Modeling of renewable energy production from the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater with ruminal liquor in microbial fuel cells

The present study aims to optimize the application of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) in the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater and the production of electricity. The methodology included the response surface analysis (RSA) to evaluate the effect of three factors: the standard reduction potential, SRP (copper, zinc, and graphite; electrode surface area (ESA), and the doses of ruminal liquor (DOSE). The power density (PD) and the removal of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined as the main response variables. The results indicated that the generation of electrical energy depended significantly on the SRP applied, highlighting the copper-graphite arrangement that generated a maximum PD (0.5685 W/m3) and the graphite-graphite that produced the highest removal of COD (81.33%). Consequently, the RSA produced significant predictive models for the generation of PD (R2 = 0.9485, p = 0.029) and removal of COD (R2 = 0.9888, p = 0.002). MFC is presented as a technology intended to be part of the diversification of renewable energy sources and at the same time recover water resources sustainably.Campus San Juan de Luriganch

A Bioenergetic Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Approach in the Secondary Montane Humid Forest-Oxapampa, Peru

Forests are capable of sequestering carbon through tree biomass and it is important to predict their storage potential given the increase in CO2 from deforestation and illegal mining. The objective of this research was to evaluate the storage of carbon and calorific value based on the aerial biomass of the forest diversity located between 2358 to 2450 masl of the Montane Humid Forest (Bh mo) in the buffer zone of San Alberto-Quilla in the Biosphere Reserve. The forest was located on the eastern Andean flank of Oxapampa in Cerro de Pasco (Peru). Four forest plots with an area of 900 m2 each were evaluated, using the destructive method for trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) equal to or greater than 10 cm. Species richness, density, diameter at breast height, and aerial biomass (AGB) were determined

Biomechanical Recycling of Plastic Waste Using Tenebrio Molitor Larvae

Insect larvae eat plastics and can take part in biomechanical recycling, breaking down polymers in their intestinal tract. The objective of the research was to biodegrade waste vinyl (PVC) gloves for domestic use using Tenebrio molitor larvae. For this, the mass of plastic waste was recorded on days 5, 10, 15, 22 and 28 of December 2022. The larvae were measured at the beginning and at the end of the trial and its excrements too. After excrement was analyzed by FTIR. Likewise, the most dominant bacteria were isolated from the intestines of the larvae that ate the plastic waste. The results indicated a utilization rate of 12% of the PCV, a rate of specific consumption of PVC equal to 2.41 mg/larva.day. The introduction of oxygen as a consequence of oxidation and associated granmegative bacteria in the larvae's intestines were also identified in the excreta of the larvae. Se ha development the biodegrading of vinyl glove residues that can be considered a biotechnological and ecological solutions to the challenge of plastic waste

Modeling of Chemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solids Removal Using the Fenton Process

Predictive mathematical models were developed for removing Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and optimizing the main operating parameters of the Fenton process, applied to effluents from a fish canning industry. The maximum removals obtained for COD and TSS were 89.2 % and 76.1 %, respectively. The optimum doses for COD removal were: 200 mg/L FeSO4 7H2O and 1,000 mg/L H2O2 at pH 2.5. While for TSS removal the optimum parameters were 1 200 mg/L H2O2, 300 mg/L FeSO4 7H2O, and pH 3. The adjusted R2 values of the COD and TSS removal models were 70.64 % and 98.01 %, respectively, indicating that the models obtained are acceptable in the prediction of both parameters

Kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption using the Rhodococcus opacus strain

Microbial biomass is considered a renewable and environmentally friendly resource. Thus, the research conducted a kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) bioadsorption process using the Rhodococcus opacus (RO) strain as a biosorbent. The inactive biomass subjected to 0.1 M NaOH pretreatment was brought into contact with synthetic solutions of Co and Mn. The experimental data for the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption process were fit to the Langmuir model with kads of 0.65 and 0.11 L.mg-1, respectively. A better statistical fit was also obtained for the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2Co(II) = 0.994 and R2Mn(II) = 0.995), with 72.3% Co(II) and 80% Mn(II) removals during the first 10 min. In addition, a higher affinity of RO for the Co(II) ion was observed, with maximum uptake values of 13.42 mg.g-1; however, a higher adsorption rate was observed for Mn(II) ion (k = 0.21 g.mg-1.min-1 at 318 K). The bioadsorption process was spontaneous and dependent on temperature, being endothermic and irreversible for the Co(II) ion (∆H = 2951.91 J.mol-1) and exothermic and reversible for the Mn(II) ion (∆H = -2974.8 J.mol-1). The kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling allowed to identify the main mechanisms involved in the biosorption process of both metals.Campus San Juan de Luriganch

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery