Hyperspectral Sensing Techniques Applied to Bio-masses Characterization: The Olive Husk Case

Olive husk (OH) quality, in respect of constituting particles characteristics (olive stones and pulp residues as result after pressing), represents an important issue. OH particles size class distribution and composition play, in fact, an important role for OH utilization as: organic amendment, bio-mass, food ingredient, plastic filler, abrasive, raw material in the cosmetic sector, dietary animal supplementation, etc. . OH is characterised by a strong variability according to olive characteristics and olive oil production process. Actually it does not exist any strategy able to quantify OH chemical-physical attributes versus its correct utilisation adopting simple, efficient and low costs analytical tools. Furthermore the possibility to perform its continuous monitoring, without any samples collection and analysis at laboratory scale, could strongly enhance OH utilization, with a great economic and environmental benefits. In this paper an analytical approach, based on HyperSpectral Imaging (HSI) is presented. HSI allows to perform, also on-line, a full quantification of OH characteristics in order to qualify this product for its further re-use, with particular reference as bio-mass. HSI was applied to different samples of OH, characterized by different moisture, different residual pulp content and different size class distributions. Results are presented and critically evaluated. © 2011 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing

Treatment of simulated wastewater containing n-phenyl-n-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine using electrolysis system with Ti/TiRuO2 electrodes

This study investigated the effects of the electrolytic treatment in the simulated wastewater with aromatic amine n-phenyl-n-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine (Flexzone 3P®) using Ti/TiRuO2 electrodes under 0.025 A/cm² (DC) for different electrolysis durations (5; 15; 30; 45 and 60 min). Conductivity, pH, UV-visible spectra, gas chromatograms, toxicity and biodegradation tests were carried out. During the electrolytic treatment the pH decreased and conductivity increased slightly. After 60 min of electrolysis, the concentration of Flexzone 3P decreased by 65.1%. UV-vis spectra and chromatograms of simulated wastewater showed changes in the molecular structure of the aromatic amine. After 5 and 15 min of electrolysis, the simulated wastewater containing the Flexzone 3P showed detoxification by Saccharomyces cerevisiae toxicity test. The electrolysis of 5 min improved the biodegradation of the simulated wastewater containing Flexzone 3P.<br>O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados dos tratamentos eletrolíticos (05; 15; 30; 45 e 60 min) no efluente simulado com o composto Flexzone 3P, utilizando-se eletrodos de Ti/TiRuO2, sob 0,025 A cm-2. Após as eletrólises, foram feitas análises de pH, condutividade, espectrofotometria no UV-vis, análise por cromatografia gasosa, ensaios de toxicidade utilizando Saccharomyces cerevisiae e ensaio de respirometria de Bartha. O pH dos efluentes foi diminuindo à medida que aumentou- se o tempo de eletrólise, ao contrário da condutividade, a qual apresentou pequeno aumento. Verificou-se que após 60 min de tratamento foi obtida diminuição da concentração do composto Flexzone 3P em 65,1%. Analisando-se os espectros de UV-vis e cromatogramas do efluente após realização do tratamento eletrolítico, concluiu-se que ocorreram oxidações e transformações de funções orgânicas do composto, durante os tratamentos. Após a realização do tratamento eletrolítico, o efluente simulado apresentou diminuição da toxicidade a S. cerevisiae, após 5 min de eletrólise. O tempo de eletrólise de 5 min foi o que apresentou melhor resultado de biodegradação do que os demais períodos de tratamento, no ensaio de respirometria para o efluente com o composto Flexzone 3P