Novel Framework for Simulated Moving Bed Reactor Optimization Based on Deep Neural Network Models and Metaheuristic Optimizers: An Approach with Optimality Guarantee

Model-based optimization of simulated moving bed reactors (SMBRs) requires efficient solvers and significant computational power. Over the past years, surrogate models have been considered for such computationally demanding optimization problems. In this sense, artificial neural networks-ANNs-have found applications for modeling the simulated moving bed (SMB) unit but not yet been reported for the reactive SMB (SMBR). Despite ANNs' high accuracy, it is essential to assess its capacity to represent the optimization landscape well. However, a consistent method for optimality assessment using surrogate models is still an open issue in the literature. As such, two main contributions can be highlighted: the SMBR optimization based on deep recurrent neural networks (DRNNs) and the characterization of the feasible operation region. This is done by recycling the data points from a metaheuristic technique-optimality assessment. The results demonstrate that the DRNN-based optimization can address such complex optimization while meeting optimality.

Superior operational stability of immobilized L-asparaginase over surface-modified carbon nanotubes

L-asparaginase (ASNase, EC 3.5.1.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the L-asparagine hydrolysis into L-aspartic acid and ammonia, being mainly applied in pharmaceutical and food industries. However, some disadvantages are associated with its free form, such as the ASNase short half-life, which may be overcome by enzyme immobilization. In this work, the immobilization of ASNase by adsorption over pristine and modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated, the latter corresponding to functionalized MWCNTs through a hydrothermal oxidation treatment. Different operating conditions, including pH, contact time and ASNase/MWCNT mass ratio, as well as the operational stability of the immobilized ASNase, were evaluated. For comparison purposes, data regarding the ASNase immobilization with pristine MWCNT was detailed. The characterization of the ASNase-MWCNT bioconjugate was addressed using different techniques, namely Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. Functionalized MWCNTs showed promising results, with an immobilization yield and a relative recovered activity of commercial ASNase above 95% under the optimized adsorption conditions (pH 8, 60 min of contact and 1.5 × 10-3 g mL-1 of ASNase). The ASNase-MWCNT bioconjugate also showed improved enzyme operational stability (6 consecutive reaction cycles without activity loss), paving the way for its use in industrial processes.

Correction: Syngas production by bi-reforming methane on an Ni–K-promoted catalyst using hydrotalcites and filamentous carbon as a support material

Correction for ‘Syngas production by bi-reforming methane on an Ni–K-promoted catalyst using hydrotalcites and filamentous carbon as a support material’ by Adelino F. Cunha et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 21158–21173, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA03264F.

Syngas production by bi-reforming methane on an Ni–K-promoted catalyst using hydrotalcites and filamentous carbon as a support material

Steam reforming of methane (SRM) and dry reforming of methane (DRM) are frequently used in the production of syngas; however, the bi-reforming of methane (BRM) is an interesting and alternative process. In this study, BRM was studied over MgO, a layered double hydroxide (LDH) phase that was destroyed between 600 °C and 900 °C during the reaction. It showed good sorption capacity for CO₂ at relatively low temperatures (<500 °C), with CO₂ adsorption being a pre-requisite for its catalytic conversion. Among the tested materials, the potassium-promoted LDH showed the highest activity, achieving a maximum CO₂ conversion of 75%. The results suggest that at high temperature, the electronic structure of the used materials influences the destabilization of the feed in the order of methane, water and carbon dioxide. K promotes the catalytic activity, compensates the presence of large Ni particle sizes originating from the high metal loading, and favors the formation of Mg–Al-spinel. K is known to be an electronic promoter that releases electrons, which flow to the active metal. This electron flow induces instability on the molecule to be converted, and most probably, also induces size variations on the respective active nickel metal. The influence of the operating conditions in the range of 300 °C to 900 °C on the conversion of the reactants and product distribution was studied. Accordingly, it was concluded that it is only possible to obtain molar ratios of hydrogen-to-carbon monoxide close to two at high temperatures, a pre-requisite for the synthesis of methanol.

A Ni phase dispersed in CO₂ is used with a K promoter in the BRM. The LDH support structure collapses at high temperatures, inducing large Ni crystal sizes, and disfavoring activity. The catalyst is compensated by the K promoter, and the formation of an Mg–Al-spinel.

Development and characterization of a novel l-asparaginase/MWCNT nanobioconjugate

The enzyme l-asparaginase (ASNase) presents effective antineoplastic properties used for acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment besides their potential use in the food sector to decrease the acrylamide formation. Considering their applications, the improvement of this enzyme's properties by efficient immobilization techniques is in high demand. Carbon nanotubes are promising enzyme immobilization supports, since these materials have increased surface area and effective capacity for enzyme loading. Accordingly, in this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were explored as novel supports for ASNase immobilization by a simple adsorption method. The effect of pH and contact time of immobilization, as well as the ASNase to nanoparticles mass ratio, were optimized according to the enzyme immobilization yield and relative recovered activity. The enzyme–MWCNTs bioconjugation was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. MWCNTs have a high ASNase loading capacity, with a maximum immobilization yield of 90%. The adsorbed ASNase retains 90% of the initial enzyme activity at the optimized conditions (pH 8.0, 60 min, and 1.5 × 10⁻³ g mL⁻¹ of ASNase). According to these results, ASNase immobilized onto MWCNTs can find improved applications in several areas, namely biosensors, medicine and food industry.

l-Asparaginase immobilization by adsorption over MWCNTs for potential application in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Strategies to reduce mass and photons transfer limitations in heterogeneous photocatalytic processes: Hexavalent chromium reduction studies

The current work presents different approaches to overcome mass and photon transfer limitations in heterogeneous photocatalytic processes applied to the reduction of hexavalent chromium to its trivalent form in the presence of a sacrificial agent. Two reactor designs were tested, a monolithic tubular photoreactor (MTP) and a micro-meso-structured photoreactor (NETmix), both presenting a high catalyst surface area per reaction liquid volume. In order to reduce photon transfer limitations, the tubular photoreactor was packed with transparent cellulose acetate monolithic structures (CAM) coated with the catalyst by a dip-coating method. For the NETmix reactor, a thin film of photocatalyst was uniformly deposited on the front glass slab (GS) or on the network of channels and chambers imprinted in the back stainless steel slab (SSS) using a spray system. The reaction rate for the NETmix photoreactor was evaluated for two illumination sources, solar light or UVA-LEDs, using the NETmix with the front glass slab or/and back stainless steel slab coated with TiO₂-P25. The reusability of the photocatalytic films on the NETmix walls was also evaluated for three consecutive cycles using fresh Cr(VI) solutions. The catalyst reactivity in combination with the NETmix-SSS photoreactor is almost 70 times superior to one obtained with the MTP.

Application of a micro-meso-structured reactor (NETmix) to promote photochemical UVC/H2O2 processes – oxidation of As(iii) to As(v)

A micro-meso-structured reactor (NETmix) was used for the first time to promote UVC/H₂O₂ processes.

Cow bones char as a green sorbent for fluorides removal from aqueous solutions: batch and fixed-bed studies

Cow bone char was investigated as sorbent for the defluoridation of aqueous solutions. The cow bone char was characterized in terms of its morphology, chemical composition, and functional groups present on the bone char surface using different analytical techniques: SEM, EDS, N₂-BET method, and FTIR. Batch equilibrium studies were performed for the bone chars prepared using different procedures. The highest sorption capacities for fluoride were obtained for the acid washed (q = 6.2 ± 0.5 mg/g) and Al-doped (q = 6.4 ± 0.3 mg/g) bone chars. Langmuir and Freundlich models fitted well the equilibrium sorption data. Fluoride removal rate in batch system is fast in the first 5 h, decreasing after this time until achieving equilibrium due to pore diffusion. The presence of carbonate and bicarbonate ions in the aqueous solution contributes to a decrease of the fluoride sorption capacity of the bone char by 79 and 31 %, respectively. Regeneration of the F-loaded bone char using 0.5 M NaOH solution leads to a sorption capacity for fluoride of 3.1 mg/g in the second loading cycle. Fluoride breakthrough curve obtained in a fixed-bed column presents an asymmetrical S-shaped form, with a slow approach of C/C ₀ → 1.0 due to pore diffusion phenomena. Considering the guideline value for drinking water of 1.5 mg F^-/L, as recommended by World Health Organization, the service cycle for fluoride removal was of 71.0 h ([F^-]_feed ∼ 9 mg/L; flow rate = 1 mL/min; m _sorbent = 12.6 g). A mass transfer model considering the pore diffusion was able to satisfactorily describe the experimental data obtained in batch and continuous systems.

Effect of cosmetic matrices on the release and odour profiles of the supercritical CO2 extract of Origanum majorana L

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the effect of different cosmetic matrices on the release profile and odour intensity of the fragrance O. majorana was investigated for the first time.

METHODS

The fragrance compounds of O. majorana were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2 ) at 40°C and two operating pressures (8.5 and 10 MPa), and their chemical profiles were assessed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-FID/MS). Lastly, the fragrance compounds were incorporated into three cosmetic matrices (glycerine, dipropylene glycol and skin lotion) to assess their release and odour profiles over time using dynamic headspace (DHS)/GC-FID/MS and Odour Value concept, respectively.

RESULTS

The SFE-CO2 enabled recovering extracts with the pleasant scent of the living plant, and the increment of pressure induced an increase on the extraction yield. GC-FID/MS analyses revealed that oxygen-containing monoterpenes was the principal group of components identified in both SFE-CO2 extracts. The fragrance compounds were more retained in dipropylene glycol, and the major deviations from the original odour intensity (control) were observed in the presence of dipropylene glycol and skin lotion.

CONCLUSION

The hydrophilic character of the cosmetic matrices strongly influenced the release of the fragrance compounds, thus affecting the odour profile of the studied mixtures.

Laccase immobilization over multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Kinetic, thermodynamic and stability studies

The biocatalytic performance of immobilized enzyme systems depends mostly on the intrinsic properties of both biomolecule and support, immobilization technique and immobilization conditions. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) possess unique features for enzyme immobilization by adsorption. Enhanced catalytic activity and stability can be achieved by optimization of the immobilization conditions and by investigating the effect of operational parameters. Laccase was immobilized over MWCNTs by adsorption. The hybrid material was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). The effect of different operational conditions (contact time, enzyme concentration and pH) on laccase immobilization was investigated. Optimized conditions were used for thermal stability, kinetic, and storage and operational stability studies. The optimal immobilization conditions for a laccase concentration of 3.75μL/mL were a pH of 9.0 and a contact time of 30min (522 Ulac/gcarrier). A decrease in the thermal stability of laccase was observed after immobilization. Changes in ΔS and ΔH of deactivation were found for the immobilized enzyme. The Michaelis-Menten kinetic constant was higher for laccase/MWCNT system than for free laccase. Immobilized laccase maintained (or even increased) its catalytic performance up to nine cycles of utilization and revealed long-term storage stability.

Green coconut fiber: a novel carrier for the immobilization of commercial laccase by covalent attachment for textile dyes decolourization

Commercial laccase formulation was immobilized on modified green coconut fiber silanized with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, aiming to achieve a cheap and effective biocatalyst. Two different strategies were followed: one point (pH 7.0) and multipoint (pH 10.0) covalent attachment. The influence of immobilization time on enzymatic activity and the final reduction with sodium borohydride were evaluated. The highest activities were achieved after 2 h of contact time in all situations. Commercial laccase immobilized at pH 7.0 was found to have higher activity and higher affinity to the substrate. However, the immobilization by multipoint covalent attachment improved the biocatalyst thermal stability at 50 °C, when compared to soluble enzyme and to the immobilized enzyme at pH 7.0. The Schiff's bases reduction by sodium borohydride, in spite of causing a decrease in enzyme activity, showed to contribute to the increase of operational stability through bonds stabilization. Finally, these immobilized enzymes showed high efficiency in the continuous decolourization of reactive textile dyes. In the first cycle, the decolourization is mainly due to dyes adsorption on the support. However, when working in successive cycles, the adsorption capacity of the support decreases (saturation) and the enzymatic action increases, indicating the applicability of this biocatalyst for textile wastewater treatment.

Reverse shape selectivity in the liquid-phase adsorption of xylene isomers in zirconium terephthalate MOF UiO-66

Powder, agglomerates, and tablets of the microporous zirconium(IV) terephthalate metal-organic framework UiO-66 were evaluated for the selective adsorption and separation of xylene isomers in the liquid phase using n-heptane as the eluent. Pulse experiments, performed at 313 K in the presence of n-heptane, revealed the o-xylene preference of this material, which was further confirmed by binary and multicomponent breakthrough experiments in the presence of m- and p-xylene, resulting in selectivities at 313 K of 1.8 and 2.4 with regards to m-xylene and p-xylene, respectively. Additionally, because p-xylene is the less retained isomer, UiO-66 presents a selectivity pattern that is reverse of that of the xylenes' molecular dimension with respect to shape selectivity. The shaping of the material as tablets did not significantly change its selectivity toward the o-xylene isomer or toward p-xylene, which was the less retained isomer, despite a loss in capacity. Finally, the selectivity behavior of UiO-66 in the liquid n-heptane phase makes it a suitable material for o-xylene separation in the extract (heavy product) or p-xylene separation in the raffinate (light product) by simulated moving bed technology.

Toward understanding the influence of ethylbenzene in p-xylene selectivity of the porous titanium amino terephthalate MIL-125(Ti): adsorption equilibrium and separation of xylene isomers

The potential of the porous crystalline titanium dicarboxylate MIL-125(Ti) in powder form was studied for the separation in liquid phase of xylene isomers and ethylbenzene (MIL stands for Materials from Institut Lavoisier). We report here a detailed experimental study consisting of binary and multi-component adsorption equilibrium of xylene isomers in MIL-125(Ti) powder at low (≤0.8 M) and bulk (≥0.8 M) concentrations. A series of multi-component breakthrough experiments was first performed using n-heptane as the eluent at 313 K, and the obtained selectivities were compared, followed by binary breakthrough experiments to determine the adsorption isotherms at 313 K, using n-heptane as the eluent. MIL-125(Ti) is a para-selective material suitable at low concentrations to separate p-xylene from the other xylene isomers. Pulse experiments indicate a separation factor of 1.3 for p-xylene over o-xylene and m-xylene, while breakthrough experiments using a diluted ternary mixture lead to selectivity values of 1.5 and 1.6 for p-xylene over m-xylene and o-xylene, respectively. Introduction of ethylbenzene in the mixture results however in a decrease of the selectivity.

Treatment and kinetic modelling of a simulated dye house effluent by enzymatic catalysis

Biocatalytic treatment of a synthetic dye house effluent, simulating a textile wastewater containing various reactive dyestuffs (Reactive Yellow 15, Reactive Red 239 and Reactive Black 5) and auxiliary chemicals, was investigated in a batch reactor using a commercial laccase. A high decolourisation (above 86%) was achieved at the maximum wavelength of Reactive Black 5. The decolourisation at the other dyes wavelengths (above 63% for RY15 and around 41% for RR239) and the total decolourisation based on all the visible spectrum (around 55%) were not so good, being somewhat lower than in the case of a mixture of the dyes (above 89% for RB5, 77% for RY15, 68% for RR239 and above 84% for total decolourisation). Even so, these results suggest the applicability of this method to treat textile dyeing wastewaters. Kinetic models were developed to simulate the synthetic effluent decolourisation by commercial laccase. The kinetic constants of the models were estimated by minimizing the difference between the predicted and the experimental time courses. The close correlation between the experimental data and the simulated values seems to demonstrate that the models are able to describe with remarkable accuracy the simulated effluent degradation. Water quality parameters such as TOC, COD, BOD(5) and toxicity were found to be under the maximum permissible discharge limits for textile industries wastewaters.