Search

Amidst worsening water scarcity in the urban region, exploring alternative water sources is crucial. Atmospheric water extraction (AWE) technology emerges as a cost-effective and efficient remedy for the escalating issue of water scarcity. The objective of this research is to experimentally explore a novel AWE system that incorporates phase change material (PCM). This system is designed to facilitate uninterrupted water generation, even when there is no solar energy. It comprises of a solar air heater based on both-sides open evacuated tube collector having an area of 4.86 m2, which is encapsulated with acetamide-PCM. Additionally, it incorporates a silica gel filled desiccant bed and an air-cooled heat exchanger for vapor condensation. The system is investigated for two different desiccant bed weights of 15 kg (case 1) and 20 kg (case 2), respectively. The system's effectiveness is examined based on rate of adsorption, rate of regeneration, thermal, overall & exergy efficiency. The economic, environmental & enviro-economic analysis is also presented to ensure the system's sustainability & feasibility for its practical use. The results demonstrate that for case 2 the system extracts 4.1 L/day (0.843 L/m2/day) fresh water with 12.65%, 10.48% and 5.65% thermal, overall and exergy efficiency, respectively, for 20 kg desiccant bed weight. The fresh water cost is 0.12 $/L with 2 years & 1 month of payback time and 4 years & 7 months of energy payback period. The environmental & enviro-economic analysis ensures the system's eco-friendliness. Additionally, rigorous quality testing of the extracted water is carried out to affirm its suitability for safe consumption. • PCM encapsulated solar air heater for atmospheric water extraction. • Both sides open evacuated tube collector produces hot air of 130.10 °C. • Maximum water extracted is 4.1 L/day using air-cooled heat exchanger. • Thermal & exergy efficiency reported is 12.65 % & 5.65 %, respectively. • Water generation cost is 0.12 $/L, with system payback time of 2 years & 1 month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs), as emerging pollutants, have attracted the attention of environmentalists, statespersons, and the scientific community over the last few decades. To address the spread of MPs in the environment, it is imperative to develop various removal techniques and materials that are effective, scalable, and ecologically benign. However, to the best of our knowledge, no review has systematically examined the removal of MPs using adsorption or provided an in-depth discussion on various adsorbents. Adsorption is an inexpensive and effective technology for wastewater treatment. Recently, many researchers have conducted studies on MP remediation using diverse adsorbent materials, such as biochar, activated carbon, sponges, carbon nanotubes, metal-layered oxides, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and zeolites. Each adsorbent has advantages and disadvantages. To overcome their disadvantages, researchers have been designing and developing hybrid adsorbents for MP remediation. This review provides insights into these individual adsorbents and also discusses hybrid adsorbents for MP removal. Finally, the review elaborates on future possibilities and ways to enable more efficient, scalable, and environmentally friendly MP cleanup. Overall, this review bridges the gap between contemporary MP remediation using adsorption techniques and adsorbent development. [Display omitted] • Adsorption-based microplastic remediation was reviewed. • The factors affecting microplastic adsorption were thoroughly discussed. • A comprehensive analysis is presented on several microplastic adsorbents. • Microplastic adsorption challenges and future perspectives are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]