Search Results (38)

This study presents an innovative, eco-friendly approach for converting waste zeolite dust into efficient petroleum sorbents through an integrated agglomeration–deagglomeration process using high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs). This method generates secondary porosity without calcination, enhancing sorption while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable development by valorizing industrial by-products for environmental remediation. The study aimed to assess the influence of binder and water content on petroleum sorption performance, textural properties, and mechanical strength of the produced sorbents, and to identify correlations between these parameters. Sorbents were characterized using mercury porosimetry (MIP), sorption measurements, mechanical resistance tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and digital microscopy. Produced zeolite sorbents (0.5–1 mm) exceeded the 50 wt.% sorption threshold required for oil spill cleanup in Poland, outperforming diatomite sorbents by 15–50% for diesel and 40% for used engine oil. The most effective sample, 3/w/22.5, reached capacities of 0.4 g/g for petrol, 0.8 g/g for diesel, and 0.3 g/g for used oil. The sorption mechanism was governed by physical processes, mainly diffusion of nonpolar molecules into meso- and macropores via van der Waals forces. Sorbents with dominant pores (~4.8 µm) showed ~15% higher efficiency than those with smaller pores (~0.035 µm). The sorbents demonstrated amphiphilic behavior, enabling simultaneous uptake of polar (water) and nonpolar (petrochemical) substances. Full article

A new type of reclaiming agent was prepared by adding a plasticizer and an anti-aging agent to waste palm oil. A dynamic shear rheological test, bending beam rheological test, dynamic modulus test, static creep test, and road performance test were used to compare and analyze the viscoelastic characteristics of vegetable oil (WPO) and a traditional petrochemical reclaiming agent (PCO). The results showed that the WPO has better low-temperature crack resistance compared with the PCO, and the optimal dosage is about 12% of the mass fraction of aged asphalt. The addition of a regenerator reduces the dynamic modulus of the reclaimed asphalt mixture (RAP) under study and increases the phase angle. The improved CAM model showed good fit with the dynamic modulus and phase angle of recycled asphalt mixtures with the development of frequency. When the loading frequency was higher than 10 Hz, the dynamic modulus of the waste palm oil recycled asphalt mixture was lower, and the phase angle was higher. Conversely, when the loading frequency was lower than 0.01 Hz, the waste palm oil regenerant showed better temperature sensitivity. The waste palm oil recycled asphalt mixture demonstrated a higher steady creep rate and strain magnitude, lower stress relaxation time, and higher dissipation energy ratio under low-temperature conditions, thus improving the low-temperature crack resistance. Furthermore, the road performance test results of the asphalt mixtures indicated that the waste palm oil reclaimed asphalt mixture has excellent high-temperature rutting resistance, low-temperature cracking resistance, and water damage resistance, which confirms the reliability of the above analysis results. Therefore, the waste palm oil regenerant has great potential application prospects with wide source availability, low price, and outstanding mechanical properties. Full article

The increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic waste, especially in agriculture, have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. Agricultural plastics, such as mulching films and greenhouse covers, are heavily reliant on petrochemical-derived materials, which persist in the environment and contribute to long-term pollution. This study explores the use of biodegradable biocomposites made from steam explosion-treated chicken feathers and various polymer matrices to address these issues. Chicken feathers, a waste by-product of the poultry industry, present an excellent biodegradability as a result of the steam explosion treatment and contain nitrogen, potentially enhancing soil fertility. The biocomposites were characterized by thermal stability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability, and ecotoxicity assessments were carried out studying the incorporation of feathers into the soil. Results showed that the incorporation of treated chicken feathers increased the water absorption capacity of the composites, promoting faster disintegration and biodegradation. In particular, biocomposites made with polyhydroxyalkanoates and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) exhibited a significant increase in degradation rates, from 3–10% in the first month for pure matrices to 40–50% when reinforced with treated feathers. Meanwhile, those made from polylactic acid showed slower degradation. Furthermore, the addition of feathers positively influenced crop growth at low concentrations, acting as a slow-release fertilizer. However, high concentrations of feathers negatively affect plant growth due to excess nitrogen. These findings highlight the potential of poultry feathers as a valuable, sustainable filler for agricultural bioplastics, contributing to waste valorization and environmentally friendly farming practices. Full article

Currently, the key challenge of the oil-refining industry worldwide is to produce environmentally friendly fuel in large volumes to meet market demand, which is due to strict environmental standards governing the permissible sulfur content in fuel. Natural gas, refinery gas, and coal gas contain acid gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. These compounds must be removed from the gas stream because of the toxicity of H₂S and to prevent the acid gas-induced corrosion of pipelines and facilities. Hydrogen sulfide is released as a result of various industrial processes, and its removal is critical because this compound can cause corrosion and environmental damage even at low concentrations. Sulfur compounds are also present in natural gas, biofuels and other fuel gases used in power plants. This article proposes new adsorbents of natural and waste origin and presents the results of their testing for the removal of acid gases. This paper also considers methods for the preparation of adsorbents from waste and procedures for the removal of sulfur-containing compounds. Using agricultural, industrial waste to produce activated sorbents not only solves the problem of waste disposal but also reduces the cost of desulfurization, contributing to the creation of sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies. The Review Section comprehensively summarizes current research on hydrogen sulfide removal in gas cleaning processes using agricultural and industrial waste as highly efficient adsorbents. In the Experimental Section, 10 composite materials based on natural raw materials and wastes, as well as 6 commercial adsorbents, were synthesized and tested under laboratory conditions. The choice of materials for the adsorbent production was based on the principles of environmental friendliness, availability, and cost-effectiveness. The developed materials based on modified sludge from water treatment plants of thermal power plants are effective sorbents for the purification of gas emissions from petrochemical enterprises. For industrial use, it is necessary to solve the problems of increasing the economic attractiveness of sorbents from waste, the ability of regeneration, the competitive adsorption of pollutants, the use of indicator sorbents, the optimization of operating conditions, and safe waste disposal. Full article

The benzene–toluene–xylene (BTX) system represents an energy-intensive petrochemical process with various industrial applications. Global climate changes have forced modern industry to act toward environmental safety, which requires technological changes. Thus, the divided wall column (DWC) represents a significant advancement in multicomponent mixture separation. To assess the impact of the conventional BTX process and its intensification proposal based on DWC technology, it is necessary to integrate an eco-efficiency approach that jointly analyzes the economic and environmental variables influencing the system, such as water consumption, CO₂ emissions, and utility costs. An auxiliary utility plant was also considered for more realistic results in terms of energy and water consumption, which was identified as a lack in many research studies that performed an overall sustainability analysis. The results showed that the DWC scheme is 37.5% more eco-efficient than the conventional counterpart, mainly due to a 15.6% and 30.3% savings on energy and water consumption, respectively, which provided a 15.5% and 16.7% reduction on CO₂ emissions and utility costs, respectively. In addition, all other environmental and safety indicators based on the waste algorithm reduction (WAR) were reduced by approximately 16%. Thus, the DWC proved to be a convenient technology with economic attractiveness and environmental friendliness. Full article

Currently, the process of creating industrial installations is associated with digital technologies and must involve the stage of developing digital models. It is also necessary to combine installations with different properties, functions, and operational principles into a single system. Some tasks require the use of predictive modeling and the creation of “digital twins”. The main processes during the fuel cell modeling involve electrochemical transformations as well as the movement of heat and mass flows, including monitoring and control processes. Numerical methods are utilized in addressing various challenges related to fuel cells, such as electrochemical modeling, collector design, performance evaluation, electrode microstructure impact, thermal stress analysis, and the innovation of structural components and materials. A digital model of the membrane-electrode unit for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is presented in the article, incorporating factors like fluid dynamics, mass transfer, and electrochemical and thermal effects within the cell structure. The mathematical model encompasses equations for momentum, mass, mode, heat and charge transfer, and electrochemical and reforming reactions. Experimental data validates the model, with a computational mesh of 55 million cells ensuring numerical stability and simulation capability. Detailed insights on chemical flow distribution, temperature, current density, and more are unveiled. Through a numerical model, the influence of various fuel types on SOFC efficiency was explored, highlighting the promising performance of petrochemical production waste as a high-efficiency, low-reagent consumption fuel with a superior fuel utilization factor. The recommended voltage range is 0.6–0.7 V, with operating temperatures of 900–1300 K to reduce temperature stresses on the cell when using synthesis gas from petrochemical waste. The molar ratio of supplied air to fuel is 6.74 when operating on synthesis gas. With these parameters, the utilization rate of methane is 0.36, carbon monoxide CO is 0.4, and hydrogen is 0.43, respectively. The molar ratio of water to synthesis gas is 2.0. These results provide an opportunity to achieve electrical efficiency of the fuel cell of 49.8% and a thermal power of 54.6 W when using synthesis gas as fuel. It was demonstrated that a high-temperature fuel cell can provide consumers with heat and electricity using fuel from waste from petrochemical production. Full article

Nowadays, increased food safety and decreased food waste are two of the major global interests. Self-healable active packaging materials are an attractive option to achieve such targets. This property is critical for the hygiene and the consumption appropriateness of the food. Polylactic acid is a very promising polymeric matrix that potentially could replace the widely used low-density polyethylene due to its biobased origin and its easy biodegradable nature. The main drawback of this polymeric matrix is its brittle, fragile nature. On the other hand, tetraethyl citrate is a biobased approved food additive which became an attractive option as a plasticizer for industries seeking alternative materials to replace the traditional petrochemically derived compounds. A novel biobased film exhibiting self-healing behavior suitable for food-active packaging was developed during this study. Polylactic acid’s brittleness was reduced drastically by incorporating tetraethyl citrate, and a random cut on the original self-repairing film was fully healed after 120 s. The optimum concentration of tetraethyl citrate in the polylactic acid was around 15% v/w with a water/oxygen barrier close to the relevant of polylactic acid and low migration. According to the EC₅₀ parameter, the antioxidant activity was 300% higher than the relevant of pure polylactic acid, while according to the thiobarbituric acid and heme iron parameters, the film resisted lipid oxidation and deterioration. Finally, the total viable count parameter indicates the strong antimicrobial activity of this sample. Full article

Hazardous petroleum wastes are an inevitable source of environmental pollution. Leachates from these wastes could contaminate soil and potable water sources and affect human health. The management of acid tars, as a byproduct of refining and petrochemical processes, represented one of the major hazardous waste problems in Romania. Acid tars are hazardous and toxic waste and have the potential to cause pollution and environmental damage. The need for the identification, study, characterization, and subsequently either the treatment, valorization, or elimination of acid tars is determined by the fact that they also have high concentrations of hydrocarbons and heavy metals, toxic for the storage site and its neighboring residential area. When soil contamination with acid tars occurs, sustainable remediation techniques are needed to restore soil quality to a healthy production state. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a rapid but robust characterization of the degree of contamination with hydrocarbons and heavy metals in acid tars so that appropriate techniques can then be used for treatment/remediation. The first stage in treating these acid tars is to determine its properties. This article presents a software program that uses machine learning to estimate selected properties of acid tars (pH, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons—TPH, and heavy metals). The program uses the Automatic Machine Learning technique to determine the Machine Learning algorithm that has the lowest estimation error for the given dataset, with respect to the Mean Average Error and Root Mean Squared Error. The chosen algorithm is used further for properties estimation, using the R² correlation coefficient as a performance criterion. The dataset used for training has 82 experimental points with continuous, unique values containing the coordinates and depth of acid tar samples and their properties. Based on an exhaustive search performed by the authors, a similar study that considers machine learning applications was not found in the literature. Further research is required because the method presented therein can be improved because it is dataset dependent, as is the case with every ML problem. Full article

This study reports on the highly simple fabrication of green carbon black (GCB) generated from scrap tires with acetic acid to improve the adsorption efficiency for water purification, which is thoroughly compared with conventional carbon black (CB) obtained from petrochemicals. Unlike traditional modification processes with strong acids or bases, the introduction of a relatively mild acid readily allowed for the effective modification of GCB to increase the uptake capability of metal ions and toxic organic dyes to serve as effective adsorbents. The morphological features and thermal decomposition patterns were examined by electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The surface functional groups were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The structural information (ratio of D-defects/G band-graphitic domains) obtained by Raman spectroscopy clearly suggested the successful fabrication of GCB (I_D/I_G ratio of 0.74), which was distinctively different from typical CB (I_D/I_G ratio of 0.91). In the modified GCB, the specific surface area (S_BET) gradually increased with the reduction of pore size as a function of acetic acid content (52.97 m²/g for CB, 86.64 m²/g for GCB, 102.10-119.50 m²/g for acid-treated GCB). The uptake capability of the modified GCB (312.5 mg/g) for metal ions and organic dyes was greater than that of the unmodified GCB (161.3 mg/g) and typical CB (181.8 mg/g), presumably due to the presence of adsorbed acid. Upon testing them as adsorbents in an aqueous solution, all these carbon materials followed the Langmuir isotherm over the Freundlich model. In addition, the removal rates of cationic species (>70% removal of Cu²⁺ and crystal violet in 30 min) were much faster and far greater than those of anionic metanil yellow (<40% removal in 3 h), given the strong electrostatic interactions. Thus, this work demonstrates the possibility of recycling waste tires in the powder form of GCB as a cost-effective and green adsorbent that can potentially substitute traditional CB, and the modification strategy provides a proof of concept for developing simple fabrication guidelines of other carbonaceous materials. Full article

Broccoli is a highly perishable vegetable with unique nutritional characteristics. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has proven to be a successful technology to extend broccoli shelf-life. The main disadvantage of MAP is the extensive use of petrochemical-based films resulting in huge quantities of domestic plastic waste. In this study, suitability of a biodegradable cellulose-based film for broccoli florets packaging was evaluated, as an alternative to polypropylene film. Florets packaged in cellulose-based film showed a high mass loss and extremely low in-package O₂ concentrations, which made this material unsuitable for broccoli packaging application. Improved gas and water vapor barrier properties should be considered for biodegradable packages, in order to make their application for vegetable packaging feasible. Full article

Open-cell spray polyurethane foams are widely used as highly efficient thermal insulation materials with vapor permeability and soundproofing properties. Unfortunately, for the production of commercial foams, mainly non-renewable petrochemical raw materials are used. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of completely replacing petrochemical polyols (the main raw material used in the synthesis of polyurethanes, alongside isocyanates) with bio-polyols obtained from used cooking oils, classified as waste materials. The research consisted of three stages: the synthesis of bio-polyols, the development of polyurethane foam systems under laboratory conditions, and the testing of developed polyurethane spray systems under industrial conditions. The synthesis of the bio-polyols was carried out by using two different methods: a one-step transesterification process using triethanolamine and a two-step process of epoxidation and opening oxirane rings with diethylene glycol. The obtained bio-polyols were analyzed using gel chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The developed polyurethane foam formulations included two types of fire retardants: halogenated tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and halogen-free triethyl phosphate (TEP). In the formulations of polyurethane systems, reactive amine catalysts were employed, which become incorporated into the polymer matrix during foaming, significantly reducing their emission after application. The foams were manufactured on both a laboratory and industrial scale using high-pressure spray machines under conditions recommended by commercial system manufacturers: spray pressure 80–100 bar, component temperature 45–52 °C, and component volumetric ratio 1:1. The open-cell foams had apparent densities 14–21.5 kg/m³, thermal conductivity coefficients 35–38 mW/m∙K, closed-cell contents <5%, water vapor diffusion resistance factors (μ) <6, and limiting oxygen indexes 21.3–21.5%. The properties of the obtained foams were comparable to commercial materials. The developed polyurethane spray systems can be used as thermal insulation materials for insulating interior walls, attics, and ceilings. Full article

The article describes the technology of molybdic acid recovery from spent petrochemical catalysts (HDS) developed and implemented in industrial activity. HDS catalysts contain molybdenum in the form of MoO₃ and are used for the hydrodesulfurization of petroleum products. After deactivation, due to the impurities content in the form of sulfur, carbon and heavy metals, they constitute hazardous waste and, at the same time, a valuable source of the Mo element, recognized as a critical raw material. The presented technology allows the recovery of molybdic acid with a yield of min. 81%, and the product contains min. 95% H₂MoO₄. The technology consisted of oxidizing roasting of the spent catalyst, then leaching molybdenum trioxide with aqueous NaOH to produce water-soluble sodium molybdate (Na₂MoO₄), and finally precipitation of molybdenum using aqueous HCl, as molybdic acid (H₂MoO₄). Industrial-scale testing proved that the technology could recover Mo from the catalyst and convert it into marketable molybdic acid. This proves that the technology can be effectively used to preserve molybdenum. Full article

Over time, the accumulation of scale within the transmission pipeline results in a decrease in the internal diameter of the pipe, leading to a decline in efficiency and energy waste. The employment of a gamma ray attenuation system that is non-invasive has been found to be a highly precise diagnostic technique for identifying volumetric percentages across various states. The most appropriate setup for simulating a volume percentage detection system through Monte Carlo N particle (MCNP) simulations involves a system consisting of two NaI detectors and dual-energy gamma sources, namely ²⁴¹Am and ¹³³Ba radioisotopes. A three-phase flow consisting of oil, water, and gas exhibits symmetrical homogenous flow characteristics across varying volume percentages as it traverses through scaled pipes of varying thicknesses. It is worth mentioning that there is an axial symmetry of flow inside the pipe that creates a homogenous flow pattern. In this study, the experiment involved the emission of gamma rays from one end of a pipe, with photons being absorbed by two detectors located at the other end. The resulting data included three distinct features, namely the counts under the photopeaks of ²⁴¹Am and ¹³³Ba from the first detector as well as the total count from the second detector. Through the implementation of a two-output MLP neural network utilising the aforementioned inputs, it is possible to accurately forecast the volumetric percentages with an RMSE of under 1.22, regardless of the thickness of the scale. The minimal error value ensures the efficacy of the proposed technique and the practicality of its implementation in the domains of petroleum and petrochemicals. Full article

The main obstacle to the widespread use of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) for waste and wet biomass recycling is the formation of a significant amount of highly polluted wastewaters. This paper presents an analysis of the chemical composition and toxicity of aqueous phase from the HTL (HTL-AP) of primary and secondary sludge. It was shown that HTL-AP has a high level of organic pollution (total organic carbon (TOC) = 4.2–9.6 g/dm³, chemical oxygen demand (COD) = 7.9–14.0 g/dm³, BOD₅ = 6.0–8.1 g/dm³) and high biological toxicity for traditional test organisms (so that dilution ratio, ensuring the death of no more than 50% of organisms (DR₅₀), varied within 64.7–142.2 and 44.9–81.7 for Artemia salina and Paramecium caudatum, respectively). An analysis of HTL-AP composition with NMR-spectroscopy method allowed us to establish that the share of carbon in aliphatic chains was 34.05–41.82% and the content of carbon in carboxyl groups and aromatic rings was 26.42–34.44%. As a result, we can conclude that the main HTL-AP components are fatty carboxylic acids and their derivatives, aromatic carboxylic acids. The content of aldehydes, ketones, and lignin is less than 8%. Biological treatment of HTL-AP in a lab-scale aerobic reactor turned out to be successful, so average COD reduction was 67–95%. Sludge from an industrial waste water treatment plant (petrochemical sector) with a microorganism concentration of 2.7 g/dm³ was used as inoculum. HTP-AP was diluted 1:10 with tap water. The duration of the process was 18 h. Full article

Renewable materials are materials that are replenished naturally and can be used again and again. These materials include things such as bamboo, cork, hemp, and recycled plastic. The use of renewable components helps to reduce the dependence on petrochemical resources and reduce waste. Adopting these materials in various industries such as construction, packaging, and textiles can lead to a more sustainable future and decrease the carbon footprint. The presented research describes new porous polyurethane biocomposites based on used cooking oil polyol (50 per hundred polyol—php) modified with cork (3, 6, 9, and 12 php). The research described here demonstrated that it is possible to replace some petrochemical raw materials with raw materials of renewable origin. This was achieved by replacing one of the petrochemical components used for the synthesis of the polyurethane matrix with a waste vegetable oil component. The modified foams were analyzed in terms of their apparent density, coefficient of thermal conductivity, compressive strength at 10% of deformation, brittleness, short-term water absorption, thermal stability, and water vapor permeability, while their morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy and the content of closed cells. After the successful introduction of a bio-filler, it was found that the thermal insulation properties of the modified biomaterials were comparable to those of the reference material. It was concluded that it is possible to replace some petrochemical raw materials with raw materials of renewable origin. Full article