Contaminants in aqueous environments exist in phases that are sorbed to suspended or colloidal material and that are dissolved in solution. Polymer flocculants can be used to remove suspended or colloidal material along with sorbed contaminants, but they remove little of the dissolved contaminants. In the study presented here, development of polymers to sorb contaminants from aqueous solution during the flocculation process was investigated. Atrazine and phosphate (H₂PO₄ ̄) were chosen as test contaminants. For a given test contaminant, multiple copies of a functional group that interacted with that contaminant were inserted into the polymer backbone of a polyacrylamide flocculant. The functional groups inserted into the polymer structure acted as a trap for the dissolved contaminant. The traps were a cyclic secondary amine that interacted with atrazine, and a thiourea that interacted with phosphate. Modified flocculants with different configurations and densities of trapping groups were made and evaluated for removal of the test contaminants from aqueous suspensions. The suspensions consisted of bentonite or kaolinite in water with a known concentration of a test contaminant. The atrazine source was labeled with ¹⁴C and concentrations were measured using a scintillation counter. The source of phosphate used was NaH₂PO₄ and ion chromatography was used to measure the aqueous concentrations of phosphate. In general, the modified polymer flocculants containing trapping groups removed significantly more atrazine and phosphate from suspension compared to the control polymer flocculants ([alpha] =0.05). While the amount of modified polymers needed to achieve significant removal of the test contaminant were higher than the Environmental Protection Agency limit for concentration of polyacrylamide flocculants in water, it was possible to enhance the polymers sorbtion and removal of contaminants from solution during the flocculation process.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2010. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.104-107).

Several problems concerning the use of conventional synthetic flocculants has necessitated the need for alternative cost effective, safe and efficient bioflocculants from microorganisms inhabiting many environments, particularly those from unusual environments. Hence, this study assessed bioflocculant production by three marine bacteria isolated from the bottom sediment of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences led to their identification as Halobacillus sp. Mvuyo, Virgibacillus sp. Rob and Oceanobacillus sp. Pinky. Several factors affecting the production and activity of the bioflocculant(s) were studied. Halobacillus sp. Mvuyo produced bioflocculant optimally with glucose (76%) and ammonium chloride (93%) as sole carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively and at neutral pH and in the presence of Ca2+. On the other hand, Virgibacillus sp. Rob preferred glucose (70.4 %) and iron sulphate (74%) as carbon and nitrogen source respectively; an alkaline pH (12.0) and Fe2+. Oceanobacillus sp. Pinky produced bioflocculant optimally when sucrose (80%) and peptone (72.4 %) were used as carbon and nitrogen source respectively, at neutral pH, and in the presence of Ca2+ cation. The chemical analyses of the partially purified bioflocculants revealed that the bioflocculants produced by Halobacillus sp. Mvuyo and Oceanobacillus sp. Pinky were glycoproteins, while that produced by Virgibacillus sp. Rob was a polysaccharide. We thus conclude that Halobacillus sp. Mvuyo, Virgibacillus sp. Rob and Oceanobacillus sp. Pinky hold promise as producers of new and efficient bioflocculant(s). We recommended development of process conditions for large scale production of the bioflocculants followed by their detailed characterization, as well as pilot scale assessment of the applicability of the purified bioflocculant in water/wastewater treatment and other industrial uses

No description available.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-17T15:55:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rebeca Ferreira Lemos Vasconcelos.pdf: 270482 bytes, checksum: 094a646397559de7fef19a7c96db3c1f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T15:55:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rebeca Ferreira Lemos Vasconcelos.pdf: 270482 bytes, checksum: 094a646397559de7fef19a7c96db3c1f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-20 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Currently there is much debate about the production of biodiesel and ethanol, and new technologies studied for obtaining oil, for example, microalgae, which are one of the most effective systems for conversion of solar energy into organic compounds. These compounds are mostly carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. The major difficulty in the production of biofuels through the harvesting of algae is therefore still quite expensive methods such as centrifugation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different flocculants in obtaining the biomass of Chlorella vulgaris (Chordat). The experimental design was completely randomized, with four bioassays, in which the first three comprised four treatments and three repetitions each composed of different treatments molalitys (0.1 M, 0.3 M, 0.5 M and 0.9 M) for flocculating agents sodium hydroxide, ferric chloride and aluminum polychloride. Subsequently fourth bioassay was performed which consisted of three treatments and three replications, where treatments consisted of different flocculating agents (sodium hydroxide, poly aluminum chloride and ferric chloride), in the same molar concentration (0.5 M). For experimentation microalgae of the species C. vulgaris were primed in experimental units, transparent materials with a volume of 2000 mL, reaching the seventh day the exponential phase of their growth curve obtained in previous tests. From the seventh day was started with a flocculation concentration algal average 1085 x 104 cel. mL-1, with a temperature of 22 ± 2 ° C and pH 7.0, constant aeration and light intensity of 2000 lux. Was added in experimental units 1 ml of standard solutions of flocculating agents then microalgae were subjected to moderate stirring continuously for 30 seconds. The pH variation data were interpreted by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test for comparison of means at the level of 5%. Analysis of the data verified that all treatments were different (P <0.05), but the use of sodium hydroxide as the flocculating agent obtained best results, we can conclude that where sodium hydroxide is the most suitable for flocculating agent quickly raise the pH of the culture (11.00 ± 0.37), thus leading to cell clumping and settling in a short time, and greater weight of biomass compared to other treatments. / Atualmente existe muita discussão sobre a produção de Biodiesel e etanol, sendo estudadas novas tecnologias para a obtenção de óleo, como por exemplo, as microalgas, que são um dos mais eficientes sistemas de transformação de energia solar em compostos orgânicos. Esses compostos são em sua maioria carboidratos, proteínas e lipídeos. A grande dificuldade para a produção de biocombustíveis através das algas é a colheita, pois ainda são métodos bastante onerosos, como a centrifugação, floculação, sedimentação, e filtração. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito dos diferentes floculantes na obtenção da biomassa da Chlorella vulgaris (Chordat). O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, composto por quatro bioensaios, nos quais os três primeiros compreendiam quatro tratamentos e três repetições cada, sendo os tratamentos compostos por diferentes molalidades (0,1M, 0,3M, 0,5M e 0,9M) para os agentes floculantes hidróxido de sódio, cloreto férrico e policloreto de alumínio. Posteriormente foi realizado o quarto bioensaio o qual era composto por três tratamentos e três repetições, onde os tratamentos consistiram em diferentes agentes floculantes (hidróxido de sódio, policloreto de alumínio e cloreto férrico), na mesma concentração molar (0,5M). Para a experimentação as microalgas da espécie C. vulgaris foram condicionadas em unidades experimentais, materiais transparentes com volume útil de 2000 mL, atingindo no sétimo dia a fase exponencial de sua curva de crescimento obtida em testes anteriores. A partir do sétimo dia deu-se início a floculação com uma concentração algal média de 1085 x 104 cel. mL-1, com temperatura de 22±2°C e pH 7,0, aeração constante e intensidade luminosa de 2000 lux. Foi adicionado nas unidades experimentais 1 mL de soluções padrão dos agentes floculantes, em seguida as microalgas foram submetidas a agitação moderada constante durante 30 segundos. Os dados da variação de pH foram interpretados por meio da análise de variância (ANOVA) seguido pelo teste Tukey para comparação de médias ao nível de 5%,. Após análise dos dados verificou-se que todos os tratamentos foram diferentes (P<0,05), porém a utilização do hidróxido de sódio como agente floculante obteve melhor resultado, onde podemos concluir que o hidróxido de sódio é o agente floculante mais indicado por elevar mais rapidamente o pH da cultura (11,00±0,37), ocorrendo assim a aglutinação e a decantação das células em um curto espaço de tempo, e maior peso da biomassa em relação aos outros tratamentos.

Polymer flocculants, traditionally used with primary coagulant to enhance flocculation and sedimentation, are used in the coagulation-/microfiltration process as well assuming they can improve membrane performance similarly. However, there are several uncertainties concerning the use of polymer flocculants in the coagulation-microfiltration process. First, polymer flocculants may not have measurable effect on turbidity removal, because microfiltration membranes can remove significantly smaller particles than those removed by the conventional treatment process. Second, the effect of using polymer flocculants on NOM removal has been controversial. Although a number of studies reported improved NOM removal when polymers were used, others reported no or negative impact of polymers on NOM removal. Third, polymer flocculants are high molecular weight organic compounds. When carried over to membrane residual polymers can potentially foul the membranes. Finally, the use of polymer flocculants will change floc properties (i.e. size, fractal dimension, and stickiness) and subsequently bring uncertain effect on cake layer resistance. Therefore, the role of polymer flocculants in coagulation-microfiltration system needs to be carefully assessed for system optimization. In the reported research, three types of polymer flocculants with different charge and molecular weights were tested for comprehensively evaluating the impact of polymer flocculants on the performance of coagulation-microfiltration of surface water. Operation conditions such as inline filtration, direct filtration, and filtration with sedimentation were included. Two membrane reactors were designed to study the mechanism through which polymer flocculants affect the performance of coagulation-microfiltration systems. The result demonstrated that the use of polymer flocculants provides little to no benefit to turbidity and NOM removal in most cases, but pDADMACs can enhance NOM removal if applied properly; All polymer flocculants significantly increased membrane fouling except for pDADMACs when sedimentation proceeds MF; Polymer flocculants increase deposition/attachment of floc particles on the membrane surface through both adsorption of residual polymer on the membrane surface and polymer molecules on the floc particle surface; Even though polymers form larger and more fractal floc particles, they did not have notable impact on cake layer structure.

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / In the recent past, the poultry industry in South Africa has grown due to an increased demand of poultry products as a result of population growth and improved living standards. Furthermore, this has led to poultry slaughterhouses generating high strength wastewater which is laden with a high concentration of organic and inorganic pollutants from the slaughtering process and sanitation of equipment and facilities. As a result, South Africa has promulgated restrictions and a set of quality standards for effluent discharged into the environment to minimize ecological degradation and human health impact. Hence, there is a need for improved Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater (PSW) pre-treatment prior to either discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) or on-site secondary treatment processes such as anaerobic digesters. Additionally, amongst the pre-treatment methods for Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) laden wastewater, flotation remains the most popular with Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system being the most applied. However, modelling and optimization of a biological DAF system has never been attempted before in particular for a bioflocculant supported DAF (BioDAF) for PSW pre-treatment. Process modelling and optimization involves process adjustment to optimize influential parameters. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to develop an empirical model of a BioDAF for pre-treatment of PSW, for which a bioflocculant producer including production conditions, flocculant type and its floc formation mechanism, were identified. Twenty-one (n = 21) microbial strains were isolated from the PSW and their flocculation activity using kaolin clay suspension (4g/L) was quantified, with a mutated Escherichia coli (mE.coli) [accession number LT906474.1], having the highest flocculation activity even in limited nutrient conditions; hence, it was used for further analysis in other experiments. Furthermore, the optimum conditions for bioflocculant production achieved using RSM were pH of 6.5 and 36°C conditions which induced instantaneous bioflocculant production with the highest flocculation activity. The bioflocculant produced by the mE.coli showed the presence of carboxyl/amine, alkyne and hydroxyl functional groups, which was indicative that the bioflocculant contained both polysaccharides and some amino acids.

Sludge treatment and disposal are one of the most important parts of sewage treatment. These are economically challenging parts, and therefore emphasis is placed on effective dosing. The dose should be as small as possible but also the highest dry matter output. The main target of this diploma thesis is therefore to show that it is possible to achieve the same or better degree of drainage of the sludge if different flocculant/coagulant ratio is applied to the sludge. Diploma thesis deals with determination of the optimal combination of chemical doses during sludge dewatering. The thesis contains two parts, practical and theoretical. The theoretical part consists of research, overview of processed research and works in the area of sludge dewatering. The second part is a description of laboratory measurements and evaluation of results.

El presente trabajo analiza una propuesta de reutilización de agua proveniente del concreto fresco retornado a las plantas de premezclado. Esta propuesta es dada mediante productos floculantes, los cuales ayudarán a la clarificación del agua concentrada en las pozas de las industrias de premezclado. Asimismo, el agua recuperada tendrá similares características que el agua convencional utilizada, y que posteriormente ingresará al nuevo diseño de concreto, en donde aportará en un 5% en la resistencia del concreto adicional. Por otro lado, se analizó la posibilidad de reutilizar los finos acumulados en el fondo de las pozas, pero estos no aportan resistencia al concreto ya que presenta el cemento ya hidratado; sin embargo, se puede utilizar para otros propósitos. Se realizó un análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de la incidencia económica, ambiental y legal; en el estudio de aguas de lavado se han analizado parámetros básicos (densidad por pesada diferencial, pH mediante pHmetría, composición química) de tres muestras procedentes de distintas plantas de premezclado para evaluar la calidad de los vertidos. Se proponen soluciones aplicables y mejoras tecnológicas en el proceso de lavado de mixers con el fin de disminuir el volumen de los sólidos arrastrados, sin que ello perturbe el medio ambiente, y posibilitando un ahorro del agua. Por último, con el floculante elegido y los resultados obtenidos se analizará la optimización económica que produce este método para la limpieza de mixers de concreto premezclado. / The present work analyzes a proposal for the reuse of water from fresh concrete returned to the ready-mix plants. This proposal is given through flocculating products, which will help clarify the concentrated water in the pools of the premixing industries. Likewise, the recovered water will have similar characteristics to the conventional water used, and which will subsequently enter the new concrete design, where it will contribute 5% in the strength of the additional concrete. On the other hand, the possibility of reusing the fines accumulated at the bottom of the ponds was analyzed, but these do not provide resistance to the concrete since the cement already hydrated; however, it can be used for other purposes. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the economic, environmental and legal incidence was carried out; In the study of washing water, basic parameters (density by differential weighing, pH by pH metry, chemical composition) of three samples from different premixing plants have been analyzed to evaluate the quality of the discharges. Applicable solutions and technological improvements are proposed in the mixer washing process in order to reduce the volume of entrained solids, without disturbing the environment, and making it possible to save water. Finally, with the chosen flocculant and the results obtained, the economic optimization produced by this method for cleaning ready-mix concrete mixers will be analyzed. / Tesis

<p> High molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is used in conjunction with a cofactor such as phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR) as flocculants for newsprint manufacture. The objectives of the work described in this thesis were to prepare flocculants superior to PEO and to determine the flocculation mechanism. A series of novel comb copolymers consisting of a polyacrylamide backbone with short pendant poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains was prepared and characterized. Additionally, polymerization conversion curves and reactivity ratios were measured. An interesting finding was that the reactivity of the macromonomer in free radical copolymerization decreased with PEG chain length. </p> <p> Flocculation results with both model latex dispersions and commercial wood pulp suspensions showed that copolymer chain length was the most important variable ; molecular weights greater than 3 million were required for good flocculation. On the other hand, the PEG pendant chains could be as short as 9 ether repeat units. Also, only 1 to 2 PEG chains for every 100 acrylamide backbone moieties were required. </p> <p> No published flocculation mechanisms could predict all the behaviors of the PEO or copolymer system. A new mechanism called complex bridging was proposed. According to this mechanism PEO or copolymer chains aggregate in the presence of cofactor to form colloidally dispersed polymer complex which heteroflocculates with the colloidal particles. </p> <p> Given in this work is the first explanation of the requirement for extremely high PEO or copolymer molecular weights for flocculation. It is proposed that polymer chains with molecular weights less than 106 collapse in the presence of PFR to an inactive precipitate before flocculation can occur whereas complexes based on very high molecular weight PEO collapse slowly enough to permit flocculation. </p> <p> Published mechanistic studies are hindered by the fact that PFR has poorly defined structures. It is shown for the first time in this work that welldefined, linear, poly(p-vinyl phenol) (PVPh) is an effective cofactor. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)