A 3D photothermal cone was developed to optimize light harvesting via multiple reflections within rational morphology for high-efficiency solar-driven evaporation.

Textile industry effluents contain reactive dyes that may harm our receiving waters. A typical reactive blue (RB) 19 dye is frequently detected in significant concentrations in textile industry effluents. Such dyes have generally shown resistance to decomposition and tend to persist in the environment for long periods and multiply the impacts to water and environment. Therefore, the present investigation focused on high-rate decomposition of a typical reactive dye RB 19 under various ultrasound and electrochemical process conditions. The decomposition of un-hydrolyzed and hydrolyzed forms of reactive blue (RB) 19 dye by ultrasound assisted electrochemical process was investigated using various parameters including dye concentration, pH, ultrasonic frequency and reaction time. Reaction kinetics, organic carbon and mechanism for dye decomposition were determined using UV-Visible spectrophotometry, TOC (total organic carbon) analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Almost complete 90% color removal and a maximum of 56% TOC removal for 50 mg L(-1) dye concentration of un-hydrolyzed RB 19 dye was achieved at an ultrasonic frequency of 80 kHz, pH of 8 after 120 min. GC-MS analysis showed that a sonoelectrochemical treatment of un-hydrolyzed RB 19 dye for 30 min resulted in the formation of products e.g. acetic acid, benzoic acid etc. with the complete removal of dye. For hydrolyzed dye, a treatment of 10 min was enough and the results were comparable with 30 min treatment of un-hydrolyzed dye. Kinetics of ultrasound assisted electrolysis showed that the dye decomposition followed 1st order. The ultrasound assisted electrolysis for dye decomposition and hence decolorization proved to be more effective and the total energy consumption reduced to half as compared with simple electrolysis/sonochemical decomposition. Therefore, ultrasound assisted electrolysis was found to be more effective technique for dye decomposition of an otherwise environmentally persistent reactive dye.

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Developing countries like Pakistan need a continuous supply of clean and cheap energy. It is a very common fear in today's world that the fossil fuels will be depleted soon and the cost of energy is increasing day-by-day. Renewable energy sources and technologies have the potential to provide solutions to long-standing energy problems faced by developing countries. Currently, Pakistan is experiencing a critical energy crisis and renewable energy resources can be the best alternatives for quickly terminating the need for fossil fuels. The renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass energy combined with fuel cell technology can be used to overcome the energy shortage in Pakistan. Biomass is a promising renewable energy source and is gaining more interest because it produces a similar type of fuel like crude oil and natural gas. Energy from biomass only depends upon the availability of raw materials; therefore, biomass can play an important role to fulfill the energy requirements of the modern age. The use of energy has increased greatly since the last century and almost all human activities have become more dependent on energy. Biomass, being a potential and indigenous candidate, could be a good solution to meet the energy needs of Pakistan. In this review paper, the detailed current energy requirements and solutions from available energy resources and the scope, potential, and implementation of biomass conversion to energy in Pakistan are explored with a special focus on the major province of Punjab and the advantages of biomass for energy purposes.

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