Now showing 1 - 10 of 32
  • Publication
    Sulfur dioxide removal by calcium-modified fibrous KCC-1 mesoporous silica: kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherm and mass transfer mechanism
    ( 2022-04-01)
    Hanif M.A.
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    ; ; ;
    Tuan Abdullah T.A.
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    Jalil A.A.
    The removal of sulfur dioxide from industrial flue gas through dry flue gas desulfurization method commonly involves the use of adsorption process with porous sorbent. The efficiency of this process is highly dependent on the adsorption capacity and the adsorption rate of SO2 onto the sorbent materials. The use of KCC-1 mesoporous silica modified with calcium metal additives (Ca/KCC-1) in SO2 adsorption is examined in a fixed bed reactor system. The adsorption capacity of Ca/KCC-1 is found to be critically governed by the reaction temperature and inlet SO2 concentration where low values of both parameters are favorable to achieve the highest adsorption capacity of 3241.94 mg SO2/g sorbent. SO2 molecules are adsorbed on the surface of Ca/KCC-1 by both physisorption and chemisorption processes as assumed by the Avrami kinetic model. Thermodynamic study shows that the process is exothermic and spontaneous in nature, and changes from an ordered stage on the surface of KCC-1 towards an increasingly random stage. The process is well explained by Freundlich isotherm model indicating a slightly heterogeneous process and moderate adsorption capacity. The adsorption stage is limited by film diffusion at the initial stage and by intraparticle diffusion during the transfer of SO2 into the network of pores before adsorption takes place on the active sites.
  • Publication
    Adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) by activated carbon derived from waste coffee grounds
    ( 2021-05-24)
    Lim H.K.
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    ; ;
    Aroua M.K.
    Currently, three are several agricultural bio-based materials have been successfully utilized as gas adsorbents. In this study, waste coffee grounds (WCGs) have been selected as a potential precursor of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) adsorbents. The preparation parameters for activated carbon derived from WCGs were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimized preparation parameters were found to be 1:3.67 impregnation ratio of acid, 533oC of carbonization temperature and 1.13 hours of activation time, which resulted in 23.6 wt% of yield. The physical and chemical characteristics of WCGAC in terms of surface morphology, carbon content, ash content and yield were also investigated. The CO2 breakthrough time using WCGAC were carried out at the temperatures of 30, 40, and 60°C. It was found that WCGAC shows a longer CO2 breakthrough times (5 mins) and a higher adsorption capacity (4.33 mg CO2/g adsorbent) at 30oC.
  • Publication
    Oil palm waste-derived reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for dynamic adsorption of dye in a fixed-bed system
    ( 2024-01-01)
    Mohd Ali Jinnah S.N.H.
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    ; ; ; ;
    Mohamed Zuki F.
    This study focuses on investigating the dynamic adsorption of Rhodamine B (RhB) from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) derived from oil palm waste. The synthesis of rGO from palm kernel shell (PKS) was achieved through double oxidation and carbonization method, resulting in a yield of 73.5 wt%. The reduction of oxygen-containing functionalities process using PKS was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, microscopic evaluation, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Laboratory-scale fixed-bed experiments were conducted with various process parameters. Both PKS and rGO were used as adsorbents, and a comparison was made based on breakthrough curve analysis, adsorption capacity and percentage removal of dye. The adsorption kinetics of RhB on PKS and rGO were best described by the non-linear Yoon-Nelson model, with a high adsorption capacity of 88.32 mg/g and 195.24 mg/g respectively. Using both PKS and rGO, the maximum adsorption capacity was observed when using 10 cm bed depth column, inlet dye concentration of 5 mg/L, flow rate of 12 mL/min and pH of 7. PKS exhibited good dye removal with an efficiency of 66.54%. Meanwhile, the exothermic behavior highlighted the potential of utilizing rGO for maximum dye removal, achieving an efficiency of 90.35%. This study justifies rGO as a cost-effective superior dye removal adsorbent, providing new prospect for large-scale dye removal.
  • Publication
    Microplastics and nanoplastics: Recent literature studies and patents on their removal from aqueous environment
    ( 2022-03-01)
    Muhammad Adli Hanif
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    ; ; ; ;
    Jalil A.A.
    The presence of microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) in the environment poses significant hazards towards microorganisms, humans, animals and plants. This paper is focused on recent literature studies and patents discussing the removal process of these plastic pollutants. Microplastics and nanoplastics can be quantified by counting, weighing, absorbance and turbidity and can be further analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and Raman tweezers. Mitigation methods reported are categorized depending on the removal characteristics: (i) Filtration and separation method: Filtration and separation, electrospun nanofiber membrane, constructed wetlands; (ii) Capture and surface attachment method: coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation (CFS), electrocoagulation, adsorption, magnetization, micromachines, superhydrophobic materials and microorganism aggregation; and (iii) Degradation method: photocatalytic degradation, microorganism degradation and thermal degradation; where removal efficiency between 58 and 100% were reported. As these methods are significantly distinctive, the parameters which affect the MP/NP removal performance e.g., pH, type of plastics, presence of interfering chemicals or ions, surface charges etc. are also discussed. 42 granted international patents related to microplastics and nanoplastics removal are also reviewed where the majority of these patents are focused on separation or filtration devices. These devices are efficient for microplastics up to 20 μm but may be ineffective for nanoplastics or fibrous plastics. Several patents were found to focus on methods similar to literature studies e.g., magnetization, CFS, biofilm and microorganism aggregation; with the addition of another method: thermal degradation.
      2  29
  • Publication
    Study on characterization of bio-oil derived from sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum barberi) for application as biofuel
    ( 2022-04-01)
    Ahmad S.F.K.
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    Isa K.M.
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    Lignocellulosic biomass especially, sugarcane bagasse Saccharum barberi sp., appears to be a more suitable material for partial substitution of transport fuel (diesel) than Saccharum officinarum sp., due to its structural similarity to transport fuel (diesel). Besides that, less research has been implemented on this type of species. Bio-oil can be implemented as biodiesel by processing it further using chemical reactions such as hydrodeoxygenation and cracking with zeolite catalyst. Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine the compatibility of pyrolytic bio-oil produced from Saccharum barberi sp. in comparison with S. officinarum sp. for use as transport fuel (diesel) in automotive applications. This purpose can be accomplished by comparing the oil’s bio-physiochemical properties for both species. The experiment is conducted on a bench-scale on which bio-oil of Saccharum barberi sp. is secured from the catalytic pyrolysis process at a temperature of 500°C and heating rate of 50°C/min with the addition of ZSM-Zeolite catalyst. Thermogravimetric analysis of Saccharum barberi sp. reveals that cellulose is more reactive than lignin, evidenced by the high percentage of weight loss at temperatures ranging from 251°C to 390°C. The high contents of carbon (40.7%) and hydrogen (6.50%), as well as slight traces of sulphur (0.08%) and nitrogen (0.85%), in bio-oil (Saccharum barberi sp.) indicate that it is conceivable to be partially used for replacement in biofuel production. Overall physiochemical properties reveal that Saccharum barberi sp. shows more potential than S. officinarum sp. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis reveals that bio-oil consists of high amounts of aromatic hydrocarbon (26.2%), phenol (14.8%) and furfural (13.0%) in comparison to S. officinarum sp.
      30  2
  • Publication
    Comprehensive study on social, compositional and thermal aspects of household solid waste for waste-to-energy potential estimation in Tashkent city
    ( 2024-12-01)
    Tursunov O.
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    Karimov I.
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    Åšpiewak K.
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    Hu X.
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    Zhou Y.
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    Kustov A.
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    ;
    Uvarov R.
    The management of household solid waste (HSW) has emerged as a key issue in developing nations. A critical analysis of the physical and chemical components of MSW management and infrastructure is necessary to address current socioeconomic issues. According to the World Bank projections, the annual global generation of solid waste from municipalities is expected to reach 2.59 billion tons by 2030 and and 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050. Inadequate handling of waste products frequently results in harm to the environment, the spread of diseases, and the generation of greenhouse gases, all of which have contributed to climate change and global warming. The waste-to-energy (WtE) strategy, which drastically reduces waste volume and produces renewable energy, has been adopted by a number of countries to address these issues. In this study, the social, compositional, and thermal aspects of household solid waste in a typical Tashkent District were studied. A Social survey was conducted to investigate residents’ behavior towards waste sorting. The survey was conducted in the Uchtepa district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The composition of household solid waste was studied to explore the fractional distribution of the waste in the area. The American Society for Testing and Materials (5231–92) and European PN-EN standards were used for sampling, sorting, and for the rest of the analyses. Subsequently, proximate and ultimate analyses were performed to better understand combustion properties. A high heating value was identified to estimate the energy generation potential of household solid waste. Social survey results showed that the waste generated in the apartments will be discarded either on the day of its generation or the maximum after three days. Overall, 52 % of the respondents chose to sort their waste, compared to 48 % who had no real desire to separate their household solid waste. Food waste, plastics, and paper constituted 70 % of the total waste generated in the district. The mixed waste sample had a high heating value of 23.87 Mj/kg. The analysis revealed an energetic potential of HSW generated from the landfill as thermal energy.
      2  6
  • Publication
    Optimization of Nickel Precipitation and Leaching Process from Simulated Industrial Waste: A Study on pH, Contact Time, and Sulfuric Acid Concentration
    The presence of nickel in industrial waste has emerged as a significant environmental concern, predominantly attributed to the plating industry. The significant objective of this study is to optimize the precipitation and leaching method to extract valuable nickel from the waste material. The high concentration of nickel found in the waste makes it a potentially valuable resource. To explore its potential extraction, the precipitation and leaching processes were optimized using a simulated Watts bath solution which is widely employed in the industry. This study focuses on examining the influence of pH, contact time, and sulfuric acid concentration on the extraction of nickel concentration during the precipitation and leaching processes. To develop a prediction model for the process, three models were taken into consideration: quadratic, linear, and 2F1. The quadratic model exhibited the greatest adjusted R2 value, suggesting a superior level of fit in comparison with the linear and 2F1 models. The predicted R2 value of 0.8169 exhibits a satisfactory level of concordance with the adjusted R2 value of 0.9737. The recommended optimal conditions proposed by response surface methodology (RSM) consisted of a pH value of 10.56, a contact time of 16.52 h, and a sulfuric acid concentration of 1.80 M in order to achieve a nickel concentration of 28,415 mg/L.
      1
  • Publication
    Parametric study on producing Fused Deposition Modelling filament made of recovered carbon black reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastics
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Saad M.F.
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    Fooi C.C.
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    Quan C.R.
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    Hadi M.H.J.A.
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    ;
    Osman A.F.
    Additive manufacturing is a process that makes three-dimensional object layer by layer. There are many different types of 3D printer and the most commonly used is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). There is a need for a new material for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) FDM filament to improve filament strength and reduce the usage of plastics. From literature, there are limited studies available on making 3D printer filament reinforced by recycled carbon black. The limitation hinders the potential of using this material in new applications. In this study, recycled carbon black powder (rCB) was added as a filler reinforcement to enhance the properties of ABS. Parameters considered in this study were percentage of filler weight loading and filler size. Tests and characterisation used in this study were tensile test, thickness test, surface roughness test, scanning electron microscopy, density test and water absorption test. There were improvements in mechanical properties such as tensile test and elasticity of the filament compared to the pure ABS plastic. The higher filler percentage can improve the elasticity of filament and lower filler percentage can improve the strength of the filament. The findings could help in improving marketability status and commercialisation potential of rCB reinforced ABS filament for FDM applications.
      5  24
  • Publication
    The impact of ionic strength and pH on the interaction of Pseudomonas putida to minerals and electrical potential of surfaces
    ( 2022-02-01)
    Zuki F.M.
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    Edyvean R.G.J.
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    Pourzolfaghar H.
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    Gafri H.F.S.
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    Bzour M.I.
    The impacts of the acidity and ionic strength of the solutions were evaluated on the electrical potential of the surfaces as well as the interaction of Pseudomonas putida to quartz and hematite. Zeta potential analysis was performed using the streaming potential technique. Experimental results were performed by the flow cell method. Finally, the extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey– Overbeek (XDLVO) theory has been applied to describe bacterial-mineral attachment in terms of the sum of repulsive acid-base and electrostatic interaction energies, and attractive van der Waals interaction energies. The results indicate that the zeta potential is obviously influenced by the presence of bacteria, electrolyte concentration, and pH regions. At higher ionic strengths, charge effects on the bacterial cell surface increase adherence by suppressing the thickness of the diffuse double layer. At pH 5–6, at all ionic strengths, the bacteria adhered more on the surfaces of the minerals. Hematite coupons represented the greatest adhesion at pH 5–6 and an ionic strength 0.1 M. XDLVO theory for the attachment of P. putida to the minerals also confirmed the experimental outcomes. The information obtained in this study is of fundamental significance for the understanding of the survival and transport of bacteria in water distribution, groundwater, and soil systems.
      23  2
  • Publication
    Bio-removal of lead (II) ions under optimal condition by zinc chloride-impregnated activated carbon from brown alga
    ( 2024-01-01)
    Osman N.S.
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    ; ;
    Hussin F.
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    Aroua M.K.
    Sargassum sp., a brown alga in the division of macroalgae was evaluated for its ability to synthesis macroalgal-based activated carbon and remove lead (II) ions from synthetic aqueous solution. The sargassum activated carbon (SAC) was prepared by chemical activation impregnated with zinc chloride followed by carbonization. The surface morphology and functional group of untreated Sargassum sp. powder (SAP) and activated Sargassum sp. carbon (SAC) were scanned and presented with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Batch studies were conducted to explore maximum removal efficiency in term of pH, initial lead (II) ions concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and temperature for the efficient adsorption. The maximum lead (II) ions uptake capacity for SAC was obtained at pH 5, initial lead (II) ions concentration at 25 mg/L, operation time of 60 min, adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g and temperature of 40 °C. The adsorption data were well-fitted by the Freundlich isotherm model, with an R2 value of 1.000, indicating a good fit. The kinetic study revealed that the adsorption of lead (II) ions followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, with an R2 value of 0.9746. This study validates the use of brown algae in the treatment of heavy metal contamination in wastewater.
      16  3