Use of UHPC in Bridge Structures: Material Modeling and Design

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a promising new class of concrete material that is likely to make a significant contribution to addressing the challenges associated with the load capacity, durability, sustainability, economy, and environmental impact of concrete bridge infrastructures. This paper focuses on the material modeling of UHPC and design of bridge girders made of UHPC. A two-phase model used for modeling the behavior of UHPC was briefly discussed, and the model was implemented in a preliminary design case study. Based on the implemented design and the reported use of UHPC in bridge applications, the advantages, limitations, and future prospects of UHPC bridges were discussed, highlighting the need for innovative research and design to make optimum use of the favorable properties of the material in bridge structures

A critical review on biofilm-based reactor systems for enhanced syngas fermentation processes

For encouraging industrial growth based on sustainability, renewable energy sources as replacement of fossil fuels have gained a great importance worldwide. Syngas fermentation fulfills the requirements for sustainable bioenergy and biochemical productions. In comparison to other gas to biofuel conversion methods such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, it not only requires less energy owing to its low operating temperature and pressure, it also offers greater flexibility in terms of feedstock composition as well as variety of the end products. In addition, biological catalysts are capable of adopting presence of impurities in syngas whereas metal catalysts get deac- tivated. Lanzatech has successful commercial plants in operation utilising the CO rich off gas from the steel industry. However, low mass transfer rate in the gas-liquid interface is the major obstacle which renders widespread adoption and industrial applications of the process limited. Recent research data indicates the capability of the biofilm reactors on improving mass transfer rates as well as achieving greater process stability. This review collates the literature on impact of biofilm technology to provide new insights in syngas fermentation to guide future research towards commercialisation of renewable sustainable biofuels and biochemicals. In this regard, operation principles, economic perspectives and mass transfer mechanisms of various biofilm reactors are compared among each other as well as with the conventional reactor configurations. Current commercialisation stage of syngas fermentation is summarised along with pilot scale patent as the initiatives of future plants. Overall, operation challenges from both microbial and bioprocessing standpoint are highlighted, and potential solutions are provided

Optimisation of anaerobic digestion of pot ale after thermochemical pre-treatment through response surface methodology

Valorisation of organic wastes in renewable energy production has attracted a global attention in order to achieve a sustainable industrial growth. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is considered to be one of the most envi- ronmentally friendly waste management technology and also fulfils the necessity of a sustainable fuel generation. It has much less energy demand than other technologies like gasification or pyrolysis due to its low operation temperature. Whiskey distillery wastewater, pot ale, is classified as a high strength waste due its high organic content hence rendering it a suitable substrate for anaerobic digestion. Despite its waste-to-energy conversion potential, pot ale contains high lignin fraction which makes it resistant to biodegradation. Therefore introducing a pre-treatment step is required to enhance the biogas production and organic matter degradation. In this study anaerobic digestion of pot ale was assessed at lab scale batch mode reactor after implementation of 1 M NaOH and microwave pre-treatments at varying power settings. Response Surface Methodology was adopted for pro- cess modelling and optimisation in which inoculum substrate ratio, initial digestion pH and microwave power were investigated at three different levels. In addition, the mineral quality of the pot ale digestate has been analysed for its agricultural use

Potential viable products identified from characterisation of agricultural slaughterhouse rendering wastewater

The composition of challenging matrices must be fully understood in order to determine the impact of the matrix and to establish suitable treatment methods. Rendering condensate wastewater is a complex matrix which is understudied. It is produced when the vapour from rendering facilities (heat processing of slaughterhouse waste material) is cooled as a liquid for discharge. This study offers a full physicochemical characterisation of rendering condensate wastewater and its potential for valorisation via production of viable by-products. A study of seasonal variation of levels of dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and ammonia was carried out on the wastewater. The results show that the wastewater was high strength all year-round, with a chemical oxygen demand of 10,813 ± 427 mg/L and high concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (1745 ± 90 mg/L), ammonia (887 ± 21 mg/L), crude protein (10,911 ± 563 mg/L), total phosphorous (51 ± 1 mg/L), fat and oil (11,363 ± 934 mg/L), total suspended solids (336 ± 73 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (4397 ± 405 mg/L). This characterisation demonstrates the requirement for adequate treatment of the condensate before releasing it to the environment. While there is a reasonably constant flow rate and dissolved oxygen level throughout the year, higher chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and ammonia levels were found in the warmer summer months. From this study, rendering condensate slaughterhouse wastewater is shown to have potential for production of marketable goods. These products may include ammonium sulphate fertilizer, protein supplements for animal feeds and recovery of acetic acid calcium hydroxyapatite, thus enhancing both the financial and environmental sustainability of slaughterhouse operations. This work demonstrates a valuable assessment of a complex wastewater, while taking advantage of on-site access to samples and process data to inform the potential for wastewater reuse

Pre-treatments to enhance biogas yield and quality from anaerobic digestion of whiskey distillery and brewery wastes: a review

In order to encourage industrial growth based on sustainability, the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable sources has gained global importance. Anaerobic digestion (AD) fulfils the requirements for a sustainable al- ternative fuel, and is also an environmentally friendly waste treatment method. It requires less energy than other methods such as gasification or pyrolysis due to its low operating temperature. Whiskey distillery and brewery waste streams are classed as high strength organic wastes due to their high BOD/COD content, thus rendering them a suitable feedstock for anaerobic digestion. Due to large global alcohol production, millions of tonnes of solid and liquid waste is discharged annually, so the potential for waste-to-energy conversion can make anae- robic digestion an attractive treatment option for the waste streams of distilleries and breweries rather than diversion to landfill or incineration. However, these waste streams are lignocellulosic, containing high fractions of lignin and crystalline cellulose, meaning pre-treatments prior to anaerobic digestion can significantly enhance the biogas yield and organic matter degradation. Acid pre-treatment and enzymatic pre-treatment are particu- larly promising, with improvement in quality up to 74% CH4 for AD of spent grain, with 16% increase in biogas yield, and up to 87% reduction in COD. However, industrial application of pre-treatments prior to anaerobic digestion remains limited. This review collates the literature to date on pre-treatments applied prior to anaerobic digestion of whiskey distillery/brewery wastes as well as current industrial practices and different reactor configurations. A particular focus is placed on the impact of pre-treatments on biogas yield in order to highlight potential enhancements in biogas yields for industrial implications

Arbitration in International Commercial Agreements: The Noose Draws Tighter

WOS: 000298822100014PubMed ID: 22166511This study aimed to examine fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19) in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to evaluate the relationship between FGF-19 and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and hsCRP. 26 T2DM patients with MetS and 12 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum FGF-19 levels were measured by sandwich ELISA, and compared with other cardiovascular risk factors; lipid profile, AIP, glucose, HbA1c, and hsCRP. AIP was calculated as log (TG/HDL-c). The median (1-3.quartile) FGF-19 levels in T2DM patients with MetS and healthy controls were 122.90 (108.63-237.60) pg/ml and 293.45 (153.64-370.31) pg/ml, respectively (P=0.003). Patients were also grouped by body mass index (BMI) = 30 kg/m(2) (n=13) with median (1-3.quartile) FGF-19 values 168.70 (113.54-275.77) pg/mL and 115.89 (97.94-200.40) pg/mL, respectively (P=0.007). Significant negative correlations were found between FGF-19 and BMI, triglyceride, log (TG/HDL-c), hsCRP, and HbA1c (r=-0.526, P=0.001; r=-0.327, P=0.05; r=-0.312, P=0.05; r=-0.435, P=0.006; r=-0.357, P=0.028, respectively). We showed that FGF-19 levels are low in T2DM patients with MerS. The negative relationship between FGF-19 and several known cardiovascular risk factors such as TG, log (TG/HDL-c), hsCRP and HbA1c in diabetic patients with MetS suggests that FGF-19 can be used as a contributing marker

Magnetic nickel nanostructure as cellulase immobilization surface for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass

In this research, a magnetic reusable nickel nanoparticle (NiNPs) supporting materials were prepared for cellulase enzyme immobilization. The immobilized cellulase showed high activity recovery, large & fast immobilization capacity and improved pH & temperature tolerance. The excellent stability and reusability enabled the immobilized cellulase to retain 84% of its initial activity after ten cycles. At 2 mg/mL enzyme concentration, highest 93% immobilization efficiency was achieved within two hours of immobilization. When the treatment temperature reached 40 °C and pH 5, the immobilized cellulase exhibited highest residual activity. The immobilized cellulase could be separated from the solution by a magnetic force. This study introduced a novel supporting material for cellulase immobilization, and the immobilized cellulase poses a great potential in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass which can used as an easily applicable and sustainable pre-treatment step for advanced biofuel production

Simple Precision Creation of Digitally Specified, Spatially Heterogeneous, Engineered Tissue Architectures

Complex architectures of integrated circuits are achieved through multiple layer photolithography, which has empowered the semiconductor industry. We adapt this philosophy for tissue engineering with a versatile, scalable, and generalizable microfabrication approach to create engineered tissue architectures composed of digitally specifiable building blocks, each with tuned structural, cellular, and compositional features.Paul G. Allen Family FoundationNew York Stem Cell FoundationNational Institutes of Health (U.S.)National Science Foundation (U.S.)Lincoln LaboratoryInstitution of Engineering and Technology (AF Harvey Prize

Optimisation and modelling of anaerobic digestion of whiskey distillery/brewery wastes after combined chemical and mechanical pre-treatment

Whiskey distillery waste streams consisting of pot ale (liquid residue) and spent grain (solid residue) are high strength organic wastes and suitable feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD) from both economic and environmental stand points. Anaerobic digestion of pot ale and pot ale/spent grain mixtures (with mixing ratios of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5 by wet weight) was performed after implementation of a novel hybrid pre-treatment (combined chemical and mechanical) in order to modify lignocellulosic structure and ultimately enhance digestion yield. Lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose fractions were determined before and after chemical pre-treatment. Effects of different inoculum rates (10–30–50% on wet basis) and beating times (0–7.5–15 min) on anaerobic digestion of pot ale alone and of pot ale/spent grain mixtures were investigated in lab scale batch mode with a major focus of optimising biogas yield by using response surface methodology (RSM) in Design Expert Software. The highest biogas yields of 629 ± 8.5 mL/g vs. (51.3% CH4) and 360 ± 10 mL/g vs. (55.0 ± 0.4) with anaerobic digestion of pot ale alone and spent grain mix after 1M NaOH and 7.5 min beating pre-treatments with 50% inoculum ratio respectively. The optimum digestion conditions to maximise the biogas quality and quantity were predicted as 10 and 13 min beating times and 32 and 38 ◦C digestion temperatures for anaerobic digestion of pot ale alone and spent grain mix respectively