The aim of the thesis is to find the estimation of the market price of Pražské vodovody a kanalizace, a.s. , engaded in water supply industry in the capital Prag, the Czech republic. The introductory provides basic information about company which is further followed by the description of water supply industry. Other chapters include the strategic analysis, the financial analysis and the financial plan. DCF Equity was applied as the main valuation method, the alternative one is the method of Market comparison.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:20:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_micheline_oliveira.pdf: 816714 bytes, checksum: 7522d63bc0d2083d9c31fe1f30d928f5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The first step of the present work was characterizing a dairy effluent in terms microbiological and physical-chemical used to obtain a microbial consortium for its biodegradation. Microbiological characterization was performed by total heterotrophic bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts count according to the official methodologies. Physical-chemical characterization was accomplished by content of protein, ash, lipids, carbohydrates, pH and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Microbial consortium was obtained in batch using a bioreactor containing 1,5L of dairy effluent, at 200 rpm, 1vvm, at 28 - 30oC. Cultivations were performed in duplicate for eleven days, being applied a pulse of 10% (v/v) of effluent on the seventh day of the experiment. Cellular growth kinetics, chemical oxygen demand concentration and lipolytic activity were determined. Initial concentrations of bacteria and fungi and yeasts were equal to 3x109CFU/mL and 8x104CFU/mL, respectively. Effluent presented a COD of 64.000mgO2/L, pH 5,0 and concentrations of 5g/100mL of carbohydrates, 0,8g/100mL of protein and 0,6g/100mL of lipids. Cultivations showed an increase on the bacteria concentration, reaching 1x1013CFU/mL after eight days, while filamentous fungi and yeast concentrations were inhibited. An reduction of COD concentration in the range of 47 to 63,5% was observed after eleven days of cultivation, demonstrating the potentiality of use of microbial consortium for effluent treatment. Qualitative assays showed the presence of the enzymes lipase, amylase, protease and cellulase in the metabolic extract of the microbial consortium. However, low values of lipolytic activity were obtained as compared to the commercial enzyme, being observed that activity decreases along time. In the second step of this study, was evaluated the enzymatic hydrolysis of floated material, obtained from the column flotation of a dairy industry, using the technique of experimental design. Initially, performance was evaluated by a commercial lipase (lipolase®), being investigated the effects of agitation and enzyme concentration on hydrolysis. A statistical analysis was performed considering the significance of effects to a confidence level of 95%. Higher enzyme concentrations in the range investigated (1 to 7%) maximize the hydrolysis of oils and fats in the floated material, and to agitation levels between 100 and 150rpm. In all experiments, fatty acids were released in rates near to 100% only after 4 hours of reaction. Moreover, rates of released fatty acids were greater than 92% in all the concentration range tested. An agitation of 150rpm was used in a second experimental design, evaluating the concentration of commercial enzyme associated with a microbial consortium. The kinetic monitoring of the process showed that the addition of the consortium did not influence in a positive manner the increase the content of free fatty acids. / A primeira etapa do presente trabalho consistiu em caracterizar um efluente lácteo industrial (soro de queijo) em termos microbiológicos e físico-químicos visando à obtenção de um consórcio de microrganismos para a sua biodegradação. Foram determinadas a contagem padrão de bactérias heterotróficas e a contagem de fungos filamentosos e leveduras de acordo com as metodologias oficiais, e a caracterização físico-química foi realizada em termos do teor de proteínas, cinzas, lipídios, carboidratos, pH e demanda química de oxigênio (DQO). O consórcio microbiano foi obtido em biorreator operando em batelada e contendo 1,5L do efluente, a 200rpm, aeração de 1vvm e temperatura de 28 - 30oC. Os cultivos foram realizados em duplicata durante onze dias, sendo realizado um pulso de 150mL do efluente (10% do volume útil do biorreator) no sétimo dia do cultivo. Foram obtidas concentrações iniciais de 3x109UFC/mL e 8x104UFC/mL para contagem total de bactérias e de fungos e leveduras, respectivamente. O efluente apresentou uma DQO inicial de 64.000mgO2/L, pH 5,0, e concentrações correspondentes a 5g/100mL de carboidratos, 0,8g/100 mL de proteínas e 0,6g/100 mL de lipídios. Os cultivos do efluente no biorreator demonstraram um aumento da concentração de bactérias ao longo do tempo, atingindo 1x1013UFC/mL após oito dias, enquanto que as concentrações de fungos filamentosos e de leveduras foram inibidas. Foi observada uma redução da DQO de 47 a 63,5% após 11 dias de cultivo, demonstrando a potencialidade da utilização do consórcio microbiano no tratamento do efluente. Ensaios qualitativos demonstraram a presença das enzimas: lipase, amilase, protease e celulase no extrato metabólito do consórcio microbiano. No entanto, foram obtidos baixos valores de atividade lipolítica quando comparados com a atividade da enzima comercial, sendo observado ainda que a atividade decresce ao longo do tempo. Na segunda etapa do trabalho foi avaliada a hidrólise enzimática de material flotado, obtido a partir do processo de flotação em coluna do efluente, utilizando a técnica de planejamento de experimentos. Inicialmente, foi avaliado o desempenho de uma lipase comercial (lipolase®), sendo investigados os efeitos da agitação e da concentração de enzima sobre a hidrólise. Foi realizada a análise estatística considerando os efeitos significativos para um nível de confiança de 95%. Concentrações maiores de enzima dentro da faixa investigada (1 a 7%) maximizam a hidrólise de óleos e gorduras do material flotado, bem como para níveis de agitação entre 100 e 150rpm. Em todos os experimentos houve a liberação de ácidos graxos no meio em percentuais próximos a 100% apenas após 4 horas de reação. Vale salientar ainda que percentuais de liberação de ácidos graxos superiores a 92% foram obtidos para toda a faixa de concentração testada. Uma agitação de 150rpm foi utilizada em um segundo planejamento experimental, avaliando-se a concentração da enzima comercial associada a um consórcio microbiano, sendo verificado que a adição do consórcio não influenciou de maneira positiva o aumento do teor de ácidos graxos livres no meio.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Polokwane Municipality is currently experiencing water shortages, which is affecting households and industries’ which is used to remove faeces and transport them to the sewage plant through sewer networks, as the system is waterborne. This research study aims at determining the status of faecal sludge management with the aim of developing a faecal sludge management projection plan for the City of Polokwane. The plan will enable the city to understand the current and future levels of faecal sludge production and it will also highlight the water demand for faecal sludge disposal. As a result of this plan, the appropriate systems, which can be used for faecal sludge production, can be managed better and there will be relief in the current non-coping sewage plants in the municipality. The sewage plants are not coping with the amount of faecal sludge due to the growing population and the fact that the infrastructure was built before South Africa’s 1994 democratic dispensation. The empirical enquiry was conducted through the use of the interview guide and the purposive sampling strategy in order to obtain an in-depth context of the subject being studied. The study has noted that the Seshego and Polokwane Sewage Plants are receiving more sewage than they were built for. The only plant that is still within its capacity is the Mankweng Sewage Plant. Currently, the municipality does not have alternative plan to re-use water in the yards. It is also not planning to develop any other form of faecal sludge management to transport faeces from the toilets to the sewage plants despite the use of clean water. It is questionable as to whether the cleaned water or effluent released from the sewage to the environment meet the required standards. In Polokwane, the released effluent does not go back to the people directly but it is used to recharge 37 boreholes, which are used to supply water to the people. The other challenge in Polokwane Municipality, especially in Mankweng, is the petrol stations, hospitals, and abattoirs whose effluents are creating a problem to the water treatment plants. Therefore, there is a need to have a pre-treatment plants for hospitals and filling stations. Key Words: Sanitation, faeces, faecal sludge, sewage plants and water borne.

M. Tech (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Water shortages, water pollution and climate changes are highly interrelated global issues. These have raised immense concerns about serious adverse effects on the quality, treatment and re-use of wastewater. A major role of water is for vitality of life on earth. Water is recognized as source of evolution from origin to degree of civilization, since it is an essential resource its treatment becomes a necessity for day to day for life. Nanoparticles and their application in treatment of wastewater is becoming a major area of research. It is mainly applicable to the removal of major contaminants like microorganisms. This study was carried out with an objective to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of nanoparticles. Cobalt and cobalt complexes of urea and thiourea were synthesized and characterized using UV-Vs, PL, FTIR, TEM, SEM, XRD and TGA techniques. The Co particles are in a mixture of rod, agglomerates with irregular shape around 50 – 100 nm in diameter. The Co/Thiourea particles appear to be around 10 – 30nm in size. The Co complexed with urea images showed spherical to hexagonal shape with 50 nm size in diameter. The antimicrobial activity was determined using Minimum Inhibitory and bactericidal concentration and the well diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1 μg/mL) of doped cobalt nanoparticles were tested against a panel of five Gramnegative bacteria - (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella enterica, Salmonella typhi and Salmonella sonnei) human pathogenic bacteria; and two fungal strains - Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Zones of inhibition as a consequence of nanoparticles were compared with that of different standards like Neomycin for antibacterial activity and Amphotericin B for antifungal activity. The results showed a remarkable inhibition of the bacterial growth against the tested organisms. The most striking feature of this study is that Cobalt, Urea and Thiourea nanoparticles have antifungal activity comparable or more effective (as in case of Thiourea on A. niger) than Amphotericin B and nearly promising antibacterial activity although not comparable to Neomycin.

Target of master thesis is constructional design of vertical rack with press of screenings for shaft type 501 up to 3200 mm deep. Part of this shaft system is atypical bottom with two inflows and one outflow of sewage water. According to these requirements there ware adapted dimensions and shapes of whole construction. Master thesis is divided into several parts, where is disposed construction design of rack with supplement, modification of shaft bottom and embedment of vertical rack.

PhD (Environmental Sciences) / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / See the attached abstract below

PhD. (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) causes morbidity and mortality in infected patients. These epidemics are significantly reduced and treated globally with antiretroviral drugs (ARVDs). However, the eventual disposal of the ARVDs, either by excretion or otherwise, enables them to end up as emerging hazardous contaminants in our environment. Of all the available methods to remove ARVDs from our water bodies, electrochemical methods are reckoned to be one of the most effective. As a result, it is imperative to acknowledge the interactive behavior of these pharmaceuticals on the surface of the electrode. In this study, iron nano-particles were deposited on the carbon cloth electrode by electrodeposition using chronoamperometry techniques. The synthesized electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) microanalysis. The electrochemical characterization of the material was also carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrode's electrocatalytic activity toward the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction was assessed. Furtherance to this is the electrochemical degradation of nevirapine (NVP), lamivudine (LVD), and zidovudine (ZVD) in wastewater as a pharmaceutical model compound for organic pollutants in 50 mM K2SO4 electrolyte at a pH of 3. The SEM and EDX analysis showed the formation of iron nanoparticles within the matrix structure of the carbon cloth (CC) electrode. The XPS enlightened the presence of oxygen functional groups in the electrode's structure. EIS results are indicative that the modified electrode has a decreased charge transfer resistance (Rct)value as compared to the bare CC electrode. On the other hand, the CV result fosters good conductivity, enhanced current and large surface area of the modified electrode. More active and anchor sites were discovered on the iron-supported CC electrode which resulted in higher catalytic activity for the generation and accumulation of H2O2. The concentrations of “in-situ” generated H2O2 were found to be related to the current density supplied to the device after quantification. Although the accumulated H2O2 concentration appears to be low, it's possible that side reactions depleted the amount of H2O2 produced. As a result, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) through 2e- has a higher electrocatalytic activity with the improved iron assisted CC electrode than bare CC electrode. The electrochemical degradation studies conducted with the modified CC electrode by electro-Fenton process show a decrease in the initial ARVDs concentration (20 mg/L) as compared with the bare electrode. Their rate constants were 1.52 x 10-3 mol-1min-1 for ZVD, 1.20 x 10-3 mol-1min-1 for NVP and 1.18 x 10-3 mol-1min-1 for LVD. The obtained removal efficiencies indicate that the iron nanoparticle in the synthesised improves the degradation efficiency.

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, 1981 / Includes bibliographical references. / by Sacha Sethaputra. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering

This research investigated the effect of copper and nickel on the performance of a laboratory scale activated sludge system. The wastewater used for this research was the influent to the activated sludge process at the Hoechst Celanese cellulose acetate manufacturing plant, located at Narrows, Virginia. The influent wastewater to the experimental unit was pretreated with lime and then selected amounts of copper and nickel were added separately or together to evaluate their effects on the performance of the system. The Specific Uptake of Metal (SUM), Dissolved Metal (DM), Total Metal Loading Rate (TMLR), and Specific Total Metal Loading Rate (STMLR) were useful parameters for analysis of the effects of the metals on activated sludge performance. No significant changes in effluent COD, SS, and OUR were observed for the acclimated activated sludge when the selected amounts of metals were added but not when either was added separately. The settling characteristics of the activated sludge deteriorated when a combination of copper and nickel were added. The SUM increased at a faster rate at higher metal loading rates than at lower metal loading rates to the reactor. The increases in dissolved metal concentrations in the mixed liquor were a linear function of the metal loading rates. / Master of Science

CAPES; / As características do material suportem afetam diretamente a eficiência de um reator, pois o número e os tipos de células que aderem em cada meio suporte podem variar de um material para outro. A partir do desenvolvimento dos primeiros filtros anaeróbios um ponto crucial identificado pela comunidade científica foi a busca por materiais suportes que melhor se adequassem, ou seja, inertes à biomassa imobilizada, proporcionando bons resultados, facilidade operacional e economicamente viáveis. Uma alternativa é a utilização de materiais alternativos para preenchimento dos filtros, com estrutura resistente, biológica e quimicamente inerte, leveza, maior área específica e porosidade elevada, com possibilidade de colonização acelerada dos microrganismos e custos reduzidos. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas a estabilidade e o comportamento hidrodinâmico de três filtros anaeróbios de fluxo ascendente, operados de modo contínuo, preenchidos com diferentes meios suportes para imobilização da biomassa, sendo carvão vegetal, cerâmica de argila e borracha de pneu, no tratamento de água residuária sintética à base de glicose como fonte de carbono. Os filtros, em escala de bancada (1,3 L), foram operados com TDH de 8 h e 4 h em duas etapas e mantidos a temperatura ambiente. A caracterização físico-química dos materiais foi realizada com determinação dos parâmetros pH, massa específica aparente, densidade, teor de umidade, material volátil, teor de cinzas, número de iodo, porosidade, granulometria, análise da morfologia, área superficial, volume e tamanho dos poros. O comportamento dos filtros foi avaliado por meio da determinação dos parâmetros de pH, temperatura do líquido, alcalinidade total e a bicarbonato, ácidos voláteis e DQO nas amostras do afluente e do efluente. Além disso, foram realizados ensaios de estímulo-resposta tipo pulso com eosina Y como traçador para avaliar o comportamento hidrodinâmico do reator. O desempenho dos filtros em termos de pH, alcalinidade total e a bicarbonato e ácidos voláteis foi estável nas duas etapas de operação. Os valores obtidos em termos de DQO nas amostras do afluente e efluente dos filtros com carvão ativado foram: - Etapa I: 457 e 38 mg.L-1 (94% de remoção); - Etapa II: 291 e 79 mg.L-1 (79% de remoção); com cerâmica de argila foram: - Etapa I: 457 e 81 mg.L-1 (81% de remoção); - Etapa II:: 291 0 e 129 mg.L-1 (60% de remoção); e com borracha de pneu foram: - Etapa I: 457 e 58 mg.L-1 (88% de remoção); - Etapa II: 291 e 117 mg.L-1 (63% de remoção). O teste estatístico de Kruskal-Wallis. e o pósteste de Dunn confirmaram os dados experimentais e provaram que para maior parte dos parâmetros há diferença nos valores entre os filtros e entre as duas etapas. Sendo as diferenças obtidas entre os filtro devido as características distintas de cada material, e as diferenças entre as etapas ocorrem pelo aumento da carga hidráulica, pois o aumento da velocidade ascensional diminui o tempo de retenção celular e assim o grau de estabilidade. Contudo, meio suporte permitem aos filtros mais estabilidade e boas eficiências de degradação. / The characteristics of material directly affect the reactor efficiency, because the number and the types of cells what adhere in each material support can be totally different from material to another. From the development of the first anaerobic filters an important point identified by the scientific community was the search for materials that support better fitted, i.e. biomass immobilized inert, providing good results, operating ease and economically viable. An alternative is to use alternative materials for filling of filters, with sturdy structure, biologically and chemically inert, lightness, bigger specific area and high porosity, with possibility of rapid colonization of microorganisms and reduced costs. In this thesis it was evaluated the stability and the hydrodynamic behavior of three upflow anaerobic filter, operated in continuous mode, filled with different material support from immobilization to biomass being active carbon, clay ceramic and tire rubber in the synthetic wastewater treatment on based glucose as carbon source. The filter, in bench scale (1,3 L), was operated HRT to 8 hours and 4 hours in two steps Kept at ambient temperature. The physicochemical characterization of the materials was carried out with determination of parameters pH, bulk density apparent, density, moisture content, volatile material, ash content, iodine number, porosity, particle size, morphology analysis, surface area, volume and size pores. The behavior of the filters was evaluated by determining the parameters pH, liquid temperature, total and bicarbonate alkalinity, volatile acids and COD in samples of influent and effluent. Further, tests were performed stimulus-response type pulse with eosin Y, to evaluate the hydrodynamic regime of the reactor.The values obtained in terms of COD in samples of influent and effluent filters with activated carbon were: - Stage I: 457 and 38 mg.L-1 (94% of removal); - Stage II: 291 and 79 mg.L-1 (79% of removal), with clay ceramic were: - Stage I: 457 e 81 mg.L-1 (81% of removal); - Stage II: 291 and 129 mg.L-1 (60% of removal) and tire rubber were: - Stage I: 457 and 58 mg.L-1 (88% of removal); - Stage II: 291 and 117 mg.L-1 (63% of removal). The Kruskal-Wallis Statistical test and the Dun post-test confirmed the experimental data and proved from most part of parameters there is difference on values between the filters and between the two steps. Being the differences obtained between the filters due to distinct characteristics of each material, and the differences between the steps happened by hydraulic charging increased, because the ascending speed increased reduce the retention cellular therefore the degree of stability. However, material support allow the filters more stability and good degradation efficiencies.