Adsorption of U (VI) ions from aqueous solution using silicon dioxide nanopowder

The adsorption kinetics for removal of uranium (V1) from aqueous solution using silicon dioxide nanopowder (nano-SiO₂) was investigated in batch and continuous techniques. Pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order were used to analyze the kinetics of batch experiments. In continuous technique the important parameters (initial concentration, flow rate and bed height) on the breakthrough curves were studied and the adsorption kinetics was analyzed using Thomas and Yoon and Nelson kinetic models. The comparison between the kinetic models was evaluated by the correlation coefficients (r²). The results indicated that the batch experiments fitted well with pseudo second-order kinetic model. The comparison of the experimental breakthrough curve to the breakthrough profile obtained from Thomas and Yoon and Nelson methods showed a satisfactory fit for silicon dioxide nanopowder.     

Biological Activity of Essential Oils of Four Juniper Species and Their Potential as Biopesticides

The objective of this study was to assess the biological activity of essential oils (EOs) of four Juniperus species obtained via two different distillation methods and their potential as biopesticides. The studied factors were juniper species (Juniperus communis L., J. oxycedrus L., J. pygmaea C. Koch., and J. sibirica Burgsd), plant sex (male (M) and female (F)), and distillation method (hydrodistillation via a standard Clevenger apparatus (ClevA) and semi-commercial (SCom) steam distillation). The hypothesis was that the EO will have differential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activities as a function of plant species, plant sex, and distillation method. The two distillation methods resulted in similar EO composition within a given species. However, there were differences in the EO content (yield) due to the sex of the plant, and also differences in the proportions of some EO components. The concentration of α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, δ-cadinene and δ-cadinol was dissimilar between the EO of M and F plants within all four species. Additionally, M and F plants of J. pygmaea, and J. sibirica had significantly different concentrations of sabinene within the respective species. The EOs obtained via ClevA extraction showed higher antioxidant capacity within a species compared with those from SCom extraction. All of the tested EOs had significant repellent and insecticidal activity against the two aphid species Rhopalosiphum padi (bird cherry-oat aphid) and Sitobion avenae (English grain aphid) at concentrations of the EO in the solution of 1%, 2.5%, and 5%. The tested EOs demonstrated moderate activity against selected pathogens Fusarium spp., Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum spp., Rhizoctonia solani and Cylindrocarpon pauciseptatum. The results demonstrate that the standard ClevA would provide comparable EO content and composition in comparison with SCom steam distillation; however, even slight differences in the EO composition may translate into differential bioactivity.     

Batch and continuous fixed-bed column biosorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solutions: equilibrium and dynamic modeling

Biosorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solution by Cystoseira indica alga was investigated in batch and fixed-bed column experiments. In the batch study the effects of pH and initial concentration were investigated. The optimum pH for Th(IV) biosorption was found to be 3.5. The experimental isotherms obtained at different pH conditions were analyzed using three two-parameter models and three three-parameter models. Among the two-parameter models the Langmuir model and among the three-parameter models the Redlich–Peterson model vividly described the equilibrium data. The results showed that C. indica alga is a homogeneous biosorbent and Th(IV) biosorption is a favorable and physical process. The maximum biosorption capacity from the Langmuir model was 151.3, 195.7 and 120.6 mg/g at pH 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5, respectively. The continuous isotherm obtained from the column data was modeled by the Langmuir model and the maximum biosorption capacity was 283.8 mg/g. The experimental data were fitted by the use of an analytical and a numerical model, namely Clark and mass transfer models. The results showed that the mass transfer model adequately described the experimental data. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the value of k _in has more effect than the axial dispersion coefficient (D _z) on the shape of breakthrough curve.     

Reactive Distillation: An Attractive Alternative for the Synthesis of Unsaturated Polyester

Summary: Unsaturated polyester is traditionally produced in a batch wise operating reaction vessel connected to a distillation unit. An attractive alternative for the synthesis of unsaturated polyester is a reactive distillation. To value such alternative synthesis route reliable process models need to be developed. In this paper, the strategy is described for the development of the reactive distillation model. Essential parts of the reactive distillation model are kinetic and thermodynamic which are subsequently validated with the experimental data of the traditional batch process such as acid value of the polyester, weight of the distillate and glycol concentration in the distillate. We find that the models predict these important variables reliably. Unsaturated polyester production time is around 12 hours in the traditional batch process. However, the simulation study of the reactive distillation process shows that the total production time of unsaturated polyester in a continuous reactive distillation system is between 1.5 hours to 2 hours for the same product quality as during batch production. The equilibrium conversion is raised by 7% compared to the traditional batch process. The model demonstrated that reactive distillation has the potential to intensify the process by factor of 6 to 8 in comparison to the batch reactor.     

Production of Galanthamine by Leucojum aestivum Shoots Grown in Different Bioreactor Systems

The production of galanthamine by shoots of Leucojum aestivum grown in different bioreactor systems (shaking and nonshaking batch culture, temporary immersion system, bubble bioreactor, continuous and discontinuous gassing bioreactor) under different culture conditions was studied. The influence of the nutrient medium, weight of inoculum, and size of bioreactor on both growth and galanthamine production was studied. The maximal yield of galanthamine (19.416?mg) was achieved by cultivating the L. aestivum shoots (10?g of fresh inoculum) in a temporary immersion system in a 1-L bioreactor vessel which was used as an airlift culture vessel, gassing 12 times per day (5?min).     

Numerical method of quantum capture probability determination for molecular collisions at ultralow temperatures

The numerical method suggested by Truhlar and Kuppermann (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1971, vol. 93, p. 1840) to determine tunneling probabilities is adapted for quantum capture calculations in barrierless molecular processes by means of absorbing boundary conditions imposed in the range of strong interactions. It is shown that the phase uncertainty of the singular scattering problem, which arises during the extrapolation of the long-range interaction potential to short distances, is revealed as the oscillatory dependence of the transmission coefficient on the point at which the boundary conditions were imposed. The mean transmission coefficient computation makes it possible to decrease the uncertainty of the results. The method is evaluated to calculate the KRb + KRb reaction rates and K₂ + K vibrational relaxation at ultralow temperatures using model dispersion and adiabatic channel potentials derived from ab initio calculations. The results are in good agreement with the data of analytic models based on the solution of the singular scattering problem close to Bethe-Wigner energy threshold and, within the capture approximation accuracy, with the data of a rigorous quantum scattering theory.     

Biohydrogen Production Based on the Evaluation of Kinetic Parameters of a Mixed Microbial Culture Using Glucose and Fruit–Vegetable Waste as Feedstocks

Hydrogen (H₂) production from the organic fraction of solid waste such as fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) is a novel and feasible energy technology. Continuous application of this process would allow for the simultaneous treatment of organic residues and energy production. In this study, batch experiments were conducted using glucose as substrate, and data of H₂ production obtained were successfully adjusted by a logistic model. The kinetic parameters (μ _max?=?0.101 h^?1, K _s?=?2.56 g/L) of an H₂-producing microbial culture determined by the Monod and Haldane–Andrews growth models were used to establish the continuous culture conditions. This strategy led to a productive steady state in continuous culture. Once the steady state was reached in the continuous reactor, a maximum H₂ production of 700 mL was attained. The feasibility of producing H₂ from the FVW obtained from a local market in Mexico City was also evaluated using batch conditions. The effect of the initial FVW concentration on the H₂ production and waste organic material degradation was determined. The highest H₂ production rate (1.7 mmol/day), the highest cumulative H₂ volume (310 mL), and 25 % chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were obtained with an initial substrate (FVW) concentration of 37 g COD/L. The lowest H₂ production rates were obtained with relatively low initial substrate concentrations of 5 and 11 g COD/L. The H₂ production rates with FVW were also characterized by the logistic model. Similar cumulative H₂ production was obtained when glucose and FVW were used as substrates.     

Modelling and experimental validation of enantioseparation of racemic phenylalanine via a hollow fibre-supported liquid membrane

This paper reports on the enantioseparation of racemic phenylalanine or D-phenylalanine and Lphenylalanine via a hollow fibre-supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) and the results are compared with the mathematical model. The enantioseparation results, of 80 % and 73 %, showed the highest extraction and stripping of l-phenylalanine from the feed phase and the enantiomeric excess (% ee) of 60 % from 6 mmol L^?1 of initial rac-phenylalanine in the feed solution. The optimum parameters were feed solution at pH 5, 6 mmol L^L?1 of O,O′-dibenzoyl-(2S,3S)-tartaric acid ((+)-DBTA) as the extractant in octanol as the liquid membrane, and deionised water as the stripping solution. Equal flow-rates of feed and stripping solutions of 100 mL min^L?1 were adjusted in a batch operation mode for 50 min at ambient temperature. From the calculation, the equilibrium constants of extraction (K _ex) and mass transfer coefficients in the feed phase (k _f) and in the liquid membrane phase (k _m) were found to be 1.81 L mmol^?2, 3.50 × 10^?2 cm s^?1, and 1.40 × 10^?2 cm s^?1, respectively. Finally, the change in concentrations of d,l-phenylalanine over time in the feed and stripping solutions by mathematical model were estimated and compared with the experimental results. The values thus calculated were in agreement with the experimental data with the average deviation of approximately 3 %.     

Adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions onto fine powder of Typha latifolia L. root: kinetics and isotherm studies

Fine powder of Typha latifolia L. root was used for adsorption of copper and zinc ions from buffered and nonbuffered aqueous solutions. The adsorption reached equilibrium in 60 min. During this time, more than 90 % of the adsorption process was completed. The effect of initial pH, initial concentration of metal ion, and contact time was investigated in a batch system at room temperature. The optimum adsorption performance was observed at pH 5.00 and 4.25 for nonbuffered solutions of Cu(II) and Zn(II), respectively, while for buffered solutions it occurred at pH 6.00. The total metal uptake decreased on application of ammonium acetate buffer, from 37.35 to 17.00 mg g^?1 and 28.80 to 9.90 mg g^?1 for Cu(II) and Zn(II) solutions, respectively, with 100 mg L^?1 initial concentration. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich models were used to describe the adsorption kinetics. The experimental data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The biosorption equilibrium was well described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.     

Synthesis and kinetic modeling of biomass‐derived renewable polyesters

The biomass‐derived polyesters poly(1,3‐propylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PPF), poly(1,3‐propylene succinate) (PPS) and poly(1,3‐propylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate‐co‐1,3‐propylene succinate) (PPFPS) have been synthesized via a two‐step process involving polycondensation and azeotropic distillation. The kinetic parameters were obtained by fitting the experimental data from a batch polymerization reactor to three different kinetic models for polyesterification reactions. The activation energies of the all monomer systems were obtained by Arrhenius plots. Given the increasing availability of biomass‐derived monomers their use in renewable polyesters as substitutes for fossil fuel derived chemicals becomes a distinct possibility. The kinetic modeling of the uncatalyzed polyesterification reactions will enable further integrative process simulation of the studied bioderived polymers and provide a reference for future practical study or industrial applications of catalyzed polyesterification reactions and other bioderived monomer systems. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2876–2887     

Theoretical,Equilibrium, Kinetics and Thermodynamic Investigations of Methylene Blue Adsorption onto Lignite Coal

The interaction of methylene blue (MB) dye with natural coal (collected from coal landfills of the Kosovo Energy Corporation) in aqueous solutions was studied using adsorption, kinetics, and thermodynamic data, and Monte Carlo (MC) calculations. In a batch procedure, the effects of contact duration, initial MB concentration, pH, and solution temperature on the adsorption process were examined. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms were used to examine the equilibrium adsorption data. The equilibrium data fit well to the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models; however, the Freundlich model suited the adsorption data to a slightly better extent than the Langmuir model. The kinetics experimental data was fitted using pseudo-first-order, first-order, pseudo-second-order, second-order, Elvoich equation, and diffusion models. The pseudo-second-order rate model manifested a superlative fit to the experimental data, while the adsorption of MB onto coal is regulated by both liquid film and intraparticle diffusions at the same time. Thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰), and entropy (ΔS⁰) were calculated. The adsorption of MB was confirmed to be spontaneous and endothermic. The theoretical results were in agreement with the experimental ones.     

Biosorption of lead (II) from aqueous solution using Cellulose-based Bio-adsorbents prepared from unripe papaya (Carica papaya) peel waste: Removal Efficiency,Thermodynamics, kinetics and isotherm analysis

This work focuses on the removal of lead from contaminated aqueous solutions using unripe papaya peel based bio-adsorbents (PP). Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) is employed to determine the independent variables. Optimum conditions proved to be 96.5 mg/L of initial lead concentration in solution, at pH 4 of aqueous solution, having adsorbent dosage of 14.6 g/L and contact time (3 h) which subsequently yielded the predicted and actual lead removal efficiencies of 100% and 97.54%, respectively. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics of lead adsorption using unripe papaya peel followed the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models, indicating that the process of chemisorption occurred. The magnitude of the adsorption capacity of the pseudo-second-order model (q_e,cal = 6.25 mg/g) was found to be comparable to the value obtained experimentally (q_e,cal = 6.45 mg/g). Thermodynamic parameters were calculated in order to identify the phenomena of adsorption. The values of ΔH° and ΔS° are found to be 13.61 J/mol and 54.30 J/mol?K, respectively. The characteristics of unripe papaya peel bio-adsorbents, analyzed via SEM/EDX, FTIR and BET, are also presented. Thus, the O-H and C-O functional groups contained in the unripe papaya peel waste were found to effectively adsorb lead from the aqueous medium. The average pore diameters, average pore volumes and average surface area of bio-adsorbents prepared from unripe papaya peel waste proved to be 9.046 nm, 0.0012 cm³/g and 0.755 m²/g, respectively.     

Phragmites australis (Reed) as an Efficient,Eco-Friendly Adsorbent for Brackish Water Pre-Treatment in Reverse Osmosis: A Kinetic Study

A cost-effective adsorbent was prepared by carbonization of pre-treated Phragmites australis reed at 500 °C. Phragmites australis was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analyses. XRD of the as-prepared adsorbent exhibited a partially crystalline structure with a specific surface area of 211.6 m²/g and an average pore diameter of 4.2 nm. The biosorption potential of novel biosorbent Phragmites australis reed was investigated with a batch scale and continuous flow study. The study was conducted at different constraints to obtain optimum pH conditions, adsorbent dose, contact time, agitation speed, and initial TDS concentration. In order to analyze the properties of the procedure and determine the amount of sodium removal, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were tested. The optimal values of contact time, pH, and adsorbent dose were found to be 150 min, 4, and 10 g/L, respectively, with an agitation speed of 300 rpm at room temperature (27 °C). The three tested isotherms show that the adsorption of Na⁺ onto the prepared adsorbent is a hybrid process from physi- and chemisorption. For industrial application, the adsorbent was tested using the adsorbent column technique. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and diffusion models were connected, and it was discovered that the information fit best to the pseudo-second-arrange active model. According to the intraparticle diffusion model, the mechanism goes through four stages before reaching equilibrium. The periodicity test shows that the adsorption ability of Phragmites australis can be recovered by washing with 0.1 M HCl.     

Complexation of Dioxovanadium(V) with D-(-)-Quinic Acid at Different Ionic Strengths Using Different Models Based on the Debye-Hückel Theory

The complex formation reaction between the dioxovanadium(V) cation $\mathrm{VO}_{2}^{+}$ and D-(-)-quinic acid {(1R,3R,4S,5R)-(-)-1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid} has been studied in aqueous solutions. The UV data and the values of the derived conditional stability constants are presented and discussed in the light of one stoichiometric model for the reaction at T=298?K and different ionic strengths (0.10 to 1.00)?mol?dm^?3 of sodium chloride. Speciation diagrams and dissociation constants were obtained on the basis of UV spectroscopic measurements and potentiometric titrations, respectively. Our results show that one complex species, VO₂L, exists in solution in the pH range of about 1.00 to 3.00. The parabolic, Specific Ion Interaction Theory (SIT), and extended Debye-Hückel type (EDH) models successfully describe the ionic strength dependence of the stability constants. A comparison with literature data is also reported.     

Viscosity of aqueous Ni(NO3)2 solutions at temperatures from (297 to 475) K and at pressures up to 30 MPa and concentration between (0.050 and 2.246) mol · kg−1

Viscosity of nine aqueous Ni(NO₃)₂ solutions (0.050, 0.153, 0.218, 0.288, 0.608, 0.951, 1.368, 1.824, and 2.246) mol · kg⁻¹ was measured in the temperature range from (297 to 475) K and at pressures (0.1, 10, 20, and 30) MPa. The measurements were carried out with a capillary flow technique. The total experimental uncertainty of viscosity, pressure, temperature, and composition measurements were estimated to be less than 1.6%, 0.05%, 15 mK, and 0.02%, respectively. All experimental and derived results are compared with experimental and calculated values reported in the literature. Extrapolation of the solution viscosity measurements to zero concentration (pure water values) for the given temperature and pressure are in excellent agreement (average absolute deviation, AAD = 0.13%) with the values of pure water viscosity from IAPWS formulation [J. Kestin, J.V. Sengers, B. Kamgar-Parsi, J.M.H. Levelt Sengers, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 13 (1984) 175–189]. The viscosity data for the solutions as a function of concentration have been interpreted in terms of the extended Jones–Dole equation for strong electrolytes. The values of viscosity A-, B-, and D-coefficients of the extended Jones–Dole equation for the relative viscosity (η/η₀) of aqueous Ni(NO₃)₂ solutions as a function of temperature are studied. The derived values of the viscosity A- and B-coefficients were compared with the results predicted by Falkenhagen–Dole theory (limiting law) of electrolyte solutions and the values calculated with the ionic B-coefficient data. The measured values of viscosity for the solutions were also used to calculate the effective rigid molar volumes in the extended Einstein relation for the relative viscosity (η/η₀).     

Biosorption of uranium by immobilized cells of Rhodotorula glutinis

Biosorption of uranium ions from diluted solution (≤40 mg L^?1) onto immobilized cells of Rhodotorula glutinis was investigated in a batch system. Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies were conducted by considering the effect of initial uranium concentration, contact time and temperature. Non-linear forms of Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips isotherm models were used to fit the equilibrium data, Sips model was designated as the best one. Kinetic data were simulated by non-linear pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion equations. Pseudo-first-order kinetic equation described the experimental data better than pseudo-second-order equation and intra-particle diffusion equation can fit the kinetic data with two independent curves. Thermodynamic parameters, including ?H ⁰, ?G ⁰ and ?S ⁰, were evaluated, the sorption process was determined to be spontaneous and endothermic. Uranium sorption from pure uranium solutions and uranium pit wastewater by immobilized biomass and blank beads, as well as the regeneration results indicated that immobilized R. glutinis can be use to recovery uranium from uranium pit wastewater.     

Removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution using magnetic biochar synthesized by a single step method

Magnetic biochar, as an adsorbent, was synthesized by a single step method, where iron salt was directly mixed with pinewood sawdust by chemical co-precipitation and subsequently pyrolyzed at 700°C for Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solution. The effects of some important parameters including adsorbent dosage (0.4–2.8?g/L), pH (1–10) of the solution, contact time (0–1440 minutes), initial concentration (30–120?mg/L), and temperature (20–40°C) were investigated in batch experiments. Both pre- and post-adsorbents were characterized by SEM-EDX and XPS to investigate the adsorption mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacity of the tested magnetic biochar under the certain experimental conditions determined as optimal was 42.7?mg/g for Cr (VI). The adsorption data were proved to be suitable for the pseudo-second order model for kinetics and the Langmuir model for isotherms with correlation R²?=?0.9996 andR²?>?0.9980, respectively, after fitting with four kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, W-M model, and Elovich) and three isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin). The characteristic analyses further verified that the efficient particle was a mixture of iron oxides in essence, and it had a strong effect on the spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process.     

GC–MS Analysis of the Essential Oils of Piper nigrum L. and Piper longum L.

A simple, rapid and solvent-free method based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) following microwave distillation and headspace solid-phase microextraction (MD–HS-SPME) was developed for the analysis of the essential oils in two traditional Chinese medicines, Piper nigrum L. and Piper longum L. Thirty compounds were separated and identified from P. nigrum L. The main components were β-caryophyllene (23.49%), 3-carene (22.20%), d-limonene (18.68%), β-pinene (8.92%) and α-pinene (4.03 %). Forty-five compounds were separated from P. longum L. and identified. The main components were β-caryophyllene (33.44%), 3-carene (7.58%), eugenol (7.39%), d-limonene (6.70%), zingiberene (6.68%) and cubenol (3.64%). To demonstrate its advantages, MD–HS-SPME was compared to conventional HS-SPME. With conventional HS-SPME, only 28 and 33 compounds were detected in P. nigrum L. and P. longum L, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values of MD–HS-SPME for the essential oils in P. nigrum L. under optimal conditions were less than 10%. The results show that microwave distillation has a high extract efficiency and good precision and can be used to compare similarities and differences of essential oils.     

Kinetic Modeling of Ethanol Production by Scheffersomyces stipitis from Xylose

This work focuses on the kinetics of ethanol production by Scheffersomyces stipitis on xylose with the development of a mathematical model considering the effect of substrate and product concentrations on growth rate. Experiments were carried out in batch and continuous modes, with substrate concentration varying from 7.2 to 145 g L^?1. Inhibitory effects on cell growth, substrate uptake, and ethanol production rates were found to be considerable. Kinetic parameters were obtained through linear and non-linear regression methods. Experiments in continuous mode were performed at different dilution rates to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ethanol. A mixed mathematical model which combined Andrews and Levenspiel's models, combining substrate and product inhibition, was used. A quasi-Newton routine was applied to obtain a more accurate fitting of kinetic parameters. The parameters such as cell to product factor (Y _P/X) and limiting cell yield (Y _X) were shown to be dependent on substrate concentration. The kinetic model fitted satisfactorily the experimental data.