Iranica Journal of Energy & Environment
Volume:11 Issue: 4, Autumn 2020

Due to lack of proper regulations in many areas of the world, consumers are not mandated to waste sorting at the origin of the source. Moreover, human sorting often suffers from human errors and low accuracy. In the intelligent detection system, it is attempted to break down a variety of household wastes including plastic bottles, glass, metals, paper bags, compact plastics, paper and disposable containers. In this paper, a real waste image system is investigated using the deep convolutional neural network and a remarkable accuracy of 92.76% was achieved.

Statistical modelling was employed to analyze the effect of sorbate-sorbent interphase on the adsorption of pesticides and herbicides from aqueous media. The dataset used for this study was sourced from relevant and reputable published papers in the past five years. Sixty-six lines of data were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM) and historical data design (HDD) on Design expert. Five parameters were considered in the study: adsorbate’s relative molecular mass (RMM), adsorbent specific surface area (SBET), adsorbent effective surface area eSBET (i.e., the portion of the SBET occupied by the sorbate molecules), the water solubility of adsorbate, and adsorbate preferential adsorption (i.e., the ratio of the amount of sorbate on the sorbent to the amount in solution). From the analysis of variance, it was observed that the SBET of the adsorbent was the most significant determining for the adsorption capacity, q (at a significance level of p <0.05). Other significant factors were the RMM, eSBET, and the preferential adsorption. Generally, solubility did not show any significant influence on the q. The response surface model had an R2 value of 0.9945 and an adjusted R2 value of 0.9927. Conclusively, the q of an adsorbent towards an herbicide or a pesticide increases with increasing eSBET and SBET, irrespective of the sorbate’s solubility and molecular mass.

According to statistics provided by the Iranian Statistics Center,40% of energy consumption is related to the housing sector. Windows as a component of exterior wall, Responsible for 20-30% of all energy infiltration. Therefore, the purpose of this study, is to optimize residential windows in cold and dry climate of Tabriz in order to reduce energy consumption. The research method is based on simulation with two methods "parametric optimization" and "genetic algorithm". The research tool is Design Builder software. So, the amount of annual gas consumption in the case study was received from the National Iranian Gas Company and then the basic research model is modeled in software and after converting the unit from kWh to m3 and validating the obtained results from simulation, in the next step, the type of glazing and frame are changed and then the sensitivity is analyzed by the two mentioned methods. The results showed that by replacing windows with triple glazed-glazing with low emission coating filled with argon, krypton and xenon gas and UPVC frame with clear double glazed-glazing filled with argon gas and iron frame, annual gas consumption for heating decreased by 52.43%, 55.34% and 56.60% and the heat loss from the windows is reduced by 7.97%, 9.54% and 10.49%, respectively.

The dependencye of aerosol optical depth on wavelength as well as the fit of the humidity, temperature and pressure approximation under atmoshperic condition at Biskra city of Algeria has been investigated. Our work consists of measuring and modeling solar radiation on the horizontal area to create a mathematical model of global solar radiation which depends on the aerosol optical depth data between two wavelengths: 550 and 1250 nm. Simultaneous measurements of global solar radiation were carried out and recorded on the horizontal zone on an urban site (Biskra, Algeria) to characterize the radiative effect of atmospheric aerosols from January to December 2013. In addition, the effect of meteorological parameters such as: humidity, ambient temperature, and time durations were studied. This relationship constitutes an alternative tool to estimate AOD at the routine lighting measurements available at many radiometric stations around the world. Finally, a comparative study was established between the theoretical results and the experimental data which leads at an excellent correlation by a low relative error which is limited by the interval 2 and 15%.

Graphene oxide based nano-composites have attracted huge attention for wastewater treatment specially removal of heavy metals. This paper reports adsorption of  onto modified magnetic graphene oxide with chitosan and cysteine (GO/ /Chi/Cys). To study the adsorbent morphology, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) were used in different stages of surface modification. In order to reveal the nature of sorption process, linear forms of different adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich were studied. Experimental data were fitted well by Langmuir model with a maximum monolayer coverage capacity ( ) of 86.21 . Prediction of  from Langmuir model was in good agreement with maximum empirical adsorption capacity ( =85.4 ). Various types of kinetic models such as pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intra particle diffusion were investigated to determine characteristic parameters in the adsorption process. The kinetic studies showed that pseudo-second-order model represents the adsorption process better than others due to its high correlation coefficient ( =0.9996). Therefore, the adsorption process is chemisorption.

The Jacarepaguá Lagoon (JPAL) is part of a lagoon complex, located in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro city, and has largest drainage area of the complex. JPAL constantly receives the clandestine release of domestic and industrial effluents, in addition to diffuse contributions from drainage waters from different sources, with high pollution load. Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) is an important tool with a more global view of the risks for the management of contaminated areas, including the identification of adverse effects of contaminants on the environment. This study aimed to develop an ERA for the JPAL, using two lines of evidence (LoE): Ecotoxicological and Ecological. The sediments samples were collected in four sampling points. The Ecotoxicological LoE was based on chronic ecotoxicity assays (Chlorella vulgaris and Ceriodaphnia dubia) to estimate the Ecotoxicological Risk. The Ecological LoE was based on the analysis of the richness and abundance of local algae species to estimate the Ecological Risk. The Environmental Risk was estimated by integrating the Risks of the two LoE. The Ecotoxicological Risk was 0.80±0.12, classified as very high risk. The Ecological Risk was 0.746±0.01, classified as high risk. The estimated Environmental Risk was 0.78±0.08, which was a very high risk. In summary, JPAL had an advanced stage of contamination, with a high content of organic matter in the sediment, caused by irregular effluents released. JPAL's current environmental risk exposes the urgent need for more inspection actions to prevent the release of sewage before the total degradation of the local ecosystem.

The refrigeration system excution with the nano oil was explored to enhance the coefficient of performance (COP) of the vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS) using CARE 30 which is a mixture of 50% refrigerant R200 and 50% refrigerant R600a in which 1 gram of Copper oxide (CuO) nano particles (NP) are used.  Nano lubricant was used in the compressor of R-134a refrigeration system (compatible with CARE 30) mixed with polyolester (POE) oil.  To execute this examination, a test setup was planned and fabricated in the workshop.  The outcome demonstrates that CARE 30 and POE oil with CuO NP works typically and securely in the refrigeration system.  The refrigeration system performance found is better than the customary CARE 30 and POE oil only refrigertion system.  Therefore, the nano lubricant (POE compressor lubricant mixed with CuO NP) could be used as a vital piece of refrigeration system to lower the energy consumption and for the enhancement of COP of VCRS.

The extraterrestrial radiation is the solar radiation received at the top of the earth’s atmosphere on horizontal surface. This quantity over selected stations in the tropics was investigated. Daily data of the extraterrestrial radiation on the earth horizontal surface for the year 2018 for stations: Iwo, Abuja, Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Sokoto and Maiduguri obtained from the archive of HelioClim website were analyzed using MATLAB and Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 20.0) to estimate the extraterrestrial radiation of the station considered. The results of the MATLAB revealed that the value of the coincidence is  across all stations. In January, the values between 15 - 20 peaks were observed in the year with the Irradiation ( ) and the maximum ( ). The results revealed the Root Mean Square Error RMSE for Sokoto (139.99), Abuja (162.72), Iwo (177.07), Maiduguri (171.34), Enugu (191.07), Port-Harcourt (212.27). The results also revealed that quadratic trend equation which accounted in the range 95.9% - 41.9%. The results then concluded that Sokoto and Maiduguri have the highest solar Irradiance as revealed by the result.

Developing countries like Pakistan are in serious energy crisis. Renewable energy resources are the best alternative for conventional energy sources. The use of indigenous resources to produce bioenergy is an excellent solution to meet the energy needs of developing countries. The aim of the study was to design, construct and production of bioenergy generation from indigenous resources to fulfil bioenergy requirement for electricity, cooking and heating. This research introduces the Best Available Technology (BAT) and bioenergy plant was constructed with local materials at minimum cost to avoid economic burden on bioenergy production cost. An underground bio-digester unit with a volume of 10 cubic meter (7 m3 bioenergy digester tank plus 3 m3 bioenergy gas cap/holder) has been installed. The daily feed was approximately 160 kilogram of cow slurry (80 kg cow dung plus 80 litres/kg water). The retention period was approximately 44 days and the reported seasonal temperature was approximately 24˚C - 32˚C. The unit was thermally insulated, so the fluctuation in temperature was slightly about ±2˚C. In experimental setup, indigenous biomass resources were mixed with water in a mixing chamber. Whole mixture enters into digester through the inlet pipe and regularly feed up to selected retention time. Anaerobic bacteria decompose the biomass in the digester and produce bioenergy. A simulation was performed to estimate relevant model parameters from experimental data. The proposed model can predict methane production behaviour from some key indicators (such as organic matter and VFAs) in the anaerobic digestion process. Results obtained from the experiment showed that the plant could generate average volume of 3.18 m3 of bioenergy biogas at average pressure of 170 mbar in a day. Results also revealed that the rate of bioenergy generation increase with respect to time from 33 to 44 days of retention time, the pressure of bioenergy generated increase from 35 mbar to 175 mbar. From the results, it was observable that the more the pressure in the chamber, the more the volume of bioenergy generated; thus, at 175 mbars, it produced maximum volume of 3.2 m3 of bioenergy.

Fibre content effects on mechanical, surface morphology and chemical resistance of epoxy/rattan fibre composite was investigated. By analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and chemical examinations. SEM shows the rattan fibre had improved facial adhesion and a fairly uniform distribution of fibre in the matrix. Similar result were observed for flexural and tensile strengths with gradual increase in strengths with filler loading. Mechanical properties improved with increasing fibre loading, peaking at 25 wt % content. The best tensile and impact strength was obtained at 25 wt % filler with a value of 19.271Mpa and 18.876 J/m. There was a 4.48 % increase in hardness obtained at 15 wt %, 6.55 % increase in hardness at 20 wt. %, while 7.46 % increase in hardness was obtained at 25 wt % representing the highest hardness for individual fibre wt % considered. The flexural strength obtained for the samples presented increased as fibre content increased, while the best flexural strength result of 27.542 Mpa was observed at 25 wt. % fibre. The rattan - epoxy composite’s weight reduced greatly after testing in 10% HCl, NaOCl, and NaOH solution. Theresult for immersing in H2O2 solution showed negligible effects and hence, a small reduction in weight loss.

Due to climate change and the necessity of paying attention to the preservation of energy resources to deal with the impacts of climate change, the enhancement of renewable energy portions via different resources has been considered in recent years. Therefore, it is necessary to study characteristics influencing the modeling of water streams and waves to monitor the movement of sea waves as a large resource of renewable energy in the generation of electricity, desalination, and water pumping. The dominant currents in the Caspian Sea, a constituent of which is wind-induced waves, the disconnectedness of the Caspian Sea from oceans, complex topography, shoreline configuration, and considerable temperature and density differences, which make it complicated to examine ocean current patterns, are of great importance. This study investigated bottom friction, wave breaking, white capping, solution technique, and the number of directions in the MIKE-SW model and meshes, solution technique, bed resistance, and wind friction in the MIKE-FM module to model the wave height and current velocity. The effectiveness and contributions of characteristics in the simulation were found by the MIKE-SW model as the wave propagation model of sea waves toward the coastal areas and in the current model. As a result, to perform reliable and realistic simulations, it is required to investigate every component. The investigation of all the simulation indexes showed that the MIKE numerical model yielded acceptable results for the simulation of ocean currents and waves in both MIKE-SW and MIKE-FM modules.

Palm kernel (PK) was activated by chemical activation (HNO3 at 230oC) to remove Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions. Physicochemical properties of PK were reported. FT-IR analysis revealed changes in wave numbers and absorbance indicating Ni(II) adsorption onto activated carbon-PK surface. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique was used to determine the content of metals in activated carbon-PK and showed the metals found in activated carbon-PK were in recommended human usages. The maximum removal of Ni(II) ions was to be 49.7% at pH 4.6 and the equilibrium reached at 80 min. The removal efficiency of Ni(II) ions increased as the dosage of activated-PK increases and the optimum amount of activated carbon-PK dose was found to be 70 mg. The optimum pH was 4.6. The isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics were studied. The Ni(II)- activated carbon-PK adsorption was found to follow the Freundlich isotherm based on correlation coefficient (R2) values and to be physical adsorption from the mean free energy found by Dubinin-Radushkevich, which confirmed by isothermal microcalorimetry data and the heat of sorption process using Temkin Isotherm model to be 1.58 kJ/mol. The adsorption kinetic data were described well by a second order, with the kinetic constant rates in the range of 1.82-83.5 g/g.min and was not controlled by intra-particle diffusion model. The thermodynamic studies showed that the Ni(II)-ACPK adsorption process is exothermic due to the negative values of ∆H (-30.9 J/mol) and is physical nature process due to the negative values of ∆S (-14.9 J/mol). The magnitude of Ea is 15.04 kJ/mol, which is proven the physical adsorption in nature.

Antibiotics and anticancer drugs have particular importance because of their environmental pollutants. The efficacy of the activated sludge process in the removal of Cefazolin and Doxorubicin from hospital wastewater in Sari city (Mazandaran Province) was investigated. The hospital effluent was investigated in different months from different parts of the effluent treatment system and their residual amount was determined by HPLC. The residual amounts of Cefazolin and Doxorubicin in the effluent were 1.96 μg. L-1 and 0.95 mg. L-1, respectively. Results showed 36.24% Doxorubicin and 51.6% Cefazolin removal through the activated sludge process. After chlorination, a 45.64% Doxorubicin and 66.42% Cefazolin removal was achieved. It was found that the effect of initial treatment or settling is low in reducing the amount of studied drugs, but the efficacy of different stages of biological treatment varies with the type of contaminant. The effect of the activated sludge process on the polar antibiotic Cefazoline is higher than the anticancer drug Doxorubicin. The unknown risk assessment of these drugs in the environment and the inability of wastewater treatment plants to remove them requires the use of more advanced methods.