Dynamic Modelling, Process Control, and Monitoring of Selected Biological and Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Treatment: A Review of Recent Developments.

This review emphasizes the significance of formulating control strategies for biological and advanced oxidation process (AOP)-based wastewater treatment systems. The aim is to guarantee that the effluent quality continuously aligns with environmental regulations while operating costs are minimized. It highlights the significance of understanding the dynamic behaviour of the process in developing effective control schemes.

Waste Activated Sludge-High Rate (WASHR) Treatment Process: A Novel, Economically Viable, and Environmentally Sustainable Method to Co-Treat High-Strength Wastewaters at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants.

High-strength wastewaters from a variety of sources, including the food industry, domestic septage, and landfill leachate, are often hauled to municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for co-treatment. Due to their high organic loadings, these wastewaters can cause process upsets in both a WWTP's liquid and solids treatment trains and consume organic treatment capacity, leaving less capacity available to service customers in the catchment area. A novel pre-treatment method, the Waste Activated Sludge-High Rate (WASHR) process, is proposed to optimize the co-treatment of high-strength wastewaters.

Environmental and Exergetic Analysis of Large-Scale Production of Citric Acid-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles via Computer-Aided Process Engineering Tools.

Considering that functional magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles with exceptional physicochemical properties can be highly applicable in different fields, scaling-up strategies are becoming important for their large-scale production. This study reports simulations of scaled-up production of citric acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles (FeO-cit), aiming to evaluate the potential environmental impacts (PEIs) and the exergetic efficiency. The simulations were performed using the waste reduction algorithm and the Aspen Plus software.

Long-Range Surface-Directed Polymerization-Induced Phase Separation: A Computational Study.

The presence of a surface preferably attracting one component of a polymer mixture by the long-range van der Waals surface potential while the mixture undergoes phase separation by spinodal decomposition is called long-range surface-directed spinodal decomposition (SDSD). The morphology achieved under SDSD is an enrichment layer(s) close to the wall surface and a droplet-type structure in the bulk. In the current study of the long-range surface-directed polymerization-induced phase separation, the surface-directed spinodal decomposition of a monomer-solvent mixture undergoing self-condensation polymerization was theoretically simulated.

A hybrid scaffold of gelatin glycosaminoglycan matrix and fibrin as a carrier of human corneal fibroblast cells.

A hybrid scaffold of gelatin-glycosaminoglycan matrix and fibrin (FGG) has been synthesized to improve the mechanical properties, degradation time and cell response of fibrin-like scaffolds. The FGG scaffold was fabricated by optimizing some properties of fibrin-only gel and gelatin-glycosaminoglycan (GG) scaffolds. Mechanical analysis of optimized fibrin-only gel showed the Young module and tensile strength of up to 72 and 121 KPa, respectively.

Synthesis of FeO@SiO-DNA core-shell engineered nanostructures for rapid adsorption of heavy metals in aqueous solutions.

Creating novel and innovative nanostructures is a challenge, aiming to discover nanomaterials with promising properties for environmental remediation. In this study, the physicochemical and adsorption properties of a heterogeneous nanostructure are evaluated for the rapid removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Core-shell nanostructures are prepared using iron oxide cores and silica dioxide shells.

Correction to: Statistical parameter optimization and modeling of photodegradation of methyl orange using a composite photocatalyst prepared by thermal synthesis.

The correct presentation of Table 3 is presented in this paper.

Statistical parameter optimization and modeling of photodegradation of methyl orange using a composite photocatalyst prepared by thermal synthesis.

Doping a transition metal into photocatalysts enhances the photocatalytic activity drastically. In the first part of this study, Taguchi design of experiment is applied to evaluate and optimize the efficiency of the FeO/TiO photocatalyst synthetized by thermal method assisted by UV radiation. The contribution percentages of Fe:TiO mass ratio, FeO/TiO dosage, and pH on the total organic carbon (TOC) removal are determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Comparison of Biobutanol Production Pathways via Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol Fermentation Using a Sustainability Exergy-Based Metric.

The incorporation of sustainability aspects into the design of chemical processes has been increasing since the last century. Hence, there are several proposed methodologies and indicators to assess chemical facilities through process analysis techniques. A comprehensive assessment involving economic, environmental, safety, and exergy parameters of two alternatives for butanol production from (cassava waste) is presented in this study.

Computer Simulation of Anisotropic Polymeric Materials Using Polymerization-Induced Phase Separation under Combined Temperature and Concentration Gradients.

In this study, the self-condensation polymerization of a tri-functional monomer in a monomer-solvent mixture and the phase separation of the system were simultaneously modeled and simulated. Nonlinear Cahn-Hilliard and Flory-Huggins free energy theories incorporated with the kinetics of the polymerization reaction were utilized to develop the model. Linear temperature and concentration gradients singly and in combination were applied to the system.

Photocatalytic degradation of aqueous Methyl Orange using nitrogen-doped TiO photocatalyst prepared by novel method of ultraviolet-assisted thermal synthesis.

A nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide composite photocatalyst (N-TiO) with heterojunction structures is synthesized by three different approaches: a novel UV-assisted thermal synthesis, annealing, and microwave technique. Photocatalytic activities of synthesized photocatalysts are evaluated by the degradation of Methyl Orange under ultraviolet light types A (UV-A), B (UV-B), and C (UV-C), visible light, and direct sunlight irradiation. Results show that by using N-TiO photocatalyst prepared by the UV-assisted thermal synthesis and annealing, the degradation increases by 16.

Treatment of mature landfill leachate using hybrid processes of hydrogen peroxide and adsorption in an activated carbon fixed bed column.

In this study, the treatment of mature landfill leachate is evaluated by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (HO) combined with adsorption in a granular activated carbon (GAC) fixed bed column to determinate the increase in the biodegradability index, the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as the increase in the useful life of the GAC bed. The sample leachate from Loma de Los Cocos Landfill (Cartagena de Indias, Colombia) has a very low biodegradability ratio ranging from 0.034 to 0.

Photocatalytic efficiency of FeO/TiO for the degradation of typical dyes in textile industries: Effects of calcination temperature and UV-assisted thermal synthesis.

The inadequate management practices in industrial textile effluents have a considerable negative impact on the environment and human health due to the indiscriminate release of dyes. Photocatalysis is one of the diverse advance oxidation processes (AOPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO) is recognized for its high oxidation and reduction power. A composite photocatalyst of FeO/TiO is synthesized using different mass ratios of Fe:TiO to improve its photoactivity.

Combined UV-C/HO-VUV processes for the treatment of an actual slaughterhouse wastewater.

In this study, a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design with response surface methodology were used to maximize the TOC removal and minimize the HO residual in the effluent of the combined UV-C/HO-VUV system for the treatment of an actual slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) collected from one of the meat processing plants in Ontario, Canada. The irradiation time and the initial concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) and hydrogen peroxide (HO) were the three predictors, as independent variables, studied in the design of experiments. The multiple response approach was used to obtain desirability response surfaces at the optimum factor settings.

Treatment of an actual slaughterhouse wastewater by integration of biological and advanced oxidation processes: Modeling, optimization, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Biological and advanced oxidation processes are combined to treat an actual slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) by a sequence of an anaerobic baffled reactor, an aerobic activated sludge reactor, and a UV/H2O2 photoreactor with recycle in continuous mode at laboratory scale. In the first part of this study, quadratic modeling along with response surface methodology are used for the statistical analysis and optimization of the combined process. The effects of the influent total organic carbon (TOC) concentration, the flow rate, the pH, the inlet H2O2 concentration, and their interaction on the overall treatment efficiency, CH4 yield, and H2O2 residual in the effluent of the photoreactor are investigated.

Degradation of aqueous methylene blue using an external loop airlift sonophotoreactor: Statistical analysis and optimization.

Degradation and mineralization of aqueous methylene blue (MB) are investigated in a bench scale external loop airlift sonophotoreactor. A central composite design along with response surface methodology is employed to model and optimize the sonophotolytic process. A quadratic empirical expression between responses and independent variables (pH and initial concentrations of H2O2 and MB) is derived.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide feeding strategies on the photochemical degradation of polyvinyl alcohol.

The performance of batch and fed-batch photoreactors with that of continuous photoreactor for the treatment of aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solutions is compared. Hydrogen peroxide feeding strategies, residence time, and [H2O2]/[PVA] mass ratio are examined for their impacts on the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of PVA and the total organic carbon (TOC) removal. The results prove that a continuous addition of H2O2 during the degradation reaction ensures the utilization of the produced radicals to minimize the oxidant consumption and maximize the TOC removal and the PVA degradation in a short irradiation time.

Modeling organic matter and nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater in a pilot-scale vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland.

Constructed wetlands have become an attractive alternative for wastewater treatment. However, there is not a globally accepted mathematical model to predict their performance. In this study, the VS2DTI software was used to predict the effluent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total nitrogen (TN) in a pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) treating domestic wastewater.

Slaughterhouse wastewater characteristics, treatment, and management in the meat processing industry: A review on trends and advances.

A thorough review of advancement in slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) characteristics, treatment, and management in the meat processing industry is presented. This study also provides a general review of the environmental impacts, health effects, and regulatory frameworks relevant to the SWW management. A significant progress in high-rate anaerobic treatment, nutrient removal, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and the combination of biological treatment and AOPs for SWW treatment is highlighted.

Sonophotolytic degradation of synthetic pharmaceutical wastewater: statistical experimental design and modeling.

The merits of the sonophotolysis as a combination of sonolysis (US) and photolysis (UV/H2O2) are investigated in a pilot-scale external loop airlift sonophotoreactor for the treatment of a synthetic pharmaceutical wastewater (SPWW). In the first part of this study, the multivariate experimental design is carried out using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The effluent is characterized by the total organic carbon (TOC) percent removal as a surrogate parameter.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of TOC removal from slaughterhouse wastewater using combined anaerobic-aerobic and UV/H2O2 processes.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the operating costs of treating slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) using combined biological and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). This study compares the performance and the treatment capability of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), an aerated completely mixed activated sludge reactor (AS), and a UV/H2O2 process, as well as their combination for the removal of the total organic carbon (TOC). Overall efficiencies are found to be up to 75.

Combined anaerobic-aerobic and UV/H2O2 processes for the treatment of synthetic slaughterhouse wastewater.

The biological treatment of a synthetic slaughterhouse wastewater (SSWW) is studied using an anaerobic baffled bioreactor (ABR) and an aerobic activated sludge (AS) at a laboratory scale in continuous mode. The total organic carbon (TOC) loading rate, the total nitrogen (TN) loading rate, and the flow rate are 0.03-1.

Utilization of multiple organisms in a proposed early-warning biomonitoring system for real-time detection of contaminants: preliminary results and modeling.

During past decades, biomonitors were deployed in lakes and rivers to rapidly detect hazardous chemicals by measuring the endpoints of a single aquatic species at defined short intervals. Most biomonitors, however, are only capable of indicating a departure from baseline water conditions without identifying the cause. In order to provide a more comprehensive assessment, a biomonitoring system which features a library of stereotyped responses of multiple aquatic species in various water conditions is proposed.

An air dispersion model for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Air quality is a major concern for the public; therefore, the reliability of accurate models in predicting the air quality is of a major interest. In this study, a Gaussian air dispersion model, known as the Air dispersion model for Road Sources in Urban areaS (ARSUS), was developed to predict the ground level concentrations for a contaminant of interest. It was demonstrated that this model could be used successfully in place of or in conjunction with ambient air monitoring stations in determining the local Air Quality Index (AQI).

Evaluation of low-copy genetic targets for waterborne bacterial pathogen detection via qPCR.

Recent developments in water quality research have highlighted difficulties in accurately predicting the incidence of pathogens within freshwater based on the viability, culturability and metabolic activity of indicator organisms. QPCR-driven assays are candidates to replace standard culture-based methods, however, protocols suitable for routine use have yet to be sufficiently validated. The objective of this study was to evaluate five oligonucleotide primers sets (ETIR, SINV, exoT, VS1 and ipaH2) for their potential applicability in qPCR assays to detect contamination from five waterborne bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella flexneri).