IIChE-CHEMCON

Emerging Techniques of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A Review

MONAL DUTTA — 2024-07-30

The typical process of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) mainly involves the capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from various industrial processes or from the flue or stack gas which is generated as a result of burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, the main processes of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) basically categorized as post-combustion carbon capture, pre-combustion carbon capture and oxy-fuel combustion systems. The first method is specially used in various steel and power plants whereas the pre-combustion carbon capture process is mainly employed in different industrial processes. Apart from these techniques, Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC) method is also used in order to capture CO₂ directly from ambient air. The main characteristics of the CCS process includes capturing CO₂ from the point sources of where it is been produced such as, smokestacks of iron and steel factories and then transporting the captured CO₂ to the storage site for subsequent sequestration. The captured CO₂ is firstly compressed to a liquid form and then it is being transported via ship or in a pipeline to store beneath the ground where it is geologically sequestrated by injecting it into porous rock formations in geological basins.

Biopolymer Supported ZnO Bionanocomposites Film and Their Application in Environmental Remediation and Controlling of Contagious Diseases

REBIKA BARUAH — 2024-07-30

Bionanocomposites are innovative sustainable materials that possess multifunctional attractive nature in various fields. Cellulose/chitosan/ ZnO bionanocomposites (CCZBC) films were synthesized by utilizing water extracts of Livistona jekinsiana as reducing as well as capping agents to synthesize ZnO NPs impregnated chitosan/cellulose bionanocomposites thin film. X-ray diffraction pattern of CCZBCC revealed the wurtzite structure of ZnO nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of plant extracts, cellulose, and chitosan in CCZBC. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images provided information about the morphology of the surface of CCZBC. The elemental composition of CCZBC was determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) provided the shape and size of CCZBC. CCZBC possessed efficient photocatalytic degradative properties in the remediation of two anthropogenic dyes, Eosin blue and Bromocresol green, potential antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)., and antioxidant property in DPPH assay. Therefore, the chitosan/cellulose/Ag NPs bionanocomposites film can be considered an efficient material for biomedical and environmental applications.

XRD analysis of nanosized silicon derived from broken glassware

SRIDHAR DALAI — 2024-07-30

Recently silicon (Si) nanomaterial has drawn substantial interest owing to its versatility in chemical, and physical characteristics. The reduced size, and high surface area, unlike the bulk Si, has made it appropriate for diverse applications. There are numerous sources reported so far responsible for the production of nanostructured Si. However, the advantage of using broken glassware is that it doesn’t require to undergo any purification process such as pre-heating or pre-acid leaching. Herein, we describe the synthesis of silicon nanomaterial from broken glassware collected from the laboratory employing the magnesiothermic reduction method. To explore the structure-property relationship, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns act as the fingerprint of the material. XRD study has been performed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the synthesized nanomaterial. From the qualitative analysis, the diffraction pattern observed after heat treatment has exhibited the formation of Si along with magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium silicate (Mg2SiO4). Whereas after the subsequent HCl and HF leaching, peaks for only Si have been observed. Incorporating Scherrer’s Equation on the intense (111) plane, the crystallite size of Si has been estimated to be 49 nm. Using Rietveld analysis, the weight percentage of Si has been found to increase gradually with each treatment step.

Funtionalization of Titanium Metal Oxide Nanoparticles with Synthetic Polymer

MANSI TIWARI — 2024-07-30

Functionalization of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles with synthetic polymers is an important area of research due to the wide range of potential applications in fields such as catalysis, sensors, drug delivery, and photovoltaics. The process involves modifying the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles with synthetic polymers to improve their stability, dispersibility, and interaction with other materials. This abstract elucidates the rationale behind this dynamic field, encompassing the enhancement of TiO₂ nanoparticle stability, surface modification for tailored reactivity, controlled release mechanisms, and improved photocatalytic properties. With applications spanning from catalysis to drug delivery and photovoltaics, the functionalization of TiO₂ nanoparticles offers transformative potential. Characterization techniques such as Transmission Electron Microscopy, FTIR Spectroscopy analysis are essential for understanding the resulting nanoparticle-polymer hybrid materials structural and physicochemical properties. This process involves modifying the surface characteristics of TiO₂ nanoparticles through the integration of synthetic polymers, thereby imparting diverse functionalities and enhancing their utility in a myriad of applications.

Biocompatible Approaches in Synthesis of Polymeric Nanoparticles

MANSI TIWARI — 2024-07-30

Polymeric nanoparticles have shown immense potential in different applications due to their biocompatibility, tuneable properties, and versatile functionalities. As the demand for safe and effective nanoparticles continues to rise, researchers have been exploring innovative synthesis techniques to develop biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity. This article aims to present an overview of the latest emerging trends in the synthesis of biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles. Each trend is explored in terms of its potential advantages, challenges, and applications in different nanofields. Furthermore, the article highlights the importance of considering biocompatibility, toxicity, and regulatory considerations in the development of these advanced polymeric nanoparticles. The article concludes with future prospects and potential directions for research in the field of biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles synthesis.

ENHANCING IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF POTASSIUM-BASED HYDROGEL IN LDPE MULCH FILM FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

RATHNA NR — 2024-07-30

Irrigation plays an important role on our daily basis. All consumable green plants are being irrigated under manual supervision. A proper level of water and sunlight (humid condition) is the basic necessity for proper growth and health of the crops. Mulching is the process being followed in places with extreme climate conditions where scarcity of water is high. On the other hand, on recent growth the hydrogels are being used on large scale for agriculture purpose for their tendency to absorb and preserve water.
Thus, using both the concepts, the hydrogels are being incorporated in the mulching film to increase their usage in the field of plasticulture. Mulching film is prepared using Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by extrusion process. Potassium based hydrogels are used to improve the production and to maintain the pH of the soil. Thus, mulching film incorporated with potassium-based hydrogels can improvise the production of crops and minimize the usage of surplus water maintaining the nutrition of the soil.

QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF DIETARY FIBRES FOR VITAMIN B12 ENCAPSULATION

ANIRUDH RISHIKESH URS — 2024-07-30

Vitamin B12, also referred to as Cobalamin, is an essential nutrient for the human body. DNA synthesis, neurological functions, and haematopoiesis are a few of the vital roles vitamin B12 plays. However, it is concerning that a significant 47% of the Indian population is grappling with a deficiency in this vital nutrient. Vitamin B12 supplements in the form of capsules and tablets serve to solve this problem. We hereby explore a solution which is not only efficient but also sustainable, namely, Vitamin B12 encapsulation in environmentally friendly matrices via ionotropic gelation. Dietary fibres have been explored especially well in the food industry as encapsulating matrices and are known to have the potential for controlled release of bio actives in the pharmaceutical industry. This research work provides a comparison of the concentrations of different dietary fibres, namely alginate, pectin and cellulose required to encapsulate Vitamin B12. It serves as a starting point to discovering the full potential of these capsules in helping to solve the pressing issue of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Development and Analysis of a Dietary Fiber-rich Food Supplement for the Elderly: An Initial Work

SHANKARASHIS MUKHERJEE — 2024-07-30

Population aging is a predominant phenomenon worldwide. Aging increases the vulnerability of the body and results in the occurrence of health issues. The increasing adaptation of sedentarism in the elderly complicates the situation further. As people are now getting concerned about a healthy diet, the need for the consumption of adequate dietary fiber has been felt for its nutraceutical properties, especially the production of short-chain fatty acids by the gut microbiota. In this backdrop, an attempt is being made to develop a dietary fiber-rich food supplement for the elderly and analyze its properties. Several edible cereals and other edible ingredients were used for the formulation of the supplement. Preparatory and evaluatory methods and techniques were applied. An investigation of the possible mechanisms between the beneficial nutrient molecules and bodily effects has been taken into consideration. The outcome indicates that the supplement is a good source of dietary fiber and can be used for the geriatric diet.

An Up-To-Date Review of Microbially-induced Carbonate Precipitation Process and its Applications

BIJU JACOB — 2024-07-30

Microbially-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a natural process wherein microbes alter the environment and cause the creation of carbonate minerals. MICP is quicker than typical mineralization owing to the involvement of microbial enzymes. It is economical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. MICP has many applications, including reinforcing soil and building materials, mending concrete cracks, capturing CO₂, and producing bio- composites. This review seeks to understand the physiology of the MICP process, along with its applications in sustainable construction. Research progress made in this area over the past one decade is lucidly presented. Focus is placed on bio-concrete, which through microbial self-healing, effectively combats concrete's vulnerability to cracking in a durable and practical fashion. Use of the ureolytic bacterium, Lysinibacillus sphaericus is explored in the context of self-healing concrete formulation, with focus on its merits over other microbial species with carbonate precipitating potential.

Sustainable sequestration of carbon dioxide - A review

SANGITA BHATTACHARJEE — 2024-07-30

Among various GHG gases causing global warming, the contribution by CO₂ alone is about 60%. Post combustion carbon capture is most viable technique compared to pre-combustion and oxy-fuel combustion CO₂ capture techniques used for conventional coal based thermal power plants. Cryogenic separation, chemical absorption, adsorption, membrane based separation etc. belong to post combustion carbon sequestration technology however these methods have some or other disadvantages. Ocean injection results in lowering of pH of sea water thus affecting bacteria zooplankton and benthos species. Moreover following a considerable period of time, the stored CO₂ can leak. Controlled addition of CO₂ in ready-mix concrete, as produced in the United States, Canada and Singapore improves the compressive strength without sacrificing performance or durability. Microalgae consumes substantial quantity of carbon dioxide (1Kg dry algae biomass consumes about 1.83 Kg CO₂) and hence very effective in bio-fixation of CO₂ waste as well as in improvement of air quality. Accumulation of oil (about 20 to 50% weight of dry biomass) and fast growth of microalgae make microalgae cultivation a commercially interesting and promising technology to mitigate global warming problem and generation of bio-fuel alongwith other benefits namely production of nutrient dense foods, chemicals and fertilizer.

Photobioreactors for production of biofuels from microalgae: a concise review

PRAMITA SEN — 2024-07-30

Microalgal strains are potential cell factories capable of producing valuable biochemicals including biofuels. Photobioreactors are closed systems capable of producing large quantities of microalgae and high yields of biofuel under optimal operating conditions, namely, light, temperature and pH. The design configurations of these systems are horizontal or serpentine tube, flat plate, bubble column and stirred tank of which tubular and flat plate bioreactors show promising results in biofuel production. However, the separation of algal biomass from the treated wastewater poses a major challenge in the use of algae for wastewater treatment. To overcome this problem, biofilm-based photobioreactor, an immobilized algal cultivation reactor, has emerged as a promising strategy. In the present study, we discuss the different types of photobioreactors, the distinct advantages of using these reactors over the open pond technology, the microalgal growth dynamics, reaction kinetics, diffusional limitations, and challenges faced during reactor scale-up. The review finally tries to provide a perspective on how further developments can be made in this reactor technology for setting up an economical, controllable and efficient method of microalgae cultivation and biofuel generation.

Trend analysis of precipitation under climate change scenario

TRINA DUTTA — 2024-07-30

The climate change is a natural phenomenon. But it has been hastened by anthropogenic activities. As an obvious consequence, extreme weather events like cyclones, heavy rainfall, and floods have increased. On the contrary, desertification also taking place in other parts of the country. So, disaster management and water management are essential for each part of the country even in the areas not affected still now.
This paper analyses the June-July-Aug-Sep (JJAS) rainfall pattern over 117 years (1901-2017) for six meteorological subdivisions in East & North-East India. A rainfall trend with polynomial curve fitting has been shown for individual regions. The descriptive analysis was also done to compare the overall rainfall and variations over the periods.

Carbon Footprint Reduction from Construction Industry: A Review

SOHEL BAIDYA — 2024-07-30

The building sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emission in urban areas. Quantitative assessment of the carbon footprint of urban buildings is needed for advance research and policy debates on building carbon emission reduction and sustainable architectural planning. Businesses are now attempting to reduce their negative effects on the environment by incorporating environmental considerations into their supply chain processes. The review emphasizes the significance of optimizing construction processes to minimize energy consumption and waste generation. The use of low-carbon materials such as recycled and locally sourced materials, as well as the implementation of energy-efficient designs, can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the incorporation of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can further minimize the environmental impact. With a variety of problems faced by designers and planners, the practices taken to reduce carbon footprints are very diverse. As global concerns about environmental sustainability grow, there is an urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint associated with construction activities. This review explores various strategies and technologies that have been employed to mitigate carbon emissions throughout the construction lifecycle. By adopting sustainable practices and technologies, the construction industries can play a vital role in carbon footprint reduction.

An Efficient method to produce Green Hydrogen by Electrolysis Method

AVIJIT GHOSH — 2024-07-30

Green hydrogen is called the fuel of the future as it has the ability to power the hard to electrify sectors like industries, transportation and building contributing around 65% of yearly greenhouse gas emission. The process by which Green Hydrogen is produced is called Water Electrolysis. The technique involves “breaking” of the water molecules using electricity in an electrolyser to extract the dihydrogen (H2). The electricity used must be carbon-free to consider the hydrogen produced as green. Green hydrogen is a clean energy source that emits only water vapor and leaves behind no residue in the air, like coal and oil. The produced hydrogen is ready for use in direct applications like transport and steel production and in direct power applications like fuels, fertilizers and is a great replacement for natural gas. India is well positioned to be a major green hydrogen production center considering the ample amount and the low-cost of the renewable resources that would allow for some of the lowest green hydrogen prices in the world.

Nuclear Waste Management

GAGANA M B — 2024-07-30

In recent years waste management has become a huge challenge to the global community. Nuclear waste which has radioactive components is causing a tough challenge to dispose of. In various countries, they have adopted methods like dumping the waste in sealing cans and burying it underground or below the sea bed which is very harmful to the environment and habitats. The radioactive waste has to be treated but without human handling. So we can do it with the help of AIML and data science, where we can program the machinery to carry out the neutralizing process. As there is remains of radiation in the nuclear waste we can use it to form energy resources. Though it's very hard to manage we still haven't found the safest way and the current measures taken to dispose are very uncertain and do not ensure complete safety. Why bury it when we can convert it into some form of energy or useful resource?

Screening of Symbiotic Bacteria for Biodiesel Production in Algae Growth

CHELLADURAI CHELLAMBOLI — 2024-07-30

A novel symbiotic bacterial strain was isolated from the algae culture and further analyzed for sequence identification to determine the nature of the species. In this study, 3- to 4-month-old algae were cultured under nonaxenic conditions. Samples were taken to determine the presence of cross contamination, such as bacteria and other species, in the culture system. Microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of C. pyrenoidosa and S. abundans in the culture system. Additionally, bacterial identification revealed that stable colonies survived in the culture system. Several purification of two isolated pure colonies were carried out, and growth curves were plotted for the isolated colonies (white and yellow colonies), which had maximum absorbance values of 0.467 and 0.154, respectively, at 660 nm. Moreover, the isolated bacterial colonies were cocultured with pure axenic cultures of C. pyrenoidosa and S. abundans. Studies have shown that yellow colonies support the growth of algae. Hence, isolated and purified yellow colonies were subjected to morphological, biochemical, 16S rRNA sequencing and FAME analyses via gas chromatography. This analysis confirmed that the isolated symbiotic bacterium was Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The consensus sequence was deposited in the NCBI GenBank KX768757.

Advanced Energy Storage Solutions: Innovative Approaches to Microencapsulation of Phase Change Materials

NAVEEN JOSE — 2024-07-30

Phase change materials (PCMs) represent a significant innovation in thermal energy storage systems, enabling the controlled absorption and release of energy as needed by a system. PCMs find extensive application across various domains, including but not limited to buildings, textiles, electronic devices, and heat management for batteries. These materials are favored for their remarkable qualities, such as high energy storage density, cost-effectiveness, reusability, minimal interference with the system, and adaptability to a wide range of temperatures. However, the application of PCMs often encounters challenges related to leakage when exposed to different environments. Microencapsulation emerges as a viable technique to safeguard PCMs against external factors and leakage issues, while preserving their thermal energy storage capabilities. Over time, numerous physical and chemical methods have been developed to produce microcapsules with robust mechanical integrity and long-term stability. Nonetheless, none of these methods can deliver Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (MEPCMs) with all the desired properties. To fully harness the potential of MEPCMs, there is a need for innovative techniques that enhance their structural stability and extend their service life. Existing approaches may require modifications, such as the incorporation of nanoparticles and binding materials, to improve their overall performance. This paper offers an overview of PCM types and shell materials used for encapsulation, common microencapsulation methods, and the characterization techniques employed to assess the properties of developed MEPCMs. Furthermore, the paper delves into the limitations and advancements in this field, shedding light on the evolving landscape of PCM encapsulation technology.

Hydrogen Geo-storage - A Review on Storage and Recovery from Carbonate Reservoirs

VISHNU CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR — 2024-07-30

Hydrogen has emerged as a promising renewable alternative for addressing our energy needs and advancing towards the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Large scale generation of hydrogen is a way forward to the storage of renewable energy and securing the energy economy for a future perspective. Within this context, underground hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs, saline aquifers and salt caverns have garnered increasing attention due to its potential to securely and cost-effectively store hydrogen on a large scale. However, a primary challenge in the domain of hydrogen geo-storage lies in achieving efficient hydrogen extraction from porous media after extended storage periods. In an ideal scenario, the volume of hydrogen recovered should equal the volume initially injected. Due to their abundance and suitability of geological features for storage, formations, once served as a source of fossil fuels are being explored as potential sites for the geo-storage of hydrogen. Although there are many wettability studies on sandstone reservoirs, limited number of studies are available for carbonate rocks. Hence this study provides qualitative insights into the hydrogen trapping efficiency as well as effective recovery from depleted carbonate reservoirs. Also, the challenges associated with the storage phenomena in depleted reservoirs has been addressed here.

Machine Learning-Guided Optimization of Biofuel Blends for Enhanced Engine Efficiency and Emission Reduction

SANDIP KUMAR LAHIRI — 2024-07-30

India heavily relies on imported foreign crude oil, prompting the need for effective solutions to reduce this dependency. One such solution is the blending of Biodiesel, Palm oil, and Ethanol with original diesel. The crucial concern lies in determining the optimal blending ratio that maximizes Engine Efficiency while maintaining reasonable levels of Oil Consumption and NOx emission. To address this, experimental data are collected from the paper [1] which systematically blends biodiesel. Experimental data involved three input parameters [Load, Palm Biodiesel, Ethanol] and three output parameters [Motor Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)], with 40 different runs. The prediction was accomplished using 26 Machine Learning Models, including Gaussian Process Regression, Support Vector regression, ANN, Tree and Linear Regression and others. Among the 26 models considered in the analysis, three models emerged as the top performers. The Stepwise Linear Regression Model [SLRM] yielded the highest Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), the Fine Tree Regression Model [FTRM] achieved the lowest Brake Specific Energy Consumption [BSFC], and the Matern 5/2 Gaussian Process Regression Model [MGPRM] demonstrated the lowest Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emission. These models displayed a range of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and R-squared(validation) values: 0.02077–0.02333 and 0.99 for SLRM, 0.03789–0.03907 and 0.98 for FTRM & 0.02184–0.02296 and 0.99 for MGPRM. Moving forward, a multi-objective optimization approach has been undertaken to simultaneously maximize BTE while minimizing both BSFC and NOx emissions. To accomplish this, a Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm [MOGA] is employed to identify the Pareto Optimal Solution. The optimization process [MOGA] resulted in a series of 18 Pareto Optimal Solutions. These solutions provide insights on the appropriate blend ratios of Load, Palm Biodiesel and Ethanol in order to maximize Engine Thermal Efficiency while minimizing Fuel Consumption and NOx emissions.

Photocatalytic Performance of Aluminum -Doped Graphene-like ZnO (g-AZO) Monolayer

DIVYA SOMVANSHI — 2024-07-30

The graphene-like zinc oxide (g-ZnO) monolayer (ML) is a popular two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor. However, its applications are restricted in the photocatalytic water splitting reaction due to low visible absorption and wide optical band gap. Here, in this work, we studied the electronic structure of Al-doped graphene-like ZnO (g-AZO) ML using Density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The photocatalytic performance parameters such as bandgap, band edge levels, and absorption coefficient of g-AZO ML are studied under the application of biaxial strain varying from -10% to +10%. Our calculations show that g-AZO ML has a suitable band gap, band edge positions, and absorption coefficient in the visible range at ε = +9% and +10% tensile strain for photocatalytic water splitting reaction.

Characterization and Adsorption Performance Evaluation of Waste Char

APARNA RAY SARKAR — 2024-07-30

Environmental threats such as global warming, soil contamination, ground water pollution and air pollutions are the penalties of the huge generation of wastes from industries and urban areas. Therefore, waste management has become an important issue. An effective waste management includes prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal of waste. Several technological approaches have been explored to attain any one of the processes. Waste to energy (WTE) conversion is well accepted. Pyrolysis is one such promising technology which can produce three different types of fuel such as, pyro-oil, char and gases from solid or liquid wastes. This pyro char can be used as a good adsorbent. On the other hand industrial effluent contain heavy metals like Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), and Cadmium (Cd), as well as harmful anions like fluorides, nitrates, and sulphates, which cause extensive damage to our environment.Hence, treatment of industrial effluents is utmost important. In this present study, char material will be prepared from pyrolysis of waste materials and will be used for the liquid phase adsorption of Eosin y. Adsorption isotherm will be evaluated. Characterization of adsorbent will be done. The removal of pollutants from waste water solution using this adsorbent will be presented.

Preparation, Characterization and Application of Mixed Clay Based Low Cost Ceramic Membrane in Treatment of Oil-in-Water Emulsions

KANCHAPOGU SURESH — 2024-07-30

Fly ash is a cost-effective alternative for preparing ceramic membranes but they are often weak for practical use. We have made different mixtures by taking different compositions of polyvinyl alcohol with the aim of improving mechanical strength at the same time preserving permeability. We tested 3 PVA concentrations from which 10 ppm PVA solution sintered at 1100°C exhibited the best properties including a pore size of 1.029 µm, 39% porosity, a flexural strength of 40 MPa, and a water permeability coefficient of 9.19 × 10^-6 (m³/m² s kPa). The membrane when tested under oil-in-water emulsions showed a rejection rate exceeding 98%.

Synthesis, characterization and degradation of Boron, Cerium and silver ternary doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst via EDTA citrate method using ampicillin antibiotic under Sunlight

YASH MISHRA — 2024-07-30

Nowadays, we can see that in river water, traces of antibiotics can be found, which is an emerging problem. Also, pharmaceutical companies' wastewater contains antibiotic traces present in it in a significant amount which makes it an excellent experimental domain to work upon. Which is very harmful if taken by humans without its treatment, so to treat it as early as possible is very necessary, else the bacteria emerging in that water will be converted to superbugs and then curing the disease from that bacteria will be exceedingly difficult as they have resistive power to that antibiotic. For that, we have prepared a tri-doped photocatalyst by doping boron cerium and silver in a titanium dioxide structure. It can work under sunlight light because the presence of silver in this boron amount is increased so that it can satisfactorily degrade antibiotics. Cerium is for water disinfection in the further catalyst. Its amount was also increased. Then the characterization analysis was performed with the help of DLS analysis with the help of a nanoparticle size analyzer, and we got particle size in the range of 115 to 600 nanometer XRD analysis. We got a band gap Of 2.3 to 2.4 electron Volt.BET surface area analysis showed us a surface area of about 25 m2/g.So instead of the UVA lights now, it was performed under the sunlight and the degradation percent was increased significantly to approx 70 percent.

Intelligent Techniques for Wastewater Treatment : A Technical Review

SWATI SHARMA — 2024-07-30

Industrial wastewater treatment is a crucial but challenging task. The perpetual chemical and bio-chemical reactions impart a great deal of complexity to the composition of industrial wastewaters. While conventional modeling approaches can handle linear processes, complex systems exhibiting non-stationary behavior can prove challenging. Machine learning techniques based on variants of Artificial Neural Networks, Bayesian approaches and Genetic Algorithms have proven promising for outlier detection, model generation and prediction in the field of wastewater treatment. In this context, intelligent techniques enable both feature extraction and application of suitable algorithms to datasets to obtain precise results. Inference mechanisms that support decision-making combined with visualization render machine learning algorithms as the most dependable techniques for analyzing various factors affecting wastewater treatment systems. Machine learning approaches are useful for data processing, real-time modeling and actionable inference for compliance with government norms for wastewater treatment. Moreover, machine learning algorithms have also been applied in wastewater treatment to optimize efficiency parameters.
This paper reviews the application of machine learning algorithms for data processing, modeling, parameter optimization, prediction, and decision-making for efficient management of wastewater treatment processes. The challenges and limitations of these approaches are also discussed.

How does climate change impact water sources, affecting quality and availability, and what are the resulting consequences for water treatment and infrastructure?

RAJARSHI RAY — 2024-07-30

This abstract addresses a critical research gap by examining the intricate relationship between climate change and wastewater systems, acknowledging their vulnerability to climate-induced effects. Despite being crucial for societal well-being, wastewater systems' susceptibility exposes communities to risks. This comprehensive study analyzes the diverse impacts of climate change on wastewater systems across different timeframes and dimensions.The research begins by evaluating the direct climate-related effects on various components of wastewater systems, including reticulated and on-site systems, and treatment plants. This assessment covers both urban and peri-urban contexts. The identified impacts center on three key themes: nuisance flooding leading to spills and odors, deteriorating water quality from uncontrolled discharges, and physical infrastructure damage.These impacts, both immediate and long-term, resonate widely across social, cultural, environmental, and economic realms. Asset loss disrupts communities, while compromised water quality triggers cascading effects on various aspects of society, environment, economy, and culture. Concurrently, public health risks and economic burdens arise from damages, lost production, and insurance claims. Given the complexity and severity of these impacts, the study considers their distribution among different groups and their manifestation in various contexts and locations. The paper concludes by offering guiding principles for local government decision-makers. These principles serve as a strategic framework for addressing the challenges posed by climate-induced impacts on wastewater systems.In summary, this research enhances our understanding of climate change's consequences for wastewater systems, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation and adaptation strategies. By highlighting the interconnected nature of social, cultural, economic, and environmental implications, the study underscores the requirement for holistic approaches that ensure the resilience of wastewater systems in an ever-changing climate.

Optimization of Novel Symbiotic Bacteria in Algae Growth

CHELLADURAI CHELLAMBOLI — 2024-07-30

In this study, a novel symbiotic bacterium (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) was isolated from algae culture and cocultured with the abundant species Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus abundans in 3 N BBM+V medium under aseptic conditions. Furthermore, an optimization study was carried out to maximize the growth of the algae biomass. The independent parameters used to determine the bacterial inoculum concentration, pH of the medium, aeration rate of the culture system and other known parameters were temperature, light intensity, inoculum volume of algae and culture time. Thus, the effect of the bacterial inoculum concentration was studied by varying the concentration by 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%. The initial pH of the medium was changed by changing the medium pH via buffer solutions. The culture system aeration rate was the foremost important factor for determining the actual outcome of the product. Therefore, to determine the influence of the aeration rate in the system, different ranges of volumetric oxygen rates were tested: 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, and 30%. The results showed that the optimal values for maximum biomass production were 8% bacterial inoculum concentration, 7% pH of the medium, and 90% aeration rate.

Effects of Indoor Plants on Occupants' Perceptions of Indoor Climate, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Emotional State, Self-Assessed Performance, and Overall Space Satisfaction: A Systematic Review

MUKESH BUDANIYA — 2024-07-30

This systematic review analyses the impact of indoor plants on various aspects of indoor environments and occupants' perceptions using bibliometric tools. The use of tool helps in identification, classification, and trend of research related to indoor plants effect on occupants’ perception based on published manuscripts. Analysis brings out that a prominent number and quality publications from various research groups have offered evidence that indoor plants can have prominent impact on feelings of emotional states, self-assessed performance, and overall space satisfaction, as well as the impression of indoor climate. The published works encompassed scholarly articles, empirical studies, and surveys that examined the influence of indoor plants. However, some studies similarly did not find any benefits. While some others recommend careful consideration before placing indoor plant because doing so occupies functional space, require initial investment, augment maintenance cost, and also poses challenges with increased humidity, allergens, and the plants' own emission of volatile organic compounds. As a result, choosing to bring indoor plants require careful consideration. The corpus of research on the benefits of indoor plants for interior spaces and occupant perceptions is still lacking in conclusion. A few well-designed studies have been done to look at the effects of indoor plants on occupants in terms of temperature comfort, perception of air quality, sick building syndrome, emotional state, and task performance. To fully understand the impact of indoor plants on interior settings and occupant well-being, more research is necessary and a direction for future research is established through this manuscript using advanced analytical tools.

Replacement of coal by RDF (Refused Derived Fuel)

SUNIL BARAN KUILA — 2023-12-30

Within Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management, processing of several fractions that are combustible in nature but are not recyclable such as soiled paper, soiled cloth, contaminated plastics, multilayer, packaging materials, other packaging materials, pieces of leather, rubber, tyre, polystyrene (thermocol), wood etc. has remained a challenge and these fractions unwantedly ends up at landfill sites. These fractions can be processed and converted to refuse derived fuel (RDF), which carries significant calorific value, and can be utilized as alternative fuel in various industries in line with the principle of waste to wealth. The principle of RDF production is recovering quality fuel fractions from the waste, particularly through the removal of recyclable particles such as metal and glass, and converting the raw waste into a more usable form of fuel with uniform particle size and higher calorific value than raw MSW. For example, the broad specification of RDF suitable for the Indian cement plants is preferably having Moisture (< 20 %), average particle size (< 75 mm), calorific value (~ 3000 kcal/kg), Chlorine (< 0.7%), Sulphur (< 2%) and should be free of restricted items such as PVC, explosives, batteries, aerosol containers and bio-medical waste.