Product Recovery Research Articles

A decision support system to evaluate product recovery strategies and performance

Purpose An important consideration in the recovery strategies and performance of any given returned product is to make appropriate decisions for post-use. This paper aims to examine how the small and medium manufacturing enterprises can utilise a model-driven collaborative decision support system to evaluate product recovery strategies and performance. Design/methodology/approach An optimisation model using a genetic algorithm (GA) approach is developed to assess product recovery plans for any returned products based on the decisions of component reuse, remanufacture and recycle potentials. The model evaluates the key decisions of cost, time, quality and waste, and proposes an optimal recovery plan for manufacturer. A case study was also conducted using the proposed model to evaluate and examine different air compressor piston-types with recovery strategies. Findings Assessing a product recovery plan for any product is a challenge to the manufacturer due to higher operating costs associated with recovery. The nature of this challenge is complex. In this study, the results indicate that a developed optimisation model using a GA can assess the utilisation value of used products by considering suitable recovery strategies for the components and/or parts to be appropriately reused, remanufactured and recycled upon return. Research limitations/implications The developed model assesses utilisation values of returns by considering both key decisions associated with returned products, and aspects of complexity of operational processes. Originality/value This research contributes to the practical understanding of product recovery strategies and extended producer responsibility using a case study. Also, the significance of this research is to provide a simple method of proposing an optimal recovery plan for any given returned product within a decision support system. Another innovation of the developed model is that an optimal recovery plan considers the trade-off decisions of cost, time, quality and waste aspects.

Enhancing Bioactive Cordycepin Production via Precision Fermentation with an Engineered Aspergillus oryzae

An optimal culture medium and highly stable biometabolites are important in industrial production processes. The response surface methodology with a Box–Behnken design was performed to determine the optimal culture medium of an engineered Aspergillus oryzae strain for cordycepin production by submerged fermentation. The influences of glucose, yeast extract, and adenine concentrations on cordycepin production were explored, and their concentrations were used for experimental design. The results reveal that the optimal culture components involved 30.0 g/L of glucose, 9.8 g/L of yeast extract, and 1.5 g/L of adenine. As predicted, the maximum cordycepin concentration (1724.53 ± 18.30 mg/L) was obtained with a short fermentation time (2 days). A significant increase in cordycepin yield (>50% increase) was observed in the culture grown in the optimized culture medium compared to that grown in the basal medium. A xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity assay demonstrated that the cordycepin product had a pharmacological function. It exhibited strong stability under high thermal and acidic conditions, with over 95% product recovery. The findings of this study are valuable for developing cost-effective processes for producing health-benefiting products.

Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents with Modern Extraction Techniques for the Recovery of Natural Products: A Review

Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents with Modern Extraction Techniques for the Recovery of Natural Products: A Review

Physicochemical Characterization, Storage Stability Behavior, and Intestinal Bioaccessibility of Clove Extract Encapsulated Using Varying Combinations of Gum Arabic and Maltodextrin

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, L.) is a rich source of polyphenols and antioxidants, but its intense flavor, poor solubility, and instability may limit its widespread and efficient use in industrial applications. In a series of laboratory-scale experiments, gum Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) were used as coating agents in various proportions (ranging from 0MD:100GA to 100MD:0GA) for encapsulation of clove extract using a freeze-drying method. The encapsulates were assessed for the physicochemical properties, storage stability behavior, and intestinal bioaccessibility of phenolics using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion test. The freeze-dried encapsulates were characterized as having low water activity (<0.3, which is a critical threshold to ensure chemical and microbiological stability), high water solubility (>90%), solid (product) recovery (mean 93.1 ± 1.77%), and encapsulation efficiency (91.4−94.9%). Hygroscopicity increased as the GA:MD proportion increased in the encapsulation formulations. Encapsulation was effective in protecting bioactive components of clove extract during storage at room (up to 40 days) or high temperature (60 °C for 7 days) and minimized the loss of antioxidant activity during storage, as compared to the clove extract in a non-encapsulated form. All encapsulation formulations were characterized by a negative zeta potential (from −22.1 to −29.7 mV) and a polydispersity index ranging from 0.47 to 0.68, classifying the formulations as having a mid-range polydisperse particle size distribution. The FTIR analysis demonstrated that the freeze-drying encapsulation process resulted in no evident chemical interaction between coating and core materials. Intestinal bioaccessibility of total phenolics after the in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal digestion was greater in the encapsulated clove extract compared to the non-encapsulated clove extract. In conclusion, the encapsulation process was effective in protecting the bioactivity of the polyphenol-rich clove extract during storage and improved the phenolic bioaccessibility, potentially supporting the application of the encapsulated clove extract for use in functional food development.

Structural modification of defective WO3 by g-C3N4 for photocatalytic gold recovery from non-cyanide-based plating effluent

A set of nCN/WO3 − x composites was synthesized through a simple thermal treatment for gold recovery from the simulated effluent of a non-cyanide-based plating bath. The obtained results exhibited that all nCN/WO3 − x composites demonstrated a higher photocatalytic activity for gold recovery than their pristine components due to the formation of nanocomposites which paved a convenient pathway for charge transfer. Among all synthesized composites, the 5.0CN/WO3 − x composite exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, recovering around 69.4% of gold within 120 min under UV-vis light irradiation at an intensity of 3.45 mW/cm² and a catalyst loading of 1.0 g/L, in the absence of hole scavenger. This result can be ascribed to the presence of an optimal number of defects, which can act as electron trapping sites and thereby reduce the recombination rate of charge carriers. Gold recovery increased with repeated reuse, attributed to the decorated gold, which enhances light absorption and decreases the recombination rate of charge carriers. The feasible application of used CN/WO3 − x were also explored for H2 production, dye degradation and gold recovery. The obtained results provide a new insight about the photocatalytic recovery of gold from industrial wastewater and also shed light on the application of gold-decorated CN/WO3 − x as a catalyst for other photocatalytic applications.

A Study on the Residual Oil Distribution in Tight Reservoirs Based on a 3D Pore Structure Model

A tight reservoir is characterized by low porosity and permeability as well as a complex pore structure, resulting in low oil recovery efficiency. Understanding the micro-scale distribution of residual oil is of great significance for improving oil production and water flooding recovery rates. In this study, a 3D pore structure model of tight sandstone was established using CT scanning to characterize the residual oil distribution after water flooding. The effects of displacement methods and wettability on residual oil distribution at the micro-scale were then studied and discussed. Moreover, increasing the displacement rate has little effect on the distribution area and dominant seepage channels. Microscopic residual oil is classified into five discontinuous phases according to the oil–water–pore–throat contact relationship. The microscopic residual oil exhibits characteristics of being dispersed overall but locally concentrated. Under water-wet conditions, the injected water tends to strip the oil phase along the pore walls. Under oil-wet conditions, the pore walls have an improved adsorption capacity for the oil phase, resulting in a large amount of porous and membranous residual oil retained in the pores, which leads to a decrease in the overall recovery rate.

Coupling Nitrate‐to‐Ammonia Conversion and Sulfion Oxidation Reaction Over Hierarchical Porous Spinel MFe2O4 (M═Ni, Co, Fe, Mn) in Wastewater

AbstractThe construction of coupled electrolysis systems utilizing renewable energy sources for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction and sulfion oxidation reactions (NO3RR and SOR), is considered a promising approach for environmental remediation, ammonia production, and sulfur recovery. Here, a simple chemical dealloying method is reported to fabricate a hierarchical porous multi‐metallic spinel MFe2O4 (M═Ni, Co, Fe, Mn) dual‐functional electrocatalysts consisting of Mn‐doped porous NiFe2O4/CoFe2O4 heterostructure networks and Ni/Co/Mn co‐doped Fe3O4 nanosheet networks. The excellent NO3RR with high NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 95.2% at ‐0.80 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs RHE) and NH3 yield rate of 608.9 µmol h−1 cm−2 at −1.60 V vs RHE, and impressive SOR performance (100 mA cm−2@0.98 V vs RHE) is achieved for MFe2O4. Key intermediates such as *NO, *NH2, and NH3 are identified in the NO3RR process by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (in situ FTIR). The MFe2O4‐assembled two‐electrode coupling system (NO3RR||SOR) shows an ultra‐low cell voltage of 1.14 V at 10 mA cm−2, much lower than the NO3RR||OER (oxygen evolution reaction, 10 mA cm−2@2.62 V), simultaneously achieving two expected targets of value‐added ammonia generation and sulfur recovery, and also demonstrating high durability of 18 h. This work also demonstrates the great potential of spinel ferrite‐based catalysts for environmental remediation.

Stable nutrient utilization of trees promotes community biomass accumulation in Korean pine and broad-leaved mixed forests after logging.

The recovery of community productivity in disturbed temperate forests is affected by fluctuating nutrient environments. How plant growth achieves high biomass accumulation in a limited nutrient environment remains unclear but may be attributed to the flexibility of plant nutrient utilization. Nutrient homeostasis (H) reflects the ability of plant tissues to maintain a relatively constant N and P content under nutrient fluctuations and represents flexible or stable plant nutrient utilization. We aim to reveal the influence of plant nutrient utilization mechanisms on community biomass accumulation after logging. We chose 28 post-logged Korean pine and broad-leaved mixed forests after seven recovery periods (6, 14, 25, 36, 45, and 55 years after logging) with six low-intensity selective logged treatments and one unlogged treatment (100 years after logging). We then estimated the H value of leaf N (HN), leaf P (HP), and leaf N:P ratio (HN:P) and the biomass of 234 plant species with different functional groups, soil nutrient, and species diversity. The leaf HN of 13.19 and the leaf HP of 9.87 reached the maximum at 36 and 45 years after logging, respectively. The HN:P at the community level reached the maximum at 36 years after logging. The robust linear trend between nutrient H and biomass suggests the accumulation of biomass benefits from stable nutrient utilization after logging. Considering the soil nutrient and species diversity, nutrient H showed the major explanation of biomass accumulation in trees, herbs, and whole community. The stable N utilization of tree species accounts for the maximum independent contribution (25.05%) to the community biomass accumulation. Herb species with flexible P utilization had major contribution (37.97%) to herb biomass accumulation. Our study highlights the vital role of high HN in promoting community biomass accumulation in logged forest to assess forest sustainability.

Optimization based process modeling of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor system: Application to swine wastewater

To maintain current levels of consumption in the economy with the dwindling supply of non-renewable material and energy, alternative resource streams more traditionally viewed as waste streams must be considered. Fermentation of high-strength wastewaters is one such pathway that allows for the recovery of energy, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon compounds. Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) are an emerging technology that allow for the digestion of wastewater in a much smaller footprint than traditional anaerobic digesters. Adoption of this technology into industry has been limited by membrane capital and cleaning costs, but these costs may be offset through the recovery of valuable products. To evaluate the viability of AnMBR technology in the context of swine wastewater treatment, an optimization-based process model built upon Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) has been developed. Modeling results show that a swine wastewater stream provides potential for net positive energy generation from the AnMBR system in most cases. Sensitivity analyses around important variables were conducted to determine focus areas for future research into AnMBR technology and evaluate the robustness of the model to microbial variables that may change with different microbial communities.

Vanadium-regulated nickel phosphide nanosheets for electrocatalytic sulfion upgrading and hydrogen production.

The electrochemical sulfion oxidation reaction (SOR) is highly desirable to treat sulfion-rich wastewater and achieve energy-saving hydrogen production when coupled with the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we propose a thermodynamically favorable SOR to couple with the HER, and develop vanadium-doped nickel phosphide (V-Ni2P) nanosheets for simultaneously achieving energy-efficient hydrogen production and sulfur recovery. V doping can efficiently adjust the electronic structure and improve intrinsic activity of Ni2P, which exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performances for the HER and SOR with low potentials of -0.093 and 0.313 V to afford 10 mA cm-2. Remarkably, the assembled V-Ni2P-based hybrid water electrolyzer coupling the HER with the SOR requires small cell voltages of 0.389 and 0.834 V at 10 and 300 mA cm-2, lower than those required in a traditional water electrolysis system (1.5 and 1.969 V), realizing low-cost sulfion upgrading to value-added sulfur and hydrogen generation. This work provides an approach for energy-saving hydrogen production and toxic waste degradation.

Research on the basic theory and application of enhanced recovery in tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

Tight sandstone gas reservoirs are characterized by high water saturation, significant seepage resistance, low single-well productivity, rapid decline, and low gas recovery. Enhancing the recovery rate of tight sandstone gas reservoirs is a complex engineering challenge that necessitates thorough, refined, and systematic research into its fundamental theories. This study employs a comprehensive approach integrating mercury injection, nuclear magnetic resonance, micro-model visualization, and simulation experiments of displacement and inter-layer seepage flow, alongside foundational seepage theories, to systematically explore the characteristics of tight sandstone gas reservoirs, seepage patterns, and methods for improving gas recovery. Our findings reveal: (1) Detailed characterization of the microscopic pore characteristics in tight sandstone reservoirs helps disclose the status and mechanisms of gas-water occurrence and the principal mechanisms of water production under gas-water co-sealing conditions, such as gas expansion, energy of water-sealed gas, movable water volume, and displacement pressure gradient; (2) Testing single-phase and gas-water two-phase seepage characteristics under bound water saturation identifies permeability and water saturation as critical parameters influencing gas seepage characteristics; (3) Inter-layer gas-water interaction flow experiments demonstrate the interference in multi-layer commingled production and introduce the concept of an interference index, a predictive model for well productivity and dynamic performance in the Sulige tight sandstone gas reservoir; (4) A model correlating reservoir recovery rates with drive indices has been developed, highlighting that increasing production pressure differential and reducing seepage resistance are the primary strategies for enhancing recovery rates in tight sandstone gas reservoirs, supplemented by six technological countermeasures including water-blocking, water control, and densifying well networks. The research outcomes provide effective guidance for practical measures to enhance recovery in tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

Hydrogen production and nutrient recovery from seawater by electrodialysis assisted with ion-exchange resins

Hydrogen production and nutrient recovery from seawater by electrodialysis assisted with ion-exchange resins

Overcoming bottlenecks towards complete biocatalytic conversions and complete product recovery

Sustainable processes by completing biocatalytic conversions and recovering products completely.

Sustainable Production and Waste Management Model Considering Warm-Up Period with Product Recovery

Sustainable Production and Waste Management Model Considering Warm-Up Period with Product Recovery

Concepts for the Sustainable Hydrometallurgical Processing of End-of-Life Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries with an LFP cell chemistry are experiencing strong growth in the global battery market. Consequently, a process concept has been developed to recycle and recover critical raw materials, particularly graphite and lithium. The developed process concept consists of a thermal pretreatment to remove organic solvents and binders, flotation for anode–cathode separation, and hydrometallurgical processes for product recovery. It has been shown that a pretreatment step is necessary for efficient flotation. By increasing the thermal treatment temperatures up to 450 °C, recovery rates of up to 73% are achieved. Similar positive effects are observed with leaching, where leaching efficiencies increase with higher treatment temperatures up to 400 °C. The results indicate that the thermal treatment of the black mass significantly influences both flotation and hydrometallurgical processes.

Evolution of biofuels: Unraveling diverse applications and emerging horizons

The comprehensive review presents multi-faceted biofuel applications in various sectors and prospects, highlighting state-of-the-art technologies and potential changes in triglyceride-based biofuels. From the first-generation biofuel produced from food crops to the fourth generation of engineered microbes, there is an improvement in technologies and sustainability. Transesterification synthesis of biodiesel with different chemical catalysts and biocatalysts shows continuous efforts toward making the process more efficient and economically viable; emerging technologies like hydrodeoxygenation and pyrolysis open new routes for optimized biofuel production with less environmental impact. With a focus on biodiesel, bioethanol, biobutanol, and biohydrogen, this paper deals with their contributions to energy generation in a sustainable manner and environmental stewardship. AI and machine learning in the production of biofuels could provide new revolutions in efficiency and sustainability directly from feedstock selection to product recovery. Bioethanol is effectively used in gasoline blends with several advantages, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Biobutanol is a good transport fuel alternative, with high energy content, easily used with the existing infrastructure. Biological processes yield Biohydrogen and may have bright prospects for producing clean energy, specifically in the case of bioelectrochemical systems. Prospects hinge on addressing the challenges, promoting research and development, and fostering collaboration and investment in biofuel innovation. This review underscores the importance of continued efforts to advance biofuel technologies, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving a sustainable energy future while addressing global energy and environmental challenges.

Impact of COVID-19 on Consumer Behavior in Home Gardening

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped various aspects of life, influencing consumer behaviors and economic activities worldwide. This paper delves into the shifts in consumer preferences and shopping patterns for gardening products and services during and after the pandemic era. Through nationwide online surveys conducted from 2020 to 2022, we analyze changes in time spent and expenses on gardening and identify key demographic and pandemic-related factors influencing these behaviors during the pandemic era. We employed both generalized and standard ordered logistic regression models to assess the impact of various variables on the ordinal dependent variable. The findings reveal a significant surge in both time spending on home gardening activities and money invested in gardening products and services, especially among individuals who considered gardening beneficial for well-being and as a family activity. Notably, the preference for online shopping and mail delivery for gardening supplies emerged as a prominent trend during the pandemic, accompanied by a significant increase in the purchase of fruit plants, vegetable plants, and seeds, indicating that primary motivation for gardening was self-food consumption. These insights provide valuable guidance for businesses in the green industry, informing production, marketing practices, and economic recovery efforts post-COVID-19.

Nuclear power plant waste heat opens a window of next-generation desalination hybridization: a SOAR-based review.

This review examines the potential for utilizing nuclear power plant (NPP) waste heat in hybrid desalination systems, focusing on Reverse Osmosis-Low-Temperature Evaporation (RO-LTE) driven by renewable energy sources and atomic waste heat. By employing a SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis, the study evaluates the integration of NPP waste heat into various desalination technologies, emphasizing the environmental benefits and energy efficiency improvements. Fundamental aspirations include advancements in material science and heat exchanger designs, which enhance heat transfer and evaporation processes. The review also explores cost reduction strategies, such as integrating hydrogen production and mineral recovery from desalination by-products. Passive technologies and process optimization are proposed to minimize operational costs and energy consumption, supporting long-term sustainability. This review serves as a resource for decision-makers, offering insights into the strategic use of NPP waste heat in desalination to address water scarcity while promoting energy efficiency and sustainability.

Recent Advances in Hydrothermal Oxidation Technology for Sludge Treatment

With the rapid development of urbanization and the widespread adoption of wastewater treatment facilities, the volume of sludge produced has steadily increased. Hydrothermal oxidation (HTO) technology offers an effective solution for sludge reduction, harmless disposal, and resource recovery, making it a highly promising method for sludge treatment. In recent years, HTO has attracted significant attention due to its efficiency and environmental benefits. This paper provides a detailed explanation of the fundamental principles of HTO in sludge treatment, with a focus on the removal of organic pollutants, nitrogen transformation, and phosphorus recovery. The influence of key operational parameters, such as reaction temperature, time, initial oxygen pressure, and pH, on the performance of HTO treatment is also explored. In addition, the research status of HTO sludge treatment and an example of product recovery after treatment are also discussed. It examines the challenges associated with scaling up HTO for large-scale sludge treatment, along with potential research directions for future work. Special attention is given to the innovation of catalysts, with the goal of achieving self-catalysis in sludge treatment. Moreover, considering that ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) is a major intermediate product in HTO, its removal, as well as the prediction and planning of other unintended products, remains a key issue. Further areas of interest include improving sludge dewatering performance and enhancing the production of valuable single carboxylic acids, which can boost resource recovery efficiency. This paper also highlights the diversification of sludge applications after HTO treatment. By providing insights into future development trends, this review offers valuable references for further research and practical applications. The ultimate goal is to support the development of HTO as a sustainable and efficient solution for sludge treatment, addressing environmental concerns while maximizing resource recovery opportunities.

Revolutionizing End-of-Life Product Recovery with Product 4.0: An Examination of Intelligent Products in Industry 4.0

In the context of growing environmental concerns and the increasing impact of the manufacturing sector on sustainability, this paper introduces the concept of “Product 4.0” (P4.0) as a novel approach to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. P4.0 focuses on optimizing the performance of the product throughout its lifecycle and improving recovery strategies at End of Use (EoU) and End of Life (EoL) stages. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, this study identifies critical gaps in the current application of AI within I4.0 for sustainable manufacturing, particularly in regard to smart product systems and their interactions with external environments. To address these gaps, the paper proposes a holistic approach for the P4.0 that leverages AI-driven data analysis and decision making to facilitate efficient product recovery and resource utilization. Additionally, a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) model is developed to illustrate the relationships between sustainability dimensions—environmental, economic, and social—and product demand influenced by P4.0, while also discussing the challenges and limitations associated with its implementation. By bridging theoretical insights with practical recovery solutions, this research contributes to the sustainable manufacturing discourse and offers actionable directions for future investigations into AI-enhanced P4.0 applications within the manufacturing industry.