Emerging Technologies Sustainability Assessment (ETSA) is a new technology assessment tool that was developed in order to compare emerging processes or technologies to existing alternatives. It utilizes infoIDlation modules, with the minimum use of resources such as time and money, in order to deteIDline if the process under development is comparatively favourable and should be developed beyond the early conceptual phase. The preliminary ETSA is vital in order to identify the gaps in the existing information and the specific methodologies to be used for data capture and analysis. The use of experimental design tools, such as Design-Expert, can facilitate rapid and efficient collection of necessary data and fits in well with the rationale for the ETSA. Wine distillery effluent (vinasse) is the residue left after alcohol has been distilled from fennented grape juice. It is an acidic, darkly coloured effluent, with a high COD and polyphenol content. The most popular method of disposal of this effluent, land application, is no longer viable due to stricter legislation and pressure on the industry to better manage its wastes. Although the ability of whiterot fungi to degrade a number of pollutants is well-known, fungal treatment of wine distillery effluent is still in the conceptual phase. The perfoIDlance of the fungal remediation system was assessed experimentally in terms of COD removal and laccase production using Design-Expert. Although Pycnoporus sanguine us was found to be most efficient at COD removal (85%) from 30% vinasse, laccase production was low (0.021 U/I). The optimum design for economically viable fungal treatment used Trametespubescens. This fungus was able to remove over 50% of the COD from undiluted vinasse while producing almost 800U/l of the valuable laccase enzyme within three days. Since the effluent from the fungal system did not meet the legal limits for wastewater disposal, a two-stage aerobicanaerobic system is suggested to improve the quality of the effluent prior to disposal. The ETSA was used to assess the fungal technology in relation to the two current methods of vinasse treatment and disposal, namely land application and anaerobic digestion. Based on the ETSA, which considered environmental, social and economic impacts, the fungal system proved to be potentially competitive and further development of the technology is suggested.

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Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Modern lifestyle has increased the amount of solid and liquid waste that humans create. There are issues associated with pollution and disposal. Adaptation of technologies from the developed world often does not provide the required solutions. This thesis describes an attempt at finding an ecologically and economically sustainable solution for waste management that is appropriate for poorer regions and remote areas. The proposed natural system is close to natural resources and uses biological waste processing methods that have proven to be saustainable. Available resources and low cost give an edge for such processes to be practical and realistic. The system is based on vermicomposting. Composting worms survive in the harsh environments found in most parts of the developing world. Areas for further research and process optimisation were identified that would pave the way for future endeavours towards development of a fully working model. The treatment system is shown to work and achieve the objectives of treating waste to usable products including worms for feed supplement, compost fertilizer and irrigation water. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2004. Graduate Programme in Geography. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-103). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL:http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url%5Fver=Z39.88-2004&res%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss&rft%5Fval%5Ffmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss:MQ99353

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.140-163).

The increased worldwide interest in nuclear power and the politically charged threat of nuclear weapons release has made understanding the components, as well as the waste, of nuclear energy an important area of research. More specifically, the identification and selective extraction of the dioxoactinide cations uranyl (UO₂²⁺) and plutonyl (PuO₂⁺), low valent actinides scuh as Am³⁺ or Cm³⁺ and various anions, such as pertechnetate (TcO₄⁻), is essential in the event of a weapons release or the spill of nuclear waste. It has been previously demonstrated that the expanded porphyrin [24]hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0.0), commonly referred to as isoamethyrin, displays a dramatic color change, from golden yellow to red, upon coordination of uranyl, neptunyl and plutonyl cations. Chapter 2 details quantitative investigations of isoamethyrin with the uranyl cation as well as the interactions of isoamethyrin with other, potentially competing, cations. This work was carried out in order to assess the ability of isoamethyrin to serve as a colorimetric sensor for the actinide cations. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and properties of periphery-modified isoamethyrin analogues. The addition of functional groups to this expanded porphyrin allows for immobilization onto a solid support and may enhance its utility as a sensor. Chapter 4 presents the preliminary investigations into the metalation and anion binding properties of a new series of macrocycles, the cyclo[n]pyrroles. Chapter 5 provides experimental methods and characterization data. / text

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