Investigating the Electrocoagulation Treatment of Landfill Leachate by Iron/Graphite Electrodes: Process Parameters and Efficacy Assessment

Electrocoagulation is a widely used method for treating leachate since it is cost effective and eco-friendly. In the present study, the electrocoagulation process was employed to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH4+, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, and color from landfill leachate. At first, lime was used as a pretreatment, then the Fe/Gr and Ti/PbO2/steel electrodes were used, and the optimum electrode was selected. Afterwards, the effects of some variables, including pH, current density, temperature, the inter-electrode distance, and the type of electrolyte were investigated. Results showed that COD, NH4+, TSS, TDS, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, color, and pH of effluent pretreatment chemical reached 22,371, 385, 884, 21,820 (mg/L), 13.8 (ms/cm3), 1355 (NTU), 8500 (TCU) and 10, respectively (the removal efficiency was 0, 20.37, 32.4, 61.99, 59.18, and 56.6 percent). With the Fe/Gr electrode, the optimal condition was observed as follows: pH of 7.5, current density of 64 mA/cm2, inter-electrode distance was equal to 1.5 cm, temperature at 20 °C, and retention time 2–4 h. Overall, the electrocoagulation with the Fe/Gr electrode was a suitable technology for landfill leachate treatment due to its effectiveness for the removal of both COD and NH4+, with advantageous performance indicators.

Effects of muscle shortening on single-fiber, motor unit, and compound muscle action potentials

Even under isometric conditions, muscle contractions are associated with some degree of fiber shortening. The effects of muscle shortening on extracellular electromyographic potentials have not been characterized in detail. Moreover, the anatomical, biophysical, and detection factors influencing the muscle-shortening effects have been neither identified nor understood completely. Herein, we investigated the effects of muscle shortening on the amplitude and duration characteristics of single-fiber, motor unit, and compound muscle action potentials. We found that, at the single-fiber level, two main factors influenced the muscle-shortening effects: (1) the electrode position and distance relative to the myotendinous zone and (2) the electrode distance to the maxima of the dipole field arising from the stationary dipole created at the fiber-tendon junction. Besides, at the motor unit and muscle level, two additional factors were involved: (3) the overlapping between the propagating component of some fibers with the non-propagating component of other fibers and (4) the spatial spreading of the fiber-tendon junctions. The muscle-shortening effects depend critically on the electrode longitudinal distance to the myotendinous zone. When the electrode was placed far from the myotendinous zone, muscle shortening resulted in an enlargement and narrowing of the final (negative) phase of the potential, and this enlargement became less pronounced as the electrode approached the fiber endings. For electrode locations close to the myotendinous zone, muscle shortening caused a depression of both the main (positive) and final (negative) phases of the potential. Beyond the myotendinous zone, muscle shortening led to a decrease of the final (positive) phase. The present results provide reference information that will help to identify changes in MUPs and M waves due to muscle shortening, and thus to differentiate these changes from those caused by muscle fatigue. Graphical abstract

Experimental Study on Electrical Resistivity Characteristics of Saturated Sand Mixes with Bentonite Slurry

Bentonite slurry is widely used in underground and geotechnical engineering because of its strong ability of wall protection. Slurry penetration, which is of great significance for the soil stability, is difficult to observe directly during the soil and slurry interaction. Slurry penetration would change the electrical resistivity of soil, which provides an indirect method to monitor the degree of slurry penetration. This paper aimed to investigate the electrical resistivity characteristics of soil-bentonite mixtures. Several test groups with different material components were carried out. The effects of some factors including water environment, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) contents, soil particle gradation, and electrode distance on the electrical resistivity of slurry-soil mixtures were studied and the relationship between soil electrical resistivity and slurry concentration was established. The results in this paper can provide references for the application of the electrical method on slurry penetration.

Computational Analysis of Mapping Catheter Geometry and Contact Quality Effects on Rotor Detection in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and catheter mapping has been proved to be an effective approach for detecting AF drivers to be targeted by ablation. Among drivers, the so-called rotors have gained the most attention: their identification and spatial location could help to understand which patient-specific mechanisms are acting, and thus to guide the ablation execution. Since rotor detection by multi-electrode catheters may be influenced by several structural parameters including inter-electrode spacing, catheter coverage, and endocardium-catheter distance, in this study we proposed a tool for testing the ability of different catheter shapes to detect rotors in different conditions. An approach based on the solution of the monodomain equations coupled with a modified Courtemanche ionic atrial model, that considers an electrical remodeling, was applied to simulate spiral wave dynamics on a 2D model for 7.75 s. The developed framework allowed the acquisition of unipolar signals at 2 KHz. Two high-density multipolar catheters were simulated (Advisor™ HD Grid and PentaRay®) and placed in a 2D region in which the simulated spiral wave persists longer. The configuration of the catheters was then modified by changing the number of electrodes, inter-electrodes distance, position, and atrial-wall distance for assessing how they would affect the rotor detection. In contact with the wall and at 1 mm distance from it, all the configurations detected the rotor correctly, irrespective of geometry, coverage, and inter-electrode distance. In the HDGrid-like geometry, the increase of the inter-electrode distance from 3 to 6 mm caused rotor detection failure at 2 mm distance from the LA wall. In the PentaRay-like configuration, regardless of inter-electrode distance, rotor detection failed at 3 mm endocardium-catheter distance. The asymmetry of this catheter resulted in rotation-dependent rotor detection. To conclude, the computational framework we developed is based on realistic catheter shapes designed with parameter configurations which resemble clinical settings. Results showed it is well suited to investigate how mapping catheter geometry and location affect AF driver detection, therefore it is a reliable tool to design and test new mapping catheters.

Optimum parameters for humic acid removal and power production by Al–air fuel cell electrocoagulation in synthetic wastewater

Although humic acid (HA) is a complex natural organic matter, it can potentially harm the environment and human health. In this study, aluminum–air fuel cell electrocoagulation (AAFCEC) was used to remove HAs from water while generating electricity. Initial pH, electrolyte concentration, HA concentration electrode distance and external resistance were investigated to determine the power generation and removal efficiency. The results showed that the better performance of power generation has been acquired in the alkaline solution and larger electrolyte concentration and short electrode distance. Further, Al–Ferron complexation timed spectrophotometry was used to determine the Al speciation distribution in the solution under different parameters. The power density of the cell reached 313.47 mW/cm2 for the following conditions: 1 g/L NaCl concentration, 3 cm electrode distance, 20 Ω external resistor, and pH 9. After about an hour electrolysis, the optimum removal rate of HA was above 99%. The results demonstrated that the AAFCEC is an efficient and eco-friendly water treatment process, and it could be further developed and disseminated in the rural areas and households.

Pengaruh Kecepatan Pengadukan dan Jarak Elekroda terhadap Penurunan Kadar COD dan TSS pada Limbah Batik Menggunakan Metode Elektrokoagulasi

The existence of the textile industry, especially in batik production in the region, will certainly provide benefits to the area, because it can absorb labor from the area. However, where there are advantages, there will also be disadvantages, as is the case in this textile factory where the liquid waste produced has a negative impact on the environment. This liquid waste comes from the washing and coloring process which contains dyes, heavy metals, and high salt concentrations. This study examines batik waste from a textile factory using the electrocoagulation method with aluminum electrodes. Research on batik wastewater treatment has been carried out. The results of this study prove that the electrode distance and stirring speed variables affect the COD reduction efficiency and TSS reduction in batik waste. In general, the higher the stirring speed and the closer the electrode spacing, the higher the TSS and COD reduction efficiency. There is an optimal point for stirring speed, where the highest reduction in TSS and COD efficiency is obtained at a stirring speed of 200 rpm. From the variables studied, the optimal value for both variables was obtained, namely at the electrode distance of 1.6 and at a stirring speed of 200 rpm, with the result that the efficiency value obtained was a decrease in COD of 89.39% and a decrease in TSS of 90.45 %.

Numerical Simulation Research on Inter-electrode Capacitance of High-power Electronic Tetrode

High-power electronic tetrode is the RF wave transmitting component in the ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating system in EAST. In high-frequency use, its inter-electrode capacitance is an important factor that cannot be ignored, which will have a significant impact on the operating frequency and output power. Based on the theory of electrostatics and considering the influence of each electrode, this paper established a three-dimensional solid model of the electronic tetrode, and the numerical simulation about the inter-electrode capacitance is calculated by the finite element software COMSOL. The obtained inter-electrode capacitance simulation calculation values are all within the actual test value range. On this basis, the relationship between the inter-electrode capacitance and the inter-electrode distance is studied, and the adjustable range of the electrode diameter is calculated. The finite element numerical simulation method calculated the inter-electrode capacitance of high-power tetrodes and the quantitative relationship between the inter-electrode capacitance and inter-electrode distance more accurately, which can provide a reference for the simulation and design of megawatt-level electronic tetrodes in the future.

Sulfate (SO4 2−) removal by electrocoagulation process under combined electrical connection of electrodes

Inorganic compounds in water can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment due to the high toxicity level of these ionic contaminants. This study assessed the efficiency of electrocoagulation process for removing sulfate (SO4 2−). The technology of electrocoagulation depends mainly on electrical applied that produce coagulant species in a certain position via electro-dissolution of sacrificial anodes which are often made of iron or aluminum. EC process illustrated great potential as a vital method in eliminating numerous types of contaminants including inorganic contaminants at a lesser cost, and ecologically friendly technique. In the present study, aluminum materials were utilized in both cathode and anode electrodes. Water samples were obtained from Sawa Lake, Al-Muthanna Province located in Iraq. Electrocoagulation formations with static electrodes were used under mutual electrical connection. The effects of the different variables such as pH, current density, inter electrode distance, reaction time and stirring speed were scrutinized to obtain a higher removal of SO4 2−. Preliminary outcomes exhibited the following optimal and functional conditions; pH = 8, current density = 0.8A, reaction time (RT) = 80 min, IED = 1 cm, temperature = 27 °C and agitation speed = 500 rpm. The maximum removal efficiency of SO4 2− is 88 %. The present statistical rates proved the effectiveness of EC method in terms of removing salts from lake water.