The objective of this study was to determine if an organic media attached growth bioreactor could effectively be used as a means of odor control for swine waste. The pilot-scale attached growth bioreactor system was evaluated against a standard pit recharge system, which served as the control. Performance was based on water quality testing, odor assessments by a human sensory panel, and air phase measurements of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The affect of aeration on the system was also evaluated, along with various types of organic media (kenaf, hardwood mulch, and corncobs). Overall, the bioreactor systems were effective in reducing orthophosphate, COD, volatile acids, and phenol concentrations as compared to the control. The bioreactor systems were not effective in reducing the conductivity, ammonia or total solids concentration of the wastewater. With the exception of the corncob media, all bioreactor systems significantly reduced the overall odor intensity and the fecal characteristic of the wastewater as compared to the control system.

Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) relating to swine and their resulting odors continues to be an issue of concern. The primary sources of odors from a CAFO include general ventilation of the confinement house, the anaerobic lagoon, and the land application of lagoon sludge. This paper focuses on lagoon wastewaters, but the results therein could have influence on the other two aforementioned areas. An advanced upflow anaerobic/aerobic reactor system was developed to determine its impact on microbial activities that ultimately result in offensive odors. The microbial activity of SRB (sulfate-reducing bacteria) and hydrogen-sulfide production was monitored closely in each ?zone?, as well as other parameters such as dissolved oxygen and BOD. The results indicated a microbial physiology conducive to offensive odor production in the anaerobic zone of the pilot reactor and an aerobic microbial population in the upper zone of the pilot reactor. This aerobic zone was found to be effective in oxidizing the odorous gases created in the anaerobic zone. The overall microflora was consistent with an average magnitude of 108 CFU/mL. From the analysis performed, it was concluded that the microbiotic flora development and related substrate decomposition was the result of different metabolic pathways employed by the microflora rather than changes in the microbial population. In addition, the rise in pH throughout the experiment indicated the impact of the protein metabolic pathways (ammonification) over the carbohydrate metabolic pathways. Overall, the upflow anaerobic/aerobic pilot reactor proved to be an effective method for ?zoning? of the microbiotic flora, and a positive impact on the modifying the compounds related to offensive odor production.

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This study aims to provide the latest understanding of cutting-edge technologies that enable wastewater organic carbon diversion and recovery through the enhancement of sludge production and blending, digestibility, dewaterability, and dewatered cake odor emission control. A comprehensive literature review showed that iron-based coagulants tend to show less negative impact than aluminum-based coagulants. This can be attributed to the reduction of ferric to ferrous ions in the course of anaerobic digestion (AD), which leads to a suite of changes in protein bioavailability, alkalinity, and hydrogen sulfide levels, and in turn the sludge dewaterability and odor potential. In terms of the roles of thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP), the mechanism review indicated that the improvement of sludge dewaterability and anaerobic digestibility as a result of THP was because of the destruction of extracellular polymeric substances and increase of hydrolysis rate. However, THP also brings side effects such as high free residual ammonia and recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen (rDON) in the effluent. Besides, a comprehensive understanding of the formation of the odorous compounds in the sludge treatment processes indicated that sulfurous and nitrogenous compounds are usually regarded as the major odor-causing substances. A Pilot THP-AD study indicated that adding aluminum to produce primary sludge can improve overall plant sludge digestibility, dewaterability, and well as the rDON reduction. Moreover, results from a pilot THP-AD and biochemical methane potential (BMP) test study indicated that adding a secondary thermal hydrolysis after a primary thermal hydrolysis-AD system can still create new BMP. Finally, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of aeration in the sludge holding tank on biosolids odor emission. The two rounds of bench-scale aeration studies indicated that aerating the sludge in holding tanks reduced peak emission concentrations of sulfurous odorous compounds. Further full-scale validation confirmed that aeration can be used by utilities as a simple means for biosolids odor control. / Doctor of Philosophy / Public wastewater treatment annually consumed 3-4% energy production and contributed 1% greenhouse gas emission in the U.S. Meanwhile, the chemical energy contained in wastewater was estimated to be 9.3 times the energy it takes to treat it. Therefore, harvesting wastewater energy is proposed as a viable means for achieving energy and carbon neutral wastewater treatment. The approach to sending wastewater energy as much as possible to anaerobic digesters in which microorganisms help harvest useful energy in the form of flammable methane was evaluated in this study. From literature, we learned that chemicals used for upstream wastewater energy capture and nutrient removal may make the downstream energy recovery difficult. While, thermal hydrolysis pretreatment, an industrial-scale pressure cooker, can be used to improve the ease of microbial bioenergy harvesting by making organics more biodegradable. However, thermal hydrolysis may also bring side effect in terms of recalcitrant organic formation. Also, in the course of energy recovery, the production and emission of nuisance odor may occur but can be controlled. Building on this existing knowledge, this study evaluated the pros and cons of the approach to using chemicals to capture and recover energy from wastewater. The results showed that the extents of energy recovery and savings was greater than the compromised solids reduction from the process. Moreover, results from a biochemical methane potential test study indicated that adding a secondary thermal hydrolysis can recover even more chemical energy from wastewater. In the end, a pilot study was conducted to develop a simple and economical approach to mitigating the odor emission issue during sludge handling. Results showed that pumping air into the sludge holding tank can substantially reduce peak odor emission. This approach was later verified in a full-scale test and recommended to utilities as a simple means for biosolids odor control.

The distribution system is the primary cause of taste and odor complaints in drinking water. This research examined the ability of small diameter pipes used in home plumbing to affect drinking water quality. The properties of the materials were investigated in the absence of disinfectant and the presence of either chlorine or chloramines. A panel was trained in flavor profile analysis (FPA) according to Standard Methods 2170B and used to assess the sensory properties of all samples. Chemical analyses were performed to determine disinfectants, total organic carbon (TOC), pH and specific organic contaminants. The first part of this study investigated PEX pipes manufactured by the silane (PEX-b) and peroxide (PEX-a) cross-linking technology, using the utility quick test (UQT) method. Silane PEX-b had a greater effect on water quality properties such as odor, TOC and residual disinfectant demand than peroxide-linked PEX-a. Chemical analysis revealed that PEX pipes can contribute fuel oxygenates such as ETBE (PEX-b) and possibly MTBE (PEX-a) to drinking water. PEX pipes did not contribute any significant trihalomethanes to drinking water. This study showed that the type of PEX used in homes will determine the extent to which drinking water quality is affected. The second part of this study used simulated plumbing rigs to investigate seven different materials under low flow and stagnant conditions; chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, cross-linked polyethylene, polyethylene, epoxy-lined copper, copper, stainless steel, galvanized iron and glass (control). Results showed that these plumbing materials have the potential to affect water quality characteristics such as TOC concentrations, residual disinfectant and odor when newly installed in homes. A high TOC concentration was consistent with the presence of a distinct odor or a high FPA intensity rating. Galvanized iron produced the worst odors that were consistently described as "motor oil". Polyethylene generated more intense plumbing associated odors than PEX or cPVC plastic material. cPVC and copper generated the least odors. Both copper pipe and epoxy-lined copper consumed residual chlorine and chloramines. / Master of Science

The purpose of the problem was to develop a laboratory technique for mass culturing of the aquatic actinomycetes. In order to solve the problem, it was necessary to devise a suitable culture chamber that would nurture the various species in both primary and secondary stages. It was also important to provide an adequate medium for growth of these organisms. Finally, the construction of the culture chambers must provide for a continuous exhaust of the taste and odor compounds so that the production of these components could be correlated with growth stages.

A transferência de odores entre os gatos e o meio ambiente ocorre por meio de contatos corporais, como também pela eliminação de excretas. Pelo enriquecimento ambiental é possível promover a exibição de comportamentos mais próximos dos naturais e extinguir comportamentos não desejáveis, contribuindo, assim, para a saúde física e psicológica dos animais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo promover estímulos no ambiente para que os gatos desempenhassem comportamentos característicos da espécie. Foram utilizados gatos domésticos (Felis silvestris catus L.), castrados (por volta do primeiro ano de vida) ou não, de ambos os sexos. Os animais foram mantidos todos juntos em um abrigo de gatos, cuja população era de aproximadamente 110 indivíduos, sendo 41 machos e 69 fêmeas. Cinco testes foram realizados durante dezesseis meses e foi registrado: quais os comportamentos são manifestados na área dos testes (grooming, urinar, defecar e verificações olfativas), quais indivíduos realizaram mais esses comportamentos (fêmeas, machos e machos castrados) e qual categoria animal apresentou maior número de contato. Foram utilizados o método animal focal e a amostragem do comportamento. Observou-se que existe diferença significativa nos contatos entre machos e fêmeas (Fr= 10, 362, p= 0, 006) e averiguou-se que essa diferença também ocorre quando os grupos são agregados (contatos F_M-M_M e contatos F_F-F_M). Fêmeas e machos castrados, quando comparados pelo teste Wilcoxon, apresentaram diferenças significativas no tempo dedicado ao comportamento de grooming(z= 2,95, p= 0,036). Os gatos são indivíduos bastante curiosos, o que facilita o desenvolvimento de um enriquecimento ambiental mais barato com o alcance de respostas comportamentais adequadas. / The transfer of odors between the cats and the environment occurs through physical contact, but also for disposal of excreta. For environmental enrichment can promote behaviors closer view of the natural and extinguish unwanted behaviors, thus contributing to the physical and psychological health of animals. This work aimed to promote the environment for stimuli that cats play behaviors characteristic of the species. We used domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus L.), castrated (around the first year of life) or not, of both sexes. The animals were kept together in a shelter for cats, whose population was approximately 110 individuals, 41 males and 69 females. Five tests were conducted over sixteen months and was recorded: which behaviors are manifested in the area of testing (grooming, urinate, defecate and verification olfactory), which made most people these behaviors (females, males and castrated males) and which category of animal presented more contact. We used the method of sampling and focal animal behavior. It was observed that there is significant difference in contacts between males and females (F = 10, 362, p = 0, 006) and checked that this difference also occurs when the groups are aggregated (F_M contacts and contacts F_F-M_M-F_M ). Females and castrated males, when compared by Wilcoxon test showed significant differences in time devoted to grooming behavior of (z = 2.95, p = 0.036). Cats are very curious people, which facilitates the development of an environmental enrichment cheaper with the range of appropriate behavioral responses.

Landfills receive odor complaints from local residents potentially resulting in legal ramifications and decreasing quality of life of the neighboring communities. However, analytical technologies to objectively measure odors in the field that will reflect human odor perceptions at a reasonable price do not currently exist. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is detectable by humans at low odor thresholds and may be one of the main nuisance odors emanating from landfills. For the first time, hOBPIIa complexed with 1- AMA has been used to detect H2S concentrations by spectrofluorometry. The optimal ratio of hOPBIIa-to-1-AMA was determined to be approximately 1:1. A strong linear regression model was generated to predict H2S concentrations from peak fluorescent emission intensity measurements within a range of 0-8.3 g of H2S. A novel experimental exposure chamber prototype was developed that has the potential to be incorporated into a portable sensor because it is compact. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection