Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

In the present work, a novel eco-friendly nanocatalyst (NC) calcium oxide (CaO) is synthesized from the waste of tomato plants by physical method for the degradation of oil in oily wastewater by photocatalytic technology as a sophisticated oxidation process. The characterization of NC prepared is described by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, which illustrated that the NC prepared possessed a nanoscale size and a cubic crystal structure. The activity of NC in the photodegradation process is evaluated using oil concentration (100–500 ppm), amount of NC (0.1–1) g/L, and pH (4–12) at a specific aeration rate of 1 L/min and time irradiation of 30–180 min and under UV light. The findings showed that the degradation efficiency of oil increased with an increased amount of NC, time, and pH while decreasing with increased oil concentration. The maximum degradation of oil reached 83.0% at optimum conditions (oil concentration = 100 ppm, amount of NC = 0.6 g/L, pH = 7, time of irradiation = 120 min, and temperature = 23 ◦C). This work illustrates that the novel NC can be employed as an environmentally friendly and economical photocatalyst and might be improved in its characteristics and performance by thermal technique (calcination) to enhance the reduction of oil from oily wastewater.

Recent developments in nano additives and injection strategies of fuel are effective techniques used in diesel engines to decrease exhaust pollutants and boost engine performance. The injection effect strategy of fuel with titanium dioxide (TiO2) application on exhaust emissions and particulate matter (PM) characteristics in common-rail direct ignition (CRDI) diesel engines for biodiesel blends was experimentally examined. Experimental test results indicated that usage of TiO2 into the B100, B20 and B30 enhanced the decline in CO, THC and NOX than to the diesel without additives. PM number and concentration decreased by 13.54%, 22.73% and 32.68% from the combustion of B100+TiO2, B20+TiO2 and B30+TiO2, respectively, compared to the nano additives absence into the fuel. Furthermore, the rate of soot oxidation, mass and weight significantly increased higher from the biodiesel blends than the diesel. It indicated that the internal structure form of soot particles produced from B100+TiO2, B20+TiO2 and B30+TiO2 are oxidised earlier at lower temperatures in comparison with diesel. Regarding the TEM images, it is indicated that soot particles emitted from oxygenated fuels are easier to oxidise at low temperatures and quick time compared with diesel. The fuel injection strategy and both oxygen-bond from nano additives and fuel properties are beneficial for improving the soot oxidation and at the same time decreasing emitted PM.

A spectroscopic technique such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used to analyze various materials, including solids, liquids and gases. The advantages of this technique include rapid analysis, no prior sample preparation, low cost and the ability to generate qualitative and quantitative analytical data for any sample. There are numerous applications for LIBS in various fields, including environmental monitoring, quality in industry, the food sector and archeology, medicine (pharmaceuticals), biology (bones, nails, hair, blood and skin) and cosmetics, which is one of the main concerns of the World Health Organization due to its significant impact on health. In this review, the LIBS technique is explained in terms of the experimental setup (laser, detector, spectrometer, optical fibers and lenses), using single and double beams to measure sample elements with high accuracy. It was shown that the sensitivity of LIBS depends on calibration-free analysis and pulse-coupled analysis. The data show that the double laser beams provide high accuracy when analyzing complex data.

A photocatalytic tapered bubble column reactor was utilized to extract benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) organic pollutants from petroleum effluent. The reactor had an internal diameter that increased from 0.07 meters at the bottom to 0.17 meters at the top, a tapered angle of 1.6 degrees, a length of 1.8 meters, and a capacity of approximately 20 liters. Additionally, the reactor was equipped with a Fe-doped TiO2 catalyst. Different air flow rates (0-3 L/min), contact periods (0-120 min), and liquid flow rates (160-600 L/hr) were used in the photocatalyst with four submerged LED lamps (wavelength of 200–550 nm). Each of the LED lamps had a power output of 50W. The results show that increasing the liquid flow rate increases the rate removal of COD, and the maximum decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 92% when gas flow rate= 3L/min, liquid flow rate = 200L/min, light intensity = 200Watt after two hours of irradiation. The kinetic study reveals that the degradation process is fitted with a pseudo first-order model with (R2=0.9304, s.d. 0.00204).

In the context of game theory, cooperative game has been applied in several fields and can be successfully used to evaluate the players (people or companies) involved. In cooperative game theory, the core is a concept that represents the set of feasible allocations (or distributions of total payoff) among players that cannot be improved upon by any coalition of players. This paper aims to apply a mathematical model to modeling cooperation among power stations and fuel supply producers using a core value-based optimization algorithm. We use the cooperative game to show the potential cost in cooperation through an optimization algorithm to find the most feasible solution using the Python program as a working procedure. Then, we apply the working method to the case of fuel supply and electricity generation in Wasit Thermal Power Plant in cooperation. The outcomes of the proposed methodology will greatly help professionals to formulate and improve well-structured strategies for future electrical energy systems in the Wasit Thermal Power Plant.

The increasing number of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics poses a major challenge to public health. Therefore, research into new treatment methods is essential to overcome these challenges. Phage treatment is a promising technique to increase the efficacy of antimicrobials against resistant microbes. This review documents the ability of bacteriophages to interact with conventional antibiotics due to their specificity and adaptability to target and control bacterial populations, especially when used in combination with antibiotics. Combination therapy can deliver the lowest effective concentration of antibiotics while reducing toxicity. Research has confirmed that the synergy of phages and antibiotics can disrupt biofilms and delay the development of resistance, which could prolong the efficacy of existing antibiotics. In addition, this study highlights challenges such as stability, delivery and clearance and underlines the importance of developing optimized phage-antibiotic combinations. It also discusses new technologies such as phagemids and CRISPR-mediated phage, including the modification of phage genetic material to improve their ability to target specific bacterial infections. The phages are modified to recognize bacterial surface markers or contain sequences that improve their effectiveness against resistant strains. The modifications offer new methods to improve this integrated therapy. Understanding the optimal conditions for the interaction between phages and antibiotics is crucial for the transition of research from the preclinical to the clinical phase. The synergy of phages and antibiotics is a promising strategy to fight infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, further research is needed to use them in the clinic.