Application of Sludge-Based Activated Carbons for the Effective Adsorption of Neonicotinoid Pesticides

The amount of sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has increased over the years, and the methods used to reduce this waste, such as incineration, agricultural use, or disposal in landfills, cause problems of secondary pollution. For this reason, it is necessary to find sustainable and low-cost solutions to manage this waste. Additionally, emerging and priority pollutants are attracting attention from the scientific community as they can generate health problems due to inadequate removal in conventional WWTPs. In this work, a pharmaceutical industry sludge was used as a precursor in the synthesis of four activated carbons (ACs) using different activating agents (ZnCl2, FeCl3∙6H2O, Fe(NO3)3∙9H2O, and Fe(SO4)3∙H2O), to be used for the removal by adsorption of three neonicotinoid pesticides included in latest EU Watch List (Decision 2018/840): acetamiprid (ACT), thiamethoxam (THM), and imidacloprid (IMD). The prepared ACs showed micro–mesoporous properties, obtaining relatively slow adsorption kinetics to reach equilibrium, but despite this, high values of adsorption capacity (qe) were obtained. For example, for AC-ZnCl2 (SBET = 558 m2/g), high adsorption capacities of qe = 128.9, 126.8, and 166.1 mg/g for ACT, THM, and IMD, respectively, were found. In most cases, the adsorption isotherms showed a multilayer profile, indicating an important contribution of the mesoporosity of the activated carbons in the adsorption process.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEComunidad de Madridpu

Nuestra primera startup: El TFG en el Grado en Ingeniería Química

Se plantea constituir una compañía startup con un grupo de estudiantes del TFG del Grado en Ingeniería Química cuyo objetivo es el diseño de una planta química para la producción de fertilizantes

Extraction of antibiotics identified in the EU Watch List 2020 from hospital wastewater using hydrophobic eutectic solvents and terpenoids

The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals, along with the ineffectiveness of conventional wastewater treatment, has resulted in an increased presence of these pollutants in both drinking water supplies and aquatic environments. The potential adverse health effects and environmental impact of these chemicals are drawing the attention of several bodies around the world. For instance, some antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole have been included in the most recent European Surface Water Watch List under the EU Water Framework Directive (Decision 2020/1161). The present work proposes the use of terpenoids and eutectic solvents, as effective and green solvents with low toxicity, for multicomponent liquid-liquid extraction of ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole from ultrapure water and hospital wastewater. The COSMO-RS method was used for a predictive initial solvent screening. Thymol, carvacrol, eutectic solvents (thymol + fatty acids), and conventional solvents (methyl isobutyl ketone and ethyl acetate) were selected to be used in the experiments. The influence of the volume S/F ratio, aqueous matrix, and pH was analysed. Conventional solvents show significantly lower overall extraction yields than those observed for eutectic solvents and terpenoids at any pH and matrix. Carvacrol presented the most favourable conditions, reaching overall extraction yields above 98.0% (98.9% for trimethoprim, 99.5% for ciprofloxacin, and 97.0% for sulfamethoxazole) with hospital wastewater at pH 5.0 and S/F ratio of 1.00. Carvacrol showed a feasible operating in a continuous extraction column at room temperature, providing effective reuse and regeneration processes in this study.The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals, along with the ineffectiveness of conventional wastewater treatment, has resulted in an increased presence of these pollutants in both drinking water supplies and aquatic environments. The potential adverse health effects and environmental impact of these chemicals are drawing the attention of several bodies around the world. For instance, some antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole have been included in the most recent European Surface Water Watch List under the EU Water Framework Directive (Decision 2020/1161). The present work proposes the use of terpenoids and eutectic solvents, as effective and green solvents with low toxicity, for multicomponent liquid-liquid extraction of ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole from ultrapure water and hospital wastewater. The COSMO-RS method was used for a predictive initial solvent screening. Thymol, carvacrol, eutectic solvents (thymol + fatty acids), and conventional solvents (methyl isobutyl ketone and ethyl acetate) were selected to be used in the experiments. The influence of the volume S/F ratio, aqueous matrix, and pH was analysed. Conventional solvents show significantly lower overall extraction yields than those observed for eutectic solvents and terpenoids at any pH and matrix. Carvacrol presented the most favourable conditions, reaching overall extraction yields above 98.0% (98.9% for trimethoprim, 99.5% for ciprofloxacin, and 97.0% for sulfamethoxazole) with hospital wastewater at pH 5.0 and S/F ratio of 1.00. Carvacrol showed a feasible operating in a continuous extraction column at room temperature, providing effective reuse and regeneration processes in this study

Cooperación entre Universidad y Empresa en el desarrollo del TFG en el Grado de Ingeniería Química

Se ha constituido de modo ficticio una empresa de ingeniería con estudiantes del TFG en el Grado en Ingeniería Química, encargada de diseñar las distintas secciones de una planta industrial de producción de detergentes. El diseño de las distintas unidades de acuerdo con las directrices publicadas en la Guía Docente del TFG constituyen las memorias presentadas por el estudiante. Como formación complementaria se ha propuesto el diseño de páginas web, ya que hoy en día es la principal vía de información y publicidad. Se ha realizado un curso para emprendedores de la Cámara de Comercio de la Comunidad de Madrid. Además se han presentado las principales fuentes de financiación para poder constituir una empresa y desarrollar una actividad empresarial. Se han programado varias charlas y coloquio ofrecidas por profesionales de las empresas Maxam y Técnicas Reunidas, referentes en el sector químico y de la ingeniería. Se han establecido tutorías en grupo para realizar el seguimiento de los TFG. Además se ha planificado y realizado una visita guiada a planta de detergentes de CEPSA Química en Algeciras (Cádiz). Como formación específica para estudiantes de doctorado se ha asistido al 4º Congreso de Innovación Educativa en Ingeniería Química en Santander

Si l@s estudiantes universitari@s no eligen ingenierías que las ingenierías vayan al colegio

La pandemia provocada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha puesto de manifiesto la imperiosa necesidad de construir una sociedad basada en el conocimiento. Otros grandes retos sociales como son revertir el cambio climático y la conservación y/o recuperación del entorno natural hacen énfasis en la necesidad de un desarrollo sostenible e igualitario. En este sentido es necesario concienciar a las nuevas generaciones del papel primordial que deben jugar las ingenieras e ingenieros en el desarrollo futuro como motores de ese cambio necesario. Sin embargo, el número de estudiantes de ingenierías disminuye paulatinamente, siendo además profesiones copadas mayoritariamente por hombres. En el presente proyecto se plantea ir a colegios e institutos de la Comunidad de Madrid a realizar actividades que pongan de manifiesto lo que la ingeniería puede hacer por la sociedad, presentado por los y las estudiantes de ingeniería química de la UCM que servirán de referentes tanto femeninos como masculinos para las generaciones venideras

TFG en Ingeniería Química: Un trampolín al mercado laboral

En este proyecto de innovación docente, se pretende mejorar la empleabilidad de los estudiantes tras la realización del Trabajo Fin de Grado e incrementar la motivación de los mismos por el emprendimiento. Para ello, han realizado actividades por parte de agentes provenientes de la Industria Química y expertos en emprendimiento y herramientas digitales

Lab at home: prácticas de Ingeniería Química en tiempos de confinamiento

En este proyecto de innovación docente se han desarrollado prácticas de laboratorio de dos asignaturas del Grado en Ingeniería Química, Ingeniería Térmica y Operaciones de Separación, para así garantizar la experimentalidad en situaciones de docencia no presencial empleando materiales cotidianos e instalaciones confeccionadas por impresión 3D, que podrán ser empleadas por los estudiantes en situación de confinamiento

Practicando Ingeniería Química: Prácticas colaborativas de bajo coste para grupos numerosos

Elaboración de un catálogo de prácticas de laboratorio de bajo coste para trabajar los fundamentos de ingeniería química con grupos numerosos, usando metodologías activas de aprendizaje para incrementar la motivación de los estudiantes.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasFALSEsubmitte

Synthetic natural gas production through biogas methanation using a sorption-enhanced reaction process

Using CO2 from biogenic sources to produce fuels is one of the most attractive applications in climate change mitigation, as it leads to the replacement of fossil fuels and contributes to the circular economy. By this means, the primary purpose of this paper is to design a biogas methanation process to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG) suitable to be fed into the gas grid. In this way, a SERP process was proposed in which the equilibrium is overcome by eliminating the co-produced water using a selective adsorbent, such as zeolite 3A. For this purpose, two different catalysts were (NiAl2O3 and Ni5A) and compared with a commercial catalyst. First, the catalytic performance of the three catalysts was studied in an experimental setup, discarding the Ni5A catalyst due to its lower reaction yields. Subsequently, a sorption-enhanced reaction process (SERP) was designed by simulation using the experimental kinetic data obtained and a theoretical model of reaction/adsorption cycles design. The PSASIM software, previously registered by the research group, was used for the simulation. The proposed process consisted of three main stages: a first reaction/adsorption stage where the biogas was upgraded to SNG with the corresponding water adsorption by the catalyst/adsorbent, and a second and third stages (purge and rinse) where the retained water in the adsorbent is desorbed and eliminated from the process. The process variables studied were temperature and biogas composition fed to the process. Finally, at 488 K and a residual waste biogas composition (55–60 % CH4), CO2 conversions of 99.55 % and selectivities towards methane of 99.99 % were achieved using NiAl2O3-zeolite3A mixture. In addition, the purity of the methane produced was 98.6 % molar in the product.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpubDescuento UC

Mass transfer enhancement in electrochemical flow cells through 3D-printed biomimetic channels

Mass transfer is frequently the rate-limiting step in electrochemical processes. In addition to increasing electrolyte flow rate, transfer limitations in electrochemical flow cells can be mitigated by inducing turbulence in the flow fields. This can be achieved by substituting the conventional rectangular channel cell design for flow fields that promote chaotic movement in the electrolyte. In this work, a novel biomimetic channel concept based on space-filling curves created by differential growth, such as those present in rippled surfaces of plants and river meanders, is proposed. The overall performance was analyzed in an undivided flow cell by the limiting current technique as a function of electrolyte flow rate. The performance of the biomimetic flow field is enhanced on average by a factor of 1.9 and 1.1 with respect to the rectangular and serpentine flow fields, respectively. The designed flow field increased pressure drop in comparison to the other flow fields but at levels similar to the typical FM01-LC flow reactor with porous electrodes. Differential growth flow fields open a window to further application in inorganic and organic flow electrosynthesis at various scales, as this parametric design allows for channel adaption to the reaction requirements.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpubDescuento UC