A New Approach to Solve Multi-objective Transportation Problem

In this paper, a simple approach is proposed to obtain the best compromise solution of linear multiobjective transportation problem (MOTP). Using this approach, we get unique efficient solution. Because unique efficient extreme point obtained by proposed approach directly leads to compromise solution, which is preferred by decision maker. Also this approach is simple to use and less time consuming. For the application of proposed approach, numerical examples are considered from existing literature and are solved with proposed method

Production of Biodiesel using Tannery Fleshing as a Feedstock via Solid-state Fermentation

The objective of this study is to investigate solid state fermentation (SSF) mediated hydrolysis of tannery wastes to produce short and long chain fatty acids (SCFA and LCFA) followed by transesterification with methanol using alkali catalyst. Controlled inoculum which was isolated from soak liquor to be used in SSF, showed the maximum homology with the Microbacterium species by 16srDNA sequencing method. At 72 hours of Solid state fermentation (SSF), the maximum acidity and triglyceride hydrolysis were 39.46 % and 83.9% respectively. The predominant total fatty acids of the SSF samples were found to be oleic acid (C18:1n-9), palmitic acid (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:0) and estimated to be 80 %. Transesterification rate was optimized at 3 hr reaction time with 1%NaOH (w/v %), 6% methanol to oil ratio (w/v %) to produce 89% conversion rate. C13 NMR confirmed the formation of fatty acid methyl esters group in the oil

Development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) membrane from waste plastic: Towards waste to wealth for water treatment

Plastic, a non-biodegradable material has always been a concern to the environment and people. This single-use item generates waste to landfills and it persists for centuries once disposed. The urge of transforming such material into a highly valuable product has sought attention from many researchers. This study emphasizes on a nanotechnological approach to synthesize vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a substrate template using commercially available plastic bags as carbon precursor. CNTs are grown inside a hexagonally arranged nanoporous anodic alumina membranes (NAAMs). CNTs are liberated by wet chemical etching to dissolve the alumina matrix. The resulting CNTs are used as adsorption media filters for water treatment purpose. The high adsorption affinity towards heavy metals, organic matters and microbes, ability to antifouling and self-cleaning function have made CNTs a better choice over others. This article briefly discusses the catalyst-free synthesis, growth mechanism, characterization and functionalization of CNTs for water treatment application

Process Enhancement of Hydrogen And Methane Production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Two-Stage Thermophilic and Mesophilic Fermentation

The present study investigates the technical possibilities of hydrogen and methane production from palm oil mill effluent (POME). The production was carried out in two stage (thermophilic and mesophilic) continuous phase with recirculation of the digestate sludge. The reactors used for the present study, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) were operated under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions, respectively. The UASB reactor was operated at 2 days hydraulic retention time (HRT) and 75 kgCOD m3 d−1 organic loading rate (OLR) for hydrogen production. The effluents from UASB reactor containing mainly with acetate and butyrate were directly fed into CSTR for methane production and 5 days HRT was maintained. Both UASB and CSTR reactors were operated for 120 days continuously, and a stable production of the hydrogen and methane was obtained in the separate reactors. The maximum hydrogen and methane production rate achieved was 1.92 L H2 L−d−1 and 3.2 L CH4 L−1 d−1, respectively. The cumulative hydrogen and methane yields were 215 L H2/kgCOD−1 and 320 L CH4/kgCOD−1, respectively with the total COD removal efficiency of 94%. Thermoanaerobacterium species was dominant in hydrogen reactor, while methane reactor was dominated with Methanobrevibacter sp

Fermentative Hydrogen Production from Indigenous Mesophilic Strain Bacillus Anthracis PUNAJAN 1 Newly Isolated from Palm Oil Mill Effluent

In the present study, a new mesophilic bacterial strain, identified as Bacillus anthracis strain PUNAJAN 1 was isolated from palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge, and tested for its hydrogen production ability. Effect of physico-chemical factors such as temperature, initial pH, nitrogen source and carbon sources were investigated in order to determine the optimal conditions for hydrogen production. The maximum hydrogen yield of 2.42 mol H2/mol mannose was obtained at 35 °C and initial pH of 6.5. Yeast and mannose were used as the main carbon and nitrogen sources respectively in the course of the hydrogen production. Apart from synthetic substrate, specific hydrogen production potentials of the strain using POME was calculated and found to be 236 ml H2/g chemical oxygen demand (COD). The findings of this study demonstrate that the indigenous strain PUNAJAN 1 could be a potential candidate for hydrogen using POME as substrate

Effect of Organic Loading Rate on Hydrogen (H2) and Methane (CH4) Production in Two-stage Fermentation under Thermophilic Conditions using Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)

The present study dealt with hydrogen and methane production in a sequential up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) at thermophilic temperature. The POME was used as a suitable substrate of carbon source. The effect of various OLR was investigated from 25 kg-COD/m3·d to 125 kg-COD/m3·d at a constant hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6 h. The UASB-H2 reactor was operated successfully at the OLR of 75 kg-COD/m3·d when the proportion of H2 in biogas, volumetric production rate of H2, specific hydrogen production rate (SHPR) and H2 yield reached the maximum values of 35%, 2.1 l/d, 175.15 ml H2/g MLVSS-d and 49.22 ml H2/g CODapplied respectively. Further, the effluent from the UASB was directly fed into the CSTR at various OLR ranging from 4 kg-COD/m3·d to 20 kg-COD/m3·d for CH4 production. The maximum CH4 content, volumetric production rate of CH4, specific methane production rate (SMPR) and CH4 yield obtained were 65%, 13 l/d, 325.13 ml CH4/g MLVSS-d, and 155.87 ml CH4/g CODapplied respectively. The effluent from CH4 reactor was recycled at feed flow rate recycle ratio of 1:1 to UASB unit and pH was maintained at 5.5, subsequently resulted in COD removal of 85%

Anti-lipolytic activity and phytochemical screening of Chelianthesalbomarginata against pathogenic microorganisms

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic properties of selected fern, Chelianthusalbomarginata and to identify its functional compounds. The methanolic fern-extract (MFE) of these ferns was assessed for anti-bacterial activities by measuring inhibition zones against a panel of pathogenic bacterial strains using agar diffusion method. MFE at a concentration of 25 μg/ml showed marked anti-bacterial activity against all bacterial strains (6-23mm zone of inhibition) and was maximum against Enterobacter sp (23 mm). In addition, the MFE of C. albomarginata had the best MIC values of 2.25µg/ml against S. aureus and Enterobacter sp., respectively. The MFE also possessed good anti-lipolytic activity (66.5%) against a porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) and cholesterol oxidase inhibition (79%). This result showed that MFE of C. albomarginata under optimal concentration is not only a potent source of natural anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial activity but also possesses efficient cholesterol degradation and anti-lipolytic activities, that is to be beneficial in the body weight management

Evaluation of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as a Potential Raw Material Source for Briquette Production

In the present study we investigated the fuel properties of bio-briquettes made from a combination of water hyacinth and empty fruit bunch fiber (palm oil mill residue). Water hyacinth (WH) was mixed with empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers in a ratio of 25, 50, 75, 90, and 100% by weight and cassava starch added as binder. The experimental results showed that the addition of WH had a little effect (p < 0.05) on the physical and combustion properties of the briquettes. The proximate analysis showed that the moisture content, ash content and fixed carbon content were increased with the increase in WH amount from 25 to 100%, while the volatile matter content and calorific value decreased. Combustion test showed that the increase in the WH percentage in bio-briquette resulted in the decreased of O2 and CO level, whereas, that of CO2 and NO, NO2 and SO2 were increased. Therefore, the results conclude that the WH: EFB biomass bio-briquette could be a great potential as an alternative source to conventional coal to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases

Comparison of Process Stability in Methane Generation from Palm Oil Mill Effluent using Dairy Manure as Inoculum

The potential of methane production in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) was investigated using dairy manure as inoculum at pH 6.8 and 37 °C temperature in this study. Two identical anaerobic bioreactors namely CSTR1 and CSTR2 filled with palm oil mill effluent (POME) as a carbon source were used. CSTR1 was not added with the inoculum, while CSTR2 was added with dairy manure as inoculum. Both the reactors were allowed to run for 5 days (d) in batch condition at hydraulic retention time (HRT) 10 d. The CSTR2produced 0.85 L/d gas yield and 59% methane content compared to 0.39 L/d gas yield and 20% produced in CSTR1, respectively. A better chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction percentage of 48% was found in CSTR2 compared to CSTR1 with 33%. The investigation showed that dairy manure as inoculum has a marked influence on the start-up period and the biogas production rate