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Author Weiβ, R.; Gritsch, S.; Brader, G.; Nikolic, B.; Spiller, M.; Santolin, J.; Weber, H.K.; Schwaiger, N.; Pluchon, S.; Dietel, K.; Guebitz, G.; Nyanhongo, G.
Title A biobased, bioactive, low CO₂ impact coating for soil improvers Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Green Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Green Chem
Volume 23 Issue 17 Pages 6501-6514
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Lignosulfonate-based bioactive coatings as soil improvers for lawns were developed using laccase as a biocatalyst. Incorporation of glycerol, xylitol and sorbitol as plasticizers considerably reduced the brittleness of the synthesized coatings of marine carbonate granules while thermal enzyme inactivation at 100 degrees C enabled the production of stable coatings. Heat inactivation produced stable coatings with a molecular weight of 2000 kDa and a viscosity of 4.5 x 10(-3) Pas. The desired plasticity for the spray coating of soil improver granules was achieved by the addition of 2.7% of xylitol. Agriculture beneficial microorganisms (four different Bacillus species) were integrated into the coatings. The stable coatings protected the marine calcium carbonate granules, maintained the viability of the microorganisms and showed no toxic effects on the germination and growth of model plants including corn, wheat, salad, and tomato despite a slight delay in germination. Moreover, the coatings reduced the dust formation of soil improvers by 70%. CO2 emission analysis showed potential for the reduction of up to 3.4 kg CO2-eq. kg(-1) product, making it a viable alternative to fossil-based coatings.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000683056500001 Publication Date 2021-08-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1463-9262; 1463-9270 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.125 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.125
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180511 Serial 7558
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Gupta, A.; Baron, G.V.; Perreault, P.; Lenaerts, S.; Ciocarlan, R.-G.; Cool, P.; Mileo, P.G.M.; Rogge, S.; Van Speybroeck, V.; Watson, G.; Van Der Voort, P.; Houlleberghs, M.; Breynaert, E.; Martens, J.; Denayer, J.F.M.
Title Hydrogen clathrates : next generation hydrogen storage materials Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Energy Storage Materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 41 Issue Pages 69-107
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Extensive research has been carried on the molecular adsorption in high surface area materials such as carbonaceous materials and MOFs as well as atomic bonded hydrogen in metals and alloys. Clathrates stand among the ones to be recently suggested for hydrogen storage. Although, the simulations predict lower capacity than the expected by the DOE norms, the additional benefits of clathrates such as low production and operational cost, fully reversible reaction, environmentally benign nature, low risk of flammability make them one of the most promising materials to be explored in the next decade. The inherent ability to tailor the properties of clathrates using techniques such as addition of promoter molecules, use of porous supports and formation of novel reverse micelles morphology provide immense scope customisation and growth. As rapidly evolving materials, clathrates promise to get as close as possible in the search of “holy grail” of hydrogen storage. This review aims to provide the audience with the background of the current developments in the solid-state hydrogen storage materials, with a special focus on the hydrogen clathrates. The in-depth analysis of the hydrogen clathrates will be provided beginning from their discovery, various additives utilised to enhance their thermodynamic and kinetic properties, challenges in the characterisation of hydrogen in clathrates, theoretical developments to justify the experimental findings and the upscaling opportunities presented by this system. The review will present state of the art in the field and also provide a global picture for the path forward.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000685118300009 Publication Date 2021-06-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2405-8297 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178744 Serial 8045
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Mendonça, C.D.; Khan, S.U.; Rahemi, V.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Machado, S.A.S.; De Wael, K.
Title Surface plasmon resonance-induced visible light photocatalytic TiO₂ modified with AuNPs for the quantification of hydroquinone Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Electrochimica Acta Abbreviated Journal Electrochim Acta
Volume 389 Issue Pages 138734
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The impregnation of size-controlled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on an anatase TiO2 structure (AuNPs@TiO2) was studied for the photoelectrochemical detection of hydroquinone (HQ) under visible light illumination integrated into a flow injection analysis (FIA) setup. The crystalline form of TiO2 was preserved during synthesis and the homogeneous distribution of AuNPs over the TiO2 structure was confirmed. Its photoelectrocatalytic activity was improved due to the presence of AuNPs, preventing charge recombination in TiO2 and improving its light absorption ability by the surface plasmon resonance effect (SPR). The FIA system was used in order to significantly reduce the electrode fouling during electroanalysis through periodic washing steps of the electrode surface. During the amperometric detection process, reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by visible light illumination of AuNPs@TiO2, participate in the oxidation process of HQ. The reduction of the oxidized form of HQ, i.e. benzoquinone (BQ) occurs by applying a negative potential and the measurable amperometric response will be proportional to the initial HQ concentration. The influencing parameters on the response of the amperometric photocurrent such as applied potential, flow rate and pH were investigated. The linear correlation between the amperometric response and the concentration of HQ was recorded (range 0.0125 – 1.0 µM) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 33.8 nM and sensitivity of 0.22 A M−1 cm−2. In this study, we illustrated for the first time that the impregnation of AuNPs in TiO2 allows the sensitive detection of phenolic substances under green laser illumination by using a photoelectrochemical flow system.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000687283100018 Publication Date 2021-06-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.798 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.798
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178908 Serial 8626
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Author Spanoghe, J.; Vermeir, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Microbial food from light, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas : kinetic, stoichiometric and nutritional potential of three purple bacteria Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 337 Issue Pages 125364
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The urgency for a protein transition towards more sustainable solutions is one of the major societal challenges. Microbial protein is one of the alternative routes, in which land- and fossil-free production should be targeted. The photohydrogenotrophic growth of purple bacteria, which builds on the H2– and CO2-economy, is unexplored for its microbial protein potential. The three tested species (Rhodobacter capsulatus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas palustris) obtained promising growth rates (2.3–2.7 d−1 at 28°C) and protein productivities (0.09–0.12 g protein L−1 d−1), rendering them likely faster and more productive than microalgae. The achieved protein yields (2.6–2.9 g protein g−1 H2) transcended the ones of aerobic hydrogen oxidizing bacteria. Furthermore, all species provided full dietary protein matches for humans and their fatty acid content was dominated by vaccenic acid (82–86%). Given its kinetic and nutritional performance we recommend to consider Rhodobacter capsulatus as a high-potential sustainable source of microbial food.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000694862500007 Publication Date 2021-06-03
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 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178752 Serial 8243
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Li, Y.; Niklas, K.J.; Gielis, J.; Niinemets, Ü.; Schrader, J.; Wang, R.; Shi, P.
Title An elliptical blade is not a true ellipse, but a superellipse : evidence from two Michelia species Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Journal of forestry research Abbreviated Journal J Forestry Res
Volume 33 Issue 4 Pages 1341-1348
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The shape of leaf laminae exhibits considerable diversity and complexity that reflects adaptations to environmental factors such as ambient light and precipitation as well as phyletic legacy. Many leaves appear to be elliptical which may represent a ‘default’ developmental condition. However, whether their geometry truly conforms to the ellipse equation (EE), i.e., (x/a)2 + (y/b)2 = 1, remains conjectural. One alternative is described by the superellipse equation (SE), a generalized version of EE, i.e., |x/a|n +|y/b|n = 1. To test the efficacy of EE versus SE to describe leaf geometry, the leaf shapes of two Michelia species (i.e., M. cavaleriei var. platypetala, and M. maudiae), were investigated using 60 leaves from each species. Analysis shows that the majority of leaves (118 out of 120) had adjusted root-mean-square errors of < 0.05 for the nonlinear fitting of SE to leaf geometry, i.e., the mean absolute deviation from the polar point to leaf marginal points was smaller than 5% of the radius of a hypothesized circle with its area equaling leaf area. The estimates of n for the two species were ˂ 2, indicating that all sampled leaves conformed to SE and not to EE. This study confirms the existence of SE in leaves, linking this to its potential functional advantages, particularly the possible influence of leaf shape on hydraulic conductance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000695118600001 Publication Date 2021-09-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1007-662x; 1993-0607 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180967 Serial 7152
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Kerckhof, F.-M.; Sakarika, M.; Van Giel, M.; Muys, M.; Vermeir, P.; De Vrieze, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Rabaey, K.; Boon, N.
Title From biogas and hydrogen to microbial protein through co-cultivation of methane and hydrogen oxidizing bacteria Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue Pages 733753
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Increasing efforts are directed towards the development of sustainable alternative protein sources among which microbial protein (MP) is one of the most promising. Especially when waste streams are used as substrates, the case for MP could become environmentally favorable. The risks of using organic waste streams for MP production–the presence of pathogens or toxicants–can be mitigated by their anaerobic digestion and subsequent aerobic assimilation of the (filter-sterilized) biogas. Even though methane and hydrogen oxidizing bacteria (MOB and HOB) have been intensively studied for MP production, the potential benefits of their co-cultivation remain elusive. Here, we isolated a diverse group of novel HOB (that were capable of autotrophic metabolism), and co-cultured them with a defined set of MOB, which could be grown on a mixture of biogas and H2/O2. The combination of MOB and HOB, apart from the CH4 and CO2 contained in biogas, can also enable the valorization of the CO2 that results from the oxidation of methane by the MOB. Different MOB and HOB combinations were grown in serum vials to identify the best-performing ones. We observed synergistic effects on growth for several combinations, and in all combinations a co-culture consisting out of both HOB and MOB could be maintained during five days of cultivation. Relative to the axenic growth, five out of the ten co-cultures exhibited 1.1–3.8 times higher protein concentration and two combinations presented 2.4–6.1 times higher essential amino acid content. The MP produced in this study generally contained lower amounts of the essential amino acids histidine, lysine and threonine, compared to tofu and fishmeal. The most promising combination in terms of protein concentration and essential amino acid profile was Methyloparacoccus murrelli LMG 27482 with Cupriavidus necator LMG 1201. Microbial protein from M. murrelli and C. necator requires 27–67% less quantity than chicken, whole egg and tofu, while it only requires 15% more quantity than the amino acid-dense soybean to cover the needs of an average adult. In conclusion, while limitations still exist, the co-cultivation of MOB and HOB creates an alternative route for MP production leveraging safe and sustainably-produced gaseous substrates.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000697897900001 Publication Date 2021-09-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2296-4185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180591 Serial 7985
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Van Winckel, T.; Cools, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Joos, P.; Van Meenen, E.; Borregán-Ochando, E.; Van Den Steen, K.; Geerts, R.; Vandermoere, F.; Blust, R.
Title Towards harmonization of water quality management : a comparison of chemical drinking water and surface water quality standards around the globe Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Journal Of Environmental Management Abbreviated Journal J Environ Manage
Volume 298 Issue Pages 113447-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
Abstract Water quality standards (WQS) set the legal definition for safe and desirable water. WQS impose regulatory concentration limits to act as a jurisdiction-specific legislative risk-management tool. Despite its importance in shaping a universal definition of safe, clean water, little information exists with respect to (dis)similarity of chemical WQS worldwide. Therefore, this paper compares chemical WQS for drinking and surface water matrices in eight jurisdictions representing a global geographic distribution: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, the region of Flanders in Belgium, the United States of America, and South Africa. The World Health Organization's list is used as a reference for drinking water standards. Sørensen–Dice indices (SDI) showed little qualitative similarity in the compounds that are regulated in drinking water (median SDI = 40%) and surface water (median SDI = 33%), indicating that the heterogeneity within a matrix is substantial at the level of the standard. Quantitative similarity for matching standards was higher than the qualitative per Kendall correlation (median = 0.73 and 0.58 for drinking water and surface water respectively), yet variance observed within standards remained inexplicably high for organic compounds. Variations in WQS were more pronounced for organic compounds. Most differences cannot be easily explained from a toxicological or risk-based point-of-view. Historical development, ease of measurement, and (toxicological) knowledge gaps on the risk of a vast number of organic compounds are theorized to be the drivers. Therefore, this study argues for a more tailored, risk-based approach in which standards incorporated into water safety plans are dynamically set for compounds that are persistent and could pose a risk for human health and/or aquatic ecosystems. Global variations in WQS should therefore not necessarily be avoided but rather globally harmonized with enough flexibility to ensure a global, up-to-date definition of safe and desirable water everywhere.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000700577400005 Publication Date 2021-08-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0301-4797 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.01 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.01
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180765 Serial 8681
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Van Tendeloo, M.; Xie, Y.; Van Beeck, W.; Zhu, W.; Lebeer, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Oxygen control and stressor treatments for complete and long-term suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in biofilm-based partial nitritation/anammox Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 342 Issue Pages 125996
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Mainstream nitrogen removal by partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) can realize energy and cost savings for sewage treatment. Selective suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) remains a key bottleneck for PN/A implementation. A rotating biological contactor was studied with an overhead cover and controlled air/N2 inflow to regulate oxygen availability at 20 °C. Biofilm exposure to dissolved oxygen concentrations < 0.51 ± 0.04 mg O2 L-1 when submerged in the water and < 1.41 ± 0.31 mg O2 L-1 when emerged in the headspace (estimated), resulted in complete and long-term NOB suppression with a low relative nitrate production ratio of 10 ± 4%. Additionally, weekly biofilm stressor treatments with free ammonia (FA) (29 ± 1 mg NH3-N L-1 for 3 h) could improve the NOB suppression while free nitrous acid treatments had insufficient effect. This study demonstrated the potential of managing NOB suppression in biofilm-based systems by oxygen control and recurrent FA exposure, opening opportunities for resource efficient nitrogen removal.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000704455300005 Publication Date 2021-09-21
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 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181301 Serial 8355
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Gonzalez-Quiroga, A.; Shtern, V.; Perreault, P.; Vandewalle, L.; Marin, G.B.; Van Geem, K.M.
Title Intensifying mass and heat transfer using a high-g stator-rotor vortex chamber Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Chemical Engineering And Processing Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng Process
Volume 169 Issue Pages 108638-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Vortex reactors take advantage of the synergy between enhanced heat and mass transfer rates and multifunctional phenomena at different temporal and spatial scales. Proof-of-concept experiments with our novel and innovative STAtor-Rotor VOrtex Chamber (STARVOC) confirm its advantageous features for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. STARVOC is a high-g contactor that uses carrier flow (gas or liquid) tangential injection to drive a rotor attached to low-friction bearings. The vortex chamber inside the rotor contains a secondary phase or phases, such as a solids bed, a liquid layer, or a suspension. Carrier fluid passes through the perforated rotor wall and contacts a densely and uniformly distributed secondary phase with enhanced slip velocities. Experiments focused on pressure profiles, rotor angular velocity, and solids azimuthal velocity. With air as the carrier fluid and different solid particle beds as the secondary phase, STARVOC reached bed azimuthal velocities up to four-fold compared to those reached in Gas-Solid Vortex Units with fully static geometry. These results show its potential to improve interfacial heat and mass transfer rates and take advantage of flow energy and angular momentum. Due to its process intensification capabilities, STARVOC is a promising alternative for the state-of-the-art chemical industry.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000704946900008 Publication Date 2021-09-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0255-2701 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.234 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.234
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181062 Serial 8111
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Xie, Y.; Spiller, M.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title A bioreactor and nutrient balancing approach for the conversion of solid organic fertilizers to liquid nitrate-rich fertilizers : mineralization and nitrification performance complemented with economic aspects Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication The science of the total environment Abbreviated Journal Sci Total Environ
Volume 806 Issue Pages 150415
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Due to the high water- and nutrient-use efficiency, hydroponic cultivation is increasingly vital in progressing to environment-friendly food production. To further alleviate the environmental impacts of synthetic fertilizer production, the use of recovered nutrients should be encouraged in horticulture and agriculture at large. Solid organic fertilizers can largely contribute to this, yet their physical and chemical nature impedes application in hydroponics. This study proposes a bioreactor for mineralization and nitrification followed by a supplementation step for limiting macronutrients to produce nitrate-based solutions from solid fertilizers, here based on a novel microbial fertilizer. Batch tests showed that aerobic conversions at 35 °C could realize a nitrate (NO₃−-N) production efficiency above 90% and a maximum rate of 59 mg N L−1 d−1. In the subsequent bioreactor test, nitrate production efficiencies were lower (44–51%), yet rates were higher (175–212 mg N L−1 d−1). Calcium and magnesium hydroxide were compared to control the bioreactor pH at 6.0 ± 0.2, while also providing macronutrients for plant production. A mass balance estimation to mimic the Hoagland nutrient solution showed that 92.7% of the NO₃−-N in the Ca(OH)₂ scenario could be organically sourced, while this was only 37.4% in the Mg(OH)₂ scenario. Besides, carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated in the bioreactor can be used for greenhouse carbon fertilization to save operational expenditure (OPEX). An estimation of the total OPEX showed that the production of a nutrient solution from solid organic fertilizers can be cost competitive compared to using commercially available liquid inorganic fertilizer solutions.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000707640400021 Publication Date 2021-09-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.8
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181787 Serial 7132
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Yildiz, A.; Chouki, T.; Atli, A.; Harb, M.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Ninakanti, R.; Emin, S.
Title Efficient iron phosphide catalyst as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication ACS applied energy materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 10 Pages 10618-10626
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Developing an efficient material as a counter electrode (CE) with excellent catalytic activity, intrinsic stability, and low cost is essential for the commercial application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Transition metal phosphides have been demonstrated as outstanding multifunctional catalysts in a broad range of energy conversion technologies. Here, we exploited different phases of iron phosphide as CEs in DSSCs with an I–/I3–-based electrolyte. Solvothermal synthesis using a triphenylphosphine precursor as a phosphorus source allows to grow a Fe2P phase at 300 °C and a FeP phase at 350 °C. The obtained iron phosphide catalysts were coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates and heat-treated at 450 °C under an inert gas atmosphere. The solar-to-current conversion efficiency of the solar cells assembled with the Fe2P material reached 3.96 ± 0.06%, which is comparable to the device assembled with a platinum (Pt) CE. DFT calculations support the experimental observations and explain the fundamental origin behind the improved performance of Fe2P compared to FeP. These results indicate that the Fe2P catalyst exhibits excellent performance along with desired stability to be deployed as an efficient Pt-free alternative in DSSCs.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000711236300022 Publication Date 2021-10-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0962 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181953 Serial 7853
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Dingenen, F.; Blommaerts, N.; Van Hal, M.; Borah, R.; Arenas-Esteban, D.; Lenaerts, S.; Bals, S.; Verbruggen, S.W.
Title Layer-by-Layer-Stabilized Plasmonic Gold-Silver Nanoparticles on TiO2: Towards Stable Solar Active Photocatalysts Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Nanomaterials Abbreviated Journal Nanomaterials-Basel
Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages 2624
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract To broaden the activity window of TiO2, a broadband plasmonic photocatalyst has been designed and optimized. This plasmonic ‘rainbow’ photocatalyst consists of TiO2 modified with gold–silver composite nanoparticles of various sizes and compositions, thus inducing a broadband interaction with polychromatic solar light. However, these nanoparticles are inherently unstable, especially due to the use of silver. Hence, in this study the application of the layer-by-layer technique is introduced to create a protective polymer shell around the metal cores with a very high degree of control. Various TiO2 species (pure anatase, PC500, and P25) were loaded with different plasmonic metal loadings (0–2 wt %) in order to identify the most solar active composite materials. The prepared plasmonic photocatalysts were tested towards stearic acid degradation under simulated sunlight. From all materials tested, P25 + 2 wt % of plasmonic ‘rainbow’ nanoparticles proved to be the most promising (56% more efficient compared to pristine P25) and was also identified as the most cost-effective. Further, 2 wt % of layer-by-layer-stabilized ‘rainbow’ nanoparticles were loaded on P25. These layer-by-layer-stabilized metals showed superior stability under a heated oxidative atmosphere, as well as in a salt solution. Finally, the activity of the composite was almost completely retained after 1 month of aging, while the nonstabilized equivalent lost 34% of its initial activity. This work shows for the first time the synergetic application of a plasmonic ‘rainbow’ concept and the layer-by-layer stabilization technique, resulting in a promising solar active, and long-term stable photocatalyst.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000712759800001 Publication Date 2021-10-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2079-4991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.553 Times cited 7 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Research was funded by Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), FN 700300001— Aspirant F. Dingenen. Approved Most recent IF: 3.553
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:183281 Serial 6812
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Author Van Tendeloo, M.; Bundervoet, B.; Carlier, N.; Van Beeck, W.; Mollen, H.; Lebeer, S.; Colsen, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Piloting carbon-lean nitrogen removal for energy-autonomous sewage treatment Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Environmental Science-Water Research & Technology Abbreviated Journal Environ Sci-Wat Res
Volume 7 Issue 12 Pages 2268-2281
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Energy-autonomous sewage treatment can be achieved if nitrogen (N) removal does not rely on organic carbon (∼chemical oxygen demand, COD), so that a maximum of the COD can be redirected to energy recovery. Shortcut N removal technologies such as partial nitritation/anammox and nitritation/denitritation are therefore essential, enabling carbon- and energy-lean nitrogen removal. In this study, a novel three-reactor pilot design was tested and consisted of a denitrification, an intermittent aeration, and an anammox tank. A vibrating sieve was added for differential sludge retention time (SRT) control. The 13 m3 pilot was operated on pre-treated sewage (A-stage effluent) at 12–24 °C. Selective suppression of unwanted nitrite-oxidizing bacteria over aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria was achieved with strict floccular SRT management combined with innovative aeration control, resulting in a minimal nitrate production ratio of 17 ± 10%. Additionally, anoxic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) activity could be maintained in the reactor for at least 150 days because of long granular SRT management and the anammox tank. Consequently, the COD/N removal ratio of 2.3 ± 0.7 demonstrated shortcut N removal almost three times lower than the currently applied nitrification/denitrification technology. The effluent total N concentrations of 17 ± 3 mg TN per L (at 21 ± 1 °C) and 17 ± 6 mg TN per L (at 15 ± 1 °C) were however too high for application at the sewage treatment plant Nieuwveer (Breda, The Netherlands). Corresponding N removal efficiencies were 52 ± 12% and 37 ± 21%, respectively. Further development should focus on redirecting more nitrite to AnAOB in the B-stage, exploring effluent-polishing options, or cycling nitrate for increased A-stage denitrification.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000714159900001 Publication Date 2021-10-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2053-1400 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.817 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.817
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:183347 Serial 8383
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Maes, R.R.; Potters, G.; Fransen, E.; Cayetano, F.C.; Van Schaeren, R.; Lenaerts, S.
Title Finding the optimal fatty acid composition for biodiesel improving the emissions of a one-cylinder diesel generator Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 13 Issue 21 Pages 12089
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) currently are the main pollutants emitted by diesel engines. While there is a start in using hybrid and electric cars, ships will still be fueled by mineral oil products. In the quest to achieve zero-pollution and carbon-free shipping, alternative forms of energy carriers must be found to replace the commonly used mineral oil products. One of the possible alternative fuels is biodiesel. This paper explores the optimization of the composition of biodiesel in order to reduce the concentration of particulate matter and NOx in exhaust gases of a one-cylinder diesel generator.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000719122800001 Publication Date 2021-11-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2071-1050 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.789
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184041 Serial 7969
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Bollen, E.; Pagan, B.R.; Kuijpers, B.; Van Hoey, S.; Desmet, N.; Hendrix, R.; Dams, J.; Seuntjens, P.
Title A database system for querying of river networks : facilitating monitoring and prediction applications Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Water Science And Technology-Water Supply Abbreviated Journal Water Sci Tech-W Sup
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The increasing availability of real-time in situ measurements and remote sensing observations have the potential to contribute to the optimization of water resources management. Global challenges such as climate change, intensive agriculture and urbanization put a high pressure on our water resources. Due to recent innovations in measuring both water quantity and quality, river systems can now be monitored in real time at an unprecedented spatial and temporal scale. To interpret the sensor measurements and remote sensing observations additional data for example on: the location of the measurement, upstream and downstream catchment characteristics, horizontal ellipsis are required. In this paper, we present a data management system to support flow-path related functionality for decision making and prediction modelling. Adding meta data sets and facilitating (near) real-time processing of sensor data questions are key concepts for the systems. The potential of the database framework for hydrological applications is demonstrated using different applications for the river system of Flanders. In one, the database framework is used to simulate the daily discharge for each segment within a catchment using a simple data-driven approach. The presented system is useful for numerous applications including pollution tracking, alerting and inter-sensor validation in river systems, or related networks.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000729755100001 Publication Date 2021-12-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1606-9749 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 0.573 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 0.573
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184814 Serial 7387
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Xie, Y.; Timmer, M.J.; Peng, L.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Storage without nitrite or nitrate enables the long-term preservation of full-scale partial nitritation/anammox sludge Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication The science of the total environment Abbreviated Journal Sci Total Environ
Volume 806 Issue 3 Pages 151330
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Bioaugmentation with summer harvested sludge during winter could compensate for bacterial activity loss but requires that sludge activity can be restored after storage. This study assesses the effect of temperature and redox adjustment during the storage over 180 days of partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) granular resp. floccular sludge from potato processing resp. sludge reject water treatment. Anoxic storage conditions (in the presence of nitrite or nitrate and the absence of oxygen) resulted in a loss of 80-100% of the anammox bacteria (AnAOB) activity capacity at 20 degrees C and 4 degrees C, while anaerobic conditions (without oxygen, nitrite, and nitrate) lost only 45-63%. Storage at 20 degrees C was more cost-effective compared to 4 degrees C, and this was confirmed in the sludge reactivation experiment (20 CC). Furthermore, AnAOB activity correlated negatively with the electrical conductivity level (R-2 > 0.85, p < 0.05), so strong salinity increases should be avoided. No significant differences were found in the activity capacity of aerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AerAOB) under different storage conditions (p > 0.1). The relative abundance of dominant AnAOB (Candidatus Brocadia) and AerAOB genera (Nitrosomonas) remained constant in both sludges. In conclusion, preserving PN/A biomass without cooling and nitrite or nitrate addition proved to be a cost-effective strategy. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000740216300013 Publication Date 2021-10-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.8
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185447 Serial 7213
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Li, Y.; Quinn, B.K.; Gielis, J.; Li, Y.; Shi, P.
Title Evidence that supertriangles exist in nature from the vertical projections of Koelreuteria paniculata fruit Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Symmetry Abbreviated Journal Symmetry-Basel
Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 23
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Many natural radial symmetrical shapes (e.g., sea stars) follow the Gielis equation (GE) or its twin equation (TGE). A supertriangle (three triangles arranged around a central polygon) represents such a shape, but no study has tested whether natural shapes can be represented as/are supertriangles or whether the GE or TGE can describe their shape. We collected 100 pieces of Koelreuteria paniculata fruit, which have a supertriangular shape, extracted the boundary coordinates for their vertical projections, and then fitted them with the GE and TGE. The adjusted root mean square errors (RMSEadj) of the two equations were always less than 0.08, and >70% were less than 0.05. For 57/100 fruit projections, the GE had a lower RMSEadj than the TGE, although overall differences in the goodness of fit were non-significant. However, the TGE produces more symmetrical shapes than the GE as the two parameters controlling the extent of symmetry in it are approximately equal. This work demonstrates that natural supertriangles exist, validates the use of the GE and TGE to model their shapes, and suggests that different complex radially symmetrical shapes can be generated by the same equation, implying that different types of biological symmetry may result from the same biophysical mechanisms.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000746030100001 Publication Date 2021-12-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2073-8994 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:186453 Serial 7158
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Borah, R.; Verbruggen, S.W.
Title Effect of size distribution, skewness and roughness on the optical properties of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Colloids and surfaces: A: physicochemical and engineering aspects Abbreviated Journal Colloid Surface A
Volume 640 Issue Pages 128521
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract It is a generally accepted idea that the particle size distribution strongly affects the optical spectra of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles. It is often quoted as one of the main reasons while explaining the mismatch between the theoretical and experimental optical spectra of such nanoparticles. In this work, these aspects are critically analyzed by means of a bottom up statistical approach that considers variables such as mean, standard deviation and skewness of the nanoparticle size distribution independently from one another. By assuming normal and log-normal distributions of the particle size, the effect of the statistical parameters on the Mie analytical optical spectra of colloidal nanoparticles was studied. The effect of morphology was also studied numerically in order to understand to what extent it can play a role. It is our finding that the particle polydispersity, skewness and surface morphology in fact only weakly impact the optical spectra. While, the selection of suitable optical constants with regard to the crystallinity of the nanoparticles is a far more influential factor for correctly predicting both the plasmon band position and the plasmon bandwidth in theoretical simulations of the optical spectra. It is shown that the mean particle size can be correctly estimated directly from the plasmon band position, as it is the mean that determines the resonance wavelength. The standard deviation can on the other hand be estimated from the intensity distribution data obtained from dynamic light scattering experiments. The results reported herein clear the ambiguity around particle size distribution and optical response of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elservier Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000765946900002 Publication Date 2022-02-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0927-7757 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.2
Call Number DuEL @ duel @c:irua:185704 Serial 6908
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Peng, L.; Lou, W.; Xu, Y.; Yu, S.; Liang, C.; Alloul, A.; Song, K.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Regulating light, oxygen and volatile fatty acids to boost the productivity of purple bacteria biomass, protein and co-enzyme Q10 Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication The science of the total environment Abbreviated Journal Sci Total Environ
Volume 822 Issue Pages 153489
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Purple non‑sulfur bacteria (PNSB) possess significant potential for bioresource recovery from wastewater. Effective operational tools are needed to boost productivity and direct the PNSB biomass towards abundant value-added substances (e.g., protein and co-enzyme Q10, CoQ10). This study aimed to investigate the impact of light, oxygen and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) on PNSB growth (i.e., Rhodobacter sphaeroides) and productivity of protein and CoQ10. Overall, the biomass yields and specific growth rates of PNSB were in the ranges of 0.57–1.08 g biomass g−1 CODremoved and 0.48–0.71 d−1, respectively. VFAs did not influence the biomass yield, yet acetate and VFA mixtures enhanced the specific growth rate with a factor of 1.2–1.5 compared to propionate and butyrate. The most PNSB biomass (1.08 g biomass g−1 CODremoved and 0.71 d−1) and the highest biomass quality (protein content of 609 mg g−1 dry cell weight (DCW) and CoQ10 content of 13.21 mg g−1 DCW) were obtained in the presence of VFA mixtures under natural light and microaerobic (low light alternated with darkness; dissolved oxygen (DO) between 0.5 and 1 mg L−1) conditions (vs. light anaerobic and dark aerobic cultivations). Further investigation on VFAs dynamics revealed that acetate was most rapidly consumed by PNSB in the individual VFA feeding (specific uptake rate of 0.76 g COD g−1 DCW d−1), while acetate as a co-substrate in the mixed VFAs feeding might accelerate the consumption of propionate and butyrate through providing additional cell metabolism precursor. Enzymes activities of succinate dehydrogenase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase as well as the concentration of photo pigments confirmed that light, oxygen and VFAs regulated the key enzymes in the energy metabolism and biomass synthesis to boost PNSB growth. These results provide a promising prospect for utilization of fermented waste stream for the harvest of PNSB biomass, protein and CoQ10.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000766801800010 Publication Date 2022-02-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.8
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185706 Serial 7202
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Gielis, J.; Ricci, P.E.; Tavkhelidze, I.
Title The Möbius phenomenon in Generalized Möbius-Listing surfaces and bodies, and Arnold's Cat phenomenon Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Advanced Studies : Euro-Tbilisi Mathematical Journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 14 Issue 4 Pages 17-35
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Möbius bands have been studied extensively, mainly in topology. Generalized Möbius-Listing surfaces and bodies providing a full geometrical generalization, is a quite new field, motivated originally by solutions of boundary value problems. Analogous to cutting of the original Möbius band, for this class of surfaces and bodies, results have been obtained when cutting such bodies or surfaces. In general, cutting leads to interlinked and intertwined different surfaces or bodies, resulting in very complex systems. However, under certain conditions, the result of cutting can be a single surface or body, which reduces complexity considerably. Our research is motivated by this reduction of complexity. In the study of cutting Generalized Möbius-Listing bodies with polygons as cross section, the conditions under which a single body results, displaying the Möbius phenomenon of a one-sided body, have been determined for even and odd polygons. These conditions are based on congruence and rotational symmetry of the resulting cross sections after cutting, and on the knife cutting the origin. The Möbius phenomenon is important, since the process of cutting (or separation of zones in a GML body in general) then results in a single body, not in different, intertwined domains. In all previous works it was assumed that the cross section of the GML bodies is constant, but the main result of this paper is that it is sufficient that only one cross section on the whole GML structure meets the conditions for the Möbius phenomenon to occur. Several examples are given to illustrate this.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000774655100002 Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:183081 Serial 8258
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Wambacq, E.; Alloul, A.; Grunert, O.; Carrette, J.; Vermeir, P.; Spanoghe, J.; Sakarika, M.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Haesaert, G.
Title Aerobes and phototrophs as microbial organic fertilizers : exploring mineralization, fertilization and plant protection features Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication PLoS ONE Abbreviated Journal Plos One
Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages e0262497-15
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Organic fertilizers and especially microbial biomass, also known as microbial fertilizer, can enable a paradigm shift to the conventional fertilizer-to-food chain, particularly when produced on secondary resources. Microbial fertilizers are already common practice (e.g. Bloom® and Synagro); yet microbial fertilizer blends to align the nutrient release profile to the plant’s needs are, thus far, unexplored. Moreover, most research only focuses on direct fertilization effects without considering added value properties, such as disease prevention. This study has explored three promising types of microbial fertilizers, namely dried biomass from a consortium of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, a microalga (Arthrospira platensis) and a purple non-sulfur bacterium (Rhodobacter sphaeroides). Mineralization and nitrification experiments showed that the nitrogen mineralization profile can be tuned to the plant’s needs by blending microbial fertilizers, without having toxic ammonium peaks. In a pot trial with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), the performance of microbial fertilizers was similar to the reference organic fertilizer, with cumulative dry matter yields of 5.6–6.7 g per pot. This was confirmed in a pot trial with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), showing an average total plant length of 90–99 cm after a growing period of 62 days for the reference organic fertilizer and the microbial fertilizers. Moreover, tomato plants artificially infected with powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici), a devastating disease for the horticultural industry, showed reduced disease symptoms when A. platensis was present in the growing medium. These findings strengthen the application potential of this novel class of organic fertilizers in the bioeconomy, with a promising match between nutrient mineralization and plant requirements as well as added value in crop protection.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000775890100025 Publication Date 2022-02-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-6203 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185568 Serial 7122
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Alloul, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Towards mainstream partial nitritation/anammox in four seasons : feasibility of bioaugmentation with stored summer sludge for winter anammox assistance Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 347 Issue Pages 126619-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The strong effect of low temperatures on anammox challenges its mainstream application over the winter in temperate climates. Winter bioaugmentation with stored summer surplus sludge is a potential solution to guarantee sufficient nitrogen removal in winter. Firstly, the systems for which nitrogen removal deteriorated by the temperature decrease (25 °C → 20 °C) could be fully restored bioaugmenting with granules resp. flocs stored for 6 months at 118 resp. 220% of the initial biomass levels. Secondly, the reactivation of these stored sludges was tested in lower temperature systems (15.3 ± 0.4/10.4 ± 0.4 °C). Compared to the activity before storage, between 56% and 41% of the activity of granules was restored within one month, and 41%–32% for flocs. Additionally, 85–87% of granules and 50–53% of flocs were retained in the systems. After reactivation (15.3 ± 0.4/10.4 ± 0.4 °C), a more specialized community was formed (diversity decreased) with Candidatus Brocadia still dominant in terms of relative abundance. Capital and operating expenditures (CAPEX, OPEX) were negligible, representing only 0.19–0.36% of sewage treatment costs.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000781730900001 Publication Date 2021-12-25
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 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185210 Serial 7220
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Quintero-Coronel, D.A.; Lenis-Rodas, Y.A.; Corredor, L.; Perreault, P.; Bula, A.; Gonzalez-Quiroga, A.
Title Co-gasification of biomass and coal in a top-lit updraft fixed bed gasifier : syngas composition and its interchangeability with natural gas for combustion applications Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Fuel Abbreviated Journal Fuel
Volume 316 Issue Pages 123394-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The co-gasification of biomass and coal is a promising approach for efficiently integrating the unique advantages of different gasification feedstock with syngas production. Additionally, syngas from the co-gasification of locally available biomass and coal could supplement the natural gas used in household and industrial burners. The top-lit updraft gasifier features a moving ignition front that starts at the top and propagates downward through the solids bed, while air enters from the bottom and the gas product flows upwards. This study assesses the co-gasification performance of palm kernel shell and high-volatile bituminous coal in a top-lit updraft fixed bed gasifier using 70, 85, and 100 vol% biomass and equivalence ratios ranging from 0.26 to 0.34. The results indicate that the ignition front propagates faster and is more uniform as the biomass volume increases. Micro GC analysis revealed that the H2/CO ratio remained in the range of 0.57–0.59, 0.49–0.51, and 0.42–0.46 for experiments with 70, 85, and 100 vol% biomass, respectively. A gas interchangeability analysis showed that syngas-natural gas blends with up to 15 vol% of syngas could combust in atmospheric natural gas burners without modifications. Thus, the top-lit updraft gasifier shows excellent potential for the co-gasification of coal and biomass. Further research on this technology should explore steam as a gasification agent to enhance the syngas energy content and continuous solids feeding.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000783173000003 Publication Date 2022-01-29
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 7.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187752 Serial 7136
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Neven, L.; Barich, H.; Ching, H.Y.V.; Khan, S.U.; Colomier, C.; Patel, H.H.; Gorun, S.M.; Verbruggen, S.; Van Doorslaer, S.; De Wael, K.
Title Correlation between the fluorination degree of perfluorinated zinc phthalocyanines, their singlet oxygen generation ability, and their photoelectrochemical response for phenol sensing Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 94 Issue 13 Pages 5221-5230
Keywords A1 Journal article; Organic synthesis (ORSY); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Electron-withdrawing perfluoroalkyl peripheral groups grafted on phthalocyanine (Pc) macrocycles improve their single-site isolation, solubility, and resistance to self-oxidation, all beneficial features for catalytic applications. A high degree of fluorination also enhances the reducibility of Pcs and could alter their singlet oxygen (1O2) photoproduction. The ethanol/toluene 20:80 vol % solvent mixture was found to dissolve perfluorinated FnPcZn complexes, n = 16, 52, and 64, and minimize the aggregation of the sterically unencumbered F16PcZn. The 1O2 production ability of FnPcZn complexes was examined using 9,10-dimethylanthracene (DMA) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TEMP) in combination with UV–vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, respectively. While the photoreduction of F52PcZn and F64PcZn in the presence of redox-active TEMP lowered 1O2 production, DMA was a suitable 1O2 trap for ranking the complexes. The solution reactivity was complemented by solid-state studies via the construction of photoelectrochemical sensors based on TiO2-supported FnPcZn, FnPcZn|TiO2. Phenol photo-oxidation by 1O2, followed by its electrochemical reduction, defines a redox cycle, the 1O2 production having been found to depend on the value of n and structural features of the supported complexes. Consistent with solution studies, F52PcZn was found to be the most efficient 1O2 generator. The insights on reactivity testing and structural–activity relationships obtained may be useful for designing efficient and robust sensors and for other 1O2-related applications of FnPcZn.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000786254500002 Publication Date 2022-03-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187522 Serial 7141
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Van Putte, N.; Meire, P.; Seuntjens, P.; Joris, I.; Verreydt, G.; Hambsch, L.; Temmerman, S.
Title Solving hindered groundwater dynamics in restored tidal marshes by creek excavation and soil amendments : a model study Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Ecological engineering: the journal of ecotechnology Abbreviated Journal Ecol Eng
Volume 178 Issue Pages 106583-15
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Ecosphere
Abstract Groundwater fluxes in tidal marshes largely control key ecosystem functions and services, such as vegetation growth, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. In tidal marshes restored on formerly embanked agricultural land, groundwater fluxes are often limited as compared to nearby natural marshes, as a result of historical agricultural soil compaction. To improve the functioning of restored tidal marshes, knowledge is needed on how much certain design options can optimize soil-groundwater interactions in future restoration projects. Based on measured data on soil properties and tidally induced groundwater dynamics, we calibrated and evaluated a 2D vertical model of a creek-marsh cross-section, accounting for both saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow and solute transport in a variably saturated groundwater flow model. We found that model simulations of common restoration practices such as soil amendments (increasing the depth of porous soil on top of the compact layer) and creek excavation (increasing the creek density) increase the soil aeration depth and time, the drainage depth and the solute flux, and decrease the residence time of solutes in the porewater. Our simulations indicate that increasing the depth to the compact layer from 20 cm to 40 cm, or increasing the creek density from 1 creek to 2 creeks along a 50 m marsh transect (while maintaining the total creek cross-sectional area), in both cases more than doubles the volume of water processed by the marsh soil. We discuss that this may stimulate nutrient cycling. As such, our study demonstrates that groundwater modelling can support the design of marsh restoration measures aiming to optimize groundwater fluxes and related ecosystem services.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000795478200005 Publication Date 2022-03-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0925-8574 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.8
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:186605 Serial 7210
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Kummamuru, N.B.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Lenaerts, S.; Perreault, P.
Title Experimental investigation of methane hydrate formation in the presence of metallic packing Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Fuel Abbreviated Journal Fuel
Volume 323 Issue Pages 124269-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Clathrate hydrates gained significant attention as a viable option for large-scale storage of natural gas, primarily methane (CH4). Unlike employing the nanoconfinement for enhancing the nucleation sites and hydrate growth as in the porous materials, whose synthesis is often associated with high costs and poor batch reproducibility, a new approach for promoting CH4 hydrates using pure water (H2O) in an unstirred reactor packed with stainless steel beads (SSB) was proposed in this fundamental work, where the interstitial space between the beads was exploited for enhanced hydrate growth. SSB of two diameters, 5 mm and 2 mm, were used as. a packed bed to investigate their effects on CH4 hydrate formation at 273.65 K, 275.65 K, and 277.65 K with an initial pressure of 6 MPa. The thermal conductivity of SSB packing potentially aided hydrate growth by expelling the hydration heat, while, the results also revealed that driving force has a substantial impact on the rate of CH4 hydrate formation and gas uptake. The experiments conducted in both 5 mm and 2 mm SSB packed bed reactors showed a maximum gas uptake of 0.147 mol CH4/mol H2O at 273.65 K with water to hydrate conversion of 84.42% with no significant variation. The results established the promotion effect on the kinetics of CH4 hydrate formation in the unstirred reactor packed with 2 mm SSB due to the availability of more interstitial space offering multiple nucleation sites for CH4 hydrate by providing a larger specific surface area for H2O-CH4 reaction. Experiments with varying H2O content were also performed and the results showed that the water to hydrate conversion and rate of hydrate formation could be enhanced at a lower H2O content in a packed bed reactor. This study demonstrates that the use of costly or intricate porous materials can be made redundant, by exploiting the interstitial voids in packing of cheap and widely available SSB as a promising alternative material for enhancing the kinetics of artificial CH4 hydrate synthesis.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000799165400007 Publication Date 2022-04-27
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 7.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187830 Serial 7159
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Blansaer, N.; Alloul, A.; Verstraete, W.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Smets, B.F.
Title Aggregation of purple bacteria in an upflow photobioreactor to facilitate solid/liquid separation : impact of organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time and water composition Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol
Volume 348 Issue Pages 126806-126809
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) form an interesting group of microbes for resource recovery from wastewater. Solid/liquid separation is key for biomass and value-added products recovery, yet insights into PNSB aggregation are thus far limited. This study explored the effects of organic loading rate (OLR), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and water composition on the aggregation of Rhodobacter capsulatus in an anaerobic upflow photobioreactor. Between 2.0 and 14.6 gCOD/(L.d), the optimal OLR for aggregation was 6.1 gCOD/(L.d), resulting in a sedimentation flux of 5.9 kgTSS/(m2.h). With HRT tested between 0.04 and 1.00 d, disaggregation occurred at the relatively long HRT (1 d), possibly due to accumulation of thus far unidentified heat-labile metabolites. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen ratios (6–35 gCOD/gN) and the nitrogen source (ammonium vs. glutamate) also impacted aggregation, highlighting the importance of the type of wastewater and its pre-treatment. These novel insights to improve purple biomass separation pave the way for cost-efficient PNSB applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000800442200008 Publication Date 2022-02-04
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 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185843 Serial 7123
Permanent link to this record
 
 
Author Broos, W.; Wittner, N.; Geerts, J.; Dries, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Gunde-Cimerman, N.; Richel, A.; Cornet, I.
Title Evaluation of lignocellulosic wastewater valorization with the oleaginous yeasts R. kratochvilovae EXF7516 and C. oleaginosum ATCC 20509 Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Fermentation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue 5 Pages 204-221
Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE)
Abstract During the conversion of lignocellulose, phenolic wastewaters are generated. Therefore, researchers have investigated wastewater valorization processes in which these pollutants are converted to chemicals, i.e., lipids. However, wastewaters are lean feedstocks, so these valorization processes in research typically require the addition of large quantities of sugars and sterilization, which increase costs. This paper investigates a repeated batch fermentation strategy with Rhodotorula kratochvilovae EXF7516 and Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosum ATCC 20509, without these requirements. The pollutant removal and its conversion to microbial oil were evaluated. Because of the presence of non-monomeric substrates, the ligninolytic enzyme activity was also investigated. The repeated batch fermentation strategy was successful, as more lipids accumulated every cycle, up to a total of 5.4 g/L (23% cell dry weight). In addition, the yeasts consumed up to 87% of monomeric substrates, i.e., sugars, aromatics, and organics acids, and up to 23% of non-monomeric substrates, i.e., partially degraded xylan, lignin, cellulose. Interestingly, lipid production was only observed during the harvest phase of each cycle, as the cells experienced stress, possibly due to oxygen limitation. This work presents the first results on the feasibility of valorizing non-sterilized lignocellulosic wastewater with R. kratochvilovae and C. oleaginosum using a cost-effective repeated batch strategy.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000801796000001 Publication Date 2022-05-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2311-5637 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187883 Serial 7157
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Author Shi, P.; Gielis, J.; Niklas, K.J.
Title Comparison of a universal (but complex) model for avian egg shape with a simpler model Type Editorial
Year 2022 Publication Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Abbreviated Journal Ann Ny Acad Sci
Volume 1514 Issue 1 Pages 34-42
Keywords Editorial; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Recently, a universal equation by Narushin, Romanov, and Griffin (hereafter, the NRGE) was proposed to describe the shape of avian eggs. While NRGE can simulate the shape of spherical, ellipsoidal, ovoidal, and pyriform eggs, its predictions were not tested against actual data. Here, we tested the validity of the NRGE by fitting actual data of egg shapes and compared this with the predictions of our simpler model for egg shape (hereafter, the SGE). The eggs of nine bird species were sampled for this purpose. NRGE was found to fit the empirical data of egg shape well, but it did not define the egg length axis (i.e., the rotational symmetric axis), which significantly affected the prediction accuracy. The egg length axis under the NRGE is defined as the maximum distance between two points on the scanned perimeter of the egg's shape. In contrast, the SGE fitted the empirical data better, and had a smaller root-mean-square error than the NRGE for each of the nine eggs. Based on its mathematical simplicity and goodness-of-fit, the SGE appears to be a reliable and useful model for describing egg shape.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000803394100001 Publication Date 2022-06-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0077-8923; 1749-6632 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.2
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188470 Serial 7139
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Author Spiller, M.; Moretti, M.; De Paepe, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Environmental and economic sustainability of the nitrogen recovery paradigm : evidence from a structured literature review Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Resources, conservation and recycling Abbreviated Journal Resour Conserv Recy
Volume 184 Issue Pages 106406-106413
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Our economy drives on reactive nitrogen (Nr); while Nr emissions to the environment surpass the planetary boundary. Increasingly, it is advocated to recover Nr contained in waste streams and to reuse it ‘directly’ in the agri-food chain. Alternatively, Nr in waste streams may be removed as N2 and refixed via the Haber-Bosch process in an ‘indirect’ reuse loop. As a systematic sustainability analysis of ‘direct’ Nr reuse and its comparison to the ‘indirect’ reuse loop is lacking, this structured review aimed to analyze literature determining the environmental and economic sustainability of Nr recovery technologies. Bibliometric records were queried from 2000 to 2020 using Boolean search strings, and manual text coding. In total, 63 studies were selected for the review. Results suggest that ‘direct’ Nr reuse using Nr recovery technologies is the preferred paradigm as the majority of studies concluded that it is sustainable or that it can be sustainable depending on technological assumptions and other scenario variables. Only 17 studies compared the ‘direct’ with the ‘indirect’ Nr reuse route, therefore a system perspective in Nr recovery sustainability assessments should be more widely adopted. Furthermore, Nr reuse should also be analyzed in the context of a ‘new Nr economy’ that relies on decentralized Nr production from renewable energy. It is also recommended that on-par technology readiness level comparisons should be carried out, making use of technology development and technology learning methodologies. Finally, by-products of Nr recovery are important to be accounted for as they are reducing the environmental burdens through avoided impacts.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos (up) 000804938100001 Publication Date 2022-05-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-3449 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 13.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 13.2
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188873 Serial 7156
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