-
Systematic design of separation process for bioethanol production from corn stover BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-10-12 Suksun Amornraksa, Ittipat Subsaipin, Lida Simasatitkul, Suttichai Assabumrungrat
Separation process is very crucial in bioethanol production as it consumes the highest energy in the process. Unlike other works, this research systematically designed a suitable separation process for bioethanol production from corn stover by using thermodynamic insight. Two separation processes, i.e., extractive distillation (case 2) and pervaporation (case 3), were developed and compared with conventional
-
Enhancing the lubricity of gas-to-liquid (GTL) paraffinic kerosene: impact of the additives on the physicochemical properties BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-08-06 Hani Ababneh, Nasr Mohammad, Hanif A. Choudhury, Lei Zhang, Rafiqul Gani, Gordon McKay, Nimir Elbashir
Synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) is an ultra-clean fuel with low aromatic content and negligible quantities of sulfur compounds. Although, SPK has a good potential to replace the conventional fuel Jet A-1, it also has some deficiencies. One of them is the low lubricity compared to its conventional counterpart Jet A-1. To improve the lubricity of SPK, three selected additives have been mixed with
-
Resource recovery and waste-to-energy from wastewater sludge via thermochemical conversion technologies in support of circular economy: a comprehensive review BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-06-15 Raaj R. Bora, Ruth E. Richardson, Fengqi You
With the rapid rise in global population over the past decades, there has been a corresponding surge in demand for resources such as food and energy. As a consequence, the rate of waste generation and resultant pollution levels have risen drastically. Currently, most organic solid wastes are either land applied or sent to landfills, with the remaining fraction incinerated or anaerobically digested
-
Hard-threshold neural network-based prediction of organic synthetic outcomes BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-04-08 Haoyang Hu, Zhihong Yuan
Retrosynthetic analysis is a canonical technique for planning the synthesis route of organic molecules in drug discovery and development. In this technique, the screening of synthetic tree branches requires accurate forward reaction prediction, but existing software is far from completing this step independently. Previous studies attempted to apply a neural network to forward reaction prediction, but
-
Dynamic modeling of heat exchanger tube rupture BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-03-04 Ahmed Harhara, M.M. Faruque Hasan
One fault that occurs with heat exchangers is a tube rupture, an overpressure scenario in which high pressure fluid flows into the low pressure region. It is a serious safety concern that may lead to significant damage. Accurate prediction of the pressure build-up after a rupture is critical to determine the appropriate size of a relief device and avoid exceeding allowable pressure limits. This paper
-
Planning of Food-Energy-Water-Waste (FEW2) nexus for sustainable development BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-02-19 Bowen Feng, Koen H. van Dam, Miao Guo, Nilay Shah, Stephen Passmore, Xiaonan Wang
It is critical for reliable infrastructure planning to address the Food-Energy-Water-Waste (FEW2) nexus at system level. This paper presents the applicability of resilience.io platform across water, energy and waste sectors (including food and agricultural waste) with focus on waste-to-energy pathway, aiming to establish the optimal FEW2 nexus based on economic and environmental indicators. A rich
-
Superstructure-based process synthesis and economic assessment under uncertainty for solid drug product manufacturing BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-02-12 Kensaku Matsunami, Fabian Sternal, Keita Yaginuma, Shuichi Tanabe, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Hirokazu Sugiyama
This paper presents a new method for process synthesis and economic assessment for solid drug product manufacturing, considering continuous manufacturing as a prominent process alternative. Of the three phases of drug development, phase II was targeted where the dosage form, formulation, and processing technology are determined. For a comprehensive alternative generation, a superstructure was developed
-
Optimization of biogas supply networks considering multiple objectives and auction trading prices of electricity BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-01-08 Jafaru Musa Egieya, Lidija Čuček, Klavdija Zirngast, Adeniyi Jide Isafiade, Zdravko Kravanja
This contribution presents an hourly-based optimization of a biogas supply network to generate electricity, heat and organic fertilizer while considering multiple objectives and auction trading prices of electricity. The optimization model is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) utilizing a four-layer biogas supply chain. The model accounts for biogas plants based on two capacity
-
Process intensification technologies for CO2 capture and conversion – a review BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2020-01-07 Abdullahi Adamu, Fernando Russo-Abegão, Kamelia Boodhoo
With the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increasing beyond sustainable limits, much research is currently focused on developing solutions to mitigate this problem. Possible strategies involve sequestering the emitted CO2 for long-term storage deep underground, and conversion of CO2 into value-added products. Conventional processes for each of these solutions often have high-capital costs associated
-
Economic feasibility of gasoline production from lignocellulosic wastes in Hong Kong BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-12-06 Weixiang Guan, Sim-Ying Chua, Chi-Wing Tsang, Xiao Chen, Carol Sze Ki Lin, Raymond Sze Wai Fu, Haoquan Hu, Changhai Liang
In this study, the conceptual process flowsheet was developed and the economic feasibility of woody biomass conversion to biofuel as feedstock was analysed by considering several promising experimental processes for lignin depolymerization, such as hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenolysis, along with lignocellulosic biomass fractionation processes. The engineering simulation process toward the commercial
-
Effect of ionic liquids as entrainers on the dynamic behavior of ethanol-water extractive columns BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-11-18 Nelly Ramírez-Corona, Andrés Schramm-Flores, Sofía Reyes-Lombardo, Arturo Jiménez-Gutiérrez
Ionic liquids (ILs) have been recently considered as potential entrainers for extractive distillation. The use of ILs may affect the vapor-liquid properties to aid the separation of azeotropic mixtures. In particular, their effectiveness has been observed for ethanol dehydration, showing promising perspectives for their industrial implementation. However, there is still a lack of information about
-
Engineering microbial chemical factories using metabolic models BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-11-01 Debolina Sarkar, Costas D. Maranas
Living organisms in analogy with chemical factories use simple molecules such as sugars to produce a variety of compounds which are necessary for sustaining life and some of which are also commercially valuable. The metabolisms of simple (such as bacteria) and higher organisms (such as plants) alike can be exploited to convert low value inputs into high value outputs. Unlike conventional chemical factories
-
Synthesis and analysis of separation processes for extracellular chemicals generated from microbial conversions BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-10-28 Wenzhao Wu, Kirti M Yenkie, Christos T. Maravelias
Recent advances in metabolic engineering have enabled the production of chemicals via bio-conversion using microbes. However, downstream separation accounts for 60–80% of the total production cost in many cases. Previous work on microbial production of extracellular chemicals has been mainly restricted to microbiology, biochemistry, metabolomics, or techno-economic analysis for specific product examples
-
Membrane condenser as emerging technology for water recovery and gas pre-treatment: current status and perspectives BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-09-12 Adele Brunetti, Francesca Macedonio, Giuseppe Barbieri, Enrico Drioli
The recent roadmap of SPIRE initiative includes the development of “new separation, extraction and pre-treatment technologies” as one of the “key actions” for boosting sustainability, enhancing the availability and quality of existing resources. Membrane condenser is an innovative technology that was recently investigated for the recovery of water vapor for waste gaseous streams, such as flue gas,
-
Optimization-based investigations of a two-phase thermofluidic oscillator for low-grade heat conversion BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-08-22 Yukun Wang, Christos N. Markides, Benoît Chachuat
The non-inertive-feedback thermofluidic engine (NIFTE) is a two-phase thermofluidic oscillator capable of utilizing heat supplied at a steady temperature to induce persistent thermal-fluid oscillations. The NIFTE is appealing in its simplicity and ability to operate across small temperature differences, reported as low as 30 ∘C in early prototypes. But it is also expected that the NIFTE will exhibit
-
The potential of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) and PIM/graphene composites for pervaporation membranes BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-08-08 Richard A. Kirk, Maia Putintseva, Alexey Volkov, Peter M. Budd
Pervaporation (PV), a membrane process in which the feed is a liquid mixture and the permeate is removed as a vapour, offers an energy-efficient alternative to conventional separation processes such as distillation, and can be applied to mixtures that are difficult to separate, such as azeotropes. Here the principles of pervaporation and its industrial applications are outlined. Two classes of material
-
Standing-wave Design of Three-Zone, open-loop non-isocratic SMB for purification BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-07-25 David Harvey, Yi Ding, Nien-Hwa Linda Wang
Chromatography with step changes in modulator properties such as pH, solvent strength, or ionic strength to facilitate desorption is widely used in the purification of proteins and other chemicals. Step changes can be incorporated into non-isocratic simulated moving beds; however, applications of such systems have been limited because one must select numerous operating parameters (zone velocities and
-
Advances in mechanochemical processes for biomass valorization BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-07-11 Camilla Maria Cova, Rafael Luque
Compared to standard time and solvent consuming procedures, mechanically-assisted processes offer numerous environmentally-friendly advantages for nano-catalytically active materials design. Mechanochemistry displays high reproducibility, simplicity, cleanliness and versatility, avoiding, in most cases, the use of any solvent. Moreover, mechanically-assisted procedures are normally faster and cheaper
-
NiMoAl catalysts derived from heptamolybdate-intercalated layered double hydroxides for hydrodeoxygenation of anisole BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-06-27 Chuang Li, Xingzhao Zhang, Xiao Chen, Zhijian Peng, Chi-Wing Tsang, Changhai Liang
The catalytic performance of NiMoAl catalysts derived from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors with molybdenum species incorporated into the interlayers was investigated for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of anisole as a model compound of the lignin. The results showed that high dispersion of small Ni nanoparticles with 2–5 nm due to the pinning effect of Mo from Mo7O246− intercalated the LDHs
-
On the application of the Spiegler-Kedem model to forward osmosis BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-06-19 Jun Jie Wu
In Forward Osmosis the diffusion of the solute is counter to that of the solvent i.e. there is so-called “reverse salt diffusion”. Furthermore, the ratio of the two fluxes is generally taken to be a constant because of the assumption of ideal semi-permeability. However with the Spiegler-Kedem (S-K) model there is an allowance for a minor deviation from ideal semi-permeability and the ratio of the solute
-
Lipids detection and quantification in oleaginous microorganisms: an overview of the current state of the art BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-06-05 Alok Patel, Io Antonopoulou, Josefine Enman, Ulrika Rova, Paul Christakopoulos, Leonidas Matsakas
Oleaginous microorganisms are among the most promising feedstocks for the production of lipids for biofuels and oleochemicals. Lipids are synthesized in intracellular compartments in the form of lipid droplets. Therefore, their qualitative and quantitative analysis requires an initial pretreatment step that allows their extraction. Lipid extraction techniques vary with the type of microorganism but
-
2D-enabled membranes: materials and beyond BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-05-22 Taehoon Hyun, Jinhong Jeong, Ari Chae, Young Kwan Kim, Dong-Yeun Koh
Membranes could reform the field of molecular separations by enabling new low energy manufacturing technologies. This review article discusses the current state of the art and the potential in the 2D-enabled membrane separation processes by highlighting emerging and existing areas in which robust 2D materials significantly impact the energy-efficient separation process. Analysis of 2D-enabled membrane
-
Rheological properties of concentrated slurries of harvested, incubated and ruptured Nannochloropsis sp. cells BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-05-08 Srinivas Mettu, Shunyu Yao, Sam Q. K. Law, Zheng Sun, Peter J. Scales, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Gregory J. O. Martin
Biorefining of microalgae biomass requires processing of high-solids (> 10%) slurries. To date there is little knowledge of how processes for weakening and rupturing microalgae cells affect the rheological properties of these materials. To fill this gap in the literature, the rheological properties of concentrated slurries of marine microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. were investigated as a function of
-
Liquid-phase hydrogenation of bio-refined succinic acid to 1,4-butanediol using bimetallic catalysts BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-04-24 Pabitra Kumar Baidya, Ujjaini Sarkar, Raffaela Villa, Suvra Sadhukhan
Development of a Crotalaria juncea based biorefinery produce large quantity of waste glycerol after trans-esterification of the juncea seeds. This glycerol, after purification, is used as a substrate for producing succinic acid on a microbial route. Hydrogenation of this bio-refined succinic acid is carried out under high pressure in order to produce 1,4-butanediol (BDO) using a batch slurry reactor
-
Energy systems engineering - a guided tour BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-04-10 C. Doga Demirhan, William W. Tso, Gerald S. Ogumerem, Efstratios N. Pistikopoulos
As future energy systems aim to be more efficient, cost-effective, environmentally benign, and interconnected with each other, their design and operation become ever challenging tasks for decision-makers, engineers, and scientists. Sustainability of life on earth will be heavily affected by the improvements of these complex energy systems. Therefore, experts from various fields need to come together
-
Heterogeneous catalysts for catalytic CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-03-27 Ho Seok Whang, Jinkyu Lim, Min Suk Choi, Jonghyeok Lee, Hyunjoo Lee
As climate change becomes increasingly evident, reducing greenhouse gases including CO2 has received growing attention. Because CO2 is thermodynamically very stable, its conversion into value-added chemicals such as CO, CH4, or C2H4 is difficult, and developing efficient catalysts for CO2 conversion is important work. CO2 can be converted using the gas-phase reaction, liquid-phase reaction, photocatalytic
-
Energy and CO2 management for chemical and related industries: issues, opportunities and challenges BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-03-07 Ramsagar Vooradi, Sarath Babu Anne, Anjan K. Tula, Mario R. Eden, Rafiqul Gani
This paper gives a brief review of energy and CO2 emissions related topics resulting from the chemical and related industries. The main issues, challenges and opportunities are highlighted together with perspectives of process alternatives for more efficient energy consumption and CO2 emission management. Analysis of the data indicate that not all available energy resources are being utilized efficiently
-
Application of soda-AQ pulping to agricultural waste (okra stalks) from Sudan BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-02-20 Safaa Hassan Omer, Tarig Osman Khider, Osman Taha Elzaki, Salaheldin Dafalla Mohieldin, Suhair Kamal Shomeina
Abelmoschus esculentus okra as whole stalks was examined for its suitability for pulp and paper production. It’s, fiber dimensions, morphological and chemical characteristics were reported. The pulping trials with soda- Anthraquinone (AQ,) at different chemical charges. Application of 21% as NaOH with 0.1% AQ gave good results in degree of delignification, mechanical properties. Utilization of okra
-
Chemical engineering role in the use of renewable energy and alternative carbon sources in chemical production BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-02-06 Gabriele Centi, Gaetano Iaquaniello, Siglinda Perathoner
There is a demand for new chemical reaction technologies and associated engineering aspects due to on-going transition in energy and chemistry associated to moving out progressively from the use of fossil fuels. Focus is given in this review on two main aspects: i) the development of alternative carbon sources and ii) the integration of renewable energy in the chemical production. It is shown how addressing
-
BMC Chemical Engineering: an open access publishing venue for the chemical engineering community BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-01-30 Harriet E. Manning, Robert Field, Rafiqul Gani, Adam Lee, Hyunjoo Lee, Jay H. Lee, Gongping Liu, Sang Yup Lee
This editorial accompanies the launch of BMC Chemical Engineering, a new addition to the BMC Series. The journal follows the BMC Series ethos of being fully open access and making editorial decisions based on scientific validity and quality rather than perceived interest or impact. The scope of the journal is broad, considering fundamental and applied research in all areas of chemical engineering with
-
Incorporation of Cu3BTC2 nanocrystals to increase the permeability of polymeric membranes in O2/N2 separation BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-01-30 Chong Yang Chuah, Tae-Hyun Bae
To increase permeability in O2/N2 separation without compromising selectivity, Cu3BTC2 (or HKUST-1) nanocrystals, which possess well-defined channels and high surface area, were used as the filler for mixed-matrix membrane fabrication. The Cu3BTC2 nanocrystals, which were synthesized at room temperature with a facile method, showed desirable physical properties and porosity comparable to those of a
-
Noble gas separation by a MOF with one-dimensional channels BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-01-30 Yang Liu, Jing Liu, Jianbo Hu
Noble gas separation by microporous materials is a promising alternative to energy-intensive cryogenic distillation method by reducing the separation cost; however, developing novel microporous materials with excellent noble gas separation performance is still challenging due to closing chemical and physical properties among the gases. In this study, we propose to separate the noble gases (He, Ne,
-
Integration of aqueous (micellar) two-phase systems on the proteins separation BMC Chem. Eng. Pub Date : 2019-01-30 Filipa A. Vicente, João H. P. M. Santos, Inês M. M. Pereira, Cátia V. M. Gonçalves, Ana C. R. V. Dias, João A. P. Coutinho, Sónia P. M. Ventura
A two-step approach combining an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) and an aqueous micellar two-phase system (AMTPS), both based on the thermo-responsive copolymer Pluronic L-35, is here proposed for the purification of proteins and tested on the sequential separation of three model proteins, cytochrome c, ovalbumin and azocasein. Phase diagrams were established for the ATPS, as well as co-existence curves