Development and Characterization of Biosorbents To Remove Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions by Chemical Treatment of Olive Stone

Sustainability assessment of alternative waste-to-energy technologies for the management of sewage sludge

The management of sewage sludge still represents a challenge in the EU sustainability plan for biowaste. Although there are consolidated alternatives for the valorization of sewage sludge (incineration, pyrolysis and gasification), technical issues related to heavy metals and other pollutants are not sufficiently understood considering the whole waste-to-energy process. In addition, societal-economic and environmental aspects are usually not included in the evaluation of these conversion technologies. In this study, we propose an integrated assessment from a sustainability perspective to evaluate the valorization of sewage sludge by thermal conversion, comparing different alternatives based on existing Waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies. The results provide an insightful vision on the challenges to manage the sewage sludge disposal and to transform the obtained waste into new raw materials with added value. In addition, the evaluation of the WtE alternatives shows that they face important challenges preventing their application, being the gasification the best performing technology according to the sustainability assessment. Finally, a decentralized scheme based on sewage sludge gasification is further evaluated using real data from wastewater treatment plants in Andalusia.

Applications of bioactive compounds extracted from olive industry wastes: A review

The wastes generated during the olive oil extraction process, even if presenting a negative impact for the environment, contain several bioactive compounds that have considerable health benefits. After suitable extraction and purification, these compounds can be used as food antioxidants or as active ingredients in nutraceutical and cosmetic products due to their interesting technological and pharmaceutical properties. The aim of this review, after presenting general applications of the different types of wastes generated from this industry, is to focus on the olive pomace produced by the two-phase system and to explore the challenging applications of the main individual compounds present in this waste. Hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, oleuropein aglycone, and verbascoside are the most abundant bioactive compounds present in olive pomace. Besides their antioxidant activity, these compounds also demonstrated other biological properties such as antimicrobial, anticancer, or anti-inflammatory, thus being used in formulations to produce pharmaceutical and cosmetic products or in the fortification of food. Nevertheless, it is mandatory to involve both industries and researchers to create strategies to valorize these byproducts while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Mechanistic Study of Pb2+ Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Eggshells

This study investigates the impact of eggshell particle size and solid-to-water (s/w) ratio on lead (Pb2+) removal from aqueous solution. Collected raw eggshells were washed, crushed, and sieved into two particle sizes (<150 and 150–500 µm). Batch Pb2+ removal experiments were conducted at different s/w ratios with initial Pb2+ concentrations of up to 70 mg/L. The contribution of precipitation to Pb2+ removal was simulated by quantifying removal using eggshell water, whereas sorbed Pb2+ was quantified by acid digestion. Results indicated that eggshell particle sizes did not affect Pb2+ removal. High removal (up to 99%) of Pb2+ was achieved for low initial Pb2+ concentrations (<30 mg/L) across all s/w ratios studied. However, higher removal capacity was observed at lower s/w ratios. In addition, results confirmed that precipitation played a major role in the removal of Pb2+ by eggshells. Yet, this role decreased as the s/w ratio and initial concentration of Pb2+ increased. A predictive relationship that relates the normalized removal capacity of eggshells to the s/w ratio was developed to potentially facilitate the design of the reactor.

Surface treated Pteris vittata L. pinnae powder used as an efficient biosorbent of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

Biosorption is a surface-dependent phenomenon. Surface modifications by chemical treatment methods could either improve or reduce the biosorption capacity of potential biosorbents. In the present work, pristine Pteris vittata L. pinnae (PPV) powder was treated separately with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and nitric acid (HNO₃). The pristine and treated biosorbents were used to assess the biosorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) as a function of pH. Kinetics and adsorption isotherms were studied. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope combined with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the biosorbents before and after chemical treatments. The possible functional groups contributing to the metal sorption were identified. Results revealed favorable biosorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) described by pseudo-second order kinetics. NaOH-treated P. vittata (NPV) showed higher biosorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cd(II) compared to that of PPV. ATR-FTIR studies indicated that -OH, -COOH, and -NH₂ groups were mainly involved in Cr(VI) and -OH in Pb(II) and Cd(II) biosorption. The enhanced efficiency of NPV and CaCl₂ treated P. vittata (CPV) in the uptake of Pb(II) and Cd(II) compared to PPV can be associated with their altered physicochemical characters.

Kinetic analysis of pyrolysis and combustion of the olive tree pruning by chemical fractionation

This paper presents a kinetic analysis of thermal decomposition of olive tree pruning from its basic compounds in pyrolysis and combustion reactions. Experiments were performed by TGA under inert and oxidant conditions and results indicated that the decomposition of the olive tree pruning was related to the material composition. Pseudo-mechanistic models were proposed estimating the yield of pyrolysis on its basic compounds (hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin). Validity and reliability of the proposed kinetic models were verified by the good fitting between the simulated and experimental curves (with values of R² higher than 0.99 in most cases). Moreover, during the fractionation process, an acid fraction was obtained with great fuel properties, a high calorific value and a low residue after its combustion.

Combustion of a Pb(II)-loaded olive tree pruning used as biosorbent

The olive tree pruning is a specific agroindustrial waste that can be successfully used as adsorbent, to remove Pb(II) from contaminated wastewater. Its final incineration has been studied in a thermobalance and in a laboratory flow reactor. The study aims at evaluating the fate of Pb during combustion, at two different scales of investigation. The flow reactor can treat samples approximately 10(2) larger than the conventional TGA. A detailed characterization of the raw and Pb(II)-loaded waste, before and after combustion is presented, including analysis of gas and solids products. The Pb(II)-loaded olive tree pruning has been prepared by a previous biosorption step in a lead solution, reaching a concentration of lead of 2.3 wt%. Several characterizations of the ashes and the mass balances proved that after the combustion, all the lead presents in the waste remained in ashes. Combustion in a flow reactor produced results consistent with those obtained in the thermobalance. It is thus confirmed that the combustion of Pb(II)-loaded olive tree pruning is a viable option to use it after the biosorption process. The Pb contained in the solid remained in the ashes, preventing possible environmental hazards.

Assessment of the removal mechanism of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by olive stone

The objectives of this study were to study the removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by natural olive stone (OS) and to present a sequential-batch process for the removal of total chromium (original Cr(VI) and Cr(III) derived from reduction of Cr(VI) during biosorption at acidic conditions). First, experiments were conducted varying pH from 1 to 4, and showed that a combined effect of biosorption and reduction is involved in the Cr(VI) removal. Then, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and desorption tests were employed to verify the oxidation state of the chromium bound to OS and to elucidate the removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by this material. The goal of these tests was to confirm that Cr(III) is the species mainly absorbed by OS. Finally, the possibility of total chromium removal by biosorption in a sequential-batch process was analyzed. In the first stage, 96.38% of Cr(VI) is removed by OS and reduced to Cr(III). In the second stage, approximately 31% of the total Cr concentration was removed. However, the Cr(III) released in the first stage is not completely removed, and it could suggest that the Cr(III) could be in a hydrated compound or a complex, which could be more difficult to remove under these conditions.

Physico-chemical characterization of pine cone shell and its use as biosorbent and fuel

Physico-chemical properties of pine cone shell have been determined. Results of characterization study showed that pine cone shell could be used as biosorbent of nickel from aqueous solutions in a fixed-bed column and later as input material in thermochemical processes. To study the behavior of Ni-loaded pine cone shell as fuel, non-isothermal thermogravimetric tests were performed. These tests showed that, in nitrogen atmosphere, the main decomposition occurs from 200°C to 500°C and, in oxidant atmosphere, the behavior is of type "combustion+pyrolysis" (at higher temperatures there is a clear decomposition of residue formed during the initial steps). Finally, the effect of the presence of Ni was analyzed. Thermogravimetric curves did not change their profile and the total amount of nickel was detected in char-ash fraction and not in flue gases. These results suggest that nickel does not form volatile compounds at considered operational conditions.

Use of residues and by-products of the olive-oil production chain for the removal of pollutants from environmental media: A review of batch biosorption approaches

Residues and by-products of the olive-oil production chain have been widely studied as biosorbents for the removal of various pollutants from environmental media due to their significant adsorption properties, low cost, production at local level and renewability. In this review, adsorbents developed from olive-tree cultivation residues and olive-oil extraction by-products and wastes are examined, and their sorption characteristics are described and discussed. Recent information obtained using batch sorption studies is summarized and the adsorption mechanisms involved, regarding various aquatic and soil pollutants (metal ions, dyes, radionuclides, phenolic compounds, pesticides) are presented and discussed. It is evident that several biosorbents show the potential to effectively remove a wide variety of pollutants from aqueous solutions, especially Pb and Cd. However, there is need to (a) develop standardized batch study protocols, and potentially reference materials, for effective cross-evaluation of biosorbents of similar nature and for improved understanding of mechanisms involved and (b) investigate scaling-up and regeneration issues that hold back industry-level application of preselected adsorbents.

Comparative study of isotherm parameters of lead biosorption by two wastes of olive-oil production

Batch isotherm studies were carried out on a laboratory scale: (i) to investigate the effectiveness to remove lead of two wastes (olive stone (OS) and olive tree pruning (OTP)), untreated and chemically treated; and (ii) to examine the applicability of various adsorption isotherms to fit the experimental data. Results from tests were analyzed using seven equilibrium isotherm correlations (Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Temkin, Redlich-Peterson, Sips, and Toth equations). The sum of the squares of the errors was determined for each isotherm and the Langmuir equation provided the best fit. Chemical treatments increased the biosorption properties of these materials. The maximum biosorption capacities were: 6.33, 49.13, 14.83, and 38.93 mg g(-1) for untreated OS, HNO3-OS, H2SO4-OS, and NaOH-OS, respectively, and 26.72, 86.40, 72.78, and 123.80 mg g(-1) for untreated OTP, HNO3-OTP, H2SO4-OTP, and NaOH-OTP, respectively. Finally, the loss of mass for each waste (13.9, 14.3, and 36.8% for HNO3-OS, H2SO4-OS, and NaOH-OS and 35.1, 27.5, and 46.7% for HNO3-OTP, H2SO4-OTP, and NaOH-OTP, respectively) was taken into account and an effectiveness coefficient was determined for each adsorbent material.