Richa Kothari

Experimental study for growth potential of unicellular alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa on dairy waste water: an integrated approach for treatment and biofuel production.

This communication presents an integrated approach to study the potential of Chlorella pyrenoidosa for treatment of dairy wastewater (DWW) and biofuel extraction. The experiment was set up in two steps. The step-1 of the experiment was designed for treatment of dairy wastewater. The physical and chemical parameters of wastewater quality such as nitrate, phosphate, chloride, fluoride, hardness, etc., were studied. The level of nitrate and phosphate known, agents of eutrophication in water bodies was reduced by 60% and 87% in influent, 49% and 83% in the effluent, respectively. The step-2 of the experiment was designed for biofuel extraction by harvesting the biomass (algal strain) grown in dairy waste water. The result of this study shows that algal strain C. pyrenoidosa is not only an agent for mitigation of pollutant load, but it can also be used as potential agent for biofuel production.

Production of biodiesel from microalgae Chlamydomonas polypyrenoideum grown on dairy industry wastewater

This study involves a process of phyco-remediation of dairy industry wastewater by algal strain Chlamydomonas polypyrenoideum. The results of selected algal strain indicated that dairy industry wastewater was good nutrient supplement for algal growth in comparable with BG-11 growth medium. Alga grown on dairy industry wastewater reduced the pollution load of nitrate (90%), nitrite (74%), phosphate (70%), chloride (61%), fluoride (58%), and ammonia (90%) on 10th day of its growth as compared to that of uninoculated wastewater. The lipid content of algal biomass grown on dairy wastewater on 10th day (1.6g) and 15th day (1.2 g) of batch experiment was found to be higher than the lipid content of algal biomass grown in BG-11 growth medium on 10th day (1.27 g) and 15th day (1.0 g) of batch experiment. The results on FTIR analysis of the extracted bio-oil through transesterification reaction was comparable with bio-oil obtained from other sources.

Experimental and kinetic studies for phycoremediation and dye removal by Chlorella pyrenoidosa from textile wastewater.

Potential of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was experimentally investigated for phycoremediation and dye removal from textile wastewater (TWW) in batch cultures. Growth of alga was observed at various concentration of textile wastewater (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and was found in a range of 8.1-14 μg ml(-1) day(-1). Growth study revealed that alga potentially grows up to 75% concentrated textile wastewater and reduces phosphate, nitrate and BOD by 87%, 82% and 63% respectively. Methylene blue dye (MB) removal was also observed by using dry and wet algal biomass harvested after phycoremediation. Adsorption isotherms (Langmuir and Freundlich) and kinetic models (pseudo first and second order) were applied on adsorption process. Dry algal biomass (DAB) was found more efficient biosorbent with large surface area and showed high binding affinity for MB dye in compare to wet algal biomass (WAB). The RL value for both biosorbent showed feasible adsorption process as the obtained value was between 0 and 1. Pseudo second order kinetic model with high degree of correlation coefficient and low sum of error squares (SSE %) value was found more suitable for representation of adsorption process in case of both biosorbents, however pseudo first order also showed high degree of correlation for both biosorbents.

Thermodynamics and performance evaluation of encapsulated PCM-based energy storage systems for heating application in building

This communication presents the comparative study of two different types of thermal management systems for room’s heating applications using calcium chloride hexahydrate as the thermal energy storage material encapsulated in panels and balls. During the daytime, TMS was outside the test room to store the solar heat in TMS. The solar heat made available to charge the PCM from solid to liquid and to warm the test room throughout the observation period during night time. As the room temperature drops significantly during the night time, so as the level of comfort. Both the thermal management systems have been used to heat the test room during night time and the temperature of the test room has been maintained at thermal comfort level without any conventional source of energy, i.e. using passive system. Also the experimental values were compared with those of the theoretical values and are found in good agreement with each other. Thus, it can be concluded that the experimental study carried out for both the thermal management systems have been validated by theoretical approach or vice versa and hence found to be satisfactory towards the successful operation of these systems.

A novel method to harvest Chlorella sp. via low cost bioflocculant: Influence of temperature with kinetic and thermodynamic functions

In this study, harvesting efficiency (HE) of bioflocculant (egg shell) was observed with variation in flocculent concentrations (0-100mgL-1), temperature (30°C, 35°C 40°C, 45°C and 50°C) and variable contact time (0-50min). It was found maximum (≈95.6%) with 100mgL-1 bioflocculant concentration whereas influence of temperature was also observed with optimized concentration of bioflocculant (100mgL-1) at 40°C (≈98.1%) and 50°C (≈99.3%), in 30min of contact time. Significant changes in algal cell structures were also analyzed after exposure to various temperatures with microscopy, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and EDS (Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) images with and without bioflocculant. The experimental data was found to be a good fit with pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic functions such as ΔG (Gibbs free energy), ΔH (enthalpy), ΔS (entropy) were also determined. The negative value of ΔG and positive value of ΔH and ΔS shows the spontaneous and endothermic nature of flocculation process.

Microalgal cultivation for value-added products: a critical enviro-economical assessment

The present review focuses on the cultivation of algal biomass for generating value-added products (VAP) and to assess their economic benefits and harmful environmental impact. Additionally, the impact of bioreactor designs on the yield of microalgal biomass for VAP is also considered. All these factors are discussed in relation to the impact of microalgae production on the bio-economy sector of commercial biotechnology.

Growth performance, metal accumulation and biochemical responses of Palak (Beta vulgaris L. var. Allgreen H-1) grown on soil amended with sewage sludge-fly ash mixtures

Agricultural utilization of sewage sludge (SS) and fly ash (FA) has become both, a common practice and an alternative disposal method for these wastes all around the world. The present study was conducted to assess the effect and viability of co-application of SS and FA (SLASH) in four mixing ratios denoted as A [4 (SS): 1(FA)], B [4 (SS): 2 (FA)], C [4 (SS): 3 (FA)] and D [4 (SS): 4(FA)] at three application rates viz. 20, 40 and 60% (w/w) with agricultural soil on biochemical, physiological and growth response of Palak (Beta vulgaris L. var. Allgreen H-1), a commonly used green leafy vegetable. SLASH amendment modified the physico-chemical properties of soil and increased the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soil and plant parts however, within the Indian permissible limit except for Cr, Cd and Zn in shoot. Experimental results revealed decrease in morphological and growth parameters such as root and shoot length, leaf area, root, shoot biomass etc. Lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid, proline and protein content increased however, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreased indicating towards heavy metal stress induced biochemical and physiological response in Palak plants. Significant increase in yield was seen in some of the treatments viz. three mixing ratios B, C and D, with maximum increment shown by mixture D at 20 and 40% amendment rate. The results of this study suggest that though SLASH amendment for growing Palak improved the physico-chemical properties of soil amended and also the yield of the plants in some treatments, it may not be a good option due to risk of contamination of heavy metals such as Cr, Cd and Zn showing higher accumulation.

Prospects for pretreatment methods of lignocellulosic waste biomass for biogas enhancement: opportunities and challenges

ABSTRACT Lignocellulose biomass/lignocellulosic waste biomass (LCB/LCWB) represents the largest renewable pool for potentially fermentable carbohydrates, which provides a good solution for bioenergy production. Although it is assumed to have a lower theoretical yield for biogas than waste material made of sugar or starch, it is free from the problems associated with other generations of biofuels. An inexpensive and efficient pretreatment method of LCB/LCWB is highly desired to achieve an economical biogas production process. This paper reviews the conventional, advanced and infant (i.e. under development) pretreatment methods that have been studied for enhancement of biogas production. In addition to various pretreatment methods, this article also reviews further aspects of the conventional, advanced and infant methods (nanotechnolgy) for pretreatment of LCB/LCWB. Thus, the article provides systematic technological strategies and new pretreatment approaches for sustainable bioprocessing of LCB/LCWB into value-added product.

The Potential of Bioenergy Production from Marginalised Lands and Its Effect on Climate Change

The growing concerns over fossil fuel depletion, energy crisis and climate change have raised the interest of scientists for bioenergy production on marginalised lands. Cultivating bioenergy crops on marginalised lands is regarded as alternative source of cultivating energy as it utilises the marginal land for growing such biomass that can be used for bioenergy production. It is economical scaledup process that contributes in not only mitigating energy crisis, but also helps in reclaiming marginalised lands. Bioenergy crops have wide prospective in contributing to a major portion of worlds energy needs while reducing the rate of emission of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Production of bioenergy crop on marginal land is clean, simple, environment friendly and economic way of combating a series of environmental problems. Government needs to provide subsidy and incentives to promote bioenergy production on marginalised lands so that it reaches the longterm vision of achieving sustainable development goals.

Comparison of bioleaching of heavy metals from municipal sludge using indigenous sulfur and iron-oxidizing microorganisms: Continuous stirred tank reactor studies

A comparative study was undertaken using indigenous sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms and iron-oxidizing microorganisms in separate 12 litre continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) for solubilization of heavy metals from anaerobically digested sewage sludge. The CSTRs were operated at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) ranging from 4 to 10 days using sewage sludge feed having near neutral pH. The pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and solubilization efficiency of metals were found to be highly dependent on HRT and an increase in HRT led to higher solubilization of metals in both the CSTRs. In both the CSTRs, the CSTR operated with sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms at an HRT of 8 days was found to be optimum in solubilizing 58% Cu, 52% Ni, 72% Zn and 43% Cu from the sludge. The nutrient value, nitrogen and phosphorus of bioleached sludge was also conserved (<20% loss) at 8 days HRT. The metals fractionation study conducted using BCR sequential extraction procedure suggested that most of the metals remaining in the bioleached sludge were in the more stable fractions (F3 and F4) and, therefore, can be safely apply as a fertilizer on land.