Environmental Engineering / Çevre Mühendisliği
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Article Citation - WoS: 6Citation - Scopus: 6A New Electro-Biomembrane Integrated Renewable-Based System To Produce Power, Fresh Water and Hydrogen for Sustainable Communities(Elsevier, 2025) Goren, A. Yagmur; Dincer, Ibrahim; Khalvati, AliAs the consequences of global warming become more severe, it is more crucial than ever to capitalize on all locally accessible potential renewable energy sources and produce sufficient useable energy outputs to meet community demands while causing the least damage to the ecosystem. Therefore, this paper focuses on a unique parabolic trough collector solar system-powered electro-biomembrane unit that combines a heat and power system with fresh water, electricity and hydrogen production. The proposed integrated system contains the following subsystems: a combining parabolic trough collector solar system, an organic Rankine cycle, a steam Rankine cycle, a multi-stage flash desalination system, and an electro-biomembrane H2 and freshwater production system. A thorough analysis and parametric research are performed on the multigeneration system to determine how important characteristics affect system performance and evaluate the energy and exergy efficiencies, and exergy destruction levels for particular system elements. The study results show that solar irradiation is the most critical parameter for improving system performance. The highest freshwater production of 1,303,333.3 L/day is observed at the solar irradiation of 935,768 kWh/day. Furthermore, the combined output of three electricity production technologies exceeds 2,000,000 kWh/day, highlighting the ability of the system to harness solar thermal energy effectively. The study findings indicate that using solar power and biomass as renewable energy sources, the proposed integrated system provided 328.56 kg of biohydrogen per day. Overall, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the integrated system are obtained as 34.3 and 29.5 %, respectively.Article Citation - WoS: 19Citation - Scopus: 18An Appraisal of the Local-Scale Spatio-Temporal Variations of Drought Based on the Integrated Grace/Grace-fo Observations and Fine-Resolution Fldas Model(Wiley, 2023) Khorrami, Behnam; Ali, Shoaib; Gündüz, OrhanThe gravity recovery and climate experiment (GRACE) observations have so far been utilized to detect and trace the variations of hydrological extremes worldwide. However, applying the coarse resolution GRACE estimates for local-scale analysis remains a big challenge. In this study, a new version of the fine resolution (1 km) Famine early warning systems network Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) model data was integrated into a machine learning model along with the GRACE data to evaluate the subbasin-scale variations of water storage, and drought. With a correlation of 0.99 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.93mm of its results, the downscaling model turned out to be very successful in modelling the finer resolution variations of TWSA. The water storage deficit (WSD) and Water Storage Deficit Index (WSDI) were used to determine the episodes and severity of drought events. Accordingly, two severe droughts (January 2008 to March 2009 and September 2019 to December 2020) were discerned in the Kizilirmak Basin (KB) located in Central Turkiye. The characterization of droughts was evaluated based on WSDI, scPDSI, and model-based drought indices of the soil moisture storage percentile (SMSP) and groundwater storage percentile (GWSP). The results indicated discrepancies in the drought classes based on different indices. However, the WSDI turned out to be more correlated with GWSP, suggesting its high ability to monitor groundwater droughts as well.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Exposure To Fumes of a Vegetable Margarine for Frying: Respiratory Effects in an Experimental Model(American Chemical Society, 2023) Cimrin, Arif H.; Alpaydin, Aylin Ozgen; Ozbal, Seda; Toprak, Melis; Yılmaz, Osman; Uluorman, Funda; Ergur, Bekir Uğur; Gürel, Duygu; Sofuoğlu, Sait CemilDeep frying is one of the strongest emission sources into indoor air. A vegetable margarine has recently been used in commercial kitchens. This study investigated the respiratory effects of exposure to its fumes in an experimental model. A setup with glass chambers was constructed. A chamber housed a fryer. The fumes were transported to the other chamber where 24 Wistar albino rats were placed in four randomized groups: acute, subacute, chronic, and control for the exposure durations. PM10 concentration in the exposure chamber was monitored to ensure occupational levels were obtained. Sacrification was performed 24 h after exposure. Lung, trachea, and nasal concha specimens were evaluated by two blinded histologists under a light microscope with hematoxylin–eosin. Mild mononuclear cell infiltration, alveolar capillary membrane thickening, alveolar edema, and diffuse alveolar damage, along with diffuse hemorrhage, edema, and vascular congestion in the interstitium were observed in the acute and subacute groups, and were overexpressed in the chronic group, whereas normal lung histology was observed in the control group. The results indicate that exposure to fumes of vegetable margarine for frying in commercial kitchens may cause pulmonary inflammation that becomes severe as the duration of the exposure increases.Article Citation - WoS: 17Citation - Scopus: 19Development of Ca(oh)2-Based Geopolymer for Additive Manufacturing Using Construction Wastes and Nanomaterials(Elsevier, 2023) Mortada, Youssef; Masad, Eyad; Kogbara, Reginald B.; Mansoor, Bilal; Seers, Thomas; Hammoud, Ahmad; Karaki, AymanRecent growth in additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing in the construction field has motivated the development of various materials that vary in its composition and properties. This paper introduces, characterizes, and evaluates the performance of a sustainable and environmentally friendly geopolymer mixture composed of construction wastes. The geopolymer mixture has calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as the main alkaline activator and incorporates nanomaterials such as nano-silica and nano-clay to enhance its suitability for AM. The combined use of Ca(OH)2 for alkali activation, and nanomaterials for tailoring the behavior of construction wastes for 3D printing, is novel and addresses the shortcomings of conventional alkaline activators. The paper includes the outcomes of the analysis of the mechanical properties, printability, and microstructure of the geopolymer mixture. The 28-day compressive strength of the mixture reached 42 MPa with ambient temperature curing, which is comparable to traditional geopolymers. The inclusion of 1 wt % of nano-silica accelerated the geopolymerization process and led to the largest (35 %) reduction in the setting time. Similarly, incorporating 1 wt % of nano-clay led to reduction of the thermal conductivity from 0.709 W/mK to 0.505 W/mK, due to the introduction of thermal barriers. The printability of the studied waste-based geopolymer mixture was validated through the successful fabrication of a 3D-printed model. © 2023 The AuthorsArticle Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 1Dynamics of Co2 Consumption, and Biomass and Lipid Carbon Production During Photobioreactor Cultivation of the Diatom Cyclotella(TÜBİTAK - Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, 2023) Ökten, HaticeUnderstanding of CO2 delivery and consumption dynamics in algal photobioreactors are critical to unravel microalgae’s full potential for bioproduct generation and carbon capture from flue gas streams. This study aims to expand our current understanding by cultivating the diatom Cyclotella under controlled process conditions of a bubble column photobioreactor and analyzing CO2 consumption dynamics in real time using results from an online CO2 sensor connected to the reactor exhaust. Two sets of experiments were conducted: they served to contrast the influence of silicon and nitrate (Si&N colimitation) and Si limitation, and the light availability, respectively. CO2 consumption was calculated based on the mass balance around the reactor inlet and outlet gas streams. Biomass samples and lipid extracts were analyzed for carbon (C) content to determine biomass-C and lipid-C concentrations. The outlet CO2 concentrations varied significantly with cultivation time and process conditions. More than 15% to 65% of the CO2 introduced left the reactor in the exhaust at any instance based on the set CO2 transfer rates. The highest average daily capturing efficiency was 60%. Nutrient limitation regimes imposed generated unique CO2 consumption profiles undiscernible by the biomass-C analysis, i.e. unlike Si limitation, N limitation had more immediate detrimental effects on C consumption. Final biomass-C concentration increased with increasing N and light availability, 275 mg/L vs. 336 mg/L, and 270 mg/L vs. 501 mg/L, respectively. Biomass-C based capturing efficiency approximations resulted in 20% to 40% underestimation. Under Si-limited conditions, the higher light intensity increased the final lipid-C to biomass-C ratio by two times (from 20% to 40%) and the final lipid-C concentration and peak productivity by four times (from 56 mg/L to 216 mg/L, from 7 to 30 mg/L-day, respectively). This study demonstrates online exhaust CO2 concentration-based analysis’s unique capabilities for assessing carbon availability and capture, organic-C production, and its diversion to biomass and lipid production.Review Citation - WoS: 41Citation - Scopus: 42Review on the Parameters of Recycling Ndfeb Magnets Via a Hydrogenation Process(American Chemical Society, 2023) Habibzadeh, Alireza; Küçüker, Mehmet Ali; Gökelma, MertolRegarding the restrictions recently imposed by China on the export of rare-earth elements (REEs), the world may face a serious challenge in supplying some REEs such as neodymium and dysprosium soon. Recycling secondary sources is strongly recommended to mitigate the supply risk of REEs. Hydrogen processing of magnetic scrap (HPMS) as one of the best approaches for magnet-to-magnet recycling is thoroughly reviewed in this study in terms of parameters and properties. The processes of hydrogen decrepitation (HD) and hydrogenation-disproportio-nation-desorption-recombination (HDDR) are two common methods for HPMS. Employing a hydrogenation process can shorten the production route of new magnets from the discarded magnets compared to other recycling routes such as the hydrometallurgical route. However, determining the optimal pressure and temperature for the process is challenging due to the sensitivity to the initial chemical composition and the interaction of temperature and pressure. Pressure, temperature, initial chemical composition, gas flow rate, particle size distribution, grain size, and oxygen content are the effective parameters for the final magnetic properties. All these influencing parameters are discussed in detail in this review. The recovery rate of magnetic properties has been the concern of most research in this field and can be achieved up to 90% by employing a low hydrogenation temperature and pressure and using additives such as REE hydrides after hydrogenation and before sintering.Article Citation - WoS: 15Citation - Scopus: 19Immobilization of Esterase From Bacillus Subtilis on Halloysite Nanotubes and Applications on Dibutyl Phthalate Degradation(Elsevier, 2023) Rosales, Emilio; Pazos, Marta; Sanroman, Maria Angeles; Balcı, Esin; Sofuoğlu, AysunDibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the listed phthalic acid esters (PAEs) known as the priority toxicants which exhibit carcinogenic and teratogenic properties and is responsible for endocrine disruption. Therefore, its removal has become a matter to tackle with. In this work, the feasibility of DBP degradation by esterase and lipase enzymes obtained from various microorganisms and the immobilization of the most effective in a clayey material were investigated. Esterase from Bacillus subtilis exhibited the highest degradation efficiency reaching a complete degradation. Its immobilization onto halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by adsorption method was studied by response surface methodology using a central composite design face-centered. The four selected factors that affect the HNT-enzyme composite generation were: pH, adsorption time, enzyme/HNT (E/H) ratio, and adsorption temperature, and the optimal conditions were determined (pH 7, time 360 min, E/H ratio 0.2, temperature 30oC). Consequently, the activity did not significantly decrease by immobilization, and the adsorption efficiency and relative activity were determined to be 73.15% and 82.7%, respectively. Besides, the immobilization enhanced thermal and storage stability. As for enzyme reusability, after 7 continuous cycles, the composite maintained almost 75% of its initial activity. Both the free enzyme (1 mg/mL) and the composite degraded 100 mg/L DBP with 100% efficiency and several byproducts were detected. Moreover, the composite could be reused for 7 cycles keeping a remarkable catalytic activity. Overall, this study indicated that the HNT-enzyme composite may be used as an effective candidate for remediation of the environmental media contaminated with DBP and other PAEs.(c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Article Citation - WoS: 31Citation - Scopus: 34Model-Coupled Grace-Based Analysis of Hydrological Dynamics of Drying Lake Urmia and Its Basin(Wiley, 2023) Khorrami, Behnam; Ali, Shoaib; Şahin, Onur Güngör; Gündüz, OrhanLake Urmia basin (LUB), in northwestern Iran, is under the influence of extreme degradation due to a number of natural and anthropogenic factors. The existence of the Lake is critical for the microclimate of the region as well as the quality of human life and wildlife, which necessitates an up-to-date and holistic analysis of its hydrological dynamics. In this premise, satellite-based terrestrial water storage (TWS) received from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission was coupled with hydrometeorological modelling and assessment tools to analyse the hydrological status of the lake and its basin. As a new gap-filling approach, the Seasonal-Trend decomposition using Locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) (STL) decomposition technique was proposed in this study to reconstruct the missing TWS data. Integrating satellite precipitation data with the Catchment Land Surface Model (CLSM) and WaterGAP model outputs, the hydrological status of the lake was investigated. The STL-based TWS turned out to concord well with the simulated TWS from the CLSM indicating the acceptable performance of the proposed technique. The findings revealed that the LUB had undergone an alarming hydrological situation from 2003 to 2021 with a total loss of 10 and 7.56km3 from its TWS and groundwater storage (GWS), respectively. The water level time series also indicated that the water level of the lake had diminished with an annual rate of -70 +/- 21cm/year corresponding to a total water level depletion of about 13.35 +/- 3.9m during the 2003-2021 period. The GRACE-derived TWS and GWS also agreed well with the CLSM simulations. Assessment of the extreme events of the LUB suggested that the basin suffered from a severe dry event in 2008 resulting in the depletion of its water storage and water level. It was also found that from 2003 onward, a critical hydrological setting had dominated the LUB with a negative hydrological balance of -0.96km3.Article Citation - WoS: 3Citation - Scopus: 6Halogenated By-Products in Chlorinated Indoor Swimming Pools: a Long-Term Monitoring and Empirical Modeling Study(Amer Chemical Soc, 2023) Genişoğlu, Mesut; Minaz, Mert; Tanacan, Ertaç; Sofuoğlu, Sait Cemil; Kaplan-Bekaroğlu, Şehnaz Şule; Kanan, Amer; Ateş, NurayMonitoring the disinfection process and swimming pool water quality is essential for the prevention of microbial infections and associated diseases. However, carcinogenic and chronic-toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed with reactions between disinfectants and organic/inorganic matters. DBP precursors in swimming pools originate from anthropogenic sources (body secretions, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, etc.) or chemicals used in pools. Temporal (48 weeks) water quality trends of trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), haloacetonitriles (HANs), and halonitromethanes (HNMs) in two swimming pools (SP-A and SP-B) and precursor-DBP relationships were investigated in this study. Weekly samples were taken from swimming pools, and several physical/chemical water quality parameters, absorbable organic halides (AOX), and DBPs were determined. THMs and HAAs were the most detected DBP groups in pool water. While chloroform was determined to be the dominant THM compound, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid were the dominant HAA compounds. The average AOX concentrations were measured to be 304 and 746 mu g/L as Cl- in SP-A and SP-B, respectively. Although the amount of AOX from unknown chlorinated by-products in SP-A did not vary temporally, a significant increase in unknown DBP concentrations in SP-B was observed over time. AOX concentrations of chlorinated pool waters were determined to be an important parameter that can be used to estimate DBP concentrations.Article Citation - WoS: 12Citation - Scopus: 14Identifying Geogenic and Anthropogenic Aluminum Pollution on Different Spatial Distributions and Removal of Natural Waters and Soil in Çanakkale, Turkey(Amer Chemical Soc, 2023) Hızlı, Sezin; Koraoğlu, Aybike Gül; Gören, Ayşegül Yağmur; Kobya, MehmetThe Canakkale-Kirazli region (Turkey) is enriched with minerals, especially aluminum (Al), which dangerously get transported into aquatic media due to several mining and geological activities in recent years. In this study, Al and other potentially toxic metals (PTMs) including B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si, and Zn, in both water and soil samples, were measured for quality determination. Selected metals were also analyzed by the enrichment factor (EF), the geoaccumulation index (I-geo), the contamination factor (CF), and the pollution load index (PLI) to evaluate both water and soil pollution geogenically or anthropogenically. Also, the metals were clustered to support the pollution source with Pearson's correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Forty-five natural water samples and 12 soil samples were collected spatially. To perform pollution assessment, two fundamental treatment processes to remove Al pollution from the sample including the highest Al concentration (38.38 mg/L) in water were applied: (1) precipitation with pH adjustment and (2) removal with ion exchange. The pH values of water samples were changed in the range of 3-9 to test the dissolution of Al. The results demonstrated that the study area was mostly under the influence of geogenic aluminum pollution.