Process For Recovery Research Articles

System analysis with life cycle assessment for NiMH battery recycling.

The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery technology has been designed for use in electric vehicles, solar-powered applications and power tools. These batteries contain the critical and strategic raw materials cobalt, nickel and several rare earth elements (REE). When designing a battery recycling process, there are several choices to be made regarding end-products and process chemicals. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the environmental and economic sustainability of different recycling options for NiMH batteries by taking projected market developments into consideration and by applying life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methods. The comparative study is limited to recovery of the REEs. Two hydrometallurgical processes for recovery of the REEs from the anode material are compared with extraction of REEs from primary sources in China. The processes compared are a high-temperature sulfation roasting process and a process based on hydrochloric acid leaching followed by precipitation of REE oxalates. By comparing the different recycling approaches, the hydrochloric acid process performs best. However, the use of oxalic acid has a large impact on the overall sustainability footprint. For the sulfation roasting process, the energy, sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid consumption contribute most to the total environmental footprint. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Sustainable metals: science and systems'.

Huff-n-Puff Process for Enhancement Heavy Oil Recovery for the Tertiary Reservoir in the Qaiyarah Oil Field Northern Iraq

Huff-n-Puff Process for Enhancement Heavy Oil Recovery for the Tertiary Reservoir in the Qaiyarah Oil Field Northern Iraq

Optimization of extraction for efficient recovery of kenaf seed protein isolates: evaluation of physicochemical and techno-functional characteristics.

Kenaf seeds are a rich source of protein; however, finding the best extraction method is crucial to obtaining high-quality protein from these underutilized seeds. This research devised an optimized extraction process for best recovery of kenaf seeds protein using response surface methodology. The key parameters affecting the yield and protein content were optimized, including extraction pH (2-11), seed:water ratio (5:1-50:1), temperature (30-90 °C), and duration (20-360 min). The physicochemical and techno-functional properties of kenaf seed protein isolates (KSPIs) were examined. A maximum protein yield of 12.05 g/100 g with purity level 91.94 g/100 g was obtained using an optimized extraction with pH 11.0, seed:water ratio 50:1, 360 min duration, and temperature 50 °C. The oil and water retention capacities of KSPI were 1.14 mL g-1 and 1.37 mL g-1 respectively. After 30 min at pH 7, KSPIs demonstrated remarkable emulsion capacity (83.12%) and stability (75.63%), along with high foaming capacity (106%) and stability (18.3%). As per high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, arginine, glutamic acid, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine were the most abundant amino acids detected in KPSIs. The KSPIs' globular protein structure was successfully verified using analytical approaches, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, protein fraction ratios, and differential scanning calorimetry. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that KPSI has a molecular weight distribution ranging from 10 kDa to 50 kDa. The results of this study support the application of the proposed response-surface-methodology-optimized extraction method for efficient recovery of high-quality kenaf seed proteins that meet the necessary physicochemical and techno-functional requirements. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Kinetic control aspects and mechanisms in oriented membrane processes for extraction and recovery of ascorbic acid compound.

Ascorbic acid comprises four enantiomers, with only one of them, L-ascorbic acid, recognized as vitamin C. The modern industries place significant importance on obtaining this compound in its purest form. The challenge is to recover L-ascorbic acid, which requires specific processes within these industries. To satisfy this condition, purification is needed, a process that requires large quantities of solvents and high energy consumption. To overcome these limitations, we conducted a study on the facilitated extraction of L-ascorbic acid using three affinity polymer membranes, including supported liquid membrane (SLM), polymer inclusion membrane (PIM), and grafted polymer membranes (GPM) with cholic acid as the extractive agent. Following the characterization of the membranes using IR spectroscopy and SEM techniques, we investigated various parameters associated with substrate diffusion through the organic membrane phase. Regarding the biologically active L-ascorbic acid, our research findings indicated that kinetic factors drove the mechanisms of the studied processes.

Sustainability and Technoeconomic Assessment of Polygeneration Process for LNG Cold Recovery

AbstractLiquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminals have specification that necessitates adjustment of heating value of LNG feed. One strategy to reduce heating value is to separate heavier hydrocarbons from LNG by utilizing LNG cold energy. The amount of cold energy utilized in recovering heavy hydrocarbon is much less resulting in wastage of remaining cold energy. To reverse this wastage, we propose a polygeneration process that encompasses an organic Rankine cycle to generate electricity and refrigeration for cold storage warehouse cooling and data center cooling by utilizing remaining cold energy. Based on process simulation and optimization, we found that a significant amount of cold energy is utilized resulting in an avoided CO2 emission, thereby enhancing sustainability of an LNG regasification terminal.

Tomato Waste as a Sustainable Source of Antioxidants and Pectins: Processing, Pretreatment and Extraction Challenges

Tomato processing waste (TPW), a byproduct of the tomato processing industry, is generated in significant quantities globally, presenting a challenge for sustainable waste management. While traditionally used as animal feed or fertilizer, TPW is increasingly recognized for its potential as a valuable raw material due to its high content of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and pectin. These compounds have significant health benefits and are in growing demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Despite this potential, the broader industrial utilization of TPW remains limited. This review explores the influence of various processing, pretreatment and extraction methods on the concentration and stability of the bioactive compounds found in TPW. By analyzing the effects of these methodologies, we provide insights into optimizing processes for maximum recovery and sustainable utilization of TPW. Additionally, we address the major challenges in scaling up these processes for industrial application, including the assessment of their ecological footprint through life cycle analysis (LCA). This comprehensive approach aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial implementation, facilitating the valorization of TPW in line with circular economy principles.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Synthesis of Lead Citrate as Precursor for Preparation of Lead Oxide from Lead Sulfate

ABSTRACT In this study, an efficient method of lead recovery from lead sulfate in spent lead-acid batteries assisted by ultrasonic is developed using the citric acid–sodium citrate solution. Ultrasonic-assisted technology is employed to enhance the kinetics of lead sulfate leaching. Initially, the predominance area of the lead citrate complexes was analyzed. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic-assisted technology on the kinetic behavior of lead sulfate within the citric acid–sodium citrate solution, thereby unveiling the differences between ultrasonic-assisted leaching and the non-ultrasonic-assisted leaching. Kinetic study indicated that the employment of ultrasonic-assisted technology could effectively reduce the apparent activation energy during the desulfurization process, decreasing the energy initially required from 43.27 kJ/mol to 35.15 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the ultrasonic-assisted leaching led to successful preparation of lead citrate precursor, characterized by a smaller particle size and larger specific surface area. Systematic investigations were performed on the thermal decomposition process of these precursors and the effects of calcination temperature and holding time on the properties of calcination products. It was revealed that pure porous lead oxide powder with a purity of 99.9% could be produced successfully under the conditions of calcination temperature at 350°C and holding time of 1 h. The research provides an innovative process for the efficient recovery of lead from spent lead acid batteries.

A novel extraction process for efficient recovery of rare earth elements from the leaching liquor of ion-adsorption type rare earth ore using unsaponified N, N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-diglycolamic acid

There are still challenges in the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from leaching liquor of ion-adsorption type rare earth ore. In this paper, unsaponified N, N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-diglycolamic acid (HDEHDGA) was used to develop a green extraction process for efficient separation and enrichment of REEs. The cation exchange mechanism of RE(III) extraction was proposed by slope analysis and FT-IR spectra. HDEHDGA exhibited excellent extraction performances, such as short equilibrium time, high selectivity towards RE(III) and easy stripping by 0.5 mol/L HCl solution. REEs was enriched from 287.5 mg/L to 63.30 g/L by five-stage counter-current extraction and three-stage counter-current stripping using unsaponified HDEHDGA. The enrichment factor reached 220, and the proportion of REEs was increased from 80.76 wt% to 98.82 %. The loss of REEs was controlled below 2.14 wt%. This extraction strategy helps to improve the REEs recovery and avoid ammonia–nitrogen wastewater, which demonstrates its application potential in the ion-adsorption type rare earth ore.

Drying Kinetics and Sorption Isotherms of Biocomposite Materials: Experimental Investigation and Modeling Analysis.

Modern materials science has made significant progress in creating new materials and processes for waste recovery. One such advancement involves the development of a new porous composite material made from clay and an environmentally sustainable eggshell powder. In this study, the dynamic behavior of water vapor during desorption and adsorption processes within this composite material was investigated. The moisture diffusivity coefficient was determined within the clay/eggshell powder composite material. The drying kinetic data were analyzed using various models such as Newton, Page, and Wan and Singh. The static gravimetric vapor adsorption/desorption experiments were conducted at different temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C) to depict the material's capacity for absorbing and releasing moisture over time. The experimental isotherm data were fitted using different mathematical models (Guggenheim, Anderson, and De Boer, Peleg, Adam and Shove, Oswin, and Modified Henderson). The findings suggest that integrating eggshell powder with clay can significantly influence the behavior and characteristics of the resultant material. The combination of eggshell powder and clay reduces moisture sorption and accelerates the drying process. Consequently, this affects the porosity, permeability, and response to humidity changes.

Application of non-acid stripping solution in hydrophobic membrane process for high-purity ammonia recovery from high-strength ammonium wastewater

Recently, resource recovery from wastewater has been in the spotlight due to climate change and the energy crisis. Ammonia has significant value as a resource that serves as fertilizer or eco-friendly fuel, with a market value ranging from $0.4 to $1.0 per kg-N. In the membrane contactor (MC) process, an acid stripping solution such as H2SO4 is generally used for high ammonia recovery efficiency. However, the ammonia-recovered stripping solution often has limited applications as fertilizer due to the presence of anions, necessitating costly downstream processes like electrochemical treatments to separate ammonia from these contaminants. This study introduces a novel approach that dynamically compares various stripping solutions to reduce chemical consumption while achieving high-purity ammonia recovery. Notably, the recovered ammonia from the membrane contactor showed no detectable levels of nitrate, other ions, or organic carbon, all without the use of acidic solutions. Furthermore, the benefit-cost ratio of 1.42, derived from the dynamic comparison, highlights the cost-effectiveness and demonstrates the practicality of this method compared to traditional acidic stripping approaches.This innovative comparison underscores the membrane contactor system’s ability to recover high-purity ammonia, presenting a sustainable and economically viable solution for ammonia recovery in wastewater treatment. It achieves this without the need for additional chemical agents or expensive downstream processes, offering a more efficient alternative to conventional methods.

Recovery of Whey Protein by Using Microfiltration: Artificial Neural Network–Based Modeling and Effects of Different Operating Parameters

ABSTRACTMicrofiltration is one of the most suitable processes for protein recovery from whey due to its low energy consumption and lack of use of heat and chemicals. However, membrane fouling is one of the limiting factors in the microfiltration process, preventing its commercial use. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) based model was employed to study the effects of different operating parameters on membrane fouling in whey concentration. Trans‐membrane pressure, Reynolds number, and feed temperature were selected as the input parameters. Experimental data from the available studies were used to train the ANN. The ANN with 23 neurons gave a minimum mean squared error (MSE) for trans‐membrane pressure and Reynolds number. The ANN with seven neurons gave the minimum MSE for feed temperature. The predicted values from both ANNs well fitted with the experimental results with R2 < 0.99. Simulations showed that membrane fouling increased as flux reduction increased from 36.3% to 76.39% when trans‐membrane pressure increased from 0.5 to 2 bar. In contrast, a 19.96% reduction in flux was observed by increasing the Reynolds number from 750 to 2500. An increment of 77.37% of flux reduction was observed with increasing feed temperature from 30°C to 40°C. Simulations confirmed that transmembrane pressure, Reynolds number, and feed temperature strongly influence membrane fouling. An ANN‐based approach was the most accurate method to model membrane fouling for whey protein separation.

Development of an ion exchange process for ammonium removal and recovery from municipal wastewater using a metakaolin K-based geopolymer

Ion exchange represents a promising process for ammonium removal from municipal wastewater (MWW), in order to recover it for fertilizer production. Previous studies on ammonium ion exchange neglected the assessment of process robustness and the optimization the desorption/recovery step. This study aimed at developing a continuous-flow process of ammonium removal/recovery based on a metakaolin K-based geopolymer, named G13. Process robustness was assessed by operating 7 adsorption/desorption cycles with two types of MWW. These tests resulted in satisfactory and constant performances: operating capacity at 40 mgN L-1 in the inlet = 12 mgN gdry sorbent-1, bed volumes of treated MWW at the selected breakpoint = 199 - 226, ammonium adsorption yield = 88 - 91%. Empty bed contact time (EBCT) was decreased from 10 to 5 minutes without any reduction in performances. The NH4+ adsorption process was effectively simulated by the Thomas model, allowing a model-based assessment of the effect of EBCT reductions on process performances. An innovative desorption procedure led to high ammonium recovery yields (86 - 100%) and to a desorbed product composed primarily of KNO3 (54%w) and NH4NO3 (39%w), two salts largely used in commercial fertilizers. The energy consumption of ammonium removal/recovery with G13 resulted 0.027 kWh m-3treated WW, with a relevant reduction in comparison to traditional nitrification/denitrification, whereas the operational cost resulted equal to 60-110% of the cost of the benchmark process. These results show that G13 is a promising material to recover ammonium in a circular economy approach.

Moderate strategy for efficient recovery of rare earth elements from scintillation crystal waste

The lutetium has been known to be used in medical imaging materials, but its scarcity in the Earth’s crust makes it expensive. In this work, we present a process for efficient lutetium recovery from the lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate crystals (LYSO) waste. The process involves preliminary mechanical activation, followed by rare earth extraction via acid leaching. The key factors for activation and leaching were studied and optimized. The mechanism of mechanical activation promoting rare earth leaching was revealed by employing the characterizations of morphology and crystal structure of LYSO. It was found that the mechanical activation process could destroy the crystal structure of LYSO waste, forming numerous amorphous phases and grain boundaries, which facilitated the breaking of existing bonds and mass transfer of acid. It was also discovered that the formation of silica gel during leaching impedes the leaching of rare earth, and low concentrations of hydrochloric acid, combined with stirring during acid leaching, could reduce the impact of silica gel. Ultimately, following a mechanical activation pretreatment at 300 rpm for 90 min, 98.7 % of lutetium could be leached after 60 min of acid leaching in 3 mol/L hydrochloric acid. This process addresses the problems associated with high energy consumption and excessive usage of acidic and alkaline reagents in conventional recycling techniques. Compared to conventional methods, the mechanical activation-acid leaching method has a minimum economic benefit improvement of 20.8 % in the process of recovery from LYSO waste. It offers an alternative and more energy-efficient and economical recycling route for waste scintillation crystals.

Utilization and optimization of a sustainable environmental process for simultaneous recovery of H3BO3 and NaOH from tincal

Utilization and optimization of a sustainable environmental process for simultaneous recovery of H3BO3 and NaOH from tincal

Ammonia recovery from real biogas slurry in the up-scaled Donnan Dialysis-Osmotic Distillation membrane-based system: Performance and potentials

Recovering ammonia from wastewater is crucial for building a circular economy and achieving carbon neutrality. Some innovative ammonia recovery technologies have shown great potential yet lacking theoretical guidance for up-scaling from laboratory to practical applications. Based on our previously-proposed Donnan dialysis-osmotic distillation (DD-OD) hybrid process for selective ammonia recovery at nearly zero energy input, two challenges as modelling/prediction and product application were solved in this study. Under the guide of the tailor-made mass transfer model, a reasonable design of the reactor and operating parameters was fixed, whose performance in recovering ammonia from real biogas slurry and the feasibility of the recovered product as irrigation water was then investigated. The up-scaled DD-OD reactor achieved efficient and stable ammonia removal and recovery (∼75 % and ∼ 65 %, respectively) and excellent impurity retention efficiency (∼95 %) in 360 h continuous run. Impurities deposited on the cation-exchange membrane did not affect ammonium transfer and were effectively removed by water washing, and no fouling was found for the hydrophobic membrane, highlighting its long-term capability for ammonia recovery. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of the process was analyzed, which could be greatly improved given the future improved membrane materials. A proper dilution of the recovered product for irrigating cabbage and radish promoted plant growth, recycled product containing a moderate ammonia concentration (136 mg/L) was highlighted and well-rounded, multi-element nutrient profile was recommended. The above results provide theoretical guidance for the scaling-up of ammonia recovery module and a reference basis for the application of recycled products in agricultural irrigation.

Modeling and forecasting biogas production from anaerobic digestion process for sustainable resource energy recovery

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most extensively accepted processes for organic waste cleanup, and production of both bioenergy and organic fertilizer. Numerous mathematical models have been conceived for modeling the anaerobic process.In this study, a new modified dynamic mathematical model for the simulation of the biochemical and physicochemical processes involved in the AD process for biogas production was proposed. The model was validated, and a sensitivity analysis based on the OAT approach (one-at-a-time) was carried out as a screening technique to identify the most sensitive parameters. The model was developed by updating the bio-chemical framework and including more details concerning the physico-chemical process. The fraction XP was incorporated into the model as a particulate inert product arising from biomass decay (inoculum). New components were included to distinguish between the substrate and inoculum, and a surface-based kinetics was used to model the substrate disintegration. Additionally, the sulfate reduction process and hydrogen sulfide production have been included. The model was validated using data extracted from the literature. The model's ability to generate accurate predictions was testified using statistical metrics. The model exhibited excellent performance in forecasting the parameters related to the biogas process, with measurements falling within a reasonable error margin. The relative absolute error (rAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were both less than 5 %, indicating a high ability of the current model in comparison with the literature. Additionally, the scatter index (SI) was below 10 %, and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NES) approached one, which affirms the model's accuracy and reliability. Finally, the model was applied to investigate the performances of the AD of food waste (FW). The findings of this study support the robustness of the developed model and its applicability as a virtual platform to evaluate the efficiency of the AD treatment and to forecast biogas production and its quality, CO2 emission, and energy potential across various organic solid waste types.

Advanced membrane contactor coupled with electrodialysis metathesis for efficient carbon dioxide capture and waste salt remediation

Rapid development of society has led to significant increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, primarily driven by intensified industrial activities and urbanization. Capture and utilization of CO2 not only mitigate greenhouse gas emissions but also support the transition towards a circular economy by recycling CO2 into high-value products. This study proposed a membrane contactor and electrodialysis metathesis (MC-EDM) for CO2 capture, NH4HCO3 generation, and NaHCO3 conversion. The MC facilitated the selective capture of CO2 from gas streams. Concurrently, EDM enhanced the NaHCO3/NH4Cl conversion from NH4HCO3/NaCl through selective ion transport mechanisms. The key influencing factors (e.g., gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and ammonia concentration) for the MC process were optimized to achieve 1.014 mol/L NH4HCO3 concentration with 88.73 % yield and 78.94 % CO2 removal efficiency. Moreover, the parameters (e.g., solid-liquid ratio, membrane type, operating voltage, and salt component ratio) for the EDM process were optimized to achieve NaHCO3 with a 90.9 % yield and 97.80 % purity. Economic analysis indicated the overall process for NaHCO3 recovery was approximately 0.3267 $/kg. The cyclic experiments demonstrated the stability of MC-EDM for high-value NaHCO3 recovery. Thus, the MC-EDM pathways contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes while promoting resource efficiency and economic sustainability.

Advanced Vermicomposting Modality: Microbial Acceleration to Improve Micronutrient Profile of Agricultural Residue Derived Compost

Advancing circular economies and self-reliant agricultural systems will critically depend on innovative strategies to optimize resource utilization and agro-waste recycling for the sustainability of food production. The present study is focused on the potential of vermitechnology with diverse substrate compositions in bioconverting lignocellulosic agricultural residues into nutrient-rich amendments. Trials of vermicomposting were carried out exploiting Eudrilus eugeniae and a fungal decomposer consortium, Pusa Decomposer. Treatments included T1: Gliricidia sepium leaves (GL), T2: Banana pseudostem (BP), T3: Rice straw (RS), T4: Rice husk (RH), T5 (RS + BP – 8:1 w/w), T6 (RH + BP - 8:1 w/w), T7 (RH + RS + BP – 4:4:1 w/w) and T8 (RH + RS + BP + GL – 4:4:0.5:0.5 w/w) with 3 replications in CRD. T2 expressed peak Mn, Zn and Cu values at 418.40 mg kg-1, 247.50 mg kg-1 and 55.12 mg kg-1, respectively. T3 reported summit Fe and B at 8669.50 mg kg-1 and 37.00 mg kg-1, respectively. It was found that the combination of RS and BP reported excellent nutrient solubilization and enhanced EC, which ratiocinates the role of substrate mix in determining vermicompost quality. These findings emphasize the importance of substrate selection and microbial augmentation with fungal decomposer consortia such as Pusa decomposer, which optimize the vermicomposting process for nutrient recovery and improved soil health.

The Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Sleep Quality in Youth of GMIM “Eben Haezar” Kaaten Congregation

Sleep is a vital process for human recovery, occurring predominantly during rest. High-quality sleep is essential for the recovery process, helping to alleviate excessive fatigue, while poor sleep quality can lead to reduced immunity. One significant issue affecting young people today is sleep quality, which is influenced by various factors, including smartphone use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality among the youth of the GMIM "Eben Haezar" Kaaten. Conducted in August 2024, this cross-sectional study included all 173 youth registered in the GMIM Youth SIT, with a research sample consisting of 63 respondents. The study variables were smartphone addiction and sleep quality, analyzed using univariate and bivariate methods. Results showed that 36 respondents (57.1%) experienced a high level of smartphone addiction, while 28 respondents (44.4%) reported poor sleep quality. The study concluded a significant relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality, with a p-value of 0.010 and a significance level of α = 0.05.

Monetizing and selection of sustainable tannery sludge-to-energy technology using a simulation-based novel integrated MCDM model along with life cycle Techno-Economic-ESG analysis

Tannery sludge (TS) is a harmful, hazardous byproduct of the leather processing industry. This industrial solid waste generally undergoes uncontrolled landfilling and pollutes the surrounding environment, including water, air, and soil. Thus, to protect the environment and promote sustainable development goals (SDGs), an innovative TS valorization process design is urgently necessary. Nonetheless, the previous literature mainly focused on the physicochemical characteristics of TS and entirely ignored developing innovative processes for energy recovery. Further, there is a lack of study on developing life cycle techno-economic, environmental, social, and governance (T-E-ESG) frameworks for the TS-to-energy recovery scheme selection in an uncertain environment. To address these gaps, this study, for the first time, develops a simulation-based data-driven life cycle T-E-ESG framework for assessing TS-to-energy recovery schemes. A comprehensive fuzzy Delphi and hybrid weighting method (fuzzy-based best-worst method and level-based weight assessment) integrated with the fuzzy Bonferroni combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) model are proposed for evaluating TS-to-energy recovery schemes based on the T-E-ESG framework. The extended literature review identified thirty T-E-ESG factors, further verified using the fuzzy Delphi technique. The findings of the hybrid weighting method confirmed that the two most important factors are ‘Revenue per day with subsidy’ and ‘Energy efficiency’. The fuzzy Bonferroni CoCoSo analysis indicated ‘TS to power generation with carbon capture’ as the optimal solution for TS valorization as it received the highest relative significance score value of 2.2655, which ensured its’ suitability for real-time implication. The study findings may be used as a benchmark for the policymakers to establish optimal TS-to-energy recovery plant in developing countries.