Graduats en Enginyeria Química: la gran oportunitat de futur

Postprint (author's final draft

A comparative study of the characteristics and physical behaviour of different packing materials commonly used in biofiltration

In this study, the characteristics and physical behaviour of 8 different packing materials were compared. The materials were selected according to previous works in the field of biofiltration including organic and inorganic or synthetic materials. Results pre-selected those more acceptable support materials for the main function they have to perform in the biological system: high surface contact, rugosity to immobilize the biomass, low pressure drop, nutrients supply, water retentivity or a commitment among them. Otherwise, pressure drop have been described by means of the respective mathematic expressions in order to include phenomena in the classical biofiltration models.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Conversion of chemical scrubbers to biotrickling filters for VOCs and H2S treatment at low contact times

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the technical and economical feasibility of converting three chemical scrubbers in series to biotrickling filters (BTFs) for the simultaneous removal of H2S and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The conversion of the full-scale scrubbers was based on previous conversion protocols. Conversion mainly required replacing the original carrier material and recycle pumps as well as modifying the controls and operation of the reactors. Complete removal of H2S and VOCs on a routine basis was reached at neutral pH in a longer period of time compared to previous conversions reported. Biotrickling filters operated at a gas contact time of about 1.4 s per reactor and at pH controlled between 6.5 and 6.8. Inlet average concentrations below 10 ppmv of H2S and below 5 ppmv for VOCs were often completely removed. The first and second bioreactors played a primary role in H2S removal. Year-round operation of the biotrickling filters proved the ability of the system to handle progressive load increases of H2S and VOCs. However, fast, sudden load changes often lead to reduced removal efficiencies. Odor analyses showed average removal efficiencies above 80 %. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of selected samples showed that outlet odor concentration was due to limited removal of VOCs. The conversion showed was economically viable taking into account the theoretical consumption of chemicals needed for the absorption and oxidation of both H2S and VOCs.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Biofiltration of WWTP sludge composting emission at contact times of 2 to 8 seconds

The performance of a biotrickling filter for the abatement of composting emissions was evaluated at short contact times of 2 to 8 seconds. The effect of EBRT, pH control and water renovation rate were evaluated. The average elimination capacity was 13 and 3.3 g N/C m-3 h -1 for ammonia and VOCs, respectively, and the maximum EC obtained during a doping process were 40 and 20 g N/C m -3 h -1 . Biotrickling filters appear as a better alternative than biofilters due to their controllability. However, water renovation becomes a critical parameter to avoid substrate inhibition by nitrite and ammonia accumulation. Not only ammonia absorption is negatively affected at low renovation rate but it is also affected the biological process. A decrease of 40 % was detected in the nitrification step when the hydraulic residence time increased from 2 to 5 hours. Results presented herein demonstrate that high removal efficiencies can be achieved for composting emissions in a biotrickling filter operated at short contact times which entails a substantial reduction of operational and investment costs in comparison to traditional techniques.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Eficacia de las tecnologías de reducción de olores en la red de alcantarillado de Sídney (Australia)

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Oxidation of methane in biotrickling filters inoculated with methanotrophic bacteria

Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Computational and experimental investigation of biofilm disruption dynamics induced by high-velocity gas jet impingement

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Quí-Bot-H2O challenge: integration of computational thinking with chemical experimentation and robotics through a web-based platform for early ages including gender, inclusive and diversity patterns

Quí-Bot-H2O is a research project in teaching innovation and scientific dissemination that joins two disciplines with high potential and demand of professionals in our society: chemistry and programming. The project includes the design of a set of activities with robots to solve several chemical experiences and programming challenges adapted to the Spanish academic curriculum of early childhood education according to ORDER ECI/3960/2007. The Quí-Bot-H2O Project has been included in the gender equality lines of action of the two reference territorial public administrations for UPC in Manresa (Bages County Council and the Manresa City Council). The Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad supports the Quí-Bot-H2O challenge under Grant FECYT2021-15626, Line of action 2. Education and scientific vocations (2nd place out of 63 awarded and 150 denied).The Quí-Bot-H2O challenge is supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under Grant FECYT2021-15626, Line of action 2. Education and scientific vocations.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::5 - Igualtat de GènereObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::10 - Reducció de les DesigualtatsObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::4 - Educació de QualitatPostprint (author's final draft

Optimization of oxygen transfer through venturi-based systems applied to the biological sweetening of biogas

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

CFD modeling of a fixed-bed biofilm reactor coupling hydrodynamics and biokinetics

Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft