Addition Of Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Research Articles

Impact of the combined effect of seawater exposure with wastewater and Fe2O3 nanoparticles on Chlorella vulgaris microalgae growth, lipid content, biochar, and bio-oil production

Microalgae is one the promising source of energy for the production of biofuel and other value-added products to replace the existing conventional fossil fuels. However, low lipid content and poor cell harvesting are the key challenges. Based on the growth conditions the lipid productivity will be affected. The current study examines the mixtures of both wastewater and NaCl on the microalgae growth was studied. The microalgae used for conducting the tests were Chlorella vulgaris microalgae. Mixtures of the wastewater was prepared under the different concentrations of the seawater, classified as S0%, S20%, and S40%. The growth of microalgae was studied in the presence of these mixtures, and the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was included to stimulate the growth. The results showed that increasing the salinity in the wastewater resulted in decreased biomass production, but significantly increased lipid content compared to S0%. The highest lipid content was recorded at S40%N with 21.2%. The Highest lipid productivity was also witnessed for S40% with 45.6 mg/Ld. The cell diameter was also found to increase with increasing salinity content in the wastewater. The addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the seawater was found to enhance the productivity of the microalgae extensively, resulting in 9.2% and 6.15% increased lipid content and lipid productivity respectively compared to conventional cases. However, the inclusion of the nanoparticles slightly increased the zeta potential of microalgal colloids, with no noticeable effects on the cell diameter or bio-oil yields. Based on these findings, Chlorella vulgaris was identified as a suitable candidate for treating wastewater with high salinity exposure.

Elucidating the role of nanoparticles on photosynthetic biogas upgrading: Influence of biogas type, nanoparticle concentration and light source

Three different nanoparticles, namely Fe2O3, carbon coated zero valent iron (CACOI) and SiO2, were added to a mixed microalgae culture in order to improve photosynthetic biogas upgrading. Fe2O3 and CACOI nanoparticles at 10 mg/L supported higher CO2 consumptions compared to their respective controls. The addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles at 70 mg/L resulted in a 38 % enhanced biomass productivity, and 20 % higher CO2 consumption but delayed exponential growth. The CACOI nanoparticles at 70 mg/L resulted in a shorter lag phase, enhanced CO2 consumption by 13 %, and carbohydrate content enhancement by 64 %, while the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles at this concentration induced an enhanced lipid and carbohydrates production by 47 % and 68 %, respectively. Interestingly, UV light exposure reduced the beneficial effects of nanoparticles, although CACOI nanoparticles still supported a shorter lag phase and higher carbohydrates production at 70 mg/L. In brief, CACOI nanoparticles hold an untapped potential to promote the metabolism of microalgae during photosynthetic biogas upgrading.

Improvements in heterogeneous cation exchange membranes by incorporation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles

Ion exchange membranes are the heart of the electrodialysis process which is a well-known water treatment technology. Herein, a heterogeneous cation exchange membrane (CEM) is synthesized by using a polymeric blend and the effects of Fe2O3 and sulfate-functionalized (s-Fe2O3) nanoparticles incorporation on the properties of the membranes were investigated. The addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles caused a reduction in electrical resistance up to 53%. Moreover, the ion exchanged capacity (IEC) and permselectivity were improved by 34% and 42%, respectively. Meanwhile, by sulfonation of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles, further cation exchange groups were introduced to the nanoparticles structure which significantly improved the membrane properties. Through addition of 0.5 wt% s-Fe2O3 nanoparticles to the CEM matrix, a 45% reduction in the electrical resistance, and 45% and 43% enhancement in the IEC and permselectivity were obtained, respectively.

Fe2O3 nanocomposite PVC membrane with enhanced properties and separation performance

Organic and inorganic mixed matrix membranes are one of the most promising new membrane materials for ultrafiltration (UF) separation applications. In this study, PVC/Fe2O3-mixed UF membranes were fabricated at different nano-Fe2O3 loading levels (0–2wt%) using the phase inversion method. Surface chemical compositions, surface and cross-section morphologies and characteristics, hydrophilicity and mechanical strength of the membranes were characterized using several analytical techniques and instruments such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), a contact angle goniometer, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and a nanoindenter. Membrane performance was also tested in terms of water flux, solute rejection, and anti-fouling characteristics. The experimental results demonstrated that the overall membrane structure was remarkably enhanced with the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles up to a loading of 1%. This was due to the membrane's more hydrophilic and smoother surface and a more elongated finger-like structure as well as higher porosity and pore size. The nanoindentation experiments indicated that Fe2O3 incorporation greatly enhanced the hardness of the membranes providing a higher pore integrity degree. However, higher Fe2O3 content caused a nanoparticle aggregation resulting in a decline in the performance of the composite membranes. Compared with the pristine PVC membrane, the membrane containing 1% Fe2O3 exhibited better capabilities such as the enhanced water flux (782L/m2h), higher sodium alginate (SA) rejection rate (91.9%) and better antifouling properties. The PVC/Fe2O3 nanocomposite membranes may have applicable potential in water and wastewater treatment applications based on their low price, enhanced mechanical strength, high permeability, high removal efficiency, and good antifouling performance.

Improvement of wastewater sludge dewatering performance using titanium salt coagulants (TSCs) in combination with magnetic nano-particles: Significance of titanium speciation

In this study, the effects of chemical conditioning using titanium salt coagulants (TSCs) of different hydrolysis speciation in combination with magnetic nano-particles on dewatering performance of waste activated sludge were evaluated by means of specific resistance to filtration (SRF) and capillary suction time (CST). The morphological and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) properties under chemical conditioning were investigated in detail to understand the reaction mechanisms involved. The results showed that the TSC with basicity of 0.5 performed better in improving sludge dewatering performance than other TSCs. Sludge floc formed by TSC0.5 treatment was characterized by larger floc size and higher floc strength than that conditioned by other TSCs. EPS compression and densification were the major mechanisms of sludge conditioning, and TSC0.5 had better performance in compressing EPS structure. In addition, reduction of soluble EPS concentration, especially protein-like substances contributed to improvement of sludge filterability under conditioning. Furthermore, addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles could further improve dewatering performance and decrease compressibility of sludge system by acting as skeleton builders and enhancing floc strength. The sludge particles aggregation efficiency was effectively improved with addition of nano-Fe2O3. They also were able to bind with protein-like substance in EPS component, which might contribute to promotion of sludge filterability.

Particle size and type effects on heat transfer enhancement of Ferro-nanofluids in a pulsating heat pipe

The present study evaluated the effect of γ (gamma) and α (alpha) Fe2O3/Kerosene nanofluids for a closed loop pulsating heat pipe under the magnetic field. The nanoparticles had a size ranged from 10nm to 30nm. The heat transfer rate and the temperature distribution of the heat pipe were examined with and without the magnetic field. Likewise, the Fe2O3 base nanofluids were exposed to a magnetic field to measure the vapor temperature at the center of the pulsating heat pipe directly. The results showed that both heat transfer coefficient and thermal performance of the pulsating heat pipe are enhanced by the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles, especially when the magnetic field is present. The increased input heat flux rises the heat transfer coefficient of the condenser and the evaporator. Lower evaporator heat transfer coefficient and higher temperature difference between condenser and evaporator were seen because of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles as compared to γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Among six nanoparticles investigated in this research, the optimum type and size of Iron oxide nanoparticles under similar conditions for attaining the best heat transfer performance was 20nm γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

Effect of magnetic field on the heat transfer rate of kerosene/Fe2O3 nanofluid in a copper oscillating heat pipe

This paper presents the result of an experimental study on the use of Fe2O3/Kerosene nanofluid for the copper oscillating heat pipe under the magnetic field. The temperature distribution and the heat transfer rate of the heat pipe were measured with and without the magnetic field. Also, the vapor temperature was directly measured at the center core of the oscillating heat pipe by exposing the Fe2O3 to a magnetic field. The results demonstrated that the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles could enhance the thermal performance as well as the heat transfer coefficient of the oscillating heat pipe, especially under the magnetic field. The increase in the input heat flux increased the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator and the condenser. The temperature differences between the surface and the vapor core in the evaporator section were 3.1°C and 2°C for the copper heat pipe for the Fe2O3, without and with the magnetic field, respectively. The surface temperature was higher than the vapor temperature in the evaporator, while it was lower in the condenser.

EFFECT OF A MAGNETIC FIELD AT INCLINATION ANGLES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COPPER OSCILLATING HEAT PIPES

This paper presents the result of experimental investigation concerning the use of Fe2O3 nanoparticles added to kerosene as a working fluid under a magnetic field for a copper oscillating heat pipe with inclination angle of 0° (horizontal), 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° (vertical). The temperature distribution and heat transfer rate on an oscillating heat pipe (OHP) were examined, with magnetic field under different angles. The results showed that the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles under a magnetic field improved the thermal performance of OHP, especially at 75°.