Elevated Water Research Articles

Breaking the limits of ambient air conditions in evaporative cooling with vacuum-assisted hollow fiber membrane technology

Conventional direct evaporative cooling systems suffer from persistent issues like air–water cross-contamination, mold growth, and scaling of paddings. Moreover, their widespread application in humid climates is hindered by ambient air conditions. This research presents a promising solution in the form of a vacuum-assisted hollow fiber membrane-based evaporative water cooler (VMEWC). It shifts from relying on air state to vacuum pressure for cold water production. A numerical model was established to reflect the coupled heat and mass transfer characteristics, employing Knudsen diffusion to describe water vapor migration within membrane pores. Experimental tests were performed on the constructed VMEWC system, revealing strong alignment between simulation and measured data, with a 2.2 % error in outlet water temperature predictions. Numerical studies explored the effects of six parameters (inlet water temperature, water velocity, shell-side pressure, fiber length, fiber inner diameter, and overall membrane structure parameter) on VMEWC’s outlet water temperature (Tw2), cooling capacity per unit volume (Qv), and coefficient of performance (COP). The results emphasized that elevated inlet water temperature, reduced shell-side pressure, and a large overall membrane structure parameter effectively enhanced the overall performance of VMEWC. Under specific conditions, Qv and COP reached impressive values of 3753.1 kW/m3 and 13.6, respectively. This work provides a novel and practical perspective, offering references for advancing efficient and sustainable refrigeration technologies.

Enhancement of the structural behavior of elevated water tanks using X-plate dampers

This study aims at utilizing of X-plate dampers to effectively address vibrations and minimize the possible structural harm to water tank facilities, and also at utilizing a finite element methodology to simulate and analyze the structural reactions. A non-linear time history analysis is employed to assess the effectiveness of X-plate dampers when subjected to different blast-induced ground motions. The efficiency of dampers was evaluated by conducting a comparative analysis of liquid storage structures with and without dampers using 50 m3 and 1500 m3 tanks in empty and full conditions. X – plate dampers are installed in a variety of bracing schemes, such as diagonal, X, V, Inverted V, and K bracing subjected to underground blast loads to improve the resilience of the selected elevated water tanks. The results showed the X-bracing pattern is the most effective configuration for X-plate dampers in mitigating blast loads in a 50 m3 elevated tank without water, resulting in a reduction of displacement, shear force, and bending moment by 43%, 15%, and 22%, in case of elevated tank with water reduced by 39% 25% and 33% respectively. In 1500 m3 elevated tank without water, the K-bracing is determined to be the most effective type of bracing, reducing the displacement, shear force, and bending moment by 50%, 70%, and 70%, in case of elevated tank with water reduced by 53%, 52%, and 54% respectively. The current study makes a significant contribution to the field of structural engineering by providing useful insights into raised water tank construction.

Ultrafiltration membranes for dye wastewater treatment: Utilizing cellulose acetate and microcrystalline cellulose fillers from Ceiba Pentandra

Dye hurts the threat of human health problems and environmental pollution. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) based membrane is a good material to be used as an dye separation membrane for having the high hydrophilicity of the membrane. It has been successfully isolated from kapok (ceiba pentandra) with characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns and FTIR absorption peaks, which corresponded to the typical peaks of cellulose. The ultrafiltration membrane was made up of a cellulose acetate matrix created using the phase inversion method. Characterization results indicated that the inclusion of MCC derived from kapok led to a reduction in the contact angle from 65 to 52o, and an increase in membrane porosity from 82 to 85%. In the separation of dye, the composite membrane incorporating MCC filler demonstrated superior performance compared to the membrane lacking MCC, manifesting in an elevated water flux from 43 to 84 L/m².h and methylene blue (MB) rejection from 64 to 99%. The use of MCC as a filler in cellulose acetate membranes can enhance the characteristics and performance of the membrane in MB separation.

Epidemiological cutoff values and genetic antimicrobial resistance of Lactococcus garvieae and L. petauri

Lactococcus garvieae and L. petauri are etiological agents of lactococcosis, which cause significant losses in trout aquaculture at elevated water temperatures. Optimizing antimicrobial dosage regimens and identifying the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) are important prerequisites for determining clinical breakpoints and effective antimicrobial use. In the present study, epidemiological cutoff values (ECV) were established for 14 antimicrobials using L. garvieae (n = 32) and L. petauri (n = 78), isolated from rainbow trout farms in Türkiye, Spain, Italy, and Greece. The provisional ECVs were calculated using the ECOFFinder and normalized resistance interpretation (NRI) approaches. Furthermore, gene cassettes, capsule gene clusters, and the presence of fourteen antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that encode resistance against seven antimicrobial agents, were evaluated. The calculated ECVs of antimicrobials ranged from 1.25 μg mL−1 for amoxicillin to 80.25 μg mL−1 for streptomycin. The percentages of wild type (WT) and non-wild type (NWT) isolates differed based on the approach, and ECVs calculated based on ECOFFinder approach were generally higher. Among the ARGs, those encoding resistance against tetracycline (tetA), β-lactamase (blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaOXA), amphenicol (floR), and macrolide (ermA) were detected in <10% of the isolates. The genes encoding resistance against quinolones (gyrA and qnrA) and aminoglycosides (strB) were the most detected genes. While 40.9% of the isolates contained Class 1 integron cassette regions, 33.6% of the isolates contained Class 2 integron cassette regions, and 9.1% of the isolates contained both cassette regions. None of the screened isolates were positive for the capsule gene cluster. Significant but weak correlations were found among and between ARGs and MIC distribution of antibiotics. The results of this study could be useful for identifying WT and non-WT isolates, as well as for susceptibility surveillance.

Inhibiting Dissolution of Active Sites in 80 °C Alkaline Water Electrolysis by Oxyanion Engineering

AbstractCommercial alkaline water electrolysers typically operate at 80 °C to minimize energy consumption. However, NiFe‐based catalysts, considered as one of the most promising candidates for anode, encounter the bottleneck of high solubility at such temperatures. Herein, we discover that the dissolution of NiFe layered double hydroxides (NiFe‐LDH) during operation not only leads to degradation of anode itself, but also deactivates cathode for water splitting, resulting in decay of overall electrocatalytic performance. Aiming to suppress the dissolution, we employed oxyanions as inhibitors in electrolyte. The added phosphates to the electrolyte inhibit the loss of NiFe‐LDH active sites at 400 mA cm−2 to 1/3 of the original amount, thus reducing the rate of performance decay by 25‐fold. Furthermore, the usage of borates, sulfates, and carbonates yields similar results, demonstrating the reliability and universality of the active site dissolution inhibitor, and its role in elevated water electrolysis.

Inhibiting Dissolution of Active Sites in 80 °C Alkaline Water Electrolysis by Oxyanion Engineering.

Commercial alkaline water electrolysers typically operate at 80 °C to minimize energy consumption. However, NiFe-based catalysts, considered as one of the most promising candidates for anode, encounter the bottleneck of high solubility at such temperatures. Herein, we discover that the dissolution of NiFe layered double hydroxides (NiFe-LDH) during operation not only leads to degradation of anode itself, but also deactivates cathode for water splitting, resulting in decay of overall electrocatalytic performance. Aiming to suppress the dissolution, we employed oxyanions as inhibitors in electrolyte. The added phosphates to the electrolyte inhibit the loss of NiFe-LDH active sites at 400 mA cm-2 to 1/3 of the original amount, thus reducing the rate of performance decay by 25-fold. Furthermore, the usage of borates, sulfates, and carbonates yields similar results, demonstrating the reliability and universality of the active site dissolution inhibitor, and its role in elevated water electrolysis.

Comparative Study Effect of Different Urea Fertilizers and Tomato Pomace Composts on the Performance and Quality Traits of Processing Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).

Processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is regarded amongst the most dominant horticultural crops globally. Yet, due to its elevated water and fertilization needs, its environmental footprint is significantly high. The recent efforts to reduce the footprint of agriculture have rekindled the search for optimized fertilization regimes in tomato. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of different urea fertilizers and tomato pomace-based composts on the performance and quality traits of processing tomato. A two-year field experiment was conducted in the Larissa region, Central Greece, during 2018-2019. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with five treatments: control, urea (Urea), urea with nitrification and urease inhibitors (Urea + NI + UI), processing tomato pomace with farmyard manure (TP + FM), and processing tomato pomace with compost from plant residues (TP + CM). Measurements included soil total nitrogen (STN), soil organic matter (SOM), root length density (RLD), arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) colonization, dry weight per plant, fruit yield (number per plant, total yield, weight, diameter), fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), lycopene content and yield, and fruit surface color (L*, a*, b*, CI). Overall, the best results in soil properties and quality traits were reported in the organic fertilization treatments (STN, SOM, AMF, TSS, TA, lycopene content, L*, a*, b*) and the differences among TP + FM and TP + CM were insignificant in their majority. On the contrary, fruit yield and its components were significantly improved in Urea + NI + UI.

Effects of acute hypoxia exposure and acclimation on the thermal tolerance of an imperiled Canadian minnow.

Elevated water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) are pervasive stressors in aquatic systems that can be exacerbated by climate change and anthropogenic activities, and there is growing interest in their interactive effects. To explore this interaction, we quantified the effects of acute and long-term hypoxia exposure on the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus), a small-bodied freshwater minnow with sparse populations in the Great Lakes Basin of Canada and designated as Endangered under Canada's Species at Risk Act. Fish were held at 18°C and acclimated to four levels of dissolved oxygen (>90%, 60%, 40%, and 20% air saturation). CTmax was measured after 2 and 10 weeks of acclimation and after 3.5 weeks of reoxygenation, and agitation behavior was quantified during CTmax trials. Aquatic surface respiration behavior was also quantified at 14 weeks of acclimation to oxygen treatments. Acute hypoxia exposure decreased CTmax in fish acclimated to normoxia (>90% air saturation), but acclimation to hypoxia reduced this effect. There was no effect of acclimation oxygen level on CTmax when measured in normoxia, and there was no effect of exposure time to hypoxia on CTmax. Residual effects of hypoxia acclimation on CTmax were not seen after reoxygenation. Agitation behavior varied greatly among individuals and was not affected by oxygen conditions. Fish performed aquatic surface respiration with low frequency, but performed it earlier when acclimated to higher levels of oxygen. Overall, this work sheds light on the vulnerability of fish experiencing acute hypoxia and heat waves concurrently.

Elevated Water Oxidation by Cation Leaching Enabled Tunable Surface Reconstruction.

Water electrolysis is one promising and eco-friendly technique for energy storage, yet its overall efficiency is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Therefore, developing strategies to boost OER catalyst performance is crucial. With the advances in characterization techniques, an extensive phenomenon of surface structure evolution into an active amorphous layer was uncovered. Surface reconstruction in a controlled fashion was then proposed as an emerging strategy to elevate water oxidation efficiency. In this work, Cr substitution induces the reconstruction of NiFexCr2-xO4 during cyclic voltammetry (CV) conditioning by Cr leaching, which leads to a superior OER performance. The best-performed NiFe0.25Cr1.75O4 shows a ~1500 % current density promotion at overpotential η=300 mV, which outperforms many advanced NiFe-based OER catalysts. It is also found that their OER activities are mainly determined by Ni : Fe ratio rather than considering the contribution of Cr. Meanwhile, the turnover frequency (TOF) values based on redox peak and total mass were obtained and analysed, and their possible limitations in the case of NiFexCr2-xO4 are discussed. Additionally, the high activity and durability were further verified in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cell, highlighting its potential for practical large-scale and sustainable hydrogen gas generation.

A novel plant growth regulator B2 mediates drought resistance by regulating reactive oxygen species, phytohormone signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and starch metabolism pathways in Carex breviculmis

Drought is one of the most common environmental stressors that severely threatens plant growth, development, and productivity. B2 (2,4-dichloroformamide cyclopropane acid), a novel plant growth regulator, plays an essential role in drought adaptation, significantly enhancing the tolerance of Carex breviculmis seedlings. Its beneficial effects include improved ornamental value, sustained chlorophyll content, increased leaf dry weight, elevated relative water content, and enhanced root activity under drought conditions. B2 also directly scavenges hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion contents while indirectly enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase) to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidative damage. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that B2 activates drought-responsive transcription factors (AP2/ERF-ERF, WRKY, and mTERF), leading to significant upregulation of genes associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (HCT, POD, and COMT). Additionally, these transcription factors were found to suppress the degradation of starch. B2 regulates phytohormone signaling related-genes, leading to an increase in abscisic acid contents in drought-stressed plants. Collectively, these findings offer new insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying C. breviculmis' resistance to drought damage, highlighting the potential application of B2 for future turfgrass establishment and management with enhanced drought tolerance.

Brackish water and organic matter in the substrate for the growth and quality of oiticica seedlings

Oiticica is a forest species endemic to the semi-arid regions of Brazil, where the salinity water has caused reductions in the quality of seedlings, including oiticica. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the proportion of organic matter in the substrate on the growth and quality of oiticica seedlings irrigated with brackish water. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, in a 4 × 2 factorial, with four proportions: organic matter to mineral soil ratios of 0:1, 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 and two irrigation treatments. non-saline (0.5 dS m-1) and brackish water (4.5 dS m-1) water. Biomass characteristics and Dickson Quality Index were evaluated. Elevated irrigation water salinity compromised the biometric growth, dry mass accumulation, and the quality of oiticica seedlings. The addition of organic compound to the substrate is limited to the formation of oiticica seedlings.

GO-based membranes with enhanced stability and permeability by implanting etched-MXene nanosheets: The role of binding energy in stabilizing 2D membranes

Graphene oxide (GO) stands out as a promising choice for the construction of next generation nanofiltration membranes in wastewater purification. Nevertheless, achieving the requisite stability and optimal permeability for effective separation of aqueous molecules and ions poses a formidable challenge for graphene oxide membranes. In this study, a series of GO/etched-MXene membranes with markedly enhanced stability and permeability was fabricated to provide high-level performance. Due to seemly etching process, the optimal GO/etched-MXene membrane featured additional nanochannels for faster mass transfer, consequently evincing a high water permeance of 88.2 ± 3.8 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with an excellent dye/salt separation efficiency (CR/NaCl selectivity = 22.6, CR/Na2SO4 selectivity = 42.0). Noticeably, the introduction of etched-MXene nanosheets demonstrated a pronounced enhancement in stabilizing the GO membrane within aqueous environment. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the binding energy of MXene nanosheets (−7.68 eV) was significantly larger than GO nanosheets (−1.11 eV). According to charge difference density results, compared with GO nanosheets, the electrons transfer in MXene nanosheets was more concentrated. As a result, the specially-designed GO/etched-MXene membranes could maintain a stable separation performance during crossflow filtration, while the pristine GO membrane rapidly cracked. This approach is anticipated to establish a theoretical framework for comprehending the contribution of nanosheet binding energy in stabilizing two-dimensional membranes, fostering synergistic advantages in the advancement of GO membranes characterized by both elevated water permeance and requisite stability in water treatment.

Collagen/Curdlan composite sponge for rapid hemostasis and skin wound healing

Collagen's unique properties promise hemostatic potential, but its sponge form's stability and mechanics need improvement. In this study, we developed a series of homeostatic sponges by co-assembling collagen and curdlan at different ratios into hydrogels, followed by freeze-drying treatment. The incorporation of curdlan into collagen sponges has been found to significantly enhance the sponge's properties, including increased porosity, elevated water uptake, improved elasticity, and enhanced resistance to degradation. In vitro cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays have demonstrated the biocompatibility and nontoxicity of composite sponges. In mouse liver perforation and incision models, the composite sponges achieved rapid coagulation within 67 s and 75 s, respectively, outperforming gauze and gelatin sponge in reducing blood loss. Furthermore, composite sponges demonstrated superior wound healing potential in mice full-thickness skin defects model, with accelerated healing rates observed at days 3, 7, and 14 compared to the control group. Overall, collagen/curdlan composite sponge show promise for hemostasis and wound healing applications.

Soil and unsaturated zone as a long-term source for pesticide metabolites in groundwater

Pesticide metabolites are frequently detected in groundwater, often exceeding the concentrations of their parent pesticides. Ceasing the application of certain pesticides has often not led to the expected decrease in metabolite concentrations in groundwater, which is potentially caused by residues in soil. Whereas pesticide residues in soils are well-documented, there are only few studies about metabolite residues. We investigated if the soil/unsaturated zone can act as a long-term source for metabolites in groundwater by combining soil analysis, groundwater analysis and numerical modelling. The field study focused on the herbicide chloridazon (CLZ) and its frequently detected metabolites desphenyl-chloridazon (DPC) and methyl-desphenyl-chloridazon (MDPC) while in the model additional pesticides and metabolites were considered. In soil samples from an agricultural area, where the last CLZ application was 5 to 10 years ago, we observed 10 times (DPC: 0.22 – 7.4 µg kg−1) and 6 times (MDPC: 0.12 – 3.1 µg kg−1) higher metabolite concentrations compared to CLZ (< 0.050 – 1.0 µg kg−1). Calculations suggested that the majority of the metabolites (DPC: 63 - 96%, MDPC: 74 – 97%) were sorbed despite their lower sorption tendency. The metabolite retention was in particular related to the organic carbon content. The calculated pore water concentrations were highest in the deepest part of the soil profile (75 – 100 cm) with median concentrations of 3.6 and 1.7 µg L−1 for DPC and MDPC, respectively. The groundwater concentrations of DPC and MDPC were 3 to 3.5 times higher in monitoring wells downgradient from the agricultural zone than upgradient of it. This increase highlights the potential of soil and unsaturated zone as a long-term metabolite source after the application stop of pesticides, consistent with the calculated elevated pore water concentrations. Numerical flow and transport model simulations suggested that this input from soil and unsaturated zone can cause elevated metabolite concentrations (> 0.1 µg L−1) in groundwater over more than one decade. The study highlights that soil and unsaturated zone can act as a long-term source of pesticide metabolites even if they have much higher mobility than the parent compound.

Blast mitigation of elevated water tanks equipped with resilient fluid viscous dampers

Blast mitigation of elevated water tanks equipped with resilient fluid viscous dampers

System identification based appraisal of soil structure interaction in elevated water tank for various reservoir conditions

System identification based appraisal of soil structure interaction in elevated water tank for various reservoir conditions

Development of a composite MoS2/PEI nanofiltration membrane for radionuclides efficient removal from aquatic environments

The simultaneously efficient removal of radionuclides and heavy metals is an important and challenging topic for aquatic environmental protection. In this work, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with heavy metal ion adsorption capacity and positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used to fabricate a novel layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly composite membrane by a simple alternating immersion method. The unique structure with positive charge ensures high removal for toxic metals (RCs(I) = 99.83 %, RSr(II) = 100 %, RHg(II) = 99.2 %, RPb(II) = 98.13 %, RAs(III) = 98.5 %). The inherent low resistance channels in MoS2 provided the optimized composite membrane an elevated water flux. Long-term experiments and membrane regeneration also demonstrated that the membrane possesses exceptional stability and reusability in removing low levels of radionuclides Cs(I) and Sr(II) from water. This study confirms the feasibility of the MoS2-PEI composite membrane for the treatment of contaminated waters containing radionuclides and heavy metals.

Behavior of stressed skin corrugated sheet under hydrostatic loads

Water storage in buildings is an integral part of water supply, which can be used for firefighting and drinking. It can be divided into three categories: elevated, rooftop, and underground water tanks. This paper presents a novel water storage system consisting of thin-walled corrugated steel sheets, which can be installed in a multi-story building on any floor. Compared with a reinforced concrete tank, the integrated steel water tank can be fabricated and installed much faster and store freshwater more easily. To develop the system, a finite element model is developed, which is validated using the on-site measurements. Next, the model is used to conduct a parametric study to evaluate the effects of boundary conditions, panel depth, sheet thickness, trough-to-crest width ratio, and corrugation angle on the behavior of integrated steel water tanks. The model is further used to evaluate the water tank subjected to lateral diaphragm loads and report the tank stiffness under combined loads. Finally, an implementation guide for the steel tank is presented, showing the supporting system, vacuum and magnetic handling of steel panels, robotic welding techniques, and delivery. It can be concluded that the paneled steel tank can be an efficient solution for water storage inside buildings.

Analysis of the mechanical effects and influencing factors of cut-fill interface within loess subgrade

Cut-fill interfaces within the loess subgrade tend to form potential failure surfaces, controlling the mechanical properties of cut-fill engineering. Focusing on the cut-fill interface, extensive laboratory tests in this research show the performance of interfacial mechanical properties under various test conditions, revealing interface effects and exploring the impact of different factors on these effects. The results indicate that the interface strengthens the friction angle of soil but weakens cohesion, especially impacting the cohesion, thereby reducing the shear strength of soil. The increase in dry density diminishes the enhancement effect on friction angle caused by the interface while amplifying the degradation effect on cohesion. Elevated water content has a weak influence on the enhancement effect of friction angle but diminishes the degradation effect of cohesion. Load doesn't change the impact of dry density on the interface effect but amplifies the impact of water content. The impact of various factors on interfacial shear strength manifests as follows: load > average dry density > water content. The interaction among these factors demonstrates average dry density + load > water content + load > average dry density + water content. The study indicates that the construction of loess subgrades based on the standard of maximum dry density and optimum water content may not align with the conditions required for achieving optimal stability at the cut-fill interface. These research findings reveal the crucial role of various factors in comprehensive impact of interfacial effect, offering essential support for ensuring the stability of cut-fill interfaces.

Vegan gummy candies with low calorie based on celery (Apium graveolens) puree and boswellia gum (Boswellia thurifera).

Gummy candy is one of the main snacks for children, and conventional samples with high calorie illustrate no nutritional value; therefore, the aim of present research was to develop functional product on priority. Celery (Apium graveolens) puree (25%-50%), boswellia gum (10%-20%), lemon essential oil (0.25%-0.50%), and sugar (10%-20%) in two levels were considered for vegan gummy candy production. Based on central composite design, the 30 types of gummy candies were prepared; afterward, response surface methodology was applied to optimize results determined by texture (hardness, springiness, adhesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and elasticity characteristics), physicochemical attributes (pH, sugar content, water activity, antioxidant function, and calorie restriction), and also sensory evaluation. In general, elevated concentration of celery puree and boswellia gum-enhanced hardness, chewiness, and also gumminess for treated products. On the other hand, higher sugar with lemon essential oil improved adhesion, springiness, and elasticity features. More boswellia gum, celery, lemon essential oil, and reduction in sugar elevated water activity and also declined pH for treated samples. The celery puree, boswellia gum, and lemon essential oil significantly enhanced antioxidant function of treated gummy candies. According to attained results, sugar had a remarkable influence on acceptability and in treated samples calorie decreased. Based on all investigated factors, optimal formulation was achieved including 25% celery puree, 20% boswellia gum, 0.450% lemon essential oil, and 13.55% sugar. Regarding the results, obtained gummy candy with high nutritional value and low calorie demonstrated the potential to produce extensively in food sector.