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Processes
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Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation
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Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Separation Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2024 | Viewed by 5201

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Angélica Simoes Dornellas De Barros

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemical Engineering Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
Interests: environmental preservation; water treatment process
Dr. Thiago Peixoto De Araújo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Postgraduate Program in Chemical Engineering/ Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, St. Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire, 330 - Jardim Carvalho, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, PR, Brazil
Interests: adsorption; water treatment; material synthesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There has been increasing concern related to environmental pollution all over the world. Hazardous gases (e.g., volatile organic compounds), emerging contaminants (e.g.,  pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products) and effluent that causes biological risk are some examples that need attention. Such demands have promoted research investigations related to green technologies, which have motivated the publication of this Processes Special Issue, “Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation”.

The submission of manuscripts involving novel technologies and new materials or mixtures of well-known processes are most welcome for this Special Issue. Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Novel adsorbents (mainly from low-added materials) and applications in synthetic effluents that are similar to natural ones;
  • Novel membranes applied to industrial wastewater treatment;
  • New coagulation and flocculation materials;
  • Non-conventional oxidative processes;
  • Integrated green technologies and a circular economy.

Dr. Maria Angélica Simoes Dornellas De Barros
Guest Editor

Dr. Thiago Peixoto De Araújo
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adsorbents
  • membranes
  • green technology
  • novel wastewater processes

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 8300 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Activated Biochar from the Bark of Moringa oleifera for Adsorption of the Drug Metronidazole Present in Aqueous Medium
by Caio Henrique da Silva, Thiago Peixoto de Araújo, Alexandre Teixeira de Souza, Mara Heloisa Neves Olsen Scaliante and Wardleison Martins Moreira
Processes 2024, 12(3), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12030560 - 13 Mar 2024
Viewed by 719
Abstract
Moringa oleifera seeds, in particular, have been used for water and wastewater treatment due to their ability to remove many pollutants. Therefore, the present work aims to produce bioadsorbent materials by pyrolysis using biomass from the seed shell of Moringa oleifera to remove [...] Read more.
Moringa oleifera seeds, in particular, have been used for water and wastewater treatment due to their ability to remove many pollutants. Therefore, the present work aims to produce bioadsorbent materials by pyrolysis using biomass from the seed shell of Moringa oleifera to remove the drug Metronidazole present in an aqueous medium. The biochars produced were activated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) to compare the material’s modifications and adsorption mechanisms with the biochar in nature (BCM). The biochars were characterized by Point-of-zero charges (pHpzc), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The studies showed that the adsorption behavior varied with the pH of the solution. The adsorption study verified that the activated biochars presented better results, so in the kinetic study, the adsorption behavior occurred rapidly in the initial minutes until stabilizing within 3–4 h, better fitting the Elovich model. Isotherm models were tested, where the experimental data were adjusted to the Sips model, with an adsorption capacity of 18 mg g−1 for acid-activated biochar (BCH3PO4) and KOH-activated biochar (BCKOH) with 366.49 mg g−1. The results showed that biochars, especially BCKOH, become viable for production because they are a low-cost material and highly effective in removing drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation)
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21 pages, 6257 KiB  
Article
Wastewater Treatment Using Shear Enhanced Flotation Separation Technology: A Pilot Plant Study for Winery Wastewater Processing
by David Vlotman, David Key, Bradley Cerff and Bernard Jan Bladergroen
Processes 2024, 12(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12010003 - 19 Dec 2023
Viewed by 868
Abstract
The agricultural sector is one that requires and consumes enormous amounts of fresh water globally. Commercial wine production in particular uses large volumes of fresh water and, through various processes, generates significant quantities of wastewater. The wastewater produced by wineries typically exhibits elevated [...] Read more.
The agricultural sector is one that requires and consumes enormous amounts of fresh water globally. Commercial wine production in particular uses large volumes of fresh water and, through various processes, generates significant quantities of wastewater. The wastewater produced by wineries typically exhibits elevated levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), an acidic pH, and varying salinity and nutrient contents. The overall characteristics of winery wastewater indicate that it is a potential environmental hazard if not processed and disposed of appropriately. Due to significant variations in wastewater contaminant levels among wineries, the implementation of a universally applicable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable waste management system seems practically unattainable. This study investigated the design, fabrication, and modification of a shear enhanced flotation separation (SEFS) pilot plant to be used as a primary treatment stage during winery wastewater processing. This technology combines the synergistic advantages of hydrodynamic shear, coagulation, flocculation, and dissolved air flotation. To date, there have been only limited publications on the feasibility and application of hydrodynamic shear and its potential to assist with coagulation/flocculation and flotation efficiencies specifically for winery wastewater treatment. The results obtained indicate that the SEFS pilot plant may well be able to process winery wastewater to a quality level where reuse of the water for irrigation of crops may be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation)
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17 pages, 3282 KiB  
Article
Mining Waste as an Eco-Friendly Adsorbent in the Removal of Industrial Basazol Yellow 5G Dye and Incorporation in Mortars
by Mariane Hawerroth, Eduardo Pereira, Lariana Negrão Beraldo de Almeida, Ramiro José Espinheira Martins and Juliana Martins Teixeira de Abreu Pietrobelli
Processes 2023, 11(12), 3349; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11123349 - 01 Dec 2023
Viewed by 795
Abstract
The circular economy seeks to better use materials and minimize waste generation. This article evaluated the use of granite rock powder, a mining residue, as an adsorbent for the Basazol Yellow 5G (BY5G) dye and the reuse of the residue generated by the [...] Read more.
The circular economy seeks to better use materials and minimize waste generation. This article evaluated the use of granite rock powder, a mining residue, as an adsorbent for the Basazol Yellow 5G (BY5G) dye and the reuse of the residue generated by the by treating this effluent in construction products. Characterization of the adsorbent material by N2 physisorption indicated a surface area of 1514 m2 g−1. Energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of silica in the sample and the absence of amorphous halos. The kinetic study showed a removal of approximately 98% at 298 K, and the pseudo-second-order model obtained the best fit. The adsorption isotherm satisfied the Langmuir model and was consistent with the L-type isotherm. The negative value of the Gibbs energy (ΔG°) and the positive value of the enthalpy (ΔH°) indicate that the process is spontaneous and endothermic. The activation energy (Ea) indicates the occurrence of chemical adsorption. The desorption rate was low for the adsorbate, demonstrating the possibility of using residual adsorbent material as a filler in mortar and concrete. The material did not exhibit pozzolanic characteristics and, even after adsorption, it showed favorable results when replacing 10% of the cement with GRP viable for use in civil construction even after the adsorption process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation)
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13 pages, 4301 KiB  
Article
Reconstruction of a Fluid Bed Device for Separating Granular Material from the Grinding Process of Rapid Antigen Tests
by Miha Jordan, Tilen Švarc, Peter Majerič, Rebeka Rudolf and Matej Zadravec
Processes 2023, 11(11), 3207; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113207 - 10 Nov 2023
Viewed by 578
Abstract
The article includes the study and reconstruction of a fluid bed device with the purpose of separating the granular material from the grinding process of rapid antigen tests. The following techniques were performed, with the purpose of characterisation of the ground particles: sieve [...] Read more.
The article includes the study and reconstruction of a fluid bed device with the purpose of separating the granular material from the grinding process of rapid antigen tests. The following techniques were performed, with the purpose of characterisation of the ground particles: sieve analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The paper includes experimental testing of a simplified separation process with zeolite spheres and paper strips, supported by a numerical model. The flow conditions’ impact on the behaviour and interactions of particles of the considered problem were simulated using coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM) approach. The separation process of zeolite spheres and paper strips was found to be efficient. The simulation results showed the appropriate behaviour of the particles during the process. We explained the results’ deviations, and we also presented the shortcomings and possible improvements. Further research is required to define the adequacy of the process, while using actual ground material of rapid antigen tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation)
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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 4268 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Potential of Activated Carbon Impregnated with Garlic Extract
by Lauro Adeilson da Silva Alvarino, Fernando Manzotti, Wardleison Martins Moreira, Thiago Peixoto de Araújo, Daniel Tait Vareschini and Maria Angélica Simões Dornellas de Barros
Processes 2023, 11(10), 2948; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102948 - 11 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1828
Abstract
Contamination of water resources by pathogenic microorganisms is a major concern worldwide. As an example, hospitals generate effluents with a wide range of chemical and microbiological contaminants. These effluents are generally not treated beforehand due to the high costs and are, therefore, mixed [...] Read more.
Contamination of water resources by pathogenic microorganisms is a major concern worldwide. As an example, hospitals generate effluents with a wide range of chemical and microbiological contaminants. These effluents are generally not treated beforehand due to the high costs and are, therefore, mixed with domestic effluents in regional treatment systems. Thus, actions to maintain water quality include the development of appropriate materials for its sustainable treatment. In this context, this study aims to develop natural antibacterial materials by impregnating aqueous and alcoholic extracts of garlic in activated babassu charcoal to reduce the microbial load of effluents. This material has been tested in a standard saline solution, which simulates the composition of hospital wastewater and allows bacteria to develop. The biomaterials were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, pHPZC assays, Boehm’s method, and microbiological assays. Significant antibacterial activities were verified for the garlic extract-impregnated biomaterials; the activated carbon functionalized with HNO3 and impregnated with aqueous garlic extract inhibited 100% of E. coli growth. This result pointed to garlic extract associated with babassu activated carbon as a green alternative for the pre-treatment of complex effluents, such as hospital effluents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Separation Processes for Environmental Preservation)
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