Master of Science

Master of Science

Two municipal sludges, one from a highly industrialized city, Chicago, and another from a lesser industrialized, highly agricultural area, Tucson, are compared for barley production on Pima c 1 (Typic torrifluvent). Both sludges were responsible for highly significant additions of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and P to the soil each year at the rates of 100mt/ha single and 20mt/ha for 2 years. Nitrogen responses for barley straw and grain were observed from both sludges. Tucson sludge appears to be attractive as a potential fertilizer, not only as an NPK source, but also for its minimal amounts of heavy metals. The Chicago sludge with high levels of heavy metals, particularly Cd, appears unsuited as a fertilizer because of the plant's tendency to take up toxic levels of heavy metals.

The author of master's thesis submit study of alternative solution sewerage in Nasarvky. He made passportization and he design gravity, pressure and vacuum sewerage for the area of interest. He deals with the problems about storm sewerage and he design suitable solution. The study content issues technical and economic variants valorization. Object of study is recommendation the best alternative sewerage in Nasavrky.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Orientador: José Luz Silveira / Coorientador: Marcio Abud Marcelino / Banca: Agnelo Marotta Cassula / Banca: Celso Eduardo Tuna / Banca: José Rui Camargo / Banca: Sebastião Cardoso / Resumo: O presente trabalho trata do desenvolvimento, do processo construtivo, da implantação e da análise técnica, econômica e ambiental de uma miniETERA (miniestação ecoeficiente de tratamento de esgoto e reuso de águas), em PVC e concreto armado, associada a um sistema de cogeração de energia a biogás e a um sistema registrador e queimador de biogás para baixas vazões. A miniETERA é composta por três digestores anaeróbios de fluxo ascendente, em manto de lodo, do tipo UASB (upflow anaerobic slodge blancket) modificado, dispostos em série, formando cascata, seguido de um digestor híbrido aeróbio (com ar) e anóxio (sem ar na presença de nitrato). Para efeito do trabalho foi avaliada a eficiência dos reatores UASB, cuja redução média da DQO (demanda química de oxigênio) do efluente foi de 80,1%, sem a utilização de elementos eletromecânicos. O biogás produzido pelo sistema apresentou concentração média de 57,99% de metano no UASB I, devida à hidrólise, e de 80,45% de metano no UASB II, devida essencialmente à atividade metanogênica. O sistema compacto de cogeração de energia desenvolvido é composto por um motogerador de potência nominal de 5,5 kW a gasolina, convertido a biogás e/ou gás natural a baixa pressão (GNBP), acoplado a um trocador de calor gás/água, para a geração de energia elétrica e água quente. O cogerador compacto foi testado experimentalmente, utilizando biogás oriundo do tratamento anaeróbio de resíduo avícola, com uma porcentagem de 60% de metano; obteve-se uma potência útil de 2,6 kW e, no caso do uso de GNBP, a partir de GNV (gás natural veicular) despressurizado, obteve-se uma potência útil de 4,2 kW. O reuso de água foi feito por meio de sistema de fertirrigação de um bosque em 12 formação, com o efluente tratado. A análise técnica e econômica... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This paper deals with the development of the constructive process, and deployment of technical, economic and environmental dimensions of a EMSTWR (ecoefficient ministation of sewage treatment and water reuse), PVC and concrete, coupled with a cogeneration system to biogas energy system and a recorder and burner biogas for low flow. The Miniet is composed of two anaerobic digesters in upflow sludge blanket, UASB type (Upflow Anaerobic slodge blancket) modified, arranged in series forming cascade, followed by an aerobic digester Hybrid (air) and anóxio (no air in the presence nitrate) for the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of UASB reactors, whose average reduction of COD (chemical oxygen demand) of the effluent was 80.1% without the use of electromechanical components. The biogas produced by the system showed an average concentration of 57.99% methane in UASB I, due to hydrolysis, and 80.454% methane in UASB II, mainly due to methanogenic activity. The compact cogeneration power developed is composed of a motogenerator rated at 5.5 kW gasoline, or converted to biogas and natural gas at low pressure (NGLP) coupled to a heat exchanger gas / water for the generation electricity and warm water. The compact cogenerator was tested experimentally using biogas originating from anaerobic treatment of poultry manure, with a percentage of 60% methane, we obtained an output of 2.6 kW, and in case of using NGLP from NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) depressurized, we obtained an output of 4.2 kW. Reuse of water was done through fertigation system in formation of a forest, with the treated effluent. A technical and economic analysis of EMSTWR compared with traditional systems of 14 sewage treatment, was interesting from the standpoint of environmental, energy and economic... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

This project explains the differences in available financing techniques for wastewater treatment plants and sewers and describes the experiences of Indiana communities that have used the various techniques. The results of the study are presented in a form that other communities can use to make informed fiscal and administrative decisions. While both the traditional and new financing techniques can be used to pay for the needed wastewater improvements of a community, they are not interchangeable. These techniques differ along legal, political, administrative and fiscal lines. Not all techniques are legally available to Indiana communities. Those that are available differ in the ways that they are established, work and provide funds. Individual communities also vary in their experiences with these techniques. Indiana communities need to understand these different financing techniques if they are going to address the problems of wastewater financing.This project examines the new financing methods and loan and grant programs that are now available for communities to finance needed infrastructure improvements. Not all of these methods are available to or appropriate for every community.Communities need to understand how these programs differ and the issues involved with each one. While this thesis can not be a substitute for the advice of an attorney, grant writer, accountant or engineer, it can provide valuable information to local officials. By understanding how these methods work and knowing about the experiences of communities that have used them, other communities can make informed decisions. / Department of Urban Planning

Public utility services have been plagued with problems of low tariff and low willingness-to-pay by consumers. In many countries, tariff setting has been a political decision with governments reluctant to antagonise the electorate. Low pricing leads to inadequate revenue streams and further deterioration in service levels which in turn aggravates the revenue collection problem. Even with the already low tariffs, many consumers are not willing to pay the charges. / Maintaining tariffs at a low level sets a low reference price in the minds of consumers further dampening their willingness-to-pay. Low tariffs also create a perception that public service provision is not a serious problem which can be solved rather easily and relatively cheaply. This perception has a negative effect on consumers when tariffs are raised resulting in them resisting upward tariff revisions. This research project seeks to model consumer willingness-to-pay behavioural intentions by identifying the factors that affect their perception of price and service. The objective of this model is to enable service providers to recognise these factors and plan their strategies to focus on positively influencing them. By such strategic planning and action, service providers and governments could attempt to change the perception of consumers and increase their willingness-to pay a fair price for public goods. / Setting prices for public goods using contingent valuation and willingness-to-pay surveys have little practical use as they inevitably result in low prices due to strategic manipulation and bias by respondents. There has been very little research focussed on modelling such behavioural intentions for public goods. Due to this, a literature review on the psychological aspects of the pricing and willingness-to-purchase of private goods is thus conducted to develop the conceptual model for public goods. / The literature review indicated that the key factors affecting consumers' price perception were reference price, information and justification of pricing practices, and information on service provision and service performance. It is proposed that these key factors could also be applicable in price and service perception formation and in moderating reactions to current and future price increases of public goods. / Several existing conceptual models for private and public goods were reviewed in developing the research model. Although none of them could be used fully, they formed the basis for formulating a new conceptual model and item development for the survey instrument. This conceptual model was built by defining the relationships of the key factors underpinning price and service perception and willingness-to-pay for public goods. / A field survey using a personally administered questionnaire on sewerage services was conducted. The data collected was used to validate the conceptual model using structural equation modelling (SEM). / The results indicate that reference price plays an important role in consumers' price perception of the public good. The consumer's reference price can be shifted by providing adequate justification of the price and disseminating information on service provision and performance. Greater emphasis is thus needed by service providers on communication strategies to justify prices and present service performance information in a manner readily understood by consumers. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2006.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Oct. 22, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.