This study investigates the preparation and characterization of activated carbon derived from palm kernel shell, utilizing recovered potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the activating agent. The research seeks to address dye water pollution and the release of toxic chemicals from washing activated carbon upon its activation that are detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. Fresh activation was performed in a furnace at a temperature of 550 °C for one hour. The resultant activated carbon was washed and the recovered KOH solution was used for subsequent activation. The activated carbons were characterized to determine their surface area, morphology, functional groups and batch adsorption capacity. The fresh activated carbon exhibited a yield of 14.2% and a surface area of 7.24 m²/g. Notably, the surface area of 55.1 m²/g of the activated carbon produced using recycled KOH solution was greater with an enhanced level of methylene blue removal. The adsorption data could be described by the Redlich-Peterson isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, suggesting a hybrid of physicochemical interactions. The adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous when the temperature of the solution is high. This work also showcases the regeneration of activated carbon by using 0.1 M HCl and distilled water as solvents, underscoring the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of manufacturing activated carbon.

The challenges faced by municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to improve effluent quality while reducing environmental impacts are increasing. This study employs a Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the development of effluent water quality and overall environmental impacts through seven years of technological advancements at a WWTP using real world data. Scenarios include biogas optimization, transitioning to biological phosphorus removal, solar energy integration, optimized effluent control and hypothetical quaternary wastewater treatments (ozonation and sequential H2O2 treatment). Transitioning to biological phosphorus removal reduced chemical use by 26.2% and achieved the highest nutrient removal efficiency but increased energy consumption, slightly raising fossil depletion (FD). Solar energy reduced FD by 18.4% and contributed 7.75% of energy needs, albeit with seasonal limitations. Optimized effluent control achieved the highest level of nutrient removal, improving freshwater eutrophication by 41.4% but increased sludge production by 10.4%, leading to a 23.9% rise in metal depletion. Ozonation significantly increased environmental burdens, while sequential H2O2 treatment had less of an impact, offering future potential for wastewater reuse. The findings underscore the importance of balancing energy, chemical use and effluent quality with biogas optimization playing a key role in reducing flaring. This study highlights the trade-offs inherent in WWTP upgrades and provides actionable insights into optimizing environmental performance.

Enantioselective alkoxylation of β-substituted aromatic nitroalkenes with propargyl alcohol in the presence of a chiral ligand – N-ethyl-N-{[(2S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}ethanamine – leads to enantioselective synthesis of nitro-containing ethers in high yields and enantioselectivity.

Developing a new technology from a theoretical concept to its industrial application is generally a long and burdensome procedure. The membrane gradostat reactor (MGR) – which was invented for the continuous production of secondary metabolites – is now at the initial stage of this process. Therefore, even though it was patented a quarter of a century ago, relatively few studies have been published concerning this device. In this opinion article, the structure of the MGR, transport mechanisms through the biofilm and membrane, methods and challenges of inoculation as well as the aspects determining the structure of a suitable membrane and species will be overviewed. The findings are based on the observations from other publications as well as the own experiences of the authors.

Catalytic enantioselective three-component aminomethylation of benzaldehyde as well as its methoxy-substituted derivatives and propargyl ethers with aniline in the presence of a chiral catalyst – pseudoephedrine – yielded previously unknown optically active propargyl amino ethers with high yields and a high degree of enantioselectivity. This reaction can also be used to form both C-C and C-N bonds.

Having been active for over 100 years, Romanian refineries have also produced large amounts of waste resulting from the complex processing of crude oils, most of which is stored in tanks to be processed later. The closure of 9 refineries (out of the existing 13) has also led to the abandonment of this waste treatment. After joining the European Union, Romania eliminated these acid tar lagoons and returned the decontaminated land to the local communities. However, eliminating these chemical substances (from acid tars and other waste to oil and petroleum products and chemical substances) is challenging, both because of their multiple physicochemical compositions and mainly given the lack of techniques that reduce ecological destruction (incineration or slow pyrolysis creates other pollutants). Acid tars are present in the waste of the crude oil processing industry and originate from the refining of some petroleum fractions (oil, paraffin). This article analyzes acid tars and proposes several solutions for their stabilization and encapsulation. The effects of their encapsulation on the primary pollutants present in acidic waste are also presented.

In this work, a bentonite from Maghnia (northwestern Algeria) was used as a gelling agent in gel and emulgel formulations. The percentage of Na-bentonite in the formulations was fixed at 5%. The physical appearance of the formulated gel and emulgel was characterized before determining their pH, viscosity and swelling index. A rheological analysis demonstrated the characteristic shear thinning and viscoelastic behavior of the formulations using thixotropy. Stability studies showed that the physical appearance and rheological properties of the prepared gel and emulgel remained unchanged having been stored for 3 months. An FTIR study proved that the drug and excipients are compatible with each other. The prepared formulations exhibited acceptable physical properties as well as levels of homogeneity, consistency and viscosity. The pH fell within an acceptable range of 6.40-6.80.

Science and technology parks provide an integrated environment where industrial companies, service sector actors and R&D activities can operate in a coordinated way, fostering the development of innovation ecosystems as well as increasing the competitiveness of the region. The theoretical background of science and technology parks is presented to support this theme, highlighting industry specificities and their impacts. The aim of this thesis is to examine, through the example of ZalaZONE Park, the sectoral aspects of science and technology parks that play a crucial role in the development of cooperation between the actors operating in the Park. Since 2020, ZalaZONE Park has been a full member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), which brings together science parks and innovation centers from around the world. In this context, the industry and technology profile of the Park is compared with the data published by the IASP Global Survey 2022. The research is based on two main methodological approaches. Firstly, it groups the organizations operating in ZalaZONE Park according to their activities. Secondly, it classifies the actors according to their technological focus, revealing the correlations between industry and technological orientation. In the final analysis, the mapping of collaboration opportunities between the actors in the Park highlights the impact of sector specialization on the diversity of cooperation. The analysis of this theme will help other science and technology parks as well as innovation ecosystems to develop more effective strategies to increase their competitiveness. While research has typically defined industry orientation by focusing on technology, the present study adopts an analytical approach based on activity data and collaboration potential.

Rice straw is a plentiful source of lignocellulosic biomass that has significant promise as a raw material for sustainable energy systems. The management of rice straw in Egypt presents considerable difficulties due to its indispensability and abundant availability. Efficient pretreatment methods are therefore necessary to overcome the resistive composition of lignocellulosic biomass in order to convert it into biofuels. This study suggests combining experimental and computational methodologies to enhance the combined impact of the green subcritical water (SCW) pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw. This strategy aims to reduce the need for chemicals and energy consumption. The findings suggested that the most favorable parameters for the pretreatment process were a temperature of 160.3°C, an extraction time of 63.4 minutes and a water-to-rice straw mass ratio of 5:2. The application of enzymes led to a substantial 370% rise in the concentration of glucose after extracting it using subcritical water. Furthermore, the fructose concentration rose almost threefold, while the cellobiose levels increased twofold. After simulating the entire process with an annual plant capacity of 72,600 tons, economic indicators were determined. An investment opportunity that is financially feasible is evidenced by the following: a favorable internal rate of return (IRR) of 27%, a favorable net present value (NPV) of $152.6 million and a brief repayment period of 5 years. By employing a comprehensive approach, this endeavor aims to promote the development of biofuel manufacturing routes that are more environmentally friendly, sustainable and efficient, thereby mitigating the ecological consequences associated with meeting global energy demands. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper that combines both the technical and economic feasibility of bioethanol production from Egyptian rice straw using a combination of subcritical water technology followed by enzymatic hydrolysis.

Nicotinic acid and its derivatives are extensively used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The technique for separating nicotinic acid from fermentation broth has a significant impact on overall production costs. The extraction of nicotinic acid was investigated using various kinds of natural non-toxic and conventional solvents such as sesame oil, rice bran oil, cyclohexane, 1-octanol and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The results were presented in terms of extraction efficiencies (E%) and distribution coefficients (KD). To determine these two parameters, experiments were conducted at 298 ± 1 K. The maximum extraction efficiencies of nicotinic acid were found to be 19.550, 16.514, 13.719, 17.526 and 6.216% using MIBK, 1-octanol, cyclohexane, rice bran oil and sesame oil, respectively. The differences in the extraction efficiencies of nicotinic acid using these solvents were explained in terms of dipole moment, dielectric constant and refractive index. Further attempts were made to correlate the extraction efficiencies with the other physicochemical properties of the solvents such as viscosity, density, molecular weight, etc.