Binary electrochemical mineralization of heterocyclic nitrogenous compounds: parametric optimization using Taguchi method and mineralization mechanism.

The main objective of the present work was to understand the interactive behaviour of various operating parameters including concentration of pollutants during binary electrochemical mineralization of the two nitrogenous heterocyclic pollutants in the aqueous solution. Indole and pyrrole were selected as pollutants, whereas Pt/Ti was selected as anode and cathode. The effects of different operating parameters like current density, solution conductivity, initial concentration of the pollutants and time were studied. Taguchi method was used to optimize these operating parameters for obtaining the ultimate rate of degradation for the nitrogenous compounds. There were basically two responses, i.e. chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation and specific energy consumption. These responses were maximized and minimized, respectively. At the optimum condition, removal efficiencies of pyrrole, indole and COD were found to be 46.1%, 62.4% and 61.4%, respectively. The optimum value of specific energy consumption was found to be 159.5 kWh per kg COD removed. Possible mineralization pathways are also proposed on the basis of the identified intermediates by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. The operating cost was also calculated for the binary lab-scale treatment of the indole and pyrrole and compared with reported cost analysis for the electrochemical treatment.

Mineralization of pyrrole, a recalcitrant heterocyclic compound, by electrochemical method: Multi-response optimization and degradation mechanism.

In this study, the electrochemical (EC) oxidation of a recalcitrant heterocyclic compound namely pyrrole has been reported using platinum coated titanium (Pt/Ti) electrodes. Response surface methodology (RSM) comprising of full factorial central composite design (CCD) with four factors and five levels has been used to examine the effects of different operating parameters such as current density (j), aqueous solution pH, conductivity (k) and treatment time (t) in an EC batch reactor. Pyrrole mineralization in aqueous solution was examined with multiple responses such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) (response, Y1) and specific energy consumption (SEC) in kWh/kg of COD removed (response, Y2). During multiple response optimization, the desirability function approach was employed to concurrently maximize Y1 and minimize Y2. At the optimum condition, 82.9% COD removal and 7.7 kWh/kg of COD removed were observed. Degradation mechanism of pyrrole in wastewater was elucidated at the optimum condition of treatment by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), ion chromatography (IC), higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The degradation pathway of pyrrole was proposed on the basis of the various analysis.

Synthesis and application of green mixed-metal oxide nano-composite materials from solid waste for dye degradation.

Present study demonstrates reutilization of electrochemical (EC) sludge as a potential low-cost green catalyst for dye degradation. Hexagonal Fe2O3 type phase with trevorite (NiFe2O4)-type cubic phase nanocomposite material (NCM) was synthesized from solid waste sludge generated during EC treatment of textile industry wastewater with stainless steel electrode. For NCM synthesis, sludge was heated at different temperatures under controlled condition. Various synthesized NCMs were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The synthesized NCMs were found to contain iron, chromium, nickel and oxygen in the form of α-Fe2O3 (metal: oxygen = 40:60), (Fe,Cr,Ni)2O3 and trevorite NiFe2O4, (Ni,Fe,Cr) (Fe,Cr,Ni)2O4 (metal: oxygen = 43:57). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), pore size distribution, and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis showed distribution of grains of different shapes and sizes. Catalytic activity of NCM was studied by the methylene red dye degradation by using the catalytic wet peroxidation process. Zeta potential study was performed under different pH so as to determine the performance of the NCMs during dye degradation.

Catalytic wet peroxidation of pyridine bearing wastewater by cerium supported SBA-15.

Cerium supported SBA-15 (Ce/SBA-15) was synthesized by two-step synthesis method in acidic medium. It was further characterized by various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption pore size distribution analysis. The Ce/SBA-15 showed highly ordered meso-structure with pore diameter≈70-100Ǻ and pore volume≈0.025cm(3)/g. Ce/SBA-15 was further evaluated as a catalyst for the oxidation of highly toxic and non-biodegradable material, pyridine, by catalytic wet-peroxidation method. The effects of various operating parameters such as catalyst dose (0.5-6g/l), stoichiometric ratio of H2O2/pyridine (1-6), initial pyridine concentration (50-800mg/l) and temperature (313-358K) have been evaluated and optimized. Ce/SBA-15 showed stable performance during reuse for six cycles with negligible cerium leaching. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and operation cost have also been determined.

An overview of various technologies for the treatment of dairy wastewaters.

Dairy industries have shown tremendous growth in size and number in most countries of the world. These industries discharge wastewater which is characterized by high chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, nutrients, and organic and inorganic contents. Such wastewaters, if discharged without proper treatment, severely pollute receiving water bodies. In this article, the various recent advancements in the treatment of dairy wastewater have been discussed and the areas where further research is needed have been identified.

Treatment of dairy wastewater by inorganic coagulants: Parametric and disposal studies.

Present study reports treatment of simulated dairy wastewater (SDW) by inorganic coagulants such as poly aluminum chloride (PAC), ferrous sulphate (FeSO(4)) and potash alum (KAl(SO(4))(2)·12H(2)O). Batch coagulation experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of initial pH (pH(i): 5-10) and coagulant dosage (m: 100-5000 mg/L) on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from SDW. Residual COD and system pH were observed as function of time. Optimum pH(i) (pH(i,op)) was found to be 8.0 for all the three coagulants. Optimum m (m(op)) was found to be 300, 800 and 500 mg/L for PAC, FeSO(4) and KAl(SO(4))(2)·12H(2)O, respectively, giving 69.2, 66.5 and 63.8% COD removal efficiency in 30 min. Heating values of the sludge generated by the coagulants PAC, FeSO(4) and KAl(SO(4))(2)·12H(2)O were found to be 20.7, 29.6 and 17.3 MJ/kg, respectively.

Treatment of dairy wastewater by commercial activated carbon and bagasse fly ash: Parametric, kinetic and equilibrium modelling, disposal studies.

Present study reports treatment of synthetic dairy wastewater (SDW) in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal by means of adsorption onto activated carbon-commercial grade (ACC) and bagasse fly ash (BFA). Optimum conditions for SDW treatment were found to be: initial pH approximately 4.8, adsorbent dose of 20g/l for ACC and 10g/l for BFA and contact time approximately 8h. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to fit the kinetic data and Redlich-Peterson isotherm model was generally found to best represent the equilibrium data for SDW treatment by ACC and BFA. The change in entropy and enthalpy for SDW adsorption onto ACC and BFA were estimated as 125.85kJ/molK and 91.53kJ/mol; and 25.71kJ/molK and 17.26kJ/mol, respectively. The negative values of change in Gibbs free energy indicate the feasibility and spontaneous nature of the adsorptive treatment.

Treatment of bio-digester effluent by electrocoagulation using iron electrodes.

The present paper deals with chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of a bio-digester effluent (BDE) in a batch electrocoagulation (EC) reactor using iron electrode. A central composite (CC) experimental design has been employed to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of four independent parameters on the COD removal efficiency. The parameters studied are current density (j): 44.65-223.25A/m(2); initial pH (pH(0)): 2-8; inter-electrode distance (g): 1-3 cm and electrolysis time (t): 30-150 min. The results have been analyzed using Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA). Analysis showed a high coefficient of determination value (R(2)=0.8547) and satisfactory prediction for second-order regression model. Graphical response surface and contour plots have been used to locate the optimum values of studied parameters. Maximum COD and color reduction of 50.5% and 95.2%, respectively, was observed at optimum conditions. Present study shows that EC technique can be employed in distilleries to reduce the pollution load before treatment in aerobic treatment plants to meet the discharge standards.

Rice husk ash as an effective adsorbent: evaluation of adsorptive characteristics for Indigo Carmine dye.

Present study explored the adsorptive characteristics of Indigo Carmine (IC) dye from aqueous solution onto rice husk ash (RHA). Batch experiments were carried out to determine the influence of parameters like initial pH (pH(0)), contact time (t), adsorbent dose (m) and initial concentration (C(0)) on the removal of IC. The optimum conditions were found to be: pH(0)=5.4, t=8h and m=10.0 g/l. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model represented the adsorption kinetics of IC on to RHA. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Redlich-Peterson models using a non-linear regression technique. Adsorption of IC on RHA was favorably influenced by an increase in the temperature of the operation. The positive values of the change in entropy (DeltaS(0)) and heat of adsorption (DeltaH(0)); and the negative value of change in Gibbs free energy (DeltaG(0)) indicate feasible and spontaneous adsorption of IC on to RHA.

Adsorptive removal of Auramine-O: kinetic and equilibrium study.

Present study deals with the adsorption of Auramine-O (AO) dye by bagasse fly ash (BFA) and activated carbon-commercial grade (ACC) and laboratory grade (ACL). BFA is a solid waste obtained from the particulate collection equipment attached to the flue gas line of the bagasse fired boilers of cane sugar mills. Batch studies were performed to evaluate the influences of various experimental parameters like initial pH (pH(0)), contact time, adsorbent dose and initial concentration (C(0)) for the removal of AO. Optimum conditions for AO removal were found to be pH(0) approximately 7.0 and equilibrium time approximately 30 min for BFA and approximately 120 min for activated carbons. Optimum BFA, ACC and ACL dosages were found to be 1, 20 and 2g/l, respectively. Adsorption of AO followed pseudo-second order kinetics with the initial sorption rate for adsorption on BFA being the highest followed by those on ACL and ACC. The sorption process was found to be controlled by both film and pore diffusion with film diffusion at the earlier stages followed by pore diffusion at the later stages. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of AO on BFA, ACC and ACL were analyzed by Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherm equations using linear correlation coefficient. Langmuir isotherm gave the best correlation of adsorption for all the adsorbents studied. Thermodynamic study showed that adsorption of AO on ACC (with a more negative Gibbs free energy value) is more favoured. BFA which was used without any pretreatment showed high surface area, pore volume and pore size exhibiting its potential to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of AO.

Characterization of mesoporous rice husk ash (RHA) and adsorption kinetics of metal ions from aqueous solution onto RHA.

The present study deals with the characterization of low-cost rice husk ash (RHA) for its various physico-chemical properties and adsorption characteristics of metal ions. The average particle size of RHA was 150.47mum. Proximate analysis showed the presence of high amount of ash in RHA. Bulk density and the heating value of RHA were 104.9kg/m(3) and 9.68MJ/kg, respectively. The pore size distribution results showed that the RHA was predominantly mesoporous. The BET surface area was 36.44m(2)/g. The average pore diameter by BET was 42.603A. The BJH pore area showed 80% of the pore area due to the mesopores. The polar groups present on the RHA surface imparted considerable cation exchange capacity to it. RHA was found to be an effective adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (Cd(II)), nickel (Ni(II)) and zinc (Zn(II)) metal ions from aqueous solutions. The pH(0) approximately 6.0 is found to be the optimum for the removal of individual cations from the aqueous solutions by RHA at an optimum dose of 10kg/m(3). The kinetics of adsorption showed that the metal ions adsorption on RHA is a gradual process with quasi-equilibrium being attained in 5h. The pseudo-second-order kinetics represents the equilibrium data well. The effective diffusion coefficient of the cations onto the RHA is of the order of 10(-13)m(2)/s.

Removal of congo red from aqueous solution by bagasse fly ash and activated carbon: kinetic study and equilibrium isotherm analyses.

Present investigation deals with the utilisation of bagasse fly ash (BFA) (generated as a waste material from bagasse fired boilers) and the use of activated carbons-commercial grade (ACC) and laboratory grade (ACL), as adsorbents for the removal of congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions. Batch studies were conducted to evaluate the adsorption capacity of BFA, ACC and ACL and the effects of initial pH (pH(0)), contact time and initial dye concentration on adsorption. The pH(0) of the dye solution strongly affected the chemistry of both the dye molecules and BFA in an aqueous solution. The effective pH(0) was 7.0 for adsorption on BFA. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption of CR on all the adsorbents was a gradual process. Equilibrium reached in about 4h contact time. Optimum BFA, ACC and ACL dosages were found to be 1, 20 and 2 g l(-1), respectively. CR uptake by the adsorbents followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of CR on BFA, ACC and ACL were analysed by the Freundlich, Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson, and Temkin isotherm equations. Error analysis showed that the R-P isotherm best-fits the CR adsorption isotherm data on all adsorbents. The Freundlich isotherm also shows comparable fit. Thermodynamics showed that the adsorption of CR on BFA was most favourable in comparison to activated carbons.