Topic Editors

Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), University of Bologna, Viale Fontanelle, 40-47121 Forli, Italy
Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento, 2-40136 Bologna, Italy
Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Renewable Resources, Environment, Sea and Energy, 48123 Ravenna, Italy

Sustainable Water Purification Technologies for Multiple Applications

Abstract submission deadline
15 August 2023
Manuscript submission deadline
15 October 2023
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6039

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water is a key element for the benefit of human well-being, poverty reduction and sustainable development. Even in countries with adequate water resources, water scarcity is not uncommon. Although this may be due to a number of factors, such as inefficient infrastructure and distribution systems, contamination, conflict, or the poor management of water resources, it is evident that climate change, as well as human factors, are increasingly denying water access to a relevant part of the population worldwide. Therefore, proposals for highly effective and inexpensive methods of fresh, salt, and wastewater treatment and purification are highly relevant. Moreover, it is crucial to consider the water, energy, and food nexus: water security is very much linked with both energy and food security, meaning that the actions in any one particular area often have effects in one or both of the other areas. At the present stage, there are a vast number of methods available for the treatment of waste and natural waters. The treatment target may vary on the basis of water specific application (i.e., drinkable water, domestic hot water production, water for irrigation, water for industrial/energy processes, and water for e-fuels generation, such as hydrogen). Modern methods of water treatment include the use of various sorption materials (like nanostructures, sorbents from waste, biosorbents, plant sorbents); membrane technologies (like ultra- and mesofiltration, reverse osmosis); phylomediation technologies using higher aquatic plants (like Eichhornia, duckweed, limnophila), and much more, depending on the final water use and chemical–physical characteristics required. The development and application of innovative and sustainable methods of water treatment for multiple applications will solve a number of environmental problems that are associated with clean water and public health, as well as increasing food and energy security. This Special Issue entitled “Sustainable Water Treatment Technologies for Multiple Applications " aims to systematize sustainable technologies used around the world, which will provide the world community with water for multiple applications in the water–food–energy nexus area. The topics are:

- Natural water and wastewater sustainable treatment for drinkable water production, including sorbents, biological, physical and chemical methods;
- Natural water and wastewater sustainable treatment for direct use in agriculture, including desalination;
- Natural water and wastewater sustainable treatment for water direct use in industrial processes, including heat and power plants;
- Natural water and wastewater sustainable treatment for water use as a feeding element to energy-to-chemicals conversion systems, like water electrolysis.

Dr. Marco Pellegrini
Dr. Cesare Saccani
Dr. Alessandro Guzzini
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • water purification
  • water treatment
  • sorbents
  • biological treatment
  • chemical treatment
  • water–food–energy nexus

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Energies
energies
3.252 5.0 2008 15.5 Days 2200 CHF Submit
Membranes
membranes
4.562 3.7 2011 12.1 Days 2200 CHF Submit
Molecules
molecules
4.927 5.9 1996 13.4 Days 2300 CHF Submit
Separations
separations
3.344 2.5 2014 11.6 Days 2000 CHF Submit
Water
water
3.530 4.8 2009 17.6 Days 2200 CHF Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Article
Stream Water Quality Control and Odor Reduction through a Multistage Vortex Aerator: A Novel In Situ Remediation Technology
Water 2023, 15(11), 1982; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15111982 - 23 May 2023
Viewed by 347
Abstract
In this work, we report the restoration of a polluted urban stream by employing the multistage vortex aerator (MVA), an in-line mixer device that improves the dissolved oxygen concentration of polluted streams and accelerates the water purification rate. It was observed during the [...] Read more.
In this work, we report the restoration of a polluted urban stream by employing the multistage vortex aerator (MVA), an in-line mixer device that improves the dissolved oxygen concentration of polluted streams and accelerates the water purification rate. It was observed during the field experiment that the dissolved oxygen was enhanced up to 7.05 mg/L and the water quality was improved to a good grade. As a result, the complex odor was successfully eliminated and reduced by up to 71.9%, while the water quality grade was also improved by more than two grades on average. Stream water quality indicators monitored for twelve months revealed high removal rates of total phosphorous (56.4%) and suspended solids (61%). The study demonstrated MVA as a promising eco-friendly technology for significant improvement in urban stream water quality. Moreover, the MVA process creates no secondary pollution and is believed to be a sustainable treatment option for odorous water bodies. Overall, the MVA process is technically feasible for implementation, and this study provides a specific reference as a basis for the treatment of polluted water bodies in urban settings. Full article
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Article
Analysis of Desalination Performance with a Thermal Vapor Compression System
Water 2023, 15(6), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061225 - 21 Mar 2023
Viewed by 777
Abstract
Multi-effect distillation with thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC) is a highly energy-efficient desalination technology that can provide a reliable and sustainable source of high-quality water, particularly in areas with limited energy infrastructure and water resources. In this study, a numerical model based on exergoeconomic [...] Read more.
Multi-effect distillation with thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC) is a highly energy-efficient desalination technology that can provide a reliable and sustainable source of high-quality water, particularly in areas with limited energy infrastructure and water resources. In this study, a numerical model based on exergoeconomic approach is developed to analyze the economic performance of a MED-TVC system for seawater desalination. A parallel/cross feed configuration is considered because of its high energy efficiency. In addition, a parametric study is performed to evaluate the effects of some operational parameters on the total water price, such as the top brine temperature, seawater temperature, motive steam flow rate, and number of effects. The obtained results indicate that the total water price is in the range of 1.73 USD/m3 for a distilled water production of 55.20 kg/s. Furthermore, the exergy destructions in the effects account for 45.8% of the total exergy destruction. The MED effects are also identified to be the most relevant component from an exergoeconomic viewpoint. Careful attention should be paid to these components. Of the total cost associated with the effects, 75.1% is due to its high thermodynamic inefficiency. Finally, the parametric study indicates that adjusting the top brine temperature, the cooling seawater temperature, the motive steam flow rate, and the number of effects has a significant impact on the TWP, which varies between 1.42 USD/m3 and 2.85 USD/m3. Full article
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Communication
Conceptual Design of a Compact Water Purification Unit Using Reed Bed Filtration
Separations 2023, 10(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10030194 - 12 Mar 2023
Viewed by 886
Abstract
One of the most widespread global challenges is the insufficient provision of potable water, which affects individuals across diverse geographical regions. It is anticipated that issues related to water scarcity and quality will escalate in tandem with the expanding human population and the [...] Read more.
One of the most widespread global challenges is the insufficient provision of potable water, which affects individuals across diverse geographical regions. It is anticipated that issues related to water scarcity and quality will escalate in tandem with the expanding human population and the rapid pace of global development. Water sources are massively polluted hence, not safe for drinking nor irrigation. As a consequence, it is very important to have a water purification treatment plant to provide good water quality. Given the pressing need to ensure universal access to safe and clean drinking water, this investigation aims to engineer a compact and space-efficient apparatus that can expeditiously produce purified water. The proposed system seeks to optimize water purification performance while minimizing spatial requirements and operational duration. Its size is minimized by combining the three processes: coagulation, flocculation, and clarification together in one tank. Following to the aforementioned reservoir, an integrated natural system is employed to reduce the usage of chemicals and establish an ecologically sustainable platform. A hydraulic study is conducted to obtain the dimensioning of the several units which can be later scaled according to the flowrate. The latter was assumed in this study to be 2 L/s, then the compact unit can serve up to 800 persons by scaling the model and adjusting it. Full article
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Review
A Review of Bubble Aeration in Biofilter to Reduce Total Ammonia Nitrogen of Recirculating Aquaculture System
Water 2023, 15(4), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15040808 - 19 Feb 2023
Viewed by 2478
Abstract
Aeration becomes an essential aspect of biofilter performance to reduce ammonia nitrogen in the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). Efficient aeration introduces air into water media and offers an aerobic environment in the biofilter for microbial degradation of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen. The [...] Read more.
Aeration becomes an essential aspect of biofilter performance to reduce ammonia nitrogen in the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). Efficient aeration introduces air into water media and offers an aerobic environment in the biofilter for microbial degradation of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen. The efficiency of the bubble aeration depends on the size of the bubbles; these include coarse bubble, microbubble, fine bubble, and ultrafine bubble or nanobubble. This review highlights an overview of bubble aeration features in a biofilter to reduce ammonia nitrogen. Moreover, key aspects responsible for the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiencies, such as oxygen transfer, microbial community, and biofilm thickness, are evaluated in this review. In conclusion, the bubble size of aeration affects the microbial community of nitrifying bacteria, consequently determining the growth and thickness of biofilm to improve ammonia removal efficiency. It is emphasized that fine bubble and nanobubble aeration have very positive prospects on improving biofilter performance, though they are currently not widely used in RAS. Full article
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Article
Performance Analysis of an Eductor-Based Membrane Distillation Unit
Water 2022, 14(22), 3624; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223624 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 880
Abstract
Thermal desalination technologies involve two primary processes: vapor generation from saline water, and effective recovery of the resulting condensate. Membrane distillation (MD) systems are among the emerging thermal desalination technologies which use a hydrophobic membrane to recover condensate through either direct or indirect [...] Read more.
Thermal desalination technologies involve two primary processes: vapor generation from saline water, and effective recovery of the resulting condensate. Membrane distillation (MD) systems are among the emerging thermal desalination technologies which use a hydrophobic membrane to recover condensate through either direct or indirect contact (with the cooling fluid) condensation. The specific process technology (for thermal energy transfer and condensate recovery) depends on the type of MD. Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) are two significant MD processes, with DCMD having the advantage of direct condensation and simple design, while VMD systems have high yield through sub-atmospheric vapor generation. This work focuses on developing an eductor-based MD process incorporating the strengths of both DCMD and VMD. It is an experimental study with a water jet eductor replacing the vacuum pump and condenser in a typical VMD system for active permeate vapor transfer and condensation. Unlike the exiting VMD systems, the proposed design recovers condensate by direct contact condensation. The sub-cooled water acts as a motive flow which entrains the secondary vapor into the stream, causing mass transfer via condensation at the interface. The modified VMD was found to have achieved better flux compared to the conventional VMD system. The performance of the eductor, sensitivity to parameters, and the practicality of the technology have been analyzed. Full article
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