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The peroxidase (Per) reaction is a quick and inexpensive biosensor for the screening of environmental contaminants and wastewaters. The purpose of this study was to screen various municipal wastewaters before and after 7 different types of treatment processes using this sensor to identify potential sites under stress by urban pollution. The following wastewater samples before (influent) and after the commonly applied treatments (effluent) were tested using the Per activity test: advanced biofiltration, biofiltration, aerated lagoons, secondary aeration sludge, trickling filter, secondary membrane filtration, and primary. The influents and effluents were collected for 3 days and concentrated to 500 X on a reverse-phase (C18) extraction cartridge. The ethanol extracts were examined for dissolved organic carbon, plastic-like materials, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and polystyrene nanoplastics. The samples were then tested using the Per reaction alone and in the presence of DNA to detect DNA binding agents. The results show that population size tended to increase Per activity and 60% of the effluents decreased Per activity leading to H2O2 persistence and toxicity. More advanced treatments (biofiltration, membrane biofiltration, secondary aeration) produced stronger changes from the corresponding untreated influents corroborating their performance in reducing toxicity. The addition of DNA during the Per reaction revealed that population size had no influence and that 60% of treated effluents restored Per activity suggesting release of genotoxic compounds in the aquatic environment from treated wastewaters. The toxic implications of the continuous release of wastewaters in aquatic ecosystems are discussed in the light of emerging contaminants such as nanoplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of crystalline, robust covalent organic framework (COF) membranes based on disorder‐to‐order strategy is promising yet highly challenging. Herein, a microwave‐assisted method for fabricating COF membranes is proposed. Initially, monomers polymerize rapidly on the surface of porous Al2O3 substrate at room temperature to form an amorphous pristine membrane. Subsequently, a microwave field is exerted to trigger fast crystallization, acquiring a crystalline COF membrane within 60 min. The amorphous pristine membrane exhibits a high dissipation factor, indicating excellent microwave absorption capability, which accelerates the dynamic reversible reactions during the microwave treatment and thus ensures a rapid transition from the amorphous to the crystalline state. Owing to the high‐crystallinity and robust structure, the COF membranes exhibit high rejection rates for solute molecules with molecular weights exceeding 700 Da (e.g., Evans blue: 98.7%) and high solvent permeance for organic solvents (e.g., ethanol: 87.8 Lm−2h−1 bar−1, n‐hexane: 222.3 Lm−2h−1 bar−1). Surprisingly, the COF membranes exhibit superior mechanical properties, with Young's modulus of 33.91 ± 3.94 GPa, outperforming previously reported polycrystalline COF membranes and are close to those for inorganic zeolite membranes. The microwave‐assisted COF crystallization method opens a new avenue to fabricating a variety of crystalline membranes for advanced separations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filler morphology control is critical for enhancing the gas separation performance of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). A vertical transport channel using the crystal twinning phenomenon is designed on the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) nanoplate. Twinned ZIF‐8 (TZIF‐8) nanoplate is prepared by controlling the shape of ZIF‐L from nanosheet to twinned flake, followed by conversion into the ZIF‐8 phase. With the addition of TZIF‐8 in 6FDA‐DAM polymer, propylene/propane selectivity is dramatically enhanced, showing propylene permeability of 40 Barrer and propylene/propane selectivity of 82. The separation performance surpasses the performance of MMMs reported so far, and the selectivity is comparable to that of polycrystalline ZIF‐8 membranes. A transport mechanism study using mathematical models implies that the percolated twin fillers create rapid and selective gas channels for desired molecules and substantial tortuous pathways for undesired molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of lithium (Li) from complex brines presents significant challenges due to the interference of competing ions, particularly magnesium (Mg2⁺), which complicates the selective separation process. Herein, a strategy is introduced employing charge‐lock enhanced 2D heterogeneous channels for the rapid and selective uptake of Li⁺. This approach integrates porous ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanosheets into Ag+‐modulated sub‐nanometer interlayer channels, forming channels optimized for Li⁺ extraction. The novelty lies in the charge‐lock mechanism, which selectively captures Mg2⁺ ions, thereby facilitating the effective separation of Li from Mg. This mechanism is driven by a charge transfer during the formation of ZnFe2O4/ZnO, rendering O atoms in Fe‐O bonds more negatively charged. These negative charges strongly interact with the high charge density of Mg2⁺ ions, enabling the charge‐locking mechanism and the targeted capture of Mg2⁺. Optimization with Ag⁺ further improves interlayer spacing, increasing ion transport rates and addressing the swelling issue typical of 2D membranes. The resultant membrane showcases high water flux (44.37 L m⁻2 h⁻¹ bar⁻¹) and an impressive 99.8% rejection of Mg2⁺ in real brine conditions, achieving a Li⁺/Mg2⁺ selectivity of 59.3, surpassing existing brine separation membranes. Additionally, this membrane demonstrates superior cyclic stability, highlighting its high potential for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positively charged nanofiltration membranes have attracted much attention in the field of lithium extraction from salt lakes due to their excellent ability to separate mono‐ and multi‐valent cations. However, the thicker selective layer and the lower affinity for Li+ result in lower separation efficiency of the membranes. Here, PEI‐P membranes with highly efficient Li+/Mg2+ separation performance are prepared by introducing highly lithophilic 4,7,10‐Trioxygen‐1,13‐tridecanediamine (DCA) on the surface of PEI‐TMC membranes using a post‐modification method. Characterization and experimental results show that the utilization of the DCA‐TMC crosslinked structure as a space‐confined layer to inhibit the diffusion of the monomer not only increases the positive charge density of the membrane but also reduces its thickness by ≈35% and presents a unique coffee‐ring structure, which ensures excellent water permeability and rejection of Mg2+. The ion–dipole interaction of the ether chains with Li+ facilitates Li+ transport and improves the Li+/Mg2+ selectivity (SLi,Mg = 23.3). In a three‐stage nanofiltration process for treating simulated salt lake water, the PEI‐P membrane can reduce the Mg2+/Li+ ratio of the salt lake by 400‐fold and produce Li2CO3 with a purity of more than 99.5%, demonstrating its potential application in lithium extraction from salt lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient lithium/magnesium (Li+/Mg2+) separation attainment is fundamental to the extraction of lithium from brine by nanofiltration membrane separation process, which is essential for resource recovery and a circular water economy. However, for poly(piperazine‐amide) nanofilm composite membranes, the higher electronegativity affects the Mg2+ rejection and consequently Li+/Mg2+ separation performance. Manipulating the positive charge density and pore size regulation of the nanofiltration membranes are determinative of the Li+/Mg2+ separation performance improvement. Here, a new monomer 1,1′‐(hexane‐1,6‐diyl)bis(1‐methylpiperazin‐1‐ium) bromide containing bis‐quaternary ammonium cations is employed as a molecular building block to fabricate polyamide nanofilms via interfacial polymerization. The dual quaternary ammoniums and the rod‐shaped conformation of the monomer confer enhanced electropositivity, steric hindrance, loosely packed microporous network structure (pore diameter∼0.8–1.35 nm), and high free volume. The resultant membrane exhibits high water permeance of 28.34 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with good Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of up to 76.9. In addition, the membrane also exhibits chlorine stability performance owing to the lack of the chlorine sensitive −NH groups in the formed tertiary amide structures. Computational insights on the structural properties, nanofilm formation, and transmembrane water and ion transport behaviors are provided. This study offers insightful theoretical and technological concepts to design and construct membrane materials for energy‐efficient separations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of the dye industry and the worsening water resource crisis have drawn significant focus to the treatment of dye wastewater. Membrane separation technology is increasingly being utilized in addressing this issue. However, traditional separation membranes face challenges such as susceptibility to contamination and significant decline in subsequent separation permeance. This work utilizes a straightforward brushing technique to effectively apply a coating comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and attapulgite (APT) onto a stainless steel mesh (SSM), equipping it with the capability for dye adsorption and separation. Studies show that coatings with different ratios yield varying degrees of coverage on the SSM. A higher concentration of TiO2/attapulgite results in improved coverage on the SSM, creating a denser coating on the mesh surface and the degree of cross-linking of the coating was as high as 92.22%. The coated meshes exhibited superhydrophilicity uniformly and excellent negatively charged properties. Separation experiments of the meshes with different TiO2/attapulgite ratios were conducted by separating simulated dye wastewater with methylene blue (MB) and safranine T (SaT). The results indicate that the prepared meshes achieved a maximum rejection of over 98.0% for MB and over 96.5% for SaT. In addition, the prepared meshes maintained high dye rejection efficiencies (>96%) even after 10 consecutive separation cycles. The above results indicate that the prepared meshes are promising for application in industrial dye wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mixed matrix materials (MMMs) integrating excellent processability from polymers and distinct separation properties from nanofillers are of interest for membrane gas separations, and they are often made into freestanding films (>100 µm) to demonstrate superior gas separation properties. However, they are difficult to fabricate into thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes due to interfacial incompatibility between polymers and nanofillers. Here TFN membranes based on MMMs (as thin as 200 nm) are successfully developed comprising amorphous poly(ethylene oxide) (aPEO) and UiO‐66‐NH2 enabling strong hydrogen bonds between the two matrices. Increasing the UiO‐66‐NH2 loading unexpectedly decreases CO2 permeability in freestanding films, but it surprisingly leads to the best CO2/N2 separation properties in the membranes at a loading of 10 mass% (CO2 permeance of 2900 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity of 48). Nanoconfinement significantly influences the morphological and gas separation properties of the MMM layer. The membrane with 10 mass% UiO‐66‐NH2 demonstrates mixed‐gas CO2 permeance of 1400 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity of 76 in the presence of 1.2 mol% water vapor at ≈23 °C, surpassing Robeson's upper bound. The membrane also demonstrates stable CO2/N2 separation performance when challenged with real flue gas for 700 h continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve sustainable and energy‐efficient CO2 capture processes, it is imperative to develop membranes that possess both high CO2 permeability and selectivity. One promising approach involves integrating high‐aspect‐ratio nanoscale fillers into polymer matrices. The high‐aspect‐ratio fillers increase surface area and improve interactions between polymer chains and gas molecules passing through the membrane. This study focuses on the integration of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with an impressive aspect ratio of around 12 into rubbery polymers containing polyethylene oxide (PEO), namely PEBAX MH 1657 (poly[ether‐block‐amide] [PEBA]) and polyurethane (PU), to fabricate mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs). By exploiting the interfacial interactions between the polymer matrix and CNC nanofillers, combined with the surface functionalities of CNC nanofillers, the rapid and selective CO2 transport is facilitated, even at low filler concentrations. This unique feature enables the development of thin‐film composites (TFCs) with a selective layer around 1 μm. Notably, even at a filling ratio as low as 1 weight percent, the resulting membranes exhibit remarkable CO2 permeability (>90 Barrer) and CO2/N2 selectivity (>70). These findings highlight the potential of integrating CNCs into rubbery polymers as a promising strategy for the design and fabrication of highly efficient CO2 capture membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), at the forefront of porous materials, hold tremendous potential in membrane separation; however, achieving high continuity in COF membranes remains crucial for efficient gas separation. Here, we present a unique approach termed assembly‐dissociation‐reconstruction for fabricating COF membranes tailored for CO2/N2 separation. A parent COF is designed from two‐node aldehyde and three‐node amine monomers and dissociated to high‐aspect‐ratio nanosheets. Subsequently, COF nanosheets are orderly reconstructed into a crack‐free membrane by surface reaction under water evaporation. The membrane exhibits high crystallinity, open pores and a strong affinity for CO2 adsorption over N2, resulting in CO2 permeance exceeding 1060 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity surpassing 30.6. The efficacy of this strategy offers valuable guidance for the precise fabrication of gas‐separation membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mask stereolithography 3D printing for zirconia ceramics has attracted increasing attention in the industrial manufacturing due to their advantages of complex shapes, precisely controlled internal structures and fine surface effects. However, high refractive index and expensive equipment cost have always affected its development. Herein, we combine liquid crystal display (LCD) light curing 3D printing with zirconia molding, which is free from environmental and price limitations. In the conventional method of operation, the cured layer is bonded to the bottom and cannot be manufactured. We put forward a strategy for optimizing separation process and investigate the mechanism of the separation process in depth for high-quality zirconia ceramics LCD 3D printing. The results show that the controlled adjustment of the surface free energy can achieve a great reduction in the separation force, which enabled the successful printing of zirconia ceramics based on LCD. The effect of physical properties of the separation membrane on the separation process was studied and the solid content and 3D printing parameters of ceramic paste were optimized. When the solid content is 72.5 wt%, high quality zirconia ceramic parts with flexural strength of 255 MPa and relative density of 98.1 % can be obtained. This work provides new ideas for the convenient customization of zirconia ceramics in many fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane separation processes play a crucial role in gas separation applications, with the need for ongoing development to fulfill new needs for today's challenges. For this purpose, novel 2D nanomaterials are progressively showing promise over conventional polymer‐based membrane material, exhibiting excellent molecular transport properties. Beyond the 2D materials already studied in this field, this article presents the first gas separation performances of vanadium pentoxide membrane. Brand new in gas separation topic, 2D van der Waals nanoribbons of V2O5 are successfully synthesized and layered on an anodic aluminum oxide substrate. Gas permeation analysis of He, N2, and CO2 are performed on various membranes made from different quantities of the nanomaterial. Gas permeance results suggest a deviation from an expected Knudsen diffusion mechanism of the V2O5‐based membrane for He separation. The ideal selectivities of He/N2 and He/CO2 are compared to Robeson's upper bound for polymeric membranes. V2O5 membranes, prepared with the highest V2O5 quantity, exceeded the upper bound from 2008 for He/N2 and 2019 (the most recent) for He/CO2, demonstrating the interesting potential of V2O5 2D materials for gas separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the rapid development of new energy vehicles and energy storage batteries, the consumption of lithium products is increasing, the development and utilization of lithium resources has received a high degree of attention. The currently industrialized lithium extraction method has a long production cycle, low lithium recovery rate, and a slow growth in lithium production, which is difficult to meet the needs of China's new energy industry development. Direct extraction of lithium from low-lithium brine can realize the efficient utilization of low-grade lithium resources, which is of great significance for improving the supply of strategic lithium resources in China. Based on the characteristics of brine resources, this paper summarizes the adsorption, membrane separation, solvent extraction and others methods, which applicable to the extraction of lithium from low lithium concentration and high magnesium lithium ratio of raw brine. The characteristics and effects of various lithium extraction methods were analyzed. The development trend of extracting lithium from brine with low lithium concentration and high magnesium lithium ratio is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral compounds are abundantly distributed in both the natural world and biological systems. It is crucial to identify and detect chiral compounds in living systems or to separate and determine them in the natural environment. Many researchers have developed a range of chiral materials with different functionalizations to separate and detect chiral substances. Chiral metal–organic frameworks (CMOFs) have the potential to be used in enantioselective separation and detection due to their large surface areas, regulated framework topologies, particular substrate interactions, and accessible chiral sites. CMOFs contribute significantly to the development of enantiomer separation and detection in medicine, agriculture, food, environment, and other fields. This review focuses on four synthesis methods of CMOFs and their applications in chiral separation and chiral sensing in the past five years, mainly including chromatographic separation, membrane separation, optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and other sensing methods. Finally, the challenges and potential growth direction of CMOFs in enantiomer separation and detection are discussed and prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the inherent demand for hydrophobic materials in processes such as membrane distillation and unidirectional moisture conduction, the preparation and application development of profiles such as modified cellulose acetate membranes that have both hydrophobic functions and biological properties have become a research hotspot. Compared with the petrochemical polymer materials used in conventional hydrophobic membrane preparation, cellulose acetate, as the most important cellulose derivative, exhibits many advantages, such as a high natural abundance, good film forming, and easy modification and biodegradability, and it is a promising polymer raw material for environmental purification. This paper focuses on the research progress of the hydrophobic cellulose acetate preparation process and its current application in the water-treatment and resource-utilization fields. It provides a detailed introduction and comparison of the technical characteristics, existing problems, and development trends of micro- and nanostructure and chemical functional surface construction in the hydrophobic modification of cellulose acetate. Further review was conducted and elaborated on the applications of hydrophobic cellulose acetate membranes and other profiles in oil–water separation, brine desalination, water-repellent protective materials, and other separation/filtration fields. Based on the analysis of the technological and performance advantages of profile products such as hydrophobic cellulose acetate membranes, it is noted that key issues need to be addressed and urgently resolved for the further development of hydrophobic cellulose acetate membranes. This will provide a reference basis for the expansion and application of high-performance cellulose acetate membrane products in the environmental field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of antibiotics has advanced modern medicine significantly. However, the abuse and discharge of antibiotics have led to substantial antibiotic residues in water, posing great harm to natural organisms and humans. To address the problem of antibiotic degradation, this study developed a novel catalytic membrane by depositing Co catalysts onto MXene nanosheets and fabricating the polyethersulfone composite (Co@MXene/PES) using vacuum-assisted self-assembly. The dual role of MXene as both a carrier for Co atoms and an enhancer of interlayer spacing led to improved flux and catalytic degradation capabilities of the membrane. Experimental results confirmed that the Co@MXene/PES membrane effectively degraded antibiotics through peroxymonosulfate activation, achieving up to 95.51% degradation at a cobalt concentration of 0.01 mg/mL. The membrane demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties, minimal flux loss after repeated use, and robust anti-fouling performance, making it a promising solution for efficient antibiotic removal and stable water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes containing various fillers and additives present an effective alternative to conventional dense polymer membranes, which often suffer from low permeance (flux) and the permeability–selectivity tradeoff. Alongside the development and utilization of numerous new polymers over the past few decades, diverse additives such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), graphene oxides (GOs), and ionic liquids (ILs) have been integrated into the polymer matrix to enhance performance. However, achieving desirable interfacial compatibility between these additives and the host polymer matrix, particularly in TFC structures, remains a significant challenge. This review discusses recent advancements in TFC membranes for CO2/N2 separation, focusing on material structure, polymer–additive interaction, interface and separation properties. Specifically, we examine membranes operating under dry conditions to clearly assess the impact of additives on membrane properties and performance. Additionally, we provide a perspective on future research directions for designing high-performance membrane materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Mettler-Toledo 7000RMS analyzer is a bio-fluorescent particle counter (BFPC) used to monitor real-time bioburden results from purified water (PW). Objective Validation of the analyzer using 13 microorganisms and a low-intensity, fluorescent, polystyrene bead. Methods During the execution of the validation, a laboratory water system that met PW quality standards was connected to the 7000RMS, and a syringe pump was used to introduce various concentrations of microorganisms and fluorescent polystyrene beads to the analyzer. Samples were collected and tested via the traditional membrane filtration (MF) method and the colony-forming unit (CFU) plate count results were compared to the auto-fluorescent unit (AFU) of the 7000RMS analyzer. The validation study was designed to follow the guidance in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter <1223>, European Pharmacopeia (EP) Chapter 5.1.6, and parenteral drug association (PDA) Technical Report 33. Concepts and strategies were adapted from EP Chapter 2.6.12 Microbiological Examination of Non-Sterile Products: Microbial Enumeration Tests, EP Chapter 10.2, EP Chapter 2.6.1 Sterility, USP Chapter <61> Microbiological Examination of Non-Sterile Products: Microbial Enumeration Tests, USP Chapter <71> Sterility Tests, and Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) General Information Chapter G8 Water: Quality Control of Water for Pharmaceutical Use. Results All pre-determined validation acceptance criteria for accuracy, specificity, precision, LOD, LOQ, linearity, and range were met. Conclusions The 7000RMS demonstrated performance equivalence to the MF method per USP <1223> but characteristically lacked correlation to the CFU. Highlights This validation approach highlights the superior capabilities of the 7000RMS when compared against the traditional compendial MF testing method for PW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, TiO 2 NPs have attracted great attention among the semiconductors because of stability, commercial availability, and ease of preparation. For this reason, NPs are widely used in wastewater treatment and membrane bioreactor (MBRs) In this study, the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle material was investigated on both the landfill leachate (LFL) treatment and membrane fouling performance. The system performance was evaluated for under varying TiO 2 concentrations (50–300 mg/L TiO 2), constant HRT (24 h), and constant backwashing (5 min)-relaxing (0.5 min) in AnMBR. The optimum conditions were determined as 300 mg/L TiO 2 and the corresponding to COD, Color, TOC and TN removal efficiencies were observed as 55 %, 23 %, 22 %, 30 %, respectively. The best membrane performance was observed at 300 mg/L TiO 2 corresponding to membrane fouling rate as 0.01 mbar/min. TiO 2 addition significantly mitigated membrane fouling (75 % decrease) for AnMBR. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria have been observed to be the dominant species in LFL and MBRs. The bacterial species responsible for membrane fouling were determined as Alphaproteobacteria, Sphingobacteria and Flavobacteria. The addition of TiO 2 was determined membrane fouling decreased in AnMBR. As a result of TiO 2 NPs were observed to thin the cake layer and postpone membrane fouling and filtration. [Display omitted] • The best membrane performances were observed at 300 mg TiO 2 /L. • Membrane fouling rate was determined as 0.01 mbar/min. • TiO 2 addition significantly mitigated membrane fouling (75 % decrease). • TiO 2 prevents cake layer formation and/or pore clogging and postpone. • Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria have been observed as dominant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of porous ceramic materials based on fine SiC with sintering silicon oxide and magnesia binders at T = 800–1300 °C is considered. Special attention is paid to the influence of the shape and morphology of the initial powder particles on structural parameters and characteristics of porous ceramic materials. The SiC membranes sintered at 1000–1300 °C had average pore sizes of 0.5–1 μm, open porosity - up to 50 %, bending strength - up to 48.5 MPa and high water permeance - up to 7890 l⋅m−2⋅h−1⋅bar−1. The established filtration efficiency was ∼99 % in the case of screening out model particles of D 50 = 0.5 μm in size with maintaining stable permeance and physico-mechanical characteristics after multiple filtration-regeneration cycles. Comprehension of the initial powders morphology impact on the synthesized porous ceramics parameters makes it possible to forecast and ensure the preset structural, dimensional and physico-mechanical parameters of the materials under study properly. This work can be used for practical low-cost production of highly efficient SiC membranes for micro- and ultrafiltration processes, as well as base for catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is a potential energy carrier in comparison to conventional fuels due to its high energy content. Methane is an attractive source for 'on‐site' production of hydrogen by using membrane reformer due to its low cost. However, such reformers are not well studied and high temperature operation of steam methane reforming (SMR) makes the integration with membrane separation difficult. Further, the main product of SMR is CO and H2 in which CO has an inhibition effect on the membrane separation process. Therefore, it is vital to synthesize a low temperature and low CO selective catalyst for a suitable integration with membrane reformer. Nickel‐based catalyst is widely used for SMR due to its low cost and high catalytic activity. CeO2 is a favoured support as it mobilizes the lattice oxygen and reduces the coke formation and CO selectivity. Though several studies are reported on CeO2 based support, the effect of CeO2 surface morphology is not studied for SMR. In the current work, Ni/CeO2 of different shapes (nanocube and nanorod) are synthesized. The complete characterization of the support was performed. The effect of support shape, calcination temperature, and reduction temperature on SMR activity is found at different operating temperatures. For each condition conversion, CO, CO2 selectivity, and hydrogen yield are calculated. The results show the CeO2 morphology has a considerable effect on conversion, CO selectivity, and hydrogen yield. It is found that ceria nanocube calcined at 550°C provides better performance at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superiorities provided by polymeric composite membranes in comparison to the original membrane have generated increased attention, particularly in the field of protein separation applications. This work involved the fabrication of polysulfone composite membranes using variable loadings of activated carbon particle sizes, namely, 37 µm, 74 µm, 149 µm, and 297 µm. The membranes were fabricated via the phase-inversion method, employing water as the coagulant. In this study, the impact of the AC powder particle sizes on membrane morphology, water contact angle, porosity, average pore size, molecular weight cutoff, pure water flux, and protein rejection was examined. Different membrane morphologies and properties were achieved by incorporating a variety of AC particle sizes. A porous membrane with the maximum pure water flux was generated by the loading of finer AC particles. Concurrently, protein rejection is increasing as a result of the use of AC particles as an infill in the composite membrane. In comparison to all fabricated membranes, the AC filler with a particle size of 149 µm exhibited the highest rejection of the lysozyme protein, reaching up to 73.9%, with a relatively high water permeability of 33 LMH/Bar. In conclusion, this investigation provides recommendations for the selection of AC particle sizes for protein separation in conjunction with PSF ultrafiltration membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the research progress and future prospects of membrane separation technology for treating oily wastewater. It discusses various treatment methods tailored to different sources and characteristics of oily wastewater, summarizing the features of different membrane separation technologies and the latest advancements in their application. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for future research to focus on developing environmentally friendly and efficient coupled membrane treatment technologies, optimizing membrane material design and enhancing the environmental benefits of oily wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Chemical Engineering is the property of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study highlights the critical need for effective point-of-use wastewater treatment in India, focusing on grey water generated from household activities, particularly laundry. Grey water, constituting approximately 69% of residential water consumption, ranges from 15 L per person per day to several hundred litres. Laundry wastewater, comprising 25% to 45% of total grey water due to frequent washing machine use, represents a significant portion whose efficient treatment and reuse can greatly alleviate water scarcity. Innovative treatment methods such as electro-peroxidation and membrane separation have shown promise in contaminant removal from laundry wastewater. Despite these advancements, there remains a significant demand for point-of-use grey water treatment technologies that offer high treatment efficacy, minimal secondary pollutant generation, and cost-effectiveness. Implementing such technologies emphasis on developing and implementing point-of-use grey water treatment technologies to address water scarcity and sustainability issues in residential settings. This review evaluates the effectiveness of various treatment methods for laundry wastewater, including membrane separation, electrocoagulation, biological treatment, and integrated systems, aiming to optimize the overall treatment process. It particularly emphasizes the potential of point-of-use treatment systems for decentralized water management, highlighting their advantages in managing laundry wastewater more efficiently and sustainably at the source. The study underscores the necessity for cost-effective and efficient solutions to treat and reuse laundry wastewater at the household level, thereby promoting water conservation and reducing environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Brewing is the property of China Brewing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Multi-layer membrane filtration is a widely used technology for separating and purifying different components of a liquid mixture. This technique involves passing the liquid mixture through a series of membranes with decreasing pore sizes, which allows for the separation of different components according to their molecular size. This study investigates the filtration process of a fluid through a two-dimensional porous medium designed for seawater desalination. The focus is on understanding the impact of various parameters such as the coefficient of friction, velocity, and the number of layers on filtration efficiency. The results reveal that the number of layers plays a crucial role in desalination, with an increase in layers leading to enhanced filtration quality, following a power law relationship. The study explores the influence of the coefficient of friction on filtration performance, emphasizing its significant effect on the number of particles filtered over time. Additionally, the role of the initial velocity in filtration efficiency is examined, showing distinct effects at both high and low velocities. Biofouling is identified as a factor influencing filtration, with an initial increase in filtered particles followed by a decline due to particle accumulation in pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study presents, for the first time, the real-time monitoring of an actual spiral-wound membrane unit used for CO 2 removal from natural gas in an actual industrial offshore platform, utilizing a detailed phenomenological model. An Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm was employed to simulate the offshore membrane separation unit, accounting for the diverse levels of the membrane separation setup. A parameter estimation procedure was implemented to fit the phenomenological model to the real industrial data in real-time, for the first time. In addition, estimated permeance parameters and calculated unmeasured variables (soft sensor) were used for monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as membrane selectivity, dew point temperature, and hydrocarbon loss. Finally, a reparametrization of the parameters was implemented to improve the robustness of the optimization procedure. Thus, the model variables presented good adjustments to the data, indicating the satisfactory performance of the estimation. Consequently, the good accuracy of the model provided reliable information to the soft sensors and KPIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen, a vital resource, is utilized in many process units within the refinery. The purification system is widely used to regenerate and improve hydrogen quality, therefore reducing fresh hydrogen consumption. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and membrane separation (MS) technologies are widely utilized for the purification of hydrogen, and the process can be optimized by constructing mathematical models. Thus, at first, a parametric analysis of the purification models is conducted to identify the key variables of these models during the optimization process, which also reveals the necessity of coupling multiple purification units. Then, a superstructure-based hydrogen network (HN) model comprising multi-stage PSA and MS units is constructed, aiming to determine the optimal hydrogen allocation and purification system. This model considers the simultaneous optimization of purification system parameters, including operating pressure, in conjunction with its structural configuration. This case study demonstrates the applicability of the HN model to diverse refinery scenarios. Additionally, compared to using a single purification unit, using a multi-unit purification system can improve purification efficiency and reduce the total cost by 2% to 22%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health risks associated with the presence of heavy metals in drinking water can be severe. To address this issue, membrane separation technology is one of the consolidated alternatives. Inorganic, porous membranes were found in applications where low energy consumption is highly desirable. The selectivity of these membranes is attained by functionalisation. Graphene oxide functionalised membrane technology is promising for removing heavy metal ions. This work summarises, discusses and presents the relationship between adsorption and overall membrane separation process performance for heavy metal ions removal from wastewater when a graphene oxide-functionalised membrane is used. The separation performance depends on the hydrophobic interactions of the membrane and the solute. The electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged membrane surface and positively charged metal ions facilitates the adsorption, leading to the rejection of these metal ions. The influences of the chemical nature of the modifiers of graphene oxide layers are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated membrane filtration system was developed to make water purity suitable for microbiology/molecular biology research. Water samples were collected from outlets in different buildings of the National Research Center and analyzed for their composition before filtration. An integrated membrane system was developed based on mathematical modeling. Flat sheet membranes were produced, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration membranes. The flat sheet membranes were converted to a spiral wound module filter to simulate the local market filters and applied in the integrated membrane system that was designed and installed. The produced water was analyzed and compared to molecular-grade water used in different molecular biology/microbiology applications. Both PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial liquid cultures, and viral propagation indicated that treated water using the herein-developed system exhibited comparable performance to the molecular grade water provided with imported reagent kits. So, this research can offer a promising solution for producing high-quality water suitable for sensitive laboratory applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Medical substances are utilized around the world, and their accumulation in nature is a global concern. This work aimed to identify three priority pharmaceuticals discharged into the domestic sewage stream of Astana city (Kazakhstan). Samples of municipal wastewater were taken before and after the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) over a period of 13 months. The performed experiments demonstrated that there are seasonal variations in the priority pharmaceuticals – carbamazepine (CBZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and aspirin (ASP) – identified in the wastewaters. RESULTS: The non‐conventional WWTP of Astana city, which includes a sequence of treatment processes, showed 2–100% removal of these compounds with the following influent concentrations from the entering stream: 12.5–185.6 ppb (μg L−1) for CBZ, 2.6–51.2 ppb for SMX and 1.9–199.8 ppb for ASP. Laboratory‐scale experiments revealed that the application of the membrane separation technique, i.e. ultrafiltration, is able to provide improved removal of these pharmaceuticals. The removal of ASP, CBZ and SMX by phase inversion polyethersulfone and track etch (TE) polycarbonate membranes was investigated. Filtration with TE membrane demonstrated 39–97% removal of the primary pharmaceuticals from the wastewater. CONCLUSION: Filtration with TE membrane was recognized as an affordable and efficient supplementary treatment step. The addition of the TE separation process in the Astana WWTP could potentially improve the removal of the studied pharmaceuticals along with other medical substances. The reported results hold substantial significance, particularly for rapidly expanding urban centers and developing nations. This is especially crucial as there is a scarcity of data regarding the treatment of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater for these regions. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purification methods such as membrane technology and adsorption have been studied for the purification of textile effluents. This article aimed to evaluate the membrane separation process and adsorption on pine nut shell, separately and sequentially, for reactive dye blue 5G removal from a synthetic effluent. The membrane separation process was carried out in a front filtration module using polymeric membranes. The maximum dye retention was 35.9% using a regenerated cellulose membrane, with agitation and a pressure of 0.5 bar. The permeate flux was fully restored after cleaning the membrane. In the adsorption using pine nut shell, the best results were at pH 2, 50°C, and 50 ppm, with 85% dye removal. The Freundlich isotherm showed the best fit to the data, as did the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption is of the physical type, with the process being endothermic and spontaneous. In the combined process, the permeate from the membrane separation process was subjected to adsorption on pine nut shell, achieving a removal rate of 98.7 for the initial concentration of 50 ppm. Therefore, this work shows the potential of pine nut shell as an adsorbent, not only to purify textile effluents but also to add value to a waste product, indicating that the combination of membrane technology and adsorption on pine nut shell could be an alternative for the treatment of textile effluents containing the reactive dye 5G blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Electrodialysis with Filtration Membrane (EDFM) system has shown promise in juice enrichment, but further optimization is needed. This study evaluated the effect of processing duration (3 and 6 h) on juice composition, process efficiency, and membrane fouling. Results demonstrated a significant impact of processing time on juice composition, especially anthocyanin and mineral content. Two anthocyanin-depleted juices (−18.94% and −30.70%) and two anthocyanin-enriched juices (26.21% and 44.21%) were produced. Similar energy (1512.13 Wh/g of anthocyanins) was required to migrate equivalent amounts of anthocyanins over both time periods, with no impediment due to fouling observed, although the system's resistance increased (2.5-fold after 3 h, 3.2-fold after 6 h). Membrane fouling was characterized through conductivity, thickness, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDX, and foulant identification. Minimal anthocyanin accumulation occurred on cation-exchange membranes (CEM), while anthocyanins and PACs concentrated within the filtering layer of filtration membranes (FM). However, fouling did not increase with longer processing. Structural alterations were noted in anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), suggesting instability under high electric fields. Overall, EDFM effectively enriched cranberry juice with anthocyanins, but further research is necessary to address AEM degradation under limiting current density conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature fermentation (HTF) of ethanol can reduce costs of cooling, sterilization, and related equipment compared to the costs of general ethanol fermentation. To realize HTF, however, there are various issues to be considered, such as the fermentation temperature upper limit for ethanol-producing thermotolerant yeast, the size of a fermenter that does not require cooling, and the effective temperature for suppressing microbial contamination. This study focused on these issues and also on downstream processes that exploit the advantages of HTF at temperatures exceeding 40 °C. The permissible size of a fermenter without cooling was estimated by simulating heat generation and heat dissipation. Fermentation productivity at high temperatures when using the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus and the inhibitory effect of high temperatures on the growth of contaminant microorganisms were examined. After fermentation, the recovery and concentration of ethanol were performed by reduced-pressure distillation (RPD) and membrane separation. These experiments demonstrate that efficient HTF can reduce the amount of saccharifying enzymes in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation and can shorten the transition time from the saccharification step to the fermentation step in separate saccharification and fermentation, that RPD at fermentation temperatures enables a smooth connection to the HTF step and can be performed with a relatively weak vacuum, and that membrane separation can reduce the running cost compared to the cost of general distillation on a compact scale.

The separation of He/H2 using membrane technology has gained significant interest in the field of He extraction from natural gas. One of the greatest challenges associated with this process is the extremely close kinetic diameters of the two gas molecules, resulting in low membrane selectivity. In this study, we investigated the structure-performance relationship of metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes for He/H2 separation through molecular simulations and machine learning approaches. By conducting molecular simulations, we identified the potential MOF membranes with high separation performance from the Computation-Ready Experimental (CoRE) MOF database, and the diffusion-dominated mechanism was further elucidated. Moreover, random forest (RF)-based machine learning models were established to identify the crucial factors influencing the He/H2 separation performance of MOF membranes. The pore limiting diameter (PLD) and void fraction (φ), are revealed as the most important physical features for determining the membrane selectivity and He permeability, respectively. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to validate the molecular simulation results and suggested that the electronegative atoms on the pore surfaces can enhance the diffusion-based separation of He/H2, which is critical for improving the membrane selectivities of He/H2. This study offers useful insights for designing and developing novel MOF membranes for the separation of He/H2 at the molecular level.

Transport channels with ultrahigh K+ selectivity over other ions play a crucial role for living beings, but constructing ionic channels with promising K+ selectivity and permeability remains a challenge. Here, an asymmetric bilayer membrane based on MXene (Ti3C2Tx) lamellar channels consisting of a recognition layer (RL) on top of an enhancement layer (EL) exhibits an amazing Matthew effect: amplification of the preferred transport of K+, resulting in an excellent K+-separation performance. The K+ ion is selected by the 1-aza-18-crown-6 ether-modified RL, owing to preferential affinity energy, and then rapidly transported as a hydrated ion through the EL, based on the confinement effect. Other undesired ions such as Na+ are hindered from entering the RL by the preferred K+ occupation of the crown ether. The MXene (Ti3C2Tx)-based Matthew membrane presents high K+-permeation rates of 0.1–0.2 mol∙m−2∙h−1, with a significant K+/Na+ selectivity of 5–9. The molecular separation mechanism of the Matthew membrane is investigated deeply to explore the nature of the Matthew amplification effect on K+ sieving, where the precise matching of the RL and EL within the membrane governs the fast K+ permeation with good selectivity. The asymmetric structure of our Matthew membrane is the key to understanding the biological function of ion channels for precise and fast ion transport, which will guide us in the creation of artificial ion channels or membranes.

Xenon gas has significant advantages over conventional general anesthetic agents but its use has been limited by the cost associated with its production. Xenon also has significant potential for medical use in the treatment of acquired brain injuries and for mental health disorders. As the demand for xenon gas from other industries increases, the costs associated with its medical use are only likely to increase. One solution to mitigate the significant cost of xenon use in research or medical care is the conservation of xenon gas. During delivery of xenon anesthesia, this can be achieved either by separating xenon from the other gases within the anesthetic circuit, conserving xenon and allowing other gases to be excluded from the circuit, or by selectively recapturing xenon utilized during the anesthetic episode at the conclusion of the case. Several technologies, including the pressurization and cooling of gas mixtures, the utilization of gas selective membranes and the utilization of gas selective adsorbents have been described in the literature for this purpose. These techniques are described in this narrative review along with important clinical context that informs how these technologies might be best applied. Whilst these technologies are discussed in the context of xenon general anesthesia, they could be applied in the delivery of xenon gas inhalation for other therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin, a natural protein, is extensively used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. However, purifying gelatin to meet the specific requirements of various industries remains a considerable challenge. Ceramic membrane separation technology, renowned for its high permeability, excellent anti-fouling properties, and long lifespan, has been widely applied in the food, biotechnology, and water purification industries. In this study, a sol-gel method was employed to fabricate a gradient multilayer TiO 2 -modified coating on the surface of an α-Al 2 O 3 porous ceramic membrane. The viscosity of the TiO 2 sols was adjusted by varying the concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000) and aging times. The results indicated that coating the C-P5^5 composite membrane with a sol containing 5 wt% PEG, aged for different durations (2, 5, 10, 15, and 18 d), effectively reduced the weight-average molecular weight (M w) of the permeate from the feed solution of 52.4 kDa–11.9 kDa. However, the C-P10^5 composite membrane, with a 10 wt% PEG content and aged for the same durations, yielded a permeate gelatin M w of 13.6 kDa. The composite membrane with excellent anti-fouling and photocatalytic self-cleaning properties holds promise for innovative applications in gelatin purification and bio-separation processes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research, has evaluated the efficiency of the membrane process in degumming and neutralization of crude rapeseed oil. Crude rapeseed oil miscellas were prepared using hexane solvent with 20:80 and 30:70 ratios. In order to degumming, the micella passed through the membrane after adding 0.3% of 85% (w/w) phosphoric acid, under three pressure levels of 2, 3, and 4bar and two flow speed of 0.5 and 1m/s; Then, for neutralization, after adding NaOH aqueous solution in two concentrations of 10% and 30% (w/v) the micella passed through the membrane, under the previous conditions, as well as three temperature levels of 30, 40 and 50 0C. The results showed that for 20:80 micella, the flux gradually decreased with the passage of time and reached a stable state after about 20 minutes. Surveying the simultaneous effect of conditions throught the neutralization process for 20:80 micella, revealed that the highest flux corresponds to 40 0C, 4bar, 1.0m/s. Surveying the simultaneous effect of temperature, pressure and flow rate throught the neutralization process for 30:70 micella, has also revealed that the highest flux corresponds to 50 0C, 2bar, and 1.0m/s. The results of the physicochemical tests also revealed that there is no significant difference in the levels of phosphorus and phosphates in both membrane filtration and conventional rifining methods (p<0.01); But acidity reduction for membrane filtration method was significantly higher than that of classical refining method (p<0.01). The reduction of peroxide index was also significantly higher for classic refining method than membrane filtration method (p<0.01). In terms of color, the results showed that the membrane filtration method was not able to reduce the yellow color in crude oil, while the classic refining method significantly reduced the yellow color (p<0.01). The red color index for the classic method also had a significant decrease compared to the membrane method (p<0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is dedicated to the development of an innovative approach to optimizing membrane separation processes. The paper introduces the integration of a genetic algorithm (GA) and mesoscopic modeling to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of process parameter optimization. The GA is employed for evolutionary search of optimal parameters, such as pressure, temperature, and membrane material characteristics. The use of evolutionary principles allows for efficient exploration of parameter space, identifying optimal solutions. Mesoscopic modeling serves as a tool for detailed analysis and visualization of membrane separation processes. It involves modeling the interaction of molecules with the membrane surface, enabling a more accurate consideration of the physicochemical aspects of the process. The integration of the GA and mesoscopic modeling creates a unique tool for membrane separation process optimization. The developed approach contributes not only to improving component separation efficiency but also to minimizing energy consumption. The method presented in the article has been successfully tested on model membrane process systems and demonstrated significant improvements compared to traditional optimization methods. The research results confirm the potential of the proposed approach for application in membrane technology industries, opening new perspectives in the field of separation process optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there is a common problem of significant increase in silicon content in the primary circuit (RCS) of domestic nuclear power plants. In order to seek reasonable methods and ideas to solve this problem, the main sources of silicon in RCS water were systematically investigated, and the treatment methods for ordinary silicon-containing water and the silicon treatment methods currently applied in RCS of nuclear power plants were summarized. The study showed that the silicon in RCS mainly was from fuel racks made of Boraflex materials and RCS fiberglass filter cartridges. There were many treatment technologies applied to ordinary silicon-containing water, but due to the high boron content of RCS water, only resin and membrane methods had been applied and practiced in RCS of nuclear power plants. Among them, ion exchange resin method could be used in the form of mobile devices for emergency treatment due to its high cost. NF and RO were typical membrane separation processes used for RCS silicon removal, but the recovery rate of boron in these processes was low. New technologies needed to be developed to improve the recovery rate of boron.

Cellulose is a widely available organic substance that forms membranes with excellent hydrophilicity and biocompatibility. However, it is prone to biological contamination because its surface is conducive towards the accumulation of biologically active substances, which has hindered its application potential. In this work, an antimicrobial cellulose-based membrane (Ag/UiO-66-NH2@BCM) with high water flux, high retention rate, and good hydrophilicity was prepared. At an optimal blend ratio of 1 wt% Ag/UiO-66-NH2, the membrane exhibited significant improvements, including a 31% increase in pure water flux, a Bovine Serum Albumin retention rate of 99.6%, and a water flux recovery of 97.4%. Crucially, the membrane demonstrated potent antibacterial, showcasing its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Investigations into the ability of Ag/UiO-66-NH2@BCM to remove Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cr6+ ions from a water column revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of the monolayer was 405, 390, and 328 mg/g, respectively. The composite membrane demonstrated broad-spectrum and highly effective antimicrobial properties, along with efficient removal of heavy metal ions. The proposed method can be utilized to prepare other composite membranes for water treatment and other fields of membrane separation technology.

The escalating challenges in water treatment, exacerbated by climate change, have catalyzed the emergence of innovative solutions. Novel adsorption separation and membrane filtration methodologies, achieved through molecular structure manipulation, are gaining traction in the environmental and energy sectors. Separation technologies, integral to both the chemical industry and everyday life, encompass concentration and purification processes. Macrocycles, recognized as porous materials, have been prevalent in water treatment due to their inherent benefits: stability, adaptability, and facile modification. These structures typically exhibit high selectivity and reversibility for specific ions or molecules, enhancing their efficacy in water purification processes. The progression of purification methods utilizing macrocyclic frameworks holds promise for improved adsorption separations, membrane filtrations, resource utilization, and broader water treatment applications. This review encapsulates the latest breakthroughs in macrocyclic host-guest chemistry, with a focus on adsorptive and membrane separations. The aim is to spotlight strategies for optimizing macrocycle designs and their subsequent implementation in environmental and energy endeavors, including desalination, elemental extraction, seawater energy harnessing, and sustainable extraction. Hopefully, this review can guide the design and functionality of macrocycles, offering a significantly promising pathway for pollutant removal and resource utilization.