Thermal and FT-IR Characterization of Gigantochloa levis and Gigantochloa scortechinii Bamboo, a Naturally Occurring Polymeric Composite

This research presents, thermal (TGA, Kinetics, DSC) analysis and FT-IR characterization of two bamboo species viz. Gigantochloa levis and Gigantochloa scortechinii at different position and locations (Internode and node). The internodes and nodes of Gigantochloa levis and Gigantochloa scortechinii exhibited similar thermal stability, observed up to 200 °C. The decomposition of cellulose and hemicelluloses component of the bamboo species occurred between 220 and 390 °C, while the degradation of lignin was observed above 400 °C. The kinetic studies revealed that Gigantochloa levis is more sensitive to degradation as compared to Gigantochloa scortechinii. The FT-IR studies were carried to assign the functional groups available at different positions and locations.     

Drying of salted silver jewfish in a hybrid solar drying system and under open sun: Modeling and performance analyses

This study investigated the thin-layer drying kinetics of salted silver jewfish in a hybrid solar drying system and under open sun. Ten drying models were compared with experimental data of salted silver jewfish drying. A new model was introduced, which is an offset linear logarithmic (offset modified Page model). The fit quality of the models was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and sum of squared absolute error (SSAE). The result showed that Midilli et al. model and new model were comparable with two or three-term exponential drying models. This study also analyzed energy and exergy during solar drying of salted silver jewfish. Energy analysis throughout the solar drying process was estimated on the basis of the first law of thermodynamics, whereas exergy analysis during solar drying was determined on the basis of the second law of thermodynamics. At an average solar radiation of 540 W/m² and a mass flow rate of 0.0778 kg/sec, the collector efficiency and drying system efficiency were about 41% and 23%, respectively. Specific energy consumption was 2.92 kWh/kg. Moreover, the exergy efficiency during solar drying process ranged from 17% to 44%, with an average value of 31%. The values of improvement potential varied between 106 and 436 W, with an average of 236 W.     

Performance of oil palm kernel shell gasification using a medium-scale downdraft gasifier

This article focused on the performance of oil palm kernel shell (PKS) gasification using a medium-scale downdraft gasifier with a feedstock capacity of 500 kg at a temperature range of 399–700°C and at a feed rate of 177 kg/h. This article is important for evaluating the reliability of PKS gasification for commercial power generation activities from biomass. The process performance was evaluated based on the syngas calorific value (CV), syngas flow rate, and its cold gas efficiency (CGE). The syngas flow rates and CVs were measured using a gas flow meter and a gas analyzer in real time. The data obtained were then analyzed to evaluate the performance of the process. The results showed that the CGE of the process was moderately high (51%) at 681°C, with a high syngas CV (4.45–4.89 MJ/Nm³) which was ideal for gas engine applications. The PKS gasification performance increased when the reactor temperature increased. Projections were made for the CGE and the syngas CV for the PKS gasification with increased reactor temperatures and it was found that these values could be increased up to 80% and 5.2 MJ/Nm^3, respectively at a reactor temperature of 900°C. In addition, the estimated power that could be generated was about 600 kW_e at a maximum operation of 500 kg/h of feed rate. Based on the analysis, a medium-scale PKS gasification is observed to be a promising process for power generation from biomass due to the favorable performance of the process.     

Source apportionment of surfactants in marine aerosols at different locations along the Malacca Straits

This study aims to determine the source apportionment of surfactants in marine aerosols at two selected stations along the Malacca Straits. The aerosol samples were collected using a high volume sampler equipped with an impactor to separate coarse- and fine-mode aerosols. The concentrations of surfactants, as methylene blue active substance and disulphine blue active substance, were analysed using colorimetric method. Ion chromatography was employed to determine the ionic compositions. Principal component analysis combined with multiple linear regression was used to identify and quantify the sources of atmospheric surfactants. The results showed that the surfactants in tropical coastal environments are actively generated from natural and anthropogenic origins. Sea spray (generated from sea-surface microlayers) was found to be a major contributor to surfactants in both aerosol sizes. Meanwhile, the anthropogenic sources (motor vehicles/biomass burning) were predominant contributors to atmospheric surfactants in fine-mode aerosols.     

Removal of arsenate from groundwater by electrocoagulation method

Purpose

Arsenic, a toxic metalloid in drinking water, has become a major threat for human beings and other organisms. In the present work, attempts have been made to remove arsenate from the synthetic as well as natural water of Ballia district, India by electrocoagulation method. Efforts have also been made to optimize the various parameters such as initial arsenate concentration, pH, applied voltage, processing time, and working temperature.

Method

Electrocoagulation is a fast, inexpensive, selective, accurate, reproducible, and eco-friendly method for arsenate removal from groundwater. The present paper describes an electrocoagulation method for arsenate removal from groundwater using iron and zinc as anode and cathode, respectively.

Results

The maximum removal of arsenate was 98.8% at 2.0?mg?L^?1, 7.0, 3.0?V, 10.0?min, and 30°C as arsenate concentration, pH, applied voltage, processing time, and working temperature, respectively. Relative standard deviation, coefficient of determination (r ²), and confidence limits were varied from 1.50% to 1.59%, 0.9996% to 0.9998%, and 96.0% to 99.0%, respectively. The treated water was clear, colorless, and odorless without any secondary contamination. The developed and validated method was applied for arsenate removal of two samples of groundwater of Ballia district, U.P., India, having 0.563 to 0.805?mg?L^?1, arsenate concentrations.

Conclusions

The reported method is capable for the removal of arsenate completely (100% removal) from groundwater of Ballia district. There was no change in the groundwater quality after the removal of arsenate. The treated water was safe for drinking, bathing, and recreation purposes. Therefore, this method may be the choice of arsenate removal from natural groundwater.     

An observation on sludge granulation in an enhanced biological phosphorus removal process

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) seeded with flocculated sludge and fed with synthetic wastewater was operated for an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process. Eight weeks after reactor startup, sludge granules were observed. The granules had a diameter of 0.5 to 3.0 mm and were brownish in color and spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. No significant change was observed in sludge granule size when operational pH was changed from 7 to 8. The 208-day continuous operation of the SBR showed that sludge granules were stably maintained with a sludge volume index (SVI) between 30 to 55 mL/g while securing a removal efficiency of 83% for carbon and 97% for phosphorus. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the enrichment of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the SBR. The observations of sludge granulation in this study encourage further studies in the development of granules-based EBPR process.     

Water Absorption Kinetics and Hygrothermal Aging of Poly(lactic acid) Containing Halloysite Nanoclay and Maleated Rubber

Poly(lactic acid)/halloysite nanoclay composites (PLA/HNC) containing maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS-g-MAH) were produced using melt compounding followed by compression molding. The effects of hygrothermal aging on the thermal properties and functional groups changes of the HNC reinforced PLA (with and without SEBS-g-MAH) at three different temperatures (i.e., 30, 40 and 50 °C) were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The diffusion coefficient (D) of PLA was decreased by the incorporation of HNC and SEBS-g-MAH. The activation energy of water diffusion (E _a ) of PLA/HNC/SEBS-g-MAH nanocomposites was higher than that of pure PLA. The glass transition temperature (T _g ), cold-crystallization temperature (T _cc ) and melting temperature (T _m ) of the PLA sample were shifted to lower temperature and the effect was more pronounced at 50 °C. The carbonyl index values of all PLA samples increased after immersed in 40 and 50 °C, which is due to the formation of higher amount of carboxyl groups during the hydrolysis process.     

Pesticide risk assessment: A study on inhalation and dermal exposure to 2,4-D and paraquat among Malaysian paddy farmers

A cross-section analytical study was conducted to evaluate the risk of pesticide exposure to those applying the Class II pesticides 2,4-D and paraquat in the paddy-growing areas of Kerian, Perak, Malaysia. It investigated the influence of weather on exposure as well as documented health problems commonly related to pesticide exposure. Potential inhalation and dermal exposure for 140 paddy farmers (handlers of pesticides) were assessed. Results showed that while temperature and humidity affected exposure, windspeed had the strongest impact on pesticide exposure via inhalation. However, the degree of exposure to both herbicides via inhalation was below the permissible exposure limits set by United States National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Dermal Exposure Assessment Method (DREAM) readings showed that dermal exposure with manual spraying ranged from moderate to high. With motorized sprayers, however, the level of dermal exposure ranged from low to moderate. Dermal exposure was significantly negatively correlated with the usage of protective clothing. Various types of deleterious health effects were detected among users of manual knapsack sprayers. Long-term spraying activities were positively correlated with increasing levels of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) liver enzyme. The type of spraying equipment, usage of proper protective clothing and adherence to correct spraying practices were found to be the most important factors influencing the degree of pesticide exposure among those applying pesticides.     

Environmentally sustainable applications of agro-based spent mushroom substrate (SMS): an overview

Agricultural wastes such as lignocellulosic residues are renewable resources can be used for mushroom cultivation. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is defined as leftover of biomass generated by commercial mushroom industries after harvesting period of mushroom. Mushroom cultivation using agricultural wastes promises a good quality of SMS for producing beneficial products such as animal feeding and fertilizers. Based on the published papers, the major applications of SMS are animal feedstock, fertilizer, energy production and wastewater treatment. For instance, some species of mushroom such as Pleurotus spp. and Agaricus bisporus are suitable for applications of ruminant feedstock and fertilizers. This paper reviews the recent studies about the beneficial usage of SMS which is considered as a waste since 2013.