Studies on Concentration of Simulated Ammonium-diuranate Filtered Effluent Solution by Forward Osmosis Using Indigenously Developed Cellulosic Osmosis Membranes

TL;DR: In this paper, the preparation of cellulosic membranes from cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose triacetate (CTA), and cellulose acacetate blend (CAB) systems and their potential for concentration of simulated ammonium-diuranate (ADU) effluent solution (only uranium and ammonium nitrate) by FO were discussed.

Abstract: In this study, we discuss the preparations of cellulosic membranes from cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose triacetate (CTA) and cellulose acetate blend (CAB) [blending of CA and CTA] systems and their potential for concentration of simulated ammonium-diuranate (ADU) effluent solution (only uranium and ammonium nitrate) by FO. The membranes are prepared using casting solution of polymers in mixed solvent systems with gelling in ice-cold water followed by annealing in 80°C hot water. Prepared membranes are characterized in terms of separation performance (tested under brackish water reverse osmosis test condition), water contact angle and surface average roughness. The performance of the membranes are evaluated in terms of volume reduction factor using solution of 40,000 ppm of NH4NO3 and 20 ppm uranium as feed and 320000ppm of NH4NO3 as draw solution. It is found that the volume reduction factor increases in the order of CTA

TL;DR: In this article, e-nose technology has been successfully employed in determination of rancidity in nutraceutical-rich drop cookies, formulated with extracts obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extractions and post-extraction sample matrices of black pepper and small cardamom.

Abstract: E-nose technology has been successfully employed in determination of rancidity in nutraceutical-rich drop cookies. The cookies were formulated with extracts obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extractions and post-extraction sample matrices of black pepper and small cardamom. Rancidity in cookies was estimated by comparing the odor profiles of stored cookies with the profiles of deliberately rancid cookies (training sets), using e-nose. PCA plots along with spoilage indices obtained from Mahalanobis distances calculated from e-nose responses revealed that the extracts and post-extraction sample matrices of these spices performed as natural antioxidants in preventing rancidity in cookies. Both the extracts enhanced the shelf lives of cookies by at least 120 days; post-extraction matrices of black pepper and small cardamom enhanced the same by 80 and 40 days, respectively. These findings were further affirmed by biochemical analyses and linear regression equations were generated for prediction of FFA content, PV, and MDA values from the spoilage indices of each type of cookie. Thus, spoilage indices can circumvent the requirement of conducting cumbersome biochemical assays for estimation of rancidity in cookies. Similar applications of e-nose technology and spoilage indices can be envisaged for other bakery products also.

TL;DR: Optimization of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction parameters was carried out employing a full factorial design of experiments and response surface methodology, to obtain an extract p....

Abstract: Optimization of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction parameters was carried out employing a full factorial design of experiments and response surface methodology, to obtain an extract p...

TL;DR: This review retrospects the researches on the source, biological activities, mechanisms, and application of 1,8-cineole since 2000 to provide a view for the further studies on the application and formulations of the drug.

Abstract: 1,8-Cineole (also known as eucalyptol) is mostly extracted from the essential oils of plants, which showed extensively pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mainly via the regulation on NF-κB and Nrf2, and was used for the treatment of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular, etc. Although various administration routes have been used in the application of 1.8-cineole, few formulations have been developed to improve its stability and bioavailability. This review retrospects the researches on the source, biological activities, mechanisms, and application of 1,8-cineole since 2000, which provides a view for the further studies on the application and formulations of 1,8-cineole.

TL;DR: In this paper, a flow sheet including evaporation, flocculation, filtration, adsorption, and reverse osmosis was established for the effluent treating the UO 2 kernels.

Abstract: For the fabrication of coated particle fuel elements of high temperature gas cooled reactors, the ceramic UO 2 kernels are prepared through chemical gelation of uranyl nitrate solution droplets, which produces radioactive effluent with components of ammonia, uranium, organic compounds and ammonium nitrate In this study, a flow sheet including evaporation, flocculation, filtration, adsorption, and reverse osmosis was established for the effluent treating The uranium recovery could reach 999% after the treatment, with almost no secondary pollution produced

TL;DR: Nanoliposome of 1,8-cineole rich extract of small cardamom seeds is a new biotherapeutic in redressing type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: Background & objectives In our previous investigation, oral administration of 1,8- cineole-rich supercritical carbon dioxide extract of small cardamom seeds in Wistar albino rats resulted in achieving normal fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum cholesterol levels. The objective of this study was to further protect the aforesaid extract and to enhance its in vivo therapeutic efficacies in redressing type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, by encapsulating it as nanoliposomes. Patents related to nanoliposomes have been revised thoroughly. Methods PEGylated nanoliposomes of the aforesaid extract were formulated using soya phosphatidylcholine and Tween 80 by probe-sonication. These nanoliposomes were subjected to in vitro characterizations and were orally administered to Wistar albino rats at three different doses viz. 550, 175 and 55 mg/kg b.w. for detailed investigation of their antidiabetic and hypocholesterolemic efficacies. Results FT-IR, DSC and XRD analyses, HLB value (16), entrapment efficiency (84%) and release kinetics (obeying Higuchi model) revealed that the nanoliposomes were o/w type and were hydrophilic. They exhibited appreciable in vitro antioxidant potency (59% DPPH scavenging activity) owing to a synergistic consortium of antioxidants present therein. Oral administration of the liposomes in rats at 550 mg/kg b.w. could restore their normal FBG levels and serum lipid profiles on day 35, with desirable up-down regulations of related key enzymes. The iHOMA2 model could successfully predict the effects of nanoliposomes on insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in rat liver and brain, respectively. Conclusion Nanoliposome of 1,8-cineole rich extract of small cardamom seeds is a new biotherapeutic in redressing type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

TL;DR: Some of the science and technology being developed to improve the disinfection and decontamination of water, as well as efforts to increase water supplies through the safe re-use of wastewater and efficient desalination of sea and brackish water are highlighted.

Abstract: One of the most pervasive problems afflicting people throughout the world is inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Problems with water are expected to grow worse in the coming decades, with water scarcity occurring globally, even in regions currently considered water-rich. Addressing these problems calls out for a tremendous amount of research to be conducted to identify robust new methods of purifying water at lower cost and with less energy, while at the same time minimizing the use of chemicals and impact on the environment. Here we highlight some of the science and technology being developed to improve the disinfection and decontamination of water, as well as efforts to increase water supplies through the safe re-use of wastewater and efficient desalination of sea and brackish water.

TL;DR: In this paper, the state-of-the-art of the physical principles and applications of forward osmosis as well as their strengths and limitations are presented, along with a review of the current state of the art.

Abstract: Osmosis is a physical phenomenon that has been extensively studied by scientists in various disciplines of science and engineering. Early researchers studied the mechanism of osmosis through natural materials, and from the 1960s, special attention has been given to osmosis through synthetic materials. Following the progress in membrane science in the last few decades, especially for reverse osmosis applications, the interests in engineered applications of osmosis has been spurred. Osmosis, or as it is currently referred to as forward osmosis, has new applications in separation processes for wastewater treatment, food processing, and seawater/brackish water desalination. Other unique areas of forward osmosis research include pressure-retarded osmosis for generation of electricity from saline and fresh water and implantable osmotic pumps for controlled drug release. This paper provides the state-of-the-art of the physical principles and applications of forward osmosis as well as their strengths and limitations.

TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the recent developments in forward osmosis (FO) focusing on the opportunities and challenges is presented, as well as a clear outline for FO-concerned researchers.

Abstract: Recently, forward osmosis (FO) has attracted growing attention in many potential applications such as power generation, desalination, wastewater treatment and food processing. However, there are still several critical challenges, including concentration polarization, membrane fouling, reverse solute diffusion and the need for new membrane development and draw solute design in FO. These challenges are also the current research focus on FO. This paper aims to review the recent developments in FO, focusing on the opportunities and challenges. It begins with discussing the advantages of the FO process over pressure-driven membrane processes. These potential advantages lie in FO's low energy consumption, low fouling propensity, reduced or easy cleaning, low costs, high salt rejection and high water flux. Next, the recent applications of FO, as the outcomes of the above advantages, are described. The key part of this review is a detailed discussion of five critical challenges faced by FO and their relationships. Finally, the future of FO is viewed. This review provides a clear outline for FO-concerned researchers on the recent developments in FO.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a commercially available forward direct osmosis (FO) membrane and found that the experimental water fluxes were far lower than those anticipated based on available bulk osmotic pressure difference and membrane pure water permeability data.

Abstract: Forward (direct) osmosis (FO) using semi-permeable polymeric membranes may be a viable alternative to reverse osmosis as a lower cost and more environmentally friendly desalination technology. The driving force in the described FO process is provided by a draw solution comprising highly soluble gases—ammonia and carbon dioxide. Using a commercially available FO membrane, experiments conducted in a crossflow, flat-sheet membrane filtration cell yielded water fluxes ranging from 1 to 10 μm/s (2.1 to 21.2 gal ft−2 d−1 or 3.6 to 36.0 l m−2 h−1) for a wide range of draw and feed solution concentrations. It was found, however, that the experimental water fluxes were far lower than those anticipated based on available bulk osmotic pressure difference and membrane pure water permeability data. Internal concentration polarization was determined to be the major cause for the lower than expected water flux by analysis of the available water flux data and SEM images of the membrane displaying a porous support layer. Draw solution concentration was found to play a key role in this phenomenon. Sodium chloride rejection was determined to be 95–99% for most tests, with higher rejections occurring under higher water flux conditions. Desalination of very high sodium chloride feed solutions (simulating 75% recovery of seawater) was also deemed possible, leading to the possibility of brine discharge minimization.

TL;DR: In this paper, a novel osmotic membrane bioreactor (OsMBR) is presented, which utilizes a submerged forward osmosis (FO) membrane module inside a bioreactors.

Abstract: A novel osmotic membrane bioreactor (OsMBR) is presented. The system utilizes a submerged forward osmosis (FO) membrane module inside a bioreactor. Through osmosis, water is transported from the mixed liquor across a semi-permeable membrane, and into a draw solution (DS) with a higher osmotic pressure. To produce potable water, the diluted DS is treated in a reverse osmosis (RO) unit; the by-product is a reconcentrated DS for reuse in the FO process. Preliminary results from experiments conducted with a flat-sheet cellulose triacetate FO membrane demonstrated high sustainable flux and relatively low reverse transport of solutes from the DS into the mixed liquor. Membrane fouling was controlled with osmotic backwashing. The FO membrane was found to reject 98% of organic carbon and 90% of ammonium-nitrogen; the OsMBR process (bioreactor and FO membrane) was found to remove greater than 99% of organic carbon and 98% of ammonium-nitrogen, respectively; suggesting a better compatibility of the OsMBR with downstream RO systems than conventional membrane bioreactors.