Current advances of integrated processes combining chemical absorption and biological reduction for NO x removal from flue gas.

Anthropogenic nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emitted from the fossil-fuel-fired power plants cause adverse environmental issues such as acid rain, urban ozone smoke, and photochemical smog. A novel chemical absorption-biological reduction (CABR) integrated process under development is regarded as a promising alternative to the conventional selective catalytic reduction processes for NO x removal from the flue gas because it is economic and environmentally friendly. CABR process employs ferrous ethylenediaminetetraacetate [Fe(II)EDTA] as a solvent to absorb the NO x following microbial denitrification of NO x to harmless nitrogen gas. Meanwhile, the absorbent Fe(II)EDTA is biologically regenerated to sustain the adequate NO x removal. Compared with conventional denitrification process, CABR not only enhances the mass transfer of NO from gas to liquid phase but also minimize the impact of oxygen on the microorganisms. This review provides the current advances of the development of the CABR process for NO x removal from the flue gas.

NOx removal in chemical absorption-biological reduction integrated system: process rate and rate-limiting step.

Biological reduction of Fe(III)EDTA is considered as the key step that limits the removal efficiency of the chemical absorption-biological reduction integrated system. In this study, the process rates of each reaction step under typical conditions (T=50°C, C FeII(EDTA)=1-5 mmol/L, CNO=0-500 ppm, CO2=1-10%, pH=7) were determined. Relevant kinetic constants including rate constants of absorption part and Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants of regeneration part were also obtained. On this basis, the theoretical process rates of each reaction step were predicted and compared in a steady state. The results confirmed that the removal rate of NO in this system is limited by the biological reduction of Fe(III)EDTA. Moreover, it indicated that increasing the concentration of total iron appropriately could enhance the bioreduction of Fe(III)EDTA.

Evaluation of o-xylene and other volatile organic compounds removal using a xylene-acclimated biotrickling filter.

In this study, performance evaluation for the gas-phase o-xylene removal using a xylene-acclimated biotrickling filter (BTF) was conducted. Substrate interactions during aerobic biodegradation of three poorly soluble compounds, both individually and in paired mixtures (namely, o-xylene and ethyl acetate, o-xylene and dichloromethane, which are common solvents used by pharmaceutical industry), were also investigated. Experimental results indicate that a maximum elimination capacity of 99.3 g x m(-3) x h(-1) (70% removal) was obtained at an o-xylene loading rate of 143.0 g x m(-3) x h(-1), while the top packing layer (one-third height of the three packing layers) only contributed about 13% to the total elimination capacity. Kinetic constants for o-xylene biodegradation and the pattern of o-xylene removal performance along the height of the BTF were obtained through the modified Michaelis-Menten kinetics and convection-diffusion reaction model, respectively. A reduction of removal efficiency in o-xylene (83.2-74.5% removal at a loading rate of 40.3 g x m(-3) x h(-1) for the total volatile organic compound (VOC) loading rate of 79 g x m(-3) x h(-1)) in the presence of ethyl acetate (100% removal) was observed, while enhanced o-xylene removal efficiency (71.6-78.6% removal at a loading rate of 45.1 g x m(-3) x h(-1) for the total VOC loading rate of 90 g x m(-3) x h(-1)) was achieved in the presence of dichloromethane (35.6% removal). This work shows that a BTF with xylene-acclimated microbial consortia has the ability to remove several poorly soluble compounds, which would advance the knowledge on the treatment of pharmaceutical VOC emissions.

Enhanced biological removal of NOχ from flue gas in a biofilter by Fe(II)Cit/Fe(II)EDTA absorption.

A mixed absorbent had been proposed to enhance the chemical absorption-biological reduction process for NO(x) removal from flue gas. The mole ratio of the absorbent of Fe(II)Cit to Fe(II)EDTA was selected to be 3. After the biofilm was formed adequately, some influential factors, such as the concentration of NO, O(2), SO(2) and EBRT were investigated. During the long-term running, the system could keep on a steady NO removal efficiency (up to 90%) and had a flexibility in the sudden changes of operating conditions when the simulated flue gas contained 100-500 ppm NO, 100-800 ppm SO(2), 1-5% (v/v) O(2), and 15% (v/v) CO(2). However, high NO concentration (>800 ppm) and relative short EBRT (<100s) had significant negative effect on NO removal. The results indicate that the new system by using mixed-absorbent can reduce operating costs in comparison with the single Fe(II)EDTA system and possesses great potential for scale-up to industrial applications.

A nonprostanoid EP4 receptor selective prostaglandin E2 agonist restores bone mass and strength in aged, ovariectomized rats.

UNLABELLED: CP432 is a newly discovered, nonprostanoid EP4 receptor selective prostaglandin E2 agonist. CP432 stimulates trabecular and cortical bone formation and restores bone mass and bone strength in aged ovariectomized rats with established osteopenia. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a newly discovered, nonprostanoid EP4 receptor selective prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) agonist, CP432, could produce bone anabolic effects in aged, ovariectomized (OVX) rats with established osteopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CP432 at 0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg/day was given for 6 weeks by subcutaneous injection to 12-month-old rats that had been OVX for 8.5 months. The effects on bone mass, bone formation, bone resorption, and bone strength were determined. RESULTS: Total femoral BMD increased significantly in OVX rats treated with CP432 at all doses. CP432 completely restored trabecular bone volume of the third lumbar vertebral body accompanied with a dose-dependent decrease in osteoclast number and osteoclast surface and a dose-dependent increase in mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate-tissue reference in OVX rats. CP432 at 1 and 3 mg/kg/day significantly increased total tissue area, cortical bone area, and periosteal and endocortical bone formation in the tibial shafts compared with both sham and OVX controls. CP432 at all doses significantly and dose-dependently increased ultimate strength in the fifth lumber vertebral body compared with both sham and OVX controls. At 1 and 3 mg/kg/day, CP432 significantly increased maximal load in a three-point bending test of femoral shaft compared with both sham and OVX controls. CONCLUSIONS: CP432 completely restored trabecular and cortical bone mass and strength in established osteopenic, aged OVX rats by stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption on trabecular and cortical surfaces.

Discovery of highly selective EP4 receptor agonists that stimulate new bone formation and restore bone mass in ovariectomized rats.

Heptanoic acid lactams, exemplified by 2, were identified as highly selective EP4 agonists via high throughput screening. Lead optimization led to the identification of lactams with a 30-fold increase in EP4 potency in vitro. Compounds demonstrated robust bone anabolic effects when administered in vivo in rat models of osteoporosis.

Estrogen receptor beta selective ligands: discovery and SAR of novel heterocyclic ligands.

A series of ligands with varying heterocyclic cores and substituents that display a range of selectivity's (up to >100x) for ER-beta over ER-alpha are reported.

Tetrahydroisoquinolines as subtype selective estrogen agonists/antagonists.

Two series of 6-hydroxy and 7-hydroxy tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared. Evaluating a range of C-1, C-4, and N-substituents led to the discovery of ER alpha and ER beta selective analogs.