{"title":"Accelerated metal separation from chalcopyrite assisted with ozone","authors":"Mingzhu Ren , Jiang Zhang , Zhaomeng Xu , Jing Wang , Jiakai Qiu , Yongbing Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chalcopyrite is a very important mineral resource, but metal separation from chalcopyrite requires a long time and high energy. This work proposed an ozonation enhanced acid leaching strategy, and typical operating parameters were optimized. The results showed that the leaching rates of Cu and Fe reached 35.9 % and 36.9 % after 5 h, respectively, with 0.1 mol/L of H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, 100 mg/L of O<sub>3</sub> and a L/S ratio of 50:1 at 45 °C, which were about 29.7 and 10.2 times higher than that without O<sub>3</sub>. Two novel approaches are further employed to enhance the leaching rates. It was found that the coupling of UV radiation did not play a synergistic role for metal leaching, while it increased rapidly when H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> was added into the leaching system, though the enhancement effect was not continuous. In addition, ball milling pretreatment and ozone micro-nano bubbles both greatly improved the metal leaching rates from chalcopyrite. The leaching rate of Cu can reach to 86.5 % after ball milling, and the concentrations of Fe and Cu in the leaching solution with O<sub>3</sub> micro-nano bubbles increased by 7.7 and 10.0 times than those with common O<sub>3</sub> bubbles. This work provides a new idea for the development of novel leaching technology of chalcopyrite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110263"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143591900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wastewater treatment through a hybrid electrocoagulation and electro-Fenton process with a porous graphite air-diffusion cathode","authors":"Ziad T. Alismaeel, Osama F. Saeed, Ali H. Abbar","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wastewater from hospitals is a major source of pollution, and its treatment to protect the environment is a challenge. Different traditional methods have been applied to treat hospital wastewater (HW). Recently, hybrid processes, such as electrocoagulation (EC) with the electro-Fenton (EF) process, have been found to outperform traditional methods in terms of their high removal rate, low sludge generation and energy consumption and environmental sustainability. Herein, a combined EF process integrated with EC was successfully applied to reduce the chemical O demand (COD) of HW. A batch tubular electrochemical reactor composed of a microporous graphite air diffusion cathode and a hollow cylinder Al anode was used as a new design to remove pollutants from HW. Response surface methodology was adopted to explore the effects of operating factors, which were represented by current density, Fe<sup>2+</sup> concentration and time, on COD removal and identify their interactions. The best operating conditions were a current density of 20 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, an Fe<sup>2+</sup> concentration of 6 mM and a reaction time of 63 min. These conditions yielded a COD removal efficiency (RE %) of 93.5 % with an energy consumption of 18.325 kWh/kg COD. Time had the main effect on the RE % due to the synergistic effect of EC and EF. The hybrid system had higher efficiency and lower energy consumption and sludge production than individual EC or EF. Therefore, combining EC with EF could be a promising approach for the treatment of HW.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110258"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victorino Diez , José María Cámara , Miguel Cantera , Adrián Bonilla , Cipriano Ramos
{"title":"Comparing a new semi-empirical mathematical model and a neural network for the description and forecasting of reversible fouling in membrane bioreactors","authors":"Victorino Diez , José María Cámara , Miguel Cantera , Adrián Bonilla , Cipriano Ramos","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study compares the predictive capability of membrane fouling between a new semi-empirical mathematical model and a neural network. Calibration and validation involved 21 replicated flux-step experiments with 8 filtration fluxes ranging from 9.8 to 18.9 L/m²·h and 40-hour random-flux experiments conducted in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor. The inherent variability of reversible fouling linked to cake build-up was quantified.</div><div>In addition to cake build-up and compression, the mathematical model incorporates the restoration of residual fouling not removed by backwashing, including the rearrangement of non-detached particles and colloids, initial pore-blocking, and concentration polarization. The model predicts reversible fouling across a wide range of filtration fluxes, even beyond those used for calibration. Random-flux experiments revealed fouling trends undetectable via direct transmembrane pressure inspection. However, the mathematical model fails when the effective membrane area decreases during filtration.</div><div>The neural network predicts fouling patterns independently of underlying mechanisms, offering adaptability across a broader range of operating conditions. Nonetheless, it struggles to predict reversible fouling for flux ranges outside its training dataset, particularly at fluxes significantly higher or lower than those used in training.</div><div>The present study offers insight into reversible fouling description in order to enhance the performance of membrane bioreactors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110256"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dominik Nieweś, Kinga Marecka, Jakub Zieliński, Marta Huculak-Mączka
{"title":"Modelling and optimization of spent mushroom substrate valorization into humic-like substances through alkaline extraction intensified by ultrasound","authors":"Dominik Nieweś, Kinga Marecka, Jakub Zieliński, Marta Huculak-Mączka","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study aimed to assess the possibility of humic-like substances (HSLs) isolation from spent mushroom substrate (SMS) through alkaline extraction intensified by ultrasound. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) coupled with the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for the process evaluation. Based on the polynomial model, the values of NaOH concentration, process time, and temperature values were selected to maximize the extraction efficiency. The coefficient of determination for the created model was 97.61 %, and the experimental verification of the response showed that the extraction efficiency under optimal process conditions was equal to 32.66 % ± 1.26 %. Obtained humic-like substances were fractionated into humic-like acids (HLAs) and fulvic-like acids (FLAs) and qualitatively assessed. The ATR-FTIR and CP/MAS <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectra of the isolated samples revealed the presence of aliphatic, aromatic, carboxyl and carbonyl structures, which were also evident for the humic and fulvic acids extracted from peat and lignite. Furthermore, HLAs and FLAs were characterized by lower concentrations of heavy metals compared to samples isolated from peat and lignite, which combined with a significant content of micro and macronutrients may indicate the potential to use humic-like and fulvic-like acids extracted from the spent mushroom substrate for agricultural purposes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110261"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Linfa Bao , Han Chen , Mian Hu , Ange Chen , Guodong Wang , Liwei Huang
{"title":"Removal of nitric oxide from gas streams by droplet triggered gas discharge","authors":"Linfa Bao , Han Chen , Mian Hu , Ange Chen , Guodong Wang , Liwei Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study investigated nitrogen oxide (NO) removal using gas discharge plasma technology, by an enhanced plate-plate corona discharge reactor. This reactor was an improvement over the traditional wire-plate reactor, featuring an added water dripping device above the reactor. The downward dripping water facilitated the discharge between the electrode plates, while simultaneously absorbing the nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) produced during the reaction and converting it into nitric acid (HNO<sub>3</sub>). The effects of water droplets and different process parameters (voltage, residence time, NO inlet concentration, and oxygen concentration) on NO removal were investigated. The reaction mechanism and the optimal energy efficiency were further discussed. The results showed that the removal efficiency of NO reached 61.5 %, with an energy efficiency of 0.204 mg kJ<sup>−1</sup>, under the optimal conditions of a 14 kV direct current voltage, a flue gas flow rate of 1.5 L·min<sup>−1</sup>, an initial NO concentration of 350 mg·m<sup>−3</sup>, an oxygen flow rate of 40 mL min<sup>−1</sup>, and a droplet dropping rate of 10 mL min<sup>−1</sup>. Moderate water droplets can promote discharge reactions and NO conversion to HNO<sub>3</sub>, but excessive droplets can reduce discharge effectiveness and NO removal efficiency, and lead to voltage breakdown and electric leakage. Moreover, the generated HNO<sub>3</sub> in water solution can be recycled and reused, suggesting significant industrial application potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110260"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L.L.X. Augusto , K.R.B. Melo , M.L. Aguiar , V.G. Guerra , G.C. Lopes
{"title":"Investigation of supersonic flow in a Laval nozzle with different convergent and divergent geometries","authors":"L.L.X. Augusto , K.R.B. Melo , M.L. Aguiar , V.G. Guerra , G.C. Lopes","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Supersonic separators have emerged from researches of new technologies to eliminate impurities from natural gas. The nozzle geometry plays an important role on the flow stability and on the condensation of components of the natural gas. Notable attention has been devoted to the design of the convergent section, whereas the impact of the divergent part on internal nozzle flow remains understudied. This paper puts forward a numerical investigation of the supersonic air flow inside a Laval nozzle for different designs of both convergent and divergent sections. The results have shown that the flow is more affected by the divergent geometry than by the convergent design. Disturbances on the flow were observed when a linear shape is used in the later part. The disturbances formed when a linear divergent section were progressively reduced as the length of the constant area portion increases. By using an Arina divergent section, smaller velocity gradients were observed, which can be a positive aspect for phase separation during the condensation process. Different pressures were assigned at inlet and outlet of the nozzle and the results indicates that moderate pressures can mitigate re-evaporation and provides sufficient time for droplet nucleation and growth during the condensation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110247"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Numerical and experimental assessment of separator vessel filter pore size in supercritical CO2 extraction of coriander seed essential oil","authors":"Ali Saebi , Saeid Minaei , Alireza Mahdavian , Mohammadtaghi Ebadi","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the extraction yield of three key compounds of coriander seeds (Linalool, Geranyl acetate, and α-pinene) under exposure to filters having different pore sizes. The experimental design, conducted in a supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> extraction apparatus to evaluate coriander essential oil quality, aimed to validate the simulation of the extraction process based on computational fluid dynamics principles. Polyether-sulfone membranes (pore sizes of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 µm) were placed in the separator vessel of the supercritical extraction device to monitor the performance of the extract’s key components under the recommended optimum conditions of 200 bar and 35 °C. Prior to experimental testing, numerical analysis successfully simulated the optimum extraction conditions with supercritical CO<sub>2</sub>, offering insight into how and under what conditions the membranes function optimally. Statistical analysis determined that the 0.3 µm was the optimal membrane pore size for extracting the main compounds of coriander (Linalool, Geranyl acetate, and α-pinene) resulting in a substantial increase in Linalool compared to the Hydro-distillation method (31.89 %). It is concluded that a membrane with the appropriate pore size can positively affect the quantity of the extracted compounds. These findings provide a scientific understanding of the numerical behavior of components and can aid in making informed decisions for various aspects of food engineering processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110257"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of dry / wet steam outlet area ratio on the performance of supersonic separator","authors":"Weiwei Xu , Fuhao Wang , Shiwen Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Supersonic swirling separator is a vital equipment for natural gas purification. The change in the dry / wet steam outlet area in the separator drainage structure has a significant effect on shock wave formation and condensation separation, but there are few studies on this aspect. Therefore, based on the CH<sub>4<img></sub>H<sub>2</sub>O two-component gas condensation model, a complete supersonic swirling separator was established, a new separation efficiency calculation method was proposed, and the influence of the dry/wet steam outlet area ratio on condensation and separation was studied. The wet steam outlet area, dry steam outlet area and flow area are changed respectively for calculation. The results show that when the ratio of wet steam outlet area to flow area is 0.5, the ratio of dry steam outlet area to flow area is 0.45, and the ratio of flow area to separator cross-sectional area is in the range of 0.77–0.94, the best condensation and separation effect can be achieved.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110259"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integration of indirect mechanism autothermal reforming process with chilled methanol scrubbing solution for syngas purification: Power generation exploiting blue hydrogen as fuel","authors":"Mohammadreza Malekli , Alireza Aslani , Tara Ghaffarinejad","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110248","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110248","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper focuses on the design of blue hydrogen production through indirect mechanism autothermal reforming of natural gas applied to a combined cycle power plant with 420 MW total gross power generation. Excluding the pre-combustion CO<sub>2</sub> capture, a natural gas combined cycle power plant has been modeled as a reference case. Despite the traditional configuration, all the required heat in stripping towers is generated from the ATR process. Moreover, a double-pressure organic Rankine cycle is coupled with the reforming process through heat integration. Approximately 10.36 kg/s H<sub>2</sub> with 96.137 mol% purity, 67.41 MJ/kg Lower Heating Value, and 78.42% Cold Gas Efficiency is produced by 93.87% CO<sub>2</sub> capture ratio in the Rectisol process with the specific heating consumption of ∼1.59 MJ/kg CO<sub>2</sub>. The final plant demonstrates that the total net power generation has improved from 353.24 MW to 382.38 MW, and net efficiency has been ameliorated by 4.17%. Additionally, the energy penalty is remarkably reduced by 7.19% compared to a plant without an organic Rankine cycle. Eventually, the specific CO<sub>2</sub> emission decreased from 31.98 to 29.55 gCO<sub>2</sub>/kWh, as well as the annual emission of CO<sub>2</sub> that has declined significantly from 1231.66 to 98.97 ktons/year.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 110248"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sonoluminescence and H2O2 produced in water under different ultrasound operating conditions applied to the sono-photo-Fenton landfill leachate treatment","authors":"Flavio Alanís , Rainer Nordenflycht , Matías Guerrero , Katherine Villalobos , Rodrigo Poblete , C.A. Rodríguez , Norma Pérez , Ernesto Cortés , Ricardo A. Torres-Palma","doi":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cep.2025.110246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Given the global issue of water scarcity, the recovery and treatment of wastewater, as landfill leachate (LL), are of utmost importance. The presence of colloids in LL scatters UV irradiation, limiting the effectiveness of the photo-Fenton process. However, using ultrasound (US) technology can degrade the organic matter in LL and produce H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and sonoluminescence, which are crucial in the photo-Fenton process. With its focus on practical applications, this research aims to improve the quality of LL treatment, thereby addressing a significant and urgent environmental challenge. Also, this research aimed to identify the optimal operational parameters that improve the self-generated H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and sonoluminescence due to the US and to evaluate the improvement of the quality of LL using the sono-photo-Fenton.</div><div>Actinometry was used to measure the sonoluminescence produced in this study. The highest amount of H2O<sub>2</sub> and sonoluminescence was formed at 864 kHz and a US power of 500 W, obtaining 2.63 mg/L of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and 6.89 × 10<sup>−5</sup> J/s of sonoluminescence. The optimised conditions were used in the sono-photo-Fenton process runs towards the degradation of a simulated LL (SLL) to evaluate the effect of concentration of Fe<sup>+2</sup> and concentration of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> on the depuration of SLL, obtaining a synergy index of 1.25.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9929,"journal":{"name":"Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 110246"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143510362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}