methyl 1,1-dimethylethyl ether + 3-methylpentane + 2-methyl-2-propanol ternary system at 101.3 kPa in a temperature range from 329 to 356 K. The data were found to be thermodynamically consistent according to the Van Ness−Byer−Gibbs method for the binary system and according to the McDermott−Ellis method for the ternary one. The binary system shows a minimum boiling azeotrope that boils at 333.4 K and contains 82.6 mol % of 3-methylpentane. The binary interaction parameters obtained from this work and literature data are used to predict the vapor−liquid equilibrium for the ter…

Effect of pH, cation concentration and sorbent concentration on cadmium and copper removal by a granular activated carbon

The single adsorption of cadmium and copper from aqueous solutions has been investigated on Darco 12-20 mesh granular activated carbon for a wide range of experimental conditions: pH, metal concentration and carbon concentration. The results showed the efficiency of the activated carbon as sorbent for both metals. Metal removal increases on raising pH and carbon concentration, and decreases on raising the initial metal concentration. The adsorption processes have been modelled using the surface complex formation (SCF) Triple Layer Model (TLM) with a single surface bidentate species or with an overall surface species with fractional stoichiometry. Bidentate stoichiometry considering pH, meta…

Comparison of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation and separate hydrolysis and fermentation processes for butanol production from rice straw

Abstract Rice straw (RS) is one of the lignocellulosic wastes with the highest global production. The main objective of this study was to maximise the butanol production by Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 6422 from RS pretreated by microwave-assisted hydrothermolysis. Two different fermentation strategies were compared: separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF, two-step process) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF, one-step process). In parallel, the variables that significantly affected the butanol production were screened by using fractional factorial designs. Butanol concentration and productivity at 48 h were, respectively, 8% and 173% higher in SSF than in SHF. A one-…

Performance and feasibility of biotrickling filtration in the control of styrene industrial air emissions

Abstract The performance and feasibility of a pilot unit of biotrickling filter (BTF) for the treatment of industrial emissions polluted by styrene was investigated for one year at a fiber reinforced plastic industrial site. The pilot unit was packed with a structured material with a volume of 0.6 m3. Monitoring results have shown successful treatment of the industrial styrene emissions working at empty bed residence times (EBRT) between 31 and 66 s. The best performance was obtained after 300 days when a more stable biofilm had been developed, obtaining the highest elimination capacity of 18.8 g m−3 h−1 (removal efficiency of 75.6%) working at 31 s of EBRT. In addition, a photocatalytic re…

Mathematical modeling of the biofiltration of ethyl acetate and toluene and their mixture

Abstract A dynamic model for ethyl acetate and toluene removal by biofiltration is presented. Haldane-type kinetic expressions that include the oxygen limitation, the inhibition effect due to high concentration of substrate, and the cross-inhibition between substrates have been considered. A decrease in the biomass density with the bed height was proposed to represent the performance of peat biofilters over a broad range of operating conditions. Experimental yield coefficients have been derived from the experimental CO 2 production data. The unknown kinetic parameters of the model along with the coefficient for axial biomass density distribution were calibrated using experimental data from …

Removal of TEX vapours from air in a peat biofilter: influence of inlet concentration and inlet load

This paper presents the results of the study of the removal of toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene (TEX) by biofiltration using a commercial peat as filter-bed material. Runs with a single organic compound in air, and with the mixture of TEX in air, were carried out for at least 55 days in laboratory-scale reactors inoculated with a conditioned culture. The influence of organic compound inlet load and of gas flow rate on the biofilter's performance was studied, including relatively high values of pollutant inlet concentration (up to 4.3 gC m−3 for ethylbenzene, 3.2 gC m−3 for toluene, and 2.7 gC m−3 for o-xylene). Results obtained show maximum elimination capacities of 65 gC m−3 h−1 for o-x…

Long-term performance of peat biofilters treating ethyl acetate, toluene, and its mixture in air.

Three laboratory-scale peat biofilters were operated at 90 s empty bed residence time (EBRT) for over a year. Biodegradation of ethyl acetate, toluene, or a 1:1 mixture were investigated. In first stage, inlet concentration was progressively increased from 0.4 to 4.5 g/m3. The maximum elimination capacity (EC) found for ethyl acetate was 190 gC/m3·h, and it was not affected by toluene. The maximum EC found for toluene as a sole contaminant was 150 gC/m3·h, but the presence of ethyl acetate decreased the toluene maximum EC to 80 gC/m3·h. From respirometry monitoring, values of 3.19 g CO2/gC and 3.06 g CO2/gC for pure ethyl acetate and pure toluene, respectively, were found, with overall yiel…

Diagnosis of boron, fluorine, lead, nickel and zinc toxicity in citrus plantations in Villarreal, Spain

In the late 1980s, citrus plantations in the area of Villarreal (Spain) showed injuries similar to those previously reported for boron and fluorine toxicity. The area was affected by the disposal of industrial wastewater, mainly from ceramic industries. Conjunctive uses of surface water, groundwater and wastewater for irrigation had taken place. A survey was conducted at 25 orchards to assess leaves and soil for their boron, fluorine, lead, nickel and zinc contents. Wastewater and groundwater were also analyzed to corroborate the presence of these pollutants. The results showed that both boron and fluorine contents were greater than those reported as excess at the most part of the orchards …

A software for the integrated design of wastewater treatment plants

Abstract A software package has been developed for automated design of wastewater treatment plants. A user-friendly environment has been implemented to facilitate design tasks, allowing rapid evaluation of different alternatives as well as performing sensitivity analyses. Flexible treatment plant configurations can be established with preliminary, primary, biological and tertiary wastewater treatments, and sludge treatment units. A generalized steady-state model developed for biological processes is also included. The design process includes treatment units sizing, plant layout, hydraulic profile calculation and equipment assignment. The system capabilities for designing new plants and upgr…

Modeling of the effect of EDTA on copper(II) biosorption onto Posidonia oceanica waste in batch and fixed-bed systems

Abstract The performance of Posidonia oceanica for copper(II) biosorption in the presence of EDTA was investigated in batch and column experiments. In batch mode, copper(II) uptake in the presence of EDTA was lower than in its absence for the pH range 1.5–6.0. The decrease in the copper(II) uptake, attributed to the change in the chemical speciation of copper(II) with EDTA in solution, was from 71.7 to 58.8 mg/g in the absence and presence of EDTA respectively at pH 6. Column experiments were carried out at 5 and 20 mg Cu(II)/dm 3 and different doses of EDTA. Constant copper(II) leaks were detected in the effluent of the columns. Leak concentrations matched the copper(II)-EDTA complexes’ co…

Intermittent operation of UASB reactors treating wastewater polluted with organic solvents: process performance and microbial community evaluation

The effect of intermittent feeding on the treatment of wastewater polluted with ethanol, ethyl acetate and 1-ethoxy-2-propanol in anaerobic upflow sludge blanket reactors was investigated. Three laboratory-scale reactors, one periodically supplemented with chitosan, were operated in an intermittent pattern (16 hours per day; 5 days per week) during 5 months. Removal efficiencies higher than 94% were obtained at organic loading rates up to 50 kg COD m−3 d−1. The addition of chitosan positively affected the specific methanogenic activity of the granular sludge. Although partial deterioration of the granules was observed, it was not correlated with variations in the production of extracellular…

Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions onto Activated Carbon in Single Cu and Ni Systems and in Binary Cu-Ni, Cu-Cd and Cu-Zn Systems

Single copper and nickel adsorption from aqueous solutions onto a granular activated carbon is reported. Metal removals increase on raising pH and temperature, and decrease on raising the initial metal concentration at constant carbon dose. The adsorption processes are modelled using the surface complex formation (SCF) Triple Layer Model (TLM) with an overall surface bidentate species. A dependence of the SCF constant on pH, initial molar metal/carbon ratio and temperature is observed, and a correlation for log Kads is determined. The SCF model successfully predicts copper and nickel removals in single metal solutions. Adsorption in the binary metal systems copper–nickel, copper–cadmium and…

Gender Diversity in STEM Disciplines: A Multiple Factor Problem.

La falta de diversidad, y específicamente de diversidad de género, es uno de los problemas clave que se están encontrando tanto las empresas del sector tecnológico como las instituciones del ámbito académico en la educación superior. Según la UNESCO, las mujeres representan el 35% de todos los matriculados en las ramas de Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas (STEM, en sus siglas en inglés), encontrándose el mínimo, un 3%, en el área de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC). Al mismo tiempo, el número de mujeres profesionales que abandonan trabajos de perfil tecnológico es inaceptablemente alto. Como miembros de una institución de educación superior centrada e…

Biofiltration of ethylbenzene vapours: influence of the packing material.

In order to investigate suitable packing materials, a soil amendment composed of granular high mineralized peat (35% organic content) locally available has been evaluated as carrier material for biofiltration of volatile organic compounds in air by comparison with a fibrous peat (95% organic content). Both supports were tested to eliminate ethylbenzene from air streams in laboratory-scale reactors inoculated with a two-month conditioned culture. In pseudo-steady state operation, experiments at various ethylbenzene inlet loads (ILs) were carried out. Maximum elimination capacity of about 120 g m(-3) h(-1) for an IL of 135 g m(-3) h(-1) was obtained for the fibrous peat. The soil amendment re…

Biological nitrate removal from wastewater of a metal-finishing industry

An upflow packed bed reactor at laboratory scale has been operated for a continuous period of 5 months to investigate the technical feasibility of biological nitrate removal applied to the effluent of the coagulation-sedimentation wastewater of a metal-finishing industry. The reactor was fed with industrial wastewater in a five-fold dilution to reproduce the global spill in the factory (20/80, industrial wastewater/domestic wastewater) with a concentration of nitrate between 141 and 210 gNO(3)-N/m(3). Methanol was added as a carbon source for denitrification. Inlet flow rate was progressively increased from 9 to 40 L/day (nitrogen input load from 45 to 250 gNO(3)-N/(m(3)h)). The highest obs…

Sorption of copper by a highly mineralized peat in batch and packed-bed systems

BACKGROUND: The performance of peat for copper sorption was investigated in batch and fixed-bed experiments. The effect of pH was evaluated in batch experiments and the experimental data were fitted to an equilibrium model including pH dependence. Hydrodynamic axial dispersion was estimated by tracing experiments using LiCl as a tracer. Six fixed-bed experiments were carried out at copper concentrations between 1 and 60 mg dm−3 and the adsorption isotherm in dynamic mode was obtained. A mass transport model including convection–dispersion and sorption processes was applied for breakthrough curve modelling. RESULTS: Maximum uptake capacities in batch mode were 22.0, 36.4, and 43.7 mg g−1 for…

Girls4STEM: Gender Diversity in STEM for a Sustainable Future

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are key disciplines towards tackling the challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals. However, evidence shows that women are enrolling in these disciplines in a smaller percentage than men, especially in Engineering related fields. As stated by the United Nations Women section, increasing the number of women studying and working in STEM fields is fundamental towards achieving better solutions to the global challenges, since the potential for innovation is larger. In this paper, we present the Girls4STEM project, which started in 2019 at the Escola T&egrave

Isobaric Vapor−Liquid Equilibria of the Water + 1-Propanol System at 30, 60, and 100 kPa

Isobaric vapor−liquid equilibria for the water + 1-propanol system are reported at 30, 60, and 100 kPa. The results were found to be thermodynamically consistent according to Van Ness−Byer−Gibbs, Kojima, and Wisniak methods. The system shows a minimum boiling azeotrope, and the azeotropic composition is scarcely shifted with pressure. Results were compared with literature values. The data were correlated with Margules, Van Laar, Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC liquid-phase activity coefficient models.

Isobaric Vapor−Liquid Equilibria of the Water + 2-Propanol System at 30, 60, and 100 kPa

Isobaric vapor−liquid equilibria were obtained for the water + 2-propanol system at 30, 60, and 100 kPa. The activity coefficients were found to be thermodynamically consistent by the methods of Van Ness−Byer−Gibbs, Kojima, and Wisniak. The data were correlated with five liquid phase activity coefficient models (Margules, Van Laar, Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC).

Fermentation of municipal primary sludge: effect of SRT and solids concentration on volatile fatty acid production

Laboratory bench-scale experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of primary sludge fermentation for volatile fatty acids production. Primary sludges from two major wastewater treatment plants located in Valencia (Pinedo and Carraixet) were used. Experiments were performed at solids retention times between 4 and 10 days, and total volatile solids concentrations between 0.6% and 2.8%. Operation at two temperatures (20 degrees C and 30 degrees C) was also checked. Results indicated the importance of feed sludge characteristics on volatile fatty acids yields, being approximately double for the Carraixet wastewater treatment plant sludge than for the Pinedo plant. In both cases, …

Towards breaking the Gender Gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has drawn the attention of research and academic communities due to its impact in the Digital Society, targeting the fourth and fifth 2030 sustainable development goals of achieving quality education and gender equality. Recent studies show that women are enrolling STEM studies in smaller proportion than men and that they have a larger probability to renounce to their jobs or to take leaves. In this scenario, the involvement of educational institutions is seminal to change this trend. The School of Engineering of the University of Valencia (ETSE-UV), Spain, launched in 2011 a pilot program to promote STEM careers, foc…

Biofiltration of toluene in the absence and the presence of ethyl acetate under continuous and intermittent loading

BACKGROUND: Two peat biofilters were used for the removal of toluene from air for one year. One biofilter was fed with pure toluene and the other received 1:1 (by weight) ethyl acetate:toluene mixture. RESULTS: The biofilters were operated under continuous loading: the toluene inlet load (IL) at which 80% removal occurred was 116 g m−3 h−1 at 57 s gas residence time. Maximum elimination capacity of 360 g m−3 h−1 was obtained at an IL of 745 g m−3 h−1. The elimination of toluene was inhibited by the presence of ethyl acetate. Intermittent loading, with pollutants supplied for 16 h/day, 5 days/week, did not significantly affect the removal efficiency (RE). Biomass was fully activated in 2 h a…

Enhancement of biomass retention in an EGSB reactor used to treat 1-methoxy-2-propanol

Granulation and microbial community dynamics in the chitosan-supplemented anaerobic treatment of wastewater polluted with organic solvents.

Abstract The effect of chitosan on the development of granular sludge in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASB) when treating wastewater polluted with the organic solvents ethanol, ethyl acetate, and 1-ethoxy-2-propanol was evaluated. Three UASB reactors were operated for 219 days at ambient temperature with an organic loading rate (OLR) of between 0.3 kg COD m −3 d −1 and 20 kg COD m −3 d −1 . One reactor was operated without the addition of chitosan, while the other two were operated with the addition of chitosan doses of 2.4 mg gVSS −1 two times. The three reactors were all able to treat the OLR tested with COD removal efficiencies greater than 90%. However, the time required to…

Modeling of copper fixed-bed biosorption from wastewater by Posidonia oceanica

Biosorption of copper from aqueous solutions by Posidonia oceanica was investigated in batch and fixed-bed experiments. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal equilibrium at pH 5.0 and 6.0; experimental data were fitted to Langmuir model with maximum uptake capacities of 56.92 and 85.78 mg g(-1), respectively. Five column experiments were carried out at different feed concentrations. Breakthrough times and continuous sorption isotherm were obtained from breakthrough curves. Differences among batch and continuous isotherms were observed; the maximum uptake capacity in dynamic conditions was found in 56.70 mg g(-1) for final pH between 5.0 and 5.5. The biosorbent was regener…

Study of the Interaction Mechanism in the Biosorption of Copper(II) Ions onto Posidonia oceanica and Peat

A systematic approach was used to characterize the biosorption of copper(II) onto two biosorbents, Posidonia oceanica and peat, focusing on the interaction mechanisms, the copper(II) sorption–desorption process and the thermal behavior of the biosorbents. Sorption isotherms at pH 4–6 were obtained and the experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir model with a maximum uptake ( q max ) at pH 6 of 85.78 and 49.69mgg -1 , for P. oceanica and peat, respectively. A sequential desorption (SD) with water, Ca(NO 3 ) 2 , and EDTA was applied to copper-saturated biosorbents. Around 65–70% copper(II) were desorbed with EDTA, indicating that this heavy metal was strongly bound. The reversibility of …

Demethanization of aqueous anaerobic effluents using a polydimethylsiloxane membrane module: Mass transfer, fouling and feasibility

Abstract The performance, fouling and feasibility of a polydimethylsiloxane hollow fibre membrane module for in situ methane degasification from the effluent of an Expanded Granular Sludge Bed anaerobic reactor has been investigated. Experiments at different operational conditions were carried out (liquid flow, sweep gas flow and vacuum pressure) with maximum removal efficiency (77%) at lowest flow-rate (0.4 L h−1), highest vacuum gauge pressure (−800 mbar) and liquid flowing in lumen side. Mass transport analysis denoted a considerably higher methane transfer than that predicted (attributed to liquid oversaturation). An enhancement factor for liquid phase has been proposed to correlate the…

Dynamic Mathematical Modelling of the Removal of Hydrophilic VOCs by Biotrickling Filters

A mathematical model for the simulation of the removal of hydrophilic compounds using biotrickling filtration was developed. The model takes into account that biotrickling filters operate by using an intermittent spraying pattern. During spraying periods, a mobile liquid phase was considered, while during non-spraying periods, a stagnant liquid phase was considered. The model was calibrated and validated with data from laboratory- and industrial-scale biotrickling filters. The laboratory experiments exhibited peaks of pollutants in the outlet of the biotrickling filter during spraying periods, while during non-spraying periods, near complete removal of the pollutant was achieved. The gaseou…