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Farshi YR, Ebadi T, Maknoon R, Kowsari E. A novel combined system for efficient nitrate removal using a continuous flow electrocoagulation and sand filtration (FECF) reactor: Statistical analysis by Taguchi design. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:4052-4066. [PMID: 38095796 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31362-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
In this study, a new hybrid bench-scale electrocoagulation-sand filtration (FECF) reactor was developed for purifying nitrate-contaminated samples. Before and after electrochemical treatment, two sand filters were included in this continuous system to facilitate the purification procedure, and the contaminated water flows horizontally through the entire system according to a specific hydraulic gradient within the reactor, resulting in water purification. Significant improvement in treatment performance was observed due to the presence of metal hydroxides in the second filter media that were not fully involved in the electrocoagulation treatment. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was performed to detect metal hydroxide species in the sand media, and the need for filter regeneration was evaluated by monitoring changes in the system flow rate. Moreover, an evaluation of the effects of different factors including operating time, current intensity, initial pH, type of anode and cathode, initial nitrate concentration, hydraulic head level inside the reactor, number of electrodes, and NaCl electrolyte concentration on the performance of nitrate removal was conducted through the Taguchi design. Further, ANOVA analysis verified the accuracy of the predicted model, and the variables were classified based on their relative importance in the FECF process. According to the regression model, 97% of nitrates were removed with Al electrodes as anode and Fe as cathode, 70 min purification time, current intensity of 3 A, 100 mg/l initial nitrate concentration, pH 8, electrolyte concentration of 1 g/l, electrode number of 6, and 1.5 cm head level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaser Rezaeizad Farshi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez Ave, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taghi Ebadi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez Ave, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Maknoon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez Ave, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Kowsari
- Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez Ave, Tehran, Iran
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Nidheesh PV, Khan FM, Kadier A, Akansha J, Bote ME, Mousazadeh M. Removal of nutrients and other emerging inorganic contaminants from water and wastewater by electrocoagulation process. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135756. [PMID: 35917977 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The continual discharge of emerging inorganic pollutants into natural aquatic systems and their negative effects on the environment have motivated the researchers to explore and develop clean and efficient water treatment strategies. Electrocoagulation (EC) is a rapid and promising pollutant removal approach that does not require any chemical additives or complicated process management. Therefore, inorganic pollutant treatment via the EC process is considered one of the most feasible processes. The potential developments of EC process may make the process a wise choice for water treatment in the future. Thus, the present study mainly focuses on the use of EC technology to remove nutrients and other emerging inorganic pollutants from water medium. The operating factors that influence EC process efficiency are explained. The major advancement of the EC technique as well as field-implemented units are also discussed. Overall, this study mainly focuses on emerging issues, present advancements, and techno-economic considerations in EC process.
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Affiliation(s)
- P V Nidheesh
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India.
| | - Farhan M Khan
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440020, India
| | - Abudukeremu Kadier
- Laboratory of Environmental Science and Technology, The Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices for Special Environments, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - J Akansha
- School of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Katpadi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632 014, India
| | - Million Ebba Bote
- Department of Water Supply and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, PoBox - 378, Ethiopia
| | - Milad Mousazadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran; Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Richa A, Touil S, Fizir M. Recent advances in the source identification and remediation techniques of nitrate contaminated groundwater: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 316:115265. [PMID: 35576711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have long been committed to identify nitrate sources in groundwater and to develop an advanced technique for its remediation because better apply remediation solution and management of water quality is highly dependent on the identification of the NO3- sources contamination in water. In this review, we systematically introduce nitrate source tracking tools used over the past ten years including dual isotope and multi isotope techniques, water chemistry profile, Bayesian mixing model, microbial tracers and land use/cover data. These techniques can be combined and exploited to track the source of NO3- as mineral or organic fertilizer, sewage, or atmospheric deposition. These available data have significant implications for making an appropriate measures and decisions by water managers. A continuous remediation strategy of groundwater was among the main management strategies that need to be applied in the contaminated area. Nitrate removal from groundwater can be accomplished using either separation or reduction based process. The application of these processes to nitrate removal is discussed in this review and some novel methods were presented for the first time. Moreover, the advantages and limitations of each approach are critically summarized and based on our own understanding of the subject some solutions to overcomes their drawbacks are recommended. Advanced techniques are capable to attain significantly higher nitrate and other co-contaminants removal from groundwater. However, the challenges of by-products generation and high energy consumption need to be addressed in implementing these technologies for groundwater remediation for potable use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Richa
- University of Djilali Bounaama, Khemis Miliana, Algeria.
| | - Sami Touil
- University of Djilali Bounaama, Khemis Miliana, Algeria.
| | - Meriem Fizir
- Laboratoire de Valorisation des Substances Naturelles, Université Djilali Bounaâma, Khemis Miliana, Algeria.
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Electrocoagulation vs. Integrate Electrocoagulation-Natural Zeolite for Treatment of Biowaste Compost Leachate—Whether the Optimum Is Truly Optimal. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12040442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural zeolites are well-known materials widely applied in the environmental remediation treatment process. However, the integration of various treatment methods is exceedingly investigated for achieving satisfactory effluent quality. In this paper, the integration of electrocoagulation and natural zeolite was evaluated in the treatment of biowaste compost leachate in a single step. The influence of different distances of electrodes (1.5, 3, and 4.5 cm), stirring speed (70, 200, and 400 rpm), the addition of natural zeolite and electrolyte NaCl on the efficiency of treatment of biowaste compost leachate has been carried out. Process efficiency was evaluated by measuring the change of pH value, electrical conductivity, temperature, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TNK), total solids, and sludge settling test. The Taguchi method was applied to optimize biowaste compost leachate treatment. Experiments are planned according to Taguchi’s L8 (24 41) orthogonal array. The stirring speed, electrode distance, electrolyte and zeolite addition, solution initial pH adjustment were chosen as controllable factors, and their impact on COD, turbidity, TNK, settling rate, and electrode consumption were studied. Results show that optimal conditions depend on the parameter of interest and that optimal values for a particular parameter are not always the optimum if the desired goal is considered.
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Jean Claude N, Shanshan L, Khan J, Yifeng W, Dongxu H, Xiangru L. Waste tea residue adsorption coupled with electrocoagulation for improvement of copper and nickel ions removal from simulated wastewater. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3519. [PMID: 35241732 PMCID: PMC8894501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The present research involves removing copper and nickel ions from synthesized wastewater by using a simple, cheap, cost-effective, and sustainable activated green waste tea residue (AGWTR) adsorption coupled with electrocoagulation (ADS/EC) process in the presence of iron electrodes. By considering previous studies, their adsorbents used for treating their wastewaters firstly activate them by applying either chemicals or activating agents. However, our adsorbent was prepared without applying neither chemicals nor any activating agents. The operating parameters such as pH, hydraulic retention time, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, current density, and operating cost for both metals were optimized. In ADS/EC, the removal efficiency was obtained as 100% for copper and 99.99% for nickel ions. After the ADS/EC process, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were used to characterize the adsorbent green waste tea residue. The adsorption isotherm and kinetic model results showed that the Langmuir and the pseudo-second-order were well-fitted to the experimental adsorption data better than the Freundlich and pseudo-first-order models for both Cu2+ and Ni2+ with their maximum adsorption capacity of 15.6 and 15.9 mg g−1, respectively. The above results give an option to recycle the metal-based industrial effluents, tea industry-based wastes, enabling a waste-to-green technique for adsorbing and removing the heavy metals and other pollutants in water.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin Shanshan
- School of Environment Northeast, Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China.
| | - Junaid Khan
- School of Environment Northeast, Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Wu Yifeng
- School of Environment Northeast, Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Han Dongxu
- School of Environment Northeast, Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Liu Xiangru
- School of Environment Northeast, Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China
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Al-Raad AA, Hanafiah MM. Removal of inorganic pollutants using electrocoagulation technology: A review of emerging applications and mechanisms. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 300:113696. [PMID: 34509809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Electrocoagulation (ECoag) technique has shown considerable potential as an effective method in separating different types of pollutants (including inorganic pollutants) from various sources of water at a lower cost, and that is environmentally friendly. The EC method's performance depends on several significant parameters, including current density, reactor geometry, pH, operation time, the gap between electrodes, and agitation speed. There are some challenges related to the ECoag technique, for example, energy consumption, and electrode passivation as well as its implementation at a larger scale. This review highlights the recent studies published about ECoag capacity to remove inorganic pollutants (including salts), the emerging reactors, and the effect of reactor geometry designs. In addition, this paper highlights the integration of the ECoag technique with other advanced technologies such as microwave and ultrasonic to achieve higher removal efficiencies. This paper also presents a critical discussion of the major and minor reactions of the electrocoagulation technique with several significant operational parameters, emerging designs of the ECoag cell, operating conditions, and techno-economic analysis. Our review concluded that optimizing the operating parameters significantly enhanced the efficiency of the ECoag technique and reduced overall operating costs. Electrodes geometry has been recommended to minimize the passivation phenomenon, promote the conductivity of the cell, and reduce energy consumption. In this review, several challenges and gaps were identified, and insights for future development were discussed. We recommend that future studies investigate the effect of other emerging parameters like perforated and ball electrodes on the ECoag technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas A Al-Raad
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia; Ababil School, Al-Muthanna Education Directorate, Samawa, 66001, Iraq
| | - Marlia M Hanafiah
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia; Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia.
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Benekos AK, Tziora FE, Tekerlekopoulou AG, Pavlou S, Qun Y, Katsaounis A, Vayenas DV. Nitrate removal from groundwater using a batch and continuous flow hybrid Fe-electrocoagulation and electrooxidation system. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 297:113387. [PMID: 34332344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades nitrate contaminated groundwater has become an extensive worldwide problem with wide-reaching negative effects on human health and the environment. In this study, a combination of electrocoagulation (EC) and electrooxidation (EO) was studied as a denitrification process to efficiently remove nitrates and ammonium (a by-product produced during EC) from real polluted groundwater. Initially, EC experiments under batch operating mode were performed using iron electrodes at different applied current density values (20-40 mA cm-2). Nitrate percentage removal of 100 % was recorded, however high ammonium concentrations were performed (4.5-6.5 mg NH4+-Ν L-1). Therefore, a continuous flow system was examined for the complete removal of both nitrates and EC-generated ammonium cations. The system comprised an EC reactor, a settling tank and an EO reactor. The applied current densities to the EC process were the same as those in the batch experiments, while the volumetric flow rates were 4, 6 and 8 mL min-1. Regarding the current density of the EO process was kept constant at the value of 75 mA cm-2. The percentage nitrate removal recorded during the EC process ranged between 52.0 and 100 %, while the NH4+-N concentration at the outlet of the EO reduced significantly (53-100 %) depending on the applied current density and the volumetric flow rate. Also, the dissolved iron concentration in the treated water was always below the legislated limit of 0.2 mg L-1 (up to 0.027 mg L-1). These results indicate that the proposed hybrid system is capable of denitrifying real nitrate contaminated groundwater without generating toxic by-products, therefore making the water suitable for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas K Benekos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Foteini E Tziora
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Stavros Pavlou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece; Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Stadiou Str., Platani, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Yan Qun
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou, 215011, China
| | - Alexandros Katsaounis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitris V Vayenas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece; Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Stadiou Str., Platani, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
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Benekos AK, Tsigara M, Zacharakis S, Triantaphyllidou IE, Tekerlekopoulou AG, Katsaounis A, Vayenas DV. Combined electrocoagulation and electrochemical oxidation treatment for groundwater denitrification. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 285:112068. [PMID: 33581453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Electrocoagulation (EC) with an aluminum electrode arrangement as anode-cathode was applied to denitrify groundwater and electrooxidation (EO) was examined as a post-treatment step to remove the produced by-products. Initially, EC experiments were performed under batch operating mode using artificially-polluted tap water to investigate the effects of initial pH (5.5, 7.5, 8.5), initial NO3--N concentration (25, 35, 45, 55 mg L-1) and applied current density (10, 20 mA cm-2) on process efficiency. The effect of initial solution pH on ammonium cation concentration was also investigated as their generation (as a by-product) is the main drawback preventing wide-scale application of these treatment processes. Experimental results revealed high nitrate removal percentages (up to 96.3%) for initial pH 7.5 and all initial concentrations and current densities, while the final ammonium concentrations ranged between 5.3 and 9.2 mg NH4+-N L-1 (for initial NO3--N of 25 mg L-1). Therefore, EO was examined to oxidize the ammonium cations to nitrogen gas on iridium oxide coated titanium electrodes (IrO2/Ti) anode surface. The effects of cathode material (aluminum, stainless steel), total current density and anode surface area (3.3-30 mA cm-2 and 12-36 cm2, respectively) were investigated, and lead to NH4+-N percentage removals of between 25% (10 mA cm-2, 12 cm2) and 100% (30 mA cm-2, 24 cm2) for an initial NH4+-N concentration of 10 mg L-1. The optimum EC (20 mA cm-2, natural initial pH 7.5-7.8) and EO parameters (30 mA cm-2, 24 cm2 surface area anode, Al cathode) were combined into a hybrid system to treat two real nitrate-polluted groundwaters with initial NO3--N concentrations of 25 and 75 mg L-1. Results revealed that the proposed hybrid treatment system can be used to efficiently remove nitrate from groundwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas K Benekos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Maria Tsigara
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Stergios Zacharakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | | | | | - Alexandros Katsaounis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitris V Vayenas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Rio, GR-26504, Patras, Greece; Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Stadiou Str., Platani, GR-26504, Patras, Greece.
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Hamid MAA, Aziz HA, Yusoff MS, Rezan SA. Clinoptilolite augmented electrocoagulation process for the reduction of high-strength ammonia and color from stabilized landfill leachate. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2021; 93:596-607. [PMID: 32991022 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The high-strength leachate produced from sanitary landfill is a serious issue around the world as it poses adverse effects on aquatic life and human health. Physio-chemical technology is one of the promising options as the leachate normally presents in stabilized form and not fully amendable by biological treatment. In this research, the effectiveness of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) augmented electrocoagulation process (hybrid system) for removing high-strength ammonia (3,442 mg/L) and color (8,427 Pt-Co) from naturally saline (15 ppt) local landfill leachate was investigated. A batch mode laboratory-scale reactor with parallel-monopolar aluminum electrodes attached to a direct current (DC) electric power was used as an electrocoagulation reactor for performance enhancement purpose. Optimum operational conditions of 146 g/L zeolite dosage, 600 A/m2 current density, 60 min treatment time, 200 rpm stirring speed, 35 min settling duration, and pH 9 were recorded with up to 70% and 88% removals of ammonia and color, respectively. The estimated overall operational cost was 26.22 $/m3 . The biodegradability of the leachate had improved from 0.05 to 0.27 in all post-treatment processes. The findings revealed the ability of the hybrid process as a viable option in eliminating concentrated ammonia and color in natural saline landfill leachate. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Clinoptilolite was augmented on the electrocoagulation process in saline and stabilized landfill leachate (15 ppt). The high strength NH3 -N (3,442 mg/L) and color (8,427 Pt-Co) were 70% and 88% removed, respectively. The optimum conditions occurred at 140 g/L zeolite, 60 mA/cm2 current density, 60 min, and final pH of 8.20. The biodegradability of the leachate improved from 0.05 to 0.27 after the treatment. This hybrid treatment was simple, faster, and did not require auxiliary electrolyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Azhar Abd Hamid
- School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
| | - Hamidi Abdul Aziz
- School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
- Solid Waste Management Cluster, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Suffian Yusoff
- School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
- Solid Waste Management Cluster, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
| | - Sheikh Abdul Rezan
- School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
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