Highly Permeable Mixed Matrix Hollow Fiber Membrane as a Latent Route for Hydrogen Purification from Hydrocarbons/Carbon Dioxide.

This work reported on the fabrication and investigation of a mixed matrix hollow fiber membrane (MMHFM) by incorporating commercially available alumina particles into a polyetherimide (PEI) polymer matrix. These MMHFMs were prepared by the dry-wet spinning technique. Accordingly, optimizing the spinning parameters, including the air gap distance and flow rate ratio, is key to determining the gas separation performance.

In situ phase transformation of polytypic zinc-blende/wurtzite copper indium sulfide via a facile polyol method to boost visible-light photocatalytic performance.

A zinc-blende/wurtzite (ZB/WZ) copper indium sulfide (CuInS/CIS) polymorph with high visible-light absorption ability and high charge separation rate was developed by using a facile polyol method. Results showed that when thioacetamide served as a sulfur precursor, the crystalline phase of CIS was zinc-blende. Meanwhile, when thiourea served as a sulfur precursor, the crystalline phase of CIS was wurtzite, which exhibited good photocatalytic acid red 1 (AR1) dye decolorization efficiency.

Fabrication of waterproof gas separation membrane from plastic waste for CO separation.

In this study, waste polystyrene (wPS) plastic was used to prepare gas-separation membranes with hot-pressing technology to reduce the accumulation of plastic waste. Polystyrene is a commonly used polymer for the production of plastic products, and it is also used in the synthesis of membranes for gas separation. Compared to the traditional synthesis process, hot-pressing is environmentally friendly because it does not require organic solvents.

Insights into the Role of Polymer Conformation on the Cutoff Size of Carbon Molecular Sieving Membranes for Hydrogen Separation and Its Novel Pore Size Detection Technology.

In this study, three polymer precursor conformations, dilute, semi-dilute, and concentrated, were used to fabricate carbon molecular sieving (CMS) membranes via a fixed carbonization protocol. The effects of the precursor conformation on the microstructure of the resultant CMS membranes were characterized by Raman analysis. Their ability to separate light gases, such as H/CH and H/N, was assessed with a single-gas system.

Impacts of Green Synthesis Process on Asymmetric Hybrid PDMS Membrane for Efficient CO/N Separation.

The effects of green processes in hybrid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes on CO separation have received little attention to date. The effective CO separation of the membranes is believed to be controlled by the reaction and curing process. In this study, hybrid PDMS membranes were fabricated on ceramic substrates using the water-in-emulsion method and evaluated for their gas transport properties.

PVA/Pt/N-TiO/SrTiO porous films with adjustable pore size for hydrogen production under simulated sunlight.

In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol)/platinum/nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/strontium titanate composite (PVA/Pt/NT/STO) porous films with adjustable pore sizes were successfully synthesized using the facile etching SiO method. This enhanced the light transmittance and contact rate between the photocatalyst and solution. The effects of the size and number of the pores on the hydrogen production rate were studied under simulated sunlight.

Sintering-resistant, highly thermally stable and well-dispersed Pd@CeO/halloysite as an advanced three-way catalyst.

The high thermal stability of halloysite (H)-supported core-shell Pd@CeO endowed it with promising catalytic performance and superior sintering resistance as a three-way catalyst. In this work, the synthesis of Pd@CeO nanoparticles with various shell thicknesses was performed, and the properties of the shell and support were examined. From the results, the Pd@6CeO/H catalyst (Ce/Pd = 6) without any pretreatment or activation was achieved with a well-dispersed and optimal shell thickness of Pd@6CeO nanoparticles to inhibit sintering and aggregation via electrostatic attractions with halloysite.

Core-shell design and well-dispersed Pd particles for three-way catalysis: Effect of halloysite nanotubes functionalized with Schiff base.

In this study, we have described the synthesis of core@shell three-way catalyst with well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles which were intercalated into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) material via ligand assistance. The prepared parameters of Pd@HNTs catalyst included amine source, the molar ratio of amine and aldehyde, and the addition of CeO promoter. As a result, Pd@HNTs performed a good dispersion of Pd particles and high stability, which is attributed to the strong interaction between Pd and HNTs with Schiff base ligands and the high thermal resistance of HNTs as a sintering barrier.

Photocatalytic conversion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dissolved in real electroplating wastewater to hydrogen in a solar light-responsive system.

A sustainable and multifunctional photocatalysis-based technology has been established herein for simultaneous hydrogen generation and oxidation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in real electroplating wastewater. When the photocatalyst concentration was 4 g/L and electroplating wastewater pH was 6, optimal adsorptions of EDTA, H, and HO were observed, while hydrogen generation efficiency reached 305 µmol/(h g). Owing to EDTA oxidation and occupation of the active sites of the photocatalyst by Ni ions or Ni-EDTA chelates, the charge separation and adsorptions of H and HO decreased, reducing hydrogen generation efficiency with time.

Cadmium Stabilization Efficiency and Leachability by CdAl4O7 Monoclinic Structure.

This study investigated the stabilization efficiencies of using an aluminum-rich precursor to incorporate simulated cadmium-bearing waste sludge and evaluated the leaching performance of the product phase. Cadmium oxide and γ-alumina mixtures with various Cd/Al molar ratios were fired at 800-1000 °C for 3 h. Cadmium could be crystallochemically incorporated by γ-alumina into CdAl4O7 monoclinic phase and the reaction was strongly controlled by the treatment temperature.

Determination of the Pb, Cr, and Cd distribution patterns with various chlorine additives in the bottom ashes of a low-temperature two-stage fluidized bed incinerator by chemical sequential extraction.

A novel low-temperature two-stage fluidized bed (LTTSFB) incinerator has been successfully developed to control heavy-metal emissions during municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment. However, the characteristics of the residual metal patterns during this process are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the metal patterns in the different partitions of the LTTSFB bottom ash by chemical sequential extraction.

Characteristics and separation efficiencies of PPSU/PEI/PEG blend membranes with different compositions for water treatment.

To overcome the problems and constraints in the application of single organic membranes in wastewater treatment or water reuse processes, different blend membranes were prepared and modified to improve the separation efficiency of humic acids (HAs) and mitigate the fouling problems occurring during water purification. This study extends the results of our previous research and further investigates the relationships between the composition of polyphenylsulfone/polyetherimide/polyethylene glycol (PPSU/PEI/PEG) blend membranes and membrane characteristics and performance. The experimental results showed that the PEI and PEG component ratios of PPSU could significantly affect the blend membrane structure, morphology, and properties.

Copper emission during thermal treatment of simulated copper sludge.

This study evaluates Cu emissions in air-particulate and gas phases during thermal treatment of simulated copper sludge by a rotary kiln. Influences of operating parameters, including treatment temperature (400-700 degrees C), rotary speed (0.89-2.

Catalytic upgrading of syngas from fluidized bed air gasification of sawdust.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various gasification temperatures in a fluidized bed gasifier on biomass-derived products and to evaluate the efficiency of syngas upgraded by a secondary catalytic reactor. The results indicated that biomass vaporization was clearly affected by gasification temperature, resulting in the obtained products having different composition ratios. Additionally, the hydrogen promotion ratios were found to be strongly dependent on the condensable products, indicating that the products were upgraded via the use of a catalyst in the secondary reactor.

Removals of fly ash and NO in a fluidized-bed reactor with CuO/activated carbon catalysts.

This study investigates the effects of fly ash compositions (SiO(2) and Al(2)O(3)), particle sizes (4-10 μm and 40 μm), and concentrations on the simultaneous removals of fly ash and NO using a fluidized-bed catalyst reactor. Experimental results show that the removal efficiencies of fly ash and NO at particle concentrations of 968-11,181 mg m(-3) are 71-97% and 42-57%, respectively. SiO(2) particles have more influences than Al(2)O(3) particles on the performances of fluidized-bed CuO/AC catalyst.

Effect of Cu species on leaching behavior of simulated copper sludge after thermal treatment: ESCA analysis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of thermal treatment on residual copper sludge after separation treatment. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) concentration, pattern distribution and possible Cu species of simulated copper sludge were analyzed. Parameters such as different reaction time and temperature are also discussed in this study.

Characteristics of two types of stabilized nano zero-valent iron and transport in porous media.

Nano-scale zero-valent iron (NZVI) has been shown to be suitable for remediating contaminated aquifers. However, they usually aggregate rapidly and result in a very limited migration distance that inhibits their usefulness. This study employed poly acrylic acid (PAA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to synthesize two types of stabilized styles of NZVI with finer sizes (namely PNZVI and CNZVI).

Enhancement of Rhodamine B removal by low-cost fly ash sorption with Fenton pre-oxidation.

The removal of a basic dye, Rhodamine B (RhB), by fly ash adsorption, Fenton oxidation, and combined Fenton oxidation-fly ash adsorption were evaluated. Even though fly ash is a low cost absorbent, a high dose of fly ash was needed to remove RhB. Only 54% of RhB was removed by 80 g L(-1) fly ash.

Collection of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 particles using a gas-solid fluidized bed filter.

The filtration of SiO(2), Al(2)O(3) and Fe(2)O(3) particles with average sizes of 4 and 40 microm using a fluidized bed filter at 40 and 300 degrees C was studied. The collection mechanisms, interparticle forces and bounce-off effect between filtered particles and collectors were analyzed to determine their effect on particle filtration. Experimental results showed that the collection efficiency of 4 microm SiO(2) and Al(2)O(3) particles exceeded that of 40 microm particles.

Effects of particulates, heavy metals and acid gas on the removals of NO and PAHs by V2O5-WO3 catalysts in waste incineration system.

This study investigated the activities of prepared and commercial V(2)O(5)-WO(3) catalysts for simultaneous removals of NO and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the influences of particulates, heavy metals, SO(2), and HCl on the performances of catalysts. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory-scale waste incineration system equipped with a catalyst reactor. The DREs of PAHs by prepared and commercial V(2)O(5)-WO(3) catalysts were 64% and 72%, respectively.

Biotoxicity evaluation of fly ash and bottom ash from different municipal solid waste incinerators.

Different types of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly and bottom ash were extracted by TCLP and PBET procedures. The biotoxicity of the leachate of fly ash and bottom ash was evaluated by Vibrio fischeri light inhibition test. The results indicate the following: (1) The optimal solid/liquid ratio was 1:100 for PBET extraction because it had the highest Pb and Cu extractable mass from MSWI fly ash.

Evaluating the potential of CNT-supported Co catalyst used for gas pollution removal in the incineration flue gas.

This study investigated the use of Cu/Al(2)O(3), Co/Al(2)O(3), Fe/Al(2)O(3), and Ni/Al(2)O(3) catalysts for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These CNTs were used as support for Co catalyst preparation and Co/CNT catalysts were applied to a catalytic reaction to remove BTEX, PAHs, SO(2), NO, and CO simultaneously in a pilot-scale incineration system. The analyzed results of EDS and XRD showed low metal content and good dispersion characteristics of the Al(2)O(3)-supported catalysts by excess-solution impregnation.

The prospect and development of incinerators for municipal solid waste treatment and characteristics of their pollutants in Taiwan.

Taiwan is a small, densely populated island with unique experiences in the construction and operation of incinerators. In such a small area, Taiwan has built 22 incinerators over a short span of time, combusting large amount of municipal solid waste as much as 23,250 tons per day. This study focuses on the history of construction and development of incinerators in Taiwan as well as the characteristics of pollutants, such as heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Hg), acid gases (NO , SO , CO, and HCl), and dioxins emitted from the incinerators.

Evaluation of the distribution patterns of Pb, Cu and Cd from MSWI fly ash during thermal treatment by sequential extraction procedure.

Municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash was frequently classified as hazardous materials as the metals' concentration of toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) exceeded regulations. Many studies have focused on reducing the concentration of TCLP using thermal treatment and increasing the application of thermally treated slag. However, the metal patterns in MSWI fly ash with or without thermal treatment have seldom been addressed.