Sustainable water treatment: Harnessing mining waste as catalysts for Sicomet green degradation

This paper presents a novel circular economy approach to water remediation that focuses oncreating sustainable systems by utilizing mining waste from El-Ouenza, Tebessa, in the east ofAlgeria. Waste materials are employed as catalysts in Fenton and photo-Fenton processes. Twocases were studied: the conventional and the modified heterogeneous photo-Fenton at a pH of 3and under modified pH conditions for degrading Sicomet Green food dye ZS120. Catalysts werecharacterized through various analyses. Catalyst performance and dye degradation were examinedfor raw and calcined waste at 500 ◦C. Parameters like catalyst amount, sodium sulfiteconcentration, oxalic acid, and pH were optimized for both systems, with and without ligand. Thefirst system achieved 91.5 % mineralization using 0.15 g L\u100000 1 catalyst, pH of 3, and 0.45 mMNa2SO3 in 90 min under sunlight. The second reached 78.5 % efficiency with variable conditions.Kinetic models demonstrated a first-order model for both photo-Fenton degradation and mineralizationunder sunlight. These findings guide eco-friendly dye degradation via mining wastebasedcatalysts in photo-Fenton systems, supporting sustainable wastewater treatment

Exergy Analysis of a Solar Vapor Compression Refrigeration System Using R1234ze(E) as an Environmentally Friendly Replacement of R134a

\ua9 2024 The Authors.Refrigeration plays a significant role across various aspects of human life and consumes substantial amounts of electrical energy. The rapid advancement of green cooling technology presents numerous solar-powered refrigeration systems as viable alternatives to traditional refrigeration equipment. Exergy analysis is a key in identifying actual thermodynamic losses and improving the environmental and economic efficiency of refrigeration systems. In this study exergy analyze has been conducted for a solar-powered vapor compression refrigeration (SP-VCR) system in the region of Gharda\uefa (Southern Algeria) utilizing R1234ze(E) f luid as an eco-friendly substitute for R134a refrigerant. A MATLAB-based numerical model was developed to evaluate losses in different system components and the exergy efficiency of the SP-VCR system. Furthermore, a parametric study was carried-out to analyze the impact of various operating conditions on the system’s exergy destruction and efficiency. The obtained results revealed that, for both refrigerants, the compressor exhibited the highest exergy destruction, followed by the condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. However, the system using R1234ze(E) demonstrated lower irreversibility compared to that using R134a refrigerant. The improvements made with R1234ze are 71.95% for the compressor, 39.13% for the condenser, 15.38% for the expansion valve, 5% for the evaporator, and 54.76% for the overall system, which confirm the potential of R1234ze(E) as a promising alternative to R134a for cooling applications

Advanced green peel utilization for efficient methylene blue removal: Integrated analysis and predictive modeling

This study explores the adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB) onto Green Peel (GP) material, utilizing advanced analytical techniques and modeling approaches. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirms GP\u27s effectiveness as an adsorbent. The study systematically examines the influence of key factors such as adsorbent dose, pH, MB concentration, and temperature on adsorption efficiency. Among the isotherm models analyzed, the monolayer with double energy (M2) model is identified as the most accurate for describing MB adsorption onto GP. Steric parameters provide insights into the adsorption mechanism, revealing temperature-dependent changes. Thermodynamic analysis indicates an exothermic adsorption process, with a decrease in adsorption capacity at elevated temperatures. Density Function Theory (DFT) analysis highlights the potential for electron transfer during adsorption, contributing to a deeper understanding of the process. Molecular Dynamic Simulation (MDS) uncovers stable adsorption configurations and reveals the significance of chemical interactions and Van der Waals forces. Gaussian Process Regression with L\ue9vy Flight Distribution (GPR_LFD) demonstrates exceptional predictive accuracy, closely aligning experimental and predicted MB uptake values. Optimal adsorption conditions (30 minutes contact time, 0.6 g adsorbent dose, 400 mg/L initial MB concentration, pH 6.6, and 10\ub0C) yield an adsorption capacity of 207.90 mg/g. The integration of LFD optimization and GPR prediction through a MATLAB interface further enhances the practical application of these findings. This comprehensive investigation not only advances the understanding of MB adsorption onto GP but also highlights GP\u27s potential as an efficient, reusable adsorbent

Investigating the Efficacy of Oily Water Treatment at a De-Oiling Facility in the Northern Industrial Center of CINA - Hassi Messaoud: A Statistical Physics Assessment

Environmental protection is becoming a primary objective when choosing processes andtechnologies for treating oily waters resulting from hydrocarbon production. The focus of treatingoily waters is to eliminate contaminants from effluents before discharging them into the receivingenvironment while adhering to discharge standards. Our work aims to analyze the treatment processfor oily waters in the API unit of the North Industrial Center (CINA), which involves a physical–chemical treatment using activated silica and Kurifix. The study aims to improve the treatmentprocess used for oily water treatment to ensure water conservation for reuse. To enhance the CINAHMDoily water treatment process, we created coagulants with different doses (C1–C6) using sodiumsilicate, activated silicate (sodium silicate + sulfuric acid), distilled water, Kurifix, and an oxygenscavenger while measuring pH, HC (hydrocarbon), and SS (suspended solids) levels. Coagulationand flocculation processes were used to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water.The results show that the coagulant used reduces suspended matter and hydrocarbon content andincreases pH. The best treatment is achieved with a coagulant prepared with distilled water, 5%sodium silicate, and 2% sulfuric acid. The optimal dose of coagulant is 16 ppm. Automatic dosingprovides better efficiency than manual dosing. The study recommends continuous verification ofchemical preparation and injection, periodic cleaning of settling tanks, and monitoring of oily waterentering the station

Optimising Lead–Air Battery Performance through Innovative Open-Cell Foam Anodes

\ua9 2024 by the authors.In the dynamic realm of sustainable energy storage technologies, the global research landscape presents myriad scientific and economic challenges. The erratic growth of renewable energies alongside the phasing out of conventional power plants poses a significant hurdle in maintaining a stable balance between energy supply and demand. Consequently, energy storage solutions play a pivotal role in mitigating substantial fluctuations in demand. Metal–air batteries, distinguished by their superior energy density and enhanced safety profile compared to other storage devices, emerge as promising solutions. Leveraging the well-established lead–acid battery technology, this study introduces a novel approach utilising open-cell foam manufactured through the Excess Salt Replication process as an anode for lead–air battery cells. This innovation not only conserves lead but also reduces battery weight. By employing a 25% antimonial lead alloy, open-cell foams with diameters ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm were fabricated for the antimonial lead–air battery. Preliminary findings suggest that the effective electrical conductivity of primary battery cells, measured experimentally, surpasses that of cells composed of the same dense, non-porous antimonial lead alloy. This improvement is primarily attributed to their extensive specific surface area, facilitating oxidation–reduction reactions. A correlation between effective electrical conductivity and cell diameter is established, indicating optimal conductivity achieved with a 5 mm cell diameter. These results underscore the feasibility of implementing such an electrical system

Comprehensive Analysis of Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Antibacterial Activity of <em>T. polium</em>

\ua9 2024 by the authors.This study aims to thoroughly examine the chemicals and effects of the ethanol extract from T. polium’s upper parts. We used the Soxhlet method for extraction, resulting in an extract with a significant yield of 20.6%. Qualitative analysis identified a variety of compounds, such as tannins, saponins, reducing compounds, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids. In quantitative analysis using the colorimetric method, we found the extract was rich in total flavonoids (20.78 mg equivalent QE/g DW extract) and total polyphenols (227.43 mg equivalent GAE/g DW extract). To assess antioxidant potential, we used the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method, with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as standards. The extract showed moderate activity in both the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and FRAP methods at concentrations of 65 \ub5g/mL and 21 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, we tested the ethanolic extract against various bacteria using the disk diffusion technique on agar medium. The results indicated that the T. polium extract had moderate effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, as well as Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. We further investigated the composition of the ethanolic extract through LC-MS/MS analysis, establishing a detailed profile of phenolic compounds, with six flavonoids identified as the main polyphenolic constituents. This thorough evaluation provides insights into the potential therapeutic uses of T. polium

Formulation and Characterization of Double Emulsions W/O/W Stabilized by Two Natural Polymers with Two Manufacturing Processes (Comparative Study)

\ua9 2024 by the authors.Four distinct types of multiple emulsions were synthesized using xanthan gum and pectin through two distinct manufacturing processes. The assessment encompassed the examination of morphology, stability, and rheological properties for the resulting water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsions. Formulations were meticulously crafted with emulsifiers that were compatible with varying compositions. Remarkably stable multiple emulsions were achieved with a 0.5 wt% xanthan concentration, demonstrating resilience for nearly two months across diverse storage temperatures. In contrast, multiple emulsions formulated with a higher pectin concentration (2.75 wt%) exhibited instability within a mere three days. All multiple emulsions displayed shear-thinning behavior, characterized by a decline in apparent viscosity with escalating shear rates. Comparatively, multiple emulsions incorporating xanthan gum showcased elevated viscosity at low shear rates in contrast to those formulated with pectin. These results underscore the pivotal role of the stepwise process over the direct approach and emphasize the direct correlation between biopolymer concentration and emulsion stability. This present investigation demonstrated the potential use of pectin and xanthan gum as stabilizers of multiple emulsions with potential application in the pharmaceutical industry for the formulation of topical dosage forms

Modeling and Optimization of Hybrid Fenton and Ultrasound Process for Crystal Violet Degradation Using AI Techniques

\ua9 2023 by the authors. This study conducts a comprehensive investigation to optimize the degradation of crystal violet (CV) dye using the Fenton process. The main objective is to improve the efficiency of the Fenton process by optimizing various physicochemical factors such as the Fe2+ concentration, H2O2 concentration, and pH of the solution. The results obtained show that the optimal dosages of Fe2+ and H2O2 giving a maximum CV degradation (99%) are 0.2 and 3.13 mM, respectively. The optimal solution pH for CV degradation is 3. The investigation of the type of acid for pH adjustment revealed that sulfuric acid is the most effective one, providing 100% yield, followed by phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid. Furthermore, the examination of sulfuric acid concentration shows that an optimal concentration of 0.1 M is the most effective for CV degradation. On the other hand, an increase in the initial concentration of the dye leads to a reduction in the hydroxyl radicals formed (HO•), which negatively impacts CV degradation. A concentration of 10 mg/L of CV gives complete degradation of dye within 30 min following the reaction. Increasing the solution temperature and stirring speed have a negative effect on dye degradation. Moreover, the combination of ultrasound with the Fenton process resulted in a slight enhancement in the CV degradation, with an optimal stirring speed of 300 rpm. Notably, the study incorporates the use of Gaussian process regression (GPR) modeling in conjunction with the Improved Grey Wolf Optimization (IGWO) algorithm to accurately predict the optimal degradation conditions. This research, through its rigorous investigation and advanced modeling techniques, offers invaluable insights and guidelines for optimizing the Fenton process in the context of CV degradation, thereby achieving the twin goals of cost reduction and environmental impact minimization

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Coagulation–Flocculation Treatment Using Aluminum Sulfate on a Polluted Surface Water Source: A Year-Long Study

\ua9 2024 by the authors.Safeguarding drinking water is a major public health and environmental concern because it is essential to human life but may contain pollutants that can cause illness or harm the environment. Therefore, continuous research is necessary to improve water treatment methods and guarantee its quality. As part of this study, the effectiveness of coagulation–flocculation treatment using aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) was evaluated on a very polluted site. Samplings were taken almost every day for a month from the polluted site, and the samples were characterized by several physicochemical properties, such as hydrogen potential (pH), electrical conductivity, turbidity, organic matter, ammonium (NH+4), phosphate (PO43−), nitrate (NO3−), nitrite (NO2−), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl−), bicarbonate (HCO3−), sulfate (SO42−), iron (Fe3+), manganese (Mn2+), aluminum (Al3+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), complete alkalimetric titration (TAC), and dry residue (DR). Then, these samples were treated with Al2(SO4)3 using the jar test method, which is a common method to determine the optimal amount of coagulant to add to the water based on its physicochemical characteristics. A mathematical model had been previously created using the support vector machine method to predict the dose of coagulant according to the parameters of temperature, pH, TAC, conductivity, and turbidity. This Al2(SO4)3 treatment step was repeated at the end of each month for a year, and a second characterization of the physicochemical parameters was carried out in order to compare them with those of the raw water. The results showed a very effective elimination of the various pollutions, with a very high rate, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the Al2(SO4)3. The physicochemical parameters measured after the treatment showed a significant reduction in the majority of the physicochemical parameters. These results demonstrated that the coagulation–flocculation treatment with Al2(SO4)3 was very effective in eliminating the various pollutions present in the raw water. They also stress the importance of continued research in the field of water treatment to improve the quality of drinking water and protect public health and the environment