<p> Laboratory and field measurements were combined with theory in developing models for the various wastewater treatment processes. Some assumptions were made, both in an attempt to simplify the complex mechanisms encountered and to explain known experiences and observations. </p> <p> Models for a primary settling tank, a secondary settling tank, a generalized aerobic biological sludge treatment scheme, an anaerobic digestion system and several other unit processes have been developed. The generalized aerobic biological sludge treatment scheme is an attempt to describe in one physical package, all the various activated sludge process modifications. </p> <p> The executive system used is GEMCS · together with its library of subroutines, such as CONTLl, SEPAOl, JUNCOl and SETSPI, some of which have been modified slightly. </p> <p> The models have been tested on the Drury Lane and the Skyway, Burlington, Sewage Treatment Plants, and have been found to agree very well with plant data. The former has a conventional activated sludge process, whilst the latter employs the extended aeration modification. </p> <p> An inter-active version has been developed, which requires the minimum knowledge of GEMCS for its use. This can be applied as a training and teaching tool for plant operators and students in the field. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

The objective of this research was to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of employing an electric field to enhance the dewatering performance of two types of biological sludge by a pilot-scale plate and frame filter press. In this work a biological industrial sludge and biological municipal sludge were collected and tested, respectively. Through the jar testing, it was found that a low molecular weight cationic polymer or medium molecular weight cationic polymer with a dose of 0.008 wt% would yield a satisfactory flocculation for the biological industrial sludge, whereas an iron-based coagulant with a dose of 0.08 wt% would meet the conditioning need of the biological municipal sludge. To find out the optimal dewatering conditions for the concerned sludges, experimental designs based on the Taguchi method were adopted. More specifically, L8(27) and L18(21¡Ñ37) orthogonal arrays were selected for the biological industrial sludge and biological municipal sludge, respectively. Among others, applied mechanical pressure and time, electrode array, and electrodewatering time were operating parameters of concern. Test results showed that a 10-15% increase of dewatering efficiency for both sludges was obtained for the parallel circuit and parallel series circuit. However, the filtrate quality deteriorated, particularly in pH, turbidity, and chemical oxygen demand. In addition, due to ohmic heating the temperature of filtrate might raise to 80 ¢Jor even higher depending on the operating conditions employed. Thus, the filtrate should be recirculated back to the wastewater treatment system for proper treatment. To find out the significant controlling factors and optimal operating conditions for electrodewatering in a more scientific manner, the final sludge cake moisture and energy consumption for each test was subjected to formal analysis and analysis of variance. For biological industrial sludge, the flocculant type and applied filtration pressure were found to be the most significant controlling factors for the final sludge cake moisture, whereas the applied electric field strength for the power consumption. In the case of biological municipal sludge, however, the electrode array was the most significant controlling factor for both final sludge cake moisture and power consumption. At last, the optimal operating conditions theoretically obtained for electrodewatering were subjected to the respective verification tests for both biological industrial sludge and biological municipal sludge. Test results showed that a final sludge cake moisture of 67.1¡Ó3.9% and energy consumption of 72.6 kWh/ton dry solids were obtained for the former sludge, whereas 68.1¡Ó3.4% and 18.6 kWh/ton dry solids for the latter sludge. These results validated the predictions made by the Taguchi method. Therefore, it may conclude that electrodewatering is technically and economically feasible for treating both biological industrial sludge and biological municipal through the electrokinetics-assisted filter press system employed in this work.

O processo produtivo do couro leva à geração de resíduos sólidos que, por não possuírem boas características de utilização, acabam sendo dispostos em Aterros de Resíduos Industriais Perigosos (ARIP). Por ação microbiológica são degradados lentamente e produzem chorume e biogás (CH4 e CO2), o que pode se prolongar por muitos anos e há necessidade de monitoramento contínuo. Estes resíduos sólidos são em sua maioria farelo de couro wet-blue, um resíduo cromado originário da operação de rebaixamento para padronização e ajuste da espessura de couros, além dos lodos cromados provenientes das estações de tratamento de efluentes dos curtumes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biogás por resíduos de curtume (farelo de rebaixamento e lodo biológico de ETE de curtume), o efeito do tratamento enzimático do farelo de rebaixamento para acelerar sua decomposição e aumentar a produção de biogás e, realizar um levantamento das condições (construção e operação) de ARIPs localizados nas proximidades de Porto Alegre. Os estudos sobre produção de biogás foram avaliados através da realização de experimentos em biorreatores de bacada, utilizando colágeno, farelo de couro wet-blue e lodo com cromo do tratamento biológico de ETE de curtume (inóculo). A avaliação do volume de biogás gerado foi realizada com a utilização de um frasco tipo Mariotte. A composição de metano, dióxido de carbono, oxigênio e nitrogênio foi determinada através de cromatografia gasosa. Os materiais utilizados foram caracterizados quanto ao seu teor de umidade, cinzas, cromo e nitrogênio, e os materiais após o experimento finalizado foram filtrados e caracterizados em relação à massa residual, teor de cromo e nitrogênio. Na primeira série de experimentos foi realizado o prétratamento enzimático térmico para hidrólise do colágeno e resultou em um aumento de 78,3% na produção de biogás e de 76,5% de metano em relação ao colágeno não tratado, porém, a enzima ativa em contato com o inóculo retardou o início da geração de biogás em no mínimo 14 dias. Assim, a inativação da enzima após o tratamento de hidrólise, através de um choque térmico, foi aplicada nos seguintes experimentos utilizando farelo do rebaixamento de couro wet-blue como substrato, resultando para o pré-tratamento enzimático térmico um aumento de 58% na produção de biogás e de 62,4% na produção de metano em relação ao farelo não tratado. Na terceira série de experimentos utilizando somente lodo, foi observado que conforme a quantidade de lodo utilizado é aumentada, o volume de biogás produzido também aumenta. A avaliação do levantamento dos ARIPs foi realizada através da elaboração e aplicação de um questionário com 23 perguntas, a pesquisa mostrou que todos estão em conformidade com a norma brasileira ABNT NBR 10.157/87, que o tipo de resíduo disposto afeta diretamento a produção de chorume e, que tem havido redução da disposição de resíduos de couro wet-blue. / The leather production process leads to generation of solid waste that by not having good characteristics for use, end up disposed of in Hazardous Industrial Waste Landfills (HIWLs). Through microbiological action it’s slowly degraded and produce leachate and biogas (CH4 and CO2), which can last several years and requires continuous monitoring. These solid wastes are mostly wet-blue leather shaving, a chromed waste from the operation of standardizing and to adjust the thickness of the leather, besides the chromed sludge from the effluent treatment system of tanneries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of biogas by tannery waste (wet-blue leather shavings and biological sludge from tannery’s WWTP), the effect of enzymatic treatment of the wet-blue leather shavings to accelerate its decomposition and increase biogas production, and conduct the survey about conditions (construction and operational) of HIWLs located near Porto Alegre. Studies on biogas production were evaluated by conducting experiments on bench top bioreactors using collagen, wet-blue leather shavings, chromed sludge from biological treatment of tannery’s WWTP and inoculum. The evaluation of the volume of biogas produced was performed using a Mariotte flask type. The composition of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen was determined by gas chromatography. The materials used were characterized regarding its moisturet, ash, chromium and nitrogen content, and the materials of the finished experiment were filtered and characterized in relation to the residual mass, chromium and nitrogen content. The first series of experiments carried out the thermal enzymatic pretreatment for hydrolysis of collagen and resulted in a 78.3% increase in biogas production and 76.5% of methane compared to untreated collagen, however, the active enzyme in contact with the inoculum delayed the beginning of biogas generation at least 14 days. Thus, inactivation of the enzyme after hydrolisis treatment, by a heat shock, was applied in the following experiments using wet-blue leather shavings as the substrate, resulting for the thermal enzymatic pretreatment an increase of 58% in the production of biogas and 62.4% in the production of methane compared to untreated leather. In the third series of experiments using only sludge it was observed that as the amount of sludge used increased, the volume of biogas also increased. The evaluation of HIWLs survey was conducted through the development and application of a questionnaire with 23 questions, the survey showed that all are in accordance with the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 10.157/87, the type of waste disposed directly affects leachate production and there has been a large reduction of disposal of wet-blue leather wastes.

O processo produtivo do couro leva à geração de resíduos sólidos que, por não possuírem boas características de utilização, acabam sendo dispostos em Aterros de Resíduos Industriais Perigosos (ARIP). Por ação microbiológica são degradados lentamente e produzem chorume e biogás (CH4 e CO2), o que pode se prolongar por muitos anos e há necessidade de monitoramento contínuo. Estes resíduos sólidos são em sua maioria farelo de couro wet-blue, um resíduo cromado originário da operação de rebaixamento para padronização e ajuste da espessura de couros, além dos lodos cromados provenientes das estações de tratamento de efluentes dos curtumes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biogás por resíduos de curtume (farelo de rebaixamento e lodo biológico de ETE de curtume), o efeito do tratamento enzimático do farelo de rebaixamento para acelerar sua decomposição e aumentar a produção de biogás e, realizar um levantamento das condições (construção e operação) de ARIPs localizados nas proximidades de Porto Alegre. Os estudos sobre produção de biogás foram avaliados através da realização de experimentos em biorreatores de bacada, utilizando colágeno, farelo de couro wet-blue e lodo com cromo do tratamento biológico de ETE de curtume (inóculo). A avaliação do volume de biogás gerado foi realizada com a utilização de um frasco tipo Mariotte. A composição de metano, dióxido de carbono, oxigênio e nitrogênio foi determinada através de cromatografia gasosa. Os materiais utilizados foram caracterizados quanto ao seu teor de umidade, cinzas, cromo e nitrogênio, e os materiais após o experimento finalizado foram filtrados e caracterizados em relação à massa residual, teor de cromo e nitrogênio. Na primeira série de experimentos foi realizado o prétratamento enzimático térmico para hidrólise do colágeno e resultou em um aumento de 78,3% na produção de biogás e de 76,5% de metano em relação ao colágeno não tratado, porém, a enzima ativa em contato com o inóculo retardou o início da geração de biogás em no mínimo 14 dias. Assim, a inativação da enzima após o tratamento de hidrólise, através de um choque térmico, foi aplicada nos seguintes experimentos utilizando farelo do rebaixamento de couro wet-blue como substrato, resultando para o pré-tratamento enzimático térmico um aumento de 58% na produção de biogás e de 62,4% na produção de metano em relação ao farelo não tratado. Na terceira série de experimentos utilizando somente lodo, foi observado que conforme a quantidade de lodo utilizado é aumentada, o volume de biogás produzido também aumenta. A avaliação do levantamento dos ARIPs foi realizada através da elaboração e aplicação de um questionário com 23 perguntas, a pesquisa mostrou que todos estão em conformidade com a norma brasileira ABNT NBR 10.157/87, que o tipo de resíduo disposto afeta diretamento a produção de chorume e, que tem havido redução da disposição de resíduos de couro wet-blue. / The leather production process leads to generation of solid waste that by not having good characteristics for use, end up disposed of in Hazardous Industrial Waste Landfills (HIWLs). Through microbiological action it’s slowly degraded and produce leachate and biogas (CH4 and CO2), which can last several years and requires continuous monitoring. These solid wastes are mostly wet-blue leather shaving, a chromed waste from the operation of standardizing and to adjust the thickness of the leather, besides the chromed sludge from the effluent treatment system of tanneries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of biogas by tannery waste (wet-blue leather shavings and biological sludge from tannery’s WWTP), the effect of enzymatic treatment of the wet-blue leather shavings to accelerate its decomposition and increase biogas production, and conduct the survey about conditions (construction and operational) of HIWLs located near Porto Alegre. Studies on biogas production were evaluated by conducting experiments on bench top bioreactors using collagen, wet-blue leather shavings, chromed sludge from biological treatment of tannery’s WWTP and inoculum. The evaluation of the volume of biogas produced was performed using a Mariotte flask type. The composition of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen was determined by gas chromatography. The materials used were characterized regarding its moisturet, ash, chromium and nitrogen content, and the materials of the finished experiment were filtered and characterized in relation to the residual mass, chromium and nitrogen content. The first series of experiments carried out the thermal enzymatic pretreatment for hydrolysis of collagen and resulted in a 78.3% increase in biogas production and 76.5% of methane compared to untreated collagen, however, the active enzyme in contact with the inoculum delayed the beginning of biogas generation at least 14 days. Thus, inactivation of the enzyme after hydrolisis treatment, by a heat shock, was applied in the following experiments using wet-blue leather shavings as the substrate, resulting for the thermal enzymatic pretreatment an increase of 58% in the production of biogas and 62.4% in the production of methane compared to untreated leather. In the third series of experiments using only sludge it was observed that as the amount of sludge used increased, the volume of biogas also increased. The evaluation of HIWLs survey was conducted through the development and application of a questionnaire with 23 questions, the survey showed that all are in accordance with the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 10.157/87, the type of waste disposed directly affects leachate production and there has been a large reduction of disposal of wet-blue leather wastes.

The need for - and use of non-fossile fuels such as biogas have increased due to global warming, oil depletion and stricter environmental regulations. Organic wastes can be anaerobically digested in order to produce biogas, which can be utilized to generate heat or electricity. So far, little attention has been directed towards anaerobic digestion of organic wastes from the forest industry. Due to high sludge management costs and more rigorous environmental legislation, the demand for new and/or improved disposal methodologies has increased. Substrate treatment methods such as enzyme addition and ultrasound are of interest in order to make anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, e.g. biological sludge, economically feasible. The aim of this study is to evaluate if biological sludge from the pulp and paper industry can be used for methane production in anaerobic digestion and to investigate the effects of ultrasound pre-treatment and enzyme treatment. The aim of the study was accomplished by performing four batch experiments, during 67-110 days, and a six months laboratory-scale semi-continuous digestion experiment. Substrates were provided by a chemical and a mechanical paper mill, whereas Kemzymes® from Kemira and ultrasound equipment from Ultra Sonus were used for sludge treatment. The short term average accumulation of methane per added g VS rate increased both when ultrasound pre-treatment and enzyme treatment was applied in batch experiments. The enzyme treatment was considered to have a greater potential in larger scale and was consequently used in the semi-continuous digestion experiment. Positive effects of the treatment were however difficult to prove. Adapting the enzyme treatment to be more specific for the degradation of the sludge is recommended. It is possible that there are inhibitory interactions between ultrasound pre-treatment and enzyme treatment. 75% ultrasound pre-treatment is an alternative to complete pre-treatment and renders equivalent average accumulation of methane per added g VS. Storage of ultrasound pre-treated biological sludge at 4°C for six and 13 days does not affect the average accumulation of methane per added g VS. Enzyme treatment of biological sludge enhanced the average accumulation of methane per added g VS from indigenous material in the inoculum. It is likely that anaerobic digestion of biological sludge from the pulp and paper industry can render a stable biogas production. High viscosity and agitation problems were predominant in the semi-continuous digestion experiment and can be difficult to control in larger scale. The results from the semi-continuous digestion experiment are similar with those obtained from the batch experiments. The methane production rates in this study are lower (biological sludge from chemical pulp process) or higher (mechanical ditto) in comparison to those presented data by Puhakka et al. (1992). Different types of biological sludge were used and might explain the prevailing differences.

O processo produtivo do couro leva à geração de resíduos sólidos que, por não possuírem boas características de utilização, acabam sendo dispostos em Aterros de Resíduos Industriais Perigosos (ARIP). Por ação microbiológica são degradados lentamente e produzem chorume e biogás (CH4 e CO2), o que pode se prolongar por muitos anos e há necessidade de monitoramento contínuo. Estes resíduos sólidos são em sua maioria farelo de couro wet-blue, um resíduo cromado originário da operação de rebaixamento para padronização e ajuste da espessura de couros, além dos lodos cromados provenientes das estações de tratamento de efluentes dos curtumes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biogás por resíduos de curtume (farelo de rebaixamento e lodo biológico de ETE de curtume), o efeito do tratamento enzimático do farelo de rebaixamento para acelerar sua decomposição e aumentar a produção de biogás e, realizar um levantamento das condições (construção e operação) de ARIPs localizados nas proximidades de Porto Alegre. Os estudos sobre produção de biogás foram avaliados através da realização de experimentos em biorreatores de bacada, utilizando colágeno, farelo de couro wet-blue e lodo com cromo do tratamento biológico de ETE de curtume (inóculo). A avaliação do volume de biogás gerado foi realizada com a utilização de um frasco tipo Mariotte. A composição de metano, dióxido de carbono, oxigênio e nitrogênio foi determinada através de cromatografia gasosa. Os materiais utilizados foram caracterizados quanto ao seu teor de umidade, cinzas, cromo e nitrogênio, e os materiais após o experimento finalizado foram filtrados e caracterizados em relação à massa residual, teor de cromo e nitrogênio. Na primeira série de experimentos foi realizado o prétratamento enzimático térmico para hidrólise do colágeno e resultou em um aumento de 78,3% na produção de biogás e de 76,5% de metano em relação ao colágeno não tratado, porém, a enzima ativa em contato com o inóculo retardou o início da geração de biogás em no mínimo 14 dias. Assim, a inativação da enzima após o tratamento de hidrólise, através de um choque térmico, foi aplicada nos seguintes experimentos utilizando farelo do rebaixamento de couro wet-blue como substrato, resultando para o pré-tratamento enzimático térmico um aumento de 58% na produção de biogás e de 62,4% na produção de metano em relação ao farelo não tratado. Na terceira série de experimentos utilizando somente lodo, foi observado que conforme a quantidade de lodo utilizado é aumentada, o volume de biogás produzido também aumenta. A avaliação do levantamento dos ARIPs foi realizada através da elaboração e aplicação de um questionário com 23 perguntas, a pesquisa mostrou que todos estão em conformidade com a norma brasileira ABNT NBR 10.157/87, que o tipo de resíduo disposto afeta diretamento a produção de chorume e, que tem havido redução da disposição de resíduos de couro wet-blue. / The leather production process leads to generation of solid waste that by not having good characteristics for use, end up disposed of in Hazardous Industrial Waste Landfills (HIWLs). Through microbiological action it’s slowly degraded and produce leachate and biogas (CH4 and CO2), which can last several years and requires continuous monitoring. These solid wastes are mostly wet-blue leather shaving, a chromed waste from the operation of standardizing and to adjust the thickness of the leather, besides the chromed sludge from the effluent treatment system of tanneries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of biogas by tannery waste (wet-blue leather shavings and biological sludge from tannery’s WWTP), the effect of enzymatic treatment of the wet-blue leather shavings to accelerate its decomposition and increase biogas production, and conduct the survey about conditions (construction and operational) of HIWLs located near Porto Alegre. Studies on biogas production were evaluated by conducting experiments on bench top bioreactors using collagen, wet-blue leather shavings, chromed sludge from biological treatment of tannery’s WWTP and inoculum. The evaluation of the volume of biogas produced was performed using a Mariotte flask type. The composition of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen was determined by gas chromatography. The materials used were characterized regarding its moisturet, ash, chromium and nitrogen content, and the materials of the finished experiment were filtered and characterized in relation to the residual mass, chromium and nitrogen content. The first series of experiments carried out the thermal enzymatic pretreatment for hydrolysis of collagen and resulted in a 78.3% increase in biogas production and 76.5% of methane compared to untreated collagen, however, the active enzyme in contact with the inoculum delayed the beginning of biogas generation at least 14 days. Thus, inactivation of the enzyme after hydrolisis treatment, by a heat shock, was applied in the following experiments using wet-blue leather shavings as the substrate, resulting for the thermal enzymatic pretreatment an increase of 58% in the production of biogas and 62.4% in the production of methane compared to untreated leather. In the third series of experiments using only sludge it was observed that as the amount of sludge used increased, the volume of biogas also increased. The evaluation of HIWLs survey was conducted through the development and application of a questionnaire with 23 questions, the survey showed that all are in accordance with the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 10.157/87, the type of waste disposed directly affects leachate production and there has been a large reduction of disposal of wet-blue leather wastes.

This study is aimed to provide comprehensive evaluation and mechanistic understanding of the impact of process intensification techniques applied in main and side stream wastewater treatment on biosolids management in terms of anaerobic digestion enhancement, dewaterability improvement, odor mitigation, as well as phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The first part of this study was conducted to understand the effect of anaerobic digester solids retention time (SRT) on odor emission from biosolids. A kinetic model and inhibitory studies showed the emission of methanethiol (MT), a representative odor compound, was primarily determined by the dynamic concurrence of MT production from amino acid and utilization by methanogens in the course of anaerobic digestion. MT emission pattern follows a bell-shape curve with SRT in anaerobic digesters. However, for digested and dewatered biosolids, SRT ranging from 15 to 50 days in anaerobic digesters demonstrated insignificant effect on the odor emission from biosolids. In contrast, the peak odor emission was found to exponentially increase with both shear intensity and polymer dose applied during dewatering. The second part of this study investigated the impact of process intensification practices on sludge dewatering performance. The integration of high-rate activated sludge process and anaerobic digestion elevated the sludge orthophosphate level, leading to struvite scaling and dewaterability deterioration. Superior orthophosphate removal, significant improvement of sludge dewaterability, and favorable economics were achieved through sludge conditioning by cerium chloride. Continuous flow aerobic granulation technology offered significant process intensification of mainstream treatment trains. However, its impact on biosolids management was not studied. This study showed that there was little dewaterability difference between aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge when polymer was not added. However, about 75% polymer saving and improved dewatering performance were observed with polymer addition. When subjected to high shear, a greater dewaterability deterioration was observed for granular sludge than activated sludge. The last part of this study is focused on the impact of anaerobic digestion process intensification through thermal treatment including pre-pasteurization, thermophilic anaerobic digestion, temperature phased anaerobic digestion, and thermal hydrolysis pretreatment. Improved methane production, pathogen reduction, dewatering performance, and odor mitigation were observed with the involvement of these high-temperature processes. However, special cautions and measure should be taken during the start-up of these high rate processes as they are more liable to digester souring. In addition, the in-depth understanding of the mechanism of recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen formation during sludge thermal pretreatment was provided. / Doctor of Philosophy / This study is aimed to provide comprehensive evaluation and mechanistic understanding of the impact of process intensification techniques applied in main and side stream wastewater treatment on biosolids management in terms of anaerobic digestion enhancement, dewaterability improvement, odor mitigation, as well as phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The first part of this study was conducted to understand the effect of anaerobic digester solids retention time (SRT) on odor emission from biosolids. A kinetic model and inhibitory studies showed the emission of methanethiol (MT), a representative odor compound, was primarily determined by the dynamic concurrence of MT production from amino acid and utilization by methanogens in the course of anaerobic digestion. MT emission pattern follows a bell-shape curve with SRT in anaerobic digesters. However, for digested and dewatered biosolids, SRT ranging from 15 to 50 days in anaerobic digesters demonstrated insignificant effect on the odor emission from biosolids. In contrast, the peak odor emission was found to exponentially increase with both shear intensity and polymer dose applied during dewatering. The second part of this study investigated the impact of process intensification practices on sludge dewatering performance. The integration of high-rate activated sludge process and anaerobic digestion elevated the sludge orthophosphate level, leading to struvite scaling and dewaterability deterioration. Superior orthophosphate removal, significant improvement of sludge dewaterability, and favorable economics were achieved through sludge conditioning by cerium chloride. Continuous flow aerobic granulation technology offered significant process intensification of mainstream treatment trains. However, its impact on biosolids management was not studied. This study showed that there was little dewaterability difference between aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge when polymer was not added. However, about 75% polymer saving and improved dewatering performance were observed with polymer addition. When subjected to high shear, a greater dewaterability deterioration was observed for granular sludge than activated sludge. The last part of this study is focused on the impact of anaerobic digestion process intensification through thermal treatment including pre-pasteurization, thermophilic anaerobic digestion, temperature phased anaerobic digestion, and thermal hydrolysis pretreatment. Improved methane production, pathogen reduction, dewatering performance, and odor mitigation were observed with the involvement of these high-temperature processes. However, special cautions and measure should be taken during the start-up of these high rate processes as they are more liable to digester souring. In addition, the in-depth understanding of the mechanism of recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen formation during sludge thermal pretreatment was provided.

novel ozone-assisted aerobic sludge digestion process to stabilize and decrease the amount of excess sludge produced during biological treatment is presented in this study. Excess sludge production is a well known burden for the treatment plants both legally and financially. Moreover, with the arise in the knowledge in recalcitrant compounds it is understood that it can act as a significant secondary pollutant. With the developed pulse ozonation method, waste activated sludge samples from Ankara Tatlar and other Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) were ozonated for different periods in Erlenmeyer flasks once a day on each of four consecutive days. Flasks were continuously aerated between ozone applications on an orbital shaker. The MLVSS, MLSS, COD and OUR parameters were measured routinely during the course of four days of digestion in order to optimize the process. Also pH, CST(capillary suction time) and SVI (sludge volume index) were followed. As a result MLVSS reductions of up to 95% were achieved with an ozone dose of only 0.0056 kg O3/kg-initial MLSS, at the end of the fourth day. In another experimental set, ozone dose was increased on the last day in order to destroy the selected endocrine disrupting compounds, namely diltiazem, carbamazepine, butyl benzyl phthalate and acetaminophen and two natural hormones estrone and progesterone, which accumulated onto the sludge. Over 99% removal of these contaminants were achieved on the fourth day. The analyses were conducted by using LC(ESI) MS/MS after solid phase extraction (SPE). By this process it became possible to save on contact time, as well as achieving a bio-solids digestion far exceeding the standard aerobic process at the expense of a minimum of ozone dose with the additional micropollutants removal. The developed process is deemed superior over side-stream ozonation of activated sludge in that it does not cause any reduction in active biomass amount that should be maintained in the aeration tank.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:28:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1348955 bytes, checksum: f1f339aecdf1f00f202d0669a29a4e69 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this research was to study the technical feasibility of using the solid wastes, biological sludge and cotton residues, generated by the textile mill, as raw material in the production of briquettes for energy generation. Initially, the study aimed to characterize the solids waste, in order to evaluate their potential as fuels in energy generation. Subsequently, the biological sludge was mixed with cotton residues in proportions of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%, to produce of the briquettes. Three pressures (900, 1200 and 1500 PSI) were used for waste compaction for five minutes and a temperature of 90ºC was maintained during the cooling time, of also five minutes. The calorific value, chemical analysis, apparent density, rupture load and hygroscopic moisture equilibrium were determined. In order to study the environmental effects of the solid waste combustion, the hazardousness of the waste and residual ashes was determined. According to the results, the biological sludge and cotton residues were classified as non-hazardous and non-inert wastes (Class II A). The physical and chemical properties of the solid waste showed that they have potential for energy production. The ashes were classified as hazardous wastes (Class I), thus they should be treated and disposed properly. The briquettes showed lower content of the volatile matter and, consequently, higher content of fixed carbon and ashes in relation to raw materials for this production, which demonstrates the effect of the briquetting process variables. The high calorific value of the briquettes did not differ to the raw materials commonly used. The compaction pressure of 1200 PSI proved ideal to the laboratory scale briquetting process. The best mixing proportion between the two residues for production of briquettes was that with 25% sludge. It was possible to conclude that waste from a textile mill can be considered as fuel in the combustion process for power generation. / Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de estudar a viabilidade técnica de utilizar os resíduos sólidos, lodo biológico e resíduo de algodão, gerados pela indústria têxtil, como matéria-prima para a produção de briquetes para a geração de energia. Buscou-se, inicialmente, caracterizar os resíduos, a fim de se avaliar o potencial destes como combustíveis na geração de energia. Posteriormente, o lodo biológico foi misturado com o resíduo de algodão, nas proporções de 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% e 100%, para a fabricação dos briquetes. Foram utilizadas três pressões (900, 1.200 e 1.500 PSI) para a compactação dos resíduos, durante 5 minutos e tempo de resfriamento também de 5 minutos, à temperatura de 90 ºC. Determinaram-se o poder calorífico, a análise química imediata, a densidade aparente, a carga de ruptura máxima e a umidade de equilíbrio higroscópico dos briquetes. Para avaliar os efeitos ambientais da combustão destes resíduos, determinou-se a periculosidade dos resíduos e de suas cinzas residuais. De acordo com os resultados, o lodo biológico e o resíduo de algodão foram classificados como resíduos não perigosos e não inertes (Classe II A). As propriedades físicas e químicas dos resíduos demonstraram que os mesmos apresentam potencial para a produção de energia. As cinzas foram classificadas como resíduos perigosos (Classe I) e, sendo assim, devem ser tratadas e dispostas adequadamente. Os briquetes apresentaram menor teor de materiais voláteis e, consequentemente, maior teor de carbono fixo e cinzas, em relação às matérias-primas utilizadas para a sua produção, evidenciando efeito das variáveis do processo de briquetagem. O poder calorífico superior obtido nos briquetes não diferiu das matérias-primas utilizadas. A pressão de compactação de 1.200 PSI mostrou-se ideal para o processo de briquetagem em escala laboratorial. A melhor proporção de mistura entre os dois resíduos para a produção dos briquetes foi a 25% de lodo. Conclui-se que os resíduos da indústria têxtil podem ser considerados como combustível no processo de combustão para a geração de energia.

Après déshydration, les boues biologiques présentent en moyenne une siccité de 30%, ce qui pose d'importants problèmes environnementaux. Afin de comprendre les mécanismes physico-chimiques de rétention d'eau dans ces boues, nous les avons modélisées par une souche bactérienne pure présentant la particularité de produire ou non des surstructures, suivant sa température de culture. Les suspensions bactériennes ainsi obtenues ont été floculées par du polyéthylèneimine de différentes masses moléculaires. Des mesures de densité optique, mobilité électrophorétique, conductivité, pH, absorbance, granulométrie, ainsi que des observations en MET et AFM ont été effectuées. Cela nous a permis de caractériser la structure des agrégats ainsi obtenus et d'évaluer les influences relatives de la masse moléculaire du polymère ainsi que de sa concentration et de la présence/absence de surstructures sur l'agrégation de cellules bactériennes. Des mesures d'élasticité, de constante de raideur et de pression de turgescence ont été effectuées par spectroscopie de force, ce qui nous a permis de caractériser les propriétés nanomécaniques des agrégats. Dans un second temps, les suspensions floculées ont été déshydratées par centrifugation, procédé mis en oeuvre dans certaines station d'épuration. Des mesures d'élasticité et de viscosité (gradient de cisaillement infini) ont été effectuées par rhéologie. La corrélation de celles-ci avec des mesures de siccité nous a permis de conclure à un impact important des surstructures, de la masse moléculaire et de la concentration en polymère sur la déshydratation des boues biologiques / After dewatering, a biological sludge still contains an average water content of 70%, thus causing huge environmental problems. To achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying physicochemical interactions inducing water retention in the sludge, the bacterial sludge was modeled by a pure strain producing or not surface appendages, depending on the growth temperature. These bacterial suspensions were flocculated by polyethyleneimine of various molecular weights. Measurements of optical density, electrophoretic mobility, conductivity, pH, absorbance, particle size, as well as AFM and TEM observations were performed. This allowed to characterize aggregates structures and to estimate the influence of molecular weight and concentration of polymer and presence/absence of surface appendages. Measurements of elasticity, spring constant and turgor pressure were carried out by force spectroscopy allowing to characterize nanomechanical properties of aggregates. In a second step, a dewatering of these flocculated suspensions was performed by centrifugation, process used in some wastewater treatment plants. Measurements of elasticity and viscosity were carried out by rheology. Correlations with dryness measurements allowed to conclude that the presence/absence of surface appendages, and also the molecular weight and concentration of the polymer have a significant impact on biological sludge dewatering