Chlorine dioxide is used as both a pre-oxidant and/or a post-disinfectant in several water treatment plants in the United States. Chlorine dioxide is associated with its byproducts chlorite and chlorate. Chlorine dioxide, chlorine, chlorite and chlorate were sampled in four distribution systems where chlorine dioxide is used for disinfection purposes: Charleston, WV, Columbus, GA, New Castle, PA, and Skagit, WA. The fate of chlorine dioxide and its by-products in distribution systems is discussed. A constituent transport model (TRAK) was applied to New Castle, PA distribution systems to assess times of travel. No relationship was found between the concentrations of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chlorite and chlorate and the computed travel times. Water treatment plant and distribution system data received from Galveston, TX where the use chlorine dioxide has being tested is analyzed and discussed. Median chlorine dioxide concentrations are relatively constant in distribution systems with a value of approximately 0.2 mg/L; however, chlorine dioxide dosages applied at the treatment plant can induce different concentrations in the distribution system. Median chlorite concentrations in distribution systems range from 0.5 to 0.8 mg/L while median chlorate concentrations are generally lower in a range between 0.1 to 0.3 mg/L. The effects of distribution systems skeletonization in constituent transport modeling are also presented. Skeletonization does not affect significantly computed times of travel when the median percentage of constituent has to be detected. However, depending on the layout of each distribution system, small variations can be observed. / Master of Science

Master of Science

The pathogenic microorganism Salmonella enterica has been associated with several outbreaks and recalls of spices, herbs, and seeds. To control these pathogens additional treatment methods, such as fumigation with chlorine dioxide (ClO2) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gas and recovery methods are needed. Recovery methods should accurately quantify all viable cells, even those injured, to prevent overestimation of treatment effectiveness. This study was performed to determine the effect of different recovery media and supplements on the recovery of multiple strains of S. enterica and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B2354, from chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide treated low moisture foods (LMF) black peppercorns, dried basil leaves, and chia seeds. Also, this study aimed to compare the log reduction of these two microorganisms to evaluate E. faecium NRRL B2354 as a surrogate for S. enterica. On average, recovery of S. enterica was 3.43 log and 4.77 log CFU/g from ClO2 and H2O2 treated LMFs, respectively on the selective media Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar, while the average recovery on non-selective media was 4.50 log CFU/g and 5.74 log CFU/g from ClO2 and H2O2 treated LMFs, respectively. The use of non-selective media was correlated with increased recovery compared to selective media. In further studies, addition of sodium pyruvate, ferrous sulfate, or 3'3'-thiodiproionate supplements to MTSAYE did not show increased recovery (P>0.05). On each treatment and LMF combination tested, there was no significant difference between the log reduction of S. enterica and E. faecium NRRL B2354, indicating its suitability as a surrogate under the test conditions. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Spices, dried herbs, and seeds have become popular throughout the world for enhancing the flavor of food, but may also harbor harmful bacteria, including Salmonella enterica. It is US federal law under the Food Safety Modernization Act that these foods are safe to eat straight from processors since these foods are typically consumed raw. Novel treatment methods are being tested to kill harmful bacteria on these dried foods without adding water including chlorine dioxide fumigation and hydrogen peroxide fumigation. However, these processes can injure the bacteria without killing them. These injured bacteria might not be counted using traditional means which could lead to overestimating the effectiveness of a treatment. Different media types, used as part of the process to count the number of bacteria in a sample, were tested to determine their effect on recovery of injured S. enterica cells. Furthermore, the bacterium Enterococcus faecium NRRL B2354 was tested against S. enterica to evaluate, if the former, a relatively harmless microorganism, could be used by food processing plants to determine that their treatment processes meets regulatory standards. More injured S. enterica cells were recovered from each non-selective media tested, compared to the selective media. Although there isn't a significant difference in injured S. enterica recovery between any supplemented non-selective media, any non-selective media recovers more sub-lethally injured cells, and would give more accurate bacterial counts. Results also indicated that E. faecium NRRL B2354 is a suitable surrogate to the pathogen S. enterica for spices and herbs processed under the same conditions.

M.S.

Yes / The chlor-alkali industries produce caustic soda (NaOH), chlorine (Cl2 ), and hydrogen (H2 ) as primary products. In 2021, the global chlor-alkali market was valued at $63.2 billion. The article evaluates the global aspects of chlor-alkali industries and prospects for Bangladesh. The current production capacity of NaOH from the chlor-alkali industries in Bangladesh is around 282,150 metric tons/year (MT/y). The by-products, chlorine (Cl2 ) of 250,470 MT/y and hydrogen (H2 ) of 7055 MT/y, are produced domestically. The local demand of Cl2 is 68,779 MT/y. However, there are no systematic utilizations of the residual Cl2 and vented H2 , which threatens the sustainability of the chlor-alkali industries. The article prefigures that a 150,000 MT/y PVC plant can utilize 45.2 % of residual Cl2 of chlor-alkali plants, which would be an economical and environmental milestone for Bangladesh. The residual Cl2 can earn revenue of 908 million USD/y, which can be utilized to import ethylene. For the sustainable utilization of vented H2 , production of H2O2 , fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) and H2 fuel-cell-based power plant are the feasible solutions. Thus, for the long-term growth of the chlor-alkali industry in Bangladesh and other developing countries, systematic utilization of Cl2 and H2 is the only feasible solution. / This research was funded by ‘BUET Chemical Engineering Forum (BCEF), 001-2020.

When severe copper pitting problems impacted customers at a large utility, studies were begun to attempt to diagnose the problem and identify potential solutions. A series of tests were conducted to characterize the nature of pitting. Desktop comparisons of pinhole leak frequency and treatment practices at nearly utilities were also documented to identify treatment factors that might be influencing the initiation and propagation of leaks. Factors identified included the presence of relatively high levels of free chlorine and aluminum in the distribution system. Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of these constituents on copper pitting under stagnant and flow conditions. That led to discovery of a synergistic redox reaction between chlorine, aluminum solids, and copper metal as evidenced by increased chlorine decay rates, non-uniform corrosion, and rising corrosion potentials. Temperature changes had been suspected to increase copper pitting frequency and copper release to drinking water. Experiments examined the effect of temperature gradients on copper pipe corrosion during stagnant conditions. The pipe orientation in relation to the temperature gradient determined whether convective mixing would occur, which influenced temperature gradients within the pipe. This work is the first to demonstrate that temperature gradients lead to thermogalvanic currents, influences copper leaching and scale type. Iron release from corroding water mains is another concern of many water utilities, but little is known about chemistry factors that influence the problem. In laboratory experiments, higher levels of silica caused more iron release to the water and decreased the size of suspended iron particles. Silica levels also changed during the experiment: it decreased through incorporation into a dense scale, and increased by release from cast iron during corrosion. Silica slightly decreased iron corrosion rates near the end of this 6-month test. / Master of Science

No description available.

This study evaluated the effects of a major chlorine disturbance on fish communities in Pecan creek by the City of Denton's Pecan Creek Water Reclamation Plant. Fish communities in Pecan Creek were sampled using a depletion methodology during February, April, July, and November, 1999. February and April sampling events showed that the fish communities were severely impacted by the chlorine. Sampling during July and November showed fish communities recovered in Pecan Creek. The first-twenty minutes of shocking and seining data were analyzed to mirror an equal effort methodology. This methodology was compared to the depletion methodology to see if the equal effort methodology could adequately monitor the recovery of Pecan Creek after the chlorine disturbance. It was determined that the equal effort methodology was capable of monitoring the recovery of Pecan Creek, but could not accurately represent the fisheries community as well as the depletion method. These data using the twenty-minute study were compared to a previous study. Results of this study were similar to those found in a previous study, although fish communities were more severely impacted and took longer to recover.

No description available.

Chlorinated organic compounds (Clorg) are produced naturally in soil. Formation and degradation of Clorg affect the chlorine (Cl) cycling in terrestrial environments and chlorine can be retained or released from soil. Cl is known to have the same behaviour as radioactive chlorine-36 (36Cl), a long-lived radioisotope with a half-life of 300,000 years. 36Cl attracts interest because of its presence in radioactive waste, making 36Cl a potential risk for humans and animals due to possible biological uptake. This thesis studies the distribution and cycling of chloride (Cl–) and Clorg in terrestrial environments by using laboratory controlled soil incubation studies and a forest field study. The results show higher amounts of Cl– and Clorg and higher chlorination rates in coniferous forest soils than in pasture and agricultural soils. Tree species is the most important factor regulating Cl– and Clorg levels, whereas geographical location, atmospheric deposition, and soil type are less important. The root zone was the most active site of the chlorination process. Moreover, this thesis confirms that bulk Clorg dechlorination rates are similar to, or higher than, chlorination rates and that there are at least two major Clorg pools, one being dechlorinated quickly and one remarkably slower. While chlorination rates were negatively influenced by nitrogen additions, dechlorination rates, seem unaffected by nitrogen. The results implicate that Cl cycling is highly active in soils and Cl– and Clorg levels result from a dynamic equilibrium between chlorination and dechlorination. Influence of tree species and the rapid and slow cycling of some Cl pools, are critical to consider in studies of Cl in terrestrial environments. This information can be used to better understand Cl in risk-assessment modelling including inorganic and organic 36Cl. / Klorerade organiska föreningar (Clorg) bildas naturligt i mark och påverkar klorets kretslopp genom att de stannar kvar längre i marken. Detta stabila klor anses ha samma egenskaper som klor-36, som är en långlivad radioisotop med en halveringstid på 300 000 år. Klor-36 förekommer i olika typer av radioaktivt avfall och om klor-36 sprids i naturen finns det en potentiell risk för människor och djur genom biologiskt upptag. Syftet i denna avhandling är att öka kunskapen om fördelningen och cirkulationen av klorid (Cl-) och Clorg i terrestra miljöer med hjälp av studier i laboratoriemiljö samt en fältstudie i skogsmiljö. Resultaten visar att bildningshastigheten av Clorg är högst i barrskogsjord och rotzonen tycks vara en aktiv plats. Det finns också en större mängd Cl- och Clorg i barrskogsjordar än i betesmark och jordbruksmark. Den mest betydande faktorn som styr halterna av Cl- och Clorg är trädsort, medan geografiskt läge, atmosfäriskt nedfall, och jordmån är av mindre betydelse. Bildning och nedbrytning av Clorg sker med liknande hastigheter, men det tycks finnas två förråd av Clorg i jorden varav ett bryts ner snabbt och ett mer långsamt. Bildningshastigheten av Clorg är lägre i jordar med höga halter av kväve medan nedbrytningshastigheterna inte påverkas av kväve. Slutsatsen från studiernas resultat är att klor i hög grad är aktivt i mark och att Cl- och Clorg halterna bestäms av en dynamisk jämvikt mellan bildning och nedbrytning av Clorg. I studier av klor i terrestra miljöer bör trädsorters inverkan och nedbrytning av olika klorförråd beaktas då det kan ge varierande uppehållstider av Cl- och Clorg i mark. Denna information är viktig vid riskbedömningar av hur radioaktivt klor kan spridas och cirkulera vid en eventuell kärnkraftsolycka.