<p> A bench scale continuous settling unit was constructed and its operation compared to results of batch settling tests. The particulate solids used were polystyrene spheres with a mean diameter of 285 microns. The concentration profile within the slurry in both the batch and the continuous studies was observed using a light extinction technique.</p> <p> The results show that for the material used in this study, the solids flux limitation of the continuous settler could not be exceeded: the limiting condition in the operation was always the clarification capacity or upward velocity. The batch flux plot shows that this will be the case for any material which exhibits a flux plot that is essentially a single concave curve downwards.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

A laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor followed by a packed bed reactor (PBR) filled with Sorbulite® in the lower part and Polonite® in the upper part was used to treat household wastewater in a 50-week experiment. A model was developed to describe the performance of the UASB reactor, including mass transfer through the film around anaerobic granules, intra-particle diffusion and bioconversion of the substrate. In a second model, a numerical expression describing the kinetics occurring in the granules was developed. It includes the resistances through which the substrate passes before biotransformation. These expressions were then linked to governing equations for the UASB reactor in order to describe degradation of the substrate, biomass growth (active and inactive), and variation in granule size over time. A third model was developed to describe the profile of the phosphorus (P) concentration throughout the PBR. In a first attempt, the analytical and numerical model was applied to data taken from previous studies in which UASB reactors were used to treat sugarcane mill wastewater and slaughterhouse wastewater. The results showed good agreement between observed and simulated results. Sensitivity analysis showed that diffusion coefficient and yield were important parameters in the UASB reactor model.The laboratory bench-scale experiment revealed that the combined UASB-PBR system efficiently treated the residential wastewater. Phosphorus, BOD7 and pathogenic bacteria all showed average removal of 99%, while total nitrogen showed a moderate reduction in the system (40%). Application of the numerical solution model to the experimental UASB reactor used resulted in good agreement between simulated and experimental values. Regarding the PBR, the model developed successfully predicted P removal. For both models, the capability and sensitivity analyses identified important parameters. A treatment system aiming to close the loop is suggested based on sequential UASB and PBR with biogas collection, nutrient recycling via sludge and filter media and elimination of pathogenic organisms. / <p>QC 20160226</p>

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Research on the electrocoagulation (EC) of hexane extractable materials (HEM) has been conducted at the University of New Orleans using a proprietary bench-scale EC reactor. The original reactor configuration forced the fluid to follow a vertical upward-downward path. An alternate electrode arrangement was introduced so that the path of flow became horizontal. Both configurations were evaluated by comparing the residence time distribution (RTD) data generated in each case. These data produced indication of internal recirculation and stagnant water when the fluid followed a vertical path. These anomalies were attenuated when the fluid flowed horizontally and at a velocity higher than 0.032 m s-1 . A series of EC experiments were performed using a synthetic emulsion with a HEM concentration of approximately 700 mg l-1. It was confirmed that EC of HEM follows first-order kinetics, and kinetic constants of 0.0441 s-1 and 0.0443 s-1 were obtained from applying both the dispersion and tanks-in-series (TIS) models, respectively. In both cases R2 was 0.97. Also, the TIS model indicated that each cell of the EC behaves as an independent continuous-stirred-tank reactor.

Métodos de Microbiologia de anaeróbios estritos e de Biologia Molecular foram empregados para se conhecer a diversidade de microrganismos relacionados à degradação de ascarel em reatores anaeróbios metanogênicos. A avaliação de potencial metanogênico foi realizada para a escolha da melhor condição nutricional, bem como, para a seleção de material suporte e solvente adequado a solubilização do ascarel. Nos ensaios em batelada, a produção de metano foi maior nos reatores contendo etanol (média de 0,22 - 0,46 molCH4/gSTV, 46h). Remoção de 85,6% (86,7 mg/L de PCB em Aroclor 1016 e 1260) foi obtida na condição com espuma de poliuretano, etanol (46g/L) e formiato (680 mg/L). Diferentes solventes e surfactantes, tais como, DMSO, dioxano, ácido acético, ácido fórmico, n-hexano, acetona, etano, metanol, Tween 80, SDS (10%) e Triton X-100 foram avaliados para a solubilização de ascarel. Dentre esses, metanol, Triton X-100 e ácido fórmico foram eleitos para a realização de ensaio em reatores em batelada contendo espuma de poliuretano, com o propósito de avaliar o potencial metanogênico na degradação de PCB. Os valores de produção de metano foram muito semelhantes (0,21 0,38 molCH4/mLgSTV, 45h) nas diferentes condições, no entanto, a remoção de PCB foi maior nos reatores com metanol 790 mg/L (86,6%), ácido Fórmico 600 mg/L (84,5%) e Triton X-100 1% (72,1%). Portanto, a melhor condição foi contemplada para a operação do reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo (RAHLF) no tratamento do ascarel, ou seja, células imobilizadas em espuma de poliuretano, etanol e formiato (como fonte de carbono), Triton X-100 (0,1%) e metanol (como solvente). No RAHLF, a remoção média de matéria orgânica (DQO) foi de 91% para concentração afluente média de 1270 mg/L. A presença de morfologias semelhantes à Methanosarcina e bacilos fluorescentes foi confirmada em exames microscópicos. Na análise filogenética, por meio de PCR/DGGE e seqüenciamento das bandas recortadas, os grupos encontrados foram relacionados aos Filos Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, Chlorobi e Chloroflexi, sendo que neste último estão incluídos representantes relacionados a degradação de PCBs. Dentre as arquéias metanogênicas verificou-se similaridade de 99% e 97% com Methanosaeta sp. e Methanolinea sp., relacionadas com a metanogenese acetoclástica e hidrogenotrófica, respectivamente / Molecular biology and microbiology methods were used to study the microbial communities related to degradation of ascarel at methanogenic conditions in an anaerobic reactor. The methanogenic potential was evaluated to choose the better nutritional condition as well as to select the better support material and the most suitable solvent to favor the solubilization of ascarel. The methane production was higher (0.22 0.46 molCH4/mLgSTV, 46h) in batch reactors containing ethanol (46 g/L) and formate (680 mg/L), the PCB elimination attaining 85.6% (86.7 mg/L de PCB as Aroclor 1016 and 1260) when Polyuretane foam was used as support material. Different solvents, namely DMSO, dioxane, n-hexane, acetic acid, formic acid, acetone, ethane, methanol, and surfactants, such as 10% SDS,, Triton X-100, were evaluated aiming o determine the better condition to solubilize ascarel. According to the results of such experiments, methanol, formic acid and Triton X-100 were selected for carrying out the batch experiments in reactors containing polyurethane foam to evaluate the methane production during the PCBs degradation. Regardless of the operation conditions the methane production rates were similar (0.21 0.38 molCH4/gSTV, 45h), however the elimination of PCB was higher in the reactors containing methanol (790 mg/L), formic acid (600 mg/L) and Triton X-100 (1%). Therefore, the better condition for treating ascarel-containing residues in a bench-scale horizontal-flow immobilized biomass (HAIB) was attained with cells immobilized in polyurethane foam when ethanol and formate were used as carbon sources, and in presence of Triton X-100 and methanol, the average elimination of organic material attaining 91% for affluent concentration of 1270 mg/L. The presence of Methanosarcina and fluorescent rods was confirmed by microscopy analysis. According to the filogenetics analysis, which was carried out by PCR/DGGE and band-sequencing, the Bacteria domain are related to the Filos Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, Chlorobi and Chloroflexi, this latter being directly related to the degradation of PCB. Among the methanogenic Archea, a similiraty of 99% and 97% was observed to Methanosaeta sp. and Methanolinea sp. related to acetoclastic and hydrogenthrophic methanogenesis, respectively