An activated unsaturated sand filter (AUSF) is one of only a few of the filtration technologies utilized to treat waters and wastewaters that use unsaturated filter media. AUSF employs sand coated with potassium permanganate and operates with an open chamber allowing free air flow into the column of sand. The AUSF also benefits from operation without the need for a sedimentation unit. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficient removal of iron and manganese using an AUSF, however, to date there are still very limited studies available that use AUSF technology for the removal of metals from waters and wastewaters. Thus, there is an urgent need and opportunity to exploit this technology further. This research was conducted in order to develop and study the characteristics and subsequent operational performance of a novel AUSF media. The study focuses on the removal of copper, manganese, zinc and nickel from a synthetic wastewater and extends current knowledge to a passive aeration process rather than the active aeration used in the previous study by Lee et. al. (2004). The characterisation involved the use of sieving, Brunauer- Fmmett-Teller (BET) analysis, water evaporation studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for structural analysis such as particle size, surface area, porosity and topography. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), acid/alkali resistance, isoelectric point determination and acid digestion analysis were used to determine the chemical constituency, chemical stability, electrical charge properties and the binding efficiency of the media. Finally, tracer studies were employed to determine the flow characteristics through the particle media. The manganese coated sand was proven effective for the removal of copper in both agitated tank batch studies and continuous column studies. The batch studies showed that the equilibrium sorption of copper followed a Langmuir isotherm and the sorption rate was best modelled using the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. This suggests that adsorption is taking place as a single homogeneous layer on the surface of the sand particle via the chemisorption method. The Weber-Morris and Bangham models were used to determine the rate-controlling mechanism and this was found to be predominantly intra-particle diffusion. This was confirmed for column studies using the Bohart-Adams model that demonstrated that liquid-film mass transfer was not significant. Several mechanisms of metal removal are proposed and these include precipitation, electrostatic attraction, adsorption, ion exchange and complex ion formation. The column studies demonstrated that dispersion was low under the operating conditions and plug flow performance could be inferred, thus justifying the use of the AUSF model employed. Copper was best removed when operating as an unsaturated particle bed and the removal capacity was increased by approximately 100% when compared to a saturated particle bed. Moreover, the pH increase that occurs on exposure of the process water to the unsaturated column further improves removal capacity. Thus, there is no requirement for an expensive pH adjustment as a pre-treatment process prior to this unit operation. In addition, the removal capacity of the AUSF was demonstrated to increase with lower metal concentrations, lower water flow rates, smaller sand particles, an increase in manganese to sand ratio and an increase in particle bed height. The AUSF performance in removing metals followed the order Cu > Mn > Zn > Ni for individual and mixed component solutions and Cu > Ni > Zn > Mn for a synthetic wastewater typical of the electroplating industries. In conclusion, the novel manganese coated AUSF developed is effective in the removal of metals from solution and offers the potential of a sustainable low cost treatment method for the purification of waters and wastewaters.

Les recherches menées au cours de cette thèse constituent une première étape de développement de méthodes expérimentales de concentration de nanoparticules à l'aide de composants micro-nanofluidiques. L'objectif principal est donc d'explorer différentes architectures de systèmes micro-nanofluidiques où l'étape de concentration est effectuée par effet d'exclusion stérique et/ou ionique sous l'application d'un champ de pression et/ou électrique. Une attention toute particulière a été portée sur les méthodes de caractérisation, comprenant notamment les méthodes de particule Tracking Micro-PIV et de microscopie par fluorescence pour mesurer la répartition en nanoparticules et quantifier les facteurs de concentration. Le premier axe concerne la concentration de nanoparticules dans des architectures de type « Bypass ». Dans le cas de la filtration stérique, une modélisation par méthode de différence finie permet de prédire l'apparition d'une zone localisée où la concentration est d'une centaine à un millier de fois plus élevée que la concentration initiale après une heure d'opération. Des composants micro-nano fluidique en silicium ont été réalisés afin de mener une étude paramétrique. En accord avec le modèle proposé, cette étude montre que le nombre de Peclet est le paramètre déterminent dans le choix du design et des conditions d'expérimentations optimums. Concernant la préconcentration par effet électrocinétique, les expérimentations ont essentiellement consisté à explorer le phénomène d'ICP (Ion Concentration Polarisation) et d'appliquer cette technique pour la concentration de nanoparticules. Enfin le type de géométries « Bypass » a été testé sous différentes conditions. Ainsi, le couplage avantageux de phénomènes électro-hydrodynamiques tel que le « streaming potentiel » permet d'ouvrir la voie à des systèmes de préconcentration à actionnements manuels, rapides et très simples d'utilisation. Le deuxième axe d'étude est quant à lui dédié à la conception et l'utilisation de configuration micro-nanofluidique plus originales. Y sont notamment étudiés des systèmes à configuration radial offrant une meilleure stabilité lors des étapes de préconcentration électrocinétiques. Sur la base des performances et limitations des différents systèmes micro-nanofluidiques réalisés, le dernier chapitre est une mise en perspective des champs d'applications potentiels, notamment pour les laboratoires sur puces. / The researches conducted during this thesis consist in a first step for the development of experimental methods applied to the concentration of nanoparticles using micro-nanofluidic devices. The main aim is to explore different system architectures where the préconcentration step are achieved using steric and/or ion exclusion under the influence of a pressure and/or electric field. A special attention is directed toward the characterization methods including Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry micro-PIV and fluorescent microscopy to measure the nanoparticles repartition and to quantify the concentration folds. The first axis deals with the preconcentration of nanoparticles within « Bypass » like architectures. Concerning the steric filtration, a theoretical model using finite element method allows to predict the rising of a located preconcentration zone where the local concentration is enhanced 1000 fold as compared to the initial concentration after 1h of concentration operation. Silicon Micro-nanofluidic devices were fabricated in order to conduct a parametric study. According to the proposed theoretical model, this study shows that the Peclet number is a key parameter to choose the optimal design and experimental conditions. Concerning the electrokinetic preconcentration, the experiments mainly consisted in exploring the ICP phenomenon (Ion Concentration Polarization) and in using this technic to preconcentrate nanoparticles. Finally the Bypass geometry was tested in many conditions. Thus, the advantageous coupling of electro-hydrodynamic phenomena such as the so called “streaming potential” opens new ways to fast, simple and manual preconcentration systems suitable for LOC applications. The second axis is dedicated to the conception and utilization of original micro-nanofluidic configurations. Will also be studied radial micro-nanofluidic devices offering better stability during electrokinetic preconcentration. On the basis of the performances and limitations inherent to each systems, the last chapter will focus on the potential applications relative to LOC.

Dans un procédé de filtration, un fluide traverse une membrane (barrière sélective). Une force motrice s’applique entre les deux côtés de la membrane qui peut être un gradient de pression, température ou un potentiel électrique/chimique. Dans les procédés de filtration par un gradient de pression, certains composés du milieu fluide, traversent la membrane alors que d’autres sont retenues sur la surface membranaire. Ces procédés sont très utiles dans différents domaines de l’industrie, notamment en ce qui concerne le traitement des eaux et des effluents, biotechnologie, agroalimentaire et pharmacie. En plus les procédés de filtration offrent des installations plus compactes avec une optimisation des coûts opérationnels comparant avec des procédés traditionnels de séparation notamment distillation et cristallisation. Par ailleurs, ces procédés se réalisent en absence des additifs chimique et changement de la phase. Dans cette étude, on se focalise sur les procédés de microfiltration. L’inconvénient principal de ces procédés est l’accumulation continue de particules/molécules sur la surface de la membrane. Ceci affecte la sélectivité de la membrane, modifie la qualité et la quantité de liquide passant à travers la membrane et conduit à une augmentation des coûts et de l’énergie. Le Colmatage (encrassement) membranaire se produit dans tous les types de procédés membranaires et par conséquent est connu le principal obstacle à l’utilisation répandue de ces procédés. Différentes techniques sont utiles pour surmonter les effets de l’encrassement de la performance de la membrane: le traitement physico-chimique des membranes utilisées, la modification des conditions opératoires (flux tangentiel de la solution d’alimentation sur la surface de la membrane est souvent appliqué pour réduire au minimum l’accumulation de particules), l’utilisation de membranes moins sensibles au colmatage, etc. Tout dépendant de la nature des solutions traitées, les particules déposées sont très variables. Les micro-organismes, des matières organiques naturelles notamment les protéines, les polysaccharides, les substances humides, les oxydes inorganiques et les sels contribuent au colmatage des membranes. Dans les dernières années, un grand nombre d’études expérimentales ont été investis pour comprendre les mécanismes de colmatage. Il a été souligné que les propriétés physico-chimiques de la membrane, la chimie des solutions et les conditions opératoires sont les trois principaux facteurs influant sur les mécanismes de colmatage. En parallèle, les modèles théoriques ont été proposés pour confirmer / décrire les observations expérimentales. La modélisation du colmatage membranaire est un outil essentiel pour évaluer les mécanismes qui le causent. Il permet également prédire la performance du système de filtration et par conséquent trouver des stratégies adaptées pour empêcher la modification de la performance membranaire pendant le procédé de filtration. En général, les modèles de classifient en deux grandes catégories: les modèles de transport de masse qui se concentrent sur le transport de solutés dans le procédé de filtration, et les modèles de colmatage basés sur le blocage des particules/molécules sur la surface ou à l’intérieur de la membrane. Dans la plupart des cas, les modèles dépendent fortement des paramètres empiriques ou semi-empiriques et restent phénoménologique. 1. Avoir une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes du colmatage membranaire lors de la filtration d’un milieu liquide contenant les micro-organismes en suspension. Il est important de souligner que des eaux industrielles et des eaux usées dans plusieurs domaines appartiennent à ce type d’effluents. 2. Proposer un modèle macroscopique décrivant les mécanismes de colmatage observés. [...] / During a membrane filtration process, a liquid medium is filtered through a membrane(selective barrier). The applied driving force between two sides of the membrane can be a gradient of pressure, temperature or a chemical/electrical potential.In pressure driven filtration processes (application of a pressure gradient as driving force between two sides of the membrane), certain components of the liquid medium pass through the membrane, while others are retained at the membrane surface. These processes are widely used as separation techniques in different industrial fields like waste water treatment, biotechnology, food and pharmacy. Compared to conventional techniquesof separation (distillation, crystallization, ...), membrane processes offer more compact installations with more optimized operational costs. Moreover, membrane processes are mainly performed in absence of chemical additives and phase change. In this work we focus on the pressure-driven microfiltration membrane processes.The main disadvantage of these processes is the continuous accumulation of particles on the membrane surface. This affects the membrane selectivity, modifies the quality and the quantity of the liquid passing through the membrane and leads to an increase of energy costs. Membrane fouling occurs in all types of membrane processes and therefore is known as the major obstacle for widespread use of these processes. Different techniques are used to overcome the effects of fouling on the membrane performance : physical-chemical treatment of used membranes, modification of the operational conditions (tangential flow of the feed solution to the membrane is often applied for minimizing the particle accumulation to the membrane surface), use of membranes less susceptible to fouling, etc. Depending on the nature of the treated solutions, the deposited particles are highly variable. Microorganisms, natural organic matter such as proteins, polysaccharides, humid substances, inorganic oxides and salts contribute notably to membrane fouling.It should be noted that membrane fouling problem is a multi-physics (hydrodynamics,mass transport, physics, chemistry), multi-scale (different length scales are involved:molecules, pores and membrane surface) and time dependent (evolution of the membrane microstructure and the molecule-surface interactions) phenomena.In the last decades, a huge number of experimental studies have been invested to understand fouling mechanisms. It has been pointed out that membrane physicochemical properties, solution chemistry and operational conditions are the three major factors affecting the fouling mechanisms. In parallel, theoretical models have been proposed to confirm/describe the experimental observations.Modeling of membrane fouling is an essential tool for assessing the fouling mechanisms. It helps predicting the membrane performance and consequently finding adapted strategies to prevent their modification during the filtration process.In general, the models can be classified into two main categories: mass transport models which focus on solute permeation during the filtration process, and fouling models based on particle or solute blocking within the membrane porous structure. In most of the cases, models depend strongly on the empirical or semi-empirical parameters and thus remain phenomenological. Two main objectives have been set for the present work: 1. Get a better understanding of the membrane fouling mechanisms during filtration of a liquid medium containing suspended microorganisms. It should be pointed out that several Industrial streams and wastewaters belong to this kind of effluents.2. Propose a macroscopic model describing the observed fouling mechanisms. [...]

Submitted in part fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Technology in Chemical Engineering, ML Sultan Technikon, 2003. / Whilst microfiltration (MF) has numerous uses and advantages over conventional separation processes it does have certain limitations. MF membrane process can effectively remove turbidity but cannot sufficiently remove low molecular organics. For a sufficient removal of such particles adaptations and modifications to the membrane has to be made or additional removal processes (e.g. nanofiltration or reverse osmosis) has to be added. This project makes an attempt at addressing the former issue. In MF, a membrane on a support performs the filtration. There are various types of materials used as supports e.g. ceramics, porous steel tubes, polymers etc. These materials are usually rigid or semi-rigid and thus offer the advantage of maintaining their shape thus enabling operation at high pressures. This project will concentrate exclusively on woven fibre microfiltration (WFMF). This is a tubular cloth-like filter, which becomes rigid when feed flows into it. / M

Submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the Degree of Masters in Technology: Chemical Engineering, M.L. Sultan Technikon, 2002. / Crossflow microfiltration (CFMF) using a fabric support has been successfully used to treat a range of problematic waters. Experimental evidence indicates that the formation of a dynamic membrane or precoat on a woven-fibre microfilter can significantly increase the performance of the filter, that is, the production rate and rejection. The use of precoats in filtration applications is based on the precoat's unique microstructure that is able to trap sub-micron particles while maintaining a permeable filter cake. However, to date the precoating step has been more of an art than a science. Very little knowledge exists on the best type of precoat to use, or the the optimal velocity, pressure and concentration to form a stable precoat. Further, although various models have been proposed for CFMF, their still exists a lack of knowledge of the mechanisms by which precoats improve performance. / M

No description available.

M.S.

This study investigated the effectiveness of vegetative filter strips (VFS) in removing phosphorus from surface runoff. Dissolved and particulate nutrients were treated separately due to differing transport and removal mechanisms. Nutrient transport in VFS appears to be a function of runoff rate, concentration and size distribution of suspended solids, and biological factors that influence hydrologic and chemical processes in filter strips. Three sets of experimental field plots were constructed to simulate VFS. Each set consisted of three plots containing sediment and nutrient source areas and 0.0, 4.6, or 9.1 m grass filter strips. Artificial rainfall was applied to the plots, and surface runoff, soil, and plant material samples were collected and physically and chemically analyzed. The VFS reduced surface runoff, suspended solids, and phosphorus losses. Most removal of sediment and phosphorus was accomplished in the first few meters of the VFS. The filter strips did not remove phosphorus as effectively as sediment, due to their ineffectiveness for filtering dissolved phosphorus and sediment-bound phosphorus associated with fine particles. The VFS often increased orthophosphorus losses in surface runoff. Laboratory batch experiments of phosph~rus desorption reaction suggested that plant residues, living plant canopy, and soil components of the strips could release dissolved phosphorus to surface runoff. A modified Elovich equation and a diffusion-control model were used to describe the phosphorus release from the plant and soil materials. A computer model, GRAPH, was developed to simulate phosphorus transport in VFS by incorporating phosphorus transport submodels into the VFS model in SEDIMOT II, a stormwater and sediment transport model. The model considers the effects of advection processes, infiltration, biological uptake, phosphorus desorption from the soil surface to runoff, the adsorption of dissolved phosphorus to suspended solids in runoff, and the effects of dynamic changes in the sediment size distribution on chemical transport. GRAPH was verified using the results of the physical plot simulations. The model's predictions and observed phosphorus transport compared favorably. Sensitivity analysis suggested that sediment and phosphorus removal was sensitive to the input parameters in the order: filter length and width, grass spacing, and filter slope and surface roughness. Increased filter width and length and aboveground biomass increased orthophosphorus loss from VFS. / Ph. D.

No description available.

The increasing use of engineered nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has focused more attention on the transport of nanoparticles in natural and engineered systems. Despite a substantial number of studies on the transport of nanoparticles in groundwater flow conditions, other conditions such as those in granular media filtration in water treatment plant have not been fully explored. This study was designed to investigate the transport of AgNPs in granular media filtration with a relatively high filtration velocity (~2 m/hr) and a low influent AgNP concentration (~100 [mu]g/L). Effects of several physical and chemical parameters on the transport and attachment of AgNPs were examined, focusing on the colloidal filtration theory and particle-particle interaction, respectively. Regarding the transport of AgNPs, four physical parameters (filter depth, filtration velocity, filter media size, and AgNP size) were varied at a fixed chemical condition. Positively charged branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) capped AgNPs were chosen to examine the transport of AgNPs under electrostatically favorable attachment conditions. The effects of filter depth, filtration velocity, and filter media size on transport of AgNPs were adequately described by the well-known colloidal filtration model. However, deviation from the model prediction was apparent as the AgNP size became smaller, implying a possible variation of nanoparticle properties in the smaller size such as 10 nm. In the AgNP attachment study, negatively charged citrate- and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-capped AgNPs were employed to examine the chemical effects on particle (AgNP)-particle (filter media) interaction. When the ionic strength and ion type in the background water were varied, the attachment of citrate AgNPs followed the DLVO theory. Ca- or Mg-citrate complexation was found to lead to charge neutralization, resulting in a greater AgNP deposition onto the filter media. However, PVP AgNPs were only marginally affected by the electrostatic effect, demonstrating a stronger stabilizing effect by PVP than citrate. When natural organic matter (NOM) was introduced in the background water, the deviation from the DLVO theory was considered primarily due to the steric interaction by NOM coating onto particles. Different amounts of AgNP deposition for different types of NOM suggest the variation of steric effects according to the molecular weight of NOM. The deposition of humic acid-coated AgNPs was similar regardless of the capping agent, indicating the possible displacement of the capping agent by NOM. The electrostatic and steric interactions affected the detachment of AgNPs as well as the attachment of AgNPs. The amount of detachment depended on the depth and width of the secondary energy minimum. Also, the detachment was enhanced with NOM coating, probably due to a weak attachment by the steric effect. However, the hydrodynamic force employed in this study was insufficient to yield a remarkable detachment. Overall, the retention profile was a relatively vertical line (i.e., equal deposition with depth) when the AgNP aggregation was prevented by the electrostatic or steric repulsion, implying homogeneous AgNP capture throughout the filter bed. On the other hand, ripening (the capture of particles by attraction to previously retained particles) was favored at the top of the filter bed when the AgNP aggregation was allowable. / text