AI-Driven High-Precision Model for Blockage Detection in Urban Wastewater Systems

In artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision consists of intelligent models to interpret and recognize the visual world, similar to human vision. This technology relies on a synergy of extensive data and human expertise, meticulously structured to yield accurate results. Tackling the intricate task of locating and resolving blockages within sewer systems is a significant challenge due to their diverse nature and lack of robust technique. This research utilizes the previously introduced “S-BIRD” dataset, a collection of frames depicting sewer blockages, as the foundational training data for a deep neural network model. To enhance the model’s performance and attain optimal results, transfer learning and fine-tuning techniques are strategically implemented on the YOLOv5 architecture, using the corresponding dataset. The outcomes of the trained model exhibit a remarkable accuracy rate in sewer blockage detection, thereby boosting the reliability and efficacy of the associated robotic framework for proficient removal of various blockages. Particularly noteworthy is the achieved mean average precision (mAP) score of 96.30% at a confidence threshold of 0.5, maintaining a consistently high-performance level of 79.20% across Intersection over Union (IoU) thresholds ranging from 0.5 to 0.95. It is expected that this work contributes to advancing the applications of AI-driven solutions for modern urban sanitation systems

A Techno-economic Study of a Biomass Gasification Plant for the Production of Transport Biofuel for Small Communities

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license. Link to publishers version:http://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.1111A techno-economic feasibility study of liquid bio-fuel production from biomass to meet the demand for public transport in small communities is presented. The methodology adopted in this work is based on calculating the demand of fuels required by transport sector and then estimating the amount of available biomass from various sources which can be treated to produce biofuels to meet the demand within the region. Depending on demand and available biomass feedstock, size and type of the gasification plant are specified. Narvik, a town in the northern part of Norway, is considered as a case study. The current demand of diesel for public transport in Narvik was calculated. The main sources of biomass in the region under consideration come basically from forests and municipal solid waste. It was found out that the potential of producing biofuel is more than three times the fuel demand for public transport, which means that excess biofuel produced can be used in other sectors such as heating. A downdraft gasifier of 6.0 MW was considered adequate to produce the required amount of biofuel. Cost analysis was performed where capital cost, operational and maintenance (O&M) costs for the biomass pre-treatment processes, the gasification plant and the gas to liquid (GTL) plant were considered in the assessment. It was concluded that the payback period of the project could be achieved within four years. The study demonstrated that biomass gasification offers small communities a means to cover their energy demand for public transport using local biomass feedstock and fulfils environmental targets of the community

Shewanella baltica in a Microbial Fuel Cell for Sensing of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of Wastewater

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Preliminary Study on the Mechanical Activation and High‐Temperature Treatment of Saponite‐Containing Tailings Generated during Kimberlite Ore Dressing

This study investigates transformations of a pre-mechanically activated saponite-containing material with subsequent high-temperature treatment. The thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the mechanical activation of saponite leads to the destruction of its layered structure, accompanied by the release of silicon dioxide and magnesium oxide in free form. The values of surface activity for mechanically activated saponite-containing material are also calculated. It is shown that when mechanically activated saponite-containing material is mixed with water, minerals of the serpentine group are formed, and further high-temperature treatment leads to the formation of minerals of the olivine group. It is experimentally shown that high-temperature treatment leads to the creation of a more durable structure of the saponite-containing material. This is due to decreased porosity and pore size, and sorption of moisture from the environment is also reduced. The study showed that saponite-containing waste materials can be effectively treated to create composite materials based on magnesia binders. Thus, with this method, the waste is effectively recycled into various green building material and can be used as supplementary cementitious material or fine aggregate replacement in concrete

Isolation and Characterisation of Electrogenic Bacteria from Mud Samples

To develop efficient microbial fuel cell systems for green energy production using different waste products, establishing characterised bacterial consortia is necessary. In this study, bacteria with electrogenic potentials were isolated from mud samples and examined to determine biofilm-formation capacities and macromolecule degradation. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry identifications have revealed that isolates represented 18 known and 4 unknown genuses. They all had the capacities to reduce the Reactive Black 5 stain in the agar medium, and 48 of them were positive in the wolfram nanorod reduction assay. The isolates formed biofilm to different extents on the surfaces of both adhesive and non-adhesive 96-well polystyrene plates and glass. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the different adhesion potentials of isolates to the surface of carbon tissue fibres. Eight of them (15%) were able to form massive amounts of biofilm in three days at 23 °C. A total of 70% of the isolates produced proteases, while lipase and amylase production was lower, at 38% and 27% respectively. All of the macromolecule-degrading enzymes were produced by 11 isolates, and two isolates of them had the capacity to form a strong biofilm on the carbon tissue one of the most used anodic materials in MFC systems. This study discusses the potential of the isolates for future MFC development applications

Experimental Study of Power Generation and COD Removal Efficiency by Air Cathode Microbial Fuel Cell Using Shewanella baltica 20

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a kind of bioreactor for generating electricity, facilitated by exoelectrogens while treating wastewater. The present article focuses on the performance of an air cathode plexiglass MFC in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency and power output by performing two sets of experiments. The proton exchange membrane and electrode materials were Nafion 117 and carbon felts, whereas, for stable biofilm formation on the anode surface, a pure culture of Shewanella baltica 20 was used. Firstly, sterile Luria-Bertani (LB) media containing lactate, ranging from 20 to 100 mM, was continuously fed to an MFC, and a maximum power density of 55 mW/m2 was observed. Similarly, artificial wastewater with COD ranging from 3250 mg/L to 10,272 mg/L was supplied to the MFC in the second set of experiments. In this case, the maximum power density and COD removal efficiency were 12 mW/m2 and 57%, respectively. In both cases, the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 1.5 h. It was found that electricity generation depends on the characteristics of the wastewater. These initial findings confirm that the design aspects of an MFC, i.e., surface area to volume ratio, and external resistance with respect to the quality of influent need to be optimised to improve the MFC’s performance

Engine Emissions and Performance using WCO Biodiesel

Combustion performance and exhaust emissions from the combustion of biodiesel made from waste cooking oil (WCO) are presented in this paper. Several solutions for alternative fuels particularly to substitute petroleum/fossil fuels in transport sector are available. Waste cooking oil (WCO) is one such option already used in certain ratios in the US, EU and other countries but there are still some issues relating to running diesel engines on WCO due to differences in the chemical composition between biodiesel and diesel. In order to gather more information of the overall performance in engines and emission formation, experimental tests were conducted and comparisons were made with the petroleum diesel. Elemental analysis of WCO biodiesel confirmed that different functional groups, lead to major differences in the combustion characteristics of the two fuel types. The biodiesel found to have 10% lower carbon content, almost no Sulphur content and up to 12%, more oxygen content compared with diesel. Higher oxygen content and double bonds in WCO biodiesel increase its susceptibility to oxidation and explains up to l8% lower caloric value and up to 9% lower engine torque compared with diesel. Using WCO blends ratio up to 75% in diesel showed a reduction in exhaust emissions compared with diesel. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increases as the biodiesel blend ratio in diesel increases due to greater mass of fuel being injected at a given injection pressure, compared with diesel. A common conclusion can be made in favor of the WCO biodiesel as being a greener alternative to petro-diesel when used in blend with diesel. Large variations in the feedstock used for biodiesel production would lead to variations in the physical and chemical properties of the WCO biodiesel produced. Stringent standards may need to be imposed for biodiesel quality in order to reduce the effect of variation in physiochemical properties on engine performance and emissions. However, experimental tests confirmed that biodiesel-diesel blends could be used in current diesel engines without loss of performance

Review on material and design of anode for microbial fuel cell

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical system that generates electricity by anaerobic oxidation of substrates. An anode is the most critical component because the primary conversion of wastewater into electrons and protons takes place on the surface of the anode, where a biofilm is formed. This paper describes the essential properties of the anode and classifies its types according to the material used to make it. Anode material is responsible for the flow of electrons generated by the microorganism; hence biocompatibility and conductivity can considered to be the two most important properties. In this paper, the various modification strategies to improve the performance of anodes of MFC are explained through the review of researchers’ published work in this field. The shape and size of the anode turned out to be very significant as the microbial growth depends on the available surface area. The attachment of biofilm on the surface of an anode largely depends on the interfacial surface chemistry. Methods for improving MFC performance by altering the anode material, architecture, biocompatibility, and longevity are discussed with a future perspective giving special importance to the cost