IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Year:2017 | Volume:8 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

In this paper, HZSM5 zeolite was synthesized through reflux method on support material CaO (25, 35 and 45 wt%) in two specific methods: microwave and impregnation at high temperature. The zeolite catalyst was modified with impregnation of NaOH (2, 4, 8, 12 wt%) at room temperature. The modified zeolite was used in transesterification of rapeseed oil with methanol in abatch catalytic process. In transesterification of rapeseed oil, the catalyticactivities of HZSM5, NaZSM5, KZSM5 were considered. The prepared catalysts were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area and also the surface image was scanned by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The parameters affecting on biodiesel yield at optimum reaction conditions were investigated. The maximum yield was achieved with 8wt% of NaOH loaded on HZSM5 at reaction temperature of 65˚ C, reaction time of 12 hours and catalyst/oil mass ratio of 9. Also the yield of CaO loaded with impregnation at high temperature was more desired than CaO loaded with microwave. Meanwhile the catalytic activity of HZSM5, NaZSM5 and KZSM5 was nearly zero; and the catalytic activity of modified zeolite was HZSM5>NaZSM5>KZSM5 subsequently.

The principle objective of this study was to evaluate the soil quality and the level of contamination of soil by heavy metals adapting various developed index in a selected waste disposal site at Rajbandh, Khulna, Bangladesh. To theses endeavor, ten soil samples were collected from the selected locations and then the relevant elements of Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, As, Co, Sb, Sc and Hg were measured and monitored using standard method. To estimate the contamination situation of soil, contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) were computed using geological background values. In addition, for assessing soil quality, Pearson's correlation coefficients analysis was also performed. Furthermore, this study revealed that the values of CF and Igeo in soils around the waste disposal area affected from the contamination of heavy metals mostly by Pb, Cd and Sb. In contrast, Pearson's correlation indicated that the sources of metals are almost the same and these heavy metals might be derived from the waste accumulation activity. Dump sites have great potential for energy extraction if the high valued compounds to be extracted.

Landfills represent a continuous environmental threat due to the emission of different greenhouse gases, which are mainly responsible for the climate changes, and the contaminated leachate that affects the surface and ground water recipients. The circular economy approach appeared as a useful solution to reduce the depletion of the Earth’ s natural resources and the environmental risk effects by considering all of the lost resources like wastes including the landfills as potential secondary resources. It is well known that characterizing the composition of landfill waste is an essential step in specifying the recycling methods. In the current research the waste composition at one of the first EU regulationscompliant sanitary landfills (the Torma landfill in Estonia) was studied. The results showed that the fine fraction (<20 mm) represented 53% of the total excavated waste materials while the waste to energy fraction (plastics, woods etc. ) was the highest within the coarse fraction (>20 mm). The present work emphasized that mining landfills can be a good solution either for extracting primary raw materials like metals, as a source for recovering energy, or for acquiring landfill space.

The present study used the adsorption process of activated carbon produced from agricultural wastes and the photocatalytic process of nano-ZnO to break down complex compounds available in removing Direct Blue 71 (henceforth, DB71). The two processes were done under three varied circumstancesadsorption/ photocatalytic, photocatalytic/ adsorption, and simultaneous use of the processes. First, DB71 was exposed to activated carbon produced from walnut and almond shells and the efficiency achieved at equilibrium time (45 and 60 minutes) was 55 and 60 percent, respectively. Then, DB71 was exposed to different dosages of nano-ZnO to remove the dye completely. The result showed that amount of AC/ZnO in an optimum condition for two walnut and almond shell absorbents were 0. 75/0. 096 and1/0. 096 g/L. Second, (photocatalytic/ adsorption) the complex compound of DB71 with a dosage of 0. 024 g/L was broken down as a result of UV radiation. The experiment proceeded with different dosages of walnut and almond shells after achieving the efficiency of 50% in removing DB71 in the second process. The amounts of AC/ZnO were 0. 75/0. 024 and 1/0. 024 for walnut and almond shells respectively under the optimum condition for the second process. In the third process advantages of the simultaneous use of photocatalytic and adsorption processes were taken in which different dosages of AC/ ZnO were used. Given the smaller dosages of nano-ZnO and less dye removal time, amounts of 0. 75/ 0. 288 g/L and 0. 75/0. 288 g/L were measured for walnut and almond shells. The findings show that photocatalytic/adsorption process was the more optimal process because of the less dosages of nano-ZnO, efficiency of removing DB71 and shorter dye removing time. Furthermore, the effect of the intensity of UV radiant on the efficiency and time of removing DB71 was also examined. The experiment revealed that removing COD in the optimum conditions were 47. 22 and 49. 6 and 62. 23 and 63. 15 percent using walnut and almond shell respectively both in the first experiment and the simulations use of adsorption and photocatalytic processes after 30 hours. While, in the second experiment (photocatalytic/ adsorption) 42. 21 and 39. 18 percent of COD were removed using walnut and almond shell respectively after 30 hours. The LC-mass test of photocatalytic/adsorption process also showed the degradation of DB 71 complex compounds.

In this study the preparation of activated carbon from agricultural product were reported. The fenugreek seeds were activated by chemical and microwave activation methods. The characterization of carbon materials were carried out using different techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Adsorption experiment was carried out for the adsorption of two different basic dyes, Methylene Blue (MB) and Crystal Violet (CV) under varying conditions such as concentration of dye, mixing time and adsorption temperature. The data acquired from concentration variation were found to fit well with Langmuir and also Freundlich isotherms. Kinetic studies revealed the fact that the system follows second order. Thermodynamic parameters like Δ H≠ , Δ S≠ and Δ G≠ were calculated from the study on adsorption at different temperature. The adsorbent preparation via microwave technology is a desired methods which is resulted in conservation of energy for an efficient production of activated carbon.

This work is reported on the synthesis of Fe3O4/eggshell nanocomposites in the absence of any stabilizer or surfactant. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were established on the egg shell nanocomposite. The nanocompositeshave shown high catalytic activities in the synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran. These derivatives were synthesized via an one‐ pot three‐ component condensation of aromatic aldehydes with malononitrile and dimedonewith excellent yields in the presence of Fe3O4/eggshell nanocomposites as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst. The obtained catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The developed technique of nano-composite synthesis is energy efficient since the reactions carried out in single step. The present catalyst is possible to be used for the production of biodiesel.

Non-crystallinesulphated zirconia catalysts were synthesised by a non-aqueous and non-conventional method. The effect of varying the molar ratio of sulphating agent to zirconium source was also investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Infra-red Spectroscopy (IR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The surface acidity was measured by the Pyridine-DRIFTS (Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy) technique. The structural and textural properties of the sulphated zirconia were studied. The EDX and XPS profiles suggested that both sulphated zirconia catalysts have similar zirconia and sulphate structures; however, both catalysts were amorphous. Deconvolution of their XPS O 1s spectra showed that the samples contained both oxide oxygen of zirconium and sulphate oxygen, which sample I showed a higher amount of sulphate oxygen. Adsorption of pyridine into the samples indicated that the higher amounts of Brö nsted acid sites are presented in sample I with lower amount of sulphate during preparation. This opens up the possibility of controlling the degree and type of active sites on a catalyst by the amount of sulphate used for preparation. Sulphated zirconia catalyst with higher activity properties was achieved via a non-aqueous, environmentalfriendly method. The zirconia catalyst has great contribution towards energy production which is used for preparation and transesterification of fatty acids for production of biodiesel.

The water quality in a river is influenced by discharge from the sewerage network. Through increased efficiencies of the wastewater treatment plants, the main deterioration comes from combined water overflow. In view to a reduction of the discharge from combined water outflow the increase of the influent to a wastewater treatment plant can be an efficient solution. The main bottleneck on the waste water treatment plant is the final clarifier with the limited capacity regarding sludge discharge from the biological stage. Through bypassing the aeration with combined water and a direct feed of the combined water into the final clarification the specific sludge volume loading, which is significant to the efficiency of the final clarification, will not be raised. But the adsorption capability of the aerated sludge, the sedimentation effect of the final clarification and the partial recirculation over returnsludge can be used for an elimination of suspended solids, COD, ammonia and phosphate from the combined wastewater. In large-scale tests in Wilhelmshaven (160, 000 PE) removal efficiencies for the elimination in the bypass of 75 % of COD, 60 % of ammonia and 89 % of suspended solids were reached. In comparison with conventional procedures for combined water treatment (e. g. storage volumes, soil filter) the bypass technology has got the possibility to achieve a highly efficient and economical combined water treatment by using the capability of existing clarifiers. In the frame of the presentation the basics for this advanced solution will be explained and the results from the technical application will be demonstrated.

Industrial waste discharge has increased the hazard of water pollution. The total hydrocarbon content and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Sarotherodon melanotheron at Atlas cove area and at Okobaba end of Lagoon Lagos were assessed between November, 2014 and January, 2015. The physicochemical parameters were determined according to APHA-AWWA-WEF and heavy metals in the fish species were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The total hydrocarbon content (THC) in the fish samples were analysed by using Soxhlet extraction gravimetric methods. The heavy metal values evaluated are Fe, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cu. The concentration of Iron (Fe) in Sarotherodon melanotheron was 72. 72 ± 125. 95mg/kg, Chromium (Cr)-10. 29 ± 4. 61mg/kg; Lead (Pb)-1. 08 ± 0. 23mg/kg; Nickel (Ni)-0. 39 ± 0. 26mg/kg; and Copper (Cu)-0. 20 ± 0. 26mg/kg at Atlas cove area while at Okobaba the concentration were; Fe-115. 98± 87, Cr-5. 25± 1. 02, Pb-2. 04± 1. 50, Ni-0. 78± 0. 08, and Cu is 0. 36± 0. 15mg/kg. The levels of accumulation of all the heavy metals in Sarotherodon melanotheron were above the WHO permissible limits. The concentration of n-alkanes in Sarotherodon melanotheron at Atlas cove was 164. 69 ± 97. 04μ g/g, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) was 73. 58 ± 72. 48μ g/g, and total petroleum hydrocarbon was 526. 67 ± 214. 34μ g/g. The average intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon through fish consumption at Atlas cove area was estimated to be 5039. 94 ± 49. 2mg/kg; body weight/day. The mean concentration of nalkanes hydrocarbon in Sarotherodon melanotheron at Okobaba was 152. 62± 54. 11μ g/g, the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) was 74. 4± 50. 30 μ g/g. The carcinogenic high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW-PAH) were of higher concentrations than the lower molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (LMW-PAH). Therefore, Atlas cove area is more exposed to carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of the studied fish than Okobaba end of Lagos Lagoon. This indicates significant carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of black jaw Tilapia fish caught from the study areas.

The present paper involves Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) under clear-sky condition modeling employing three measured meteorological parameters (Air surface temperature, Relative humidity and Cloud fraction). Dataset retrieved from NASA Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), from 2003 to 2015 was employed to develop two models to estimate OLR values in Iraq using the multiple linear regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach. For the entire period, the mentioned meteorological parameters were highly correlated with estimated OLR. Comparisons among selected cities (Mosul, Baghdad, and Basrah) for the year 2016 showed close agreement between the estimated and measured OLR. Mosul at the north of the Iraq, showed the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (R) ranged between (1. 3853 and 4. 4966) and (0. 9929 and 0. 9993), respectively for the two developed models (MLR and ANN) respectively, indicating model's efficiency and accuracy. Statistical analysis in term of β showed that surface temperature (1. 823 to 2. 311) tended to provide a high contribute to OLR values. These results indicate the advantage of using the AIRS data and both of correlation analysis and computing system to investigate the impact of the meteorological parameters on OLR over the study area.

Air quality in the residential areas adjacent to the industrial regions is of great concern due to the association with particulate matter and toxic gaseous which has adverse effects on human health. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the air quality in term of PM10 concentrations and toxic gaseous (CO and NO) at University Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) residential college which is adjacent to a wood processing, electronic and fibre board factories. Four Stations defined as Station 1 (KKM), Station 2 (KKP), Station 3 (KKTDI) and Station 4 (KKTU) were selected for this investigation. PM10 concentrations were measured using the E-Sampler Particulate Matter for 24 hours period within the dry season (February – May 2016) which was associated with the heavily haze phenomenon in Malaysia. The distribution of selected toxic gases in UTHM student hostels was determined using the TSI IAQ (CO) and Dragger X-am 7000 (NO). PM10 and toxic gaseous levels were compared to the Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) and to compute the assumption of the sources of PM10 by using Open Air R Package Software. Data were analysed using the R Software and packages (Open-air, BRT, Akima). The highest concentration of PM10 was 114 μ g/m3 recorded at KKTDI followed by 58 μ g/m3 at KKP. The maximum CO concentrations noted at KKP (1. 8 ppm). However, both PM10 and CO concentrations not exceeded the AAQS of 150 μ g/m3 and 30 ppm respectively. Moreover, concentrations of NO at KKP (0. 61 ppm) and KKM (2. 18 ppm) exceeded the AAQS (0. 17 ppm) indicating the possibility of presence health risk for students at UTHM due to poor air quality. The air quality is directly associated to level of energy consumption which causes climate changes and accumulation of greenhouse gases.