Dataset on the optimization of a photovoltaic solar water pumping system in terms of pumping performance in remote areas of Phayao province using response surface methodology.

The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to examine the impact of the pumping system in a photovoltaic solar water pumping system, while operating under ideal conditions. The input parameters for optimizing the pump performance of the PV water pump include three parameters: Solar irradiance (550-950, W/m2), temperature (30-45, °C), and voltage (420-540, V). The experimental values of PV water pump efficiency showed that the efficiency of PV water pumps was in the range of 55.24-80.80% of the experiment. At a solar irradiance of 750 W/m2, a voltage of 480 V and a temperature of 37.5 °C shows the maximum efficiency of the solar PV water pump systems was 80.80% under optimal conditions. This work demonstrates the potential of solar water pumps as a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution to support agriculture in remote areas. In addition, the costs and economic parameters of solar photovoltaic water pumps and conventional systems were compared by the social return on investment (SROI) evaluation. This indicates that sales are profitable or create social value that benefits society and local stakeholders in remote areas. This work demonstrates the potential of solar water pumps as a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution to support agriculture in remote areas.

Biological Conversion of Agricultural Wastes into Indole-3-acetic Acid by Streptomyces lavenduligriseus BS50-1 Using a Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

Agricultural waste is an alternative source for plant growth regulator biosynthesis by microorganisms. Actinobacteria are important soil microbes that significantly impact the soil as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and biofertilizers. This study focused on developing low-cost medium based on bagasse to improve indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production by Streptomyces lavenduligriseus BS50-1 using a response surface methodology (RSM). Among 34 actinobacterial strains, S. lavenduligriseus BS50-1 produced the highest IAA level within the selected medium. An RSM based on a central composite design optimized the appropriate nutrients for IAA production. Thus, glucose hydrolysate and l-tryptophan at concentrations of 3.55 and 5.0 g/L, respectively, were the optimal factors that improved IAA production from 37.50 to 159.47 µg/mL within 168 h. This study reported a potential application of leftover bagasse as the raw material for cultivating actinobacteria, which efficiently produce IAA to promote plant growth.

Dataset on the optimization by response surface methodology for dried banana products using greenhouse solar drying in Thailand.

The banana industry in Thailand holds immense potential, driven by favorable growing conditions, robust domestic consumption, and active participation in the export market. Solar dryers have the potential to revolutionize fruit processing by providing a sustainable, cost-effective, and nutritionally rich solution. This research aims to optimize the greenhouse solar drying process for bananas using response surface methodology. The specific variables under investigation are drying temperature and drying time. A designed greenhouse solar dryer, tailored for commercial use in the target area, was employed for the experiment. Statistical analysis and response surface methodology were utilized to evaluate the effects of the experimental variables on two key outputs: moisture content and color change of the dried banana product. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential of solar drying in the context of banana processing. The research outcomes provide valuable insights for optimizing the solar drying process, thereby facilitating the development of the banana industry and its applicability.

Developing a Slow-Release Permanganate Composite for Degrading Aquaculture Antibiotics.

Copious use of antibiotics in aquaculture farming systems has resulted in surface water contamination in some countries. Our objective was to develop a slow-release oxidant that could be used in situ to reduce antibiotic concentrations in discharges from aquaculture lagoons. We accomplished this by generating a slow-release permanganate (SR-MnO4-) that was composed of a biodegradable wax and a phosphate-based dispersing agent. Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and its synergistic antibiotics were used as representative surrogates. Kinetic experiments verified that the antibiotic-MnO4- reactions were first-order with respect to MnO4- and initial antibiotic concentration (second-order rates: 0.056-0.128 s-1 M-1). A series of batch experiments showed that solution pH, water matrices, and humic acids impacted SDM degradation efficiency. Degradation plateaus were observed in the presence of humic acids (>20 mgL-1), which caused greater MnO2 production. A mixture of KMnO4/beeswax/paraffin (SRB) at a ratio of 11.5:4:1 (w/w) was better for biodegradability and the continual release of MnO4-, but MnO2 formation altered release patterns. Adding tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP) into the composite resulted in delaying MnO2 aggregation and increased SDM removal efficiency to 90% due to the increased oxidative sites on the MnO2 particle surface. The MnO4- release data fit the Siepmann-Peppas model over the long term (t < 48 d) while a Higuchi model provided a better fit for shorter timeframes (t < 8 d). Our flow-through discharge tank system using SRB with TKPP continually reduced the SDM concentration in both DI water and lagoon wastewater. These results support SRB with TKPP as an effective composite for treating antibiotic residues in aquaculture discharge water.

Characterization and Optimization of Polymeric Bispicolamine Chelating Resin: Performance Evaluation via RSM Using Copper in Acid Liquors as a Model Substrate through Ion Exchange Method.

Advanced technologies of electronics industries have led to environmental contamination concerns, especially waste print circuit boards containing a very high concentration of copper (II) ions, which can be discharged in wastewater containing many contaminated metals. A low pH is a necessity for treating industrial wastewater containing heavy metals to meet engineering process design. A novel polymeric bispicolamine chelating resin, Dowex-M4195, was applied as an alternative for investigating the behavior of copper (II) in acidic solution via an ion exchange method in a batch experiment system. Characterization of physical and chemical properties before and after ion exchange were also explored through BET, SEM-EDX, FTIR and XRD. Response surface methodology was also applied for optimization of copper (II) removal capacity using design of experiment for selective chelating resin at a low pH. The results indicate that H+ Dowex-M4195 chelating resin had a high-carbon content and specific surface area of >64% and 26.5060 m2/g, respectively. It was predominantly macropore porous in nature due to the N2 gas adsorption isotherm and exhibited type IV with insignificant desorption hysteresis loop of H1-type. It was spherical and cylindrical. After the ion exchange process of copper (II)-loaded H+ Dowex-M4195, the specific surface area and total pore volume decreased by about 17.82% and 5.39%, respectively, as compared to H+ Dowex-M4195. Hysteresis loop, isotherm and pore size distribution were also similar. Regarding the functional group, the surface morphology and crystalline structures of H+ Dowex-M4195 showed copper (II) compound based on the structure of chelating resin that confirmed effective ion exchange behavior. The design of optimization indicated that copper (II) removal capacity of about 31.33 mg/g was achieved, which could be obtained at 6.96 h, pH of 2 (a desirable low pH), dose of 124.13 mg and concentration of 525.15 mg/L. The study indicated that the H+ Dowex-M4195 (which is commercially available on the market) can successfully be applied as an alternative precursor through the ion exchange method for further reuse and regeneration of the copper (II) in the electronic waste industries and other wastewater applications needed to respond the policy of biocircular green economy in Thailand.

Enrofloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole Sorption on Carbonized Leonardite: Kinetics, Isotherms, Influential Effects, and Antibacterial Activity toward S. aureus ATCC 25923.

Excessive antibiotic use in veterinary applications has resulted in water contamination and potentially poses a serious threat to aquatic environments and human health. The objective of the current study was to quantify carbonized leonardite (cLND) adsorption capabilities to remove sulfamethoxazole (SMX)- and enrofloxacin (ENR)-contaminated water and to determine the microbial activity of ENR residuals on cLND following adsorption. The cLND samples prepared at 450 °C and 850 °C (cLND450 and cLND550, respectively) were evaluated for structural and physical characteristics and adsorption capabilities based on adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies. The low pyrolysis temperature of cLND resulted in a heterogeneous surface that was abundant in both hydrophobic and hydrophilic functional groups. SMX and ENR adsorption were best described using a pseudo-second-order rate expression. The SMX and ENR adsorption equilibrium data on cLND450 and cLND550 revealed their better compliance with a Langmuir isotherm than with four other models based on 2.3-fold higher values of qmENR than qmSMX. Under the presence of the environmental interference, the electrostatic interaction was the main contributing factor to the adsorption capability. Microbial activity experiments based on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 revealed that cLND could successfully adsorb and subsequently retain the adsorbed antibiotic on the cLND surface. This study demonstrated the potential of cLND550 as a suitable low-cost adsorbent for the highly efficient removal of antibiotics from water.

Monitoring estrogen and androgen residues from livestock farms in Phayao Lake, Thailand.

The aim of the present study was to investigate steroid hormone residues from livestock farms and assess their risks to the surface water of Phayao Lake. These steroid hormones are endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), which can be found in natural and synthetic forms. This research focused on examining the residues of seven steroid hormones (five estrogens and two androgens-estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (αE2), 17ß-estradiol (ßE2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), testosterone (T), and 17α-methyltestosterone (MT)) from four types of livestock farms around Phayao Lake, Thailand. The samples collected from the livestock farms included feces, soil, and wastewater and were extracted by the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique and analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The risks from the residual steroid hormones were also characterized by estradiol equivalents (EEQs), testosterone equivalents (TEQs), and risk quotients (RQs). The results indicated that most hormone contamination from the farms' livestock was due to the estrogen hormones E1 (1.38-97.10 ng/g), ßE2 (10.08-1366 ng/g), and EE2 (1.50-99.92 ng/g), which originate from the natural excretion and admixture of steroids in feedstock or medicines. Steroid hormones were not detected in the wastewater from cleaning processes on farms with wastewater treatment plants, whereas farms without wastewater treatment plants showed high values of estrogen hormone contamination, with EEQs of 128.8-472.9 ng/L and RQs of 208.3-294.3. However, the analysis of steroid hormone residues in Phayao Lake demonstrated that the residues did not severely affect aquatic organisms (with RQs of 0.002-144.5), and no estrogen or androgen residues were observed in the water treatment plant or tap water.

Solvothermal-Based Lignin Fractionation From Corn Stover: Process Optimization and Product Characteristics.

Fractionation of lignocellulosic is a fundamental step in the production of value-added biobased products. This work proposes an initiative to efficiently extract lignin from the corn stover using a single-step solvothermal fractionation in the presence of an acid promoter (H2SO4). The organic solvent mixture used consists of ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water at a ratio of 30: 25:45 (v/v), respectively. H2SO4 was utilized as a promoter to improve the performance and selectivity of lignin removal from the solid phase and to increase the amount of recovered lignin in the organic phase. The optimal conditions for this extraction, based on response surface methodology (RSM), are a temperature of 180°C maintained for 49.1 min at an H2SO4 concentration of 0.08 M. The optimal conditions show an efficient reaction with 98.0% cellulose yield and 75.0% lignin removal corresponding to 72.9% lignin recovery. In addition, the extracted lignin fractions, chemical composition, and structural features were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2D-HSQC NMR). The results indicate that the recovered lignin primarily contains a ß-O-4 linking motif based on 2D-HSQC spectra. In addition, new C-C inter-unit linkages (i.e., ß-ß, and ß-5) are not formed in the recovered lignin during H2SO4-catalyzed solvothermal pretreatment. This work facilitates effective valorization of lignin into value-added chemicals and fuels.

Photocatalytic Oxidation of PLA/TiO2-Composite Films for Indoor Air Purification.

Non-decomposable plastic has been replaced with polylactic acid, which is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester stationary phase, in composite films embedded with a TiO2 photocatalyst for mitigation of indoor air pollution. PLA has superior properties relative to those of other biopolymers, such as a relatively high melting point, crystallinity, and rigidity. This study aimed to incorporate TiO2-anatase into PLA for use as a photocatalyst using the blown film method. Photocatalytic oxidation, an advanced oxidative process, has been recognized as an economical technique providing convenience and efficiency with indoor air treatment. Therefore, the use of new environmentally friendly biodegradable polymers provides an alternative way to address the severe environmental concerns caused by non-decomposable plastics. UV-vis spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) were used to observe the dispersibility and mixing capacity of the TiO2-anatase PLA matrix. TiO2 dosages were 5, 10, and 15% (wt/wt), and they were incorporated with a twin-screw extruder. SEM-EDX images demonstrated the homogeneity of TiO2 distribution in the PLA matrix. The energy band gaps of TiO2 in the PLA/TiO2-composite films were between 3.14 and 3.22 eV. The relationship between the photocatalytic oxidation rate and the TiO2 dosage in the PLA/TiO2-composite films was determined. A prototype reactor model is geared toward the development of air purifiers for indoor air conditioning. Rate constants for benzene degradation were obtained using first-order kinetics to find rate constants matching experimental findings. In the PLA/TiO2-composite film, the TiO2-anatase photocatalyst was able to degrade 5 ppm benzene. This work contributes to the use of ecoefficient photocatalytic oxidation.

Effects of Modified Activated Carbon on Microwave-Accelerated Organosolv Fractionation of Rice Husk.

Organosolv fractionation is a promising approach for the separation of lignocellulosic components in integrated biorefineries where each component can be fully valorized into valuable platform chemicals and biofuels. In this study, microwave-accelerated organosolv fractionation was developed for the modification of lignocellulosic fractionation of rice husk. The fractionation condition was optimized for 1 h with the microwave irradiation at 300 W using a ternary solvent mixture composed of 24%:32%:44% water/ethanol/methyl isobutyl ketone. The effects of mineral acids (HCl, H3PO4, and H2SO4) and heterogeneous acid promoters (HCl, H3PO4, and H2SO4 impregnated over activated carbon) on the efficiency and selectivity of product yields (i.e., glucan, hemicellulose-derived products, and lignin) were also investigated. It was found that the use of H3PO4-activated carbon as the promoter showed superior performance on the fractionation of rice husk components, resulting in 88.8% recovery of cellulose, with 63.8% purity in the solid phase, whereas the recovery of hemicellulose (66.4%) with the lowest formation of furan and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural and lignin (81.0%) without sugar cross-contamination was obtained in the aqueous ethanol phase and organic phase, respectively. In addition, the morphology structure of fractionated rice husk presented 2.6-fold higher surface area (5.4 m2/g) of cellulose-enriched fraction in comparison with the native rice husk (2.1 m2/g), indicating the improvement of enzyme accessibility. Besides, the chemical changes of isolated lignin were also investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. This work gives pieces of information into the efficiencies of the microwave strategy as a climate neighborly elective fractionation method for this serious starting material in the biotreatment facility business.

Fractionation and characterization of lignin from sugarcane bagasse using a sulfuric acid catalyzed solvothermal process.

Conversion of lignocellulosic residue to bioenergy and biofuel is a promising platform for global sustainability. Fractionation is an initial step for isolating lignocellulosic components for subsequent valorization. The aim of this research is to develop the solvothermal fractionation of sugarcane bagasse to produce high purity lignin. The physio-chemical structure of isolated lignin from this process was determined. In this study, a central composite design-based response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize an acid promoter for isolating lignin from sugarcane bagasse using a solvothermal fractionation process. The reaction was carried out with sulfuric acid, at a concentration of 0.01-0.02 M and a reaction temperature of 180-200 °C for 30-90 min. The optimal conditions for the experiment were obtained at the acid concentration of 0.02 M with a temperature of 200 °C for 90 min in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)/methanol/water (35% : 25% : 40% v/v%). The results showed that 88% of lignin removal was done in the solid phase, while 87% of lignin recovery was conducted in the organic phase. Furthermore, the changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of solid residue and lignin recovery were analyzed using various techniques. GPC analysis of recovered lignin from the organic fraction showed a lower M w (1374 g mol-1) and polydispersity index (1.75) compared to commercial organosolv lignin. The major lignin degradation temperature of commercial organosolv lignin was estimated to be 410 °C, whereas BGL showed two main degradations at 291 °C and 437 °C, which could point to potential relationships with the degradation of ß-O-4 cross-links. The results indicated that recovered lignin was mostly cross-linked by ß-O-4 cross-links. In addition, Py-GC/MS and 2D HSQC NMR gave more information regarding the compositional and structural features of recovered lignin. The development of the sulfuric acid catalyzed solvothermal process in this study provides efficient extraction of high-value organosolv lignin from sugarcane bagasse and the production of recovered lignin in the organic phase with low contamination from other contents. The lignin characteristic data can contribute to the development of lignin valorization in value-added applications.