Challenges and perspectives on innovative technologies for biofuel production and sustainable environmental management

Specifically, human activities, such as those in industry and transportation, have resulted in an increase in the demand for fossil fuels, resulting in severe environmental problems.Throughout this article, we discuss the potential and challenges associated with the production of biofuels from a variety of feedstocks and advances in processing technologies utilizing a range of feedstocks. Based on the conclusion of the study, we conclude that bioenergy is a green alternative to be used for diverse energy needs, once the appropriate conversion processes are applied. The production of biofuels and their use in industries and transportation have significantly reduced the use of fossil fuels. The literature review concluded that producing biofuels from energy crops and microalgae was the most efficient and attractive method. The purpose of this review is to explain all aspects of biofuels and their sustainability criteria. With a particular focus on the role of nanotechnology in biofuel production, this article discusses the most recent advances in biofuel production. A number of emerging techniques have been investigated for improving process quality, including integrated techniques, less energy-intensive distillation strategies, and the use of microorganisms in engineering. A challenging aspect of biofuel production on a large scale remains; therefore, a novel technology must be developed in order to enhance biofuel production in order to meet the challenges and meet future energy needs

Toxicities, kinetics and degradation pathways investigation of ciprofloxacin degradation using iron-mediated H\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e based advanced oxidation processes

© 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a widespread emerging water pollutant and thus its removal from aquatic environment is vital. The use of Fe3+/H2O2 and Fe2+/H2O2 resulted in 38 and 64% removal of CIP (8.0 ppm), respectively, within 80 min reaction time (pH 5.8, [H2O2]0 = 80 ppm, and [iron]0 = 20 ppm). Low pH, high temperature, high dose of H2O2 and Fe2+, and low CIP concentration facilitated removal of CIP. The radical scavenger studies proved in situ generated [rad]OH to be involved primarily in the removal of CIP. The effect of temperature was used to estimate enthalpy and activation energies of the removal of CIP. At 800 min reaction time, the Fe2+/H2O2 resulted in 54% mineralization of CIP using 16.0 ppm [CIP]0, 320.0 ppm [H2O2]0, and 40.0 ppm [Fe2+]0. The potential degradation pathways of CIP established from the degradation of CIP by [rad]OH and products evolved was found to be initiated at C6 through the loss of fluoride ion. The acute and chronic toxicities of CIP and its degradation products were estimated with the final product found to be non-toxic. The results suggest that Fe2+/H2O2-mediated AOPs have high potential for degradation as well as toxicity elimination of CIP and its degradation products