Carbon Granules Research Articles

Efficacy of oral calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules for the management of pains in growing limbs in children

Efficacy of oral calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules for the management of pains in growing limbs in children

In-situ co-growth of ZIF-8-derived bio-carbon spheres with meso-macroporous hierarchy for stable and rapid carbon dioxide capture

Efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) capture from post-combustion flue gases is crucial for industrial applications. Adsorbents with high adsorption capacity, exceptional stability, high selectivity, and low cost are essential to meet these requirements. In this study, we present the synthesis of bio‑carbon spheres derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) using a macro-fluidic technique. The bio‑carbon spheres integrate ZIF-8 for structural orientation and chitosan for the directional assembly of ZIF-8, thereby addressing the limitations of low strength in chitosan-derived carbon spheres and the challenge of macroscopic shaping of ZIF-8 particles. Additionally, the incorporation of ZIF-8 and the enhancement of the carbon skeleton increased the meso-macroporosity, improving CO2 transport and adsorption performance. The bio‑carbon spheres demonstrated a 46.9% higher CO2 adsorption capacity (101 kPa, 1.40 mmol·g−1) compared to pure chitosan carbon granules (101 kPa, 0.96 mmol·g−1) and a 17.8% faster mass transport rate compared to ZIF-8 carbon particles. Moreover, the bio‑carbon spheres exhibit a low wear rate in a simulated fluidized bed, good thermal stability, and stable cyclic regeneration performance. This study offers a novel strategy for developing industrially applicable adsorbents with hierarchical pore structures to enhance CO2 capture.

Robust design space of compression parameters for initial and reprocessed granules

The design of experiments has been widely used for product and process development based on Quality by design (QbD) approach to achieve quality product. Sources of variability are identified and controlled during manufacturing. However, uncertainty due to uncontrollable variables in the process leads to quality issues and the need for reprocessing in some cases. This study proposes a systematic approach to determine the robust design space for process parameters embraced with the variation of initial and reprocessed materials to ensure that the tablet will meet the specification. The Taguchi L36 experiment design is applied to determine suitable tableting parameters for different granules to ensure physical specifications. Four types of calcium carbonate granules were produced with different moisture contents (ZM) and manufacturing conditions (ZT). Additionally, three critical parameters of tablet compression process—filling volume (XV), compression force (XF), and turret speed (XS)—each encompassing three levels, were selected as input variables. The responses were derived from the product specification, namely weight (YW), tensile strength (YTS), and disintegration time (YDT). The experiment results were embedded into two models: the single independence response model (SRM) and the multiple dependent response model (MRM). After a confirmation experiment using predicted parameters, a comparison of their %MAPE (mean average percentage error) revealed that MRM has lower accuracy in terms of YTS but dominates SRM in terms of the region of design space. This finding relates to the effect of data transformation capturing non-linear relationships between these factors and responses. The design space derived from the models allows manufacturers to adjust critical process parameters for getting desired specification tablets and also provides a framework for continuous improvement by enhancing their original design space and providing a rigorous reprocessing plan.

Optimum operation condition of fluidized-bed homogeneous crystallization technology for the recovery of carbon dioxide captured in flue gas

The decarbonization of industry, particularly in "hard-to-decarbonize" sectors like combustion plants, poses a significant challenge due to the limited availability of low-carbon options. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) offers a promising solution to this challenge. Chemical precipitation is one method of converting CO2 into precipitated mineral carbonates, which can be stored and converted into valuable materials. This study explores fluidized-bed homogeneous crystallization (FBHC) technology for recovering carbonate from simulated CO2-enriched flue gas, resulting in stable calcium carbonate granules. Factors such as pH, carbonate concentration, reactor type, and reactants significantly impact carbonate removal and crystallization efficiency. Optimal conditions were found at 0.086 M input carbonate concentration, pH 9.0, and using a two-stage reactor, achieving 99.9 % removal and 93.2 % crystallization efficiency. Potassium-based absorbents yield higher crystalline intensity and larger granules compared to sodium. X-ray diffractometry confirms the composition of calcium carbonates, demonstrating FBHC's effectiveness for CO2 capture and storage. Utilizing calcium carbonate granules for carbon dioxide sequestration can potentially reduce emissions, pending resolution of investment and feasibility challenges.

Fabric- and film-structured supercapacitor

Supercapacitors had gained much interest due to their high power density, long cycle life, and fast charge and discharge speed. However, traditional supercapacitors were commonly produced with rigid structures and liquid electrolytes that cause many limits in flexible and non-traditional end uses. Although liquid electrolytes can be replaced by polymer-based gel electrolytes, time-dependent high stiffness, and capacitance loss were found to be the main drawbacks. Herein, an all-solid-state supercapacitor based on fabric/film composition was studied. Activated carbon granule (ACG) was used as an electrode material and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with phosphorous acid was selected as both polymer matrix and electrolyte. The as-prepared supercapacitor exhibited the typical double-layer electrostatic capacitive behavior, showing a good specific capacitance of 0.998 mF cm−2 at the scan rate of 10 mV s−1. When ZnO nanoparticles were added, the supercapacitor was further enhanced, showing a better specific capacitance of 1.321 mF cm−2 at the scan rate of 10 mV s−1. The supercapacitor was capable of bending at any angle without suffering its performance. This result indicated that the fabricated supercapacitor structure was flexible, lightweight, and capable of being integrated into textile products.

Erratum to: Adsorption of Manganese(II) from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon Granules

Erratum to: Adsorption of Manganese(II) from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon Granules

The effect of activated carbon granules and KOH solution on welding particulates and gases in air filtration

Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Risk Control (HIRARC) is the process of identifying hazards that can occur in routine or non-routine activities in a company or workplace, then carrying out a risk assessment of these hazards.And from the risk assessment, the hazards in the welding workshop that have a moderate risk and are interesting for researchers to innovate are from sources of danger caused by smoke resulting from welding activities, causing workers to experience respiratory problems and eye irritation. Researchers created a smoke filtration device generated from welding with a system where the welding smoke is channeled into the KOH solution to reduce the number of air particles and reduce the levels of toxic substances in the welding smoke, then to keep the KOH solution always clean, a circulation system was created through the carbon to removes dirt and keeps the solution water from being dirty and colorless.Once all the tools are ready, measurements can be made to measure several chemical elements in the welding smoke from the point before it enters the filter and after going through the filtration process. Among the elements measured are Carbon Dioxide (CO 2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate PM 2.5 (2.5 Microns), and Particulate PM 10 (10 Microns). Based on research and data testing carried out using the Anova Test and Fisher Pairwise Comparisons, it can be concluded that to produce the best and cleanest air results, the composition is K4 C1 or KOH 10% with Cabon Active 2-3 Mesh. Because if activated carbon with a mesh size larger than 2-3 mesh will affect the quality of the KOH solution because the granules are too small and contaminate the KOH solution. And the higher the KOH solution level, the more effective it is at reducing the dangerous elements in welding fumes.

EFFICIENCY OF "BRITA" HOME WATER FILTER FOR WATER PURIFICATION

<p><span lang="EN">Maintaining the quality of drinking water is the basis for the prevention and control of waterborne diseases. Due to the possibility of the presence of various pollutants in water, drinking water preparation at the point of its use is growing rapidly.</span> <span lang="EN">All this leads to the intensive production of household water purification systems for preparing drinking water or correcting tap water composition if there is any doubt about its quality. </span><span lang="EN">The goal of this work is to estimate the efficiency of a home water filter for water purification, the “Brita system”, as well as its capacity, during practical use for different types of water (drinking water and spring water). Filtration of water through the "Brita" filter results in quite uneven values of the tested water quality parameters, although these same values are quite uniform in unfiltered samples.</span> <span lang="EN">This is precisely why it happens that certain quality parameters do not meet the values given by Regulation (pH value, concentration of ammonium ion and orthophosphate ion) at the beginning of the filter use. The occasional appearance of nitrite ion depends on the dynamics of filter use. Therefore, it is recommended to use the "Brita" filter continuously after its activation. The removal efficiency of iron (60-90 %) and aluminum (> 90 %) from water is very effective even after 100 dm<sup>3</sup> is passed through the filter.</span> <span lang="EN">Due to the active carbon granules present in the</span><span lang="EN"> f</span><span lang="EN">ilter, </span><span lang="EN">the removal of trihalomethanes is also very successful.</span></p>

The armoured cuticle of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens

We characterise in detail the larval and pupal cuticle of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), a key insect species in circular economy. In particular, we focus on ultrastructure using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, material characterization and composition (elements and minerals) with confocal laser scanning microscope, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, powder X-ray diffraction and mechanical properties with nanoindentation measurements. Calcium carbonate crystallizes on the epicuticle as blocks of calcite in the pupal cuticle. Calcium carbonate granules are stored in two specialised Malpighian tubules. CaCO3 is already present in the cuticle of young larval instars, but it is mainly in the form of amorphous calcium carbonate while the amount of calcite increases during larval development. The presence of calcite leads to cuticle hardening. Larval and pupal cuticles contain large amounts of resilin which guarantee cuticle flexibility.

Granular Carbon Adsorbent Based on Soot and Synthetic Pitch

A method for producing granular carbon adsorbent by stirring a suspension of soot in a solution of naphthalene (in heptane) in the presence of sulfuric acid was proposed. Experimental research together with mathematical processing of the results made it possible to propose a mechanism for the formation of spherical carbon granules from soot and naphthalene: in the course of intense mixing in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, a binder material was formed from naphthalene, and it was adsorbed on the surface of soot particles. The resulting particles with a thin layer of binding material on their surface stuck together in the field of centrifugal forces to form larger particles, which ultimately acquired a spherical shape and had a size of up to 5 mm. A comparison of the resulting carbon granules (from soot and synthetic pitch) with granules preparedby mixing soot and petroleum pitch showed that the proposed adsorbent had specific surface area and mechanical strength greater by factors of 1.5–2.

Phosphate Additives for Aging Inhibition of Impregnated Activated Carbon against Hazardous Gases.

Impregnated activated carbons (IACs) used in air filtration gradually lose their efficacy for the chemisorption of noxious gases when exposed to humidity due to impregnated metal deactivation. In order to stabilize IACs against aging, and to prolong the filters' shelf life, inorganic phosphate compounds (phosphoric acid and its three salts, NaHPO4, Na2HPO4, and Na3PO4) were used as anti-aging additives for two different chromium-free IACs impregnated with copper, zinc, molybdenum, and triethylenediamine (TEDA). Phosphoric acid, monosodium, and disodium phosphate were found to be very efficient in inhibiting the aging of IACs over long periods against cyanogen chloride (the test agent) chemisorption, with the latter being the most efficient. However, the efficiency of phosphate as an anti-aging additive was not well correlated with its ability to inhibit the migration of metal impregnants, especially copper, from the interior to the external surface of carbon granules. Unlike organic additives, the inorganic phosphate additives did not decrease the surface area of the IAC or its physical adsorption capacity for toluene. Using a phosphate additive in IAC used in collective protection and personal filters can improve the safety of the user and the environment and dramatically reduce the need to replace these filters after exposure to humid environments. This has safety, economic, logistical, and environmental advantages.

Biological Oxygen-dosed Activated Carbon (BODAC) filters – A bioprocess for ultrapure water production removing organics, nutrients and micropollutants

Biological oxygen-dosed activated carbon (BODAC) filters in an Ultrapure water plant were demonstrated to have the potential to further treat secondary wastewater treatment effluent. The BODAC filters were operated for 11 years without carbon regeneration or replacement, while still functioning as pre-treatment step to reverse osmosis (RO) membranes by actively removing organic micropollutants (OMPs) and foulants. In this study, the removal of nutrients and 13 OMPs from secondary wastewater treatment effluent was investigated for 2 years and simultaneously, the granules’ characterization and microbial community analysis were conducted to gain insights behind the stable long-term operation of the BODAC filters. The results showed that the BODAC granules' surface area was reduced by ∼70 % of what is in virgin carbon granules and covered by biofilm and inorganic depositions. The BODAC filters reduced the concentration of soluble organics, mainly proteins, performed as an effective nitrification system, and almost completely removed manganese. During the 2 years of observation, the filters consistently removed some OMPs such as hydrochlorothiazide, metoprolol, sotalol, and trimethoprim by at least 70 %. Finally, through microbial community analysis, we found that nitrifying and manganese-oxidizing bacteria were detected in high relative abundance on BODAC granules, supporting BODAC performance in removing OMPs and manganese as well as converting nitrogenous species in the water.

Formaldehyde Reduction in an Operating Room Setting: Comparison of a Catalytic Surgical Vacuum Device With a Traditional Smoke Evacuator.

Introduction Electrosurgery exposes healthcare workers to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde. Adopting electrosurgical devices that catalytically transform formaldehyde to benign substances has the potential to improve safety in surgical settings. Materials and methods We compared the efficiency of formaldehyde removal of two medical devices.The first was a novel surgical vacuum (SV) device containing ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filtration, activated carbon and catalytic transition metal oxide.The second was a commonly utilized handpiece evacuator (HE) that contained only mechanical filtration and activated carbon granules. Both devices were exposed to formalin vapor. Results The time weighted average (TWA), median and peak concentrations of detected formaldehyde at the outflow of the SV unit were 90% lower than the corresponding values detected at the outflow of the HE device (p = 0.0034). When catalytic material was added to the HE device, the detected formaldehyde concentration at the outflow was reduced by 55%(p = 2.9 x 10-15). Conclusions The catalytic SV device has the potential to considerably reduce formaldehyde levels in operating room (OR) environments.

Production of Shaped Activated Carbon Granules Using Binder Derived from Heavy Petroleum Tar

Production of Shaped Activated Carbon Granules Using Binder Derived from Heavy Petroleum Tar

Earthworm granules: A model of non-classical biogenic calcium carbonate phase transformations.

Different non-classical crystallization mechanisms have been invoked to explain structural and compositional properties of biocrystals. The identification of precursor amorphous nanoparticle aggregation as an onset process in the formation of numerous biominerals (crystallization via particle attachment) constituted a most important breakthrough for understanding biologically mediated mineralization. A comprehensive understanding about how the attached amorphous particles transform into more stable, crystalline grains has yet to be elucidated. Here, we document structural, biogeochemical, and crystallographic aspects of the formation as well as the further phase transformations of the amorphous calcium carbonate particles formed by cultured specimens of earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. In-situ observations evidence the formation of proto-vaterite after dehydration of earthworm-produced ACC, which is subsequently followed by proto-vaterite transformation into calcite through nanoparticle attachment within the organic framework. In culture medium spiked with trace amounts of Mn2+, the cauliflower-like proto-vaterite structures become longer-lived than in the absence of Mn2+. We propose that the formation of calcite crystals takes place through a non-classical recrystallization path that involves migration of proto-vaterite nanoparticles to the crystallization site, and then, their transformation into calcite via a dissolution-recrystallization reaction. The latter is complemented by ion-by-ion crystal growth and associated with impurity release. These observations are integrated into a new model of the biocrystallization of earthworm-produced carbonate granules which highlights the sensibility of this process to environmental chemical changes, its potential impact on the bioavailability of contaminants as well as the threat that chemical pollution poses to the normal development of its early stages. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the mechanisms of nucleation, stabilization and aggregation of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and factors controlling its further transformation into crystalline phases is fundamental for elucidation of biogenic mineralization. Some species of earthworms are natural workbench to understand the biogenic ACC, stabilization and the transformation mechanisms, because they create millimeter-sized calcareous granules from amorphous calcium carbonate, which crystallize to a more stable mineral phase (mostly calcite). This study undergoes into the mechanisms of ACC stabilization by the incorporation of trace elements, as manganese, and the ulterior precipitation of calcareous granules by a coupled process of amorphous particle attachment and ion-by-ion growth. The study points to sensibility of this process to environmental chemical changes.

Systematic screening of carbon‐based anode materials for bioelectrochemical systems

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe anode material of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) is crucial because its characteristics directly affect electron transfer from the bacteria to the anode. To assess its usefulness, each material must undergo evaluation under relevant operating conditions, as well as a complete electrochemical characterization.RESULTSFive carbonaceous materials – carbon brush (CB), carbon granules (CG), thicker carbon felt (CF1), high‐conductivity carbon felt (CF2), and high‐active‐area carbon felt (CF3) – anodes were tested in this work. The current generation with each anode material was studied, operating as a microbial fuel cell (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). Two MFC inoculation strategies were tested: (i) fixed 10 Ω external resistance (ER) and (ii) poised anode potential (PA) of 200 mV versus Ag/AgCl. Once reproducible cycles were obtained in MFC operation, CB yielded the highest maximum current density, amounting to 15.9 A m−2. A slightly reduced start‐up time was observed for each anode with PA than ER. When the anodes were transferred to MEC operation, the maximum hydrogen production rate of 1.04 m3 H2 m−3 d−1 was obtained for CB.CONCLUSIONThis study helps in selecting anode material for BES, allowing a shortening of the start‐up time and improving its performance using different inoculation strategies and anode materials. Among all the anode materials employed in this study, CB and CF3 electrodes presented the best overall performance. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

MOF-808-derived carbon granules with a bimodal micro-mesoporous structure

MOF-808-derived carbon granules with a bimodal micro-mesoporous structure

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND FILTERING PROPERTIES OF CARBON BLOCK CARTRIDGES

In the present paper, the information on the influence of various factors on the carbon block cartridges production technology and their potential impact on the properties of the finished product is presented. The possibilities of increasing the sorption-filtering efficiency of carbon block cartridges are presented. The technical and exploitation characteristics are influenced by the size of the mixture components granules, the physicochemical properties of active carbon and binder polymers, their ratio in the mixture, and the addition of bactericidal additives into the composition. The study of this topic is relevant, as evidenced by the analysis of the increasing number of publications on this matter over the past ten years. However, the production technology of carbon block cartridges is the know-how of manufacturing companies. This information is confirmed by the analysis of the technical characteristics of sixty carbon block cartridges from nine world manufacturers, whose products are WQA certified according to the NSF/ANSI 42 standard. The recommendations given by a number of authors on the size of activated carbon granules in the range from 40 to 120 mesh and polyethylene particles from 80 to 160 mesh with a flow rate of 1.4-3 g/10 min, can be taken as "reference points" in the development of extrusion mixtures with different components ratio. The following factors play an important role in obtaining effective cartridges: the quality of pre-extrusion mixing of the composition, its resistance to delamination during the “transition” from the mixer to the extruder loading zone, extrusion temperature regimes by zones, product cooling temperature, backpressure on the billet leaving the extruder. The information given in this article will be useful when producing new carbon block cartridges, improving the parameters of existing technologies, as well as in the research development of cartridges with new properties.

Carbothermal-reduction-assisted CVD synthesis of layered MoS2 nanosheets on activated carbon support: Implication for photocatalysis

The photocatalytic activity of MoS2-based heterostructures largely depends on the thickness and orientation of the MoS2 components. We report a new facile two-step carbothermal-reduction-assisted CVD synthesis protocol to produce horizontally and vertically aligned MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) on activated carbon (AC) granules. MoO3/AC pellets were first prepared by sonicating MoO3 and AC powders and then used as a substrate and Mo source to obtain MoS2/AC composites. A feature of the process is that MoO3 particles, prior to interaction with sulfur, undergo carbothermal reduction with the formation of Mo suboxides favorable for MoS2 growth. The thickness and orientation of MoS2 NSs strongly depend on the synthesis temperature. At 600 °C, horizontally oriented triangular MoS2 NSs are formed on the surface of molybdenum oxide particles, and at 700 °C, thin vertically oriented MoS2 NSs with a high aspect ratio (with a thickness and a lateral size of 20 × 5000 nm2) are grown. The high photocatalytic activity of MoS2/AC composites during the decompositions of organic dyes under UV radiation is associated with the thickness and orientation of MoS2 NSs. The vertical arrangement of the active edges intensifies the chemical interaction with the reagents, and the small NS thickness prevents the recombination of charge carriers and facilitates their transfer to the surface. The obtained results open up new possibilities for the development of cost-effective and scalable MoS2-based photocatalysts with tunable thickness and orientation of MoS2 NSs on commercially available AC substrates using a carbothermal-reduction-assisted CVD approach.

Langevin’s ultrasonics

Langevin’s work in ultrasonics, which resulted in about twenty publications and patents, will be reviewed. At the beginning of WWI, encouraged by Marie Curie, he started work on a directional ultrasonic system to detect submarines and for underwater communications, based on Chilowski’s proposal. Rejecting whistles, sirens and magnetic sources, he used a large mica ‘singing’ condenser for transmission, and proposed a large area carbon granule microphone as receiver. Noise problems with carbon receivers led Langevin, in early 1917, to test a single large slice of quartz, cut perpendicularly to one of its three electrical axes. This orientation differed from that used by Jacques and Pierre Curie’s quartz piezo-électrique, in which the stress and electrical axes are perpendicular. Later that year he demonstrated quartz as a transmitter, creating the enabling technology for later ultrasonic developments. The knowledge was freely disseminated to other Allied laboratories. After the war, Langevin gave the first ever course on theoretical and practical ultrasonics. He facilitated the technological transfer of pulse-echo technology from military to civil sectors and the establishment of a laboratory in Toulon for the certification of ultrasonic transducers. His co-workers went on to study magneto-strictive and high-frequency quartz transducers, therapeutic applications, and finite-amplitude propagation.