Factors influencing silver recovery and power generation in bio-electrochemical reactors

The recovery of silver from Ag⁺ solution coupled with power generation was investigated in bio-electrochemical system (BES). In this system, chemical energy existing in the organic matter in the anode chamber can be converted biologically to electrical energy which can be used for the reduction of Ag⁺ ions in the cathode chamber. Results showed that type of substrate influenced the metabolic pathway and affected the cell voltage progression, and columbic efficiency. Silver recovery was not affected by increasing initial pH (2.0 to 7.0) and Ag⁺ concentration (100 to 1000 mg/L) in the catholyte, whereas power generation was improved. A maximum power density of 8258 mW/m³ and a columbic efficiency of 21.61% could be achieved with 1000 mg/L of Ag⁺. Ag⁺ ions were reduced to form metallic deposits as Ag⁰ crystals on the cathode surface, which were then confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) image and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum. The BES reactor had high silver removal (i.e., >96%) after 24 h of operation. When considering the crossover of Ag⁺ ions through the cation exchange membrane, the removal was in the range of 83.73–92.51%. This crossover was not considerable as compared to the Ag⁺ initial concentration. At higher initial Ag⁺ concentration (2000 mg/L), the silver removal decreased to 88.61% and the maximum power density decreased to 5396 mW/m³. This study clearly showed that BES can be employed for silver recovery, wastewater treatment, and also electricity generation.     

Assessment of silver nanoparticle-induced physiological and molecular changes in Arabidopsis thaliana

In this study, the effect of silver nanoparticles and silver ions on Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated at physiological and molecular levels. The seedlings were grown in sublethal concentrations of silver nanoparticles and silver ions (0.2, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) in 1/4 Hoagland’s medium for 14 days under submerged hydroponic conditions. Significantly higher reduction in the total chlorophyll and increase in anthocyanin content were observed after exposure to 0.5 and 1 mg/L silver nanoparticles as compared to similar concentrations of silver ions. Lipid peroxidation increased significantly after exposure to 0.2, 0.5, and 1 mg/L of silver nanoparticles and 0.5 and 1 mg/L of silver ions. Qualitative analysis with dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate and rhodamine 123 fluorescence showed a dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species production and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential in the roots of seedlings exposed to different concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Real-time PCR analysis showed significant upregulation in the expression of sulfur assimilation, glutathione biosynthesis, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase genes upon exposure to silver nanoparticles as compared with silver ions. Overall, based on the physiological and molecular level responses, it was observed that exposure to silver nanoparticles exerted more toxic response than silver ions in A. thaliana.     

Characterization of silver release from commercially available functional (nano)textiles

Silver, both in the nano as well as in other forms, is used in many applications including antimicrobial textiles. Washing of such textiles has already been identified as an important process that results in the release of silver into wastewater. This study thus investigated the release of silver from eight different commercially available silver-textiles during a washing and rinsing cycle. The silver released was size-fractionated and characterized using electron microscopy. In addition, the antimicrobial functionality of the textiles was tested before and after washing. Three of the textiles contained nanosized silver (labeled or confirmed by manufacturers’ information), another used a metallic silver wire and four contained silver in undeclared form. The initial silver content of the textiles was between 1.5 and 2925 mg Ag/kg. Only four of the investigated textiles leached detectable amounts of silver, of which 34-80% was in the form of particles larger than 450 nm. Microscopic analysis of the particles released in the washing solutions identified Ti/Si-AgCl nanocomposites, AgCl nanoparticles, large AgCl particles, nanosilver sulfide and metallic nano-Ag, respectively. The nanoparticles were mainly found in highly agglomerated form. The identified nanotextiles showed the highest antimicrobial activity, whereas some of the other textiles, e.g. the one with a silver wire and the one with the lowest silver content, did not reduce the growth of bacteria at all. The results show that different silver textiles release different forms of silver during washing and that among the textiles investigated AgCl was the most frequently observed chemical form in the washwater.     

Release of silver nanoparticles from outdoor facades

In this study we investigate the release of metallic silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) from paints used for outdoor applications. A facade panel mounted on a model house was exposed to ambient weather conditions over a period of one year. The runoff volume of individual rain events was determined and the silver and titanium concentrations of 36 out of 65 runoff events were measured. Selected samples were prepared for electron microscopic analysis. A strong leaching of the Ag-NP was observed during the initial runoff events with a maximum concentration of 145 μ Ag/l. After a period of one year, more than 30% of the Ag-NP were released to the environment. Particles were mostly <15 nm and are released as composite colloids attached to the organic binders of the paint. Microscopic results indicate that the Ag-NP are likely transformed to considerably less toxic forms such as Ag₂S.     

加油站气液比检测方法及其影响

气液比(A/L)是加油站油气回收系统的一项重要控制指标,利用A/L测试仪、光离子化VOCs检测仪和油气排放因子测试装置,研究了不同A/L检测连接方式对A/L检测结果、检测人员暴露浓度、油气排放和油气回收效率等的影响。结果表明,不同连接方式和是否预先向检测油桶注油会导致A/L检测结果不一致,如果油桶与流量计不连接,A/L检测值将是实际A/L的1.04倍,当按照A/L=1.00~1.20调整加油枪A/L时,实际A/L将在0.96~1.15之间;按照国标GB20952-2007连接方式检测A/L可以减少检测过程中约80%的加油油气排放,夏季检测人员暴露油气浓度将由451×10-6(体积浓度)下降至91×10-6(体积浓度),油气排放因子将由1 056 mg/L下降至242 mg/L,更可减少因油罐吸入空气造成额外的汽油挥发排放,但不能减少倒油油气排放。     

电絮凝-气浮-砂滤组合工艺除氟

为了有效去除水中的氟离子,对电絮凝-气浮-砂滤组合工艺除氟(F-)离子进行了研究。详细考察了电压、电絮凝停留时间和初始F-离子浓度等参数对除F-离子效率的影响。结果表明:当初始F-离子浓度为1.50 mg/L,停留时间为10 min,电压为15 V条件下,出水F-离子浓度为0.92 mg/L;当初始F-离子浓度为2.5 mg/L,停留时间为15 min,电压15 V条件下,出水F-离子浓度为0.98 mg/L。用Al-Ferron逐时络合比色法表征了电絮凝和气浮单元出水中铝形态随时间的变化。结果显示:电絮凝出水Ala含量随时间增加迅速降低到5%以下,电絮凝和气浮单元出水Alb含量均占到50%以上,Alc含量均随时间增加而增加。     

Removal of silver nanoparticles in simulated wastewater treatment processes and its impact on COD and NH(4) reduction

The increasing utilization of silver nanoparticles in industrial and consumer products has raised concern to wastewater treatment utilities due to its antimicrobial activity. In this work, the removal of citrate stabilized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) during the wastewater treatment processes and its impact on treatment performance were examined. During simulated primary clarification, over 90% of the Ag-NPs remained in the wastewater, indicating that the majority of silver nanoparticles in sewage would enter the subsequent treatment units. During sequencing batch reactor processes, silver nanoparticles were effectively removed in each cycle throughout the 15-d experimental duration. Continuous input of silver nanoparticles into the wastewater did not significantly alter chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. NH(4) removal was reduced at the beginning of the SBR experiment but quickly recovered at the later stage of the experiment. This study demonstrated that in the near future it is unlikely that citrate-stabilized Ag-NPs released into sewage will cause significant adversary effects on the COD and NH(4) removal of activated sludge processes in municipal wastewater treatment plants.     

淀粉基黄原酸盐处理重金属废水的条件优化研究

采用淀粉基黄原酸盐处理含重金属的电镀废水 ,对淀粉基黄原酸盐的用量、pH值和反应时间等条件进行了研究。结果发现 ,1L含氰电镀废水 (含Cr3+15mg/L、Cu2 +3mg/L、Ni2 +9.2mg/L和Zn2 +6mg/L) ,加入 1g淀粉基黄原酸盐 ,调节 pH为 8,搅拌 1h ,过滤 ,处理后的废水中Cr3+、Cu2 +、Zn2 +和Ni2 +残余浓度分别为 0 .0 8mg/L、0 .0 1mg/L、0 .1mg/L和 0 .0 8mg/L。含有重金属盐的残渣 ,可用硝酸处理 ,以回收重金属     

Toxicity of two types of silver nanoparticles to aquatic crustaceans Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus

Although silver nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in various consumer products and produced in industrial scale, information on harmful effects of nanosilver to environmentally relevant organisms is still scarce. This paper studies the adverse effects of silver NPs to two aquatic crustaceans, Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus. For that, silver NPs were synthesized where Ag is covalently attached to poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). In parallel, the toxicity of collargol (protein-coated nanosilver) and AgNO₃ was analyzed. Both types of silver NPs were highly toxic to both crustaceans: the EC50 values in artificial freshwater were 15–17 ppb for D. magna and 20–27 ppb for T. platyurus. The natural water (five different waters with dissolved organic carbon from 5 to 35 mg C/L were studied) mitigated the toxic effect of studied silver compounds up to 8-fold compared with artificial freshwater. The toxicity of silver NPs in all test media was up to 10-fold lower than that of soluble silver salt, AgNO₃. The pattern of the toxic response of both crustacean species to the silver compounds was almost similar in artificial freshwater and in natural waters. The chronic 21-day toxicity of silver NPs to D. magna in natural water was at the part-per-billion level, and adult mortality was more sensitive toxicity test endpoint than the reproduction (the number of offspring per adult).     

Preconcentration of trace arsenite and arsenate with titanium dioxide nanoparticles and subsequent determination by silver diethyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometric method.

A novel method of preconcentration of trace arsenite and arsenate by using titanium dioxide nanoparticles as adsorbent was described. The concentrations of preconcentrated arsenite and arsenate were determined by a silver diethyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometric method without desorption. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of the pH, contact time, amount of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and solution volume. In the pH range 5 to 6, adsorption rates of arsenite and arsenate were higher than 98%. The calibration coefficient was 0.9991, and the linear range was 0 to 100 microg/L. The developed method was precise, with the relative standard deviation <5% at concentration level of 10 microg/L, with a detection limit (3sigma, n=6) of 0.44 microg/L. The accuracy of the method for total arsenic was validated by standard reference materials (SRM 3103a) (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland). The method was also applied to the analysis of arsenite and arsenate in natural water samples to verify the accuracy. The recovery values remained in a narrow range, from 95 to 103%.     

O3／GAC-常规处理珠江水系不同原水

以东江、西江和北江3种原水为研究对象,采用臭氧预处理-常规处理-臭氧活性炭系列处理,研究原水中有机物的去除及臭氧化副产物的产生和转化。结果表明,东江、西江和北江水中CODMn、UV254、甲醛和溴酸盐沿各处理单元过程变化规律基本一致;CODMn总去除率分别为60％、51％和39％,uV。总去除率分别为74％、96％和97％,最终出水甲醛浓度分别为0．004mg／L、0mg／L和0mg／L,B-O3-分别为3．1μg／L、8．7μg/L和35．5μg／L;CODMn的去除主要在预臭氧和活性炭过滤2个处理单元,预臭氧对UV254总去除率贡献最大,甲醛和溴酸盐浓度在主臭氧处理单元达到其峰值（西江甲醛除外）;氨氮和有机物浓度较低、pH值较高的北江原水,出水溴酸盐浓度最高。     

膜生物反应器处理苎麻脱胶废水的研究

利用膜生物反应器对苎麻生物脱胶废水进行试验研究,通过对废水中的COD、NH3-N、SS及色度进行检测发现,出水水质达到国家综合排放标准,并可回用。因此,此法处理麻生物脱胶废水可行,为苎麻生物脱胶废水的处理提供一种新的处理方法。     

UF-RO-NF应用于电镀镍漂洗废水回用中试研究

采用“UF-RO-NF”中试装置处理电镀镍漂洗废水,在周期运行的工况下,考察其浓淡水回用效果以及膜通量变化情况。研究表明,该套系统淡水COD、Ni离子、电导率的平均值为70.6 mg/L、2.93 mg/L、91.1μs/cm^2,远低于该生产车间镀镍漂洗水,可以回用。浓水COD、Ni离子、电导率相对于漂洗水均有4倍以上的浓缩效果,具有一定的回用价值。整个系统在试验运行10个周期内膜通量保持不变。     

Demonstrating effectiveness of passive radon-resistant new construction

Fifty percent of homes tested for radon in Rock Island County, IL, have radon levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action guideline of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. Therefore, the county is classified by the EPA as Zone 1 on the EPA's Map of Radon Potential. Radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) strategies for new homes are recommended by the EPA in Zone 1 areas. One city in the county, East Moline, reduced the cost of building permits for contractors volunteering to build new homes incorporating modified passive RRNC. Forty-six of 124 new homes built with passive RRNC in the city were tested during this study. Only 27 of the homes tested were below 4-pCi/L, justifying the importance of testing the system to ensure levels are below the action guideline. To provide additional support to an argument in favor of changing city building codes to the required RRNC, 23 of the homes were also tested with the systems deactivated. After systems were deactivated, 73% of the homes had radon levels above the action guideline. Four homes were sampled for bioaerosols to evaluate if passive RRNC might impact other indicators of poor indoor air quality (IAQ). The results of the research will be discussed here.     

In vitro activity of antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas tolaasii, pathogen of cultivated button mushroom

In vitro antibacterial activity tests of seven biofungicides (Ekstrasol, Bisolbisan, Bisolbifit, Serenade, Sonata, Timorex, F-Stop) and two disinfectants (colloidal silver alone and in combination with hydrogen peroxide) against the Pseudomonas tolaasii strain (NS3B6) were carried out by the disc-diffusion, broth microdilution and broth macrodilution method. Biofungicides tested in this study did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity in neither one of the methods used. Disc diffusion method revealed high sensitivity of the tested P. tolaasii strain to Ecocute based on colloidal silver and hydrogen peroxide. Both microdilution and macrodilution methods identified the same MICs and MBCs of Ecocute (0.19 mg/L) for P. tolaasii strain. MICs and MBCs values of silver alone were much higher (10 mg/L) compared to silver in combination with hydrogen peroxide.     

Studies on electrochemical recovery of silver from simulated waste water from Ag(II)/Ag(I) based mediated electrochemical oxidation process

In the Ag(II)/Ag(I) based mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) process, the spent waste from the electrochemical cell, which is integrated with the scrubber columns, contains high concentrations of precious silver as dissolved ions in both the anolyte and the catholyte. This work presents an electrochemical developmental study for the recovery of silver from simulated waste water from Ag(II)/Ag(I) based MEO process. Galvanostatic method of silver deposition on Ti cathode in an undivided cell was used, and the silver recovery rate kinetics of silver deposition was followed. Various experimental parameters, which have a direct bearing on the metal recovery efficiency, were optimized. These included studies with the nitric acid concentration (0.75-6M), the solution stirring rate (0-1400 rpm), the inter-electrode distance between the anode and the cathode (2-8 cm), the applied current density (29.4-88.2 mA cm(-2)), and the initial Ag(I) ion concentration (0.01-0.2M). The silver recovered by the present electrodeposition method was re-dissolved in 6M nitric acid and subjected to electrooxidation of Ag(I) to Ag(II) to ascertain its activity towards Ag(II) electrogeneration from Ag(I), which is a key factor for the efficient working of MEO process. Our studies showed that the silver metal recovered by the present electrochemical deposition method could be reused repeatedly for MEO process with no loss in its electrochemical activity. Some work on silver deposition from sulfuric acid solution of different concentrations was also done because of its promising features as the catholyte in the Ag(II) generating electrochemical cell used in MEO process, which include: (i) complete elimination of poisonous NO(x) gas liberation in the cathode compartment, (ii) reduced Ag(+) ion migration across Nafion membrane from anolyte to catholyte thereby diminished catholyte contamination, and (iii) lower cell voltage and hence lesser power consumption.     

In vitro activity of antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas tolaasii,pathogen of cultivated button mushroom

In vitro antibacterial activity tests of seven biofungicides (Ekstrasol, Bisolbisan, Bisolbifit, Serenade, Sonata, Timorex, F-Stop) and two disinfectants (colloidal silver alone and in combination with hydrogen peroxide) against the Pseudomonas tolaasii strain (NS3B6) were carried out by the disc-diffusion, broth microdilution and broth macrodilution method. Biofungicides tested in this study did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity in neither one of the methods used. Disc diffusion method revealed high sensitivity of the tested P. tolaasii strain to Ecocute based on colloidal silver and hydrogen peroxide. Both microdilution and macrodilution methods identified the same MICs and MBCs of Ecocute (0.19 mg/L) for P. tolaasii strain. MICs and MBCs values of silver alone were much higher (10 mg/L) compared to silver in combination with hydrogen peroxide.     

Evaluation of bactericidal efficacy of silver ions on Escherichia coli for drinking water disinfection

Purpose

The purpose of this study is the development of a suitable process for the disinfection of drinking water by evaluating bactericidal efficacy of silver ions from silver electrodes.

Methods

A prototype of a silver ioniser with silver electrodes and control unit has been fabricated. Silver ions from silver electrodes in water samples were estimated with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A fresh culture of Escherichia coli (1.75?×?10³ c.f.u./ml) was exposed to 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20?ppb of silver ions in 100?ml of autoclaved tap water for 60?min. The effect of different pH and temperatures on bactericidal efficacy was observed at constant silver ion concentration (5?ppb) and contact time of 30?min.

Results

The maximum bactericidal activity (100%) was observed at 20?ppb of silver ion concentration indicating total disinfection after 20?min while minimum bactericidal activity (25%) was observed after 10?min at 01?ppb of silver ions. Likewise, 100% bactericidal activity was noticed with 2, 5 and 10?ppb of silver ions after 60, 50 and 40?min, respectively. Bactericidal activity at pH?5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 was observed at 79.9%, 79.8%, 80.5%, 100% and 100%, respectively, whereas it was 80.4%, 88.3%, 100%, 100% and 100% at 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, 40°C and 50°C, respectively.

Conclusion

The findings of this study revealed that very low concentrations of silver ions at pH?8?C9 and temperature >20°C have bactericidal efficacy for total disinfection of drinking water. Silver ionisation is suitable for water disinfection and an appropriate alternative to chlorination which forms carcinogenic disinfection by-products.     

TiO2/GeO2复合膜光催化氧化降解农药废水的研究

提出了一种新的TiO₂/GeO₂复合膜圆形光催化氧化反应器，研究了该反应器对经物化处理后的农药废水进行降解的过程。研究表明，光催化氧化的最佳条件是锌片镀TiO₂/GeO₂复合膜、pH=6.7、过氧化氢（H₂O₂）浓度为400 mg/L。并对其他氧化剂对该过程的影响进行了探讨。有机废水通过该反应器处理后，其COD值降为57mg/L。能使有机污染物全部降解为小分子无机物，废水达到国家一级排放标准。     

垃圾渗滤液生物处理出水的深度处理组合工艺

采用"混凝-电解氧化-完全混合式活性污泥法(CSTR)"组合工艺深度处理垃圾渗滤液生物处理出水。探索了工艺的组合及各种工艺操作条件对垃圾渗滤液深度处理效果的影响,并对其影响机理进行了初步探讨。结果表明,以PAC为混凝剂时,在pH和药剂(有效成分)投加量分别为6.0和600 mg/L条件下,渗滤液COD去除率达到50%,有效降低了难溶惰性COD含量,缩短了后续电化学处置时间。混凝工艺后,采用电化学工艺处理,在最优工艺条件下:pH为6.0、电流I为1.2 A(电流密度为18.18 mA/cm2)、Cl-投加量为1 000 mg/L、极板距离为2 cm,电解30 min渗滤液COD去除率达到36%,同时,难降解有毒物含量明显降低,渗滤液可生化性TbOD/COD由10%提升至最大值64%。最后采用CSTR处理渗滤液电解出水,系统出水COD、氨氮和色度分别为100~150 mg/L、7~13 mg/L和25倍,为反渗透(RO)工序提供了良好的水质条件。