Browsing by Author "Pérez-Rial, Leticia"

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    Biochar Amendments and Phytoremediation: A Combined Approach for Effective Lead Removal in Shooting Range Soils
    (Toxics, 2024) Maceiras, Rocío; Pérez-Rial, Leticia; Alfonsín, Víctor; Feijoo, Jorge; López, Ignacio
    The increasing contamination of soil with heavy metals poses a problem to environmental sustainability. Among these pollutants, lead is particularly concerning due to its persistence in the environment, with harmful effects on human health and ecosystems. Various strategies that combine phytoremediation techniques with soil amendments have emerged to mitigate lead contamination. In this context, biochar has gained significant attention for its potential to enhance soil quality and remediate metal-contaminated environments. This study aims to investigate the combined effect of biochar amendments on the phytoremediation of lead-contaminated shooting range soils. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the impact of the amount and distribution of biochar on lead removal from soil. Soil samples were incubated with biochar for one week, after which two types of seeds (Brassica rapa and Lolium perenne) were planted. Plant and root lengths, as well as the number of germinated seeds, were measured, and a statistical analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the amendments. After one month, the Pb concentration decreased by more than 70%. Our results demonstrate that seed germination and plant growth were significantly better in soil samples where biochar was mixed rather than applied superficially, with the optimal performance observed at a 10% wt. biochar amendment. Additionally, the combined use of biochar and phytoremediation proved highly effective in immobilizing lead and reducing its bioavailability. These findings suggest that the combination of biochar, particularly when mixed at appropriate concentrations, and Brassica rapa significantly improved lead removal efficiency.
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    C02 Capture via Adsorption Using Silica Gel
    (European Journal of Sustainable Development, 2024-10-01) Pérez-Rial, Leticia; Alfonsín, Víctor; Maceiras, Rocío; Feijoo, Jorge; Vallejo, Javier P.
    This paper investigates the potential of silica gel as an effective adsorbent for C02 capture. The study explores the adsorption mechanisms, the efficiency of C02 upta.ke, and sorne factors influencing the adsorption capacity of silica gel.The experimental results demonstrate the significant potential of silica gel for C02 adsorption under various conditions. Toe adsorption capacity was found to be highly dependent on parameters such as gas flow rate and the particle size of silica gel. The findings suggest that ,vith optimized conditions, silica gel could be a viable material for reducing atmospheric C02 levels. This research contributes to the development of sustainable and efficient technologies for mitigating climate change through carbon dioxide capture and storage.
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    CO2 Capture via Adsorption Using Silica Gel
    (European Journal of Sustainable Development, 2024) Pérez-Rial, Leticia; Alfonsín, Víctor; Maceiras, Rocío; Feijoo, Jorge; Vallejo, Javier P.
    This paper investigates the potential of silica gel as an effective adsorbent for CO2 capture. The study explores the adsorption mechanisms, the efficiency of CO2 uptake, and some factors influencing the adsorption capacity of silica gel. The experimental results demonstrate the significant potential of silica gel for CO2 adsorption under various conditions. The adsorption capacity was found to be highly dependent on parameters such as gas flow rate and the particle size of silica gel. The findings suggest that with optimized conditions, silica gel could be a viable material for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. This research contributes to the development of sustainable and efficient technologies for mitigating climate change through carbon dioxide capture and storage.
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    Influence of Activated Carbon Granulometry on H2 Purification in Glycerol Reforming Syngas: Adsorption and Kinetic Analysis
    (Energies, 2024-11-29) Maceiras, Rocío; Feijoo, Jorge; Pérez-Rial, Leticia; Álvarez-Feijoo, Miguel A.; Eslami, Naser
    This study investigates the adsorption performance of granular activated carbon (GAC) and pelletized activated carbon (PAC) for the purification of syngas produced from glycerol reforming, focusing on the removal of CO2, CO, and CH4. The adsorption process was studied at two different flow rates (0.5 L/min and 1 L/min) to assess the impact of particle size and gas flow rate on adsorption capacity. The results indicate that GAC exhibits superior multi-gas adsorption, particularly at lower flow rates, effectively capturing CO2, CO, and CH4, while PAC exhibits lower adsorption performance. Kinetic analysis revealed that the pseudo-second-order and Avrami models fit well with both adsorbents, though GAC aligns more closely with the Avrami model, reflecting its multi-step adsorption mechanism and greater pore diffusion efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of adsorbent size and flow rate in optimizing hydrogen purification processes, with GAC emerging as a highly efficient adsorbent for industrial-scale syngas treatment.
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    Transforming Wastewater into Biofuel: Nutrient Removal and Biomass Generation with Chlorella vulgaris
    (Energies, 2024-09-30) Salgueiro, José Luis; Pérez-Rial, Leticia; Maceiras, Rocío; Sánchez, Ángel; Cancela, Ángeles
    This study investigates the potential of Chlorella vulgaris for nutrient removal and biomass production in synthetic wastewater. The experiments were conducted in 2 L photobioreactors under controlled aeration, agitation, and lighting conditions for 19 days. Despite a moderate growth rate (0.137 d−1), C. vulgaris achieved efficient pollutant removal, with 97% of nitrate, 90% of nitrite, and 90.6% of COD eliminated. Additionally, the biomass was processed to extract fatty acids, yielding a 20% extraction rate, indicating its potential as a biofuel feedstock. These results demonstrate C. vulgaris’s dual function in wastewater remediation and biofuel production, presenting a sustainable and economically viable approach to addressing environmental challenges.