Photoelectrochemical oxidation of water at transparent ferric oxide film electrodes

The fabrication of thin-film Fe(2)O(3) photoanodes from the spray pyrolysis of Fe(III)-containing solutions is reported along with their structural characterization and application to the photoelectrolysis of water. These films combine good performance, measured in terms of photocurrent density, with excellent mechanical stability. A full investigation into the effects that modifications of the spray-pyrolysis method, such as the addition of dopants or structure-directing agents and changes in precursor species or carrier solvent, have on the performance of the photoanodes has been realized. The largest photocurrents were obtained from photoanodes prepared from ferric chloride precursor solutions, simultaneously doped with Ti(4+) (5%) and Al(3+) (1%). Doping with Zn(2+) also shows promise, cathodically shifting the onset potential by approximately 0.22 V.     

Removal of fluoride from fluoride contaminated industrial waste water by electrolysis

Wastewater containing fluoride are generally treated with lime or calcium salt supplemented with aluminium salts. Wastewater generated from different industries does not always behave in the same way due to the presence of interfering contaminants. A number of techniques have been developed and studied for the removal of excessive fluoride. Most of these are based on use of aluminium salt. In alum coagulation the sorption properties of product of hydrolysis of aluminium salts and capacity of fluoride for complex formation plays a very important role. These hydrolysis products of aluminium can be produced by passing direct current through aluminium electrode. The text presented in the paper deals with the various aspect of removal of fluoride by electrolysis using aluminium electrode from fluoride chemical based industrial wastewater.     

TiO2纳米管与纳米线的制备及光电化学研究

利用钛箔表面沉积一层TiO2纳米粒子作为晶种,与NaOH反应,通过改变反应温度制备了TiO2纳米管与纳米线.在170℃,48 h的条件下合成了TiO2纳米管.在180℃时得到另一种一维的TiO2纳米线.并用XRD,SEM,SAED,EDS及HRTEM等分析手段对两种产物的成分、形貌、结构进行表征.对TiO2纳米管电极的光电化学性能进行了研究.结果表明,TiO2纳米管与纳米线为锐钛矿型和金红石型的混晶结构.TiO2纳米管单色光的光电转化效率达到10.38%.与钛酸盐纳米管相比,混晶结构TiO2纳米管显示出优良的光电转化性能.     

Determination of phenol in industrial waste water by isotachophoresis

Summary The present work deals with the isotachophoretic analysis of phenol in industrial waste water. By variation of pH, temperature, leading and terminating electrolytes an optimal system for the determination of phenol in waste water was found. All samples were examined without preliminary chemical or physical treatment and therefore a direct analysis of waste water containing phenol is possible. The limit of the sensitivity for phenol is 0.1 ppm. The second part of this work concerns the separation of phenolic compounds, such as phenol, p-cresol and vanillin using the method described.

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Bestimmung von Phenol im Industrieabwasser mittels Isotachophorese

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der isotachophoretischen Analyse von Phenol im Abwasser von Industriebetrieben. Durch Variation von pH, Temperatur sowie der leading und terminating Elektrolytlösungen wurde ein optimales System zur Analyse von Phenol im Abwasser erstellt. Alle Proben wurden ohne chemische oder physikalische Vorbehandlung untersucht, somit kann eine direkte Analyse zur Bestimmung von Phenol durchgeführt werden. Die Bestimmungsgrenze für Phenol in diesem System liegt bei 0,1 ppm. Ein zweiter Teil dieser Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Trennung von Phenol, p-Kresol und Vanillin unter den beschriebenen Analysenbedingungen.

     

粉煤灰合成Na-X沸石去除废水中镍离子的研究

粉煤灰通过碱熔融 水热法合成了Na-X型沸石,研究了Na-X型沸石的用量、吸附时间、溶液pH值、初始镍离子浓度和温度对废水中镍离子去除效果的影响。结果表明,Na-X型粉煤灰沸石对镍离子的去除性能与化学原料合成的13X相当,明显优于粉煤灰。在20℃,pH值为6,沸石用量10g/L,吸附15min时,对初始浓度为20mg/L~150mg/L的镍离子去除率均可达90%以上。镍离子的吸附过程符合Langmiur吸附等温方程式,其单层吸附量为11.2×10^-3。粉煤灰沸石重复使用5次,对废水中镍离子的去除率仍高达95%,再生性能良好。     

Effect of water density on methanol oxidation kinetics in supercritical water

We oxidized methanol in supercritical water at 500 degrees C to explore the influence of the water concentration (or density) on the kinetics. The rate increased as the water concentration increased from 1.8 to 5.7 mol/L. This effect of water density on the kinetics observed experimentally was quantitatively reproduced by a previously validated mechanism-based, detailed chemical kinetics model. In this model, reactions of OH radicals with methanol were the fastest methanol removal steps. The rates of these removal steps increased with water density at 500 degrees C because the OH radical concentration increased. The OH radical concentration increased with density because the rates of the steps H + H2O = OH + H2 and CH3 + H2O = OH + CH4, which produce OH radicals, increased. Thus, the main role of water in accelerating methanol oxidation kinetics at 500 degrees C is as a hydrogen donor to a radical (R) in steps such as R + H2O = OH + RH. This system provides a striking example of SCW being involved on the molecular level in the free-radical oxidation as a reactant in elementary steps.     

Production of metakaolin from industrial cellulose waste

Research focused on the transformation and utilization of industrial wastes into products of commercial interest plays an increasingly important role. Residual pulp can become useful in the manufacture of different materials, providing high value to this waste and reducing its environmental impact when disposed of improperly in the environment. The main constituents of this waste are kaolin and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Starting from kaolin, metakaolin can be produced by calcination of the residue at 630?°C for 2?h in a rotary reactor with air flow, followed by solubilization with hydrochloric acid to remove the CaCO₃. The development of technological alternatives aimed at the reuse of certain wastes can result in applications of real economic interest to the chemical industry and ceramics and glass, which is the case in this study. The raw material and metakaolin obtained were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with promising results. This is because metakaolin was obtained free of contamination by other materials.     

Thermal and structural studies of polypropylene blended with esterified industrial waste lignin

Microwave-assisted chemical modification of lignin was achieved through esterification using maleic anhydride. Modified lignin (ML) was blended in different proportions up to 25 mass% with polypropylene (PP) using Brabender electronic Plasticorder at 190 °C. The structural and thermal properties of blends were investigated by thermogravometric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TG analysis showed increased thermal stability of blends due to antioxidant property of ML, which opposed oxidative degradation of PP. DSC analysis indicted slight depression in a glass transition temperature and melting temperature of blends due to partial miscible blend behavior between PP and ML. All blends showed higher crystallization temperatures and continuously reducing percentage crystallinity with increasing ML proportion in the blends. WAXD analysis indicated that PP crystallized in β polymeric form in addition to α-form in the presence of ML. However, proportion of β-form did not show linear relation with increase in ML proportion, thus ML acts as β nucleating agent in the PP matrix. SEM analysis showed good dispersion/miscibility in PP matrix indicating modification in lignin is useful.     

Equilibrium and kinetics: water confined in carbon nanotubes as one-dimensional lattice gas

We present a simple one-dimensional lattice gas model, which describes very well the equilibrium and kinetic behaviors of water confined in a thin carbon nanotube found in an atomistic molecular dynamics simulation [G. Hummer, J. C. Rasaiah, and J. P. Noworyta, Nature (London), 414, 188 (2001)]. The model parameters correspond to various physical interactions and can be calculated or estimated by using statistical mechanics. Then, the roles of all interactions in the water filling, emptying, and transporting processes are clearly understood. Our results indicate that the interaction from the water molecules outside the nanotube plays a key role in these processes and the interaction can be simply treated as an average effect of the bulk water.     

Thermostable manganese catalysts for deep oxidation of organic compounds in industrial waste gases

Performance of MnO_x/Al₂O₃ catalytic systems was studied after they were roasted at different temperatures in the range of 650 – 1100°C. The maximum activity of the catalysts was reached when the catalyst roasting temperature was 1000°C. To explain the results, the X-ray diffraction analyses of THE catalysts were performed.     

Main reprocessing ways of industrial waste water on the local plants

Some ways of wastewater treatment on the local plants are presented. An application of the suggested ways allows reuse of the reprocessed water to reuse and the optimization of the operating costs.     

Photoelectrochemical water oxidation improved by pyridine N-oxide as a mimic of tyrosine-Z in photosystem II

Artificial photosynthesis provides a way to store solar energy in chemical bonds with water oxidation as a major challenge for creating highly efficient and robust photoanodes that mimic photosystem II. We report here an easily available pyridine N-oxide (PNO) derivative as an efficient electron transfer relay between an organic light absorber and molecular water oxidation catalyst on a nanoparticle TiO₂ photoanode. Spectroscopic and kinetic studies revealed that the PNO/PNO⁺˙ couple closely mimics the redox behavior of the tyrosine/tyrosyl radical pair in PSII in improving light-driven charge separation via multi-step electron transfer. The integrated photoanode exhibited a 1 sun current density of 3 mA cm⁻² in the presence of Na₂SO₃ and a highly stable photocurrent density of >0.5 mA cm⁻² at 0.4 V vs. NHE over a period of 1 h for water oxidation at pH 7. The performance shown here is superior to those of previously reported organic dye-based photoanodes in terms of photocurrent and stability.

Stable and high photocurrent for water oxidation was achieved by an organic dye-sensitized photoanode with a pyridine N-oxide derivative as an efficient electron relay between the chromophore and molecular water oxidation catalyst.     

Indirect determination of free cyanide in water and industrial waste water by flow injection-atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid flow injection system is proposed for indirect determination of cyanide by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. It consists of a microcolumn of immobilized salen (N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine) on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated alumina saturated with silver ion and a carrier of dilute solution of sodium hydroxide (10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹). The micro-column was located between the injection valve and nebulizer of atomic absorption spectrometry. Injection of 250 μL of aqueous cyanide standard or sample solution at pH range of 9–11 cause elution of silver as silver cyanide complexes, which was then measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The absorbance was proportional to the concentration of cyanide in the sample. The graph of absorbance (as peak height) vs. cyanide concentration was linear over the concentration range of 0.1–10 mg L⁻¹ of cyanide, and the detection limit was 0.06 mg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation at 1 and 3 mg L⁻¹ of cyanide concentration were 4.1 and 4.7%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to determination of cyanide in water and industrial waste waters, and the accuracy was examined through independent analysis by accepted method of pyridine-barbituric acid.     

Potato peels as solid waste for the removal of heavy metal copper(II) from waste water/industrial effluent

A new sorbent potato peels, which are normally discarded as solid waste for removing toxic metal ion Cu(II) from water/industrial waste water have been studied. Potato peels charcoal (PPC) was investigated as an adsorbent of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. Kinetic and isotherm studies were carried out by studying the effects of various parameters such as temperature, pH and solid liquid ratios. The optimum pH value for Cu(II) adsorption onto potato peels charcoal (PPC) was found to be 6.0. The thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibb's free energy (Delta G degrees ), standard enthalpy (Delta H degrees ) and standard entropy (DeltaS degrees ) were evaluated by applying the Van't Hoff equation. The thermodynamics of Cu(II) adsorption onto PPC indicates its spontaneous and exothermic nature. The equilibrium data at different temperatures were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms.     

Simple and efficient treatment of high-strength industrial waste water using commercial zero-valent iron

The zero-valent iron (ZVI)/H₂O₂ Fenton system can be considered as an effective solution for the removal of many of the organic pollutants present in the waste waters generated by the drug manufacturing industry. The hydrogen peroxide concentration and dosage rate were studied in order to improve the efficiency of the oxidant in the TOC reduction and, thereby enhance the overall catalytic performance of the ZVI/H₂O₂ Fenton system. TOC reductions of up to 80 % and BOD₅/COD ratios of up to 0.6 were achieved in the waste water as received without dilution (TOC_O approximately 5 g L^?1) using hydrogen peroxide dose-staggering. This showed that the ZVI/H₂O₂ process led not only to a decrease in TOC removal but also to an increase in the biodegradability of the by-products formed. The hydrogen peroxide was consumed more efficiently and very low concentrations of iron dissolved (7 mg L^?1) were obtained in the final effluents. The final values of COD, BOD₅, the suspended solids’ content and the conductivity of the treated waste water met the limits of the Spanish legal industrial discharge, Decree 57/2005 (Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Planning, Community of Madrid, 2005). In addition, the composite thus formed, consisting of zero-valent iron and iron oxide-oxyhydroxides, can be readily removed from the treated effluent, avoiding any post-treatment step.     

Production of specific copolymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates from industrial waste

Polyhydroxyalkanoates, biodegradable plastics with the desired physical and chemical properties of conventional synthetic plastics, are extensively investigated. In this study, specific bacterial strains produced specific copolymers from food waste. Copolymers of HB and HV (poly[3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate]) were obtained using various ratios of butyric acid (C₄) and valeric acid (C₅) as carbon sources. The C₄ to C₅ ratio affected the melting points of the copolymers. Melting and glass transition temperatures and many other thermal properties are important parameters relative to in-service polymer applications. Higher ratios of butyrate to valerate gave higher melting points. When a mixed culture of activated sludge was employed to produce copolymers using food wastes as nutrients, the obtained copolymers showed various monomer compositions. Copolymers with a higher portion of HV were obtained using soy waste; copolymers with less HV were obtained using malt wastes. Pure strains, (i.e., Alcaligenes latus DSM 1122, and DSM 1124, Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp.) produced specific copolymers from food waste. Only Klebsiella spp. produced different copolymers; the ratios of HB:HV were 93:7 and 79:21 from malt waste and soy waste, respectively. The other strains produced polymers of 100% HB. Selecting industrial food wastes as carbon sources can further reduce the cost of producing copolymers. Open Laboratory of Chirotechnology of the Institute of Molecular Technology for Drug Discovery and Synthesis The University Grants Committee Area of Excellence Scheme, Hong Kong     

Separation of trace elements from natural water and waste water

Summary Methods of discrimination between different chemical forms of trace elements in natural waters and for their separation are discussed and results given for their application to Rhine water. Various methods of trace element separation are presented: separation from sea-water by adsorption on activated carbon in presence of complexing agents, separation from mineral waters by use of the chelating cellulose exchanger Hyphan, separation of actinide elements by co-precipitation with barium sulphate, co-precipitation from waste water with hydrous ferric oxide and with ferric phosphate.

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Trennung von Spurenelementen aus natürlichem Wasser und Abwässern

Zusammenfassung Methoden der Unterscheidung verschiedener chemischer Formen der Spurenelemente in natürlichen Wässern und ihre Trennung werden diskutiert und für Rheinwasser angewendet. Folgende Ergebnisse von Spurenelement-Trennungen werden beschrieben: Abtrennung aus Meerwasser durch Adsorption an Aktivkohle in Gegenwart von Komplexbildnern, Abtrennung aus Mineralwässern unter Verwendung des chelatbildenden Zelluloseaustauschers Hyphan, Abtrennung der Actinidenelemente M^IV durch Mitfällung mit Bariumsulfat, Mitfällung mit Eisenhydroxid und Eisenphosphat aus Abwasser.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Determination of aromatic sulfonic acids in industrial waste water by ion-pair chromatography

A method for the identification and quantification of aromatic sulfonic acids in industrial waste water has been developed. The preparation of the samples comprises a clean-up step and an enrichment step, utilizing i) reversed-phase extraction and ii) ion-pair solid phase extraction. The aromatic sulfonic acids are separated by ion-pair chromatography with diode-array detection. An advantage of the developed ion-pair chromatographic method is the separation of linear alkylbenzenesulfonic acids (LAS), lignosulfonic acids and aromatic sulfonic acids in one chromatographic run. Also described is an optimized clean-up procedure for collected fractions of a preparative chromatographic run to identify monosulfonic acids with GC/MS after methylation. The detection limits for aromatic sulfonic acids in industrial waste waters are at the g/l level.     

A novel kinetic determination of dissolved chromium species in natural and industrial waste water

A highly sensitive, selective and simple kinetic method was developed for the determination of dissolved chromium species based on the catalytic effect of Cr(III) and/or Cr(VI) on the oxidation of 2-amino-5-methylphenol (AMP) with H₂O₂. The fixed time and initial rate variants were used for kinetic spectrophotometric measurements by tracing the oxidized product at 400 nm for 10 min after starting the reaction. Boric acid and Tween-40 exerted pronounced activating and micellar sensitizing effects on the studied redox reaction, respectively. The optimum reaction conditions were: 3.0 mmol l⁻¹ AMP, 0.45 mol l⁻¹ H₂O₂, 0.50 mol l⁻¹ boric acid, 4 v/v% Tween-40, 10 mmol l⁻¹ phosphate buffer and pH 6.45 ± 0.02 at 35 °C. Both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions exerted the same catalytic effect on the studied reaction. Linear calibration graphs were obtained for the determination of up to 6.0 ng ml⁻¹ Cr with detection limits of 0.054 and 0.10 ng ml⁻¹ Cr; following the fixed time and initial rate methods, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the speciation and determination of trace levels of dissolved Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in natural and effluents of industrial waste water. The total dissolved Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species was determined first. In a second run, Cr(VI) was determined alone after precipitation of Cr(III) ions in presence of Al(OH)₃ collector, where Cr(III) is then determined by difference. Moreover, published catalytic-spectrophotometric methods for chromium determination were reviewed.