Xufei Yang

Capacitive deionization coupled with microbial fuel cells to desalinate low-concentration salt water

A new technology (CDI-MFC) that combined capacitive deionization (CDI) and microbial fuel cell (MFC) was developed to treat low-concentration salt water with NaCl concentration of 60mg/L. The water desalination rate was 35.6mg/(Lh), meanwhile the charge efficiency was 21.8%. Two desorption modes were investigated: discharging (DC) mode and short circuit (SC) mode. The desalination rate in the DC mode was 200.6±3.1mg/(Lh), 47.8% higher than that in the SC mode [135.7±15.3mg/(Lh)]. The average current in the DC mode was also much higher than that of the SC mode. The energy stored in the CDI cell has been reused to enhance the electron production of MFC by the discharging desorption mode (DC mode), which offers an approach to recover the electrostatic energy in the CDI cell.

Binder-free graphene and manganese oxide coated carbon felt anode for high-performance microbial fuel cell

A novel anode was developed by coating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and manganese oxide (MnO2) composite on the carbon felt (CF) surface. With a large surface area and excellent electrical conductivity, this binder-free anode was found to effectively enhance the enrichment and growth of electrochemically active bacteria and facilitate the extracellular electron transfer from the bacteria to the anode. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) equipped with the rGO/MnO2/CF anode delivered a maximum power density of 2065mWm(-2), 154% higher than that with a bare CF anode. The internal resistance of the MFC with this novel anode was 79Ω, 66% lower than the regular ones (234Ω). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses affirmed that the rGO/MnO2 composite significantly increased the anodic reaction rates and facilitated the electron transfer from the bacteria to the anode. The findings from this study suggest that the rGO/MnO2/CF anode, fabricated via a simple dip-coating and electro-deposition process, could be a promising anode material for high-performance MFC applications.

Enhancing the response of microbial fuel cell based toxicity sensors to Cu(II) with the applying of flow-through electrodes and controlled anode potentials

The application of microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based toxicity sensors to real-world water monitoring is partly impeded by the limited sensitivity. To address this limitation, this study optimized the flow configurations and the control modes. Results revealed that the sensitivity increased by ∼15-41times with the applying of a flow-through anode, compared to those with a flow-by anode. The sensors operated in the controlled anode potential (CP) mode delivered better sensitivity than those operated in the constant external resistance (ER) mode over a broad range of anode potentials from -0.41V to +0.1V. Electrodeposition of Cu(II) was found to bias the toxicity measurement at low anode potentials. The optimal anode potential was approximately -0.15V, at which the sensor achieved an unbiased measurement of toxicity and the highest sensitivity. This value was greater than those required for electrodeposition while smaller than those for power overshoot.

Enhanced desalination performance of membrane capacitive deionization cells by packing the flow chamber with granular activated carbon.

A new design of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) cell was constructed by packing the cells flow chamber with granular activated carbon (GAC). The GAC packed-MCDI (GAC-MCDI) delivered higher (1.2-2.5 times) desalination rates than the regular MCDI at all test NaCl concentrations (∼ 100-1000 mg/L). The greatest performance enhancement by packed GAC was observed when treating saline water with an initial NaCl concentration of 100 mg/L. Several different GAC materials were tested and they all exhibited similar enhancement effects. Comparatively, packing the MCDIs flow chamber with glass beads (GB; non-conductive) and graphite granules (GG; conductive but with lower specific surface area than GAC) resulted in inferior desalination performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the GAC-MCDI had considerably smaller internal resistance than the regular MCDI (∼ 19.2 ± 1.2 Ω versus ∼ 1222 ± 15 Ω at 100 mg/L NaCl). The packed GAC also decreased the ionic resistance across the flow chamber (∼ 1.49 ± 0.05 Ω versus ∼ 1130 ± 12 Ω at 100 mg/L NaCl). The electric double layer (EDL) formed on the GAC surface was considered to store salt ions during electrosorption, and facilitate the ion transport in the flow chamber because of the higher ion conductivity in the EDLs than in the bulk solution, thereby enhancing the MCDIs desalination rate.

Monitoring airborne biotic contaminants in the indoor environment of pig and poultry confinement buildings

Given the growing concerns over human and animal health issues related to confined animal feeding operations, an in-depth examination is required to monitor for airborne bacteria and associated antibiotic resistance genes. Our 16S rRNA-based pyrosequencing revealed that the airborne microbial community skewed towards a higher abundance of Firmicutes (> 59.2%) and Bacteroidetes (4.2-31.4%) within the confinement buildings, while the office environment was predominated by Proteobacteria (55.2%). Furthermore, bioaerosols in the confinement buildings were sporadically associated with genera of potential pathogens, and these genera were more frequently observed in the bioaerosols of pig and layer hen confinement than the turkey confinement buildings and office environment. High abundances of tetracycline resistance genes (9.55 × 10(2) to 1.69 × 10(6) copies ng(-1) DNA) were also detected in the bioaerosols sampled from confinement buildings. Bacterial lineages present in the poultry bioaerosols clustered apart from those present in the pig bioaerosols and among the different phases of pig production, suggesting that different livestock as well as production phase were associated with a distinct airborne microbial community. By understanding the diversity of biotic contaminants associated with the different confinement buildings, this study facilitates the implementation of better management strategies to minimize potential health impacts on both livestock and humans working in this environment.

Enhanced performance of bio-cathode microbial fuel cells with the applying of transient-state operation modes.

To enhance the MFCs denitrification performance, this study investigated three different external circuits/operation modes of the MFC: alternative charging and discharging (ACD), intermittent charging (IC) and constant external resistance (R). Results showed that the ACD and IC modes offered larger output currents as well as higher nitrate and COD removal rates than the steady R mode. The best performance was achieved with the ACD mode. At the initial [COD]=~1200 mg/L and [NO3(-)]=~140 mg/L, the ACD mode delivered an average power density of 0.91 W/m(3), an average nitrate removal rate of 15.5mg/(Ld) and an average COD removal rate of 137 mg/(Ld), 268%, 207% and 168% respectively greater than those by the R mode. The enhancement by the ACD and IC modes was more pronounced at lower nitrate and COD concentrations and/or with the lack of stirring of electrolyte solutions.

Analysis of particle-borne odorants emitted from concentrated animal feeding operations

Airborne particles are known to serve as a carrier of odors emanating from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). However, limited quantitative data about particle-borne odorants preclude an accurate assessment of the role of particles in odor transport. This study collected total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm) at the air exhaust of eight types of CAFOs (swine: farrowing, gestation, weaning, and finishing; poultry: manure-belt layer hen, tom turkey, chicken broiler, and cage-free layer hen; in total 20 animal buildings) in multiple seasons, and examined the variability in particle odorant composition with animal operation type, season, and particle size. Fifty-seven non-sulfur-containing odorants were identified and quantitated, including carbonyls, alcohols, acids, phenols, and nitrogen-containing compounds. They in total accounted for 2.19±1.52% TSP and 4.97±3.25% PM10 mass. Acetic acid and ethanol were most abundant but less odor-contributing than phenylacetic acid, indole, dodecanoic acid, and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, as determined by odor activity value. Particle odorant composition varied significantly with animal operation type, season, and particle size. The TSP and PM10 samples from swine gestation buildings, for example, showed distinctly different odorant compositions than those from tom turkey buildings. The summer TSP and PM10 samples contained in general lower concentrations of short-chain fatty acids but higher concentrations of long-chain fatty acids, aldehydes, and short-chain alcohols than the winter samples. Compared to TSP, PM10 samples from different types of CAFOs shared a more similar odorant composition, contained higher odorant concentrations per mass of particles, and accounted for on average 53.2% of the odor strength of their corresponding TSP samples.

Monitoring total endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan at the air exhaust of concentrated animal feeding operations

Mitigation of bioaerosol emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) demands knowledge of bioaerosol concentrations feeding into an end-of-pipe air treatment process. The aim of this preliminary study was to measure total endotoxin and (1→3)-β-glucan concentrations at the air exhaust of 18 commercial CAFOs and to examine their variability with animal operation type (swine farrowing, swine gestation, swine weaning, swine finishing, manure belt laying hen, and tom turkey) and season (cold, mild, and hot). The measured airborne concentrations of total endotoxin ranged from 98 to 23,157 endotoxin units (EU)/m3, and the airborne concentrations of total (1→3)-β-d-glucan ranged from 2.4 to 537.9 ng/m3. Animal operation type in this study had a significant effect on airborne concentrations of total endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan but no significant effect on their concentrations in total suspended particulate (TSP). Both endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan attained their highest airborne concentrations in visited tom turkey buildings. Comparatively, season had no significant effect on airborne concentrations of total endotoxin or (1→3)-β-d-glucan. Endotoxin and (1→3)-β-glucan concentrations in TSP dust appeared to increase as the weather became warmer, and this seasonal effect was significant in swine buildings. Elevated indoor temperatures in the hot season were considered to facilitate the growth and propagation of bacteria and fungi, thus leading to higher biocomponent concentrations in TSP. Implications: This study monitored total endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan concentrations at the air exhaust of 18 commercial animal buildings during multiple seasons. The airborne concentrations of total endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan differed significantly with animal operation type but showed no significant effect by season. Given that animal buildings in general have the highest ventilation rates in summer, these findings suggest that endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan may attain their maximum emission rates in summer. It is therefore recommended that particular attention should be paid to further investigating summertime bioaerosol emissions from animal feeding operations and the emissions’ impact on neighboring communities.

Concentration, size, and density of total suspended particulates at the air exhaust of concentrated animal feeding operations

Total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were seasonally collected at the air exhaust of 15 commercial concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs; including swine finishing, swine farrowing, swine gestation, laying hen, and tom turkey) in the U.S. Midwest. The measured TSP concentrations ranged from 0.38 ± 0.04 mg m−3 (swine gestation in summer) to 10.9 ± 3.9 mg m−3 (tom turkey in winter) and were significantly affected by animal species, housing facility type, feeder type (dry or wet), and season. The average particle size of collected TSP samples in terms of mass median equivalent spherical diameter ranged from 14.8 ± 0.5 µm (swine finishing in winter) to 30.5 ± 2.0 µm (tom turkey in summer) and showed a significant seasonal effect. This finding affirmed that particulate matter (PM) released from CAFOs contains a significant portion of large particles. The measured particle size distribution (PSD) and the density of deposited particles (on average 1.65 ± 0.13 g cm−3) were used to estimate the mass fractions of PM10 and PM2.5 (PM ≤10 and ≤2.5 μm, respectively) in the collected TSP. The results showed that the PM10 fractions ranged from 12.7 ± 5.1% (tom turkey) to 21.1 ± 3.2% (swine finishing), whereas the PM2.5 fractions ranged from 3.4 ± 1.9% (tom turkey) to 5.7 ± 3.2% (swine finishing) and were smaller than 9.0% at all visited CAFOs. This study applied a filter-based method for PSD measurement and deposited particles as a surrogate to estimate the TSP’s particle density. The limitations, along with the assumptions adopted during the calculation of PM mass fractions, must be recognized when comparing the findings to other studies. Implications: The concentration, size, and density of TSP samples varied greatly with animal species, housing facility type, feeder type, and season, suggesting that PM emission data derived from limited measurements may not be readily applied to estimate the overall emission from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). This study also affirmed that particles released from CAFOs is of relatively high density (~1.65 g cm−3) and with diameter mostly larger than 10 µm, indicating that regular PM abatement devices, such as cyclones, fabric filters, or even a simple downward-facing exhaust duct, may be employed to mitigate the TSP emission with acceptable efficiency.

Measurement of Particle Size Distributions in Swine Buildings

The key objective of this study was to measure particle size distributions of particulate matter emitted from swine buildings. Particle size distribution and concentration emitted from various types of swine buildings were collected and measured. Particle size was measured using four different instruments: a Horiba (Model LA-300, Horiba Instruments, Inc., CA, USA), an Aerosizer DSP (Model 3225, TSI Inc., MN, USA), a Coulter Multisizer (Model Multisizer 3, Beckman Coulter Inc., CA, USA) and a Malvern Mastersizer 2000 (Model Mastersizer 2000, Malvern Instruments Ltd., UK). Dust particles were collected using filters over a 20-hour period. The collected filter samples were analyzed for particle size distribution and particle mass concentration. Mass median diameters and geometric standard deviations were compared with four different particle sizing analyzers. The measured mass median diameter varied from 9 µm to 25 µm, and observed particle mass concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 1.9 mg/m3. The largest and smallest mass median diameter (MMD) was observed by Horiba and Aerosizer DSP, respectively, in most of the field measurements, and this trend was in accordance with preliminary instrumental examinations conducted in a laboratory. Currently, field campaigns for collection of swine building dust are still in process to cover seasonal variations.