In the present study, the removal capacity of Pb(II) ions was investigated using the biomass of dried cattle manure in an aqueous solution. The biomaterials were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The results reveal that the adsorption mechanism may be associated with the interaction between Pb(II) ions and functional groups through aggregation, coordination, ion exchange, microprecipitation, oxidation, and hydrophobicity. The bio-adsorption of the metal was analysed in discontinuous tests; the effect of temperature, pH, agitation, and adsorbent dose was evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined at pH 7.5, 18°C and 200 rpm. The bio-adsorption of Pb(II) was best fitted to the pseudo-second order model. The experimental data of the isotherm were adjusted to the models of Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich; while Langmuir’s model related better to the experimental data forming a single layer at saturation. The rate of adsorption was rapid, reaching equilibrium after 25 min and removal of 96.8%. Thermodynamic parameters determined that the process was viable, spontaneous, and exothermic. The present study contributes mainly to demonstrating that a biomaterial prepared from bovine manure is a promising adsorbent for heavy metals such as Pb(II). It also reduces the environmental impact of this waste through the generation of greenhouse gases in countries that maintain intensive livestock. Another important aspect is the reduction of the micro- and macronutrients accumulation in soil and contamination of surface waters and aquifers by runoff and seepage during rainy periods.

The paper discusses the possible determination of steam parameters in a new type of piston machine for steam compression to generate supercritical water parameters. It presents a calculation model that allows one to simulate the process of steam compression in a cylinder with volume regulated by the piston position. In each calculation step, the steam parameters were determined on the basis of fast adiabatic changes which were corrected by the effect of leakage and heat transfer occurrence. The seal of the reactor was assumed to be a compression ring. Depending on the pressure drop on the seal, subcritical and supercritical flow was taken into account. The leak was corrected by the coefficient of flow contraction. Heat transfer was determined by equations for the Nusselt number for water and steam from the homogenous area. The programmed model allows one to simulate changes in the thermodynamic parameters of steam during the process of steam compression with any calculation step. The results presented in this paper show that the application of one compression ring allows us to obtain supercritical steam parameters. Various degrees of sealing leak tightness and their impact on the changeability of steam parameters were analyzed. Heat transfer was shown to have an impact not only on changes in steam temperature, but also on pressure. This paper analyzes the impact of the temperature of the walls of the compression chamber on the value and direction of heat transfer.