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Bioactive molecules derived from seaweed extracts are revolutionary bio-stimulants used to enhance plant growth and increase yield production. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available seaweed liquid extract, namely, True-Algae-Max (TAM®), as a plant growth stimulant on nutritional, and antioxidant activity of Capsicum annuum. Three concentrations of TAM® (0.25, 0.5, and 1%) of various NPK: TAM® ratios were investigated via foliar spray, over 2017 and 2018 cultivation seasons, under greenhouse conditions. TAM® is rich in phytochemical compounds, such as ascorbic acid (1.66 mg g−1), phenolics (101.67 mg g−1), and flavonoids (2.60 mg g−1) that showed good antioxidant activity (54.52 mg g−1) and DPPH inhibition of 70.33%. Promoting measured parameter results stated the extensive potentiality of TAM® application, in comparison with conventional NPK treatment. Yield and composition of C. annuum were significantly improved in all TAM® treated groups, especially the TAM0.5% concentration, which resulted in maximum yield (4.23 Kg m−2) and significant amounts of profuse biological molecules like chlorophyll, ascorbic, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and total nutrients. Compared to the NPK control treatments, C. annuum treated with TAM0.5% improved the total antioxidant activity of hot Pepper from 162.16 to 190.95 mg g−1. These findings indicate that the extract of seaweed can be used as an environmentally friendly, multi-functional biostimulant in the agricultural field for more sustainable production, in addition to reducing the use of hazardous synthetic fertilizers.

Surface integrity has significant effect on service performance of a component. The surface integrity of workpieces submitted to grinding process depends on the conditions of cooling produced by cutting fluids, which are used to avoid microstructural damage in the process. However, cutting fluids are harmful to the environment and human health, and appear as a crucial element to the optimization of the manufacturing process. In this scenario, biodegradable cutting fluids, such as formulations based on vegetable oils, appear as promising possibility to a cleaner production in grinding process. This study analyzed the surface integrity of AISI 4340 steel, quenched and tempered, in the external cylindrical plunge grinding process with the use of six different formulations of biodegradable cutting fluids (with oils of soybeans, corn, and mineral oil, pure and with additives). The performance of the application of cutting fluids was evaluated by characterizing the microstructure by Scanning Electron Microscopy - SEM and microhardness and roughness measurements. The results showed that the surface integrity of the components was not significantly damaged, which proves the efficiency of biodegradable cutting fluids and feasibility of its use in grinding process.

Lithium carbonate is an important chemical raw material that is widely used in many contexts. The preparation of lithium carbonate by acid roasting is limited due to the large amounts of low-value sodium sulfate waste salts that result. In this research, bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) technology was developed to treat waste sodium sulfate containing lithium carbonate for conversion of low-value sodium sulfate into high-value sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. Both can be used as raw materials in upstream processes. In order to verify the feasibility of the method, the effects of the feed salt concentration, current density, flow rate, and volume ratio on the desalination performance were determined. The conversion rate of sodium sulfate was close to 100%. The energy consumption obtained under the best experimental conditions was 1.4 kWh·kg−1. The purity of the obtained sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide products reached 98.32% and 98.23%, respectively. Calculated under the best process conditions, the total process cost of BMED was estimated to be USD 0.705 kg−1 Na2SO4, which is considered low and provides an indication of the potential economic and environmental benefits of using applying this technology.

The welding procedure for reinforcing bars used in reinforced concrete takes place at fixed industrial installations. The welders must ensure that the reinforcing bar positions are maintained throughout all stages leading up to concreting. Fusion welding offers an alternative procedure that entails fewer risks for the workers’ health. In this study, we aimed to determine the minimum parameters for the intensity, pressure, and time necessary to ensure the level of performance required by this assembly welding. A total of 2160 joints were manufactured, comprising the different thicknesses. For each thickness measurement, 45 different combinations of parameters were applied. The joints were evaluated based on the resulting dimensions and on the failure force necessary to break the joint. For different thicknesses, the breaking loads were over 7350 N. In addition, the welding cycle times did not exceed three seconds. Based on the results obtained in this study, we concluded that assembling rebar (manufacturing reinforcing bars) by electrical resistance welding is a viable option. This method is fast, safe, and clean, and reduces the risks to the workers’ health.

Batik has become more desirable in the current fashion mode within the global market, but the environmental damage induced by this fabric’s synthetic dye practices is a matter of concern. This study aimed to discuss the application of organic materials as natural dyes in the clean production of textiles to maintain the environment. The research was a case study from the community services program in Kampung Malon, Gunungpati, Semarang City, Indonesia, focused on the batik home industry of the Zie Batik fabric. Furthermore, natural pigments from various plant organs (stem, leaves, wood, bark, and fruit) of diverse species, including Caesalpinia sappan, Ceriops candolleana, Maclura cochinchinensis, Indigofera tinctorial, I. arrecta, Rhizopora spp., Strobilantes cusia, and Terminalia bellirica were used for this type of material. These pigments are more biodegradable, relatively safe, and easily obtained with zero liquid waste compared to the synthetic variants. The leftover wastewater from the coloring stages was further utilized for other processes. Subsequently, the remaining organic waste from the whole procedure was employed as compost and/or timber for batik production, although a large amount of the wastewater containing sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), alum (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O), and fixatives (Ca(OH)2 and FeSO4) were discharged into the environment during the process of mordanting and fixating, with the requirement of additional treatment.

Solar-powered desalination is a sustainable solution for countries experiencing water scarcity. Several studies have presented different solutions to provide cleaner production in desalination systems. Parabolic trough collector (PTC) is one of these solutions that has proven to be superior among solar concentrators. Furthermore, a number of studies have investigated the use of PTC for distillation of saline water in response to water scarcity. In this study, a modified PTC model was developed, in which the heat exchanger was replaced by a condensation tube to reduce the energy consumption, and a black layer was introduced to the surface of the receiver to enhance its absorptance. As a reference case, the system productivity according to average solar intensities in Zagazig, located at 30°34′N 31°30′E in the North East of Egypt, is estimated. The results indicated that the maximum production rate that can be attained is 1.72 kg/h. Then, the structure of the system is evaluated with the aid of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, in order to enhance its productivity. Many materials are examined and the results recognised copper as the most suitable material amongst marine grade metals (i.e., aluminium, galvanised steel and stainless steel) to construct the receiver tube. This is due to its superior thermal performance, satisfactory corrosion resistance, and acceptable cost. Afterwards, the selected receiver tube was employed to identify the optimal Concentration Ratio (CR). Consequently, a CR of 90.56 was determined to be the optimum value for Zagazig and regions with similar solar radiation. As a result, the system’s productivity was enhanced drastically, as it was estimated that a maximum production rate of 6.93 kg/h can be achieved.

A laboratory investigation was developed to confirm and to quantify the reductions in absorbable organic halide (AOX) discharge when sodium sulphide was added during elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching of sugarcane bagasse pulp. After the chlorine dioxide bleaching stage, the pulp was sent directly into the extraction stage without washing. FTIR was employed to determine the breakage of chemical bonds in the pulp, and GC-MS was used to measure the composition of the bleaching effluent. The addition of sodium sulphide caused a reduction in AOX of up to 46.7%. The AOX reduction reached this maximum when the sodium sulphide was added 30 min after the start of the extraction stage and when the pH was higher than 12. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the phenolic lignin of the pulp was degraded by the sodium sulphide and that the syringyl lignin and C-O-C, C=O structure of the pulp holocellulose of the pulp was preserved during the extraction stage. The GC-MS showed that the chlorobenzene and chlorophenol contents decreased noticeably after the addition of sodium sulphide.

Graphical abstract Highlights • As preconditions, fuzzy ball fluids can overcome the challenge of CBM well drilling. • The drilling fluids can restore the ecosystems and the soil resources. • The nature of fuzzy ball drilling fluids is environmentally friendly. • Solidification landfill is technically & economically efficient for waste disposal. • The friendliness relies on material, structural and functional basis. Abstract To protect the vulnerable ecosystems in coalbed methane(CBM) well plants from the pollution of drilling fluids, the environmental friendliness of fuzzy-ball drilling fluids was evaluated. Further, the combination of solidification and in-situ landfill were proposed to optimize their waste disposal. Firstly, the samples for tests were collected from the well plants. Then, their environment-related properties were evaluated with the indicator vector from wastewater perspective to monitor their environmental friendliness. Lastly, comparative analysis of two wells in Linfen, China was conducted concerning engineering and economic parameters. Results showed that these indicators of the new fuzzy-ball drilling fluids and their raw materials were within the ceiling limits of related national standard, whereas those of waste fuzzy-ball drilling fluids exceeded the limits. The mechanical strengths of the waste drilling fluids solidified directly could meet the practical transport demand, and their leachates met the standardized requirements due to the strong biodegradability of fuzzy-ball fluids. Field studies demonstrated the economic effectiveness of fuzzy-ball drilling fluids, reconciling the conflict between environment-protecting and cost-reducing. In conclusion, fuzzy-ball drilling fluids are feasible for fragile ecosystem protection in CBM well plants. The environmental friendliness relies on their material, structural and functional basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Modern manufacturing industries thrive for energy efficient, clean and sustainable machining processes. However, achieving these objectives becomes difficult especially in machining Ti-6Al-4V as it retains its properties at high temperature. Cryogenic liquid nitrogen (LN 2) is a clean machining environment that has potential to improve the machinability performance for Ti-6Al-4V. LN 2 promotes sustainability and facilitates low carbon emission. Orientation and number of employed LN 2 jets influence the cutting energy, quality and productivity. Moreover, a balance between energy consumption and quality-productivity is required for sustainable production. In this respect, this research work studies the cutting force, specific energy, temperature, surface quality (i.e. surface roughness), and material removal rate under the impingement of LN 2 as mono-jet and dual-jets. This study has three parts: evaluation of the role of factors on the output parameters, optimization of parameters, and lastly the life cycle assessment (LCA) of cryogenic LN 2 assisted machining. Owing to irreconcilable nature of single-objective optimization, multi-response optimization was conducted using Grey-Taguchi integrated approach. It was found that LN 2 dual-jets were most effective in reducing the specific energy consumption and temperature, and improving surface quality. This can be attributed to the faster and effective heat removal by LN 2 from the critical interfaces. Other optimum parameters were cutting speed of 140 m/min and feed rate of 0.16 mm/rev. It was found that LCA showed that there is a clear relation between cooling strategy and environmental aspects such as resources, energy, human health, and biodiversity, etc. that directly affects the machining performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Graphical abstract Image Research-Highlights • Turning of hardened Ti-6Al-4V using dry, mono-jet and dual-jets of cryogenic conditions. • Study of cutting force, specific energy, temperature, surface quality and material removal rate. • Evaluation of the role of factors on the output parameters. • Optimization of parameters using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of cryogenic LN 2 assisted machining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents a stochastic multi-layer energy management for a multi-microgrid (MMG) based smart distribution network (SDN). Also, all network constraints have been regarded to evaluate the effect of the active power loss on the energy management of the entities. Besides, demand response (DR) programs have been considered in the optimization process, which is one of the features of the SDN and could be used to manage the consumed power of each individual entity. Furthermore, in order to contemplate environmental issues, emission constraints for dispatchable generators have been taken into account. In this procedure, first, each microgrid (MG) performs an energy management to determine the schedule of its units and the shortage/surplus power. Then using the received data, the SDN operator (SDNO) prepares a priority list (PL) of units capable of injecting power to the SDN based on their average cost and capacity. The preparation of the PL entices the investors for using renewable based generators. Afterwards, it executes a global energy management. In the proposed approach, scenario based stochastic optimization has been utilized to model the uncertainties of the renewable energy resources. Finally, simulations using the modified IEEE 33-bus test feeder are done to demonstrate that how the proposed method encourages each MG for deploying clean productions as their main generation units. Moreover, the executed results illustrate the changes in the schedules of the MGs in the case of considering active power loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel microbial procedure was proposed for diosgenin production from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright (DZW) tubers via employing Aspergillus awamori for the first time. The optimal conditions of fermenter cultivation were established as inoculation dosage of 8%, fermentation temperature of 30 °C, cultivation time of 8 days, initial pH of 7.0 and a stirring rate of 180 rpm when the converted diosgenin content reached a peak value of 74.26 ± 3.23 mg/g substrate. The product was purified by silica gel column and then confirmed as diosgenin (purity: 96.9 ± 2.42%) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Compared with traditional acid hydrolysis, this new process generated indeed less wastewater with lower chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduced to 500 mg/L from 10,000 mg/L and absence of acid and alkali. This research provided definitely an environmental and high-efficiency microbial technology for diosgenin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the parametric and nonparametric description of surface topography after turning in the dry and MQCL conditions. The carried out research involved the longitudinal turning tests of duplex stainless steel, conducted in a range of variable cutting speeds v c and feeds f . Surface topography measurements were conducted with the application of Infinite Focus G4 microscope. In the first stage of research, the parametric analysis of the machined surfaces has been conducted. It included the evaluation of amplitude surface roughness parameters. In the next stage the nonparametric description of machined surfaces was carried out. This analysis has been focused on the presentation of machined surfaces in the form of contour maps and isometric images. The last stage of experiment involved the evaluation of surface isotropy and formulation of material ratio charts. The conducted research shows that the application of MQCL method can lead to the reduction of 3D surface roughness parameters compared to values reached after the dry machining. Moreover, the better distribution of irregularity peaks and pits under the MQCL method, comparing to that obtained after dry cutting implies that surfaces machined with the use of MQCL technique can be characterized by a high wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To relief the water shortage crisis in China, the Chinese government has initiated a series of clean production (CP) measures to reduce the freshwater consumption and wastewater discharge from paper industry. In this study, a new CP technology was introduced in the paper industry to reuse tissue paper mill effluent water as intake water of corrugated paper mill. The feasibility and impact of the new CP technology was investigated in three different scales, laboratory experiments, pilot‐scale testing, and long‐term implementation. Results show that the water quality of treated tissue paper mill effluent water is competitive with that of freshwater and some water quality indexes are even better, indicating that treated tissue paper mill effluent water is a suitable alternative to replace the freshwater as intake water for the corrugated paper mill. By reusing tissue paper mill effluent water as intake water of corrugated paper mill, most physical properties of different corrugated paper layers are improved or similar as those by using freshwater as intake water in all different scale experiments. Moreover, the new CP technology significantly reduced the freshwater consumption for the corrugated paper mill, eliminated the wastewater discharged from the tissue paper mill, and at the same time, lowered the operation cost for both paper mills in terms of freshwater consumption and wastewater treatment cost. Total 216,000 RMB will be saved every year with an assumption that tissue paper mill provides annual daily average 2000 cubic meter of effluent water to corrugated paper mill every day. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 934–941, 2018 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public procurement is a mechanism through which the public sector can benefit from the latest technological processes and assistance from the private sector, while retaining its position as the main decision-maker in setting and implementing investment policies. This paper aims to make a quantitative analysis in an attempt to identify, to what extend, the contracting authorities in Romania, given the increased demand for the purchase of IT equipment caused by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recommendations of the European Commission in this field, have used, in their tender documents, evaluation criteria/factors specific to circular purchasing. In addition, the analysis aims to establish how the recycling and circularity process can be determined from the early stage of the tender documents, when establishing the evaluation factors that will directly impact the contract winner. Using principal component analysis and the Cronbach coefficient alpha combined with "the Varimax" method, the nature and the weight of the evaluation factors have been identified in a circular procurement process, considering the best value for money. The final findings represent a mix of criteria for IT circular procurement to be used to push the suppliers to clean/green production and to pull the market to a circular economy sales and consumption paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facilitating pollution reduction in manufacturing enterprises is crucial for implementing the new development concept and achieving sustainable, environmentally friendly growth. This research delves into the influence of digital inputs on pollution emission reduction in Chinese manufacturing enterprises. The study utilizes a combination of the World Input-Output Database, the Chinese Industrial Enterprises Database, and the Chinese Industrial Enterprises Pollution Emission Database covering the period from 2000 to 2012. The findings reveal that digital inputs make a significant contribution to pollution reduction in Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Specifically, digital software inputs and foreign digital factor inputs display more pronounced effects on pollution reduction. The analysis of the mechanism reveals that the pollution reduction effects of digital inputs in manufacturing enterprises can be attributed to several effective mechanisms: the enhancement of energy efficiency, technological innovation, and servitization, as well as the crowding-out effect of pollution control investment. The former mechanisms demonstrate a promoting effect, while the latter exhibits an inhibiting effect. The impact of digital inputs on pollution reduction in manufacturing enterprises displays heterogeneity, with a more significant emission reduction effect observed in industries facing higher environmental regulatory intensity, digitization-unrelated industries, non-state-owned firms, and firms with higher levels of financing constraints. These findings offer empirical evidence and serve as a policy foundation for promoting digital transformation and achieving green economic development in China. [Display omitted] • The findings reveal a significant positive effect of digital inputs on pollution reduction. • Digital inputs reduce pollution by improving energy efficiency, promoting technological innovation, and facilitating servitization. • The investment in pollution control is diminished as a result of digital inputs. • The promotion effect of digital inputs on pollution reduction exhibits heterogeneity across different enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of clean production using nanostructured materials in subtractive manufacturing processes has focused on replacing the use of liquid lubrication with solid lubricants coated to conventional cutting tools machining low carbon steel (∼0.2 wt % carbon). However, little is known about the wear mechanisms that dominate such tools when coated with functional graded nanostructured coatings. The present study follows an international standard for characterizing such wear (ISO 8688) but uses advanced measurement techniques such as x-ray fluorescence technology to measure the diffusion of chemical species from tool to workpiece and vice versa, that contributes to tool wear with the view to enhance the principles of cleaner production. The results show that when commercially-available tools coated with the appropriate functionally graded industrial coating, diffusion does not take place and creates an effective chemical barrier during machining. The experimental methods used in the study include machining workpieces using a CNC milling machine, tachometer for measuring spindle speed, dynamometer for measuring cutting forces, infra-red camera for measuring cutting temperatures, chemical species diffusion wear using x-ray fluorescence detector, and an optical microscope for measuring tool wear. Coupled with the physical measurement of wear, it is concluded that mechanical wear dominates the milling of a low carbon steel and that thermal properties of the coatings do not correlate with such wear. It is also concluded that flank wear as a function of volume of workpiece removed and machining duration (machining index) is a sound method for assessing the transition of the stages of wear during clean machining operations. The present study not only has implications for the design of better cutting tools, but also advances dry machining processes that eliminate the use of liquid lubricants making subtractive production processes cleaner. The main conclusions drawn from this study show that coated tools have a longer life under dry conditions compared to uncoated tools and that there is no correlation between coating properties and tool wear. Diffusion of chemical species into the cut chips did not occur because of the lack of thermally induced chemical wear of the cutting tool and that wear is caused by the gradual erosion of the flank face due to the chip abrading the cutting tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A la actual Política Nacional de Producción más Limpia y Consumo Sostenible en Colombia se han articulado programas en diversos sectores productivos, uno de estos enfocado al sector transporte de carga, desde el 2008. Un proyecto de investigación acción participativa fue liderado por Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá (AMVA), como autoridad ambiental urbana, el cual fue ejecutado por grupos de investigación de universidades de la región. El objetivo fue fomentar la adopción de buenas prácticas de conducción y visibilizar beneficios ambientales y económicos, los cuales se evidencian mostrando un modelo de caso exitoso entre un conjunto de 118 empresas del sector, para la implementación de indicadores ambientales. De esta manera se proyecta alcanzar mayores condiciones de sostenibilidad y disminución de la huella de carbono marcada por una actividad generadora de alta presión ambiental. In the current Colombian National Policy for Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption, there are several Programs that have been articulated in different productive sectors, one of these has focused on the Freight Since 2008. A participative action research project was led by the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley (AMVA), as the local urban environmental authority, was executed by Research Groups from universities in the region. The objective was to encourage the adoption of Best Practices for Driving and make possible environmental and economic benefits, which are evidenced by presenting a model of a successful case within a group of 118 companies in the sector, in order to implement environmental indicators. This way, a projection of reaching better conditions of sustainability and reduction of the carbon footprint of an activity that generates high environmental pressure can be carried out. Na atual Política Nacional de Produção mais Limpa e Consumo Sustentável da Colômbia, Programas em diversos setores produtivos têm sido articulados, um desses foca no setor de transporte de carga desde 2008. Um projeto de pesquisa-ação participativa, foi liderado pela Área Metropolitana do Vale do Aburrá (AMVA), como a autoridade ambiental urbana, o qual foi executado por Grupos de Pesquisa de universidades da região. O objetivo foi fomentar a adoção de Boas Práticas Condução e viabilizar benefícios ambientais e econômicos, os quais se evidenciam apresentando um modelo de caso de sucesso entre um conjunto de 118 empresas do setor, para a implementação de indicadores ambientais. Desta forma, projeta-se atingir maiores condições de sustentabilidade e a diminuição da pegada de carbono aportada por um atividade geradora de alta pressão ambiental.

Current metal nanomaterials for developing nanofunctional textiles are mostly based on metal nanoparticles (NPs) that show aqueous instability, a tendency to aggregate, and low chemical affinity to biomass textiles, leading to low nano-metal uptake during finishing, significant declines in function, and nano-pollution. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy to transform metal (Ag, Au, and Pt) NPs into homogenous hyperbranched poly(amide-amine) (HBPAA)-encapsulated NPs showing high water solubility, oxidative resistance, and affinity to biomass materials upon surface capping with HBPAA. The proposed method represents a universal, simple, clean, and efficient self-assembly technology to produce monolayered Ag−Au−Pt ternary-coated biomass textiles. The combination of Ag, Au, and Pt NPs yields a positive potential of approximately +37.12 mV depending on the metal concentration and could simultaneously self-assemble onto natural fibers, including cotton, silk, and wool, through the one-step impregnation of textiles. Increasing the temperature and concentration of the mixture favors the self-assembly process. A mixture of 30−110 mg/L Ag, Au, and Pt NPs could nearly completely anchor onto cotton, silk, and wool textiles after impregnation at 100 °C for 1 h without chemical assistance, thereby indicating the possibility of clean production. As-prepared functional cotton, silk, and wool possessed similarly high antibacterial activities, and a mixture containing over 1500 mg/g NPs inhibited 99% of the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the sample textiles. The developed coating technology is simple, clean, controllable, and broadly applicable; thus, it could be potentially applied in functional textiles.