Xuefei Zhou

The effect of bacterial contamination on the heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in wastewater from the production of soybean products.

This study examined the impacts of bacteria on the algal biomass, lipid content and efficiency of wastewater treatment during the heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Our results showed that soybean-processing wastewater can enhance the accumulation of lipids in algal cells and thus raise the lipid yield in the pure culture. The bacteria coexisting with algae improved the degradation of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), glucose and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Although the biomass productivity of algae was not significantly affected, the total algal lipid content and lipid production rate were slightly reduced when bacteria coexisted with algae. The difference in the compositions of the medium is presumed to be the main contributing factor for the variation in total lipid content in presence and absence of bacteria. The TN, TP, and COD decreased during the assimilatory process undertaken by C. pyrenoidosa, and the removal efficiency of TN by bacteria depended on the type of nitrogen species in the medium. Additionally, the apparent interaction between the bacterial and algal cultures varied with the changes in experimental conditions. Algae could compete with bacteria for the carbon and energy sources, and inhibit the growth of the bacteria in the presence of high organic matter concentration in the medium.

Effect of inoculum sources on the anaerobic digestion of rice straw

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different inoculum sources on the rice straw anaerobic digestion. Six different digestates (DM, SM, CM, MS, AGS and PS) were applied as inoculums and their effects were evaluated in batch reactors. The results indicated that digested manures were more suitable than sludge. Reactors inoculated with digested manures achieved higher, biogas production and lignocellulose degradation. The better adaptability of digested manures had relationship with its higher cellulase and xylanase activities and sufficient nutrients content. DM had the best effect among all three digested manures. Reactors inoculated with DM achieved the highest biogas production (325.3 mL/g VS) and enzymes activities. The synergism between cellulase and xylanase activities played an important role in lignocellulose degradation.

Performance and properties of nanoscale calcium peroxide for toluene removal

Due to the large diameter and small surface, the contaminant degradation by conventional calcium peroxide (CaO2) is slow with high dosage required. The aggregation of conventional CaO2 also makes it difficult to operate. Nanoscale CaO2 was therefore synthesized and applied to remove toluene in this study. Prepared from nanoscale Ca(OH)2 and H2O2 in the ratio of 1:7, the finely dispersed nanoscale CaO2 particles were confirmed by the scanning electron microscope to be in the range of 100-200nm in size. Compared to their non nanoscale counterparts, the synthesized nanoscale CaO2 demonstrated a superior performance in the degradation of toluene, which could be eliminated in 3d at pH 6. The oxidation products of toluene were analyzed to include benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and three cresol isomers. With the addition of 2-propanol, hydroxyl radicals were indicated as the main reactive oxygen species in the oxidation of toluene by nanoscale CaO2. Superoxide radicals were also investigated as the marker of nanoscale CaO2 in the solution. Our study thus provides an important insight into the application of nanoscale CaO2 in the removal of toluene contaminants, which is significant, especially for controlling the petroleum contaminations.

Graphene-wrapped Bi2O2CO3 core–shell structures with enhanced quantum efficiency profit from an ultrafast electron transfer process

Graphene (GR)-wrapped rose-like Bi2O2CO3 (WBGR) core–shell structures are synthesized to maximize their contact area and quantum efficiency. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate that C–Bi bonds are formed, leading to a close chemical interfacial connection between Bi2O2CO3 and GR, as well as a concurrent red shift at the absorption edge (λ = 430 nm). More importantly, an ultrafast electron transfer process (≤800 ps) from Bi2O2CO3 to GR via the C–Bi bonds is detected in WBGR, inhibiting recombination of the charge carriers and contributing to high photocatalytic activity for carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation. As a result, the highest apparent quantum efficiency Φ (2.62%) and charge separation yield (9.4 × 1017 spin per g), as well as quenching factor (4.51), are achieved by WBGR. Finally, radical control experiments demonstrate that ˙O2− radicals, ˙OH radicals and holes participate in the photocatalytic process. Consequently, WBGR displays an apparent rate constant (k) of 2.81 × 10−4 s−1, which is 8.67 and 4.15-fold higher than that of Bi2O2CO3 and graphene–Bi2O2CO3 (BGR), respectively.

Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultivation using anaerobic digested starch processing wastewater in an airlift circulation photobioreactor

To explore the integration of microalgae cultivation and anaerobic processing for wastewater treatment, we utilized an airlift circulation photobioreactor and a dynamic membrane reactor for microalgae cultivation in combination with an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor for starch processing wastewater (SPW) treatment. Chlorella pyrenoidosa completely adapted to the digested SPW without any chemical additives, and it grew normally under a wide temperature range in different seasons. C. pyrenoidosa was always the dominant microorganism in the photobioreactors although bacteria and some wild type microalgae were observed. Optimal biomass growth and pollutants removal was achieved at temperatures between 35 and 38°C in summer, removing 65.99% of COD, 83.06% of TN, 96.97% of TP and a biomass productivity of 0.37gL(-1)d(-1). Temperature fluctuation significantly influenced lipid contents and FAMEs compositions in biomass. The results demonstrate the successful integration of microalgae biomass production and anaerobic processing for wastewater treatment.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid Degradation Using UV–Persulfate Process: Modeling of the Degradation and Chlorate Formation

In this study, we investigated the destruction and by-product formation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) using ultraviolet light and persulfate (UV-PS). Additionally, we developed a first-principles kinetic model to simulate both PFOA destruction and by-product and chlorate (ClO3(-)) formation in ultrapure water (UW), surface water (SW), and wastewater (WW). PFOA degradation was significantly suppressed in the presence of chloride and carbonate species and did not occur until all the chloride was converted to ClO3(-) in UW and for low DOC concentrations in SW. The model was able to simulate the PS decay, pH changes, radical concentrations, and ClO3(-) formation for UW and SW. However, our model was unable to simulate PFOA degradation well in WW, possibly from PS activation by NOM, which in turn produced sulfate radicals.

Nutrients removal and lipids production by Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultivation using anaerobic digested starch wastewater and alcohol wastewater.

The cultivation of microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) using anaerobic digested starch wastewater (ADSW) and alcohol wastewater (AW) was evaluated in this study. Different proportions of mixed wastewater (AW/ADSW=0.176:1, 0.053:1, 0.026:1, v/v) and pure ADSW, AW were used for C. pyrenoidosa cultivation. The different proportions between ADSW and AW significantly influenced biomass growth, lipids production and pollutants removal. The best performance was achieved using mixed wastewater (AW/ADSW=0.053:1, v/v), leading to a maximal total biomass of 3.01±0.15 g/L (dry weight), lipids productivity of 127.71±6.31 mg/L/d and pollutants removal of COD=75.78±3.76%, TN=91.64±4.58% and TP=90.74±4.62%.

Effect of Ca(OH)2 pretreatment on extruded rice straw anaerobic digestion

It has been proven that extrusion can change the structure of rice straw and increase biogas production, but the effect of a single pretreatment is limited. Ca(OH)2 pretreatment was used to enhance the enzyme hydrolysis and biogas production of extruded rice straw. After Ca(OH)2 pretreatment, the glucose and xylose conversion rates in enzymatic hydrolysis increased from 36.0% and 22.4% to 66.8% and 50.2%, respectively. The highest biogas production observed in 8% and 10% Ca(OH)2 pretreated rice straw reached 564.7mL/g VS and 574.5mL/g VS, respectively, which are 34.3% and 36.7% higher than the non-Ca(OH)2-loaded sample. The Ca(OH)2 pretreatment can effectively remove the lignin and increase the fermentable sugar content. The structural changes in the extruded rice straw have also been analyzed by XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Considering all of the results, an 8% Ca(OH)2 loading rate is the best option for the pretreatment of extruded rice straw.

Dewatering of Chlorella pyrenoidosa using diatomite dynamic membrane: Filtration performance, membrane fouling and cake behavior

The diatomite dynamic membrane (DDM) was utilized to dewater Chlorella pyrenoidosa of 2 g dry weight/L under continuous-flow mode, whose ultimate algae concentration ranged from 43 g to 22 g dry weight/L of different culture time. The stable flux of DDM could reach 30 L/m(2) h over a 24 h operation time without backwash. Influences of extracellular organic matters (EOM) on filtration behavior and membrane fouling were studied. The DDM was divided into three sub-layers, the slime layer, the algae layer and the diatomite layer from the outside to the inside of the cake layer based on components and morphologies. It was found that EOM caused membrane fouling by accumulating in the slime and algae layers. The DDM intercepted polysaccharides, protein-like substances, humic-like substances and some low-MW organics. Proteins were indicated the major membrane foulants with increased protein/polysaccharide ratio from the slime layer to the diatomite layer as culture time increased. This method could be applied to subsequent treatment of microalgae coupling technology of wastewater treatment or microalgae harvesting for producing biofuel.

Removal of carbamazepine and clofibric acid from water using double templates-molecularly imprinted polymers.

A novel double templates–molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared by precipitation polymerization using carbamazepine (CBZ) and clofibric acid (CA) as the double templates molecular and 2-vinylpyridine as functional monomer. The equilibrium data of MIP was well described by the Freundlich isotherm model. Two kinetic models were adopted to describe the experimental data, and the pseudo second-order model well-described adsorption of CBZ and CA on the MIP. Adsorption experimental results showed that the MIP had good selectivity and adsorption capacity for CBZ and CA in the presence of competitive compounds compared with non-imprinted polymer, commercial powdered activated carbon, and C18 adsorbents. The feasibility of removing CBZ and CA from water by the MIP was demonstrated using tap water, lake water, and river water.