Ghada Nafie, PhD, PEng, PMP

This book chapter provides details on different aspects of nanoparticle synthesis including several functionalization and grafting methods to customize their use in desired applications. Examples of the applications of customized modified nanoaegirine as adsorbent and catalysts are provided. This chapter provides valuable information on understanding nanoaegirine preparation conditions, structure and surface modifications, and their adsorptive and catalytic behavior toward heavy organic… Show more

This book chapter provides details on different aspects of nanoparticle synthesis including several functionalization and grafting methods to customize their use in desired applications. Examples of the applications of customized modified nanoaegirine as adsorbent and catalysts are provided. This chapter provides valuable information on understanding nanoaegirine preparation conditions, structure and surface modifications, and their adsorptive and catalytic behavior toward heavy organic compounds. Show less

Metformin (MF) is one of the most prescribed pharmaceutical compounds worldwide. It is not completely metabolized after administration where 52% is excreted in urine. Accordingly, it highly contributes to wastewater containing MF. This research presents silica-alumina (SA) as an environmentally-safe and effective adsorbent for removing MF from aqueous solution by adsorption. Adsorption experiments were employed studying the effect of pH, contact time, and MF initial concentration to investigate… Show more

Metformin (MF) is one of the most prescribed pharmaceutical compounds worldwide. It is not completely metabolized after administration where 52% is excreted in urine. Accordingly, it highly contributes to wastewater containing MF. This research presents silica-alumina (SA) as an environmentally-safe and effective adsorbent for removing MF from aqueous solution by adsorption. Adsorption experiments were employed studying the effect of pH, contact time, and MF initial concentration to investigate both the removal efficiency of MF and the interaction mechanism. A set of characterization techniques, such as SEM, BET, FTIR, TPD-MS, and zeta potential were performed before and after adsorption experiments to confirm the role of structural morphology, surface area, porosity, surface acidity and charge in adsorption. Show less

Oil sands exploitation in Alberta relies on water-intensive processes that result in large amounts of oil sand process-affected water (OSPW). Tailings ponds are used to store OSPW in accordance with government regulations. One of the main challenges of these tailings ponds is the settling of fine particles which, without treatment, would remain suspended for decades. This study introduces a novel application for the oxy-cracking technique to enhance fine particle settling through simultaneous… Show more

Oil sands exploitation in Alberta relies on water-intensive processes that result in large amounts of oil sand process-affected water (OSPW). Tailings ponds are used to store OSPW in accordance with government regulations. One of the main challenges of these tailings ponds is the settling of fine particles which, without treatment, would remain suspended for decades. This study introduces a novel application for the oxy-cracking technique to enhance fine particle settling through simultaneous oxidation and cracking reactions: residual bitumen and hydrocarbons are cracked and solubilized in the liquid phase, freeing the fine particles to agglomerate and settle faster. The pathway for this process is determined by the kinetics parameters, and it releases minimal CO2. A full lumped kinetics model study is presented to describe the oxy-cracking reaction. Settling enhancement and dewaterability were studied using the initial settling rate (ISR) and capillary suction time (CST) methods. After oxy-cracking, the mudline was reduced by 65% within 24 h with no settling observed in the original sample. CST experiments resulted in fast and easy dewaterability of the consolidated solids after an oxy-cracking reaction of neat OSPW samples. The oxy-cracking process outperforms other processes reported in the literature for diluted samples treated with large amounts of coagulants. Oxy-cracking and settling enhancement were further confirmed by the characterization techniques of GC–MS, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and TOC analysis. The proposed oxy-cracking technique offers new opportunities for the wastewater treatment of OSPW generated by the oil sands industry. Show less

Emerging nanoparticle technology provides opportunities for environmentally friendly wastewater treatment applications, including those in the large liquid tailings containments in the Alberta oil sands. In this study, we synthesize β-cyclodextrin grafted nanopyroxenes to offer an ecofriendly platform for the selective removal of organic compounds typically present in these types of applications. We carry out computational modeling at the micro level through molecular mechanics and molecular… Show more

Emerging nanoparticle technology provides opportunities for environmentally friendly wastewater treatment applications, including those in the large liquid tailings containments in the Alberta oil sands. In this study, we synthesize β-cyclodextrin grafted nanopyroxenes to offer an ecofriendly platform for the selective removal of organic compounds typically present in these types of applications. We carry out computational modeling at the micro level through molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations and laboratory experiments at the macro level to understand the interactions between the synthesized nanomaterials and two-model naphthenic acid molecules (cyclopentanecarboxylic and trans-4-pentylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids) typically existing in tailing ponds. These nano-AE offer new possibilities for treating tailing ponds generated by the oil sands industry. Show less