#chemical oxygen demand water

[vincivilworld]

Chemical Oxygen Demand and Total Organic Carbon Analysis

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) are widely used analysis methods in water treatment plants, petrochemicals and drinking water treatment. In this blog, let me walk you through the analysis of Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Organic Carbon and its applications. Let’s get started with Chemical Oxygen Demand. What is Chemical Oxygen Demand?Why COD and TOC are…

[vasthi-instruments12]

[the-lonelyshepherd]

wrote up a whole thing on salmon for my friend @wherethatoldtraingoes2 so figured i would share. keep in mind there might be inaccuracies this is all straight from my evil twisted mind

so before we get into the history of salmon farming, we gotta look at 18th century and talk about a man named robert bakewell so bakewell was an english farmer who changed the way people bred livestock by introducing selective breeding with sheep before bakewell, most farmers just let animals breed however they wanted but bakewell realized that if he picked the best animals to breed, he could create sheep that were bigger, had more meat, and better wool his methods completely changed farming and became the basis for modern animal breeding eventually, these ideas found their way to fish farming, particularly in norway, where salmon farmers took bakewell’s selective breeding techniques and applied them to salmon by controlling which fish were allowed to breed and in what conditions, norwegian farmers were able to produce salmon that grew faster and were more suited to farming environments than wild salmon it was all about efficiency—creating more fish in less time with fewer resources and in many ways they pulled it off, just like bakewell did with his sheep righr

salmon farming as we know it really started to take off in the 1970s, though the practice itself stretches back centuries, if not millennia, to indigenous peoples in the pacific northwest who had been managing salmon runs long before the arrival of european settlers!!!!  but the industrial scale farming that now dominates the industry was born in norway, where the cold, clean waters and deep fjords provided the ideal environment for salmon aquaculture (yayyy) 

norwegian scientists and entrepreneurs began experimenting with breeding salmon in captivity after the collapse of wild fisheries due to overfishing and pollution . the reason it worked better than the sheep is simply bc salmon reproduce so fast and have so many babies compared to like sheep or cows so the advances in efficiency happened way faster and with way more strains of salmon to choose from. rught so during the 20th century they developed methods to breed and raise salmon in ocean pens, which allowed them to mass-produce fish to meet growing demand by the 1980s, salmon farming had spread to scotland, canada, and chile (current second biggest producer i think) creating a global industry that produced millions of tons of fish every year by the 1990s, the boom had begun, and salmon farming was celebrated as a solution to the world's hunger for fish without further depleting already strained wild populations

but the expansion of salmon farms has come with a slew of environmental and social consequences the dense concentration of fish in the pens creates an ideal breeding ground for DIESEASESSSSS, parasites, and pollution …. sea lice infestations are one of the most notorious problems cause they often spread to wild salmon passing near the farms, weakening the wild fish populations that are already vulnerable due to habitat loss and climate change etc etc etc we’re overdeveloping our waterways that salmon have relied on for FOREVER. salmon farms also release vast amounts of waste into the surrounding waters like uneaten food, feces, and chemicals used to treat diseases so this can lead to eutrophication which js a process where excess nutrients in the water create algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels, harming local ecosystems and killing off marine life :(( oh and the  feed used for farmed salmon often relies on wild-caught fish like anchovies and sardines, which means that farming salmon doesn't actually reduce pressure on wild fish stocks—it just shifts the burden to other species!! crazy!!!

then there's the issue of escapees in rough weather or when nets tear, so farmed salmon can escape from their pens and mingle with wild populations in places like norway and canada, these farmed fish can interbreed with wild salmon, diluting the genetic pool and making the wild fish less fit for survival cause the farmed salmon are bred to grow quickly and resist diseases, but in the wild, they can disrupt the delicate balance of local ecosystems bc they compete with native species for food and spawning grounds in some places, like chile i think. farmed salmon are an entirely non-native species, and their escape has led to the establishment of feral populations that are altering local food chains because farmed salmon are literally like a whole speetare thing at this point compared to wild salmon

then there there are human costs too cause rise of industrial salmon farming has displaced small-scale fishers and indigenous people who relied on wild salmon runs for their livelihoods in places like alaska and scotland, fishing communities that once thrived on the seasonal rhythm of wild salmon harvests now find themselves sidelined by multinational corporations that control the aquaculture industry the sheer scale of salmon farming has made it difficult for wild-caught fish to compete in the marketplace cause  farmed salmon are cheaper to produce and can be sold year-round, while wild salmon are seasonal and much more expensive to catch for obvious reasons. this shift transformed the global salmon market and altered the cultural significance of the fish in many regions where salmon fishing was once a way of life,,, leaving places feeling. placeless 

so rn salmon farming produces more than two-thirds of the world's salmon consumption im pretty sure BUT it remains a highly controversial industry while some see it as a necessary response to the growing global demand for protein, others view it as an unsustainable practice that is wreaking havoc on both the environment and traditional fishing communities as well as like there was some stuff about health problemss . is that good . yayy. slaamon 

[clonedchaos]

Happy Sea Otter Awareness Week! 🎉 🦦

Who knew? It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week!

I’m honored to share a birthday week with one of my favorite animal species, and I wanted to take a bit of time to yap about them— I’m an animal caretaker at heart, what can I say?

So what are Sea Otters exactly? They’re carnivores for one, mostly preying on hard mussels, crustaceans, and even urchins. They’re intelligent enough to use tools such as rocks or their sharpened canines to break open these hardy delicacies. Have you seen the action before? It’s adorable!

Pretty practical for an animal without opposable thumbs, huh?

Speaking of their prey, did you know sea otters are actually known as a keystone species? Kelp forests thrive in the ocean, producing around 50% of the earth’s oxygen! Cool, right? Unfortunately, purple urchins love to chow down on the bases of kelp, causing them to break off and die. These forests provide shelter, oxygen, and food for its diverse species that call it home. Without them, the ecosystem itself falls apart.

Fortunately, sea otters find no problem in having an urchin feast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sea Otters also lack blubber. Instead, they have millions of tiny hairs clustered together to help them thermoregulate their bodies. Their whiskers, called vibrissae, help them detect prey that they might not otherwise see with their eyes. This is due to vibrations in the water.

Sea Otters also give birth to one pup at a time, given the high demands and dangers of the ocean. Fun fact— the mother will sometimes wrap her pup in kelp like a seat belt and leave to find prey. That way the little one won’t wander off and mom knows they’ll be right where she left them.

The bond between mother and pup is strong. They’ll even take in orphans and raise them as their own in rehabilitation scenarios.

Usually, males stay apart from the females, while the females stay with the pups. Sometimes they’ll aggregate in one area and form what we call “rafts”. They hold hands so they don’t float away from one another. :)

You can typically tell females apart from the males if the otter has scratches on her nose. For some reason, the males typically bite the female’s nose for courtship purposes— definitely not a way to get a girlfriend in our society, but it works for the otters I guess.

Sea Otters spend about 10% of their day— or around 2 hours— rubbing oil onto their fur. This oil is made in their sebaceous glands and is completely natural. It serves to keep their fur water proof; the water rolls right off! Many birds have similar behaviors.

Perhaps the most silly fact I learned about them was that sea otters have “armpit pockets” to store extra food in.

Human adaptations are so lame in comparison imo.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be an animal learning session if we didn’t talk about the sad reality of our climate and the planet. Sea Otters are threatened by oil spills, boating accidents, and habitat loss; amongst quite a few others.

With such a rapidly warming climate, toxic algal blooms can spring up on the coasts; in part due to fertilizer runoff entering our oceans. These blooms are toxic to many species, sea otters included. This messes with their neurological functions to the point they forget to do basic necessities to keep themselves alive.

So, do your part to limit your carbon footprint by recycling, eating sustainable fish, using non-chemical fertilizers, keeping our beaches clean, and please DO NOT APPROACH A SEA OTTER!

Yes yes I know they’re adorable, believe me. But it is literally illegal to touch or disturb one. Keep our furry friends safe and admire from a distance.

Enough with the doom and gloom, have some silly little sea otter pictures:

THEY USE THEIR STOMACHS AS TABLES, STOP— 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[learnwithmearticles]

Technology's Use of Water

While water is renewable, it is finite. Its renewability depends on us using and managing our water resources responsibly.

Previous articles on this page have discussed hydropower and how it produces less waste and costs less than other resources. We have also briefly discussed how other energy sources consume water as a coolant or receptacle for waste. Entire university courses are dedicated to human uses of water.

Water Scarcity

Only 3% of water on Earth is freshwater. Of course, we need this to drink, but we need it for many more services beyond that.

Many plumbing fixtures are made of copper, which saltwater severely corrodes, same as lead and, over a longer time, PVC. Toilets on average use 1-5 gallons of water per flush. If we want to preserve freshwater by switching to saltwater plumbing, we would have to rethink and re-pipe entire plumbing systems.

We lose safe water in rain, as well. Supported by a study in Environmental Science and Technology, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022 stated that rainwater is not safe to drink. Chemicals known as per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances break down extremely slowly, and have leached from many products like cleaners, fabrics, and shampoo into the water cycle. Removing PFAS from water requires filters of activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes, which also require frequent maintenance.

A lot of water is also not available to us because it is in ice caps and glaciers, which are estimated to be about 68% of Earth’s freshwater. This water is also being lost, because as glaciers melt at increasing rates, that freshwater becomes saltwater in the ocean.

These limitations mean that water is not necessarily renewable yet, especially because treating water produces its own waste and pollution. We have to be responsible with the small percentage of water we have access to.

Irresponsible Use

There are a ridiculous amount of ways in which we waste water. Leaks, watering lawns, and leaving taps running are some of the big household wastes of water. While individual accountability and changes can still make a big difference, I want to focus on bigger impacts.

One example is in nuclear power production. Nuclear power plants use water to cool down used fuel when it is done being used in the reactor. This results in radioactive and thermal water pollution.

Agriculture is another common cause of water pollution. Excess water from rain or artificial watering runs off of agricultural fields and flows towards streams and bodies of water. This runoff often includes amounts of fertilizers and pesticides ranging from minimal to extremely harmful. This leads to improper levels of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen within the water. Like water contaminated by pharmaceuticals, this is not safe to drink, and something not safe for skin contact.

Technology is also a major factor of water demands. Artificial Intelligence and cryptocurrency are heavy water consumers.

AI is beneficial within waste management, as it is able to quickly analyze information and identify issues, potential problems, and potential areas of improvement. Unfortunately, AI training requires a large amount of water. One study states that training GPT-3 alone can evaporate 700,000 liters of freshwater. In 2027, AI is predicted to consume 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water. In comparison, Denmark nationally consumes around one billion cubic meters in a year.

Cryptocurrency is even worse. It goes through a process called mining in which transactions are verified and new ‘coins’ are generated into the system. This process is extremely water-demanding. For example, in 2021, mining of Bitcoin consumed more than 1,600 gigaliters of global water. On average, each cryptocurrency transaction consumes 16,000 liters of water in cooling down the computer equipment and the power plants that provide the electricity.

Saltwater as an alternative in these situations does exist; however, this process has the disadvantages of one-time use, large water intake, sewage discharge, and ocean pollution. Technology has begun to improve on this method with seawater circulation cooling technology, which reduces sewage discharge and water intake, but remains an imperfect solution.

Technology has the potential to drastically improve environmental management and restoration, but still has a long way to go before we offset the huge impacts we have made. Freshwater is taken for granted by many people, and the systems that disproportionately consume the most of it are not held accountable. This cycle must stop if we want to make water a truly renewable resource.

Additional Resources

1. Water Renewability

2. Corrosion on Plumbing

3. Treating PFAS

4. Household Water Waste

5. Nuclear Water Waste

6. AI Helping Water Management

7. AI Water Consumption

8. Crypto Mining Water Consumption

9. Seawater cooling technology

[sewagetreatmentplant01]

Impact of Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturer in Gurgaon

https://public.www.evernote.com/resources/s345/daf775b8-0932-6e8b-a9bd-c5b5642666c1

Sewage treatment plants are an integral part of the urban water cycle as they are the last source to untreated wastewater before the release in the environment. The specific units involved in these have a range of technologies that help eliminate contaminants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. Herein, STPs transform raw sewage to cleaned reusable water and thereby reduce the environmental burden from the discharge of wastewater within Gurgaon.

However, one of the major players in this area is Gurgaon Jal Board, which is the primary water utility agency of the city. DJB has engaged actively with multiple manufacturers of sewage treatment plants to enhance the capital's infrastructure regarding wastewater management. These collaborations have led to many new STPs being built and many being up-graded across the city, all tailor-made according to the needs of each locality.

The direct result of such joint undertakings is found in water quality improvements which are constantly being registered in Gurgaon. The Central Pollution Control Board has registered a reduction in both levels of biological oxygen demand and total coliform in water bodies around the city. Indeed the enhanced capabilities in sewage treatment directly resultant from the technological expertise of the manufacturers can be credited for such improvements.

Apart from immediate benefits of clean water, Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturer form part of the larger environmental considerations by substantially reducing discharge into natural resources at risk of potential contamination of groundwaters-a serious threat in the city of Gurgaon. Treated effluent from STPs can also be reused for many non-potable purposes such as gardening, industrial applications, or direct recharge to groundwater-a further input towards the city's efforts at water conservation.

Innovative technologies developed by such producers also served to contribute toward improving the efficiency and sustainability of Gurgaon's system of sewage treatment. For instance, some STPs have designs that are energy-efficient and capitalize on the use of renewable sources of energy, such as solar power, to reduce carbon footprint; others have more developed sludge management techniques where what initially appears as a waste product in the wastewater treatment processes is turned into fertilizer or biofuels.

Collaboration between Gurgaon Jal Board and the manufacturers of sewage treatment plants was not without its problems, as there was a significant retrofitting of older treatment plants to meet changing regulatory standards, and also the integration of new technologies onto and into existing sites. However, it is their commitment and expertise that have made the delivery of tangible wastewater management improvements in Gurgaon possible.

Today, at a time when the city is confronted with such an overwhelming array of environmental concerns: water scarcity, pollution, and climate change, the importance of a Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturer would only start rising. They would contribute toward the overall resilience and the livability of this city called Gurgaon, safeguarding the very future for all its residents, by providing innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions.

Conclusion:

Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturers in Gurgaon form part of an important fixture on the environmental landscape in this city. Their technological prowess, collaborative spirit, and commitment to sustainability have been the driving forces that transformed the capital's management of water in wastewater, so as to provide a clean, green, and secure and safe future tomorrow for all.

[theblogjota]

Facing Challenges: Car Transport Companies and the Switch to Clean Fuels

As the world shifts towards greener energy solutions, car transport companies are facing new challenges and opportunities. Staying competitive and meeting customer demands is important for car shipping services. Explore how these companies are adapting to alternative fuel innovations, and how integrating electric and hybrid vehicles into their fleets and adjusting their services to accommodate this change.

From operational adjustments to training staff on new technologies, discover the practical steps car transport companies are taking to embrace a cleaner future.

Alternative Fuel Innovations

The automotive industry has been making significant strides in developing alternative fuel technologies to reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels and decrease environmental impact. These innovations have an influence on nationwide car transport services, as they adapt to accommodate vehicles with diverse fuel systems.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional internal combustion engines. These systems generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. This clean energy solution has an impact on reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

For nationwide vehicle driveaway services, the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles presents new challenges and opportunities. Transport companies are adapting their processes to handle these vehicles safely, ensuring proper fueling and maintenance during long-distance shipping. The increasing popularity of hydrogen-powered cars has an influence on the infrastructure development along major transport routes, with more hydrogen refueling stations being established to support these vehicles.

Solar-Powered Accessories

Solar power has found its way into various automotive applications, particularly in the form of solar-powered accessories. These innovative additions harness the sun's energy to power auxiliary systems in vehicles, reducing the load on the main power source and improving overall efficiency.

In the context of auto transport services in California and across the nation, solar-powered accessories have an impact on vehicle preservation during transit. For instance, solar-powered ventilation systems can help maintain optimal temperatures inside vehicles during long journeys, protecting interiors and sensitive electronics from extreme heat. This technology has an influence on the quality of service provided by car shipping companies, ensuring vehicles arrive at their destinations in prime condition.

Biodiesel Compatibility

Biodiesel, a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils or animal fats, has gained traction as an alternative to petroleum-based diesel. Many modern diesel engines are now designed to be compatible with biodiesel blends, offering a more environmentally friendly option for drivers and transport companies alike.

For San Jose auto shipping services and other transport providers, the increased compatibility with biodiesel has an impact on fuel options and environmental considerations. Transport companies are increasingly incorporating biodiesel-compatible vehicles into their fleets, reducing their carbon footprint while maintaining performance standards. This shift has an influence on the overall sustainability of nationwide car transport operations, aligning with growing environmental concerns and regulations.

The integration of these alternative fuel innovations in the automotive industry has a significant impact on nationwide car transport services. As vehicles become more diverse in their fuel requirements, transport companies are adapting their practices to accommodate these changes.

For those interested in learning more about how these alternative fuel technologies affect car shipping and the broader automotive landscape, it is recommended to read the full details on luckystarautotransport.com, where comprehensive information about these advancements is available. For those interested in learning more about how these innovations affect, nationwide car transport and the broader automotive industry, it is recommended to read this contact form on luckystarautotransport.com interested in the transport industry and its improvement toward sustainability.

For those interested in learning more about how these innovations affect, nationwide car transport and the broader automotive industry, it is recommended to navigate this website and discover the untapped market potential of eco-conscious consumers in the transport industry and its improvement toward sustainability.

Clean fuels aren’t just a trend—they’re the future of car transport. Will you adapt or get left behind?

[blackiraven]

This story was written a long time ago and was gathering dust in my archives. So I decided to share this with you😘

The last riddle.

Everything was so quiet. The thick cold walls absorbed all possible sound. Silence and loneliness dug sharp claws and teeth into the soul, and billions of thoughts filled the brain to the brim and literally poured into reality in the form of many drawings on any hard, empty and accessible surfaces. Numbers, formulas, diagrams, maps, plans, questions and just words. If I keep everything in head all the time, then their framework is lost, they get mixed up and stand in front of my eyes all the time. In the meaningless mass of information generated every second, all voices are silenced, silhouettes and faces are drowned. The reaction to all living beings and influencing factors disappears, only the environment can be analyzed. This happens gradually, as if the main functions of the body are switched off one by one, and I fall into a coma, where only I and my mind are. Anything can be fished out of this stream: formulas of eternal life and medicines for all diseases, new chemical elements and laws of physics, drawings of a perpetual motion machine and a source of infinite energy, the truth, due to which absolutely everything exists. I just need to reach out and grab any piece, then another, and another, and another, and eventually collect the whole picture of the universe and get the knowledge I want. I can do it, I'm the only one who can do it. But… they tied my hands tight. Again! They were pumped me up again with cocktails of drugs that there was no living place left on my hands, but only bruises. They were nailed me alive again in a concrete coffin for slow and painful rotting under the influence of chemicals and my own disorderly thoughts. I see, but I can't make it out, there are too many multiplying characters. Symbols flow visibly from the ceiling, quickly replace oxygen atoms, getting into my lungs, and then into poisoned blood, ooze from the food brought and float in a glass of water, get under the skin, demand to study themselves, paint, calculate, embody. I was pressed into a corner like a trapped animal. I can't sleep, eat, drink, breathe. I choke and choke on them. My personal circle of Hell, my nameless grave, and symbols and signs are my corruption.

How long has it been like this? A day, two, or a year? Or maybe just a few seconds after arriving here? What's going on out there? A huge bat once again eats the flesh of the fallen? Sucks their blood with thick fangs, grinds bones with a bottomless mouth and enjoys every cry and plea. His huge belly will never be filled, hunger and thirst will not subside. He will look for new and new victims and torment the old ones, which I am. You can drink all my juices, squeeze out all my blood, knock out my life… my teeth. Continue to carry the punishment through your weapon, Dark Knight. But, I ask everyone and everyone who hears me at the moment, do not let him find him. Don't let him touch my…

Everything was so quiet. The thick cold walls absorbed all possible sound. Until it was cut through by a loud explosion and the subsequent alarm. The whole shroud fell off, the numbers and letters eroded through the cell door that opened by itself. I saw surging crowds of freed and falling from their hands inhumans in white coats. Shots rang out, shouts and laughter rang out. Finally. My new ingenious plan worked, and the bombs installed in the right places worked successfully. It remains to wait quite a bit. The bat won't have time to catch up with me. After a long coma, the long-awaited awakening took place.

After a while, one of those dressed in the snow-white armor of Gotham medicine came running to my cell. In a hurry and constantly looking around, he began to untangle me from the straitjacket. Near his feet lay my cane with a knob in the shape of a question mark, brought like a faithful dog. I knew they wouldn't have time to take it to the station as evidence. When my hands stopped being squeezed by tight straps, I immediately grabbed the special weapon and got up from the floor.

"M-Mr. Nygma… I-I did everything you said. Does our d-deal still stand?" the sent agent stuttered in fright, backing away from me. You can buy any thing in Gotham, life and opinion, the only question is the price.

"The answer suggests itself. But in order not to be suspected of betrayal, we need to stage an attack." having caught my balance, I slowly approach him with a prepared cane.

"What?! No, please!"

"I'll get in touch with you. Later." not wanting to waste any more limited time, I swung and hit my own agent on the head. Blood sprayed, and the body fell in amazement, without even having time to squeal. The blow is not strong, he will survive and be fine, but there may be a scar. It's more plausible this way. Consider this my gratitude for the work done.

With a bloody cane at the ready, I merged with a raging and partially armed crowd rushing to freedom or some other goals. The only picture of violence that I admire every time. How doctors and guards are subjected to bloody and cruel revenge from those whom they once bullied without feeling guilty. How the equipment that brings pain, called "treatment", breaks down. How the lids of all coffins are broken out, from where hatred, anger, malice and rage of those buried early come out. It's hard to restrain yourself at such moments. The mouth automatically begins to shout out the riddles invented during the imprisonment to the first comer. He, of course, is not able to solve them, for which he receives a deafening blow and sheds his blood.

"You can't see me, hear me, smell me, but everyone wants to feel me! Who am I?!"

"How many obstacles will you not erect, you will not kill me! Who am I?!"

"I can be with both the living and the dead man! Who am I?!"

Knowing the structure and location of all big complexes by heart, along a pre-built path, I was able to get to the new exit that appeared with my "small" help in the form of a hole in the main wall. All the patients actively broke out, suppressing the opposition from the hospital security. They always lose, as if such cases had never happened before. While the cops are coming here, I will have time to get to the city through the forest, at the entrance to which a package with ordinary outerwear and shoes was hidden under a marked stone, so as not to attract attention later. Hiding a straitjacket under a long raincoat made of expensive fabric, putting my frozen bare feet in comfortable patent leather shoes, and my hands in leather gloves, and lifting an elegant bowler hat on my combed hair with a comb in my pocket, I rush into the depths of the forest, simultaneously putting on new glasses and wiping the blood from the cane with a clean handkerchief. It's too early for you to see me like this…

The dark coniferous forest was replaced by a dimly lit stone one. So empty and vulnerable, because all the protection is focused on the damn Arkham. Clouds were gradually gathering overhead, blocking the view of the bright moon from the chaos and disorder going on below.

Dead end. An ordinary brick wall with no way. For the others. I take a tiny key out of my secret breast pocket and find the same inconspicuous hole in one fake brick. Click. A solid secret door opened. The stairs behind it led to several more doors, already metal. In order to open them, special alphanumeric and numeric passwords are needed, plus in some cases it is necessary to choose the right door to reach the main lair of Riddler in one piece. So that no one can get to you, hurt you… Instead of the sickening smell and smoke of the streets, I was accompanied by a pale green light and the squeak of push-buttons, and the brick wall itself closed tightly behind me.

All the obstacles that I personally constructed went through without difficulty. It remained to go through the last and easiest – a simple door of typical apartments. Which I did. A light, soothing gloom greeted me and invited me into a room made like a living room. The only faded light of the TV made it possible to see the proper interior and furniture. The screen was full of headlines and reports about the explosions in Arkham and mass escapes of "especially dangerous criminals." As always, the same thing. Exclusive footage with "our beautiful hero and savior, bringing justice." Aren't they tired of broadcasting about it themselves? Right on the threshold, I threw off all my disguise, left my cane and walked with quiet steps into my cozy house. On the table next to the empty sofa lay various parts, tools and something resembling a simple wind-up device. There were also sheets with drawings drawn by hand with felt-tip pens. So childish, but also diligently serious. I take the object in my hands and look at it from all sides, at the same time looking at the colorful drawings. Hmm, almost done, but it looks like you're confused about the last details. I dug out a pencil on the table and corrected the numbering of parts in some places. Now you will definitely finish it. Leaving a small workplace, I go into my personal office, where it is forbidden to enter anyone but me. The first thing I do is turn on the main power, all the monitors hanging on the walls and the main computer, behind which my work proceeds. While the whole office was activated, I decided to check the bedroom. In total darkness, on the edge of the bed, with his legs dangling, a small lump was sleeping soundly, and his hands were holding a thick book about mechanics and engineering, read almost to the middle.

"Leslie… " I whispered to myself with a share of joy and, tiptoeing closer, stroked his head. In response, the sleeping child only softly sniffed. After putting the book away, I take the warm little body in my arms, hug him lightly so as not to wake up, and sit down on the bed. You continue to study even in my absence. You read, invent, design, assemble by yourself. Well done, my boy. I am so pleased to observe this process, but I don't want to demonstrate it. I want to be a strict teacher for you, show little pity, thereby tempering you and preparing you for everything possible. After all, the world is full of cruelty, especially this city. But you're so cute, so funny, energetic, diligent, hardworking, innocent. Like you coming from another world. Gotham doesn't deserve you… Sometimes I want to just drop everything and become a caring parent for you, replace that filthy family, start a new life and dedicate it to you. But, all my thoughts, plans, ideas, I can't bury them, they have to come true! I can't leave everything at once, I can't! Riddler must mentally and physically defeat the bat! Must feel his stupidity, helplessness and worthlessness in front of me! And then crush! And for everyone to see it! See all his shame, his loss! His undisclosed cheating! To be praised, feared, and finally recognized me as the only genius! I cannot retreat! And then… I already have a new meaning. Its you, Leslie… Therefore, it is necessary to protect you. I am very used to you, you have become almost my own son for me, which I never even thought about. I did not consider such events possible. I will train you, educate you, take care of you, even if I find myself locked away again. You love my views and opinions – I will continue to express them. This means that all my efforts are not in vain. If I am destined to lose and be beheaded by the Dark Knight, I will die physically, but my soul will continue to live. It will remain in you, Leslie. It is you who will not let Riddler disappear… The answer to my most important and last riddle in my life - is Leslie. And you won't solve it, Batman! I won't let you…

These few minutes have completely and truly cured me. It became very good and calm. Thirst returned, the desire to eat, rest, my breathing returned to normal. The bruises next to the veins on my hands stopped hurting, and the blood stopped burning the body, having been cleansed of medical poisons. Now I feel life. Thank you, Leslie. Alright, I won't put your sleep at risk anymore. Take a break, at your age it is much more necessary than me. And I will continue the interrupted work. Or I'll start something new! There are so many plans in my head. I carefully put the child on the bed, cover him with a blanket and, taking the first soft toy that comes along, carefully place it in his hands. While the bat is busy, Riddler will have time to set traps for the rodent everywhere. Before leaving the bedroom occupied by the boy with my permission, my eyes caught the drawings hanging on the walls. He loves to draw so much. Most of the drawings depicted my return from Arkham, where a boy joyfully greets me, but none corresponded to a real return. But you'll still be glad, only in the morning. For the sake of this moment, I will wait for the first rays of the sun. To check all your accumulated knowledge, give new tasks, check the completed ones and compare the learning results. I believe in you. I'm proud of you…

[rayyan17]

What the difference between BOD ,COD and TOC?

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen needed by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic matter in water. It is used to measure the amount of organic pollution in water.

COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand): COD is a measure of the amount of oxygen needed to oxidize all organic and inorganic matter present in water. It is used to measure the amount of total pollution in water.

TOC (Total Organic Carbon): TOC is a measure of the total amount of carbon present in an organic compound. It is used to measure the amount of organic matter present in water, including both biodegradable and non-biodegradable compounds.

[dmablogs]

The Role of Marine Fuel Cells in Reducing Maritime Air Pollution

As the global shipping industry faces mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, innovative technologies are being explored to meet sustainability goals. One of the most promising advancements in maritime technology is the marine fuel cell. This cutting-edge technology offers the potential to revolutionize how shipping vessels are powered, providing a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

What Are Marine Fuel Cells?

Marine fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from fuel into electrical energy through a reaction with oxygen. Unlike conventional engines, marine fuel cells produce electricity without combustion, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These systems can use a variety of fuels, such as hydrogen, methanol, or ammonia, making them adaptable to different energy sources.

Benefits of Marine Fuel Cells

Reduced Emissions: Marine fuel cells emit only water vapor and heat as byproducts when hydrogen is used as a fuel source, making them an environmentally friendly option.

Higher Efficiency: They operate with higher energy efficiency compared to internal combustion engines, leading to better fuel utilization.

Noise Reduction: The absence of mechanical combustion processes results in quieter operation, enhancing onboard conditions.

Compliance with Regulations: Adopting marine fuel cell technology helps shipping companies comply with stringent environmental regulations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 sulfur cap.

Challenges in Implementing Marine Fuel Cells

While the potential benefits are substantial, several challenges need to be addressed for widespread adoption:

High Initial Costs: The upfront investment required for marine fuel cell systems and related infrastructure can be prohibitive.

Fuel Availability: Establishing a reliable supply chain for hydrogen or other alternative fuels is critical for the success of marine fuel cells.

Technological Advancements: Continuous innovation is needed to improve the durability and scalability of marine fuel cell systems.

Safety Concerns: The handling and storage of hydrogen or other fuels demand rigorous safety protocols.

Real-World Applications of Marine Fuel Cells

Several pilot projects and commercial applications demonstrate the feasibility of marine fuel cells:

Passenger Ferries: Marine fuel cells are being tested in passenger ferries to provide clean and efficient power.

Cargo Ships: Larger vessels are exploring hybrid solutions that combine marine fuel cells with traditional engines.

Naval Ships: Military applications benefit from the stealthy and low-noise operation of marine fuel cells.

The Future of Marine Fuel Cells

The integration of marine fuel cells in shipping vessels is poised to accelerate as the industry moves toward decarbonization. Collaborative efforts between shipbuilders, fuel suppliers, and regulatory bodies will be essential to overcome current limitations. Governments and organizations worldwide are investing in research and development to advance marine fuel cell technology and create the necessary infrastructure for its adoption.

In conclusion, marine fuel cells represent a transformative step forward for the shipping industry. By addressing existing challenges and fostering innovation, this technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport, paving the way for a sustainable future.

[pwrfs]

Optimize Industrial Water Quality with Advanced Deaeration Technology

Managing water quality in industries that rely on industrial boilers and large volumes of high-purity water can be challenging and time-consuming. However, maintaining strict water quality parameters is essential to optimize operational efficiency, reduce safety risks, and extend the lifespan of critical equipment. Among these parameters, controlling dissolved gas levels in process water is particularly important.

Fortunately, innovative water deaeration systems now make it easier to achieve precise dissolved gas control while offering ease of operation and maintenance.

How Membrane Contactors Revolutionize Water Deaeration

Modern water deaeration systems leverage membrane contactors to remove dissolved gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, at a molecular level using principles of diffusion and osmosis. These systems stand out for their compact size, simplicity, and precise performance, making them highly appealing across industries such as power generation, petroleum refining, chemical processing, steel manufacturing, and semiconductor production. All these sectors rely on large boilers and require high-purity water to sustain operations. 

The XDO Series: Compact, Efficient, and High-Performance

The XDO series water deaeration systems, designed and manufactured by PowerFlow Fluid Systems, set a new standard for water treatment efficiency. Equipped with industry-leading membrane contactors featuring proprietary technology, these systems significantly enhance gas removal efficiency and operational capacity.

What makes the XDO series particularly advantageous is its ability to process large volumes of water without the need for the bulky, energy-intensive vacuum tower systems typically used for similar applications. XDO systems are compact, energy-efficient, and require minimal operator attendance, offering a practical solution for facilities with limited space or stringent energy efficiency goals.

Key Benefits of Deaerated Water Systems

Investing in a water deaeration system like the XDO series delivers several measurable benefits: 

Corrosion Protection: By reducing dissolved oxygen and other gases, these systems minimize the risk of corrosion in pipelines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, which helps lower maintenance costs and enhance safety.

Extended Ion Exchange Life: Removing dissolved gases prevents them from competing for bonding sites in ion exchange systems, reducing the frequency of regeneration cycles.

Improved Efficiency and Longevity: Degassed water enhances heat transfer efficiency and protects equipment from degradation, resulting in prolonged service life and reduced downtime.

Selecting the Right Deaeration System 

Choosing the appropriate water deaeration system for your process is vital to achieving optimal results. Factors to consider include system capacity, spatial requirements, compatibility with existing infrastructure, and operational needs. The XDO series offers customizable solutions tailored to meet diverse industrial demands, ensuring maximum return on investment.

Why Choose the XDO Series?

The XDO series is a reliable and forward-thinking choice for industries prioritizing water quality and operational efficiency. By investing in these systems, businesses can reduce costs, enhance performance, and safeguard critical equipment against corrosion and other degradation mechanisms.

To learn more about how the XDO series can optimize your operations, visit PWRFS.com.

[commercialroplants]

Leading Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturer In Delhi

Because of the large concentration of power-plants & various other industries, Delhi, which is situated in the northern area of India, is also known as India's capital. It is a continuously growing industrial hub. In Delhi, the production of sewage & industrial effluents has increased due to rapid urbanization & industrialization.

To responsibly manage its water assets as well as resources & assist industrial expansion while respecting the environment, Delhi must effectively treat these wastewater streams. Whereas STPs Treating Plants manages, handles municipal, community, & residential sewage, along with handling of industrial sewage & its related wastewater.

Delhi's approach to clean industrial production relies heavily on well-designed \STP Plants.

Immediate Requirement of Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturer in Delhi

Numerous cement, chemical, & other related industries, as well as coal-based thermal power facilities, can be found in Delhi. These units' sewages includes residues, acids, alkalis, suspended particles, hazardous metals, oil & grease, & chemical oxygen demand.

The region's groundwater supplies, aquatic ecosystem, & public health are all at risk when untreated sewage are directly dumped into rivers & lakes.

To treat this wastewater employing as well as utilizing various physico-chemical & biological processes to remove contaminants before final disposal in accordance with discharge rules, Sewage Treating plants are necessary. STP Plants stop additional industrial contaminants from getting into waterbodies surrounding Delhi.

In addition to residing communities & industries, Delhi's increasing city crowd & advanced growth have led to a rise in the amount of sewage produced by homes & businesses. Industrial or Domestic level sewage consists of nutrients, organic waste, pathogens & toxic chemical compounds.

The release of raw sewage into water sources increases the need for biochemical oxygen & spreads illness by contaminating surface & groundwater. STPs effectively treat sewage by removing contaminants or rendering it safe for the environment through the utilization of screens, sedimentation tanks, the activated sludge process, clarifiers, filters, & chlorine dosing.

Given the degree of urban growth & industry, Delhi urgently needs an STP plant with enough capacity to treat sewage & effluents to approved levels before disposal. This will make it possible for Delhi to sustainably expand its industrial base without endangering the public's health or its water supplies.

The Experience of Netsol Water & Commercial RO Plant as an STP Plant Manufacturer in Delhi

Leading provider of end-to-end solutions for the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, & operation of sewage treatment facilities is Commercial RO Plant.

With more than ten years of extensive industry expertise, we provide specialized STP Plants utilizing cutting-edge technology to meet the treatment requirements of various companies as well as municipalities existing in Delhi.

Based on sewage waste characteristics & specified discharge requirements, we design together with build complete STP facilities for industries in Delhi, comprising collection, equalization, primary, secondary, along with tertiary treatment units.

Our specialty is the cost-effective treatment of complicated industrial & domestic household sewages by means of appropriate technologies such as activated carbon, clarifiers, bioreactors, filters, diffused aeration, & stripping towers.

Our offering covers tertiary treatment with advanced, as well as traditional municipal sewage treatment. From conception to completion, we carry out STP projects, handling all aspects of design, hydraulic analysis, equipment size, procurement, installation, testing, along with rigorous operator training. SBR, MBBR, MBR, ASP, integrated with ultra filtration technologies are implemented in our STP Plants which are customized to meet the demands of individual projects.

Being a sustainability-focused business, we include technologies like automation, solar energy, set with digital & smart remote monitoring into our designs to minimize carbon emissions in addition to enhance plant performance.

Through effective process control, preventative maintenance, & regular performance monitoring, our treatment systems reliably satisfy the CPCB specified discharge criteria. We help customers get regulatory consent orders in a timely manner.

In summary

Uncontrolled Industrial boom cannot be sustained without an efficient as well as dependable sewage treatment plant manufacturer in Delhi that meets strict regulations. Leading contributor which can manufacture STP plants, Netsol Water & Commercial RO Plant integrates revolutionary cutting-edge treatment technology to offer specialized end-to-end solutions from idea to commissioning.

By providing solutions as a Sewage Treatment Plant Manufacturer In Delhi, Netsol Water & Commercial RO Plant enables companies to comply with sewage effluent discharge rules & maintain pollution-free water bodies.

[chfourenergysolutions]

How Sewage Treatment Plants Contribute to Environmental Protection

Sewage treatment plants (STPs) play a vital role in safeguarding the environment and public health by managing wastewater effectively. As urban populations grow and industrialization continues to expand, the need for efficient wastewater management becomes increasingly important. Sewage treatment plants not only treat domestic and industrial waste but also contribute significantly to environmental protection. In this article, we explore how these plants help protect the environment and support sustainability.

1. Preventing Water Pollution

One of the primary functions of sewage treatment plants is to prevent untreated sewage from entering rivers, lakes, and oceans. Without treatment, sewage contains harmful pathogens, chemicals, and nutrients that can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems. Untreated wastewater, when discharged into water bodies, can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases and the eutrophication of lakes and rivers, causing oxygen depletion and killing marine life.

Sewage treatment plants remove contaminants from wastewater through physical, chemical, and biological processes. This process significantly reduces the levels of harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, and excess nutrients, ensuring that the water released back into the environment is clean and safe for aquatic life and humans.

2. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Sewage treatment plants contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in several ways. First, by treating and managing wastewater effectively, these plants reduce the need for landfills, where untreated waste can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By diverting sewage from landfills and treating it properly, STPs help mitigate the environmental impact of waste disposal.

Additionally, many modern sewage treatment plants incorporate advanced technologies, such as biogas production from organic waste. The biogas generated during the treatment process can be captured and used as a renewable energy source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to cleaner energy production.

3. Promoting Water Conservation and Reuse

Water is a precious resource, and with the increasing demand for fresh water, it is essential to make the most of every drop. Sewage treatment plants contribute to water conservation by treating and recycling wastewater for reuse. The treated water, also known as effluent, can be used for a variety of non-potable purposes such as irrigation, industrial processes, and even landscaping.

This recycling process reduces the pressure on freshwater resources, especially in areas that face water scarcity. In some regions, advanced sewage treatment plants even produce high-quality treated water that can be used for drinking, thus helping to close the water loop and reduce the demand for fresh water from natural sources.

4. Protecting Soil and Agricultural Land

Sewage treatment plants also contribute to environmental protection by providing a safe and effective method for managing sewage sludge, a byproduct of the treatment process. Sewage sludge contains organic matter that can be used as a natural fertilizer or soil conditioner. After treatment, the sludge is often processed and converted into biosolids, which can be safely applied to agricultural land to improve soil quality and promote plant growth.

By recycling sludge into valuable agricultural products, sewage treatment plants reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, which can have harmful environmental impacts, such as contaminating groundwater and affecting biodiversity. This sustainable use of treated sludge supports soil health and reduces the environmental footprint of farming.

5. Mitigating the Impact of Industrial Waste

Sewage treatment plants play a crucial role in treating not only domestic waste but also industrial effluents. Many industries discharge pollutants such as heavy metals, chemicals, and toxic substances into the wastewater system. Without treatment, these contaminants can pose serious risks to the environment, wildlife, and human health.

Sewage treatment plants equipped with advanced treatment technologies, such as chemical precipitation, filtration, and activated carbon adsorption, can effectively remove industrial pollutants from wastewater before it is released into the environment. This ensures that industrial effluents are treated to meet environmental standards and that harmful substances are not released into rivers, lakes, or the atmosphere.

6. Supporting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

By preventing the release of untreated sewage into natural water bodies, sewage treatment plants help maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. Clean water is essential for the survival of aquatic species, and by reducing pollution, STPs ensure that aquatic habitats remain conducive to life.

Moreover, many sewage treatment plants are designed to include wetland systems or artificial lagoons that provide additional filtration and habitat for wildlife. These systems not only improve water quality but also create environments that support plant and animal life, contributing to biodiversity conservation.

7. Complying with Environmental Regulations

Sewage treatment plants are regulated by environmental laws and standards that aim to protect natural resources and ensure that wastewater is treated to meet specific quality criteria. By adhering to these regulations, STPs help prevent environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.

Governments around the world have established stringent wastewater treatment standards to protect water bodies from contamination and to safeguard public health. Sewage treatment plants that comply with these regulations play a crucial role in meeting these standards and maintaining the integrity of local ecosystems.

8. Raising Public Awareness and Engagement

Sewage treatment plants also serve as important tools for raising public awareness about the importance of water conservation, waste management, and environmental protection. Many STPs offer educational programs and tours that help the public understand the significance of proper wastewater treatment and the environmental benefits of reducing water pollution.

By educating the community, sewage treatment plants encourage individuals and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices, such as reducing water usage, recycling, and avoiding the disposal of harmful substances down the drain. This collective effort contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment.

Conclusion

Sewage treatment plants are essential to environmental protection, as they prevent pollution, conserve water, and support sustainable land use practices. By treating wastewater effectively, these plants contribute to cleaner rivers, lakes, and oceans, promote the reuse of water, and protect ecosystems from harmful contaminants. Furthermore, they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide valuable resources such as biogas and biosolids for energy production and agriculture. As urban populations grow and environmental challenges intensify, the role of sewage treatment plants in protecting the environment will continue to be crucial in ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

[amalgambio24]

Looking for a Bio Culture Manufacturer for Your ETP or STP?

Maintaining efficient and effective wastewater treatment is crucial for any organization, whether it's a manufacturing facility, a residential complex, or a municipal wastewater treatment plant. If you're looking to optimize your Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) or Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), choosing the right bioculture manufacturer is a critical step.

What are Bio Cultures?

Biocultures are specialized blends of beneficial microorganisms that accelerate the breakdown of organic pollutants in wastewater. These microscopic powerhouses enhance the natural biological processes within your ETP or STP, leading to improved treatment efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Why are Bio Cultures Important for ETPs and STPs?

Enhanced Efficiency: Biocultures boost the degradation of organic waste, improving the overall treatment capacity of your system. This translates to cleaner effluent and better compliance with environmental regulations.

Reduced Sludge: By breaking down organic matter more effectively, biocultures minimize sludge buildup, reducing disposal costs and operational challenges.

Odor Control: Biocultures help control unpleasant odors associated with wastewater treatment by neutralizing the source of the odor.

Improved System Stability: A healthy microbial population in Bioculture for ETP or STP, supported by biocultures, enhances system resilience to shock loads and variations in influent composition.

Cost Savings: Increased efficiency and reduced sludge production can lead to significant cost savings in the long run.

What to Look for in a Bio Culture Manufacturer

Selecting the right bioculture manufacturer is essential for successful wastewater treatment. Here are some key factors to consider:

Expertise and Experience: Look for a manufacturer with a proven track record and in-depth knowledge of Bioculture for STP and ETP applications.

Product Quality and Diversity: Choose a manufacturer that offers a wide range of high-quality bioculture products tailored to different wastewater treatment needs.

Technical Support: A reliable manufacturer should provide comprehensive technical support, including on-site analysis, troubleshooting, and customized solutions.

Research and Development: A commitment to research and development ensures that the manufacturer is constantly innovating and improving its bioculture formulations.

Environmental Responsibility: Prioritize manufacturers who demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

Bio Culture for ETP

In industrial settings, Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) handle a variety of complex wastewater streams. Biocultures specifically formulated for ETPs can tackle challenging pollutants, such as:

Oils and Grease: Specialized microbial blends break down fats, oils, and grease, preventing blockages and improving treatment efficiency.

Heavy Metals: Some biocultures can help remove or neutralize heavy metals in industrial wastewater.

Toxic Chemicals: Certain microbial strains are effective in degrading specific toxic chemicals commonly found in industrial effluents.

Bio Culture for STP

Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) require robust biocultures to manage high organic loads and diverse pollutants. Key benefits of using biocultures in STPs include:

Improved BOD and COD Removal: Biocultures enhance the removal of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), key indicators of wastewater quality.

Nitrification and Denitrification: Specialized biocultures facilitate the conversion of ammonia to nitrates (nitrification) and then to nitrogen gas (denitrification), reducing nitrogen pollution in the effluent.

Phosphorus Removal: Some biocultures aid in the removal of phosphorus, a nutrient that can contribute to algal blooms and water quality issues.

Making the Right Choice

Investing in the right bioculture manufacturer can significantly impact the performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of your ETP or STP. By carefully considering the factors mentioned above and partnering with a reputable manufacturer, you can optimize your wastewater treatment process and contribute to a cleaner environment.

[sunaleisocial]

New filter captures and recycles aluminum from manufacturing waste

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/new-filter-captures-and-recycles-aluminum-from-manufacturing-waste/

New filter captures and recycles aluminum from manufacturing waste

Used in everything from soda cans and foil wrap to circuit boards and rocket boosters, aluminum is the second-most-produced metal in the world after steel. By the end of this decade, demand is projected to drive up aluminum production by 40 percent worldwide. This steep rise will magnify aluminum’s environmental impacts, including any pollutants that are released with its manufacturing waste.

MIT engineers have developed a new nanofiltration process to curb the hazardous waste generated from aluminum production. Nanofiltration could potentially be used to process the waste from an aluminum plant and retrieve any aluminum ions that would otherwise have escaped in the effluent stream. The captured aluminum could then be upcycled and added to the bulk of the produced aluminum, increasing yield while simultaneously reducing waste.

The researchers demonstrated the membrane’s performance in lab-scale experiments using a novel membrane to filter various solutions that were similar in content to the waste streams produced by aluminum plants. They found that the membrane selectively captured more than 99 percent of aluminum ions in these solutions.

If scaled up and implemented in existing production facilities, the membrane technology could reduce the amount of wasted aluminum and improve the environmental quality of the waste that plants generate.

“This membrane technology not only cuts down on hazardous waste but also enables a circular economy for aluminum by reducing the need for new mining,” says John Lienhard, the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Water in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) at MIT. “This offers a promising solution to address environmental concerns while meeting the growing demand for aluminum.”

Lienhard and his colleagues report their results in a study appearing today in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. The study’s co-authors include MIT mechanical engineering undergraduates Trent Lee and Vinn Nguyen, and Zi Hao Foo SM ’21, PhD ’24, who is a postdoc at the University of California at Berkeley.

A recycling niche

Lienhard’s group at MIT develops membrane and filtration technologies for desalinating seawater and remediating various sources of wastewater. In looking for new areas to apply their work, the team found an unexplored opportunity in aluminum and, in particular, the wastewater generated from the metal’s production.

As part of aluminum’s production, metal-rich ore, called bauxite, is first mined from open pits, then put through a series of chemical reactions to separate the aluminum from the rest of the mined rock. These reactions ultimately produce aluminum oxide, in a powdery form called alumina. Much of this alumina is then shipped to refineries, where the powder is poured into electrolysis vats containing a molten mineral called cryolite. When a strong electric current is applied, cryolite breaks alumina’s chemical bonds, separating aluminum and oxygen atoms. The pure aluminum then settles in liquid form to the bottom of the vat, where it can be collected and cast into various forms.

Cryolite electrolyte acts as a solvent, facilitating the separation of alumina during the molten salt electrolysis process. Over time, the cryolite accumulates impurities such as sodium, lithium, and potassium ions — gradually reducing its effectiveness in dissolving alumina. At a certain point, the concentration of these impurities reaches a critical level, at which the electrolyte must be replaced with fresh cryolite to main process efficiency. The spent cryolite, a viscous sludge containing residual aluminum ions and impurities, is then transported away for disposal.   

“We learned that for a traditional aluminum plant, something like 2,800 tons of aluminum are wasted per year,” says lead author Trent Lee. “We were looking at ways that the industry can be more efficient, and we found cryolite waste hadn’t been well-researched in terms of recycling some of its waste products.”

A charged kick

In their new work, the researchers aimed to develop a membrane process to filter cryolite waste and recover aluminum ions that inevitably make it into the waste stream. Specifically, the team looked to capture aluminum while letting through all other ions, especially sodium, which builds up significantly in the cryolite over time.

The team reasoned that if they could selectively capture aluminum from cryolite waste, the aluminum could be poured back into the electrolysis vat without adding excessive sodium that would further slow the electrolysis process.

The researchers’ new design is an adaptation of membranes used in conventional water treatment plants. These membranes are typically made from a thin sheet of polymer material that is perforated by tiny, nanometer-scale pores, the size of which is tuned to let through specific ions and molecules.

The surface of conventional membranes carries a natural, negative charge. As a result, the membranes repel any ions that carry the same negative charge, while they attract positively charged ions to flow through.

In collaboration with the Japanese membrane company Nitto Denko, the MIT team sought to examine the efficacy of commercially available membranes that could filter through most positively charged ions in cryolite wastewater while repelling and capturing aluminum ions. However, aluminum ions also carry a positive charge, of +3, where sodium and the other cations carry a lesser positive charge of +1.

Motivated by the group’s recent work investigating membranes for recovering lithium from salt lakes and spent batteries, the team tested a novel Nitto Denko membrane with a thin, positively charged coating covering the membrane. The coating’s charge is just positive enough to strongly repel and retain aluminum while allowing less positively charged ions to flow through.

“The aluminum is the most positively charged of the ions, so most of it is kicked away from the membrane,” Foo explains.

The team tested the membrane’s performance by passing through solutions with various balances of ions, similar to what can be found in cryolite waste. They observed that the membrane consistently captured 99.5 percent of aluminum ions while allowing through sodium and the other cations. They also varied the pH of the solutions, and found the membrane maintained its performance even after sitting in highly acidic solution for several weeks.

“A lot of this cryolite waste stream comes at different levels of acidity,” Foo says. “And we found the membrane works really well, even within the harsh conditions that we would expect.”

The new experimental membrane is about the size of a playing card. To treat cryolite waste in an industrial-scale aluminum production plant, the researchers envision a scaled-up version of the membrane, similar to what is used in many desalination plants, where a long membrane is rolled up in a spiral configuration, through which water flows.

“This paper shows the viability of membranes for innovations in circular economies,” Lee says. “This membrane provides the dual benefit of upcycling aluminum while reducing hazardous waste.”

[jcmarchi]

New filter captures and recycles aluminum from manufacturing waste

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/new-filter-captures-and-recycles-aluminum-from-manufacturing-waste/

New filter captures and recycles aluminum from manufacturing waste

Used in everything from soda cans and foil wrap to circuit boards and rocket boosters, aluminum is the second-most-produced metal in the world after steel. By the end of this decade, demand is projected to drive up aluminum production by 40 percent worldwide. This steep rise will magnify aluminum’s environmental impacts, including any pollutants that are released with its manufacturing waste.

MIT engineers have developed a new nanofiltration process to curb the hazardous waste generated from aluminum production. Nanofiltration could potentially be used to process the waste from an aluminum plant and retrieve any aluminum ions that would otherwise have escaped in the effluent stream. The captured aluminum could then be upcycled and added to the bulk of the produced aluminum, increasing yield while simultaneously reducing waste.

The researchers demonstrated the membrane’s performance in lab-scale experiments using a novel membrane to filter various solutions that were similar in content to the waste streams produced by aluminum plants. They found that the membrane selectively captured more than 99 percent of aluminum ions in these solutions.

If scaled up and implemented in existing production facilities, the membrane technology could reduce the amount of wasted aluminum and improve the environmental quality of the waste that plants generate.

“This membrane technology not only cuts down on hazardous waste but also enables a circular economy for aluminum by reducing the need for new mining,” says John Lienhard, the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Water in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) at MIT. “This offers a promising solution to address environmental concerns while meeting the growing demand for aluminum.”

Lienhard and his colleagues report their results in a study appearing today in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. The study’s co-authors include MIT mechanical engineering undergraduates Trent Lee and Vinn Nguyen, and Zi Hao Foo SM ’21, PhD ’24, who is a postdoc at the University of California at Berkeley.

A recycling niche

Lienhard’s group at MIT develops membrane and filtration technologies for desalinating seawater and remediating various sources of wastewater. In looking for new areas to apply their work, the team found an unexplored opportunity in aluminum and, in particular, the wastewater generated from the metal’s production.

As part of aluminum’s production, metal-rich ore, called bauxite, is first mined from open pits, then put through a series of chemical reactions to separate the aluminum from the rest of the mined rock. These reactions ultimately produce aluminum oxide, in a powdery form called alumina. Much of this alumina is then shipped to refineries, where the powder is poured into electrolysis vats containing a molten mineral called cryolite. When a strong electric current is applied, cryolite breaks alumina’s chemical bonds, separating aluminum and oxygen atoms. The pure aluminum then settles in liquid form to the bottom of the vat, where it can be collected and cast into various forms.

Cryolite electrolyte acts as a solvent, facilitating the separation of alumina during the molten salt electrolysis process. Over time, the cryolite accumulates impurities such as sodium, lithium, and potassium ions — gradually reducing its effectiveness in dissolving alumina. At a certain point, the concentration of these impurities reaches a critical level, at which the electrolyte must be replaced with fresh cryolite to main process efficiency. The spent cryolite, a viscous sludge containing residual aluminum ions and impurities, is then transported away for disposal.   

“We learned that for a traditional aluminum plant, something like 2,800 tons of aluminum are wasted per year,” says lead author Trent Lee. “We were looking at ways that the industry can be more efficient, and we found cryolite waste hadn’t been well-researched in terms of recycling some of its waste products.”

A charged kick

In their new work, the researchers aimed to develop a membrane process to filter cryolite waste and recover aluminum ions that inevitably make it into the waste stream. Specifically, the team looked to capture aluminum while letting through all other ions, especially sodium, which builds up significantly in the cryolite over time.

The team reasoned that if they could selectively capture aluminum from cryolite waste, the aluminum could be poured back into the electrolysis vat without adding excessive sodium that would further slow the electrolysis process.

The researchers’ new design is an adaptation of membranes used in conventional water treatment plants. These membranes are typically made from a thin sheet of polymer material that is perforated by tiny, nanometer-scale pores, the size of which is tuned to let through specific ions and molecules.

The surface of conventional membranes carries a natural, negative charge. As a result, the membranes repel any ions that carry the same negative charge, while they attract positively charged ions to flow through.

In collaboration with the Japanese membrane company Nitto Denko, the MIT team sought to examine the efficacy of commercially available membranes that could filter through most positively charged ions in cryolite wastewater while repelling and capturing aluminum ions. However, aluminum ions also carry a positive charge, of +3, where sodium and the other cations carry a lesser positive charge of +1.

Motivated by the group’s recent work investigating membranes for recovering lithium from salt lakes and spent batteries, the team tested a novel Nitto Denko membrane with a thin, positively charged coating covering the membrane. The coating’s charge is just positive enough to strongly repel and retain aluminum while allowing less positively charged ions to flow through.

“The aluminum is the most positively charged of the ions, so most of it is kicked away from the membrane,” Foo explains.

The team tested the membrane’s performance by passing through solutions with various balances of ions, similar to what can be found in cryolite waste. They observed that the membrane consistently captured 99.5 percent of aluminum ions while allowing through sodium and the other cations. They also varied the pH of the solutions, and found the membrane maintained its performance even after sitting in highly acidic solution for several weeks.

“A lot of this cryolite waste stream comes at different levels of acidity,” Foo says. “And we found the membrane works really well, even within the harsh conditions that we would expect.”

The new experimental membrane is about the size of a playing card. To treat cryolite waste in an industrial-scale aluminum production plant, the researchers envision a scaled-up version of the membrane, similar to what is used in many desalination plants, where a long membrane is rolled up in a spiral configuration, through which water flows.

“This paper shows the viability of membranes for innovations in circular economies,” Lee says. “This membrane provides the dual benefit of upcycling aluminum while reducing hazardous waste.”