Water, Oil, Gas & Bio Energy

Analysis of Membrane Filtration Efficiency in Removal of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles from Aqueous Nanoparticle Suspension in the Presence of Coagulation Pretreatment

Surawanvijit S., Kim M., Cohen Y., University of California, Los Angeles, US

The introduction of nanoparticles (NPs) into aqueous environment is expected to rise with increased manufacturing and use of nanoparticles. There is a need to identify efficient and methods for NP removal and such methods must [...]

Ion Rejection Properties of Nanofiltration Membranes With Inhomogeneous Charge Distribution

Szymczyk A., Zhu H., Balannec B., University of Rennes 1, FR

Ion rejection properties of NF membranes with inhomogeneous fixed charge distributions are investigated theoretically. It is shown that the occurrence of spatial inhomogeneities in the fixed charge concentration may lead to an enhancement of the [...]

Innovative Cost-effective Pre-treatment for Desalination

Lean M.H., Seo J., Kole A., Volkel A.R., Chang N., Hsieh B., Melde K., Palo Alto Research Center, US

This paper describes an innovative technology to pre-treat feed water for desalination. An inline coagulation-flocculation-separation (CFS) system is detailed that does not require filtration or sedimentation. Advantages include: scalability, modularity, rapid processing, low energy, and [...]

New UV Technology for Point-of-Use Water Disinfection

Bilenko O., Bilenko Y., Shturm I., Bilenko O., Bilenko Y., Shatalov M., Gaska R., Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc., US

We will report on a record performance of an all-LED point-of-use water disinfection system that utilizes our deep UV LED lamps with peak emission wavelengths in the range from 270 nm to 280 nm. Results [...]

Using Zeta Potential to Optimize the Water Clarification Process in a Full-Scale Water Production Facility

Nobbmann U., Gertig K.R., Billica J.A., Morfesis A., Malvern Instruments, Inc., US

Zeta potential provides a measurable value to monitor optimal water clarification capabilities. The magnitude of the zeta potential value indicates the repulsive interaction between particles; a zero zeta potential means that the conditions for the [...]

Studies on the kinetic properties of photocatalytic degradation of phenol in water using ZnO nanopowder as a photocatalyst

Tao Y., Cheng Z.L., Ting K.E., Yin X.J., Singapore Polytechnic, SG

In recent years, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been proved to be one of the most effective methods to remove organic pollutants from water and wastewater. These processes are based on the generation of the [...]

Design of a POSS-modified Zeolite Structure and the Study of the Enhancement of Ammonia-nitrogen Removal from Drinking Water

Lin D., Wang D., Zhang Q., You H., Shetty K., Hu L., Harbin Institute of Technology, CN

This research explored the utilization of a waste resource, rice hull ash (RHA), for the synthesis of the polyhedral ologomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) modifier for mesoporous zeolite molecular sieve (ZMS) to enhance NH4+ ion-exchange capacity in [...]

Precipitation, Adsorption and Inhibitory Effects of Nano Copper in Wastewater Activated Sludge

Smeraldi J., Rajagopalan G., Cooper W.J., Hosseini T., Rosso D., University of California Irvine, US

Objective of this study is to compare the fate, removal and inhibitory effects of nanocopper (oxide) with ionic copper in activated sludge. Impacts of functionalization (complexation) of nanocopper as well as the mechanism of nanocopper [...]

Agriculture Industry Sees Green in Wireless Technologies

Ersavas B., Comucicnao, Inc, US

While green is certainly considered good, applying advanced wireless technologies across the agriculture industry’s food chain is great. Bringing mature machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless communications to this broad industry – which includes growers, greenhouses, transporters and [...]

membrane technology in fishery industry: An state of art in nanotechnology

Sriniwas B.D., Sharma R., RTM University of Nagpur, IN

A large amount of raw nanomaterials is processed with the increasing demand of fishery products. Membrane technology and bioprocessing have been increasingly involved in fishery industry, particularly for the treatment of fishery wastes. Fishery nanowastes [...]

Stability of Aqueous Silica Nanoparticle Dispersions under Subsurface Conditions

Metin C.O., Nguyen Q.P., Lake L.W., The University of Texas at Austin, US

The potential application of nanotechnology has significantly advanced into the upstream oil and gas industry. However, harsh subsurface conditions such as high temperature and saline environment are generally incompatible to most commercially available engineered nanoparticles. [...]

Microkinetic Study of Oxygenate and Hydrocarbon Formation from Syngas on Rhodium and Cobalt Surfaces: Effect of Site Structure on Catalytic Cycles

Kapur N., Sampara C., Hao X., Hyun J., Shan B., Nicholas J.B., Davis B., Cho K., Nanostellar Inc., US

Syngas reformation into fuels is an attractive opportunity to diversify away from petroleum and address energy-dependency concerns. Rh and Co-based catalysts used within Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process selectively convert syngas into oxygenates and hydrocarbons respectively but [...]

Nanoparticles: Promising Solution to Overcome Stern Drilling Problems

Abdo J., Danish M., Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, OM

General solution to overcome stern and frequently occurring drilling problems lies in controlling the rheology of drilling fluids. Pipe sticking, lost circulation, erosion, formation damage, thermal instability, poor hole cleaning, high torque and drag are [...]

High-temperature Desulfurization with Nanosize ZnO

Wang H.P., Wang T.C., Kang H.Y., Wang H.P., Wang T.C., Jou J.G., Wei J.L., National Cheng Kung University, TW

Thermal efficiencies of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) process can be enhanced with high-temperature desulfurization. Nanosize, sub-nano (clusters) and atomic-dispersed ZnO has been prepared for the high-temperature desulfurization. An enhanced absorbance of the nanosize [...]

The influence of surface termination on growth of cupper clusters

Xiao L., Srinivasan J., Subramanian L., Accelrys Inc., US

Oxide supported transition metal catalysts are widely used in variety of heterogeneous catalytic processes. Knowledge of the interaction of metals with oxide surfaces provides insight into understanding a broad variety of properties of the catalysts. [...]

High-Yield Chemical Conversion of Biomass into Biofuels and Value-Added Products

Mascal M., Nikitin E.B., University of California Davis, US

We have developed a new method to efficiently convert waste biomass (agricultural, municipal forestry) into biofuels and value-added products. The process is completely chemical in nature, inexpensive, and produces no waste stream. The derived products [...]

Process Modeling Results of Bio-Syntrolysis: Converting Biomass to Liquid Fuel with High Temperature Steam Electrolysis

Hawkes G.L., McKellar M.G., Wood R., Plum M., Idaho National Laboratory, US

A new process called Bio-Syntrolysis is being researched at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) investigating syngas production from renewable biomass that is assisted with high temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE). The INL is the world leader [...]

Electric Power Generation with Torrefied Biomass

Paoluccio J.A., Inventive Resources Inc., US

A new breakthrough has been made in converting biomass into a usable fuel. This new process uses liquid immersion heat treatment to make torrefied wood. Prior testing has shown that this system should prove to [...]

New Process for Production of Bio-Diesel from Vegetable Oil

Caputo G., Giaconia A., Sau S., Felici C., Lanchi M., Tarquini P., ENEA, IT

NEW PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF BIO-DIESEL FROM VEGETABLE OIL Low-cost, high-capacity processes for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals are essential for expanding the utilization of carbon neutral processes, reducing dependency on fossil [...]

Segregation of Binary Mixtures of Biomass Wastes in Clean Technology of Spouted Bed

San José M.J., Alvarez S., López L.B., Altzibar H., Universidad del Pais Vasco, ES

Spouted bed technology is suitable for the thermal treatment of biomass by combustion (San José et al., 2002) and by pyrolysis (Aguado et al., 2000, 2002; Olazar et al., 2001). Therefore, it would be adequate [...]

Biomethane as a substitute for natural gas

Moreira N.A., Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, PT

The world’s energy consumption keeps its tendency to increase, and the natural gas stands out as one of fuels where this trend is more significant. The environmental benefits in the use of natural gas, comparing [...]

Development of ceramic support for methane reformer from alkali aluminosilicates

Martinello Savi B., Fernandes Silvano W., da Silva L., Bernardin A.M., University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina, BR

This work deals with the initial development of a ceramic reformer based on alkali metal aluminosilicates coated with nickel for the generation of hydrogen from biogas (methane). The understanding of the microstructural evolution of silicon-aluminum [...]

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