This study develops and demonstrates a microfluidic module for investigating the mechanism of inorganic fouling caused by the precipitation of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) on nanofiltration membranes. The developed microfluidic module enables sensitive system responses, rapid detection and real time observation of inorganic fouling commonly encountered in water treatment industries. For this development, CaSO4 is selected as the model salt due to its unique fouling characteristics. The effect of the operating conditions, such as pressure and permeate flux, was on the fouling behavior is investigated. A plate-frame type microfluidic chip was fabricated and employed in a dead-end filtration mode for constant-flux fouling experiments. The nanofiltration chip module has a dimension of 50 mm ¡Ñ 25 mm ¡Ñ 12 mm. It is consisted of a polymeric nanofilter, a pressure acquisition unit, a C.C.D., and micro electrodes on the nanofilter for investigating the relationships among trans-membrane pressure, conductivity on membrane surface and permeate fluxes. With the microfluidic system, real-time concentration polarization, bulk nucleation of CaSO4 and surface crystal accumulation were observed in terms of the variations of pressure and conductivity on membrane surface, which were verified with scanning electron micrographs to confirm the corresponding fouling stage. It is found that membrane surface conductivity increases with trans-membrane pressure before bulk crystallization of CaSO4, then slightly decreases after the formation of bulk nuclei due to the removal of solute in the aqueous phase. The conductivity remains relatively constant during cake formation stage while trans-membrane pressure steadily increases. This study successfully integrates microfluidic technology with pressure and electrical measurements for detecting the dynamic transition during CaSO4 fouling, and reports for the first time the experimental measurement of the initiation of inorganic cake formation.

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The thesis deals with energy demands of wastewater treatment plants. The content is focused on inclusion of membrane modules to the wastewater treatment process. Two possible options of wastewater treatment are compared; first, convetional mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plants with activation and installable tank; on the other hand, plants with activation with membrane module. In the practical part, three possible options of intensification are suggested. In the first part, new mechanisms for the plant are projected, in the second part, the energy demands of this tecnological equipment are treated, and in the last point, the item bugget is processed. The comparison of investment and operating costs is made in the conclusion of the thesis.

Greywater is the leftover water from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines only, what implies that it is free of faeces and urine. Greywater can be recycled as processing water (whitewater) for toilet and/or urinal flushing or landscape irrigation. Energy recovery from greywater looks also very promising. The subject of this thesis is short research on the issue of the use of greywater in the first part, the following chapter provides examples of the use of greywater in practice. Practical part of thesis provides suggestion of use of greywater and their heat potential in swimming area Kraví hora with regard to completion of wellness centre. This part also includes economical analysis of suggested recycling.

This diploma thesis is focused on the topic of membrane technologies used in wastewater treatment. The research part of the thesis deals with membrane separation of activated sludge, and the focus is on the submerged membrane modules. The thesis contains basic principles of MBR systems, an overview of used membrane modules, modes of operation, advantages and disadvantages of using this process. The practical part of the thesis proposes the intensification of WWTP Perná with using MBR technology. This part includes the technical-economic assessment of the activation WWTP with the third stage of treatment and activation WWTP with MBR.

Greywater is waste water from washbasins, showers, baths, kitchen sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. This can be treated to gain so-called white water, which can for example be used for flushing toilets and urinals, watering greenery or for cleaning. The subject of this diploma thesis is to state the possibilities for utilisation of greywater. In the first part of this thesis, research will be elaborated on the given topic. In the following chapters, I would like to state examples of the possibilities for utilisation of greywater. The practical part should consist of design of a system for treatment of greywater in a specific building.

The most significant environmental problems related to the food industry is water consumption and pollution, energy consumption and waste production. Most of the water that does not become a part of the products ultimately leaves plants in the form of wastewater, which is often very specific and requires adequate handling / treatment / disposal. For the purpose of this thesis, brewery industry was chosen, because of its very long tradition in the Czech history and culture. Anaerobic technologies are applied for still wider range of industrial wastewater treating. In general anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) can very effectively treat wastewater of different concentration and composition and produce treated water (outlet, permeate) of excellent quality, that can be further utilised. At the same time, it can promote energy self-sufficiency through biogas production usable in WWTPs / plants. Main disadvantages include unavoidable membrane fouling and generally higher CAPEX / OPEX. Within the framework of Ph.D. studies and related research activities, immersed membrane modules for anaerobic applications were selected and lab-scale tested (designed and assembled laboratory unit), an AnMBR pilot plant was designed, built and subsequently tested under real conditions - at Černá Hora Brewery WWTP (waste waters from the brewery and associated facilities). The pilot AnMBR and the technology itself has been verified over more than a year (5/2015 – 11/2016) of trial operation - the initial and recommended operational parameters have been set up, minor construction adjustments / modifications and measurement & regulation optimizations have been made, the recommended membrane cleaning and regeneration procedure has been verified. Last, but not least, conclusions and recommendations of the trial operation were summarised - some key findings and recommendations for further operation, use and modifications of the existing AnMBR pilot plant are presented.