published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

At Kungsberget ski-resort in Gävleborg county all wastewater produced at the facility is treated on-site. The treatment takes place at their own wastewater treatment plant in a so-called Sequence Batch Reactor (SBR), which has been in operation for about a year before this study. Kungsberget AB is currently in charge of the facility but their goal is to hand responsibility over to Sandviken Energy AB. In order for this handover to occur Kungsberget has to produce three approved treatment results. This means that the concentrations of BOD7 needs to lie under 0.3 mg/l and total phosphorous under 10 mg/l in the effluent water for three consecutive samples. The results show momentaneous values. These limits are stated in the permit Kungsberget received from the Environmental Protection Division. Kungsberget has had problems with high and fluctuating phosphorous concentrations and therefore the transfer has not yet taken place. In this project several parameters have been analysed in order to obtain an overview of prevailing influent and effluent concentrations. Some of the parameters that have been analysed are; phosphorous, nitrogen, BOD7, suspended solids and pH. A lot of time and effort has been put into elucidating operational routines at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and gaining knowledge from available literature regarding different parameters’ effect on treatment results.   Kungsberget has had problems adapting operating routines and reaching stable treatment results as the load is highly effected of seasonal fluctuation. This has not been taken into account earlier and the WWTP has been operated in the same manner all year around. Suggestions to how operating routines can be modified in to better meeting the needs have been produced and alternative treatment methods have been presented in the report. Two of the suggestions include biological phosphorous removal and adding carrier media to increase bacteria growth. An aerobic solids retention time has been calculated in order to evaluate whether nitrifying bacteria have enough time for grow and maintain a stable population. The calculation was carried out by measuring suspended solids and aeration time and the result was a solids retention time of approximately 6 days.

Water infrastructure on Aboriginal communities in Canada, and specifically Northern Manitoba is in sub-standard condition. A recent Government of Canada study indicated that an estimated $1.5 billion would need to be spent to improve this infrastructure. September 2003 through July 2004, an examination of the effectiveness of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) in a Northern Manitoban Aboriginal community took place. This study was intended to identify and test an appropriate and effective solution for the lack of adequate wastewater treatment in these communities. The MBR system, employing a Zenon ZW-10 ultrafiltration membrane, was designed and constructed at the University of Manitoba. It was installed and tested in two phases at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Reserve in Northern Manitoba. Phase I was a direct comparison between the pilot-scale MBR and the community’s existing Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) with sand filter. This phase occurred from September 2003 until December 2003. The MBR, with an SRT of 20-days and an HRT of 10 hours, outperformed the SBR in every category despite 2 mechanical/electrical failures that resulted in the loss of biomass from the MBR. The SBR/Sand filter combination had BOD, TSS, and TKN concentrations of 30.3 mg/L, 27.5 mg/L, and 8.4 mg/L, respectively. By comparison, the BOD, TSS, and TKN concentrations in the MBR effluent were <6 mg/L, <5 mg/L, and 1.3 mg/L respectively. Phase II, from March 2004 through July 2004, tested the overall MBR efficacy and intended to assess a novel remote control and monitoring system. The MBR SRT was adjusted to 40-days and, as expected, the MBR MLVSS concentration increased to a relatively stable 5000 mg/L. The MBR continued to provide high quality effluent with some exceptions. Despite the 0.034 μm pore size, the total coliforms and TSS measured in the effluent were higher than in Phase I. This indicates a compromised membrane, faulty sampling procedures, or biological regrowth downstream of the membrane. This failure could point to the need for some form of tertiary disinfection. Also in Phase II, a remote control and monitoring program was implemented. The controlling PC was controlled via the internet using pcAnywhere software. The software allowed for real-time monitoring and complete control of the pilot system. In conclusion, the pilot-scale MBR yielded consistent, high quality wastewater effluent and this would benefit the pristine environments existing in Manitoba’s north. The potential hands-free operation could be utilized to provide support to communities lacking sufficient wastewater treatment know-how.

Water infrastructure on Aboriginal communities in Canada, and specifically Northern Manitoba is in sub-standard condition. A recent Government of Canada study indicated that an estimated $1.5 billion would need to be spent to improve this infrastructure. September 2003 through July 2004, an examination of the effectiveness of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) in a Northern Manitoban Aboriginal community took place. This study was intended to identify and test an appropriate and effective solution for the lack of adequate wastewater treatment in these communities. The MBR system, employing a Zenon ZW-10 ultrafiltration membrane, was designed and constructed at the University of Manitoba. It was installed and tested in two phases at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Reserve in Northern Manitoba. Phase I was a direct comparison between the pilot-scale MBR and the community’s existing Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) with sand filter. This phase occurred from September 2003 until December 2003. The MBR, with an SRT of 20-days and an HRT of 10 hours, outperformed the SBR in every category despite 2 mechanical/electrical failures that resulted in the loss of biomass from the MBR. The SBR/Sand filter combination had BOD, TSS, and TKN concentrations of 30.3 mg/L, 27.5 mg/L, and 8.4 mg/L, respectively. By comparison, the BOD, TSS, and TKN concentrations in the MBR effluent were <6 mg/L, <5 mg/L, and 1.3 mg/L respectively. Phase II, from March 2004 through July 2004, tested the overall MBR efficacy and intended to assess a novel remote control and monitoring system. The MBR SRT was adjusted to 40-days and, as expected, the MBR MLVSS concentration increased to a relatively stable 5000 mg/L. The MBR continued to provide high quality effluent with some exceptions. Despite the 0.034 μm pore size, the total coliforms and TSS measured in the effluent were higher than in Phase I. This indicates a compromised membrane, faulty sampling procedures, or biological regrowth downstream of the membrane. This failure could point to the need for some form of tertiary disinfection. Also in Phase II, a remote control and monitoring program was implemented. The controlling PC was controlled via the internet using pcAnywhere software. The software allowed for real-time monitoring and complete control of the pilot system. In conclusion, the pilot-scale MBR yielded consistent, high quality wastewater effluent and this would benefit the pristine environments existing in Manitoba’s north. The potential hands-free operation could be utilized to provide support to communities lacking sufficient wastewater treatment know-how.

A novel batch reactor concept is proposed for the catalytic production of hydrogen in distributed and portable applications. In the proposed CHAMP (CO2/H2 Active Membrane Piston) reactor, a batch of hydrocarbon or synthetic fuel is held in the reaction chamber where it reacts to produce hydrogen with simultaneous removal of the hydrogen by permeation through an integrated, selective membrane. These processes proceed to the desired level of completion at which point the reaction chamber is exhausted and a fresh batch of fuel mixture brought in. Unique to the CHAMP reactor is the ability to precisely control the residence time, as well as the ability to compress the reaction chamber dynamically, or mid-cycle, in order to increase the instantaneous hydrogen yield rate. An idealized reactor model demonstrates that the ideal limits of performance (in the absence of transport limitations) exceed those of comparable continuous flow designs. A comprehensive, coupled, transport-kinetics model is used to quantify the effects of mass transport limitations on reactor performance and search the design parameter space for optimal points. Two modes of operation are studied: fixed-volume mode wherein the piston is stationary and constant-pressure mode in which the rate of compression matches the permeation of hydrogen through the membrane. Finally, to validate these numerical models and confirm our understanding of the key operating principles, prototype reactors were built and experimentally characterized.

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-10-17T15:14:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 WILLY RODRIGO DE ARAÚJO - DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEQ) 2018.pdf: 5030697 bytes, checksum: 8a14506fd3d3d6346a2c2cd041ea7844 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-17T15:14:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WILLY RODRIGO DE ARAÚJO - DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEQ) 2018.pdf: 5030697 bytes, checksum: 8a14506fd3d3d6346a2c2cd041ea7844 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-13 / Capes / Como contribuição inicial, este trabalho propõe a substituição do MPT por um código desenvolvido em MATLAB®, uma vez que este sana a deficiência do primeiro em regiões não convexas. No âmbito da operabilidade estacionária, aborda dois estudos de caso: uma mistura de correntes com diferentes restrições em vazões e temperaturas e um CSTR encamisado para condução de uma reação exotérmica. Neste, a EDS foi tratada do ponto de vista estatístico, em que quanto maior o distúrbio menor a probabilidade de ocorrência. Informações relativas ao índice de operabilidade (OI) foram inseridas em um controlador proporcional-integral de modo que este conduzisse, de forma rápida e direta, a um estado permanente que garanta as especificações desejadas. Quanto à perspectiva de operabilidade dinâmica, a proposta é fundamentada na análise a cada período. O modelo utilizado, bem como suas condições e restrições foi delimitado por um reator batelada de bancada. Uma rotina programada em VBA é capaz de realizar experimentações numéricas de forma automática e foi desenvolvida com o propósito de simular um massivo planejamento experimental utilizado na metodologia dependente do tempo. Este código cria um banco de dados série-temporal, aplica uma técnica para reconciliação dos elementos quanto ao passo e pode ser utilizada conjuntamente a grande maioria dos simuladores dinâmicos comerciais. Foi sugerida uma nova abordagem para a região desejada (DOS) baseada na região de confiabilidade conjunta de modo a estabelecer este conjunto em cada intervalo e com caráter de controle estatístico de processos. A proposta para delimitação dos entornos necessários à operabilidade apresentou respostas satisfatórias diante comportamentos convexos ou não. Os resultados mostraram que a EDSp apresentou maior eficiência em problemas não lineares, já que leva em conta um histórico na determinação de perturbações e a consideração dos extremos não necessariamente abrange os intermediários. Mediante falhas em faixas esperadas, a conciliação de operabilidade a uma malha “feedback” sempre assegurou a DOS. Foi obtido um perfil de superfícies, para monitoramento e controle da operação ao longo do tempo, que conduz à DOS requerida ao final da batelada. / As an initial contribution, this work proposes the MPT replacement by a code developed in MATLAB®, since it heals the deficit of the first one in non-convex regions. In the stationary operability scope, it deals with two case studies: a mixture of streams with different restrictions in flow and temperatures and a jacketed CSTR to conduct an exothermic reaction. In this, the method treated the EDS from a statistical point of view in which as larger is the disorder lower is the probability of occurrence. Information on the operability index (OI) was entered into a proportional-integral controller so that it would lead, quickly and directly, to a steady state that guarantees the desired specifications. In dynamic operability scenery, the proposal performs analysis in each period. A batch bench reactor delimited the model as well as its conditions and restrictions. A VBA routine capable of automatically performs numerical experiments was developed with the purpose of simulating one massive experimental planning used in the time-dependent methodology. This code creates a time-series database, applies a technique for reconciling the elements in step and can be used with the vast majority of dynamic commercial simulators. A new approach for the DOS based on joint confidence region was suggested to establish this set at each interval and with statistical process control character. The proposal for shape delimitations required along the procedure showed satisfactory responses to convex and non-convex behaviors. The results showed that the EDSp presented greater efficiency in nonlinear problems since it takes into account historical data in the disturbance determination. Also, the extreme perturbation values do not necessarily cover the intermediates. Through failures in expected ranges, the reconciliation of operability and a feedback loop has always ensured DOS. Surface profiles were obtained for monitoring and control the operation over time, leading to the required DOS at the end of the batch.

Submitted in fulfillment of the degree of Master of Applied Science: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Domestic wastewater contains a high nutrient load, primarily in the form of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), and Phosphorous (P) compounds. If left untreated, these nutrients can cause eutrophication in receiving environments. Biological wastewater treatment utilizes a suspension of microorganisms that metabolize this excess nutrient load. Nitrogen removal in these systems are due to the synergistic processes of nitrification and denitrification, each of which requires its own set of operating parameters and controlling microbial groups. An alternative N-removal pathway termed the anammox process allows for total N-removal in a single step under anoxic conditions. This process, mediated by the anammox bacterial group, requires no organic carbon, produces negligible greenhouse gases and requires almost 50 % less energy than the conventional process, making it a promising new technology for efficient and cost-effective N-removal. In this study, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was established for the autotrophic removal of N-rich wastewater through an anammox-centric bacterial consortia. The key microbial members of this consortia were characterized and quantified over time using molecular methods and next generation sequencing to determine if the operational conditions had any effect on the seed inoculum population composition. Additionally, local South African wastewater treatment plants were screened for the presence of anammox bacteria through 16S rRNA amplification and enrichment in different reactor types. A 3 L bench scale SBR was inoculated with active biomass (~ 5 % (v/v)) sourced from a parent anammox enrichment reactor, and maintained at a temperature of 35 °C ± 1 °C. The reactor was fed with a synthetic wastewater medium containing no organic C, minimal dissolved oxygen (< 0.5 mg/L), and N in the form of ammonium and nitrite in the ratio of 1:1.3. The reactor was operated for a period of 366 days and the effluent ammonium, nitrite and nitrate were measured during this period. The hydraulic retention time was controlled at 4.55 days from Day 1 to Day 250, and thereafter shortened to 1.52 days from Day 251 to Day 360 due to an increased nitrogen removal rate (NRR). During Phase I of operation (Day 1 to Day 150), the reactor performance gradually increased up to an NRR of ~160 mg N/day. During Phase II (Day 151 to Day 250), the overall reactor performance decreased with the NRR decreasing to ~90 mg N/day, while Phase III (Day 251 to Day 366) displayed a gradual recovery of NRR back to the reactor optimum of ~160 mg N/day. The accumulation of nitrate in the effluent during the latter parts of Phase II and Phase III, coupled with oxygen ingress (~2.1 mg/L) in the same period, indicated that it was not the anammox pathway that was dominating N-removal within the reactor, but more likely the second half of the nitrification pathway mediated by the nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). This was further confirmed through molecular analysis, which indicated that the bacterial population had shifted significantly over the course of reactor operation. Quantitative PCR methods displayed a decrease in all the key N-removing population groups from Day 1 to Day 140, and a marginal increase in anammox and aerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria from Day 140 – Day 260. From Day 300 onwards, NOB had started dominating the system, simultaneously suppressing the growth of other N-removing bacterial groups. Despite this, the NRR peaked during this period, indicating an alternative mechanism for ammonia removal within the reactor system. A total population analysis using NGS was also performed, which corroborated the QPCR results and displayed a population shift away from anammox bacteria towards predominantly NOB and members of the phylum Chloroflexi. The proliferation of aerobic NOB and Chloroflexi, and the suppression of anammox bacteria, indicated that DO ingress was indeed the primary cause of the population shift within the reactor. Despite this population shift, N-removal within the reactor remained high. New pathways have recently emerged which implicate these two groups as potential N oxidizers, with specific NOB groups showing the ability for oxidation of ammonia through the comammox process, and members of the Phylum Chloroflexi being capable of nitrite reduction. This could imply that an alternate pathway was responsible for the majority of N-removal within the system, in addition to the anammox and conventional nitrification pathways. Additionally, in an attempt to detect a local anammox reservoir, eleven wastewater systems from around South Africa were screened for the presence of anammox bacteria. Through direct and nested PCR-based screening, anammox bacteria was not detectable in any of the activated sludge samples tested. Based on the operating conditions of the source wastewater systems, a subset of three sludge samples were selected for further enrichment. After 60-110 days of enrichment in multiple reactor configurations, only one reactor sample tested positive for the presence of anammox bacteria. Although this result indicates that anammox bacteria might not be ubiquitous within every biological wastewater system, it is more likely that anammox bacteria might only be present at undetectable levels, and that an extended enrichment prior to screening is necessary for a true representation of anammox bacterial prevalence in an environmental sample. / M

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第17542号 / 工博第3701号 / 新制||工||1563(附属図書館) / 30308 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市環境工学専攻 / (主査)教授 高岡 昌輝, 教授 田中 宏明, 教授 米田 稔 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements of the Master' s Degree in Technology: Biotechnology at the Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and treatability of process wastewater from an edible oil refining industry, which discharge its effluent into a sewer system. The main objective was to assess a laboratory scale treatment process that would produce effluent having a regulatory acceptable phosphate concentration (below 20 mgIL) prior to discharge into municipal sewer system. A single stage laboratory-scale anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor (BPR-SBR) with a total volume adjustable up to 10L was designed for biological phosphorus removal. The BPR-SBR was run at 10 days sludge age, 8 hours hydraulic retention time and organic load of ~ 0.38 kg COD/kg MLSS.d for 158 days to evaluate its performance for bio-P removal efficiency. The BPR-SBR system showed a consistent P removal efficiency of up to 78.40 %, 80.15 % COD and 72.43 % FOG reduction. The laboratory scale study has demonstrated that the SBR technology is suitable for treating wastewater from edible oil producing industry. / M

Rhizopus oryzae is a prominent strain for producing fumarate, where biomass growth precedes fumarate production. The natural bio film growth of R. oryzae as fungal mat was investigated using different glucose addition strategies in a novel fed-batch fermenter. Batch growth was compared through three fed-batch runs, each with a different glucose addition strategy. The fed-batch runs involved a constant glucose feed (CGF) of 0.075 g h-1 and controlled glucose feeds in order to keep the respiration quotient (RQ) at either 1.3 mol CO2 mol-1 O2 (RQ1.3) or 1.1 mol CO2 mol-1 O2 (RQ1.1). Ethanol overflow via the established Crabtree mechanism was completely negated for the CGF and RQ1.1 runs, while the batch and RQ1.3 runs exhibited significant ethanol formation. Biomass yield on glucose was found to be 0.476 g g-1 (RQ1.1), 0.194 g g-1 (RQ1.3), 0.125 g g-1 (CGF) and 0.144 g g-1 (batch). The results indicate a three-fold improvement in biomass yield when comparing the batch run with the RQ1.1 run. In addition, the RQ1.1 run resulted in zero detectable byproducts, unlike the batch scenario where pyruvate and fumarate were associated with ethanol formation. Clear evidence is provided that glucose overflow can be fully eliminated during R. oryzae growth, significantly affecting the biomass yield on glucose. / Dissertation (MEng (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / University of Pretoria postgraduate bursary / CSIR Inter-bursary Programme / Chemical Engineering / MEng (Chemical Engineering) / Unrestricted