Potential Reuse Research Articles

A strategic approach to sustainable wastewater management and reuse in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) faces challenges in protecting its limited natural water resources. The centralized sewage treatment plants (STPs) contribute to conserving natural water resources in various regions of KSA. For sustainable wastewater management strategies in arid environments, the performance of STPs needs to be assessed for various beneficial uses in addition to the existing regulations. The present study used extensive effluent quality data of four STPs to develop a performance assessment approach using multi-criteria and principal component analyses. The performance levels were derived from the compliance rate of effluent standards with different reuses and the efficacy of biosolids management. The proposed approach evaluated the STPs based on the planned applications of treated effluents, considering the land use characteristics of each plant’s disposal point. The factors loadings obtained for the STPs, encompassing total suspended and dissolved solids, and total dissolved solids, oxidizing demanding pollutants (BOD and COD), and nutrients (NO3 and PO4), with 3 to 4 principal components demonstrating above 60% of the effluent monitoring data, established the importance of the effluent quality parameters. The effluent quality index (EQI) was developed for existing and potential reuses, e.g., irrigation, landscaping, fishery, and recreation, during dry (summer) and wet (winter) periods. All STPs showed high EQI for both periods for the present reuse standards of unrestricted irrigation and landscaping. The overall performance index, aggregating EQI and the efficacy of sludge management practices, illustrated declining performance, suggesting staged improvements (tertiary-level treatment, air floatation, sludge digestion, and waste-to-energy) through a periodic assessment process. STPs must enhance their sludge management efficacy to produce Class-A biosolids and waste-to-energy. The proposed approach will help make strategic decisions regarding improvements for STPs and the allocation of financial resources to protect natural resources in various regions across KSA.

Bootstrapping cascaded random matrix models: Correlations in permutations of matrix products.

Random matrix theory is a useful tool in the study of the physics of multiple scattering systems, often striking a balance between computation speed and physical rigour. Propagation of waves through thick disordered media, as arises, for example, in optical scattering or electron transport, typically necessitates cascading of multiple random matrices drawn from an underlying ensemble for thin media, greatly increasing the computational burden. Here we propose a dual pool based bootstrapping approach to speed up statistical studies of scattering in thick random media. We examine how potential matrix reuse in a pool based approach can impact statistical estimates of population averages. Specifically, we discuss how both bias and additional variance in the sample mean estimator are introduced through bootstrapping. In the diffusive scattering regime, the extra estimator variance is shown to originate from samples in which cascaded transfer matrices are permuted matrix products. Through analysis of the combinatorics and cycle structure of permutations we quantify the resulting correlations. Proofs of several analytic formulas enumerating the frequency with which correlations of different strengths occur are derived. Extension to the ballistic regime is briefly considered.

Development of a 3D Digital Model of End-of-Service-Life Buildings for Improved Demolition Waste Management through Automated Demolition Waste Audit

This paper presents the development of a 3D digital model of end-of-service-life buildings to facilitate a step change in preparation of pre-demolition protocols that can eliminate problems of inadequate documentation and extensive time spent in preparing pre-demolition audits. The 3D digital model consists of the following four main components: (i) digitization of paper-based drawings and their conversion to CAD; (ii) automated generation of a 3D digital model from CAD; (iii) corrections to the 3D digital model to account for changes in the lifetime of a building; (iv) a sub-model for performing pre-demolition audit. This paper proposes the innovative approaches of incorporating a minimal amount of human intervention to overcome numerous difficulties in automated drawing analysis, application of augmented reality (AR) in corrections to the 3D digital model, and data compatibility for pre-demolition audit. These processes are demonstrated using one building as case study. Using the digital model, a pre-demolition audit can be prepared in minutes rather than the many days required in current practice without a digital model. The accurate quantification of the quantities and locations of different demolition waste materials and products in buildings to be demolished will enable a systematic and quantitative evaluation of potentials of material and product reuse and eliminate contamination of different demolition waste streams (which may contain hazardous waste), which is the main cause of environmental degradation and downcycling of demolition waste materials.

Testing novel hybrid inter-module joints for steel modular buildings under cyclic load

To bridge the gap between the unrealised disassembly and reuse potential of volumetric modular buildings and the lack for seismic resilience, a hybrid inter-module connection employing a high-damping rubber bearing was proposed to reduce the inelastic deformation in the members of the volumetric module. The cyclic behaviour of the proposed connection was previously investigated at connection level through validated proof-of-concept FEA, reflecting promising damping and re-centring capabilities. In this study, six in-plane cyclic loading tests on inter-module joints with the novel, hybrid inter-module connection were carried out to investigate the connection’s influence on the cyclic behaviour of steel modular buildings under lateral load at joint level. The tests focused on the contribution of the laminated elastomeric bearing to the joint’s lateral behaviour and the effect of different bolting assemblies on the working mechanism of the hybrid connection system. The standard FEMA/SAC loading sequence was employed on single-span, meso-scale joint prototypes with axial and in-plane lateral loading applied to the top post. The results showed that the hybrid IMJs exhibited nonlinear, multi-stage hysteretic responses, governed by the bending resistance of the bolting assembly and the stiffness of the intra-module connection. The aseismic performance of the joints was characterised by residual drifts below the permissible limit of 0.5 % up to 2 % drift ratio and high equivalent viscous damping during the low-amplitude cycles. Overall, the tests demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed connection with respect to the mitigation of damage in the structural elements of the volumetric modules after an earthquake, as proved by the low inelastic deformation recorded up to 4 % drift ratios.

A sustainable ecofriendly alternative for reactive blue 19 removal utilizing a novel biomass Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum and its reuse potential for ecological implications

A sustainable ecofriendly alternative for reactive blue 19 removal utilizing a novel biomass Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum and its reuse potential for ecological implications

A high-flux atomically dispersed MIL-100 (Fe) incorporated PMS-based LDH catalytic membrane for the removal of micropollutants from secondary effluent wastewater

This study fabricated a CoFe layered double hydroxide (CoFeLDH) membrane incorporating the metal–organic framework (MOF) MIL(100)Fe, tailored for a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) based system. Among various combinations of MOF and LDH nanosheets on a PVDF substrate, the highest water flux, reaching 1900 L/m2/hr/bar, was achieved with an LDH/MOF ratio of 5:1 and an MOF concentration of 0.025 M. The optimized membrane exhibited exceptional performance, achieving 99 % degradation of ranitidine at 0.1 mM PMS. The LDH MOF catalytic membrane exhibited excellent treatment performance in real water matrices and demonstrated long-term operational efficiency. The effective removal of ranitidine by this catalytic membrane was attributed to a synergistic combination of radical (SO4− and OH) and non-radical (singlet 1O2 and electron transfer O2) oxidation pathways, with SO4− and singlet 1O2 playing a predominant role. Post-activation, 40 % of surface Co2+ and 65 % of Fe2+ in the LDH MOF membrane were found in the + III oxidation state, highlighting the significance of metal catalytic sites and the reusability potential of the membrane. The durability of the membrane was evident through 10 cycles, achieving a flux recovery ratio of 95 % in the first cycle and sustaining efficient performance across pH variations (3 to 9) and exposure to various anions. Importantly, negligible metal leaching was observed for the real water samples, ensuring suitability for large-scale applications.

Removal of a model reactive azo dye from aqueous solution by a bioadsorbent in batch and fixed-bed column modes: Application of the developed technology to a textile wastewater

Sugarcane bagasse (SB) was used to produce a new bioadsorbent (STEA), drawing on circular economy concepts. STEA was synthesized using a two-step one-pot reaction, employing epichlorohydrin and triethylamine in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide, without the use of a petroleum-based catalyst. The structure and surface of STEA were characterized by elemental C, H, N, and Cl analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, specific surface area and pore size distribution determination, and point of zero charge measurement. Batch adsorption and desorption tests were performed with the model dye Remazol Golden Yellow (RGY) RNL, a reactive anionic azo dye widely used in textile industry, to evaluate the potential reuse and application of STEA in a fixed-bed column for wastewater treatment. For batch adsorption, the best dose and agitation speed were 0.2 g L−1 and 50 rpm, respectively. STEA effectively removed RGY over a wide range of pH (2.00–10.00). The equilibrium time, maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax), and desorption efficiency (Edes) were 720 min, 369 mg g−1 (0.71 mmol g−1), and 49.5 %, respectively. The fixed-bed column fed with a spiked aqueous RGY solution could be operated for 415 min, with Qmax of 422 mg g−1 (0.81 mmol g−1) and Edes of 58.9 %. Batch and continuous experiments using real textile industry wastewater containing reactive azo dyes showed high color removal efficiency by STEA, with no interference of other compounds present in wastewater on adsorption of the reactive azo dyes (overshooting effect). The technology was validated in a relevant environment and achieved technology readiness level 5, showing potential to be upscaled. Therefore, STEA proved to be an efficient bio-based technology for application in tertiary treatment of real textile plant wastewater to remove reactive anionic azo dyes.

Feasibility of sustainable reusability of Ni/char catalyst for synthetic gas production via catalytic steam gasification

Ni/char catalyst is one of the most promising catalysts for enhancing gas production, particularly syngas from catalytic steam gasification of biomass. In the current study, one unmodified (Ni/MMchar) and two modified catalysts (Ni/NaMMchar and Ni/NaAceMMchar) were utilized to investigate the reusability potential of Ni/char catalyst for catalytic steam gasification of bamboo in a two-stage fixed-bed reactor including the changes in catalyst characteristics. N2 adsorption-desorption by BET, scanning electron microscope connected with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses were utilized for examining their characteristics. The findings indicated that the three catalysts could maintain the reusability potential in catalytic steam gasification of bamboo for twice cycles. The syngas reduction percentages in the second cycles of the catalysts ranged between 11.0 and 22.8 %. H2/CO ratios of all spent catalysts lined in the range of 4.10 − 2.45. The low heating values of syngas products were in the range of 8.83–8.19 MJ/Nm3. Considering the catalyst characteristics, the increasing cycles of catalyst operations induced carbon deposition, resulting in the reduction of specific surface areas. SEM-EDS images of the used catalysts appeared the coke layer and the Ni metal sintering on the surfaces. The uses of catalysts encouraged the transformation of Ni metal active site into NiO, Ni2O3 and Ni3C forms. These phenomena were the major causes of catalyst deactivation. The changes in the characteristics and catalyst activity controlled the gasification reactions, resulting in the catalyst deactivation and gaseous products.

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF EXISTING BAMBOO SCAFFOLD CONNECTIONS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON REUSABILITY

Bamboo scaffolding is a sustainable alternative to traditional scaffolding materials due to its low carbon footprint, renewability, and strength. Reusable connections are crucial to optimize its sustainability benefits. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the reusability potential of existing bamboo scaffold connections, exploring different connection types, factors influencing reusability, benefits and challenges, and current research and development efforts. Several factors influence the reusability of bamboo scaffold connections, including the design of connections to accommodate mid-culm attachment of secondary components, which is challenging for many existing connection types. Reusing bamboo scaffold connections offers significant sustainability and cost-effectiveness benefits, reducing the demand for new materials and minimizing construction waste. Friction-tight lashing, the most popular and adaptable bamboo scaffold connection method together with mechanical connectors to alleviate problems in traditional friction-tight lashing, offers high reusability potential. More advanced mechanical connections, such as notched and pierced connections, are also being explored for their reusability potential. Ongoing research and development efforts focus on innovative approaches such as three-dimensional printing, parametric software, and glue bonding for custom joint systems to improve the reusability of bamboo scaffold connections. By addressing the challenges and leveraging ongoing research and development efforts, reusable bamboo scaffold connections can play a crucial role in sustainable construction practices.

UK Museums and Heritage Sustainable Packing Group: Exploring Sustainable Strategies for Soft Wrapping Paintings

ABSTRACT This paper explores methods to improve the sustainability of packing artworks, focusing on soft wrapping of framed paintings. In 2022, the UK Museums and Heritage Sustainable Packing Group was formed. The research described in this paper focuses on one aspect of the group’s activity: seeking to find materials and methods which reduce environmental burdens and comply with conservation standards for soft wrapping two-dimensional artworks for short journeys between display, storage locations and conservators’ studios. The project investigated the physical qualities of recycled content polyethylene (PE), bioplastics and paper-based alternatives, along with common barrier materials such as virgin PE sheet and Bubble Wrap®, to form comparative datasets. Each material’s environmental impact, potential for reuse, interaction with artworks and ability to maintain adequate buffering against environmental changes during transport was researched. Alternative methods were also explored to reduce the quantity of sealing tape and promote its reversibility and reuse. The environmental impacts of the materials were assessed by sustainability specialists at the University of Manchester’s Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub. Reusable and recycled content films offered the most promising alternatives to the PE wrapping most used at present. The use of a tying method, eliminating the need for adhesive tape, also showed potential for further investigation. The low-cost testing methodology should be refined to better control the variables and allow for more repeatable testing, but these preliminary results will help to refine future research directions.

Properties of low sulfur leached spodumene as supplementary cementitious material in ordinary Portland cement

In the context of the increasing demand for lithium, the extraction of lithium from spodumene is being pursued. During the processing of spodumene, large quantities of leached spodumene concentrate (LSC) are produced as a by-product. To avoid the deposition of the material, potential reuse of the material within the cement industry is investigated. XRD and XRF analyses show that the LSC consists predominantly of leached spodumene and thus of an Al2O3 and SiO2 containing material. The pozzolanic composition of the material suggests a reusability of the material as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) within the cement industry. To test this approach, the hydration properties of LSC powders in combination with OPC cement are investigated. The chemical and mineralogical composition was determined using X-ray methods, followed by the assessment of the hydration behavior of LSC by puzzolanity testing and calorimeter of the heat flow. The tests show that a low-sulfur LSC (up to 1.8 %) is very reactive for mixtures of up to 20 % and produces high mechanical strengths in combination with an OPC. The influence of different raw material sources and process-related fluctuations on the conversion rate from α to β spodumene is negligible.

Case Study on the Re-use Potential of Insulated Glass Units

Glass is an energy intensive material that is essential to buildings and their energy consumption. Its transparency allows for natural daylighting and the use of solar heat gains. In the context of the refurbishment politics of the EU as a result of the Paris Agreement on climate goals, significant amounts of glass waste in form of windows and façades are to be expected. In order to minimize the environmental impact of glass by preserving the embodied carbon and substitute newly produced glasses, the Re-use of glass is considered to be of highest potential. When reusing panes, energy and raw material can be saved that otherwise would be consumed for the production of new glass. This way, the common principles of sustainability - sufficiency, efficiency and consistency - can be realized for the life cycle of flat building glass. The following case study estimates the potential of different scenarios for circular waste treatment of glass panes by applying the 9R Framework to insulating glass units (IGUs). The scenarios are defined and presented. A life cycle assessment (LCA) using identical system boundaries for these scenarios was executed and the results are compared to producing IGUs entirely with new glass. Finally, the feasibility of the strategies is evaluated and recommendations for the processing of glass in stock are derived.

Potential water reuse pathways from a life cycle analysis perspective in the poultry industry

Achieving sustainable water use in the food industry requires a paradigm change and transforming it towards circularity by exploring opportunities for water reuse. Life Cycle Assessment can comprehensively evaluate the environmental impacts of the water management and reuse options throughout their life cycle to ensure improvement of environmental performance. Through the example of a poultry processing plant it was shown that improving wastewater treatment technology can reduce the metal depletion category by almost 30 % by cutting down chemical use by 90 %. Further mitigation of environmental damage could be achieved by either choosing technological or agricultural reuse options depending on the needs or local constraints. While the improvement is not massive since the implementation of additional technologies require further resources, the Reduce scenario (technological reuse with 50 % reduction of water consumption) compared to the direct discharge into a surface water body resulted a decrease of 11.0 % and 17.1 % in freshwater consumption and 7.6 % and 2.6 % in metal depletion units. On the contrary, irrigation is better than technological reuse with regard to human health and resource scarcity indicators. Legislative requirements and social acceptance issues might slow down the process of closing the loop in the water management of the food industry; nonetheless results show that opting for water reuse is an environmentally sound solution even in this sector.

Pilot scale demonstration of an underground biological aerated filter for rural wastewater treatment in a protected area

The availability of land is one of the advantages of rural wastewater treatment. However, this advantage may be absent in protected areas. The objective of this study is to showcase pilot-scale wastewater treatment approaches specifically tailored to address challenges presented by these unique circumstances. The demonstration case presented here involves a rural campsite where ground works are restricted. A pilot-scale decentralized system that includes a rainwater recycling system for potable water production (2–3 m3/d) and an underground biological aerated filter for wastewater treatment was installed. The biological aerated filter was built under a parking area (a so-called Phytoparking® system) and did as such not use additional ground surface. The Phytoparking with an area of 44 m2 was operated for 7 months and a total of 220 m3 grey water and 127 m3 black water was treated. Good pollutants removal efficiency was achieved for total suspended solids (93 %), COD (93 %), NH4+-N (93 %), TP (99 %), E.coli (log reduction 4.3) and total coliforms (log reduction 2.4). The potential wastewater reuse is not only about technological concern but also social acceptable concern. Therefore, the campsite customers' acceptance level of this system and the reused water were surveyed by a questionnaire. Based on the results of the study's pollutant removal efficiency and questionnaire responses, it can be concluded that local and/or decentralized water treatment and reuse systems were perceived positively.

Potential reuse of HMX separated from decommissioned propellants: crystallization and characterization of low-sensitivity HMX

ABSTRACT Herein, in order to increase the purity and improve the performance of HMX crude products (Raw HMX) isolated from decommissioned propellants, a new method to obtain submicron levels using the solvent-anti-solvent process was proposed. Two different morphologies of HMX, regular prismatic vs. spherical-like, were obtained by means of two solvents (DMSO, DMF). Polyethylene glycol-200 (PEG-200) was used to improve the morphology and dispersion of crystals at low saturation and low crystallization temperatures. Various rates of addition of anti-solvent (water) were studied to prevent HMX crystalline transition and effectively increase purity. Furthermore, the aging process was applied to further modify the crystals with controlled particle size distribution The purity of the samples was tested by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) spectroscopy, and the purity of the crystallized samples was improved from 95.53% in Raw HMX to over 99%. The thermal decomposition properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition reaction of the materials were calculated using the Kissinger and Ozawa method. The samples were also tested for impact and friction sensitivity, which was reduced compared to both Raw HMX and industrial HMX, demonstrating that this type of modified HMX recovered from decommissioned propellants is fully reusable.

Introducing Isotòpia: A stable isotope database for Classical Antiquity.

We present Isotòpia, an open-access database compiling over 36,000 stable isotope measurements (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/206Pb, and 208Pb/206Pb) on human, animal, and plant bioarchaeological remains dating to Classical Antiquity (approximately 800 BCE - 500 CE). These were recovered from different European regions, particularly from the Mediterranean. Isotòpia provides a comprehensive characterisation of the isotopic data, encompassing various historical, archaeological, biological, and environmental variables. Isotòpia is a resource for meta-analytical research of past human activities and paleoenvironments. The database highlights data gaps in isotopic classical archaeology, such as the limited number of isotopic measurements available for plants and animals, limited number of studies on spatial mobility, and spatial heterogeneity of isotopic research. As such, we emphasise the necessity to address and fill these gaps in order to unlock the reuse potential of this database.

Dairy wastewater treatment employing microencapsulated Pseudomonas aeruginosa on low acyl gellan gum

This study assessed the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, microencapsulated in gellan gum, to decontaminate dairy wastewater and explored the potential reuse of microcapsules. P. aeruginosa was microencapsulated using the internal ionic gelation technique, employing low-acyl gellan gum as the wall material. The free and microencapsulated P. aeruginosa were inoculated into 150 mL of sterile wastewater and incubated in a shaking flask (150 rpm) at 30°C. Subsequently, the Baranyi Model was employed to calculate the growth parameters of P. aeruginosa. Concurrently, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were determined. The obtained results indicated that the microencapsulation process reduced the growth rate of the encapsulated microorganism. However, the microencapsulated bacteria achieved COD and BOD reduction percentages of 61.54% and 64.05%, respectively. Similarly, when reusing the microcapsules, removal percentages exceeding 57.00% were achieved. These findings could have significant implications for the industry in terms of reducing effluent contamination caused by substantial amounts of pollutants. Keywords: dairy wastewater, gellan gum, microencapsulation, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Reuse potential of building services in building relocation

Reuse potential of building services in building relocation

Simultaneous optimization of activation conditions of alperujo (two-phase olive mill waste) using a desirability function: Production of porous carbons for adsorption and energy storage

Valorization of agro-industrial waste is considered an essential step towards a circular economy. The potential reuse of these byproducts in practical applications requires feasibility assessments and optimization of variables in order to be profitable. In the present study, an abundant and problematic residue from the olive oil industry, “alperujo” (two-phase olive mill waste), was used as precursor material for activated carbons. A simultaneous optimization methodology was applied to maximize two response variables: energy storage capacity and lead (Pb) removal efficiency. The simultaneous optimum conditions were 3.66 g of KOH per g of carbonized residue and a temperature of 650 °C for 120 min. The result was a microporous activated carbon with an energy storage capacity of 252 F/g and a lead removal from aqueous solutions of 68.8 %. These values are comparable with those offered by commercial activated carbons, evidencing that porous materials obtained from alperujo using unique activating conditions for both applications present a remarkable performance. The novelty of the present study lies in the application of a useful statistical methodology for simultaneous optimization through the “desirability function”, resulting in a reduction in cost and time. Our results have demonstrated that it is possible to generate activated carbons with the highest performance for two different applications using the same combination of activation variables.

Biomass derived carbon dots for enhanced wastewater remediation: ANN-optimized synthesis and cellular imaging applications

Water pollution is a significant problem in today’s modern world, with dye molecules being the most challenging pollutants to eliminate. Carbon dots (CDs) have demonstrated high efficacy in water and wastewater treatment. This research aimed to develop CDs using banana peel as a carbon precursor through a facile hydrothermal method. These CDs were utilized to eliminate methylene blue (MB) dye. The CDs exhibited blue fluorescence with an improved quantum yield (QY) of up to 19 %. They showed an adsorption efficiency of 71.942 mg g−1, with maximum adsorption occurring within a pH range from 2 to 10. The adsorption kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm models. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Moreover, the CDs demonstrated excellent re-usability potential over five successive cycles of adsorption. Additionally, a prediction study was performed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to forecast the adsorption of dye by CDs. The CDs were further investigated for cytotoxic properties and cellular internalization in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The findings indicated that cellular viability significantly decreased with increasing dosage, reaching 50 % (IC50) at a concentration of 128 μg mL−1. Successful internalization of CDs by cancer cells with blue emission suggests their potential in biomedical applications. Thus, the synthesized nanomaterial is highly promising for both bio-sensing applications and wastewater treatment.