Reuse Process Research Articles

The effects of headspace volume reactor on the microbial community structure during fermentation processes for volatile fatty acid production.

The transition from traditional wastewater treatment plants to biorefineries represents an environmentally and economically sustainable approach to extracting valuable compounds from waste. Sewage sludge produced from wastewater treatment is incinerated or disposed of in specific landfills. Repurposing this waste material to recover valuable resources could help lower disposal costs and reduce environmental impact by producing other beneficial polymers. Microorganisms present in the sewage sludge can ferment organic pollutants, producing volatile fatty acids (VFA), precursors for biopolymers that could be used as an alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. To boost VFA production during sewage sludge fermentation, it is necessary to understand the operating microbial community and its metabolic capacities in anaerobic conditions. This study presents the influence of the headspace volume on the microbial community and the VFA production to define the best operational parameters in a 225 L pilot plant fermenter. The wasted sewage sludge was withdrawn from an oxic-settling-anaerobic plant that collected wastewater from the canteen and dormitory of the UNIPA Campus (Palermo University, Italy) and incubated using a 40% and a 60% headspace volume. The microbial community was analysed before and after the fermentation process through metataxonomic analysis, and VFA yields were determined by gas chromatography analysis. Our results showed that the 40% headspace volume induced a tenfold higher VFA production than the 60% headspace volume, modulating the microbial community's efforts to establish a VFA-producing factory. Notably, at 40% headspace, the relative abundance of bacteria, like Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi, significantly increased, as well as the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia decreased during the fermentation process. This result is consistent with the selection of efficient VFA-producing bacteria that lead to increased VFA yields that are not obtained at 60% headspace. Thus, reducing headspace is a promising strategy that can be implemented, even in full-scale plants, to optimise the wastewater reuse process and maximise VFA production to produce bioplastics, like polyhydroxyalkanoate, for the transition from linear wastewater treatment plants to circular biorefineries.

Telemedicine data secure sharing scheme based on heterogeneous federated learning

The forward triage characteristic of telemedicine highlights its importance again in the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine can provide timely emergency response in the case of environmental or biological hazards, and the patient’s medical privacy data generated in this process can also accelerate the establishment of models for preventing and treating infectious diseases. However, the reuse process of telemedicine user privacy data based on federated learning also faces significant challenges. Differences in regions, economic levels, and grades lead to heterogeneous data and resource-constrained environments, seriously damaging the federated learning process. Besides, the weak password authentication of medical terminals and eavesdropping attacks on transmission channels may cause illegal access to terminals and platforms and leakage of sensitive data. This paper proposed a telemedicine data secure-sharing scheme based on heterogeneous federated learning. Specifically, we proposed a heterogeneous federated learning scheme with model alignment to guide telemedicine practice through the reuse of telemedicine data; in addition, we designed an SM9 threshold identity authentication scheme to guarantee that the patient’s medical privacy data is protected from leakage during the federated learning process. We evaluated our scheme using two third-party medical datasets. The evaluation results indicate that this scheme can still assist the federated learning process in resisting data heterogeneity and resource constraints with almost no performance cost.

Life cycle assessment integrating the effects of recycling and reuse for battery circulation

The increasing electrification of automobiles and introduction of renewable energy facilities have resulted in a high demand for lithium-ion batteries. Recycling and reuse processes could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and resource consumption during the battery life cycle. This paper introduces a method of evaluating CO2 emissions over the life cycle of a one-generation battery without double counting the effects of recycling and reuse. The scope of the calculation includes manufacturing, collection/transportation, storage/diagnosis, reuse, recycling, and material synthesis. Horizontal battery-to-battery recycling was assumed to evaluate the effect of recycling, and the performance and lifespan of reused batteries were considered to be inferior to those of new batteries to evaluate the effects of reuse. Parameter studies using the proposed method quantitatively estimated the effectiveness of an efficient recycling process and the effect of reducing CO2 emissions by facilitating the complete utilization of long-life batteries through reuse. The proposed method is expected to guide the development of technologies for manufacturing, recycling, and reusing batteries to create a society with battery circularity.

Carryover analysis by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in a multiproduct resin reuse context

The reuse of the same chromatography resin to purify multiple products is of high economic and ecologic interest in the pharmaceutical industry. An effective cleaning program to ensure no product carryover from one product to the subsequent is key to enable a multi-product use strategy. The methods utilised to assess product carryover during resin lifetime studies for a given product are not specific enough to detect carryover to support multi-product use. Here the proposed use of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is the analytical method of choice due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. A proof-of-concept study using protein A resin and two distinct IgG product streams produced by CHO cell lines was conducted. The experimental design was developed to determine any carryover from previous products after a multiple product Protein A resin reuse process, using LC-MS and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The capability of LC-MS coupled with bioinformatic analysis to detect carryover where CE with UV detection was not able to detect any carryover was demonstrated. The findings from this approach suggest that the acceptance of chromatographic resin reuse for multiple products will be dependent on the development of analytical/bioinformatics tools such as those proposed in this work.

Feasibility study of electrodialysis as an ammonium reuse process for covering the nitrogen demand of an industrial wastewater treatment plant

Electrodialysis (ED) is a cost-effective membrane technology used is a variety of fields for desalination and concentration. This feasibility study explores the potential of ED as an NH4-N recovery technology from anaerobic digestate liquor (ADL), and the use of the concentrate as a nitrogen source in an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Three neighboring WWTPs were the focus of this study: Two municipal WWTPs A and B, operating anaerobic sludge stabilization, and a pulp & paper WWTP C, utilizing urea as a nitrogen source. Two-stage bench-scale experiments with the municipal ADL from WWTP A and WWTP B were conducted, and performance indicators were determined. A concentration of approximately 10 g NH4-N/L and 15 g NH4-N/L was obtained in stages 1 and 2, respectively. The NH4-N removal was above 85 % in all experiment, while recovery varied between 25 and 95 %. The specific energy consumption (SEC) was on average 12.9 kWh/kg NH4-N. Moreover, mass and energy balances in a model WWTP demonstrated that an ED side-stream treatment for NH4-N removal coupled with microfiltration (MF) pre-treatment results in a net energy gain, also without the added benefit of the ED concentrate as a nitrogen source.

Effects of Powder Reuse and Particle Size Distribution on Structural Integrity of Ti-6Al-4V Processed via Laser Beam Directed Energy Deposition

In metal additive manufacturing, reusing collected powder from previous builds is a standard practice driven by the substantial cost of metal powder. This approach not only reduces material expenses but also contributes to sustainability by minimizing waste. Despite its benefits, powder reuse introduces challenges related to maintaining the structural integrity of the components, making it a critical area of ongoing research and innovation. The reuse process can significantly alter powder characteristics, including flowability, size distribution, and chemical composition, subsequently affecting the microstructures and mechanical properties of the final components. Achieving repeatable and consistent printing outcomes requires powder particles to maintain specific and consistent physical and chemical properties. Variations in powder characteristics can lead to inconsistencies in the microstructural features of printed components and the formation of process-induced defects, compromising the quality and reliability of the final products. Thus, optimizing the powder recovery and reuse methodology is essential to ensure that cost reduction and sustainability benefits do not compromise product quality and reliability. This study investigated the impact of powder reuse and particle size distribution on the microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V specimens fabricated using a laser beam directed energy deposition technique. Detailed evaluations were conducted on reused powders with two different size distributions, which were compared with their virgin counterparts. Microstructural features and process-induced defects were examined using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed tomography. The findings reveal significant alterations in the elemental composition of reused powder, with distinct trends observed for small and large particles. Additionally, powder reuse substantially influenced the formation of process-induced defects and, consequently, the fatigue performance of the components.

Characterization of Wastewater in an Activated Sludge Treatment Plant of the Food Sector

Recently, water has become a resource that generates controversy due to shortage alarms and high consumption by production companies. Making good use of water has become the main objective of government institutions. The food industry generates a large amount of wastewater, concentrating the largest number of contaminants originated in its processes. Wastewater from the food industry is characterized by having a large amount of organic matter, especially fats and oils, as well as suspended solids. The objective of this research is to carry out a characterization of effluents generated in a wastewater treatment plant in the food sector based on Mexican and international regulations to determine whether it is reusable. This article addresses Mexico’s lag in the reuse of treated wastewater in the face of the water crisis, highlighting the urgency of adopting these practices to mitigate water scarcity. For the development of this investigation, samples were collected at the discharge point produced by the company’s effluents, followed by an evaluation of their physical, chemical, and biological parameters, and finally, it was determined that the effluent follows the regulatory standards for discharge into the city sewer but outside the range for reuse in productive processes or irrigation of green areas.

Bridging theory and practice: Stakeholder insights on circular economy in the building life cycle

The world strives for sustainable development to minimize environmental impact and resource consumption, where circular economy (CE) is emerging as a promising approach to address environmental, economic and social challenges associated with the Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) industry. This study focuses on the implementation of circular economy principles in the End-of-Life (EoL) phase of existing buildings, aiming to identify gaps between theory and practice, specifically for reuse and recycle processes in AEC. The focal point are business models, processes and the regulatory framework in Austria. The research methodology employs semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders involved in activities within the EoL value chain, including architects, contractors, material suppliers, waste management organizations, demolition companies and regulatory authorities. Based on a literature review which addresses seminal issues for the implementation of CE in the building life cycle, this study compares findings from 12 interviews and the results from literature research, identifying gaps between theory and practice, with recommendations for a path forward.

Bacterial Cellulose-Derived Sorbents for Cr (VI) Remediation: Adsorption, Elution, and Reuse.

The search for adsorbents that are non-toxic and low cost with a high adsorption capacity and excellent recyclability is a priority to determine the way to reduce the serious environmental impacts caused by the discharge of effluents loaded with heavy metals. Bacterial cellulose (BC) biomass has functional groups such as hydroxyl and carbonyl groups that play a crucial role in making this cellulose so efficient at removing contaminants present in water through cation exchange. This research aims to develop an experimental process for the adsorption, elution, and reuse of bacterial cellulose biomass in treating water contaminated with Cr (VI). SEM images and the kinetics behavior were analyzed with pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order models together with isothermal analysis after each elution and reuse process. The adsorption behavior was in excellent agreement with the Langmuir model along with its elution and reuse; the adsorption capacity was up to 225 mg/g, adding all the elution processes. This study presents a novel approach to the preparation of biomass capable of retaining Cr (VI) with an excellent adsorption capacity and high stability. This method eliminates the need for chemical agents, which would otherwise be difficult to implement due to their costs. The viability of this approach for the field of industrial wastewater treatment is demonstrated.

Triple strategies for process salt reduction in industrial wastewater treatment: The case of coking wastewater

Human activities introduce nutrient elements into wastewater, yet the saline byproducts from treatment are poorly managed. Selecting a low-salt process, without compromising treatment efficacy, is essential for reaching the zero-discharge goal in water treatment. Based on the engineering treatment process of coking wastewater, the source and reduction strategy of salts were studied. The results showed that 73.21 % of the residual salt originated from raw coal, 10.87 % from raw water, and 15.92 % from chemicals, respectively. Triple strategies for process salt reduction (PSR): load salt reduction, technology salt reduction and cyclic salt reduction can bring 0.411 mS/cm·m3, 0.217 mS/cm·m3 and −0.070 mS/cm·m3 salt reduction, and also bring 1.455 CNY/m3, 0.836 CNY/m3 and 0.360 CNY/m3 net present value, respectively. Meanwhile, PSR is also a low-carbon strategy, which will bring about carbon emission reduction of 1.6948 kg CO2-eq/m3, 0.4898 kg CO2-eq/m3 and 1.4082 kg CO2-eq/m3 respectively. The Resource/Carbon source Management-Oxic − Hydrolytic & Denitrification − Oxic (A-OHO) process, incorporating PSR, cuts costs by 27.83–31.66 % and carbon emissions by 18.68–19.54 % compared to conventional wastewater treatment methods. It can be predicted that the PSR in the standard treatment stage can provide a guarantee for the subsequent water reuse and desalination process to reduce project investment and operating costs, and at the same time benefit the macro environment from the aspects of carbon emission reduction and sludge reduction.

A Treatment for Rice Straw and Its Use for Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Feeding: Effect on Insect Performance and Diet Digestibility.

The development of reuse processes for plant by-products for both animal and human food offers numerous possibilities for quality-of-life improvements that align with a circular economy model. For this reason, we divided this study into two experiments. First, we designed a combined treatment consisting of laccase, ultrasound, and ascorbic acid to hydrolyze rice straw plant fibers and used the resulting feed as the basis for T. molitor diets. Second, we formulated diets with different inclusion levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of rice straw and treated rice straw to assess their impact on larvae growth and diet digestibility. For each treatment, six replicates were employed: four for the growth-performance-digestibility trial and two for complementary uric acid determination tests. The combined laccase enzyme, ultrasound, and ascorbic acid treatment hydrolyzed 13.2% of the vegetable fibers. The diets containing treated rice straw resulted in higher larvae weight and a better feed conversion ratio; however, reaching 100% by-product inclusion values led to similar results between both diets. In conclusion, these treatments improve the potential of low-nutritional-value vegetable by-products as part of a T. molitor diet, opening the possibility of new methodologies for the use of recalcitrant vegetable by-products for insect rearing.

Self-driven photochemical exfoliation of Fe-coordinated covalent organic frameworks for enhanced solar hydrogen production

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have great potential in solar hydrogen production to alleviate environmental pollution and global energy crisis. However, to achieve high H2 yield is still a challenge. Herein, we designed and synthesized two Fe3+-coordinated imine type COFs (Fe-COFs) for photocatalytic H2 production from water splitting. It was surprising to find that with the progress of H2 evolution under visible light, the bulk powders of Fe-COFs (180–250 nm) were gradually stripped into covalent organic nanosheets (Fe-CONs, 0.3–1.9 nm), which in turn efficiently catalyzed H2 production. As such, a self-driven mechanism was established in the catalytic system, and H2 evolution rate increased with the increase of cyclic runs until the thickness of the nanosheet no longer changes in the regeneration and reuse process of the Fe-CON photocatalysts. The optimal Fe-CON catalyst exhibited a record high H2 evolution rate of 67.94 mmol g−1h−1 among the currently reported COFs loaded with other non-noble metals, due to the more exposed active sites, smaller charge-transfer resistance, and stronger separation ability of the photogenerated electrons and holes of Fe-CONs. This work provides the first example for the integration of self-driven photochemical exfoliation of 2D materials and their highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Analysis of Physical Properties of Coarse Aggregates Recovered from Demolished Concrete with a Two-Stage Water Jigs Process for Reuse as Aggregates in Concrete

Analysis of Physical Properties of Coarse Aggregates Recovered from Demolished Concrete with a Two-Stage Water Jigs Process for Reuse as Aggregates in Concrete

On determining structural wall layout during the adaptive reuse process of historic masonry buildings

Defining modifications to a building’s layout during the adaptive reuse of historic masonry buildings can be challenging since the existing structural grid constrains the transformations to be performed. This paper proposes a novel methodology for exploring modifications to a structural wall layout during the adaptive reuse process of historic buildings. The primary objective is to redefine structural wall arrangements to accommodate new openings and/or cuts in existing structural elements, offering designers flexibility in spatial arrangement modifications. Considering that existing buildings are subjected to damage, an evolutionary approach is used to define which wall segments can be removed from the existing layout, according to a multi-objective function that targets minimizing the presence of damaged elements and maximizing the presence of undamaged elements in the design, in addition to minimizing the building’s eccentricity. The problem considers structural constraints based on the compressive capacity and minimum length of shear components. A computational strategy based on Genetic Algorithm is conceptualized as a tool for deriving potential layout solutions that adhere to structural requirements while facilitating the incorporation of new openings. By systematically evolving potential solutions over multiple generations, the algorithm navigates the design space to pinpoint areas within the original shear layout where material can be removed while respecting the given structural constraints. The methodology’s validity is demonstrated through a case study situated in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing evidence of the practical application and success of the genetic algorithm approach in real-world scenarios. The findings presented in this paper contribute to the convergence of structural engineering and architectural preservation, offering a systematic and efficient means of determining structural wall layouts for the adaptive reuse of historic masonry buildings. Integrating computational techniques into the adaptive reuse process holds transformative potential, establishing a robust framework for sustainable urban development that honors and enhances the historical fabric of our built environment.

Data from “A Registered Report Testing the Effect of Sleep on DRM False Memory: Greater Lure and Veridical Recall but Fewer Intrusions After Sleep”

This paper describes a rich dataset from a registered report investigating sleep’s effect on false memory in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. 534 young adults completed free recall either shortly or 12 hours after studying lists of semantic associates (e.g., hospital, nurse). Collected online, our recall data showcase high data quality, replicating classic behavioural effects (e.g., serial position curve). The dataset contains raw recall data with original spelling and recall order, accompanied by demographic information (e.g., gender, time-of-day preference). Its versatility supports reuse in modelling memory decay and search processes, understanding lexical effects and individual differences, and benchmarking online memory studies.

Prospective life cycle approach to buildings' adaptation for future climate and decarbonization scenarios

The existing building stock is crucial for enhancing decarbonization targets and mitigating climate change. This article delves into a methodological approach that combines prospective life cycle assessment, building thermal simulation using projected future climate data, and global sensitivity analysis to pinpoint the most influential parameters under current climate conditions and future scenarios. The methodology covers plausible decarbonization pathways for the electricity mix, considering the growing utilization of renewable sources, which are influenced by the building locations. An adaptive reuse process involves converting a historic residence into an office building to validate the proposed methodology. Several retrofit strategies are assessed, such as exterior wall insulation, roof insulation, and window replacement. The findings reveal a 12% rise in average usage impacts and a 7% increase in cradle-to-use impacts from the base scenario to future climate projections. Embodied impacts surpass use-phase impacts by 23% in future climates and 33% in certain baseline scenarios. Utilizing future climate data in the life cycle analysis to estimate energy requirements can aid in forecasting building performance under climate change, especially in adapting the existing building stock for enhanced thermal comfort with minimal environmental impact.

Exploiting Photoinduced Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations with Boron-Dopant and Nitrogen-Defect Synergy in Carbon Nitride Nanosheets.

Graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) possess various benefits as heterogeneous photocatalysts, including tunable bandgaps, scalability, and chemical robustness. However, their efficacy and ongoing advancement are hindered by challenges like limited charge-carrier separation rates, insufficient driving force for photocatalysis, small specific surface area, and inadequate absorption of visible light. In this study, boron dopants and nitrogen defects synergy are introduced into bulk g-C3N4 through the calcination of a blend of nitrogen-defective g-C3N4 and NaBH4 under inert conditions, resulting in the formation of BCN nanosheets characterized by abundant porosity and increased specific surface area. These BCN nanosheets promote intermolecular single electron transfer to the radical initiator, maintaining radical intermediates at a low concentration for better control of photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization (photo-ATRP). Consequently, this method yields polymers with low dispersity and tailorable molecular weights under mild blue light illumination, outperforming previous reports on bulk g-C3N4. The heterogeneity of BCN enables easy separation and efficient reuse in subsequent polymerization processes. This study effectively showcases a simple method to alter the electronic and band structures of g-C3N4 with simultaneously introducing dopants and defects, leading to high-performance photo-ATRP and providing valuable insights for designing efficient photocatalytic systems for solar energy harvesting.

Evaluating the Viability of the Erbil Citadel Houses for Adaptive Reuse Process

Abstract Notwithstanding its potential advantages, adaptive reuse has grown in popularity as a sustainable development strategy across the globe. There is a shortage of studies on the methodology and results of adaptive reuse projects in the Middle East. Erbil Citadel’s Houses is a special kind of conservation and adaptive reuse Project. The Middle East, particularly in conflict-affected areas, has received very little research on the methodology and results of adaptive reuse projects. The challenge this research attempts to solve is how to preserve historical sites like the Erbil Citadel houses using adaptive reuse as a sustainable development method. This paper tries to answer what are the key aspects of adaptive reuse as a sustainable strategy for historic structures. By analyzing the difficulties and opportunities related to adaptive reuse to address this gap. The findings from this research can help establish best practices for adaptive reuse in comparable situations and guide the formulation for sustainable development in Middle east areas.

A top-down lashing bridge collaborative design method

ABSTRACT The short detailed design cycle of lashing bridges on container ships needs to ensure that various designs have different requirements at multiple locations on the ship, making the design methodology for complex products challenging. Currently, research on the design methodology of lashing bridges lacks in-depth investigation into detailed design aspects. This work addressed research gaps through a top-down collaborative design approach and analysed the principles of propagating design changes in computer-aided design (CAD), as well as proposed a design methodology consisting of four core steps, namely, skeleton decomposition, feature aggregation, detailed design and product structure (PS) expansion. The effectiveness of this methodology was validated through practical design examples and specific variant design instances of a certain type of container ship. The validation demonstrated that the proposed design methodology, in contrast to traditional three-dimensional design methods, supported design process reuse and significantly improved design efficiency in complex product designs.

Removal and risk assessment of emerging contaminants and heavy metals in a wastewater reuse process producing drinkable water for human consumption

This study focuses on the removal and risk assessment of twenty emerging contaminants (ECs) and heavy metals in a REMIX water treatment plant (RWTP) that produces drinking water from combination of wastewater reuse and desalination. The membrane biological reactor (MBR) exhibit removal rates exceeding 95% of pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen, trimethoprim, diclofenac, naproxen, and emtricitabine. The efficiency of brackish reverse osmosis (BWRO) in removing ECs is highlighted, showing substantial efficacy with reduction rates of 99.5%, 75.5%, and 51.2% for sulfamethoxazole, venlafaxine, and benzotriazole, respectively. The advanced oxidation process based on Fenton process reveals removal (>95%) of emtricitabine, efavirenz, and carbamazepine. The study confirms that the combination of treatment units within the RWTP effectively removes heavy metals (>90%), complying with acceptable limits. Risk quotient (RQ) calculations indicate the efficiency of the RWTP in EC removal, serving as benchmarks for public acceptance of reclaimed water. In the context of heavy metals, the study concludes negligible cancer risks associated with reclaimed water consumption over a lifetime. Quantitative structure-activity relationship and occurrence, persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity (OPBT) models were used to assess EC risk. The study screened and identified potential persistant, bio accumulating and toxic PBT ECs. Critical control points (CCPs) in the RWTP are identified, with brackish and seawater reverse osmosis (BWRO and SWRO) and advanced oxidation process (AOP) recognized as pivotal in hazard management. The study provides valuable insights on the removal of ECs and heavy metals in a wastewater reuse process and demonstrates potential of adopted process configuration in supplying safe drinking water from wastewater recycling.