Assessment of naproxen adsorption on bone char in aqueous solutions using batch and fixed-bed processes

An integrated analysis of naproxen adsorption on bone char in batch and packed-bed column conditions has been performed. Kinetic, thermodynamic and breakthrough parameters have been calculated using adsorption models and artificial neural networks. Results show that naproxen removal using bone char in batch conditions is a feasible and effective process, which could involve electrostatic and non-electrostatic interactions depending mainly on pH conditions. However, the application of packed-bed column for naproxen adsorption on bone char is not effective for the treatment of diluted solutions due to the low degree of adsorbent utilization (below 4%) at tested operating conditions. The proposed mechanism for naproxen removal using bone char could include a complexation process via phosphate and naproxen, hydrogen bonding and the possibility of hydrophobic interactions via π–π electron. This study highlights the relevance of performing an integrated analysis of adsorbent effectiveness in batch and dynamic conditions to establish the best process configuration for the removal of emerging water pollutants such as pharmaceuticals

Sourcing technology from suppliers in new product development – Purchasing’s role as a trouble shooter

Although the benefits of involving suppliers in new product development (NPD) under technological uncertainty are not unambiguously affirmed, many firms need to involve suppliers under these circumstances anyway as not all technological knowledge resides within the firm. Previous research argues that purchasing fulfils an important role in involving the suppliers in NPD. However, purchasing’s role under technological uncertainty has not been investigated in detail. The purpose of this paper is to explore purchasing’s role in technology selection, supplier selection and level of participation in NPD projects involving technology suppliers. Three NPD projects at one large high-tech firm are studied. It is shown that purchasing had limited influence in the technology selection process. Furthermore, the results show that purchasing fulfils an important role in the supplier selection. More importantly, this paper identifies that purchasing has a role as a trouble-shooter throughout the collaborative NPD projects. Purchasing does not necessarily need to be a member of the project team, and be involved in solving daily, routine problems, but serves as a trouble-shooter to solve major problems related to the supplier’s strategy, the relationship with the supplier and commitment issues

Recycling of Tetra pak wastes via pyrolysis: Characterization of solid products and application of the resulting char in the adsorption of mercury from water

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the recycling of Tetra Pak waste via pyrolysis to recover the most valuable solid products within its composition, char and aluminum, and the subsequent application of the char in the adsorption of mercury in aqueous solutions. The impact of the Tetra Pak pyrolysis conditions on the char and aluminum yields and their associated properties have been analyzed using a variety of physico-chemical techniques. Tetra Pak-derived chars showed outstanding mercury adsorption properties (up to 215.7 mg/g) that can be attributed to the heterogeneous surface chemistry composed mainly by oxygenated functional groups associated to C, Ca, Al and Si. Tetra Pak pyrolysis allowed an effective recovery of aluminum at pyrolysis temperatures of 600 and 800 °C. Higher temperatures, up to 1000 °C, promote its oxidation to aluminum oxide and hydroxide. These findings contribute to increase the versatility in the Tetra Pak reuse to develop new adsorbents with promising performance for water treatment and the associated recovery of aluminum for further industrial applications.This work was supported by Junta de Extremadura and Fondo Europeo para el Desarrollo Regional (GRU18035). JSA would like to acknowledge financial support from MINECO (projects MAT2016-80285-p & PID2019-108453GB-C21)