Struvite Precipitation modelling using Extended Quadrature Method of Moments and Drift-Flux Model

The primary fertilisers used in the agricultural industry are phosphorus based. The production of phosphorus is mainly based on the mining operations, however it is a current consensus that in 50 − 100 years time the quality and the availability of phosphorus ores will decrease substantially and the deposits will be either completely depleted or the quality of the obtainable phosphorus will be too toxic to be used in the agriculture. Taking into account the current population growth trends the food production will have to be increased even more and therefore the global food shortage is an event of high potential. To address that alternative sources of phosphorus based fertilisers must be found and numerous technological research have been taking place to limit the impact that phosphorus shortage might cause in the future. The aim of this study is to present a potential technology that could be used for phosphorus recovery. It is known that there is a significant amount of phosphorus in the wastewater therefore most of the technological developments have been focussed towards the recovery of phosphorus from the wastewater streams. The Hydrodynamic Vortex Separator (HDVS) is a product developed by Hydro International® that is primarily used for solid-liquid separation. However this study proposes the potential use of the HDVS as a reaction vessel for phosphorus recovery through magnesium-ammonium-phosphate precipitation. The study presents a development and application of a mathematical model of the two-phase system that is coupled with the formation of a dispersed phase through a precipitation process. Hydrodynamics of the system is modelled using an Eulerian approach, specifically the drift flux mixture model (DFM)[81]. The precipitation process and the change of the dispersed phase properties, namely the mean diameter of the particulates, is modelled using the Population Balance Equation (PBE), which is solved using the Extended Quadrature Method of Moments (EQMOM) method. The affects of the changes observed in the dispersed phase properties were coupled to the hydrodynamics using two new settling models that depend on the size of the particulate phase. The model has been applied to a horizontal settling tank and the HDVS geometries in order to understand the potential of the precipitation process in these type of wastewater treatment tools. In both of the cases the model predicted reasonable values of the dispersed phase mean diameter.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Marshall University Music Department Presents a Guest Faculty Recital, with guest artist, Sarunas Jankauskas, clarinet, And, Marshall University Music Faculty, Johan Botes, piano, Richard Kravchak, oboe, Wendell Dobbs, flute

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1681/thumbnail.jp

Modern day monitoring and control challenges outlined on an industrial-scale benchmark fermentation process

This paper outlines real-world control challenges faced by modern-day biopharmaceutical facilities through the extension of a previously developed industrial-scale penicillin fermentation simulation (IndPenSim). The extensions include the addition of a simulated Raman spectroscopy device for the purpose of developing, evaluating and implementation of advanced and innovative control solutions applicable to biotechnology facilities. IndPenSim can be operated in fixed or operator controlled mode and generates all the available on-line, off-line and Raman spectra for each batch. The capabilities of IndPenSim were initially demonstrated through the implementation of a QbD methodology utilising the three stages of the PAT framework. Furthermore, IndPenSim evaluated a fault detection algorithm to detect process faults occurring on different batches recorded throughout a yearly campaign. The simulator and all data presented here are available to download at www.industrialpenicillinsimulation.com and acts as a benchmark for researchers to analyse, improve and optimise the current control strategy implemented on this facility. Additionally, a highly valuable data resource containing 100 batches with all available process and Raman spectroscopy measurements is freely available to download. This data is highly suitable for the development of big data analytics, machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms applicable to the biopharmaceutical industry

Amplifying organic semiconductor waveguide based nanocrystal sensor

We demonstrate an optical sensor that consists of an amplifying organic semiconductor waveguide with a protective polymer cladding for photostability. Sensing is achieved by evanescence of the guided amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) combining high signal levels at detection with simplicity of implementation. We show correlations between the presence and concentration of colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles on the cladding surface and changes in both the ASE threshold and the optical gain

Amplifying organic semiconductor waveguide based nanocrystal sensor

We demonstrate an optical sensor that consists of an amplifying organic semiconductor waveguide with a protective polymer cladding for photostability. Sensing is achieved by evanescence of the guided amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) combining high signal levels at detection with simplicity of implementation. We show correlations between the presence and concentration of colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles on the cladding surface and changes in both the ASE threshold and the optical gain

Genetic discontinuity between local hunter-gatherers and Europes first farmers

Following the domestication of animals and crops in the Near East some 11,000 years ago, farming reached much of Central Europe by 7,500 before present. The extent to which these early European farmers ere immigrants, or descendants of resident hunter-gatherers who had learnt farming, has been widely debated. We compare new mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from late European hunter-gatherer skeletons with those from early farmers, and from modern Europeans. We find large genetic differences betwee all three groups that cannot be explained by population continuity alone. Most (82 %) of the ancient hunter-gatherers share mtDNA types that are relatively rare in Central Europeans today. Together, thse analyses provide persuasive evidence that the first farmers were not the descendants of local hunergatherers but immigrated into Central Europe at the onset of the Neolithic

Precise positioning and orientation of nanowire lasers in regular and patterned surfaces

Accurate integration of nanowire (NW) lasers with precise (sub-micrometric) control of their position and orientation angle with other photonic elements is demonstrated by means of a transfer-printing (TP) technique. 1- and 2-dimensional arrays of NW lasers are fabricated onto regular and diffractive photonic substrates with full control on the number of NWs in the arrays, their position, orientation angle and spacing between elements

Utilising biological geotextiles: Introduction to the BORASSUS project and global perspectives

Field and laboratory studies indicate that utilisation of biological geotextiles constructed from palm-leaves and other selected organic materials are an effective, sustainable and economically viable soil conservation technique. The three-year plus (1 July 2005–28 February 2009) EU-funded BORASSUS Project (contract no. INCO-CT-2005-510745) evaluated the long-term effectiveness of biological geotextiles in controlling soil erosion and assessing their sustainability and economic viability. These studies progressed in ten countries, both in the ‘industrial north’ (in Europe) and in the ‘developing south’ (Africa, South America and South East Asia). The studied countries in the ‘developing south’ included Brazil, China, The Gambia, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. The ‘industrial north’ countries included Belgium, Hungary, Lithuania and the UK. The main findings of these studies are summarised in this paper and thematic information is presented in the other four papers in this Special Issue. Biological geotextiles offer potentially novel bioengineering solutions to environmental problems, including technologies for soil conservation, sustainable plant production and use of indigenous plants, improved ecosystem management by decreasing deforestation, improving agroforestry and cost-effective biogeotextile applications in diverse environments. Biogeotextiles may provide socio-economic platforms for sustainable development and the benefits for developing countries may include poverty alleviation, engagement of local people as stakeholders, employment for disadvantaged groups, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, earning hard currency, environmental education and local community involvement in land reclamation and environmental education programmes. These benefits are achieved through: (i) promotion of sustainable and environmentally friendly palm-agriculture to discourage deforestation, promoting both reforestation and agroforestry; (ii) construction of biogeotextiles enabling development of a rural labour-intensive industry, particularly encouraging employment of socially disadvantaged groups and (iii) export of biogeotextiles to industrialised countries could earn hard currency for developing economies, based on the principles of fair trade. Research and development activities of the BORASSUS Project have improved our knowledge on the effect of biogeotextile mats on the micro- and macro-soil environments and at larger scales through controlled laboratory and field experiments in diverse environments

A 300-year record of sedimentation in a small tilled catena in Hungary based on δ13C, δ15N, and C/N distribution

Purpose Soil erosion is one of the most serious hazards that endanger sustainable food production. Moreover, it has marked effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) with direct links to global warming. At the same time, soil organic matter (SOM) changes in composition and space could influence these processes. The aim of this study was to predict soil erosion and sedimentation volume and dynamics on a typical hilly cropland area of Hungary due to forest clearance in the early eighteenth century. Materials and methods Horizontal soil samples were taken along two parallel intensively cultivated complex convex-concave slopes from the eroded upper parts at mid-slope positions and from sedimentation in toe-slopes. Samples were measured for SOC, total nitrogen (TN) content, and SOMcompounds (δ13C, δ15N, and photometric indexes). They were compared to the horizons of an in situ non-eroded profile under continuous forest. On the depositional profile cores, soil depth prior to sedimentation was calculated by the determination of sediment thickness. Results and discussion Peaks of SOC in the sedimentation profiles indicated thicker initial profiles, while peaks in C/N ratio and δ13C distribution showed the original surface to be ~ 20 cm lower. Peaks of SOC were presumed to be the results of deposition of SOC-enriched soil from the upper slope transported by selective erosion of finer particles (silts and clays). Therefore, changes in δ13C values due to tillage and delivery would fingerprint the original surface much better under the sedimentation scenario than SOC content. Distribution of δ13C also suggests that the main sedimentation phase occurred immediately after forest clearance and before the start of intense cultivation with maize. Conclusions This highlights the role of relief in sheet erosion intensity compared to intensive cultivation. Patterns of δ13C indicate the original soil surface, even in profiles deposited as sediment centuries ago. The δ13C and C/N decrease in buried in situ profiles had the same tendency as recent forest soil, indicating constant SOM quality distribution after burial. Accordingly, microbiological activity, root uptake, and metabolism have not been effective enough to modify initial soil properties

Palaeogenomics of Upper Palaeolithic to Neolithic European hunter-gatherers

Modern humans have populated Europe for more than 45,000 years1,2. Our knowledge of the genetic relatedness and structure of ancient hunter-gatherers is however limited, owing to the scarceness and poor molecular preservation of human remains from that period3. Here we analyse 356 ancient hunter-gatherer genomes, including new genomic data for 116 individuals from 14 countries in western and central Eurasia, spanning between 35,000 and 5,000 years ago. We identify a genetic ancestry profile in individuals associated with Upper Palaeolithic Gravettian assemblages from western Europe that is distinct from contemporaneous groups related to this archaeological culture in central and southern Europe4, but resembles that of preceding individuals associated with the Aurignacian culture. This ancestry profile survived during the Last Glacial Maximum (25,000 to 19,000 years ago) in human populations from southwestern Europe associated with the Solutrean culture, and with the following Magdalenian culture that re-expanded northeastward after the Last Glacial Maximum. Conversely, we reveal a genetic turnover in southern Europe suggesting a local replacement of human groups around the time of the Last Glacial Maximum, accompanied by a north-to-south dispersal of populations associated with the Epigravettian culture. From at least 14,000 years ago, an ancestry related to this culture spread from the south across the rest of Europe, largely replacing the Magdalenian-associated gene pool. After a period of limited admixture that spanned the beginning of the Mesolithic, we find genetic interactions between western and eastern European hunter-gatherers, who were also characterized by marked differences in phenotypically relevant variants