SummaryThe association of substituted benzoates and naphthyridine dianions was used to study the complexation of dibutyltriuret. The title molecule is the simplest molecule able to form two intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The naphthyridine salt was used to break two intramolecular hydrogen bonds at a time while with the use of substituted benzoates the systematic approach to study association was achieved. Both, titrations and variable temperature measurements shed the light on the importance of conformational equilibrium and its influence on association in solution. Moreover, the associates were observed by mass spectrometry. The DFT-based computations for complexes and single bond rotational barriers supports experimental data and helps understanding the properties of multiply hydrogen bonded complexes.

No abstract

No abstract

It is known that external diffusional resistances are significant in immobilized enzyme packed-bed reactors, especially at large scales. Thus, the external mass transfer effects were analyzed for hydrogen peroxide decomposition by immobilized Terminox Ultra catalase in a packed-bed bioreactor. For this purpose the apparent reaction rate constants, kP, were determined by conducting experimental works at different superficial velocities, U, and temperatures. To develop an external mass transfer model the correlation between the Colburn factor, JD, and the Reynolds number, Re, of the type JD = K Re (n-1) was assessed and related to the mass transfer coefficient, kmL. The values of K and n were calculated from the dependence (am kp) vs. Re -1 making use of the intrinsic reaction rate constants, kR, determined before. Based on statistical analysis it was found that the mass transfer correlation JD = 0.972 Re -0.368 predicts experimental data accurately. The proposed model would be useful for the design and optimization of industrial-scale reactors.

In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in developing the potential of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). The present paper presents a comprehensive review of studies focused on biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic wastewater with the use of such technology. The main aim of the current work was to evaluate the impact of operating parameters on the biogas production yield. Moreover, the possibilities of applying various fouling mitigation strategies have been discussed in detail. Analyses have been performed and reported in the literature, which were conducted with the use of submerged and external AnMBRs equipped with both polymeric and ceramic membranes. It has been shown that, so far, the impact of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biogas yield is ambiguous. This finding indicates that future studies on this issue are required. In addition, it was demonstrated that temperature has a positive impact on process performance. However, as presented in the literature, investigations have been carried out mainly under psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions. Hence, performing further experimental studies at temperatures above 40 °C is highly recommended. Moreover, it has been shown that in order to restore the initial permeate flux, a combination of several membrane cleaning methods is often required. The findings presented in the current study may be particularly important for the determination of operating conditions and suitable fouling mitigation strategies for laboratory-scale and pilot-scale AnMBRs used for biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic conditions.

No abstract

Nowadays, the microbial production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) is recognized as preferable to the chemical synthesis. However, finding a technological approach allowing the production of 1,3-PD in the membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a great challenge. In the present study, a ceramic ultrafiltration (UF) membrane (8 kDa) for treatment of 1,3-PD broths was used. It has been demonstrated that the membrane used provides the stable permeate flux that is necessary to ensure the stability of the fermentation process in MBR technology. It was noticed that the broth pH has a significant impact on both the final 1,3-PD concentration and permeate flux. Moreover, the feasibility of using NaOH for fouling control in the MBR was evaluated. It has been shown that 1% NaOH solution is effective in restoring the initial membrane performance. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to shed light onto the possibility of reducing the amount of the alkaline solutions generated during the MBR operation. Indeed, it has been found that 1% NaOH solution can be successfully used several times for both membrane cleaning and to stabilize the broth pH. Finally, based on the results obtained, the technological conceptions of the MBR technology were designed.

No abstract