Publications

Advancements in Bio-Nanoparticles for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: Applications, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Chitosan/Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Film-Forming Hydrosols Hydrolyzed by Cellulase

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cellulase (C) on the biological activity of chitosan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (CH/HPMC) film-forming hydrosols. The hydrolytic activity of cellulase in two concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%) was verified by determination of the progress of polysaccharide hydrolysis, based on viscosity measurement and reducing sugar-ends assay. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging effect, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and microbial reduction of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus were studied. During the first 3 h of reaction, relative reducing sugar concentration increased progressively, and viscosity decreased rapidly. With increasing amount of enzyme from 0.05% to 0.1%, the reducing sugar concentration increased, and the viscosity decreased significantly. The scavenging effect of film-forming solutions was improved from 7.6% at time 0 and without enzyme to 52.1% for 0.1% cellulase after 20 h of reaction. A significant effect of cellulase addition and reaction time on antioxidant power of the tested film-forming solutions was also reported. Film-forming hydrosols with cellulase exhibited a bacteriostatic effect on all tested bacteria, causing a total reduction.

Navigating Pyrolysis Implementation—A Tutorial Review on Consideration Factors and Thermochemical Operating Methods for Biomass Conversion

Pyrolysis and related thermal conversion processes have shown increased research momentum in recent decades. Understanding the underlying thermal conversion process principles alongside the associated/exhibited operational challenges that are specific to biomass types is crucial for beginners in this research area. From an extensive literature search, the authors are convinced that a tutorial review that guides beginners particularly towards pyrolysis implementation, from different biomasses to the thermal conversion process and conditions, is scarce. An effective understanding of pre-to-main pyrolysis stages, alongside corresponding standard methodologies, would help beginners discuss anticipated results. To support the existing information, therefore, this review sought to seek how to navigate pyrolysis implementation, specifically considering factors and thermochemical operating methods for biomass conversion, drawing the ideas from: (a) the evolving nature of the thermal conversion process; (b) the potential inter-relatedness between individual components affecting pyrolysis-based research; (c) pre- to post-pyrolysis' engagement strategies; (d) potential feedstock employed in the thermal conversion processes; (e) the major pre-treatment strategies applied to feedstocks; (f) system performance considerations between pyrolysis reactors; and (g) differentiating between the reactor and operation parameters involved in the thermal conversion processes. Moreover, pre-pyrolysis activity tackles biomass selection/analytical measurements, whereas the main pyrolysis activity tackles treatment methods, reactor types, operating processes, and the eventual product output. Other areas that need beginners' attention include high-pressure process reactor design strategies and material types that have a greater potential for biomass.

Unieszkodliwianie odcieków składowiskowych w systemach roślinno-gruntowych- możliwości doboru dawki odciekóww inicjalnej fazie rozwoju roślin

Medical Peat Waste Upcycling to Carbonized Solid Fuel in the Torrefaction Process

Peat is the main type of peloid used in Polish cosmetic/healing spa facilities. Depending on treatment and origin, peat waste can be contaminated microbiologically, and as a result, it must be incinerated in medical waste incineration plants without energy recovery (local law). Such a situation leads to peat waste management costs increase. Therefore, in this work, we checked the possibility of peat waste upcycling to carbonized solid fuel (CSF) using torrefaction. Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process that removes microbiological contamination and improves the fuel properties of peat waste. In this work, the torrefaction conditions (temperature and time) on CSF quality were tested. Parallelly, peat decomposition kinetics using TGA and torrefaction kinetics with lifetime prediction using macro-TGA were determined. Furthermore, torrefaction theoretical mass and energy balance were determined. The results were compared with reference material (wood), and as a result, obtained data can be used to adjust currently used wood torrefaction technologies for peat torrefaction. The results show that torrefaction improves the high heating value of peat waste from 19.0 to 21.3 MJ × kg−1, peat main decomposition takes place at 200–550 °C following second reaction order (n = 2), with an activation energy of 33.34 kJ × mol−1, and pre-exponential factor of 4.40 × 10−1 s−1. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that peat torrefaction required slightly more energy than wood torrefaction, and macro-TGA showed that peat torrefaction has lower torrefaction constant reaction rates (k) than wood 1.05 × 10−5–3.15 × 10−5 vs. 1.43 × 10−5–7.25 × 10−5 s−1.

Potencjał produkcji biogazu z odpadów we wrocławskim Ogrodzie Zoologicznym

Study on the Effect of Hydrothermal Carbonization Parameters on Fuel Properties of Sewage Sludge Hydrochar

Wpływ odcieków i odpadów na wierzbę

Medical Peat Waste Upcycling to Carbonized Solid Fuel in the Torrefaction Process

Peat is the main type of peloid used in Polish cosmetic/healing spa facilities. Depending on treatment and origin, peat waste can be contaminated microbiologically, and as a result, it must be incinerated in medical waste incineration plants without energy recovery (local law). Such a situation leads to peat waste management costs increase. Therefore, in this work, we checked the possibility of peat waste upcycling to carbonized solid fuel (CSF) using torrefaction. Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process that removes microbiological contamination and improves the fuel properties of peat waste. In this work, the torrefaction conditions (temperature and time) on CSF quality were tested. Parallelly, peat decomposition kinetics using TGA and torrefaction kinetics with lifetime prediction using macro-TGA were determined. Furthermore, torrefaction theoretical mass and energy balance were determined. The results were compared with reference material (wood), and as a result, obtained data can be used to adjust currently used wood torrefaction technologies for peat torrefaction. The results show that torrefaction improves the high heating value of peat waste from 19.0 to 21.3 MJ × kg−1, peat main decomposition takes place at 200–550 °C following second reaction order (n = 2), with an activation energy of 33.34 kJ × mol−1, and pre-exponential factor of 4.40 × 10−1 s−1. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that peat torrefaction required slightly more energy than wood torrefaction, and macro-TGA showed that peat torrefaction has lower torrefaction constant reaction rates (k) than wood 1.05 × 10−5–3.15 × 10−5 vs. 1.43 × 10−5–7.25 × 10−5 s−1.

The Oxygen Transfer Capacity of Submerged Plant Elodea densa in Wastewater Constructed Wetlands

There are insufficient data for the development of process design criteria for constructed wetlands systems based on submerged plants as a major treatment agent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the oxygen transfer capacity (OTC) of E. densa, in relation to wet plants’ mass (w.m.), and the influence of E. densa on the oxygen concentration and contaminants’ removal efficiency from municipal wastewater. The obtained oxygen concentration and temperature data allowed to calculate the OTC values (mg O2·L−1·h−1), which had been related to wet plants’ mass unit (mg O2·L−1·h−1·g w.m.−1). The efficiency of wastewater treatment was determined in relation to initial wastewater content in the mixture of wastewater and tap water (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) during 3 days of the experiment duration. The simulation of day and night conditions was done by artificial lighting. Before and after finishing the second experiment, the COD, Ntotal, and P-PO4 concentration were analyzed in wastewater solutions. The OTC ranged from 3.19 to 8.34 (mgO2·L−1·h−1·g w.m.−1), and the increase of OTC value was related to the increase of wet plant’s mass. The research showed that E. densa affected positively on the wastewater treatment efficiency, and the highest efficiency was achieved in 25% wastewater solution: 43.6% for COD, 52.9% for Ntotal, 14.9% for P-PO4.

Characteristic of granulated activated sludge fed with glycerin fraction from biodiesel production

A review of the adsorption method for norfloxacin reduction from aqueous media

MBP - uwarunkowania technologiczne

Biomass pretreatment for biogas production

Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Enzymatic Activities of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) Fruits Modulated by Chemical Components

The aim of this study was to analyze in vitro biological activities as anti-oxidant, anti-α-amylase, anti-α-glucosidase, anti-lipase, and anti-lipoxygenase activity, relative to bioactive components (phenolic acids, flavonols, xanthophylls, carotenes, esterified carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and fatty acids) and the basic chemical composition (sugars, organic acid, dry matter, soluble solid, pH, titratable acidity, ash, pectins, and vitamin C) of Hippophaë rhamnoides berries. Six sea buckthorn cultivars commonly grown in Poland were analyzed including Aromatnaja, Botaniczeskaja-Lubitelskaja, Józef, Luczistaja, Moskwiczka, and Podarok Sadu. Berries contained 1.34–2.87 g of sugars and 0.96–4.22 g of organic acids in 100 g fresh weight, 468.60–901.11 mg of phenolic compounds, and 46.61–508.57 mg of carotenoids in 100 g dry mass. The fatty acid profile was established: palmitic > palmitoleic > oleic and linoleic > stearic and linolenic acids. The highest anti-oxidant (34.68 mmol Trolox/100 g dry mass) and anti-α-amylase potential (IC50 = 26.83 mg/mL) was determined in Aromatnaja, anti-α-glucosidase in Botaniczeskaja-Lubitelskaja (IC50 = 41.78 mg/mL), anti-lipase in Moskwiczka and Aromatnaja (average IC50 = 4.37 mg/mL), and anti-lipoxygenase in Aromatnaja and Podarok Sadu fruits (100% inhibition). The studied sea buckthorn berries may be a raw material for the development of functional foods and nutraceutical products rich in compounds with high biological activity.

Predictive modeling and optimization of hydrochar properties from food waste hydrothermal carbonization using machine learning techniques

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) efficiently converts food waste into hydrochar for energy, soil improvement, and environmental remediation. However, optimizing HTC is challenging due to the complex interactions of temperature, residence time, moisture content, and catalyst dosage. This study explores the application of machine learning (ML) techniques for predicting and optimizing hydrochar yield and properties from the HTC of food waste. Key process parameters-temperature (120-360 °C), catalyst dosage (0-2 g), residence time (30-270 min), and moisture content were analyzed using three ML models: XGBoost (XGB), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Linear Regression (LR). Among them, XGBoost demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.87, MAE = 0.81, RMSE = 1.02), outperforming SVR (R² = 0.9386, MAE = 3.08) and LR (R² = 0.85, MAE = 0.86). Temperature was identified as the most significant factor (importance score = 0.91), followed by catalyst dosage (0.61). Optimized conditions yielded 48.5 g of hydrochar per 100 g of dry food waste, with an energy recovery efficiency of 68 %. The inclusion of TiO₂ nanoparticles as a catalyst significantly enhanced hydrochar properties, increasing carbon retention from 56.8 % to 77.6 %, bulk density from 0.37 g/cm³ to 0.89 g/cm³, and high heating value from 18.4 MJ/kg to 22.7 MJ/kg. These findings demonstrate the potential of ML-driven optimization for real-time control of HTC, reducing reliance on trial-and-error experimentation and advancing sustainable waste-to-energy conversion technologies.

Thermogravimetric and Calorimetric Characteristics of Alternative Fuel in Terms of Its Use in Low-Temperature Pyrolysis

Proof-of-Concept of High-Pressure Torrefaction for Improvement of Pelletized Biomass Fuel Properties and Process Cost Reduction

This paper provides a comprehensive description of the new approach to biomass torrefaction under high-pressure conditions. A new type of laboratory-scale high-pressure reactor was designed and built. The aim of the study was to compare the high-pressure torrefaction with conventional near atmospheric pressure torrefaction. Specifically, we investigated the torrefaction process influence on the fuel properties of wooden-pellet for two different pressure regimes up to 15 bar. All torrefaction processes were conducted at 300 °C, at 30 min of residence time. The initial analysis of the increased pressure impact on the torrefaction parameters: mass yields, energy densification ratio, energy yield, process energy consumption, the proximate analysis, high heating value, and energy needed to grind torrefied pellets was completed. The results show that high-pressure torrefaction needed up to six percent less energy, whereas energy densification in the pellet was ~12% higher compared to conventional torrefaction. The presence of pressure during torrefaction did not have an impact on the energy required for pellet grinding (p < 0.05).