Sex: Male
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myongji University, 2014
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myongji University, 2009
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines, 2006
Field of Specialization
Seawater desalination
Membrane Bioreactors
Membrane Filtration
Water and wastewater treatment
Biofouling
Sludge treatment
Coagulation-Flocculation
Researches:
Article title: Key sectors perspective in selecting optimal biological nutrient removal technologies for sewage treatment in the Philippines
Authors: Regina Damalerio, Carla Mae Pausta, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Michael Angelo Promentilla, Aileen Orbecido, Liza Patacsil, Arnel Beltran
Publication title: UTM ASEAN Engineering Journal 11(2), June 2021
Abstract:
The current effluent standards emphasize on the removal of nutrients from sewage, and one solution is for establishments to install biological nutrient removal (BNR) technologies. However, there are several factors to be considered in installing or upgrading the technologies. Hence, the study utilizes two multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tools to determine the important attributes and the optimal technology from the perspective of the academe, regulatory agency, and industry. Calibrated fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) calculates the relative importance of the three criteria (implementability, financial, and socio-environmental) and twelve sub-criteria. On the other hand, the grey relational analysis is used to calculate the performance of the four selected alternatives: 3-stage Bardenpho (A2O), 5-stage Bardenpho (5BP), sequencing batch reactor (SBR), and membrane bioreactor (MBR). Combining the results of calibrated FAHP and GRA provided the overall ranking of alternatives. Results showed that each sector prioritized different factors in the selection of the optimal BNR technology. The academe considers socio-environmental (0.43) as the most preferred criterion, while the regulatory agency and industry consider financial (0.36) and implementability (0.57), respectively. Overall, the three sectors agreed that the sequential batch reactor (SBR) is the optimal BNR technology (GRG = 0.69 - 0.79).
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Leaching characteristics of an iron-rich siltation pond waste and its viability in indirect carbon sequestration
Authors: Bernard Jomari Razote, Kimmie Mae Dela Cerna, Marz Jhon Patricio, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Richard Alorro, Arnel Beltran & Aileen Orbecido
Publication title: International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment 35(6):1-16, February 2021
Abstract:
An iron-rich siltation pond waste from a nickel mining site was used as the starting material for indirect carbonation. Iron-leaching experiments were conducted on the mining waste, using HCl as the leaching agent at varying HCl concentrations, reaction times, and reaction temperatures. It was found that the extraction efficiency of iron (EEI) increased when a more concentrated HCl solution was used and at higher temperatures. Based on the EEI trend over time, a layer of silica gel layer forms around the sample, hindering further iron extraction. A maximum EEI of 93.79% was observed.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2hb3v3rb
Article title: Preliminary Investigation of an Installed Pilot-Scale Biological Nutrient Removal Technology (BNRT) for Sewage Treatment
Authors: Regina Dam Alerio, Aileen Orbecido, Michael Angelo Promentilla, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Liza Patacsil, and Arnel Beltran
Publication title: MATEC Web of Conferences 333(4):12002, January 2021
Abstract:
Water utilities, commercial and industrial establishments are required to upgrade or install new treatment systems to comply with the revised effluent standards issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environment Management Bureau (DENR – EMB) which now includes removal and monitoring of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus components). One solution is to utilize a biological nutrient removal technology (BNRT) system capable of removing nutrients from sewage. The on-going study aims to investigate the performance of the pilot-scale system in the removal of nutrients from sewage. The designed pilot-scale anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A ² O) process with a total hydraulic retention time of 8.37 hrs. was operated in an existing sewage treatment plant (STP). System modification was adapted to ensure continuous operation. Dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature of each compartment were evaluated after 45 days of system modification. The DO of the anaerobic and oxic compartment remained within the required range, while the internal recycling flowrate and/or aeration must be adjusted to achieve a DO concentration of 0.20 – 0.50 mg/L in the anoxic compartment. The research is financially supported by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCIEERD Project No. 04176).
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2p9hx9pj
Article title: Acetylation of Nata de coco (bacterial cellulose) and membrane formation
Authors: Erika Louise Alberto, Ailey Nicole de Ocampo, Christopere Ghil Depasupil, Mayzonee Ligaray, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Aileen Orbecido, Arnel Beltran, and Liza Patacsil
Publication title: MATEC Web of Conferences 268(2):04003, January 2019
Abstract:
Nata de coco (NDC), a bacterial cellulose formed by Acetobacter xylinum, was utilized to fabricate a membrane via acetylation and phase inversion methods. The NDC was activated and dissolved in N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) with lithium chloride (LiCl) at varying amounts of NDC, LiCl/DMAc ratio, activation temperature, and dissolution temperature. Acetylation was done by adding acetic anhydride (in a mass ratio of 1:12 NDC-anhydride) to NDC-DMAc/LiCl solution at a dissolution temperature of 110 °C for 3 hours. The modified-NDC was recovered via precipitation in methanol. The modified-NDC was washed with deionized water then freeze-dried. Modification was verified by determining the degree of substitution (DS) using titration and FTIR analysis. It was observed that the modification could be carried out at an NDC/DMAc (w/v) ratio of 1:75 at 120 °C for 1 hour, and addition of 8% (w/v) LiCl catalyst at 110 °C for 20 minutes. The DS of the modified-NDC was observed in the range of 2.84 – 3.69, which indicates a successful modification. This was further verified by the FTIR results. Membrane fabrication was carried out using the modified-NDC via immersion-precipitation and solvent evaporation methods. A successful membrane formation was observed using solvent evaporation.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2ryj4mny
Article title: Water quality assessment of Meycauayan River, Bulacan, Philippines
Authors: Lawrence P. Belo, Aileen H. Orbecido, Arnel B. Beltran, Edgar Vallar, Maria Cecilia Galvez, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Nadine A. Ledesma, Custer C. Deocaris
Publication title: Sylvatrop 28(2), December 2018
Abstract:
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/ycvtum4u
Article title: Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Eco-Toilet Systems in Rural Areas: A Case Study in the Philippines
Authors: Jonathan Jared Ignacio, Roy Alvin Malenab, Carla Mae Pausta, Arnel Beltran, Lawrence Belo, Renan Ma. Tanhueco, Marlon Era, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Michael Angelo Promentilla and Aileen Orbecido
Publication title: Sustainability 10(2):521, February 2018
Abstract:
Death due to diseases from poor sanitation is a serious global issue and it has become one of the priorities of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., SDG6). This SDG6 aims to provide adequate improved sanitation facilities to over 2.3 billion people around the world who have no or limited access to sanitation, wherein more than two-thirds of these un-served people live in rural areas. One of the strategies for addressing this global issue is through emerging sustainable sanitation technologies such as the Eco-Toilet System (ETS), which uses small amounts of water or is even waterless and recovers nutrients from human waste thereby promoting water-energy conservation, improved sanitation and supplement nutrients essential to plant growth. Social acceptance, however, remains a key barrier in deploying the ETS. A social perception study on the use of the ETS was conducted in a rural community in Mulanay, Philippines. The researchers analyzed the proposed combined technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior (C-TAM-TPB) using multiple linear regression and the Mann-Whitney U-test to evaluate the perceptions and attitudes of a rural community towards the use of the ETS. The results showed that more than 50% of the respondents are aware of the nutrient value of human excreta and believe that it is usable as fertilizer; however, less than 25% prefer to utilize it for food production. Results also indicate that the behavior of the users is driven by their attitude (β = 0.420, p-value < 0.010). Moreover, the Mann-Whitney U-test results revealed that people who are knowledgeable of the nutrient value of human excreta and are willing to collect them have more positive attitude towards the ETS.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/ycknfszm
Article title: A decision modelling approach for selection of biological nutrient removal systems for wastewater
Authors: Carla Mae Pausta, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Arnel Beltran, Aileen Huelgas-Orbecido, and Michael Angelo Promentilla
Publication title: MATEC Web of Conferences 156(4):03013, January 2018
Abstract:
This paper proposes a decision model built on a hierarchical network for optimal selection of biological nutrient removal systems (BNR) in wastewater treatment plants. BNR is an important component of a sustainable wastewater management wherein resource recovery from wastewater becomes an integral part of the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WTP). However, selection of the most appropriate technology or systems requires a multiple criteria analysis. This study focuses on the following criteria namely 1) Economic aspect; 2) Technical aspect; 3) Environmental Aspect; and 4) Space Requirement. The following alternatives were then evaluated: 1) 3 Stage Pho-redox (A2O); 2) 5 Stage Bardenpho (5BP); 3) University of Cape Town (UCT); 4) Virginia Initiative Plant; 5) Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR); 6) Membrane Bioreactor (MBR). A fuzzy ANP approach with Monte Carlo simulation was used to derive the overall priorities of these alternatives. This decision modelling approach addresses the uncertainty and complexity involved in the selection of appropriate BNR in Metro Manila’s WTP.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/38a3uc4t
Article title: Optimization of forward osmosis system for the utilization of reverse osmosis brine
Authors: Ramon Christian Eusebio, Michael Angelo B. Promentilla, Han-Seung Kim
Publication title: Desalination and Water Treatment 57(57):1-6, April 2016
Abstract:
This research aimed to utilize the concentrated brine by incorporating a forward osmosis (FO) system as a post-treatment in a reverse osmosis (RO) plant. The objective of this study was to optimize the operating condition of an FO system utilizing RO brine. Water flux and reverse solute flux were measured at different draw solution (DS) concentrations. Change in the salinity of the feed and permeate flux are the two parameters that were monitored and evaluated. To further optimize the process, membrane fouling was also investigated. Fouled membrane was subjected to scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. Seawater was used as the feed while sodium chloride was used to simulate different brine concentrations. It was observed that increasing the concentration of brine enhances permeate flux. However, increase in reverse solute flux was also observed compensating the high water flux. Fouling in the support layer of FO membrane was evident at 200 g/L DS concentration. While 100 g/L was found to be the most suitable for FO system with almost similar fouling propensity as compared to 50 and 75 g/L. With lower internal concentration polarization and optimized operating condition, FO system could be efficiently used in utilizing RO brine.
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Analyzing barriers for implementing industrial symbiotic networks using DEMATEL
Authors: Lindley Bacudio, Michael Francis De Jesus Benjamin, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Sed Anderson K. Holaysan
Publication title: Sustainable Production and Consumption 7, March 2016
Abstract:
Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a mechanism by which increased sustainability (e.g., lower carbon emissions, lower resource consumption) can be achieved through the establishment of symbiosis networks which result in more efficient material and energy use. IS networks are formed through a long process of planning wherein potential synergies between candidate component plants are identified and evaluated for feasibility. Therefore, a systematic design approach is needed to facilitate the successful implementation of these networks. However, the first step is to properly identify potential barriers (e.g., lack of effective communication, confidentiality issues, support services) to success. In this work, barriers to implementing IS in an industrial park are analyzed using Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). DEMATEL is an approach for identifying cause–effect relationships among several factors in order to understand the problem properly. The results from this study can then be used by stakeholders to create policies which focus on addressing the fundamental barriers towards forging sustainable IS networks.
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Input-output Based System Perturbation Analysis of the Environmental Implications of Rice Hull Utilization for Power Generation in the Philippines
Authors: Krista Danielle S. Yu, Kathleen B. Aviso, Ramon Christian Eusebio, C.B. Felix
Publication title: Chemical Engineering Transactions 52:733-738, January 2016
Abstract:
Agriculture dependent economies commonly produce low-value products relative to industrialized economies. Converting agricultural waste into electricity will increase the value of engaging such activities. However, climate change also contributes immensely to the shifts in seasons thereby effecting agricultural yield and biomass production. This study analyzes the impact of using rice hull waste into electricity generation to economic activities and carbon emissions using an input-output (I-O) approach. The I-O model is widely used for illustrating the interdependent relationship between various economic sectors. This study extends the traditional I-O model such that it links the I-O table to another table composed of further subsectors not found in the original database, providing a more detailed snapshot of activities. The Philippine case is considered, given that rice is the main staple crop. However, the volume of rice production is insufficient which causes the Philippines to import rice from neighboring countries. Despite the high level of demand for rice in the Philippines, farmers tend to shift their production to higher valued crops. Alternatively, the by-product of rice production, rice hull, is an underutilized crop residue available in large quantities which may be used for power generation. The potential electricity contribution of rice hull can either reduce the power shortage that has been going on for the last decade or displace fossil fuel based electricity, at the same time, increase the value of rice production. Hence, government can reduce rice imports and service the utility demand of its constituents.
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Boron removal by activated carbon and microfiltration for pre-treatment of seawater desalination
Authors: Joon-Seok Kang, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Han-Seung Kim
Publication title: Water Science & Technology Water Supply 11(5):560, December 2011
Abstract:
This study aimed to enhance boron removal through powdered activated carbon adsorption (PAC) and application of a micro-filtration (MF) process as a pretreatment of a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) process. Batch and continuous experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of membrane filtration as well as PAC addition on boron removal in reconstituted seawater. In batch test, two kinds of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane, Module A and Module B, were used to assess the influence of pH and PAC on boron removal, whereas in continuous mode, two MF systems with submerged PVDF flat-sheet membrane were run in parallel. Modules A and B obtained the highest percentage boron removal at pH 9 in the batch experiment with an average value of 47.33%, and their concentration of boron was further reduced after addition of PAC increasing the removal to 51.33 and 69.33%, respectively. For the continuous operation, PAC addition decreased the boron concentration by 20-30 and 40% in the reactor and effluent, respectively. On the other hand, only 5% reduction was obtained inside the reactor and 30-40% in the effluent for the system without PAC. Thus, operating the system at high pH with PAC addition could enhance the performance of the adsorption-MF system, which can be used as a pretreatment for the SWRO process.
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Application of integrated microfiltration and PAC adsorption for the removal of humic acid as a pretreatment in seawater desalination
Authors: Ramon Christian Eusebio, Joon-Seok Kang, Han-Seung Kim
Publication title: Desalination and Water Treatment 34(1):81-87, October 2011
Abstract:
This study evaluated the effectiveness of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in removing organic matter under saline condition with the application of microfiltration (MF). Adsorption isotherm test was conducted to compare the adsorptive potential of humic acid (HA) on PAC between reconstituted seawater and aqueous solution. Subsequently, two MF systems were run in parallel to investigate the effect of PAC and filtration process on HA removal. Various parameters such as turbidity, SDI15, UV254, dissolved organic carbon and transmembrane pressure were monitored within one-month operation. The batch experiment results showed that an increase in PAC concentration enhanced the adsorption potential of HA on activated carbon. Same trend was observed in the continuous experiment conducted with microfiltration. Percent removal of organics reached 60% for the control system while 90% for MF-PAC system. Lower SDI15 and turbidity values were obtained in the system with PAC. Adsorptive capacity of PAC with organic matter was higher in saline solution due to the ionic strength exhibited by salts present in seawater, and removal of humic acid in seawater was increased by the addition of activated carbon. Consequently, membrane filtration coupled with adsorption enhanced the removal of organic matter in reconstituted seawater producing better quality of effluent water.
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Various operating conditions affecting the performance of aerobic digestion coupled with membrane filtration
Authors: Ramon Christian Eusebio, Hyoung-Gun Kim, Yoon-Ho Cho, Tai-Hak Chung
Publication title: Desalination and Water Treatment 34(1):336-343, October 2011
Abstract:
An aerobic digestion coupled with membrane filtration (ADMF) system was investigated to determine the influence of various operating conditions to the efficiency of sludge thickening. Three different parameters were studied: the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT), aeration and addition of coagulant. The effect of varying HRT was noticeable with the decrease in viscosity with increasing HRT. Transmembrane pressure, which indicates the extent of membrane fouling, increased with the decrease in HRT. Effect of aeration on the rate of increase in mixed liquor suspended solid concentration was observed to be insignificant, indicating that the aeration rate affected the filtration performance rather than the sludge reduction efficiency. Study on the effect of coagulant was evaluated by comparing two kinds of coagulants, organic and inorganic, at different concentrations. Dead-end filtration experiment and determination of critical flux were conducted to investigate the permeate performance according to coagulant addition. Higher value of critical flux was obtained with the addition of inorganic coagulant, while the total resistance was decreased with increasing coagulant concentration. Results show that while the addition of inorganic coagulant enhanced the ADMF system by improving membrane permeability, it is recommended that the system be operated at high HRT and aeration rate.
Full text available upon request to the author
Article title: Effect of organic loading on the performance of MBR for advanced treatment and water reuse
Authors: Yoon-Ho Cho, Mark Sibag, Ramon Christian Eusebio, Han-Seung Kim
Publication title: Desalination and Water Treatment 33(1-3):224-230, September 2011
Abstract:
The study investigated the effect of organic loading on nutrient and organic matter removal in a lab-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR). The effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) addition on the performance of MBR was also considered. The results showed that the organic loading changes greatly affected the removal of total phosphorus (TP). At the end of the step increase in chemical oxygen demand (COD) from 300 mg/L to 2400 mg/L, the TP removal was completely removed. The COD and total nitrogen (TN) removals were 90% and 80%, respectively. When the COD was reduced to 1200 mg COD/L and 600 mg COD/L, the TP removal was 10% for MBR without PAC and 19% for MBR with PAC. The addition of PAC had no effect on nutrient and organic matter removal of the MBR. It only reduced membrane fouling; hence extending the operation time for MBR before membrane cleaning. The study demonstrated that MBR could maintain high effluent quality at high organic loading changes. Under low organic loading changes, TP removal deteriorated more than did the COD and TN removals. It was suggested that the dynamics of organic loading also be considered for the MBR process to sustain high effluent quality especially during start-up.
Full text available upon request to the author