Production of Biochar by Aegle marmelos leaves

Biosynthetic-based methods employ the best route to prepare biochar, which has emerged as and simple technique that is feasible to substitute for the physical and chemical methods. Aegle marmelos is the scientific name of Beel Patra leaves, which are widely used in the Hindu religion for worship and their healing energy according to Ayurveda. This plant is widely utilised in the medical sector, especially in herbal products, with a low cost and no negative impact. This plant belongs to the Rutaceae family, can reach a height of 12-20 m. It has a short trunk. Flowers are aromatic, with a sweet perfume, and bloom in clusters of four to seven along the young branchlets. Fruit forms vary by variety and might be round, pyriform, oval or oblong, with a diameter ranging from 5 to 20 cm. Fruits can have a thin, hard, woody, or soft rind. It is studded with tiny, hard, woody or soft rinds. It is studded with tiny, fragrant oil glands. These segments have aromatic pulp and pale orange walls. 10 to 15 seeds are lodged in the fruit. Aegle marmelos leaves are used to treat eye illnesses and ulcers, while new leaves have been given for heart diseases and B12 deficiency. It is also used for bowel movements and controlling blood sugar levels. It has proven to be highly beneficial in the treatment of jaundice and asthma. The roots are useful in curing urinary disease, reducing heart palpitations, and healing fever. They are also believed to alleviate stomach pain. One substance used in the manufacture of a popular herbal medicine. Seed extract has anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic properties. The high fibre content of leaves is beneficial for constipation, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome. Bael seeds have anti-oxidant properties, also been tested. 

Extensive research has been conducted on various portions of Aegle marmelos, resulting in the isolation of many types of compounds, including alkaloids, cumarins, terpenoids, fatty acids and amino acids. These found that included gamma-sitosterol, flavone, glycoside, oisopentenyl haloperidol, marmeline, and phenyl ethyl cinnamaides. Fruit is processed into a variety of goods, including juice, jam, syrup, jelly and toffee. The pulp contains water, carbs, protein, fibre, fat, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Minerals, and Vitamins (Vit-A, -B1, -C, and Riboflavin). 

 

Preparation of Biochar by using Aegle marmelos (Indian Beal patra) leaves

The leaves were used as a precursor for the fabrication of biochar. After grinding and sieving to a size of micrometres, it was placed in a tight container with a proper seal, so that no air passed into it. Then, pyrolysis or some research studies have taken the route by using a tubular furnace to go with the calcination step at 400°C with an inert atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min (Equipment design depends and also depends on application perspectives). for 2h. The biochar is produced, and there are several tests to check this biochar.  

Bael leaves' primary advantages are pyrolysis (a heated, inert atmosphere) and biochar (solid carbon-rich residue). So, the biochar is the main thing that will make the soil more fertile by raising the CEC (cation exchange capacity). Helps soil hold onto water and let air in. It promotes the growth of microorganisms and the development of roots in plants. It is also beneficial for organic cultivation, as it prevents the diffusion of nutrients. This biochar may be particularly stable due to its ability to maintain carbon in a solid state for hundreds of years. Subsequently, the act of depositing it on the earth effectively reduces CO2 emissions by acting as a carbon sink. Adding this charcoal to soil makes it better at holding on to water, oxygen, and nutrients. To absorb nutrients and thrive, roots can make use of a substantial quantity of surface area in the environment. It stops nutrients from being lost and makes the soil more fertile by slowly releasing them over time. Biochar also makes it easier for the soil to exchange cations and lowers its acidity, which helps plants grow and produce. In addition to these agricultural benefits, the utilisation of Aegle Marmelos biochar contributes to the environmental preservation of carbon in the soil, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the improvement of soil health.

Biochar produced from Bael leaves has numerous applications in the fields of agriculture, industry, and the environment. It serves as an exceptional soil conditioner in agriculture, enhancing the soil's fertility, water retention, and microbial activity. This promotes the growth and development of vegetation at a faster pace. The soil is more nutrient-rich and permeable due to its high carbon content and porous structure. Additionally, it functions as a long-term carbon sink, which aids in the mitigation of climate change by sequestering carbon. Bael leaf biochar is an effective adsorbent for the removal of organic contaminants, dyes, and heavy metals from effluent due to its active functional groups and extensive surface area. It can also be used in advanced oxidation and photocatalytic processes for water purification when it is combined with metal oxides or modified. This biochar can also be employed as a renewable solid fuel with a moderate calorific value or as a transporter for beneficial microbes in bio-fertiliser mixes. Aegle marmelos leaf biochar is a sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly substance that has the potential to be employed in a variety of applications, including agriculture, pollution management, and renewable energy.

Note: So, Project students can learn about this Biochar Production information. Generally, the production and utilisation of Aegle marmelos leaf biochar is a cost-effective and enduring method of managing refuse biomass, enhancing soil quality, and safeguarding the environment. This renders it an advantageous field of investigation for students of renewable materials and green technologies who are engaged in research and project work.

Contemporary Methods for Treating Sewage Wastewater

Wastewater treatment is a necessary part of our daily lives because it helps us meet the needs of human life. In the last few years, sewage treatment has gotten a lot better in developing countries. This has made people worry about textiles polluting wastewater.

Sewage wastewater usually has a lot of different pollutants in it, such as heavy metals, bacteria, and solids that are floating around. Sewage wastewater is one of the most polluted types of water that needs to be cleaned up because it has a lot of colour, a high pH, a lot of organics that don't break down easily, a lot of stability, and a lot of turbidity. If not treated, this sewage wastewater could be very harmful to people and the environment. 

Domestic wastewater: Toilets, showers, sinks, and laundry all produce wastewater in homes and apartments. Despite being more than 99.9% water, this water contains disease-causing bacteria, plant nutrients, and putrescible organic compounds.

• Commercial wastewater: Waste from restaurants, lodging facilities, and office buildings frequently contains oils, grease, and commercial chemicals besides food residue.

• Industrial wastewater: Waste with particular compounds and greater concentrations of pollutants is produced by mining operations, manufacturing processes, chemical plants, food processing, and other industrial activities.

A typical wastewater plant involves three main stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment. 

The sewage treatment process commences with preliminary treatment, where raw influent is passed through a mechanical bar screen with 10-20 mm spacing to remove coarse solids, rags, and debris, followed by a grit chamber operation at a flow velocity of 0.3-0.6 m/s to settle organic (depending on plant operation and area) and inorganic particles such as sand and grit, thereby preventing abrasion in downstream equipment. The primary clarifiers, typically with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2-4 hrs, allow suspended solids to settle and reduce the biochemical oxygen sludge processing. Microbial oxidation of dissolved and colloidal organic matter is facilitated in an aeration tank by maintaining dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 2-4 ppm and an MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solids) concentration of 2000-3500 ppm. After that, the mixed liquor is sent to secondary clarifiers for a sludge retention time (SRT) of eight to fifteen days, which guarantees that there is enough biomass for stable biodegradation. After tertiary treatment, such as sand filtration or activated carbon adsorption, the secondary clarifier's effluent can be disinfected with UV irradiation or chlorine (1-3 ppm, 30 min contact time) to achieve pathogen inactivation and discharge standard compliance. Sludge from primary and secondary clarifiers is simultaneously treated in sludge thickeners and anaerobic digesters under mesophilic conditions (35–38°C, 15–20 days retention). This is followed by mechanical dewatering to bring the moisture content down to 20–30%, allowing for resource recovery or safe disposal. Significant BOD, COD, SS, and pathogen load reductions are guaranteed by this integrated process, producing environmentally acceptable effluent that can be reused or discharged. 

It is necessary to remove large and coarse materials from wastewater through a screening process because they have the potential to harm machinery or clog pipes. Large waste materials like paper, plastic, and cloth are kept out of the way by metal screens. Following the grid removal process, small stones, gravel, and sand were allowed to settle into the chamber. Flow equalisation is an optional step that balances the treatment system to guarantee peak performance.

Sitting is a step in the primary treatment process that constantly eliminates organic debris and floating sediments from wastewater, allowing lighter materials, such as oil and grease, to float to the top and be skimmed off while heavier contents, such as sludge, fall to the bottom.

Bar Filter: A bar filter is a kind of screen or mechanical screening device used in the preliminary treatment stage of a sewage treatment plant. Its main purpose is to remove large solids and debris from raw sewage to protect the downstream equipment from clogging, abrasion, or damage. 

Grit Chamber: It is a hydraulic structure used in the preliminary treatment stage in a plant to remove heavy inorganic particles such as sand, gravel, and grit from raw sewage. The purpose is to prevent abrasion, sedimentation, and blockages in downstream equipment like pumps, aerators, and clarifiers. 

Types of Grit Chambers: 

1. Horizontal Flow Grit Chamber 

2. Aerated Grit Chamber 

3. Vortex Grit Chamber  

To remove dissolved and biodegradable organic matter using microorganisms. 

The activated sludge process involves pumping oxygen into aeration tanks, where organic matter is broken down by bacteria. 

Trickling Filter: Wastewater is sprayed over rocks or plastic media coated with microbes. 

Oxidation ditch or sequencing batch reactor: modern variations that improve control and efficiency. So, in this way, approximately 85-95% of organic pollutants are removed. 

Now, coming to tertiary treatment for wastewater treatment, where to polish the effluent and remove remaining contaminants. 

To filter, techniques, sand, or membrane filters remove fine particles. 

Disinfection: usually with chlorine, ozone, or UV light to kill harmful microorganisms. 

Nutrient removal: Some plants remove nitrogen and phosphorus to prevent water pollution.