Nesta pesquisa o principal objetivo foi estudar a influência da disposição de lodo gerado em estação de tratamento de água (ETA), que utiliza sulfato de alumínio como coagulante, nos processos biológicos de tratamento de esgoto por lodo ativado com aeração prolongada. Para isso, uma estação piloto de fluxo contínuo foi operada com idade do lodo de 25 dias em duas condições: inicialmente alimentada somente com esgoto bruto e posteriormente com adição de lodo de ETA à base de alumínio de modo a haver acréscimo nos sólidos em suspensão (SS) do esgoto em 25, 50 e 100 mg/L. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a principal conseqüência foi o aumento na produção de sólidos do sistema (acréscimos médios de 4,6% com 25 mg/L, 37,7% com 50 mg/L e 41,0% com 100 mg/L) e, portanto, na concentração média de SS no tanque de aeração, no decantador secundário e no lodo produzido em excesso. Como o decantador secundário operou com taxa de aplicação de sólidos abaixo da taxa limite não houve problema de arraste de sólidos pelo efluente final. Não houve interferências na remoção de DBO5,20 (eficiência de remoção acima de 94%). O teste de consumo de oxigênio específico (TCOa/SSV) e o exame microscópico do lodo não apontaram possíveis efeitos tóxicos desse lodo à microfauna existente. Não houve inibição no processo de nitrificação (eficiência média de remoção de nitrogênio Kjeldhal Total e de nitrogênio amoniacal acima de 95%). Houve aumento na concentração de DQO e de SS no efluente final pela própria contribuição do lodo da ETA sobre esses parâmetros. A remoção de fósforo foi observada apenas na forma solúvel com dosagem de 25 mg/L e 50 mg/L (eficiências de remoção de 9,1% e de 21,9% respectivamente). Esses resultados apontam que a disposição do lodo de ETA a base de alumínio em sistema de lodo ativado pode ser realizada sem interferências negativas sobre esses processos biológicos aeróbios. / The main purpose of this research was to study the influence of an alum-coagulated water treatment plant (WTP) sludge on the biological processes of wastewater treatment using extended aeration activated-sludge process. For this, a continuousflow activated-sludge pilot plant was operated at solids retention time (SRT) value of 25 day under two conditions: initially, it was feeded only with sewage and next dosed with alum sludge in way to have an addition about 25, 50 and 100 mg of suspended solids (SS) per liter of incoming sewage. The results showed that the main consequence was the increase of solids production (average addition of 4,6% at 25 mg/L, 37,7% at 50 mg/L and 41% at 100 mg/L dosages) and therefore an increasing of average concentration of SS in aeration tank, secondary clarifier and wasteactivated sludge. As the secondary clarifier operated under solids loading rate limit no solids were discharged in the clarifier effluent. There was no interference on BOD5 removal (removal efficiency above 94%). The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) and the microscopic observations did not show any possible toxic effects to the microbial population inhabiting the activated sludge system. There was no inhibition in nitrification process (average efficiency of Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen removal above 95%). There was an increase of COD and SS in final effluent due to contribution of WTP residuals on these parameters. Phosphorus removal was observed only in soluble form with doses of 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L (removal efficiency of 9,1% and 21,9% respectively). These results indicate that disposal of WTP alum sludge in activated-sludge system can be done without any adverse effects on these aerobic biological processes.

Nesta pesquisa o principal objetivo foi estudar a influência da disposição de lodo gerado em estação de tratamento de água (ETA), que utiliza sulfato de alumínio como coagulante, nos processos biológicos de tratamento de esgoto por lodo ativado com aeração prolongada. Para isso, uma estação piloto de fluxo contínuo foi operada com idade do lodo de 25 dias em duas condições: inicialmente alimentada somente com esgoto bruto e posteriormente com adição de lodo de ETA à base de alumínio de modo a haver acréscimo nos sólidos em suspensão (SS) do esgoto em 25, 50 e 100 mg/L. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a principal conseqüência foi o aumento na produção de sólidos do sistema (acréscimos médios de 4,6% com 25 mg/L, 37,7% com 50 mg/L e 41,0% com 100 mg/L) e, portanto, na concentração média de SS no tanque de aeração, no decantador secundário e no lodo produzido em excesso. Como o decantador secundário operou com taxa de aplicação de sólidos abaixo da taxa limite não houve problema de arraste de sólidos pelo efluente final. Não houve interferências na remoção de DBO5,20 (eficiência de remoção acima de 94%). O teste de consumo de oxigênio específico (TCOa/SSV) e o exame microscópico do lodo não apontaram possíveis efeitos tóxicos desse lodo à microfauna existente. Não houve inibição no processo de nitrificação (eficiência média de remoção de nitrogênio Kjeldhal Total e de nitrogênio amoniacal acima de 95%). Houve aumento na concentração de DQO e de SS no efluente final pela própria contribuição do lodo da ETA sobre esses parâmetros. A remoção de fósforo foi observada apenas na forma solúvel com dosagem de 25 mg/L e 50 mg/L (eficiências de remoção de 9,1% e de 21,9% respectivamente). Esses resultados apontam que a disposição do lodo de ETA a base de alumínio em sistema de lodo ativado pode ser realizada sem interferências negativas sobre esses processos biológicos aeróbios. / The main purpose of this research was to study the influence of an alum-coagulated water treatment plant (WTP) sludge on the biological processes of wastewater treatment using extended aeration activated-sludge process. For this, a continuousflow activated-sludge pilot plant was operated at solids retention time (SRT) value of 25 day under two conditions: initially, it was feeded only with sewage and next dosed with alum sludge in way to have an addition about 25, 50 and 100 mg of suspended solids (SS) per liter of incoming sewage. The results showed that the main consequence was the increase of solids production (average addition of 4,6% at 25 mg/L, 37,7% at 50 mg/L and 41% at 100 mg/L dosages) and therefore an increasing of average concentration of SS in aeration tank, secondary clarifier and wasteactivated sludge. As the secondary clarifier operated under solids loading rate limit no solids were discharged in the clarifier effluent. There was no interference on BOD5 removal (removal efficiency above 94%). The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) and the microscopic observations did not show any possible toxic effects to the microbial population inhabiting the activated sludge system. There was no inhibition in nitrification process (average efficiency of Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen removal above 95%). There was an increase of COD and SS in final effluent due to contribution of WTP residuals on these parameters. Phosphorus removal was observed only in soluble form with doses of 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L (removal efficiency of 9,1% and 21,9% respectively). These results indicate that disposal of WTP alum sludge in activated-sludge system can be done without any adverse effects on these aerobic biological processes.

O tratamento do lodo gerado em estações de tratamento de água para abastecimento (ETAs) é uma questão a ser equacionada em todo o território nacional. O tratamento desses lodos em estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETEs) é uma alternativa a ser estudada, pois pode levar a uma solução eficaz e de custos reduzidos se compararmos aos custos de implantação e operação de um sistema de tratamento de lodos nas próprias ETAs. O recebimento de lodo de ETAs em ETEs é feito em algumas ETEs dos Estados Unidos, porém no Brasil ainda são escassos estudos específicos para sanar as questões técnicas envolvidas tanto na etapa aeróbia quanto na anaeróbia. O sistema de tratamento de esgotos por lodos ativados utilizando mídia plástica como meio suporte ao crescimento microbiológico é outro atrativo ao recebimento de lodo de ETA em uma ETE, visto que estudos demonstram que este tipo de variante é capaz de tratar maior carga orgânica, sem sofrer qualquer inibição de processo. O presente estudo avaliou o recebimento de até 400 mg de SST de lodo de ETA por litro de esgoto em um sistema utilizando mídia plástica como meio suporte. O lodo de ETA utilizado foi proveniente de sistemas que utilizaram sais de Ferro e de Alumínio em seus processos. Não foi observada qualquer inibição no processo aeróbio quanto à remoção de matéria orgânica ou nitrogenada com o recebimento de lodo de ETA em qualquer concentração e operando um sistema com mídia plástica. A carga de DBO5,20 aplicada ao reator biológico ficou entre 1,7 a 15,3 gDBO5,20/m²/dia, e a concentração média da DBO 5,20 no efluente final esteve em todo o período do experimento em 34 mg/L. Com a utilização da mídia plástica o processo de nitrificação teve taxas de remoção passando de 0,9 gNKT/m²/dia para 1,7 gNKT/m²/dia, portanto aumento de 95%. A avaliação do lodo gerado no decantador primário da ETE Piloto demonstra que houve alteração em sua composição, principalmente na relação de SV/ST e o aumento na concentração de metais, principalmente o elemento Ferro. Estas características podem levar à inibição o processo anaeróbio. O teste de Atividade Metanogênica Especifica (AME) realizada com dosagens de 0,4 g e 0,8 g de ST de lodo de ETA demonstra que há inibição da metanogênese para concentrações acima de 0,4 g de ST. A concentração na qual não se observou efeito negativo corresponde a 10% da quantidade mássica que o digestor anaeróbio foi alimentado. Porém o teste de AME reproduz toxicidade aguda, não considerando a possível adaptação que pode ocorrer ou mesmo demonstrar que um esgoto que, em primeira análise é considerado biodegradável, tem na realidade toxicidade crônica. A operação do sistema utilizando mídia plástica levou a uma redução na produção de lodo na ordem de 57%. Antes da maturação do biofilme a produção era de 0,19 g SSV/g DQO removida e passou para 0,09 g SSV/g DQO removida. / An issue to be taken into account, regarding the continental size of the country is the sludge treatment generated in water treatment plants (WTPs). The treatment of the aforementioned sludge which is held in water treatment plant (WWTP) is a valid alternative considering its costs and efficacy as opposed to the budgetary considerations for the sludge treatment in the WTPs alone. The recipience of the sludge from WTP into WWTPs, is done by some North Americans WWTPs, in Brazil, nonetheless, such specific studies are of short supply to heal the technical questions regarding both the anaerobic and also the aerobic processes. The activated sludge operational swage system with plastic medium as means to aid the microbiologic development, also entices the reception of sludge from WTP into WWTPs, given the fact that some studies have demonstrated this variant type capable of treating a much bigger organic load not even suffering any inhibition over the process. This current study evaluated the reception of a sum up to 400 mg (milligrams) of sludge TSS by sewage liter in a plastic medium as means to aid such process. The sludge from WTP used in here came from systems which utilized Iron and aluminum salt in their processes. Any inhibition regarding the removal of organic or nitrogenated matter in the aerobic process operated with the plastic medium system with the reception of sludge from WTP was observed and/or noticed The BOD5,20 charge which was applied to the biological reactor ranked between 1,7 to 15,3 gDBO5,20/m²/day, and the BOD5,20 average concentration into the final effluent was all the time the experiment was going on in 34 mg/L. Regarding the usage of plastic medium over the nitrification process, removal which jumped from 0,9 gNKT/m²/day to 1,7 gNKT/m²/day, thus an increase of 95%. The evaluation of the sludge generated from the WWTPs primary settling tank demonstrates alteration in its composition, mainly related to VS/TS and the metal concentration augmentation, iron being the most present element in here. Such characteristics may lead to an inhibition regarding the anaerobic process. The specific methanogenic activity (SMA) taking into account the dosages: 0, 4 g and 0, 8 g of TS sludge from WTP shows methanogenesis inhibition for concentrations superior to 0, 4 g of TS. 10% of mass quantity is the amount which no negative effect was noticed when feeding the anaerobic digestor. The SMA test, however, reproduces acute toxicity, not taking into account the possible adaptation that may occur or even demonstrate that the sewage which at first instance could be considered biodegradable is in its real sense chronically toxic. The activated sludge operating with plastic medium has lead the sludge production to reduction of around 57%, before the biofilm maturation the production was 0,19 g VSS/g COD removed and it was upgraded to 0,09 g VSS/g COD removed.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-02-26T12:24:44Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Heraldo Antunes Silva Filho.pdf: 31579604 bytes, checksum: 7df08db7246e8704b6c1ca0c63fd2699 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-03-09T13:25:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Heraldo Antunes Silva Filho.pdf: 31579604 bytes, checksum: 7df08db7246e8704b6c1ca0c63fd2699 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-09T13:25:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Heraldo Antunes Silva Filho.pdf: 31579604 bytes, checksum: 7df08db7246e8704b6c1ca0c63fd2699 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-11 / This research aimed to study the conditions of the biochemical and mechanical properties of biomass of activated sludge systems (SSLM) and define an interface for the application of these properties in the design of projects, based on a model of activated sludge. Thus, the research was divided into two parts: (1) study the conditions of the biochemical and mechanical properties of SSLM and (2) the elaboration and application of activated sludge model. During the first stage we studied the conditions for obtaining measurements of dissolved oxygen and its influencing factors, as well as a study on the respirometry. Still in this stage are two methods of determining the kinetic constants of sedimentation were evaluated. The second stage consisted of 6 experimental operation of activated sludge systems, where each system tied up to a specific treatment goal. With experimental data obtained from activated sludge systems, elaborated a simplified procedure for predicting the cycle time and the optimal treatment volume in each treatment goal. The results showed that the first stage membranes which have less than 5 min -1 K rel lead to impairments of determining the TCO. Results obtained in the first phase also showed that the selection of the respirometric test conditions may exert negative influence when we work under the following conditions: 15 s < λ < 5 s, SSLM concentration of > 5 g L -1 and EC > 1 mS / cm 2 . Focusing on respirometric procedures, that is attested sodium acetate (CH 3 COONa) can be considered as a good representative pattern for the heterotrophic metabolism studies and ammonium bicarbonate (NH 4 HCO 3 ) to study the nitrifying autotrophic metabolism. Is testified also that biomass showing ability to biodesfosfatação difficult in general to determine the constants related to the metabolic properties and that we should therefore give attention to these cases. It was possible to establish that the sodium azide (NaN 3 ) is an excellent inhibitor selective nitration at a concentration of 1 mg L -1 , thus allowing the study of nitrification in two steps. In the second stage, the three studied phases, the third phase was that the systems showed the best performance of removal of constituents within the proposed objectives, and that the sizing procedures were able to predict the operating conditions for RBS systems satisfactorily. / Nesta pesquisa objetivou-se estudar as condições de determinação das propriedades bioquímicas e mecânicas dos sólidos suspensos do liquor misto (SSLM) e definir uma relação para aplicação dessas propriedades nos projetos de dimensionamento, tendo como base um modelo de lodo ativado. Dessa forma, a pesquisa dividiu-se em duas partes: (1) estudo das condições de determinação das propriedades bioquímicas e mecânicas dos SSLM e (2) elaboração do modelo de lodo ativado e aplicação. Durante a primeira etapa foi possível estudar as condições de obtenção das medidas de oxigênio dissolvido e seus fatores intervenientes, bem como desenvolveu-se um estudo sobre a respirometria. Ainda nessa etapa foram avaliados dois métodos de determinação das constantes cinéticas de sedimentabilidade. A segunda etapa foi constituída da operação de 6 sistemas experimentais de lodo ativado (5 em regime de bateladas sequenciais e 1 em regime contínuo), em que cada sistema atrelava-se à um objetivo específico de tratamento. Com os dados experimentais obtidos dos sistemas de lodo ativado, elaborou-se um procedimento simplificado para predição dos tempos de ciclo e do volume de tratamento ideal em cada objetivo de tratamento. Os resultados da primeira etapa mostraram que membranas que apresentem constante de relaxamento (K rel ) inferiores a 5 min conduzem a comprometimentos da determinação da TCO. Resultados também obtidos na primeira etapa mostraram que a seleção das condições do teste respirométrico podem exercer influência negativa quando trabalhamos nas seguintes condições: frequência da coleta de dados de OD entre 15 s < λ < 5 s, concentração de SSLM > 5 g.L -1 e CE > 1 mS/cm 2 . Especificamente sobre os procedimentos respirométricos, atestou-se que o acetato de sódio (CH 3 COONa) pode ser considerado como um bom representante padrão para estudos do metabolismo heterotrófico e que o bicarbonato de amônia (NH 4 HCO 3 ) para o estudo do metabolismo autotrófico nitrificante. Atestou-se também que biomassas que apresentem capacidade de realizar a biodesfosfatação dificultam a determinação das constantes relacionadas com as propriedades metabólicas e que, portanto, devemos dar atenção a esses casos. Foi possível definir que a azida de sódio (NaN 3 ) é um excelente inibidor seletivo da nitratação na concentração de 1 mg.L -1 -1 , permitindo assim o estudo da nitrificação em duas etapas. Na segunda etapa, das 3 fases operacionais estudadas, a terceira fase foi a que os sistemas apresentaram os melhores desempenhos de remoção dos constituintes, dentro dos objetivos propostos, e que os procedimentos de dimensionamento foram capazes de predizer as condições operacionais para sistemas RBS de forma satisfatória.

A viabilidade técnica de um sistema termofílico combinado de reatores anaeróbio-aeróbio foi avaliada para tratamento de efluente sintético da indústria de pasta de celulose não branqueada. Estas indústrias apresentam efluente com temperatura superior a 40ºC e o tratamento termofílico pode eliminar a necessidade do resfriamento, necessário para a faixa mesofílica de tratamento, reduzindo custos. Os reatores foram inoculados com lodo mesofílico com gradual adaptação para a condição termofílica. Na faixa mesofílica (37,5 a 42,5ºC) a eficiência do sistema foi de (69±3)%, com maior eficiência do reator anaeróbio (56±7)%. Depois que os reatores apresentaram equilíbrio dinâmico aparente, a temperatura foi gradualmente aumentada de 45,0 para 52ºC. As eficiências de remoção de DQO do sistema variaram de 57% a 88%. A porcentagem de metano no biogás foi decrescendo com o aumento de temperatura, de 77% para valores abaixo do limite de detecção do método cromatográfico utilizado. A eficiência do reator anaeróbio foi baixa e houve acúmulo de ácidos, principalmente acético. O reator aeróbio apresentou maior eficiência de remoção de DQO porém a concentração no licor misto foi baixa. Após a alteração no tempo de detenção hidráulica dos reatores UASB e de lodos ativados para 24 horas e 8 horas, respectivamente, os reatores operaram em faixa de temperatura de 52 a 57ºC por 85 dias. As eficiências de remoção de DQO do sistema variaram de 54% a 70%. A eficiência do reator UASB continuou baixa enquanto o reator aeróbio apresentou bom desempenho, com eficiências variando de 3% a 35% e de 43% a 75%, respectivamente. As concentrações de SSV no licor misto aumentaram, variando de 122 mg/L a 2940 mg/L. Em faixa de temperatura termofílica houve predomínio de Methanosaetas sp e bacilos no reator anaeróbio, não havendo diferenciação significativa de morfologias comparando com a fase mesofílica. No reator aeróbio houve diferenciação a partir da temperatura de 42,5ºC e predominaram bacilos, cocos e filamentos em temperatura termofílica. Os resultados demonstram a viabilidade do tratamento termofílico, mas outros experimentos são necessários antes da aplicação industrial do processo. / The technical feasibility of a combined thermophilic anaerobic-aerobic biological reactors configuration was evaluated in this work using a synthetic unbleached pulp mill effluent. These industries introduce effluent with temperature greater 40ºC and the treatment would eliminate the need of cooling that is required for the mesophilic range, reducing the costs. The reactors were inoculated with mesophilic sludge with gradual adaptation to the termophilic condition. In the mesophilic range (37.5 to 42.5ºC) the efficiency of the combined system was (69±3)%, with the higher efficiency in the anaerobic reactor (56±7)%. After the reactors reached apparent steady state regime the temperature was gradually increased from 42.5 to 52ºC. The system efficiency ranged from 57% to 88%. The percentage of methane in the biogas decreased with the increase in temperature, from 77% to values below the detection limit of the chromatographic measurement used in this work. The anaerobic efficiency was low and the reactor accumulated fatty acid, mostly acetic. The aerobic reactor presented higher efficiency removal of COD but the mixed liquor concentration was lower. After adjustment in the hydraulic retention time of both reactors, with the UASB operating with 24 hours HRT and the aerobic with 8 hours HRT, the reactors operated in the temperature range of 52 to 57ºC during 85 days. The overall removal efficiency ranged from 54% to 70%. The efficiency of the UASB reactor remained lower while the aerobic reactor presented good performance, with COD removal efficiency in the range of 3% to 35%, respectively. The mixed liquor VSS concentration increased with the increase in temperature from 122 mg/L to 2940 mg/L. In thermophilic temperature there was predominance of Methanosaetas sp and baccilus in the anaerobic reactor, without significant differentiation of morphology in comparison with the mesophilic temperature. In the aerobic reactor there was differentiation in temperature of 42.5ºC and baccilus, cocus and filamentous predominated in the thermophilic temperature. These results indicated the feasibility of the thermophilic treatment but other experiments are needed before industrial application of this process.

Thesis (Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / For more than a decade, poultry product consumption increased in developed and developing countries, with more than 470 new slaughterhouses being constructed in South Africa (SA). Customer demand for poultry products resulted in a rapidly growing poultry industry, with consequential increases in the quantity of organic solid and liquid waste being produced from the poultry slaughterhouses. Annually, the productivity and profitability within the livestock production sector has increased, an evaluation based on the number of slaughtered and sold animals. Potable water is required for these animals, resulting in the generation of high strength wastewaters. Instantaneous disposal of such wastewaters into the environment is concerning as it results in odour and the spreading of diseases in local rivers and freshwater sources. The generated poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) contains a high quantity of biodegradable organic, suspended and colloidal matter in the form of proteins, fats, oil and grease (FOG), protein from meat, blood, skin, and feathers, resulting in high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), which can contribute to environmental deterioration if not treated adequately before discharge. On average, PSW contains a high concentration of BOD, COD, nitrogen, pathogenic and non-pathogenic viruses, bacteria and parasites, including their eggs. These characteristics make PSW highly polluted with a large quantity of bird carcass debris including FOG. Due to the high concentration of organic matter and suspended solids in the wastewater, it is necessary to pre-treat the PSW prior to sequential anaerobic treatment. Most of the contaminants present in the PSW can be reduced by means of numerous treatment steps, i.e. physical, chemical and biological treatment. For this study, biological treatment methods, physical separation methods, and a membrane bioreactor system, were used to treat PSW. The biological treatment methods used were an anaerobic digester (AD) followed by a single stage nitrification/denitrification reactor and then a third stage in which an ultrafiltration (UF) and Microfiltration (MF) membrane bioreactor (MBR) was used. The AD used was an Expanded Granular sludge Bed Reactor (EGSB) as anaerobic digestion is one of the most effective biological wastewater treatment methods used, as it reduces the organic matter to even produce biogas as a renewable energy source. The basis of anaerobic treatment method relies on suitable bacteria cultivated in the absence of dissolved oxygen, facilitating decomposition of organic matter into a renewable source such as biogas. Similarly, biological nitrification/denitrification processes for the removal of total nitrogen (TN) in wastewater has become one of the most commonly used processes within the wastewater treatment sector. Nitrification and denitrification processes can be performed by some microorganisms within the wastewater in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) The PSW used was collected at different times from a local poultry slaughterhouse in the Western Cape (South Africa) and stored in a refrigerator at 4°C until it was fed to the first stage of the treatment which was the EGSB. Before being fed to the EGSB, the PSW was filtered with a sieve to remove feathers and agglomerated FOG to avoid clogging of the tubing. The EGSB was inoculated with 0.747 L anaerobic granular sludge, had a working volume of 2.7 L, an inner diameter of 0.065 m and a height of 0.872 m respectively. Ceramic marbles with an average diameter of 0.0157m were placed at the bottom of the bioreactor as packing for the underdrain and to maintain the granular sludge within the heated section of the bioreactor. The EGSB was fed with three types of PSW: 50% (v/v), 70% (v/v), which was diluted with distilled water. Thereafter once the system stabilised the reactor was fed with undiluted PSW (100%). Each dilution was operated at different Hydraulic Retention Times (HRTs) and Organic Loading Rates (OLRs), with average HRTs used being 62.5, 57.5 and 49.65 h. Furthermore, the average OLRs were 1, 2 and 3 g tCOD/L.day respectively. The performance of the EGSB was determined using tCOD, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and FOG, with overall averaged removal rates for these constituents being 69%, 98% and 92% respectively. The highest tCOD removal of 93 % (optimal efficiency) was obtained at an average HRT of 57.5 h with a corresponding average OLR of 2 g tCOD/L.day.

Processos biológicos de tratamento de esgotos são largamente utilizados mundialmente e, apesar de serem eficientes na remoção de matéria orgânica, têm capacidades limitadas na remoção de poluentes orgânios emergentes, principalmente fármacos. Este trabalho avaliou a eficiência dos processos de tratamento de esgotos por lodos ativados com oxigênio puro, lagoas aeradas e reator anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente (RAFA) na remoção de seis fármacos selecionados - paracetamol, ibuprofeno, atenolol, sinvastatina, carbamazepina e clonazepam, com altos índices de utilização pela população. Para isto, foram analisadas amostras de esgoto bruto e de esgoto tratado oriundas de três estações de tratamento de esgotos em operação no Estado de São Paulo, sendo realizadas quatro campanhas de coleta, durante dois anos, em períodos hidrológicos de seca e chuva. A técnica analítica utilizada foi a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada à espectrometria de massas (LC-MS/MS), através de método estabelecido e validado para a execução desta pesquisa. Ibuprofeno, sinvastatina e clonazepam não foram identificados em nenhuma das amostras analisadas. Atenolol, paracetamol e carbamazepina foram detectados em todas as estações estudadas, observando-se remoção e liberação deles durante todos os processos de tratamento. A estação que adota o processo por lagoas aeradas mostrou maior eficiência na remoção de paracetamol e atenolol, sendo que um elevado tempo de detenção hidráulica empregado nela parece ter influenciado positivamente na eficácia de remoção destas subtâncias. A estação que utiliza lodos ativados com oxigênio puro apresentou remoções inferiores e maiores taxas de liberação dos fármacos paracetamol e carbamazepina. Já a estação que adota RAFA apresentou discreta superioridade na remoção de carbamazepina, e eficiências intermediárias para paracetamol e atenolol. A carbamazepina mostrou resistência à degradaçào pelos processos avaliados, porém a desinfecção do efluente final, por cloração, aparentemente elevou a remoção deste composto. / Sewage biological treatment processes are the most used worldwide and, in general, they show organic matter removal high efficiency, however their pharmaceuticals removal capacity were quite limited. The aim of this study is verify the efficiency of sewage biological treatment processes per pure oxygen activated sludge, aerated basin and upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), in removal of six selected drugs acetaminophen, ibuprofen, atenolol, simvastatin, carbamazepine and clonazepam, most frequently used by population. For this purpose, it was analyzed raw sewage and treated sewage samples from three sewage treatment plants localized at Sao Paulo, Brazil, in four collection stages, during two years, at dry and wet periods. The analytical technique of choice was high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), by developed and validated method for this study. Ibuprofen, simvastatin and clonazepam were not detected at any samples collected. Atenolol, acetaminophen and carbamazepine were identified at all plants investigated, with removal and production during all treatment processes here considered. Aerated basin plant was most efficient in acetaminophen and atenolol removal, and a high hydraulic detention time seem be better to remove these compounds. Pure oxygen activated sludge plant showed lower removal rates and higher production of acetaminophen and carbamazepine. Already the UASB plant revealed a little superiority in carbamazepine removal, and intermediary efficacy to acetaminophen and atenolol removal. Carbamazepine showed persistence in treatment processes evaluated, however final effluent disinfection, with chlorination, apparently raised this compound removal.

L’ajout de sels métalliques dans les stations d’épuration à boues activées faible charge est proposé pour le contrôle d’un développement excessif de bactéries filamenteuses, notamment lorsqu’il s’agit de Microthrix parvicella.L’objectif de ce travail a été d’évaluer l’efficacité de ce type de traitement lors d’épisodes de foisonnement des boues. Il s’agissait d’étudier l’impact de l’ajout d’aluminium sur les conditions de décantation, sur les performances de traitement et sur les micro-organismes des boues activées, notamment la spécificité du traitement vis-à-vis de Microthrix parvicella.D’après l’enquête réalisée sur un échantillon de 370 stations d’épuration à boues activées faible charge, les problèmes de décantation demeurent une problématique majeure pour 30 % des installations de taille inférieure à 250 000 EH, et pour 50 % de celles traitant plus de 250 000 EH. Au moins un dysfonctionnement sur trois serait dû à un développement excessif de bactéries filamenteuses. Un taux de charge organique élevé a été identifié comme l’un des facteurs favorisant les dysfonctionnements. L’ajout de sels métalliques pour éliminer le phosphore des eaux usées contribue quant à lui à diminuer l’occurrence des dysfonctionnements, sachant que des sels de fer sont majoritairement utilisés.Les mesures réalisées sur le pilote semi-industriel (1 500 EH) durant deux périodes de 6 mois ont confirmé l’efficacité des sels d’aluminium pour contrôler la capacité de décantation des boues activées, limiter les pertes de boues et la formation de flottants, pouvant entrainer une altération des rendements épuratoires. La confrontation de résultats issus de différents outils du génie des procédés (étude des performances épuratoires de l’installation, modélisation du fonctionnement du pilote), de la microbiologie et de la biologie moléculaire (microscopie, qPCR, DGGE, inventaire moléculaire) a permis de mieux comprendre les phénomènes observés. L’ajout de sels métalliques contribue à rendre Microthrix parvicella moins compétitif que les autres bactéries pour des concentrations supérieures à 0,7 mmol (g MVS)-1 dans les liqueurs mixtes. Cette limitation de croissance s’ajoute à la formation d’agrégats biologiques denses, plus aptes à décanter, à l’internalisation des bactéries filamenteuses et leur disparition du liquide interstitiel. Lorsque la concentration obtenue dans la liqueur mixte est inférieure à 0,7 mmol (g MVS)-1, la formation de mousses est limitée et l’indice de boues est stabilisé, grâce à des phénomènes de coagulation qui n’impactent pas significativement la morphologie des agrégats ni l’abondance de M. parvicella.D’après ces éléments, les mécanismes impliqués dans l’amélioration des conditions de décantation s’apparentent à des mécanismes non spécifiques de coagulation-floculation.La modélisation des phénomènes observés, en incluant notamment une biomasse supplémentaire représentant Microthrix parvicella dans les modèles biocinétiques disponibles, permettrait sans doute de mieux comprendre les phénomènes de compétition entre les bactéries filamenteuses et les bactéries du floc. / Addition of metallic salts has been proposed to control the proliferation of Microthrix parvicella in low-loaded wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).The work presented in this document aimed at evaluating the efficiency of such treatment in the control of bulking events. The impact of aluminium addition on the activated sludge settling properties, on the process performance and on the microorganisms presents in the activated sludge, particularly it’s specificity for M. parvicella, was assessed.According to the survey performed on a sample of 370 low-loaded activated sludge WWTPs, settling problems remain a key issue for 30 % of WWTPs treating less than 250 000 p.e., and for 50 % of those treating more than 250 000 p.e.. In at least one case out of three, settling problems were induced by excessive development of filamentous bacteria. A high organic load was identified to be one of the factors favouring those dysfunctions. Metallic salts added to remove phosphorous from wastewater was also shown to reduce the occurrence of observed settling problems, given that iron salts are mostly utilised.Measurements performed on the semi-industrial pilot plant (1 500 p.e.) confirmed the efficiency of aluminium salt addition in controlling the settling properties, reducing sludge loss and foaming formation which could degrade the WWTP removal efficiency. The confrontation of the results obtained via process engineering tools (study of the pilot plant removal efficiencies, plant modelling), microbiology and molecular microbiology (microscopy, quantitative PCR, DGGE, molecular inventory) allowed a better understanding of the observed phenomena. The aluminium salt addition contributes to make M. parvicella less competitive than the other bacteria when the aluminium concentration is above 0.7 mmol (g MLVSS)-1 in mixed liquor. This growth limitation is concomitant to the formation of more compact aggregates, with better settling properties, the embedment of filamentous bacteria into the flocs and therefore their disappearance from the interstitial liquid. When the aluminium concentration in the mixed liquor is below 0.7 mmol (g MLVSS)-1, the foam formation is limited and the sludge volume index is stabilised thanks to coagulation phenomena which does not impact significantly the aggregates morphologies and M. parvicella’s relative abundance.Based upon these results, the mechanisms involved in the improvement of the settling conditions are similar to non-specific mechanisms of coagulation-flocculation.Modelling the observed behaviour, adding a biomass representing M. parvicella in available biokinetic models, would allow a better understanding of the competition between filamentous and flocculated bacteria.

Biological wastewater treatment relies on the diverse and complex metabolic activities of bacteria to remove pollutants. Its success depends on the metabolic efficiency of the bacteria. Activated sludge models use parameters that attempt to depict bacterial growth and metabolic processes. However, current methods do not separate metabolic activity from growth and maintenance. As a result, activated sludge processes are misinterpreted or over-simplified. Alternative methods for gauging bacterial activity have been proposed and include the measurements of cellular derived compounds that relate specifically to energy cycling and include Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide [NADH]. To date, NADH has been largely measured within activated sludge using commercial online fluorimeters with in situ probes. However, this current method provides a measure of the 'bulk' (raw) fluorescence within the system, resulting in difficulties when interpreting fluorescence data and poor sensitivity for detecting changes in intracellular [NADH]. This study has developed a more reliable method for estimating intracellular [NADH] and thus metabolic activity within activated sludge systems. Separating extracellular from intracellular [NADH] in samples was crucial because NADH was released and accumulates in the extracellular environment at a concentration of 200 ~M immediately following bacterial death or lysis. This concentration did not decline overtime. This not only caused high background fluorescence but also reduced the sensitivity of detection for changes in intracellular [NADH]. In particular, considerably higher [NADH] values to those from the extracellular suspensions were obtained following extraction of the intracellular material, suggesting that the cell membranes were not being penetrated by the excitable light source. Of the extraction procedures examined, filtration followed by extraction of the intracellular material with a hot Tris buffer was the most efficient and was recommended for accurate estimates of intracellular [NADH] in situ. In addition, standards were used to quantify NADH (moles per cell and/or unit volume) from unknown samples. The limits of detection were found to be 1.058 - 353 uM, whereas concentrations above 353 jAM self-quenched. Sample concentrations were always within these limits of detection. Hence, the sensitivity, reliability and experimental application of the original method was improved upon and able to be used for the direct measurement of microbial metabolic activity, something that has not been demonstrated before now. This study found that bacteria have between 106~ I 08 NADH molecules per cell depending on their metabolic state. A highly metabolically active bacterial cell had between 1O6~ tO7 NADH molecules, while a less active bacterial cell had between to7 -to8 NADH molecules. These measurements of metabolic activity were simultaneously monitored alongside other measures of bacterial growth, such as the incorporation of radiolabelled thymidine into DNA as a direct measure of DNA replication (new cell synthesis), the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine into protein as a direct measure of protein synthesis, oxygen uptake rates (OUR) as a direct measure of respiration, ATP as a measure of potential energy and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) as a measure of substrate assimilation. As OUR deceased, bacterial growth (using both the thymidine and leucine assays), specific [NADH] and specific [ATP] increased. High OUR and substrate oxidation rates simultaneous with low specific [NADH] indicated high rates of electron transport and thus efficient metabolic activity. Also, low OUR and substrate oxidation rates simultaneous with high specific [NADHI indicated inefficient rates of electron transport, therefore inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (ATP production). A lack of oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor did not efficiently reoxidise NADH to NAD and resulted in an accumulation of NADH within the cell. Thus, a measure of low specific [NADHI was linked to the efficient rate of reoxidation of NADH to NAD* and reflects high metabolic efficiency. DNA and protein syntheses were coupled following substrate enrichment (glucose or acetate), indicating that bacteria were in balanced growth. However, DNA and protein syntheses became uncoupled once substrate was depleted, indicating unbalanced growth. An average Leu:TdR ratio of 7.4 was determined for activated sludge and was comparable to values published from marine systems. This ratio increased during log growth phase and decreased during stationary growth phases. Specific growth rates determined using the [3HITdR and [3H]Leu assay yielded values ranging from 2 - 10.5 d' and from 2.5 - 6 d1, respectively and were comparable to published values. Changes in OUR, NADH, ATE', DNA replication and protein synthesis were statistically ordinated using multidimensional scaling, and changes (in magnitude and direction) in bacterial metabolic activity were observed. Such methods enable the tracing of where bacteria divert their energies, such as to growth or maintenance and thus provide a greater understanding of bacterial behaviour in activated sludge. While studying anoxic and anaerobic conditions were beyond the scope of this work, the use of such methods to monitor bacterial metabolic activity under such conditions is warranted.

<p>This thesis concerns modeling and control of bilinear systems (BLS). BLS are linear but not jointly linear in state and control. In the first part of the thesis, a background to BLS and their applications to modeling and control is given. The second part, and likewise the principal theme of this thesis, is dedicated to theoretical aspects of identification, modeling and control of mainly BLS, but also linear systems. In the last part of the thesis, applications of bilinear and linear modeling and control to the activated sludge process (ASP) are given.</p>