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Author Chiapperino, M.A.; Bia, P.; Caratelli, D.; Gielis, J.; Mescia, L.; Dermol-Cerne, J.; Miklavcic, D.
Title Nonlinear dispersive model of electroporation for irregular nucleated cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Bioelectromagnetics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 40 Issue 5 Pages (down) 331-342
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract In this work, the electroporation phenomenon induced by pulsed electric field on different nucleated biological cells is studied. A nonlinear, non-local, dispersive, and space-time multiphysics model based on Maxwell's and asymptotic Smoluchowski's equations has been developed to calculate the transmembrane voltage and pore density on both plasma and nuclear membrane perimeters. The irregular cell shape has been modeled by incorporating in the numerical algorithm the analytical functions pertaining to Gielis curves. The dielectric dispersion of the cell media has been modeled considering the multi-relaxation Debye-based relationship. Two different irregular nucleated cells have been investigated and their response has been studied applying both the dispersive and non-dispersive models. By a comparison of the obtained results, differences can be highlighted confirming the need to make use of the dispersive model to effectively investigate the cell response in terms of transmembrane voltages, pore densities, and electroporation opening angle, especially when irregular cell shapes and short electric pulses are considered. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:331-342. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000472568200004 Publication Date 2019-06-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0197-8462 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:161282 Serial 8315
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Verbruggen, S.W.; Ribbens, S.; Tytgat, T.; Hauchecorne, B.; Smits, M.; Meynen, V.; Cool, P.; Martens, J.A.; Lenaerts, S.
Title The benefit of glass bead supports for efficient gas phase photocatalysis : case study of a commercial and a synthesised photocatalyst Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J
Volume 174 Issue 1 Pages (down) 318-325
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract In the field of photocatalytic air purification, the immobilisation of catalyst particles on support surfaces without loss of photon efficiency is an important challenge. Therefore, an immobilisation method involving a one-step suspension coating of pre-synthesised photocatalysts on glass beads was applied. The various benefits are exemplified in the gas phase photodegradation of ethylene. Coating of glass beads is easy, fast, cheap and offers a more efficient alternative to bulk catalyst pellets. Furthermore, this coating procedure allows to use porous, pre-synthesised catalysts to their full potential, as the surface area and morphology of the initial powder is barely altered after coating, in strong contrast to pelletising. With this technique it became possible to study the gas phase photocatalytic activity of commercial titanium dioxide, trititanate nanotubes and mixed phase anatase/trititanate nanotubes in a packed bed reactor towards the degradation of ethylene without changing the catalyst properties. Coating of glass beads with the photocatalyst revealed the superior activity of the as-prepared nanotubes, compared to TiO2 Aerolyst® 7710 in gaseous phase.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000296950300041 Publication Date 2011-09-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.216 Times cited 39 Open Access
Notes ; The author wishes to acknowledge the Research Foundation of Flanders (FWO) for the financial support. Evonik is greatly thanked for supplying the TiO<INF>2</ INF> Aerolyst (R) 7710 pellets. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.216; 2011 IF: 3.461
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:93364 Serial 5929
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Author Mao, D.; van de Weghe, H.; Lookman, R.; Vanermen, G.; de Brucker, N.; Diels, L.
Title Resolving the unresolved complex mixture in motor oils using high-performance liquid chromatography followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography Type A1 Journal article
Year 2009 Publication Fuel Abbreviated Journal
Volume 88 Issue 2 Pages (down) 312-318
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) was used for detailed group-type characterization of hydrocarbons present in motor oils. With conventional GC, motor oil is not well separated due to its complexity, resulting in a hump in the chromatogram: the unresolved complex mixture (UCM). With HPLC-GC×GC, motor oil hydrocarbons can be quantitatively separated into four major groups: alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes and aromatics. Each group can be further separated and divided by ring number or carbon number. Three selected motor oil samples were characterized by HPLC-GC×GC including two conventional motor oils and a synthetic motor oil. Using a proprietary silver-modified HPLC column, the aromatic components in motor oils were baseline separated from the aliphatic UCM and were then further separated by GC×GC based on their aromatic ring numbers. Accordingly, the aliphatic components were separated by GC×GC based on their saturated ring numbers. This paper illustrates the capabilities of HPLC-GC×GC for reliable and detailed quantitative group-type characterization of hydrocarbons present in motor oils.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000262129000011 Publication Date 2008-09-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0016-2361 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:75748 Serial 8474
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Mishra, V.K.; Kumar, P.; Van Poppel, M.; Bleux, N.; Frijns, E.; Reggente, M.; Berghmans, P.; Int Panis, L.; Samson, R.
Title Wintertime spatio-temporal variation of ultrafine particles in a Belgian city Type A1 Journal article
Year 2012 Publication The science of the total environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 431 Issue Pages (down) 307-313
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Simultaneous measurements of ultrafine particles (UFPs) were carried out at four sampling locations situated within a 1 km(2) grid area in a Belgian city, Borgerhout (Antwerp). All sampling sites had different orientation and height of buildings and dissimilar levels of anthropogenic activities (mainly traffic volume). The aims were to investigate: (i) the spatio-temporal variation of UFP within the area, (ii) the effect of wind direction with respect to the volume of traffic on UFP levels, and (iii) the spatial representativeness of the official monitoring station situated in the study area. All sampling sites followed similar diurnal patterns of UFP variation, but effects of local traffic emissions were evident. Wind direction also had a profound influence on UFP concentrations at certain sites. The results indicated a clear influence of local weather conditions and the more dominant effect of traffic volumes. Our analysis indicated that the regional air quality monitoring station represented the other sampling sites in the study area reasonably well; temporal patterns were found to be comparable though the absolute average concentrations showed differences of up to 35%. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000306887900037 Publication Date 2012-06-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0048-9697; 1879-1026 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:101123 Serial 8759
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Nelen, D.; Manshoven, S.; Peeters, J.R.; Vanegas, P.; D'Haese, N.; Vrancken, K.
Title A multidimensional indicator set to assess the benefits of WEEE material recycling Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication Journal of cleaner production Abbreviated Journal
Volume 83 Issue Pages (down) 305-316
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract EU strategies for waste management have long recognized the key role of recycling to move towards sustainable consumption and production. This resulted in a range of regulatory measures, among which the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which sets weight-based targets for recovery, preparation for re-use and recycling. The increasing strategic relevance of the supply of raw materials has, however, spurred a more integrated approach towards resource efficiency. In addition to the prevention of disposal, recycling practices are now also meant to contribute to sustainable materials management by pursuing (i) a higher degree of material cycle closure, (ii) an improved recovery of strategically relevant materials, and (iii) the avoidance of environmental burdens associated with the extraction and refining of primary raw materials. In response to this evolution, this paper reports about the development of an indicator set that allows to quantitatively demonstrate these recycling benefits, hence going further than the weight-based objectives employed in the WEEE directive. The indicators can be calculated for WEEE recycling processes for which information is available on both input and output fractions. It offers a comprehensive framework that aims to support decision making processes on product design, to identify opportunities for the optimization of WEEE End-of-Life scenarios, and to assess the achieved (or expected) results of implemented (or planned) recycling optimization strategies. The paper is illustrated by a case study on the recycling of LCD televisions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000343781500030 Publication Date 2014-07-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:121160 Serial 7393
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ouwehand, J.; Van Eynde, E.; De Canck, E.; Lenaerts, S.; Verberckmoes, A.; Van der Voort, P.
Title Titania-functionalized diatom frustules as photocatalyst for indoor air purification Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Applied catalysis : B : environmental Abbreviated Journal Appl Catal B-Environ
Volume 226 Issue 226 Pages (down) 303-310
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Diatom frustules were extracted from the species Thalassiosira pseudonana and functionalized with titania to be used as photocatalysts in the abatement of acetaldehyde. The synthetic procedure is water-based and environmentally friendly. The synthesis parameters were optimized to give the highest possible photocatalytic activity. The optimized material, visualized with TEM and STEM-EDX, shows the TiO2 nanoparticles grafted inside the frustule pores, as well as on the silica surface. The titania particles, stabilized by the frustules, are 2.5 times more active than the P25 benchmark material. The photocatalyst is then tested in conditions of elevated relative humidity, to simulate indoor air. The catalytic activity only shows a minor decrease at 50% relative humidity, which is a better result than for the P25 benchmark. When tested over an extended period of time, the photocatalyst only shows a minor decrease in activity.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000425476800033 Publication Date 2017-12-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0926-3373 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.446 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes ; The authors are grateful to the Flemish government (VLAIO) for providing funding through grant number 150663. The Thalassiosira Pseudonana algae were kindly provided by TomAlgae. The authors thank Katrien Haustraete, Sander Clerick and Funda Alic for performing TEM and STEM-EDX, SEM and CHN analyses, respectively, and Isabelle Ascoop for fruitful discussions. ; Approved Most recent IF: 9.446
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:149836 Serial 5999
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Author Carballa, M.; Smits, M.; Etchebehere, C.; Boon, N.; Verstraete, W.
Title Correlations between molecular and operational parameters in continuous lab-scale anaerobic reactors Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Applied microbiology and biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 89 Issue 2 Pages (down) 303-314
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract In this study, the microbial community characteristics in continuous lab-scale anaerobic reactors were correlated to reactor functionality using the microbial resource management (MRM) approach. Two molecular techniques, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), were applied to analyze the bacterial and archaeal communities, and the results obtained have been compared. Clustering analyses showed a similar discrimination of samples with DGGE and T-RFLP data, with a clear separation between the meso- and thermophilic communities. Both techniques indicate that bacterial and mesophilic communities were richer and more even than archaeal and thermophilic communities, respectively. Remarkably, the community composition was highly dynamic for both Bacteria and Archaea, with a rate of change between 30% and 75% per 18 days, also in stable performing periods. A hypothesis to explain the latter in the context of the converging metabolism in anaerobic processes is proposed. Finally, a more even and diverse bacterial community was found to be statistically representative for a well-functioning reactor as evidenced by a low Ripley index and high biogas production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000285872500008 Publication Date 2010-09-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0175-7598; 1432-0614 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:85202 Serial 7736
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Voordeckers, D.
Title Design to breathe : understanding and altering wind patterns in street canyons to reduce human exposure to air pollution Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) xxii, 303 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Research Group for Urban Development; Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)
Abstract Air pollution is proclaimed by the World Health Organiaation (WHO) as the biggest environmental threat to human health. Street canyons, or urban roads flanked by a continuous row of high buildings on both sides, are perceived as typical bottleneck areas for air quality due to their lack of natural ventilation. This doctoral thesis aims to integrate expert knowledge on in-canyon flow fields and pollution dispersion in street canyons from the specialized field of (bio)engineering into the field of urban planning and vice versa. In Chapter 1, a Geospatial Information System (GIS) method was developed to detect exposure zones and hotspot street canyons. A critical combination between aspect ratio (AR > 0.65) and traffic volume (TVmax > 300) was detected and subsequently used to detect hotspot street canyons in three major European cities (Antwerp, London and Paris). Chapter 2 focusses on acquiring in-depth knowledge on flow and concentration fields in street canyons by conducting an extensive literature review on over 200 studies and translates this knowledge into nineteen guidelines and eleven spatial tools, comprised in a toolbox for urban planning. Subsequently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used into a research trough design process (Chapter 4) to illustrate how the design tools can be applied to a specific case study (Belgiëlei, Antwerp). Alternations to traffic lanes (traffic lane reduction and lateral displacement) combined with low boundary walls (LBWs), were found to reduce NO2 levels in the entire pedestrian area up to – 3.6 % and peak pollutions were reduced by -8 %. A maximum NO2 reduction was reached by combining a traffic lane displacement with hedges, adjustments to the tree planting pattern and an increased ground-level permeability, leading to reductions up to – 4.5 % in the pedestrian areas. In conclusion, urban design was found to be a valuable tool to enhance the effect of emission reduction strategies and draw in-canyon concentrations closer to the value of the background concentration. However, the background concentration seemed to dominate the efficiency of the urban design interventions and therefore, additional measures should be taken to reduce background pollution levels. This dissertation aims to contribute to the awareness of air pollution in street canyons, as well as support local governments in taking action by delivering spatial tools and guidelines applicable for urban planning and represents a framework for the dissemination of expert information on air quality in street canyons to the field of urban planning.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196399 Serial 7767
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Khan, S.U.; Trashin, S.A.; Korostei, Y.S.; Dubinina, T.V.; Tomilova, L.G.; Verbruggen, S.W.; De Wael, K.
Title Photoelectrochemistry for measuring the photocatalytic activity of soluble photosensitizers Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication ChemPhotoChem Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages (down) 300-306
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract We introduce a rapid method to test the photocatalytic activity of singlet‐oxygen‐producing photosensitizers using a batch cell, a LED laser and a conventional potentiostat. The strategy is based on coupling of photo‐oxidation of hydroquinone and simultaneous electrochemical reduction of its oxidized form at a carbon electrode in an organic solvent (methanol). This scheme gives an immediate response and avoids complications related to long‐term experiments such as oxidative photo‐degradation of photosensitizers and singlet oxygen traps by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among the tested compounds, a fluoro‐substituted subphthalocyanine showed the highest photocurrent and singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) in comparison to phenoxy‐ and tert‐butyl‐substituted analogues, whereas the lowest photocurrents and yields were observed for aggregated and dimeric phthalocyanine complexes. The method is useful for fast screening of the photosensitizing activity and represents the first example of one‐pot coupling of electrochemical and photocatalytic reactions in organic media.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000520100400001 Publication Date 2020-01-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2367-0932 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes ; We gratefully acknowledge the financial support by ERA.Net RUS Plus Plasmon Electrolight project (No. 18-53-76006 ERA) and RSF 17-13-01197. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2020 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165912 Serial 5771
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Goorden, L.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Lenaerts, S.; Deblonde, M.; et al.
Title Nanotechnologie: gewikt en gewogen Type Minutes and reports
Year 2009 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down)
Keywords Minutes and reports; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher NanoSoc Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:82905 Serial 2277
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Goorden, L.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Lenaerts, S.; Deblonde, M.; van Oudheusden, M.; et al.
Title Nanotechnologie op de agenda Type Minutes and reports
Year 2009 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down)
Keywords Minutes and reports; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Society and Environment; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher NanoSoc Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:82903 Serial 2278
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Kim, E.; Horckmans, L.; Spooren, J.; Broos, K.; Vrancken, K.C.M.; Quaghebeur, M.
Title Recycling of a secondary lead smelting matte by selective citrate leaching of valuable metals and simultaneous recovery of hematite as a secondary resource Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication Hydrometallurgy Abbreviated Journal
Volume 169 Issue Pages (down) 290-296
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Anew recycling process, according to the zero-waste concept, was investigated for an iron rich waste stream, more specifically a secondary lead smelting matte. The process consists of a selective citrate leaching of Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn in combination with a roasting step, leading to a simultaneous recovery of hematite as a secondary iron resource. The parameters, such as leaching time, leaching temperature, H2O2 concentration and roasting temperature, were experimentally optimized. The maximum Pb leaching efficiency was 93% and the leachability of Cu (33%) and Zn (11%) increased slightly in the presence of 0.5 M H2O2 in 1 M citrate at 25 degrees C and pH 5.5. Importantly, almost no Fe was leached (< 0.6%) from the iron rich matrix material at this condition allowing for a maximal recovery of hematite as a secondary resource after further treatment (i.e. roasting or sulfur removal). The leachability of Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn was strongly affected by the roasting temperature. Maximum leaching efficiency in 1 M citrate (25 degrees C, L/S ratio 10, pH 6.5) was 93% for Pb, 80% for Cu and 60% for Zn at a roasting temperature of 600 degrees C, while for Ni the maximum leaching efficiency of 53% was reached after roasting at 650 degrees C. Furthermore, when oxidative roasting was applied, the leaching residue consists dominantly of hematite (Fe2O3) with minor quantities of PbSO4, which can be used as pig iron ore (Fe > 60 wt%). (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000401878200035 Publication Date 2017-02-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-386x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:144298 Serial 8463
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Roegiers, J.; van Walsem, J.; Denys, S.
Title CFD- and radiation field modeling of a gas phase photocatalytic multi-tube reactor Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 338 Issue Pages (down) 287-299
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract This paper focusses on the development of a Multiphysics model as a tool for assessing the performance of a multi-tube photoreactor. The model predicts the transient behavior of acetaldehyde concentration, as a model compound for the organic fraction of the indoor air pollutants, under varying sets of conditions. A 3D-model couples radiation field modeling with reaction kinetics and fluid dynamics in order to simulate the transport of the pollutant as it progresses through the reactor. A model-based approach is proposed to determine the layer thickness and refractive index of different P25-powder modified solgel coatings, using an optimization procedure to estimate these parameters based on UV-irradiance measurements. The radiation field model was able to accurately predict the irradiance on the catalytic surface within the reactor. Consequently, the radiation field model was used to define an irradiance dependent reaction rate constant in a coupled Multiphysics model. An optimization routine was deployed to estimate the adsorption, desorption- and photocatalytic reaction rate constants on the TiO2-surface, using experimentally determined, transient outlet concentrations of acetaldehyde. Additionally, a validation test was performed in an air-tight climate chamber at much higher flow rates, higher irradiance and realistic indoor pollutant concentrations to emphasize the reliability and accuracy of the parameters for adsorption, desorption and photocatalytic reaction. The developed model makes it possible to optimize the reactor design and scale-up for commercial applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000427618400031 Publication Date 2018-01-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:149115 Serial 7589
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Blommaerts, N.; Dingenen, F.; Middelkoop, V.; Savelkouls, J.; Goemans, M.; Tytgat, T.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Lenaerts, S.
Title Ultrafast screening of commercial sorbent materials for VOC adsorption using real-time FTIR spectroscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Separation and purification technology Abbreviated Journal Sep Purif Technol
Volume 207 Issue 207 Pages (down) 284-290
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Recovery of valuable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from waste streams is of great industrial importance. Adsorption on zeolites offers an economically and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional activated carbon. When evaluating the suitability of a given zeolite for a particular adsorption application, its adsorption capacity has to be determined. This is traditionally achieved using gas chromatography as an analysis tool, yielding only a few discrete sampling points that constitute the adsorption profile. Meanwhile, only low flow rates and low concentrations of volatile organics can be used, rendering the procedure troublesome and time consuming. Herein, we propose a tool for the fast screening of a large amount of zeolites using on-line and quasi real-time Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The technique was used to determine the adsorption capacity of three different commercial zeolites and two silica gels, for five industrially relevant VOCs: acetone; methanol; isohexane; isopentane; and toluene. A series of rapid measurements of the individual adsorption capacities were carried out to obtain a detailed overview of the versatility of the proposed method for the characterization of multi-component and multi-sorption bed systems.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000445987500032 Publication Date 2018-06-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1383-5866 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.359 Times cited 5 Open Access
Notes ; We would like to thank Vlaams Agenschap Innoveren & Ondernemen (VLAIO) for financial support. The authors would also like to thank Kureha GmbH, Germany for kindly supplying us with their BAC (R) (bead-shaped activated carbon) samples. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.359
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:154694 Serial 6000
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Roefs, I.; Meulman, B.; Vreeburg, J.H.G.; Spiller, M.
Title Centralised, decentralised or hybrid sanitation systems? Economic evaluation under urban development uncertainty and phased expansion Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication Water research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 109 Issue Pages (down) 274-286
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Sanitation systems are built to be robust, that is, they are dimensioned to cope with population growth and other variability that occurs throughout their lifetime. It was recently shown that building sanitation systems in phases is more cost effective than one robust design. This phasing can take place by building small autonomous decentralised units that operate closer to the actual demand. Research has shown that variability and uncertainty in urban development does affect the cost effectiveness of this approach. Previous studies do not, however, consider the entire sanitation system from collection to treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the economic performance of three sanitation systems with different scales and systems characteristics under a variety of urban development pathways. Three systems are studied: (I) a centralised conventional activated sludge treatment, (II) a community on site source separation grey water and black water treatment and (III) a hybrid with grey water treatment at neighbourhood scale and black water treatment off site. A modelling approach is taken that combines a simulation of greenfield urban growth, a model of the wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure design properties and a model that translates design parameters into discounted asset lifetime costs. Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the economic performance under uncertain development trends. Results show that the conventional system outperforms both of the other systems when total discounted lifetime costs are assessed, because it benefits from economies of scale. However, when population growth is lower than expected, the source-separated system is more cost effective, because of reduced idle capacity. The hybrid system is not competitive under any circumstance due to the costly double piping and treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000392788900028 Publication Date 2016-11-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:143853 Serial 7587
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Reniers, G.; Sörensen, K.; Vrancken, K.
Title Management principles of sustainable industrial chemistry : theories, concepts and industrial examples for achieving sustainable chemical products and processes from a non-technological viewpoint Type ME1 Book as editor or co-editor
Year 2013 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 274 p.
Keywords ME1 Book as editor or co-editor; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2013-03-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-3-527-33099-7; 978-3-527-64948-8 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:106565 Serial 8198
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhang, Q.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; DeBarbadillo, C.; Su, C.; Al-Omari, A.; Wett, B.; Pümpel, T.; Shaw, A.; Chandran, K.; Murthy, S.; De Clippeleir, H.
Title Supernatant organics from anaerobic digestion after thermal hydrolysis cause direct and/or diffusional activity loss for nitritation and anammox Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Water research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 143 Issue Pages (down) 270-281
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Treatment of sewage sludge with a thermal hydrolysis process (THP) followed by anaerobic digestion (AD) enables to boost biogas production and minimize residual sludge volumes. However, the reject water can cause inhibition to aerobic and anoxic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AerAOB & AnAOB), the two key microbial groups involved in the deammonification process. Firstly, a detailed investigation elucidated the impact of different organic fractions present in THP-AD return liquor on AerAOB and AnAOB activity. For AnAOB, soluble compounds linked to THP conditions and AD performance caused the main inhibition. Direct inhibition by dissolved organics was also observed for AerAOB, but could be overcome by treating the filtrate with extended aerobic or anaerobic incubation or with activated carbon. AerAOB additionally suffered from particulate and colloidal organics limiting the diffusion of substrates. This was resolved by improving the dewatering process through an optimized flocculant polymer dose and/or addition of coagulant polymer to better capture the large colloidal fraction, especially in case of unstable AD performance. Secondly, a new inhibition model for AerAOB included diffusion-limiting compounds based on the porter-equation, and achieved the best fit with the experimental data, highlighting that AerAOB were highly sensitive to large colloids. Overall, this paper for the first time provides separate identification of organic fractions within THP-AD filtrate causing differential types of inhibition. Moreover, it highlights the combined effect of the performance of THP, AD and dewatering on the downstream autotrophic nitrogen removal kinetics. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000443664000027 Publication Date 2018-06-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:152911 Serial 8623
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Author Van Hal, M.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Yang, X.-Y.; Lenaerts, S.; Tytgat, T.
Title Image analysis and in situ FTIR as complementary detection tools for photocatalytic soot oxidation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J
Volume 367 Issue 367 Pages (down) 269-277
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM), is an increasingly urgent problem in urban environments, causing both short and long-term health problems, climate interference and aesthetical problems due to building fouling. Photocatalysis has been shown to be a possible solution to that end. In this work two complementary detection methods for photocatalytic soot oxidation are studied and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. First, a colour-based digital image analysis method is drastically improved towards an accurate, detailed and straightforward detection tool, that enables simultaneous measurement of the degradation of different grades of soot fouling (for instance a shallow soot haze versus condensed soot deposits). In the next part, a second soot oxidation detection method is presented based on in situ FTIR spectroscopy. This method has the additional advantage of providing more insight into the photocatalytic soot degradation process by monitoring both gaseous and adsorbed intermediates as well as reaction products while the reactions are ongoing. As an illustration, the proposed detection strategies were applied on four different commercially available and synthesized photocatalytic materials. The digital image analysis showed that P25 (Evonik) is the fastest photocatalytic soot degrader of all studied materials for both a uniform soot haze as well as concentrated soot spots. Application of the in situ method showed that for all studied materials adsorbed formate-related surface species were formed and that commercially available ZnO nanopowder has the highest specificity towards complete mineralization into CO2. With this we aim to provide a set of complementary experimental tools for the convenient, reliable, realistic and standardised detection of photocatalytic soot degradation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000461380400028 Publication Date 2019-02-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.216 Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes ; M.V.H. acknowledges the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) for a doctoral fellowship. M.V.H., S.W.V., S.L. and X-Y.Y. thank the FWO and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for funding an international collaboration project. Mr. M. Minjauw is greatly thanked for his help in the AFM measurements. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.216
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:157789 Serial 5958
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Author Vandekerckhove, T.G.L.; Kobayashi, K.; Janda, J.; Van Nevel, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Sulfur-based denitrification treating regeneration water from ion exchange at high performance and low cost Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 257 Issue Pages (down) 266-273
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Autotrophic denitrification with sulfur is an underexplored alternative to heterotrophic denitrification to remove nitrate from wastewater poor in organics. The application on ion exchange regeneration water (19.432.1 mS cm−1) is novel. Three fixed bed reactors were tested at 15 °C for >4 months, inoculated with activated sludge from sewage treatment. All were fast in start-up (<10 days) with high performance (94 ± 2% removal efficiency). pH control with NaOH rendered higher nitrate removal rates than limestone addition to the bed (211 ± 13 vs. 102 ± 13 mg N L−1 d−1), related to higher pH (6.64 vs. 6.24) and sulfur surface area. Bacterial communities were strongly enriched in Sulfurimonas (6367%) and Thiobacillus (2426%). In an economic comparison, sulfur-based denitrification (5.3 kg−1 N) was 15% cheaper than methanol-based denitrification (6.22 kg−1 N) and both treatments were opex dominated (85.9 vs. 86.5%). Overall, the technological and economic feasibility should boost further implementation of sulfurotrophic denitrification.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000430401100033 Publication Date 2018-02-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:149975 Serial 8619
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Author Reniers, G.L.L.; Sörensen, K.; Vrancken, K.
Title Conclusions and recommendations Type H1 Book chapter
Year 2013 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 265-268 T2 - Management principles of sustainable
Keywords H1 Book chapter; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 9783527649488 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:107610 Serial 7723
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Author Caratelli, D.; Gielis, J.; Tavkhelidze, I.; Ricci, P.E.
Title Spherical harmonic solution of the Robin problem for the Helmholtz equation in a supershaped shell Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication Applied mathematics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 1a Pages (down) 263-270
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The Robin problem for the Helmholtz equation in normal-polar shells is addressed by using a suitable spherical harmonic expansion technique. Attention is in particular focused on the wide class of domains whose boundaries are defined by a generalized version of the so-called superformula introduced by Gielis. A dedicated numerical procedure based on the computer algebra system Mathematica? is developed in order to validate the proposed methodology. In this way, highly accurate approximations of the solution, featuring properties similar to the classical ones, are obtained.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2013-01-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2152-7385 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:107177 Serial 8576
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Author Muys, M.
Title Microbial protein as sustainable feed and food ingredient : production and nutritional quality of phototrophs and aerobic heterotrophs Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 262 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract In iets meer dan 30 jaar moeten we tot 50% meer eiwit produceren, terwijl onze conventionele lineaire voedselproductieketen reeds de grenzen van duurzaamheid overschrijdt. Microbieel eiwit (MP), de eiwitrijke biomassa van micro-organismen, werd onderzocht als nieuw voeder en voedselingrediënt in een circulaire eiwitproductieketen. MP-productie kan gebaseerd zijn op primaire grondstoffen om zo de inefficiënte stappen in de huidige eiwitproductie over te slaan, of de productie kan gebaseerd zijn op secundaire grondstoffen afkomstig van de verliezen in de conventionele productieketen (bijvoorbeeld afvalwater). Zowel indirecte als directe strategiën voor nutriëntenherwinning kunnen geïdentificeerd worden. Indirecte nutriëntenherwinning werd onderzocht door struviet toe te passen als fosfor- en stikstofbron voor MP-productie. Struviet, een herwinningsproduct in de afvalwaterzuivering, bleek een hoge zuiverheidsgraad te hebben waardoor het een uitstekende selectieve barrière vormt tussen afvalstroom en MP productie. Oplossingssnelheden en MP groei-experimenten toonden aan dat struviet gemakkelijk gedoseerd kan worden in functie van de microbiële nutriëntenbehoeftes, waarnaast problemen vermeden worden gerelateerd aan de turbiditeit van nevenstromen, wat de productie van fototrofe MP mogelijk maakt. Daarnaast werd ook directe nutriëntenherwinning onderzocht. Hierbij werden de voedingswaarde en veiligheid geanalyseerd van biomassa bestaande uit aerobe heterotrofe bacteriën (AHB) afkomstig van effluentzuivering van 25 bedrijven in de voedings- en drankensector. Verder werd ook de temporele variabiliteit in kaart gebracht. Er werd een veelbelovend eiwitgehalte geobserveerd waarvan de variabiliteit aanzienlijke was. Verder werd aangetoond dat het eiwitgehalte positief gecorreleerd was met stikstofbelasting en negatief met slibverblijftijd, wat een indicatie is dat de implementatie van een geoptimaliseerd productieproces, de biomassakwaliteit gevoelig kan verhogen. Bovendien was de veiligheid als veevoeder gegarandeerd op vlak van de meeste contaminanten. In het daarop volgende hoofdstuk werd de variabiliteit in voedingswaarde en veiligheid bestudeerd van commerciële fototrofe MP (de microalgen Chlorella en Spirulina), gekweekt op primaire grondstoffen. De waargenomen variabiliteit in voedingswaarde vereist verdere optimalisatie van het productieproces. Er werd ook waargenomen dat een hoog eiwitgehalte geen hoge totale voedingswaarde impliceert, omdat de verteerbaarheid en de eiwitkwaliteit nog steeds ongunstig kunnen zijn. Op basis van gemeten contaminanten geeft een veilige consumptiedosis aan dat microalgen perfect kunnen worden geconsumeerd als volwaardige eiwitbron in plaats van als supplement, hun huidige hoofdtoepassing. In een laatste experimenteel hoofdstuk werd onderzocht hoe de variabiliteit in biomassakwaliteit van microalgen kan worden gereduceerd en hoe een stabiele, hoogwaardige biomassaproductie kan worden bekomen. De invloed van oogsttijd, operationele modus en fotoperiode werd bepaald op de productiviteit van biomassa, eiwit en essentiële aminozuren en er werden optimale productieparameters geïdentificeerd. Samengevat is MP-productie op basis van indirecte en directe nutriëntenherwinning veelbelovend. Verdere technologische ontwikkelingen en het verhogen van bewustwording en sociale acceptatie, moeten een verdere introductie van MP in de voeder- en voedingsmarkt faciliteren. Hier kan MP een belangrijke oplossing vertegenwoordigen om de exponentieel groeiende wereldbevolking op een duurzame manier te voeden.
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Language Wos Publication Date
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ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:160717 Serial 8244
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Author Caratelli, D.; Gielis, J.; Tavkhelidze, I.; Ricci, P.E.
Title Fourier-Hankel solution of the Robin problem for the Helmholtz equation in supershaped annular domains Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication Boundary value problems Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 253
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The Robin problem for the Helmholtz equation in normal-polar annuli is addressed by using a suitable Fourier-Hankel series technique. Attention is in particular focused on the wide class of domains whose boundaries are defined by the so-called superformula introduced by Gielis. A dedicated numerical procedure based on the computer algebra system Mathematica© is developed in order to validate the proposed methodology. In this way, highly accurate approximations of the solution, featuring properties similar to the classical ones, are obtained.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000340237600004 Publication Date 2013-11-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1687-2762; 1687-2770 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:111558 Serial 7981
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Author Rezaei, M.; Seuntjens, P.; Shahidi, R.; Joris, I.; Boenne, W.; Al-Barri, B.; Cornelis, W.
Title The relevance of in-situ and laboratory characterization of sandy soil hydraulic properties for soil water simulations Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication Journal of hydrology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 534 Issue Pages (down) 251-265
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Field water flow processes can be precisely delineated with proper sets of soil hydraulic properties derived from in situ and/or laboratory experiments. In this study we analyzed and compared soil hydraulic properties obtained by traditional laboratory experiments and inverse optimization tension infiltrometer data along the vertical direction within two typical Podzol profiles with sand texture in a potato field. The main goal was to identify proper sets of hydraulic parameters and to evaluate their relevance on hydrological model performance for irrigation management purposes. Tension disc infiltration experiments were carried out at four and five different depths for both profiles at consecutive negative pressure heads of 12, 6, 3 and 0.1 cm. At the same locations and depths undisturbed samples were taken to determine Mualem-van Genuchten (MVG) hydraulic parameters (theta(r), residual water content, theta(s), saturated water content, alpha and n, shape parameters and K-ls, saturated hydraulic conductivity) in the laboratory. Results demonstrated horizontal differences and vertical variability of hydraulic properties. The tension disc infiltration data fitted well in inverse modeling using Hydrus 2D/3D in combination with final water content at the end of the experiment, theta(f). Four MVG parameters (theta(s), alpha, n and field saturated hydraulic conductivity K-fs) were estimated (theta(r) set to zero), with estimated K-ls and alpha values being relatively similar to values from Wooding's solution which used as initial value and estimated theta(s) corresponded to (effective) field saturated water content, theta(f). The laboratory measurement of K-ls yielded 2-30 times higher values than the field method K-fs from top to subsoil layers, while there was a significant correlation between both K-s values (r = 0.75). We found significant differences of MVG parameters theta(s), n and alpha values between laboratory and field measurements, but again a significant correlation was observed between laboratory and field MVG parameters namely K-s, n, theta(s) (r >= 0.59). Assessment of the parameter relevance in 1-D model simulations, illustrated that the model over predicted and under predicted top soil-water content using laboratory and field experiments data sets respectively. The field MVG parameter data set resulted in better agreement to observed soil-water content as compared to the laboratory data set at nodes 10 and 20 cm. However, better simulation results were achieved using the laboratory data set at 30-60 cm depths. Results of our study do not confirm whether laboratory or field experiments data sets are most appropriate to predict soil water fluctuations in a complete soil profile, while field experiments are preferred in many studies. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000371940900022 Publication Date 2016-01-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:133161 Serial 8657
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Author Smits, M.; Huygh, D.; Craeye, B.; Lenaerts, S.
Title Effect of process parameters on the photocatalytic soot degradation on self-cleaning cementitious materials Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication Catalysis today Abbreviated Journal Catal Today
Volume 230 Issue Pages (down) 250-255
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings (EMIB)
Abstract Soot deposition has the negative ability to devalue the aesthetic appearance of buildings. Titanium dioxide applied on the building material is one way to counteract this problem as it provides air-purifying and self-cleaning properties due to its photocatalytic activity. In literature, photocatalytic soot oxidation was described, but until now, little information was available about the influence of process parameters on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. The influence of three process parameters was tested in this study, namely TiO2 concentration, soot concentration and water-to-cement ratio (WIC-ratio) of the mortar substrates. The results revealed 50 mu gTiO(2) cm(-2) is better to use on the cementitious materials than 250 mu gTiO(2) cm(-2). The soot concentrations occurring in real-world situations will not inhibit the photocatalyst to be activated by light. Furthermore, the photonic efficiency increases slightly for lower WIC-ratios. This can be of interest for structural building applications, since a lower WIC-ratio results in a lower porosity of the samples and consequently in an increase in mortar strength. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000333800300039 Publication Date 2013-10-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0920-5861 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.636 Times cited 14 Open Access
Notes ; This work was supported by a PhD grant (M. Smits) from the University of Antwerp. We would like to thank T. Tytgat for the scientific discussion and Evonik for delivering the materials used in the experiments. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.636; 2014 IF: 3.893
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:117142 Serial 5946
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Author Muys, M.; Sui, Y.; Schwaiger, B.; Lesueur, C.; Vandenheuvel, D.; Vermeir, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title High variability in nutritional value and safety of commercially available Chlorella and Spirulina biomass indicates the need for smart production strategies Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 275 Issue Pages (down) 247-257
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Microalgal biomass production is a resource-efficient answer to the exponentially increasing demand for protein, yet variability in biomass quality is largely unexplored. Nutritional value and safety were determined for Chlorella and Spirulina biomass from different producers, production batches and the same production batch. Chlorella presented a similar protein content (47 ± 8%) compared to Spirulina (48 ± 4%). However, protein quality, expressed as essential amino acid index, and digestibility were lower for Chlorella (1.1 ± 0.1 and 51 ± 9%, respectively) compared to Spirulina (1.3 ± 0.1 and 61 ± 4%, respectively). Generally, variability was lower between batches and within a batch. Heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, antibiotics and nitrate did not violate regulatory limits, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels exceeded the norm for some samples, indicating the need for continuous monitoring. This first systematic screening of commercial microalgal biomass revealed a high nutritional variability, necessitating further optimization of cultivation and post-processing conditions. Based on price and quality, Spirulina was preferred above Chlorella.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000456405000030 Publication Date 2018-12-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:155979 Serial 8040
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Author Sóti, V.
Title Catalytic detoxification of lignocellulose hydrolyzate Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) XXVII, 243 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE)
Abstract The present PhD research investigated the possibility of catalytic detoxification of poplar wood based and steam exploded lignocellulosic hydrolyzate with different types of laccase enzymes, with special focus on ethanol and lactic acid products at industrially relevant parameters: high final product concentration, high initial substrate loading and integrated processes. The simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process was taken as a base case and five types of laccases were thoroughly investigated on their utilization potential. Phenolic removal from the liquid xylose rich fraction (XRF) was higher with fungal laccases (65-90 %) compared to approximately 30 % removal with bacterial laccase. Moreover, the optimal pH of fungal laccases was close to pH 4.5, the optimum for cellulase, while the bacterial laccase worked at basic pH. Integrating laccase treatment and hydrolysis together showed that fungal laccases have negative impact on final sugar concentration, while bacterial laccase had a strong positive effect. Although bacterial laccase removed less phenol and although its optimal conditions are difficult to integrate with hydrolysis, its enhancing effect on cellulase activity makes it a better candidate for application. The presence of the solid fraction (SF) alters the phenolic concentration evolution significantly, thus screening experiments with the liquid fraction alone do not provide sufficient information for the combined process. Magnetic Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (m-CLEAs) immobilization was assessed for bacterial laccase. m-CLEAs decreased phenolic concentration faster at every pH compared to free bacterial laccase; however, the removal was caused by adsorption rather than by enzyme activity. Although the size of m-CLEAs particles are in the µm range, around 90 % of the initial catalyst mass was recycled from a dense (15 % substrate loading) mixture via magnetic separation. The high recycling rate is promising; m-CLEAs immobilization method can have industrial utilization potential. Minimum sugar revenue (MSR) estimations show that currently hardwood based MSR is 70 % more expensive than corn grain based MSR. About 7-10 fold cellulase activity increase will be needed until MSR will be competitive with corn grain MSR. However, m-CLEAs cellulase can already be competitive if the corn prices are in the higher regime of last year’s prices.
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Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180125 Serial 7584
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Author Van Eynde, E.; Lenaerts, S.
Title Diatom silica-titania materials for photocatalytic air purification Type H3 Book chapter
Year 2012 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 240-241
Keywords H3 Book chapter; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-989-97667-4-7 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:105335 Serial 5944
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Author Buysse, C.; Kovalevsky, A.; Snijkers, F.; Buekenhoudt, A.; Mullens, S.; Luyten, J.; Kretzschmar, J.; Lenaerts, S.
Title Development, performance and stability of sulfur-free, macrovoid-free BSCF capillaries for high temperature oxygen separation from air Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Journal of membrane science Abbreviated Journal J Membrane Sci
Volume 372 Issue 1/2 Pages (down) 239-248
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Capture and storage of CO2 (CCS) from fossil-fuel power plants is vital in order to counteract a pending anthropogenic global warming. High temperature oxygen transport perovskite membranes can fulfill an important role in the separation of oxygen from air needed in the oxy-fuel technologies for CCS. In this study we present the development, performance and stability of gastight, macrovoid-free and sulfur-free Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3 − δ (BSCF) mixed conductor capillary membranes prepared by phase-inversion spinning and sintering. A sulfur-free phase-inversion polymer was chosen in order to obtain a phase-pure BSCF crystal phase. Special attention was given to the polymer solution and ceramic spinning suspension in order to avoid macrovoids and achieve gastight membranes. The sulfur-free BSCF capillaries showed an average 4-point bending strength of 64 ± 8 MPa and a maximum oxygen flux of not, vert, similar5.3 Nml/(cm2 min) at 950 °C for an argon sweep flow rate of 125 Nml/min. The comparison of the performance of sulfur-free and sulfur-containing BSCF capillaries with similar dimensions revealed a profound impact of the sulfur contamination on both the oxygen flux and the activation energy of the overall oxygen transport mechanism. Both long-term oxygen permeation at different temperatures and post-operation analysis of a sulfur-free BSCF capillary were performed and discussed.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000289829200026 Publication Date 2011-02-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0376-7388 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.035 Times cited 32 Open Access
Notes ; The authors want to express their thanks to the VITO staff for their continuous support, especially B. Molenberghs, W. Doyen, H. Beckers, R. Kemps, M. Mertens, M. Schoeters and H. Chen. C. Buysse thankfully acknowledges a PhD scholarship provided by VITO and the University of Antwerp. This work is performed in the framework of the German Helmholtz Alliance Project “MEM-BRAIN”, aiming at the development of gas separation membranes for zero-emission fossil fuel power plants. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.035; 2011 IF: 3.850
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:89916 Serial 5942
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Author Ysebaert, T.
Title Modelling and experimental validation of deposition on vegetation to facilitate urban particulate matter mitigation Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) xxvi, 234 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Exposure to air pollution, such as particulate matter (PM), causes adverse health effects, particularly to the respiratory tract and cardiovascular system. PM is the collective name for all kinds of particles ranging from small particles and liquid droplets, which contain organic compounds, acids and metals, to soil or dust particles. One distinguishes PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1, which have aerodynamic particle sizes smaller than 10, 2.5 and 0.1 µm, respectively. It is mainly the latter that is the most harmful, as PM0.1 penetrates deep into the respiratory system and carries relatively more toxic substances than the other PM fractions. Over a 15-year period, PM concentrations in European member states have fallen by about 30%. Nevertheless, the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines, which became stricter in 2021, are exceeded in most places around the world. Particularly in cities, excessive levels of PM are measured and it is here that PM mitigation should be investigated. For this, the implementation of urban green infrastructure, including trees, shrubs, green roofs and green walls, is being looked at. Plants hinder airflow and remove PM from the air by deposition on their leaves and branches. This process is known as dry deposition. Plants can capture PM very efficiently, due to their complex structure of leaves and branches. Green walls offer significant advantages over other types of urban green infrastructure because they can grow on the huge available wall area and, because they do not hinder air circulation, as we sometimes see with trees. Green walls are believed to have a much greater, untapped potential to reduce PM pollution. However, a literature review showed that we do not know the quantitative impact of green walls and lack the tools and/or general methodology to do so. The objective of this thesis is therefore to develop a method for assessing PM removal by green walls, based on predictive models and based on relevant parameters that are experimentally determined. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a numerical method to simulate airflow in complex environments such as cities. These models can also simulate the vegetation-wind interaction in detail and are interesting tools to assess the effect of green walls on PM concentrations in real environments. It is important to first study the aerodynamic effect of green walls and parameterise it correctly in CFD models. Plants decrease the wind speed and create turbulence through a combination of viscous and form drag, which are determined by the permeability (K) and drag coefficient (Cd), respectively. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted with three commonly found climbers (Hedera helix, Parthenocissus tricuspidata and Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and the variation of leaf area density was investigated for two of them. It was observed that the air resistance depended on plant species, leaf area density and wind speed. The difference between the plant species was assigned to the functional leaf size (FLS), the ratio of the largest circle within the boundaries of the leaf to the total leaf area. FLS is likely associated with other morphological characteristics of plants that, when considered collectively, provide a more comprehensive representation of leaf complexity. The pressure and velocity measurements obtained were used to optimise the permeability and drag coefficient in a CFD model. At wind speeds below 0.6 m s-1, the resistance was mainly determined by viscous drag and a larger leaf size resulted in a higher viscous drag. At wind speeds above 1.5 m s-1, form drag was dominant and the parameterised Cd decreased with increasing wind speed due to the sheltering effect of successive plant elements. The leaf area density had a significant effect on K and Cd and, is therefore an important plant parameters in CFD models. The main conclusion here is that the common practice of using a constant Cd to model the influence of plants on the air flow leads to deviations from reality. Wind tunnels are highly suitable to study the impact of green walls on PM concentration under controlled environmental conditions. For this purpose, a new wind tunnel setup was built and great attention was paid to obtaining a uniform air flow. Thus, based on CFD models, appropriate flow controllers were chosen, consisting of honeycombs and screens with different mesh sizes. New PM generation devices and measuring equipment were installed and set up appropriately. Devices were available for generating and measuring ultrafine dust (<0.1 µm, i.e. PM0.1) and fine dust (<0.3 µm, i.e. PM0.3) consisting of soot particles, and, on the other hand, fine dust with particle sizes smaller than 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10) consisting of 'Arizona fine test dust'. With the new wind tunnel setup, it was possible to measure the influence of Hedera helix (common ivy), grown in a planter against a climbing aid, on the PM concentration and this was expressed by a collection efficiency, i.e. the difference in concentration in front and behind the plants normalised for the incoming concentration. The collection efficiency of H. helix depended on the particle size of the PM and wind speed. The collection efficiency decreased when the particle size increased from 0.02 to 0.2 µm and increased again for particle sizes above 0.3 µm. The collection efficiency also increased with increasing wind speed, especially for particle sizes > 0.03 µm. On the other hand, relative humidity and the type of PM (soot or dust) did not significantly affect the collection efficiency. The main objective of this study was to obtain an optimised size-resolved deposition model. Dry deposition occurs through several mechanisms, in particular gravity, diffusion, impaction and interception, and the subsequent resuspension of deposited PM back to the environment. The modelling of these mechanisms was described by \citet{Zhang2001} and \citet{Petroff2010}. The data obtained from the wind tunnel experiments allowed validating these deposition models. It was for the first time that deposition of real PM on green walls was studied. The different PM deposition mechanisms were found to be strongly dependent on particle size and wind speed. The models of \citet{Zhang2001} and \citet{Petroff2010} each matched PM concentration measurements for only certain particle sizes. Therefore, a combination of the two models was investigated and the root mean square error was lower by on average 3.5% (PM < 0.03 µm) and 46% (PM > 0.03 µm) compared to the original models at wind speeds greater than 1.5 m s-1. For wind speeds less than 1.5 m s-1, the optimised model did not differ from the original models. The optimised model was able to meet the imposed criteria for air quality models, where a correct model exhibits low deviation from measurements ('normalised mean square error' < 1.5), low bias ('fractional bias' between -0.3 and 0.3) and high R2. In comparison, the R$2$ of the optimised model was 0.57, while that of Zhang et al. (2001) and Petroff et al. (2010) was 0.23 and 0.31, respectively. The optimised model was however characterised by a high scatter, with the fraction of modeled results located within a factor of two of the measurements being lower than 50. A model study with a green façade oriented parallel to the incoming airflow showed that deposition by interception and impaction reduced remarkably, but that the orientation had no effect on deposition by Brownian diffusion. A promising green wall form for PM mitigation is the living wall system (LWS). LWS consist of supporting structures with substrate to grow plants in and can be planted with a variety of plant species. This allows to select plant species with optimal characteristics to achieve PM deposition. These characteristics refer to the macro- and microstructure of the leaves, and research has been conducted mainly on these. On the other hand, the influence of the supporting structure and substrate on PM concentrations has rarely been studied. With the new wind tunnel setup, LWS from different manufacturers were tested for their ability to capture PM. The setups were subjected for three hours to an air flow with a low PM concentration (resuspension phase) and then for three hours to an air flow to which additional PM was added (deposition phase). Some setups were able to decrease the PM concentration during both phases, while others just caused the concentration to increase. Some systems were able to reduce particulate matter concentration during both phases, namely LWS consisting of planters (-2% and -4% for PM0.1 and PM2.5, respectively) and textile cloths (-23% and -5% for PM0.1 and PM2.5, respectively). While other systems actually resulted in an increase in concentration especially LWS existing textile fabrics consisting of geotextiles (+11% for both PM fractions) and with moss as substrate (+2% and +5% for PM0.1 and PM2.5, respectively). This highlights the importance of careful selection of suspension systems to reduce particulate matter concentrations. Further research is therefore needed on the materials used in these systems in relation to their particulate content, as well as on plant development in these systems. In addition to air measurements, measurements were taken of the amount of PM deposited on the leaves and suspension system of LWS. This allowed the difference in PM resuspension and deposition between plant species to be investigated. The amount of deposited particulate matter was determined based on 'saturation isothermal remanent magnetisation' (SIRM), a measure of magnetisable particulate matter. This was possible because the added 'Arizona fine test dust' contained iron oxide. However, no significant difference was observed between the SIRM values measured before the wind tunnel experiment, after resuspension and after deposition. This suggested that the iron oxide content in the Arizona fine test dust was too low to measure a significant difference in the SIRM values on leaves after three hours. The plant species did give rise to different SIRM values ranging between 5 and 260 µ A. In particular, SIRM values above 26 µ A were observed for the plant species that were grouped due to their significantly higher accumulation of PM. 'Specific leaf area' (SLA), specifically the ratio of the one-sided 'fresh' leaf area to its dry mass, was the significant leaf characteristic. SLA correlated with leaf complexity. In particular, plant species with elongated leaves were characterized by low SLA, high FLS and high complexity and showed significantly higher SIRM values. Finally, the optimised size-resolved deposition model was also tested in an urban model to get an idea of the impact of a green wall on PM concentrations in a so-called 'street canyon'. These are narrow streets with high buildings on both sides, making air pollution more persistent. To this end, an ideal scenario was tested in which a green wall was introduced along both sides of the street over a length of about 270 m. The model result showed a decrease in PM2.5 and PM10 of 46 ± 12% and 52 ± 14%. This result is of course for a very optimal scenario where the green wall covers the entire building façades. Since this is not feasible in reality, other ways of promoting contact between green walls and polluted air can be explored. The insights obtained illustrate that the use of climbing plants can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to reduce PM concentrations. Moreover, the findings showed that models can be used to investigate the impact of green walls on PM levels. These findings fit within the broader context of designing healthy and sustainable urban environments and developing innovative solutions based on solid scientific knowledge.
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