Filter System Research Articles

Increasing particle-size by air-flow modification – An experimental study

Ambient particulate are characterize by submicron particles that may penetrate deep into the lungs, where they become harmful due to their morphology and composition, or due to their role as carriers of harmful chemicals or biological agents. Particle filtration technologies have in general a lower efficiency at diameter size around 0.1–0.3 μm. This study examines the concept of particle grouping as a means to overcome this size-gap, for improving air purification or filtration systems. The grouping manipulation is induced by a controlled rotating valve which creates a sinusoidal flow in the experimental tube, and by modules with varying diameter, forcing a wavy flow. Fine particles with a known size distribution which are introduced into the manipulated flow, exhibit groups of particles in the outflow, hence increase the effective size of the particles. Former successful studies were performed with high flow velocity and particle load of industrial duct and car engine outflow, while in the current study smaller particle loads representing ambient to indoor levels are in operation. Although the low velocity and particle load are challenging, this study shows a promising shift of the particle size distribution from a peak at 0.2–0.3 μm, towards larger particle diameters. Fine powder of dolomite is used in this study and preliminary results of adhesion experiments related to dolomite are also reported.

VIKTORIA experiments in the frame of R&D project on sump filtration during a loss of coolant accident

During a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA), in PWR’s, water is injected by the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) to ensure the long-term core coolability and by the Containment Spray System (CSS) to remove residual heat and to maintain containment integrity. After the drainage of the Refueling Water Storage Tank (RWST), water is taken from sumps in the lower part of the reactor building. A filtering system is implemented to collect debris produced by the pipe break as well as other latent materials, such as fiberglass, paint and concrete particles, and to minimize the amount of debris entering in the ECCS and CSS systems. IRSN has launched an experimental R&D project investigating the clogging of sump filters by integral tests performed in the VIKTORIA loop. The main objectives are to investigate the head loss of the filter (physical and chemical clogging) for prototypic upstream debris source term in relevant thermal hydraulic conditions (water temperature and flow velocity on the filter surface) in compliance with the temperature profile and the chemistry of the water in sumps during a LOCA transient. For that, the VIKTORIA loop was equipped successively with two types of 2 m2 filters used in 900MWe NPP’s. The tests highlight the settling of the largest particles (concrete, painted chips) and part of the fibers; the transport of debris (roughly 55 to 65 % of the injected debris source term) leads to the physical clogging of the filter. The debris carried to the filter generate at 80 °C (with chemistry) a very quick increase of the pressure drop across the filter (≈7 kPa) that could be due to rapid chemical effects further to fibers corrosion. At the end of the 80 °C plateau, a pressure drop increase was observed due to the temperature decrease in agreement with the water viscosity evolution. The two types of filters (rectangular pockets or planar types) behave very differently with rather low head losses for the second type; ≈1.5 kPa. Nevertheless, downstream debris source term appears to be more significant with the planar filter (compared to the filter with pockets) during the first hour of injection before the fibrous debris bed formation. We have also observed a more stabilized “cake”, during the (7 days) medium term evolution compared to that for rectangular pockets filter due to motion of debris inside pockets. The recent experiments performed with less amount of fibers (by replacement of part of fibrous materials by RMI metallic insulation) led to significantly reduce the head loss without any consequences on the downstream behavior.

Maintaining Optimal Indoor Air Quality

In the study of indoor air quality in mixed-use complexes, the focus lies on understanding the intricate balance required to maintain optimal Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Mixed-use environments present a unique challenge due to the diverse sources of indoor pollutants they encompass. By employing a survey research design that integrates both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the study aims to shed light on the effectiveness of various strategies in controlling pollutant sources and ensuring well-maintained HVAC systems to improve IAQ. The findings of this research underscore the need to adopt a holistic approach to achieve and sustain optimal levels of IAQ levels within mixed-use complexes. Recommendations such as implementing high-efficiency filtration systems and enhancing ventilation mechanisms emerge as crucial steps towards improving air quality and ultimately enhancing the comfort and well-being of occupants in these multifaceted environments. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate concerns related to IAQ but also contributes to the overall sustainability and liveability of mixed-use complexes, aligning with the growing emphasis on green technologies and practices in modern architectural design.

A way to macroporous and alveolar geopolymer foams elaboration: Influence of operating parameters on porosity characteristics

Alveolar cellular foams are widely used in a wide range of applications, from aeronautics and filtration systems to chemical and transformation processes. Their porous characteristics make them a prime candidate for reactions, radiative transfer and flow. Geopolymeric foams, which have their origins in civil engineering, are materials with promising potential in terms of mechanical, thermal and acoustic resistance. As they are mainly used in civil engineering, the structures currently being developed are mainly closed-pore matrices. However, if they are to invert the field of photocatalytic oxidation processes, solar collectors or concentrated solar power plants, the supports need to develop a high exchange surface area. Metal alveolar foams have been identified as ideal but very costly supports. Geopolymeric foams could meet these requirements, but their surface areas are currently too limited for photoreactors. In this study, it is proposed to develop and optimize the operating conditions for geopolymer foam synthesis in order to impart macroporous properties and an interconnected alveolar structure. Based on two well-established synthesis methods (direct foaming and replication), operating conditions such as foaming agent and surfactant content, and drying and calcination conditions, are studied. Geopolymer foams are produced with different macroporous characteristics. We aim to define the synthesis conditions required to produce interconnected macroporous alveolar foams with milimetric pores. In civil engineering, these materials have the advantage of being easy to design, use and shape according to the application.

Integration Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) and Hydrogen Technologies in Fish Farms: A Techno-Economical Model Dispatch for an Estonian Fish Farm

A fundamental aspect of fish farms is their energy consumption, which is essential for various activities like water supply, pool aeration, thermal conditioning, lighting, filtration, and recirculation systems. Due to volatile prices and rising energy use, costs have surged, requiring energy-optimization solutions for economic viability and pollution reduction. In this context, this study aims to evaluate renewable energy integration in these installations based on real data, assessing current operations, proposing renewable energy optimization, and exploring hydrogen systems for energy needs, using HOMER PRO® to analyze different scenarios. For this purpose, it targets a rainbow trout farm in Estonia, and by simulating the various hybrid configurations proposed, it aims to optimize its energy production and storage, ensuring feasibility and technical integration. The results of the simulations primarily demonstrate the potential for using the byproduct of electrolysis to cover the oxygen demand in these types of processes, reducing the demand for raw materials. Additionally, it is observed that storage enhances performance in isolated systems; however, the economically viable integration of hydrogen technology requires three assumptions: a regulatory framework allowing surplus energy sales to the grid, an existing infrastructure for hydrogen trading, and high energy purchase prices.

Mating proximity blinds threat perception

Romantic engagement can bias sensory perception. This ‘love blindness’ reflects a common behavioural principle across organisms: favouring pursuit of a coveted reward over potential risks1. In the case of animal courtship, such sensory biases may support reproductive success but can also expose individuals to danger, such as predation2,3. However, how neural networks balance the trade-off between risk and reward is unknown. Here we discover a dopamine-governed filter mechanism in male Drosophila that reduces threat perception as courtship progresses. We show that during early courtship stages, threat-activated visual neurons inhibit central courtship nodes via specific serotonergic neurons. This serotonergic inhibition prompts flies to abort courtship when they see imminent danger. However, as flies advance in the courtship process, the dopaminergic filter system reduces visual threat responses, shifting the balance from survival to mating. By recording neural activity from males as they approach mating, we demonstrate that progress in courtship is registered as dopaminergic activity levels ramping up. This dopamine signalling inhibits the visual threat detection pathway via Dop2R receptors, allowing male flies to focus on courtship when they are close to copulation. Thus, dopamine signalling biases sensory perception based on perceived goal proximity, to prioritize between competing behaviours.

A stochastic approach for the generation and combination of vertical and horizontal strong ground motion

Damage to structures during near-fault earthquakes often indicates that the vertical component was larger than what is usually considered in seismic design. Commonly, the vertical component of seismic ground motions is associated with the P-wave. In contrast, the horizontal seismic ground motions’ component is usually related to the arrival of the S-wave. However, findings of recent near-fault events indicate that both the horizontal and the vertical motions are a mixture of S and P-waves. Therefore, the need to generate three-component artificial accelerograms for structural design arises. This paper proposes a double aim: starting from the well-noted Snell’s law, a physical explanation of the mixture of S and P-waves is outlined. Then, a novel integrodifferential filter system for the stochastic simulation of the three components of strong motion is presented. The proposed study is applied to some theoretical applications as well as to two real Italian seismic events.

Jet-assisted membrane filtration and design application: A model for fouling removal area estimation

Membrane fouling remains a significant challenge in desalination and other membrane-based filtration processes. This study presents a novel force-balance model to accurately estimate the de-fouling area in jet-assisted filtration for in-situ fouling control. The model includes various design parameters, such as initial jet velocity, nozzle diameter, impinging angle, membrane pore size, membrane resistance, and permeate flux. The validation showed a strong correlation between theoretical predictions and experimental observations, with an R2 value of 0.97, indicating high predictive accuracy. Additionally, an empirical formula and design automation tools were developed to facilitate the configuration of jet filtration modules, enabling practical application of the findings. As a demonstration, the arrangement of multiple jets in a hollow fiber membrane module was optimized using the model, significantly improving microalgae filtration performance. The optimized jet configuration enhanced permeate flux by 236 % and reduced the specific energy consumption by 67 % compared to conventional setups. This research offers a framework for extending the application of jet-based fouling mitigation and cleaning in various membrane filtration systems, providing substantial improvements in efficiency and operational sustainability.

Numerical analysis of the mechanics of foreign particle entry on automotive turbocharger compressor blades

Automotive turbochargers, essential for enhancing intake air pressure and boosting torque in internal combustion engines, operate at exceptionally high rotational speeds of approximately 100,000 to 300,000 rpm. Despite the implementation of dual or triple air filtration systems to filter contaminants, neglected maintenance can lead to clogged filters, resulting in the ingestion of metallic filter mesh, and other small-sized objects from filter indicators, washers, and plastic components into the turbocharger assembly. The current study explores the impact of foreign particles on the mechanics of turbocompressor impeller blades in automotive turbochargers through a computational approach. A finite element model of the turbocompressor wheel was developed with suitable boundary conditions for the turbocompressor and the foreign particle. A Design of Experiments (DoE) approach was employed using a Taguchi L12 orthogonal array to optimize the multiple parameters during the foreign particle impact. The study considered two geometric shapes of the foreign particle (conical with unit aspect ratio and hemispherical), two sizes, and two rotational speeds ranging from 150,000 to 250,000 rpm. ANSYS Explicit Dynamics® software was utilized for the numerical simulations to simulate the mechanics of foreign particle entry and the resulting damage on compressor blades.

ENTROPY-OPTIMIZED FLOW OF COUPLE STRESSES IN AN POROUS INCLINED PIPE WITH UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD AND MIXED CONVENTION

Abstract The research aims to investigate the entropy-optimized flow of couple stresses in a porous inclined pipe exposed to a transverse constant magnetic field and mixed convection. It focuses on understanding the thermodynamic efficiency and fluid behaviour under convective boundary conditions, contributing to improved designs in engineering applications where such flows are relevant. The aim is to enhance heat transfer efficiency in industrial processes such as chemical reactors, heat exchangers, and geothermal systems, while also improving filtration systems for applications like water purification and oil recovery. By subjecting the flow to a uniform magnetic field and mixed convection, nonlinear governing equations arise due to mixed convection. We linearize these equations using a quasi-linearization approach and solve them using Chebyshev spectral collocation. Our analysis focuses on thermodynamic phenomena like entropy generation and the Bejan number, which have implications for the efficiency and sustainability of industrial processes. We visualize temperature and axial velocity profiles across various parameter ranges to understand the fluid's behaviour under the influence of magnetic fields and porous materials. As the magnetic parameter increases, there is a decrease in fluid velocity and temperature. However, the opposite tendency is seen for the couple stress viscosity ratio parameter. We also observe irreversibility dominating heat transfer at the pipe wall, while fluid friction irreversibility dominates around the pipe's centre. This research contributes to advancing our understanding of thermodynamic processes in complex fluid systems and has practical implications for optimizing industrial processes and developing more efficient filtration systems.

Comparative study of Yamada-Ota and Xue models for MHD hybrid nanofluid flow past a rotating stretchable disk: stability analysis

PurposeThe hybrid nanofluid flow due to a rotating disk has numerous applications, including centrifugal pumps, paper production, polymers dying, air filtration systems, automobile cooling and solar collectors. This study aims to investigate the convective heat transport and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) hybrid nanofluid flow past a stretchable rotating surface using the Yamada-Ota and Xue models with the impacts of heat generation and thermal radiation.Design/methodology/approachThe carbon nanotubes such as single-wall carbon nanotubes and multi-wall carbon nanotubes are suspended in a base fluid like water to make the hybrid nanofluid. The problem’s governing partial differential equations are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations. Then, the numerical solutions are found with a bvp4c function in MATLAB software. The impacts of pertinent parameters on the flow and temperature fields are depicted in tables and graphs.FindingsTwo solution branches are discovered in a certain range of unsteadiness parameters. The fluid temperature and the rate of heat transport are enhanced when the thermal radiation and heat generation effects are increased. The Yamada-Ota model has a higher temperature than the Xue model. Furthermore, it is observed that only the first solution remains stable when the stability analysis is implemented.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the results stated are original and new with the investigation of MHD hybrid nanofluid flow with convective heat transfer using the extended version of Yamada-Ota and Xue models. Moreover, the novelty of the present study is improved by taking the impacts of heat generation and thermal radiation.

Improving Irrigation Water Quality with Local Filters in Akungba - Akoko, Southwest, Nigeria

The shortage of freshwater for irrigating vegetables in Akungba Akoko, Nigeria, is a critical concern during the dry season, demanding urgent attention. Local farmers rely heavily on polluted well and stream water for irrigation, which poses significant health risks due to contamination from refuse and pollutants. Addressing this challenge requires the development of a simple, cost-effective treatment facility to remove contaminants and make the water suitable for irrigation. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of a straightforward filtration system using various physical materials to improve water quality. Conducted at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, the study focused on evaluating granite and river sand filtration on water collected from a local stream at Ibaka, Akungba-Akoko in April 7th, 2023. The filtered and unfiltered waters, categorized as follows: T<sub>0</sub> = Borehole water (Control), T<sub>1</sub> = Unfiltered water, T<sub>2</sub> = water filtered with granite, T<sub>3</sub> = water filtered with pure river sand, and T<sub>4</sub> = water filtered with combined physical filters were subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analyses to determine its suitability for irrigation purposes. The study revealed that using single or combined physical filtration materials led to a notable decrease in microbial levels in the water samples. Additionally, significant reductions in total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were observed in water filtered through these materials, either alone or in combination. Granite filtration (T<sub>2</sub>) resulted in notably higher pH (5.57 Ms/cm), EC (172.00 μ. S/cm) and nitrogen (27.00 mg/L) levels, while combined filtration (granite and pure river sand) (T<sub>4</sub>) showed higher levels of phosphorus (9.35 mg/L). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of both singular and combined physical filtration materials in improving wastewater quality. Thus, employing these filtration methods, either individually or in combination, is recommended for local farmers, especially in Akungba Akoko, South West Nigeria, to enhance water quality for agricultural purposes.

Modelling and predicting lift force and trans-membrane pressure using linear, KNN, ANN and response surface models during the separation of oil drops from produced water

This study aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of membrane filtration systems used to treat produced water by accurately predicting lift force, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and total resistance (TR) using ML models, namely linear, K-nearest neighbors (KNN), and artificial neural networks (ANN). The dataset was split into training, validation, and test sets, allowing for comprehensive training and evaluation of model performance. Linear, KNN and ANN models achieved high R-squared scores (R2) of 0.998, 0.996, and 0.999 and low mean squared error (MSE) values of 0.0000046, 0.0002763, and 0.000004621 for Lift force prediction, respectively. For TMP prediction, these models showed R2 values of 0.801, 0.90, and 0.72 and MSE values of 0.01236, 0.109, and 0.283, respectively. Similarly, these models predicted TR with R2 scores of 0.76, 0.78, and 0.78 and MSE values of 0.2087, 0.025, and 0.22, respectively. These results indicate that KNN is particularly efficient in accurately predicting the membrane parameters and could be a robust tool to optimize membrane filtration processes. Response surface modelling (RSM) elucidates the relationship between input and output parameters. Initially, the increase in drop size and shear has a minimal impact on the lift force. Beyond a drop size of 0.3 μm and shear rate 1200 S−1, lift force rises significantly. TMP initially increases with shear rate, peaking at a value of 1200 S−1, then decreases with higher shear rates. Optimal conditions identified are higher shear rates and drop sizes >0.3 μm to maintain lower TMP and effective filtration. Findings from the study suggest that employing predictive modelling can significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of produced water treatment, by improving contaminant removal, reducing energy consumption and cost, potentially reducing environmental impacts, and improving sustainability in the oil and gas industry.

Optimized removal of silica during manure treatment by electrocoagulation-flotation (EC-F) in view of fouling prevention of reverse osmosis membranes

Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane fouling threatens the performance of manure treatment. In this regard, silica is considered one of the most challenging inorganic foulants. Removing silica fouling from RO membranes is difficult, ultimately leading to performance deterioration, including reduced permeability and premature membrane failure. This study examines the removal of silica during manure treatment using a novel tubular electrocoagulation-flotation (EC-F) reactor with an Al electrode. The EC-F was positioned between an ultrafiltration and a RO membrane filtration system. The operational parameters—current density, electrolysis residence time, and initial pH—were optimized for maximum silica removal efficiency and minimum operational cost. At the optimum conditions (pH of 8.2, current density of 160 A/m2 and electrolysis residence time of 23 s), 88 % of silica (initial concentration of 104 mg/L) was removed. Subsequent membrane fouling assessment revealed that EC-F pretreatment decreased the fouling potential by 28 % (from 7.11 × 1016 to 5.10 × 1016 Pa·s/m2·t), indicating efficient foulant removal. SEM-EDX analysis of the membrane confirmed the lack of scale formation when using EC-F pretreated manure as a feed stream. This study demonstrates that the use of innovative EC-F pretreatment significantly reduces the operational expenditure (1.75 €/m3) compared to prior EC-F research for silica removal from manure, thereby reducing the fouling of RO membranes.

RBFsim – A tool for early planning stage of riverbank filtration systems

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is increasingly being considered an effective method to support the management of water supply and the management of groundwater-river water exchange. Literature, however, provides very limited methods for the initial evaluation of the RBF system. Specifically, initial evaluations need to rely on limited data, be cost-effective, and provide sufficient useful output. The paper provides the development of a tool called RBFsim, designed for the early assessment of flow hydraulics in a riverbank filtration (RBF) scheme during site selection and optimization of well operation. The developed tool allows simplified computation (based on the Analytical Element Method or AEM) of the flow field for single and multiple wells in a 2D homogeneous and isotropic aquifer with uniform flow. The tool superimposes analytical solutions for key RBF quantities such as residence time (the time required for river water to reach the well) and the proportions of water (contributed by the river and groundwater) in the well discharge. These solutions are superimposed on the developed flow field. Additionally, the tool can be used to evaluate the impact of riverbed clogging on the operation of the RBF system. The simplified computation due to AEM and limited data requirements allows the tool to be used in handheld (smartphones) or desktop devices with or without internet connection. RBFsim results are verified by comparing them with results from MODFLOW and MODPATH simulations, which are based on entirely different (finite difference) computational schemes. The obtained results from both these models match within the error margin of less than 5%. Further, the practicality and applicability of RBFsim are illustrated using synthetic and field data. While the tool provides a matching river water contribution ratio with field data, it demonstrates the best-fit residence times primarily for higher well discharge rates. These limitations are attributed to complexities observed in the field, such as a heterogeneous aquifer and nonuniform flow. Overall, the developed tool simplifies the complex computations required, particularly for assessing the feasibility and risk of RBF schemes. The developed tool’s methods and code are open-sourced (licensed under CC-BY 4.0), which promotes personalized modifications and extensions.

A PM2.5 pollution-level adaptive air filtration system based on elastic filters for reducing energy consumption

Exacerbated by human activities and natural events, air pollution poses severe health risks, requiring effective control measures to ensure healthy living environments. Traditional filtration systems that employ high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are capable of effectively removing particulate matter (PM) in indoor environments. However, these systems often work without considering the fluctuations in air pollution levels, leading to high energy consumption. This study proposed a novel PM2.5 pollution-level adaptive air filtration system that combined elastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filters and an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The developed system can effectively adjust its filtration performance (i.e., pressure drop and PM2.5 filtration efficiency) in response to real-time air quality conditions by mechanically altering the structures of TPU filters. Furthermore, while operating in varied pollution conditions, the proposed system demonstrated remarkable reductions in pressure drop without notably compromising the pollution control capability. Finally, the energy consumption of the pollution-level adaptive air filtration system was estimated when applied in mechanical ventilation systems in different cities (Hong Kong, Beijing, and Xi’an) with various pollution conditions. The results revealed that, compared to a traditional fixed system, the annual energy consumption could be reduced by up to ∼26.4 % in Hong Kong.

Pilot-scale evaluation of a dynamic body-feed filtration system for primary clarification of snake antivenoms produced by the caprylic acid method

The performance of dynamic body-feed filtration (DBF) in the removal of bulky solids produced during the manufacturing of snake antivenoms using the caprylic acid method was evaluated. For this purpose, diatomites with different filterability properties were compared in a bench-scale study to assess their effectiveness in removing the precipitated material formed after the addition of caprylic acid to equine hyperimmune plasma. C1000 diatomite at a concentration of 90 g/L of precipitated plasma showed the best performance. Then, the process was scaled up to three batches of 50 L of hyperimmune horse plasma. At this pilot scale, 108 ± 4% of the immunoglobulins present following plasma precipitation were recovered after DBF. The antivenoms generated using this procedure met quality specifications. When compared to open filtration systems commonly used at an industrial scale by many antivenom manufacturers, DBF has a similar yield and produces filtrates with comparable physicochemical characteristics. However, DBF ensures the microbiological quality of the primary clarification in a way that open systems cannot. This is because: 1) DBF is performed in a single-use closed device of depth filters which prevents microbial contamination, and 2) DBF removes bulky material in few minutes instead of the more than 24 h needed by open filtration systems, thus reducing the risk of contamination. It was concluded that DBF is a cost-effective, easily validated, and GMP-compliant alternative for primary clarification following caprylic acid precipitation of plasma in snake antivenom production.

Fully tunable microwave photonic narrow bandpass filter using an on-chip dual-drive microring resonator

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fully tunable microwave photonic narrow bandpass filter based on phase modulation to intensity modulation (PM-IM) conversion. In the filter implementation, an on-chip dual-drive microring resonator (MRR) is a key component. This resonator leverages a multimode waveguide to enable a high Q-factor. A metallic micro-heater and a lateral PN junction are simultaneously created for resonance wavelength tuning. When one driving signal is applied to the micro-heater, a large tuning range of the resonance wavelength is resulted; when another driving signal is applied to the PN junction, a fast tuning speed of the resonance wavelength is caused. By jointly using two different tuning mechanisms, the realized microwave photonic filter features a large frequency tuning range as well as a fast tuning speed. In addition, the filter bandwidth can also be tuned. A silicon-based dual-drive high-Q racetrack MRR chip is designed, fabricated, and evaluated. By incorporating the chip in a microwave photonic filter system, a bandpass filter with a narrow bandwidth of 1.27 GHz is achieved. An ultra-wide frequency tuning range from 3 to 51 GHz, an ultra-fast tuning speed less than 0.54 ns, and a tunable bandwidth from 1.27 to 4.47 GHz is experimentally demonstrated. This fully tunable filter offers significant potential in future radar and next-generation wireless communication applications.

Upcycling waste polymer membranes through eco-friendly solvent-catalysed valorisation for energy and environmental solutions

A facile pathway of upcycling waste/discarded polysulfone (WPSF) membranes has been proposed using deep eutectic solvent (DES) system composed of choline chloride and ethylene glycol (CC:EG) in 1:1 ratio as a green template. This approach offers a viable solution for addressing polymer membrane waste management challenges while simultaneously promoting feasible method, resource efficiency and economic viability. The WPSF was doped with Mn ions prior to the solvothermal conversion at 200 °C and pyrolysis at 900 °C. The obtained functional porous carbon showed superior adsorption capacity towards Malachite green (MG) (423.72 mg/g), Eriochrome black-T (EBT) (326.79 mg/g), Diclofenac (DCF) (195.31 mg/g), and Ofloxacin (OFX) (121.8 mg/g). The adsorption followed pseudo second order kinetics and well agreed with Langmuir isotherm. Further, the optimised carbon material i.e., Mn-WPSF-01 was used as an adsorptive-based membrane water filtration system, in which a remarkable water flux about 965 L.m−2.h−1 for different feed streams with outstanding rejection of >90% even after ten cycles of regeneration was obtained. Therefore, Mn-doped carbon materials integrate the advantages of easy preparation, robustness, and effective adsorption performances, as well as good recyclability. Furthermore, the utilized or secondary carbon materials were used as electrode system in supercapacitors after the pyrolysis, where they displayed a specific capacitance of 110.88 F/g at 0.1 A/g of current density with capacity retention 90.85% for about 20,000 cycles with a current density increased to 5 A/g. Therefore, this approach promises to recycle the WPSF via potential applications in water treatment and energy applications through greener way.

Electric Field Assisted Tangential Flow Filtration Device for Highly Effective Isolation of Bioactive Small Extracellular Vesicles from Cell Culture Medium.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are proven to hold great promise for diverse therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, batch preparation of sEVs with high purity and bioactivity is a prerequisite for their clinical translations. Herein, we present an electric field assisted tangential flow filtration system (E-TFF), which integrates size-based filtration with electrophoretic migration-based separation to synergistically achieve the isolation of high-quality sEVs from cell culture medium. Compared with the gold-standard ultracentrifugation (UC) method, E-TFF not only improved the purity of sEVs by 1.4 times but also increased the yield of sEVs by 15.8 times. Additionally, the entire isolation process of E-TFF was completed within 1 h, about one-fourth of the time taken by UC. Furthermore, the biological activity of sEVs isolated by E-TFF was verified by co-incubation of sEVs derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) with HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells exposed to amyloid-β (Aβ). The results demonstrated that the sEVs isolated by E-TFF exhibited a significant neuroprotective effect. Overall, the E-TFF platform provides a promising and robust strategy for batch preparation of high-quality sEVs, opening up a broad range of opportunities for cell-free therapy and precision medicine.