scholarly journals Removal of Pharmaceutical Micropollutants with Integrated Biochar and Marine Microalgae

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Amin Mojiri ◽  
Maedeh Baharlooeian ◽  
Reza Andasht Kazeroon ◽  
Hossein Farraji ◽  
Ziyang Lou

Using microalgae to remove pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) micropollutants (MPs) have attracted considerable interest. However, high concentrations of persistent PPCPs can reduce the performance of microalgae in remediating PPCPs. Three persistent PPCPs, namely, carbamazepine (CBZ), sulfamethazine (SMT) and tramadol (TRA), were treated with a combination of Chaetoceros muelleri and biochar in a photobioreactor during this study. Two reactors were run. The first reactor comprised Chaetoceros muelleri, as the control, and the second reactor comprised Chaetoceros muelleri and biochar. The second reactor showed a better performance in removing PPCPs. Through the response surface methodology, 68.9% (0.330 mg L−1) of CBZ, 64.8% (0.311 mg L−1) of SMT and 69.3% (0.332 mg L−1) of TRA were removed at the initial concentrations of MPs (0.48 mg L−1) and contact time of 8.1 days. An artificial neural network was used in optimising elimination efficiency for each MP. The rational mean squared errors and high R2 values showed that the removal of PPCPs was optimised. Moreover, the effects of PPCPs concentration (0–100 mg L−1) on Chaetoceros muelleri were studied. Low PPCP concentrations (<40 mg L−1) increased the amounts of chlorophyll and proteins in the microalgae. However, cell viability, chlorophyll and protein contents dramatically decreased with increasing PPCPs concentrations (>40 mg L−1).

Author(s):  
Morteza Nazerian ◽  
Seyed Ali Razavi ◽  
Ali Partovinia ◽  
Elham Vatankhah ◽  
Zahra Razmpour

The main aim of this study is usability evaluation of different approaches, including response surface methodoloy, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and artificial neural network models to predict and evaluate the bonding strength of glued laminated timber (glulam) manufactured using walnut wood layers and a natural adhesive (oxidized starch adhesive), with respect to this fact that using the modified starch can decrease the formaldehyde emission. In this survey, four variables taken as the input data include the molar ratio of formaldehyde to urea (1.12–1.52), nanocellulose content (0%–4%, based on the dry weight of the adhesive), the mass ratio of the oxidized starch adhesive to the urea formaldehyde resin (30:70–70:30), and the press time (4–8 min). In order to find the best predictive performance of each selected evaluation approach, different membership functions were used. The optimal results were obtained when the molar ratio, nanocellulose content, mass ratio of the oxidised starch, and press time were set at 1.22, 3%, 70:30, and 7 min, respectively. Based on the performance criteria including root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) obtained from the modeling of response surface methodology, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference network, and artificial neural network, it became evident that response surface methodology could offer a better prediction of the response with the lowest level of errors. Beside, artificial neural network and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system support the response surface methodology approach to evaluate bonding strength response with high precision as well as to determine the optimal point in fabrication of laminated products.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Chien-Yi Huang ◽  
Yan-Ci Huang

Purpose The purpose of this study is to use the Taguchi Method for parametric design in the early stages of product development. electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues can be considered in the early stages of product design to reduce counter-measure components, product cost and labor consumption increases due to a number of design changes in the R&D cycle and to accelerate the R&D process. Design/methodology/approach The three EMC characteristics, including radiated emission, conducted emission and fast transient impulse immunity of power, are considered response values; control factors are determined with respect to the relevant parameters for printed circuit board and mechanical design of the product and peripheral devices used in conjunction with the product are considered as noise factors. The optimal parameter set is determined by using the principal component gray relational analysis in conjunction with both response surface methodology and artificial neural network. Findings Market specifications and cost of components are considered to propose an optimal parameter design set with the number of grounded screw holes being 14, the size of the shell heat dissipation holes being 3 mm and the arrangement angle of shell heat dissipation holes being 45 degrees, to dispose of 390 O filters on the noise source. Originality/value The optimal parameter set can improve EMC effectively to accommodate the design specifications required by customers and pass test regulations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document