Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recently concern has been raised regarding effluent from wine cellars, as it often does not comply with environmental legislation. It was with this in mind that the effluent problem at Ashton Cellars was addressed. After carrying out a water audit of the plant, described in Chapter 3, it was concluded that the ion exchange plant is a significant contributor to the low pH and high conductivity of the effluent dam. Decreasing the effluent from the ion exchange plant should therefore help in improving the total effluent quality. During the water audit opportunities to improve the effluent by making small process changes in the cellar were identified. The primary objective of this study was to provide guidelines to improve the quality and decrease the volume of the effluent from the ion-exchange plant to more environmentally acceptable levels, whilst maintaining product specifications and production rates. This was achieved by studying the operation of the plant (Chapter 4) and testing the characteristics of the current and alternative resins (Chapter 5). Auditing of the ion exchanges plant included a detailed analysis of the regeneration and loading of the ion exchange columns. It was concluded that the operation of the plant can only be optimised once pH and/or conductivity meters, and preferably an automated control system, are installed on the plant. The results given in this thesis can be used as a guide when setting up such a control system. Laboratory testing of the resins revealed that the cation resin currently being used on the plant has been fouled and loads at a slow rate. When the resins are replaced, the use of Purolite CISO and Purolite A103S should be considered as these resins gave the most favourable results. Some alternative treatment methods for the processing of grape must, have been mentioned in Chapter 6. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Al meer kornrner word deesdae uitgespreek oor wynkelders se afvalwater, omdat dit meerendeels nie aan die vereistes van omgewingswetgewing voldoen nie. Dit was met hierdie probleem in die oog dat die afvalwater probleem by Ashton Kelders ondersoek IS. Nadat 'n wateroudit van die fabriek, soos beskryf in Hoofstuk 3, uitgevoer is, is daar tot die slotsom gekom dat die ioonuitruilsisteem 'n groot bydra tot die lae pH en hoe konduktiwiteit van die afvaldam lewer. Indien die ioonuitruilsisteem se uitvloeisel verminder kon word, sou dit tot 'n groot mate bydrae tot 'n verbetering van die totale uitvloei kwaliteit. Gedurende die wateroudit is verskeie moontlikhede vir die verbetering van die uitvloei deur klein prosesveranderinge aan te bring, geidentifiseer. Hierdie studie het as hoof oogmerk die daarstelling van riglyne vir die verbetering van die kwaliteit en grote van die afvalstrome van die ioonuitruilsisteem om sodeende aan omgewingswetgewing te voldoen, maar ter selfder tyd die produk spesifikasies en tempos te handhaaf. Dit is gedoen deur die huidige bedryf van die fabriek te bestudeer (Hoofstuk 4) en die eienskappe van die huidige en altematiewe ioonuitruilharse te toets (Hoofstuk 5). Die oudit van die ioonuitruilsisteem het 'n gedetaileerde anaIiese van die hergenerasie en lading van die ioonuitruilkolornrne ingesluit. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat die bedryf van die sisteem alleenlik geoptirniseer kon word indien pH en/of konduktiwiteitsmeters, en verkieslik 'n automatiese kontrolesisteem geinstalleer word. Die resultate van hierdie tesis kan as basis vir so 'n kontrole sisteem gebruik word. Die laboratoriumtoetse op die harse het aan die lig gebring dat die katioonhars wat tans in gebruik is, baie vervuil is en net teen 'n lae tempo belaai kan word. Wanneer die harse vervang word, word die gebruik van Purolite el50 en Purolite A103S aangeraai, aangesien hierdie harse die beste resultate gelewer het. Altematiewe behandelingsmetodes van druifmos is in Hoofstuk 6 genoem.

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Freshwater is the most fundamental of all life-supporting resources that determine our social, economic and political wellbeing. It is, however, only a small percentage of the world's water resources and is also unevenly distributed. Arid regions make-up about forty percent of the world's land area and have a large proportion of the world population, however, they only have a small fraction of the freshwater compared to other areas. Conventional freshwater sources in arid environments such as surface water in rivers, lakes and dams are often seasonal, available mainly during the rainy season. Equally, only a small part of the rain (0 - 5% of rainfall) infiltrates into groundwater reserves, and even this groundwater displays high rates of salinisation such that the end-water is too saline for human consumption. The poor quality of groundwater in arid regions is generally understood, however, it is always assumed that this is mainly a problem in areas where surface water does not occur. The study investigates seasonal groundwater salinisation in ephemeral (seasonal) river sources in some parts of Namibia and aims to derive a better understanding of the nature of this problem and how it affects people in these areas. It also looks at some possible solutions to the problem with the aim of informing water managers and scientists who are responsible for formulating solutions for water supply to areas in arid regions. These solutions are designed to take advantage of available opportunities in the study areas namely; the abundant supply of solar energy, alternative sources of freshwater such as fog and general atmospheric moisture, and adaptations for water collection in animals that inhabit these regions. The results show that groundwater in shallow ephemeral river sources of the Namib Desert and the Cuvelai delta in North central Namibia display high seasonal variation in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and chemical composition. The lowest TDS values are recorded during the rainy season, mainly after the first rains in the high rainfall areas and only after flood events in the lower rainfall regions. The groundwater salinity increases during the remainder of the year and in most cases becomes too saline for drinking purposes. The investigations of possible solutions indicate that small-scale photovoltaic reverse osmosis; solar distillation and fog collection could be used to address the seasonal shortage of potable water in these areas. The low-pressure (6 bar) reverse osmosis desalination experiments show that it is possible to operate the unit on a solar-driven pump to produce enough water to cover the typical daily water demand of a village in the Namib Desert. This unit would produce about 4600 litres per day (l/day) of 500- mg/l TDS product water, which exceeds the water production of similar world-leading small-scale RO units in Australia and The Canary Islands. The results also show that the cost of solar distillation units (solar stills) can be reduced sufficiently to make them a viable option for water supply to individual households in these rural areas. The study also found that fog is a feasible alternative source of freshwater in some of the study areas. The fog water is generally of 'A' quality drinking water according to the WHO-derived Namibian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (NDWQG) and can be used directly or mixed with the saline groundwater to provide potable water. Mixing of the above-mentioned waters is particularly suitable in the Central Namib Desert because the period of high groundwater salinity coincides with that of peak fog deposition. The results also show that fog water can be collected with vanous polymeric greenhouse shade netting that can be easily obtained, and provides guidelines on the correct percentage shade coefficient and weave of possible fog collector mesh to intending users of fog collection technology in areas where the polypropylene mesh that is used in Standard Fog Collectors is not available. The investigations of surface properties of fog-harvesting beetles and experiments with various prototype collectors show that it is possible to increase water production in fog collectors existing today. The hydrophobic surface conditions as were found on the cuticles of fog-basking beetles (Onymaeris unguicularis and Onymacris bieolor) would enhance formation and runoff of large fog droplets on the collector surface. The prototype extractor-fan- and cooling system-based collectors show that it is possible to increase fog collection on polymeric meshes about three times and also that a comparable volume of atmospheric moisture can be collected even when there is no fog, up to a relative humidity of about 40%. In conclusion the study emphasizes that groundwater salinity in arid regions is at times a seasonal problem that should be considered in water supply strategies for these regions. Also that atmospheric moisture is a feasible alternative source of freshwater in some arid regions that often exceeds rainfall several times and should be considered as an important aspect of the strategies to address water problems in these areas. The study strongly recommends that scientists, engineers and water managers in these regions should always investigate the available opportunities such as climatic conditions (e.g. fog deposition) and adaptations for water collection/conservation that are found in the endemic plants and animals in order to develop sustainable solutions to this problem. They should also constantly update themselves on developments/opportunities that arise in the larger water industry that could be of benefit to water supply initiatives for remote areas in developing countries. Lastly, the study serves to better the understanding of the nature of groundwater salinity in arid environments that are dependent on seasonal surface flow for water supply as well as to contribute to the formulation of solutions to this problem in these areas, particularly in west coast hyper arid environments where conventional sources of freshwater are most inadequate. It also emphasises the role of materials science (polymers) and environmental engineering as well as that of UNESCO associated scientific institutions in the formulation of sustainable solutions to some of the current water problems in arid regions. Keywords: Arid lands, hydrochemistry, sources of freshwater, desalination, atmospheric moisture / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vars water is die mees fundamentele van aIle lewensonderhoudende natuurlike hulpbronne wat ons sosiale, ekonomiese, en politieke welstand bepaal. Dit is egter slegs 'n klein gedeelte van die totale waterbronne van die wereld, en is boonop baie oneweredig versprei. Natuurlike waterarm gebiede (woestyne en halfwoestyne) beslaan ongeveer veertig persent van die landoppervlakte van die aarde en word bewoon deur 'n relatief groot persentasie van die wereldbevolking, maar beskik oor slegs 'n klein gedeelte van die varswater in vergelyking met ander gebiede. Konvensionele bronne van varswater in waterarm gebiede, soos oppervlaktewater in riviere, mere en darnme, is dikwels seisoenaal, en slegs beskikbaar gedurende die reenseisoen. Verder beland slegs 'n klein gedeelte van die reenval (0 - 5%) in die ondergrondse waterreserwes, en selfs hierdie grondwater vertoon 'n hoe mate van versouting, sodat die eindproduk te brak is vir menslike gebruik. Die swak gehalte van grondwater in waterarm gebiede word algemeen verstaan, maar daar is tot nog toe aanvaar dat dit oor die algemeen slegs 'n probleem is in gebiede waar oppervlaktewater me voorkom nie. Hierdie studie ondersoek seisoenale grondwaterverbrakking in seisoenale rivierbronne in sekere dele van Namibie en beoog om 'n beter begrip te formuleer van die aard van die probleem en hoe dit die inwoners van hierdie gebiede raak. Daar word ook ondersoek ingestel na moontlike oplossings vir die probleem, met die doel om 'n inligtingsbron vir waterbestuurders en wetenskaplikes wat verantwoordelik is vir die formuleer van oplossings vir watervoorsiening in waterarm gebiede daar te stel. Hierdie oplossings is ontwerp om voordeel te trek uit die beskikbare geleenthede in die ondersoekgebiede, naamlik; die oorvloedige beskikbaarheid van sonenergie, altematiewe bronne van varswater soos mis (Eng. "fog") en atmosferiese vog in die algemeen en aanpassings (Eng. "adaptations") vir die opvang van water wat voorkom by diere, veral insekte, in hierdie gebiede. Die resultate toon dat grondwater in die vlak seisoenale rivierbronne van die Namibwoestyn en die Cuvelai-delta in noordsentraal Namibie hoe seisoenale variasie in totale opgeloste stowwe (TVS) en chemiese samestelling vertoon. Die laagste TVS-waardes word waargeneem tydens die reenseisoen, hoofsaaklik na die eerste reen in die hoe-reenvalgebiede en eers na vloede in die lae-reenvalgebiede, Die soutgehalte van die grondwater neem toe gedurende die res van die jaar en in die meeste gevalle verbrak die water tot ondrinkbare vlakke. Die ondersoek na moontlike oplossings dui aan dat kleinskaalse fotovoltaiesgedrewe tru-osmose, sondistillasie en die opvang van mis (Eng."fog collection") aangewend kan word om die seisoenale tekort aan drinkwater in hierdie gebiede aan te spreek. Die laedruk (6 bar) tru-osmose-ontsoutingseksperimente wys dat dit moontlik is om die eenheid met behulp van 'n sonkraggedrewe pomp te bedryf en voldoende water te lewer vir die tipiese daaglikse drinkwaterbehoeftes van 'n nedersetting in die Namibwoestyn. Hierdie eenheid sal sowat 4600 liter per dag (l/d) water, met 'n TVSwaarde van 500 mg/I, lewer. Dit is aansienlik meer as die lewering van soortgelyke eenhede in Australie en die Kanariese Eilande. Die resultate wys ook dat die koste van sondistillasie-eenhede genoegsaam verminder kan word om dit 'n lewensvatbare opsie vir watervoorsiening aan enkelhuishoudings in die plattelandse gebiede te maak. Die studie het ook bevind dat die opvang van mis 'n toepaslike alternatiewe bron van varswater is in sekere van die studiegebiede. Die miswater is oor die algemeen 'A' -gehalte drinkwater vol gens die Namibiese gehalteriglyne Vir drinkwater (gebasseer op bepalings van die Wereldgesondheidsorganisasie) en dat dit net so, of vermeng met brak grondwater, gebruik kan word as drinkwater. Vermenging is besonder geskik in die sentrale Namibwoestyn, aangesien die periode van hoe grondwaterverbrakking saamval met die piek van benutbare misneerslag. Die resultate toon ook aan dat miswater opgevang kan word met verskeie tipes polimeriese skadunet, wat maklik verkrygbaar is, en verskaf riglyne vir die optimale skadu-koeffisient en weefpatroon van moontlike misvangsnette vir voomemende gebruikers van misvangstegnologie in gebiede waar die polipropileennet wat in die standaard miskollekteerders gebruik word nie, beskikbaar is nie. Die ondersoek van oppervlakeienskappe van mis-koesterkewers (Eng. "fog harvesting beetles") en eksperimente met verskeie prototipe versamelaars toon dat dit moontlik is om die waterproduksie van bestaande kollekteerders te verhoog. Die hidrofobe oppervlaktetoestande soos gevind op die opperhuid van die mis-koesterkewers (Onymacris unguicularis en Onymacris bicolor) bevorder die vorming en afloop van groot misdruppels op die versameloppervlak. Die prototipe suigwaaier- en verkoelerstelselgebasseerde versamelaars toon dat dit moontlik is om die misvogversameling op polimeriese nette tot drie maal te verhoog en dat 'n vergelykbare volume atmosferiese vog versamel kan word, selfs in die afwesigheid van mis, tot by 'n relatiewe humiditeit van ongeveer 40%. Ten slotte benadruk die studie dat grondwatersoutgehalte in waterann gebiede soms 'n seisoenale probleem is, en dat dit in ag geneem moet word in watervoorsieningstrategiee vir sulke gebiede. Dit benadruk ook dat atmosferiese vog 'n bruikbare alternatiewe bron van varswater kan wees in sekere areas, waar dit dikwels verskeie male meer is as reenval, en gesien behoort te word as 'n belangrike aspek in strategiee om waterprobleme in hierdie gebiede aan te spreek. Die studie beveel sterk aan dat wetenskaplikes, ingenieurs en waterbestuurders in hierdie gebiede altyd die beskikbare geleenthede soos klimaatstoestande (bv. misneerslag) en aanpassings vir vogvangslbewaring wat voorkom by inheemse plante en diere sal navors om sodoende onderhoudbare oplossings vir die probleem te vind. Hulle behoort deurlopend op hoogte te bly met ontwikkelings/geleenthede wat ontstaan in die wyer waterindustrie, wat van waarde kan wees in by waterverskaffmgsinisiatiewe vir afgelee gebiede in ontwikkelende lande. Laastens dien die studie om 'n beter begrip daar te stel van die aard van grondwatersoutvlakke in waterarm gebiede wat afhanklik is van seisoenale oppervlaktevloei vir watervoorsiening sowel as om 'n bydrae te lewer tot die formuleer van oplossings tot die probleem in hierdie gebiede, veral in die hiperdroe omgewings aan die Namibiese weskus, waar konvensionele waterbronne mees onvoldoende is. Dit benadruk ook die rol van materiaalkundige wetenskappe (polimere) en omgewingsingenieurswese sowel as die UNESCO-geassosieerde wetenskaplike instellings in die formulering van volhoubare oplossings vir sommige van die huidige waterprobleme in waterann gebiede. Sleutelwoorde: Waterarm gebiede, hidrochemie, bronne van varswater, ontsouting, atmosferiese vog

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increased water demand to be supplied by municipal water distribution systems, and subsequent increased storage period of reserve water, may have implications with regards to water ageing and subsequently may have an impact on health and safety. Current master planning design standards could have a negative effect on water residence time. The decay of the disinfectant potential is a function of the residence time in the distribution system. The objective of this study is to identify and measure existing systems to optimally increase water quality in a distribution system while supplying an increase in demand, dealing with the deterioration of pipe infrastructure and the introduction of alternative water sources. To do this, one must understand the dynamics of water networks and the parameters that affect water quality. The foundation of a water quality model is based on the construction of an accurate hydraulic model. To identify and measure these systems, one must understand the aspects of water purification and the techniques used to achieve water standards in a distribution system. These techniques and standards play a huge role in the prediction of water quality. In this paper the fundamentals and techniques used to determine and measure such a model are discussed. Consequently, additional design parameters to assess water quality must be incorporated into current master planning practice to optimally design water networks. These models are used to determine the appropriate levels of disinfectant at strategic locations in a system. To illustrate these design parameters and systems currently used in practice, a case study involving Umgeni Water (UW) and EThekwini municipality (EWS) was used to determine the most suitable disinfectant strategy for a municipality’s distribution system. Future scenarios and the impact of disinfectant mixing and increased residence time of the water in the system were also determined. The use of this water quality model in a distribution system will ultimately provide a sustainable platform for a risk monitoring procedure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhoogde aanvraag na water in munisipale voorsieningstelsels, en die daaropvolgende verhoogde stoortydperk van reserwe water, kan implikasies inhou met betrekking tot water veroudering waarna dit ‘n impak op gesondheid en veiligheid kan hê. Huidige meesterbeplanning ontwerpstandaarde kan 'n noemenswaardige uitwerking op water retensietyd hê, veral omdat chloor se vervaltyd op sy beurt 'n funksie van water retensietyd is. Die doel van hierdie studie is om 'n prosedure te identifiseer om watergehalte optimaal te verhoog in 'n waterverspreidingstelsel, terwyl die toename in water aanvraag voortduur. Om dit te kan doen moet die dinamika van water netwerke en die parameters wat die gehalte van water beïnvloed, bestudeer word. Die opstel van 'n waterkwaliteit model is gebaseer op die bou van 'n akkurate hidrouliese model. Om uiteindelik die ontwerp van 'n waterkwaliteit oplossing suksevol uit te voer, moet 'n mens al die aspekte van watersuiwering en die tegnieke wat gebruik word om waterstandaarde te handhaaf in 'n verspreidingstelsel verstaan. In hierdie verslag word die beginsels en tegnieke wat gebruik word om so 'n model op te stel, bespreek. Bykomende waterkwaliteit ontwerpparameters moet by huidige meesterbeplanning gevoeg word om waternetwerke optimaal te ontwerp. Hierdie modelle word gebruik om die geskikte vlakke van ontsmettingsmiddel op strategiese plekke in 'n stelsel te bepaal. 'n Gevallestudie van Umgeni Water (UW) en eThekwini-munisipaliteit (EWS) is gebruik om die mees geskikte ontsmettingsmiddel strategie vir 'n munisipaliteit se verspreiding te illustreer. Toekomstige scenario's en die impak van ontsmettingsmiddelvermenging en verhoogde retensietyd van die water in die stelsel sal ook bepaal kan word. Die gebruik van hierdie gehalte-watermodel in 'n verspreidingstelsel sal uiteindelik 'n volhoubare platform vir 'n risiko moniteringstelsel inhou.

This thesis examines the impact of urban water infrastructure on the Ottawa River through an exploration of the City of Ottawa's historical development from the early modern period to the present. The primary aim is to explain how the Ottawa River came to be removed or ignored from the City of Ottawa's urban development strategy. The thesis focuses on the periods of 1910-1920 (early modernity) and 1999-2012 (present). The theories applied are risk, risk management, normal accident theory and the politics of infrastructure. The data and information for this thesis were primarily retrieved from the City of Ottawa website as well as from the archives of the City of Ottawa. The thesis identifies several factors explaining why the Ottawa River has been mistreated over time, as well as the challenges involved in reforming present-day practices and infrastructure. Several recommendations to fix the situation are advanced.

A study was conducted to evaluate the sorption characteristics of six disinfection byproducts (DBPs) on four sorbents. To investigate sorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specially designed experimental batch and continuous flow modules were developed. The investigated compounds included: chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), bromate and bromide ions. Sorbents used included light weight aggregate (LWA), an inorganic porous material with unique surface characteristics, Amberlite® XAD-16, a weakly basic anion exchange resin, Amberjet®, a strongly basic anion exchange resin, and granular activated carbon (GAC). Batch experiments were conducted on spiked Milli-Q® and lake water matrices. Results indicate considerable sorption of TCE (68.9%), slight sorption of bromate ions (19%) and no appreciable sorption for the other test compounds on LWA. The sorption of TCE increased to 75.3% in experiments utilizing smaller LWA particle size. LWA could be a viable medium for removal of TCE from contaminated surface or groundwater sites. Amberlite® was found unsuitable for use due to its physical characteristics, and its inability to efficiently remove any of the test compounds. Amberjet® showed an excellent ability to remove the inorganic anions (>99%), and BDCM (96.9%) from aqueous solutions but with considerable elevation of pH. Continuous flow experiments evaluated GAC and Amberjet® with spiked Milli-Q® and tap water matrices. The tested organic compounds were sorbed in the order of their hydrophobicity. Slight elevation of pH was observed during continuous flow experiments, making Amberjet® a viable option for removal of BDCM, bromate and bromide ions from water. The continuous flow experiments showed that GAC is an excellent medium for removal of the tested VOCs and bromate ion. Each of the test compounds showed different breakthrough and saturation points. The unique design of the continuous flow apparatus used in the study proved to be highly beneficial to assess removal of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions.

M. Tech., (Faculty of Applied and Computer Science), Vaal University of Technology / There is huge concern in the mining and industries to manage wastewater prior to discharge into the environment. It is generally cheaper and cost reducing for industries to treat its own wastewater before discharging to the local authority sewer. Dense Media Separation (DMS) Powders Company produces milled and atoms ferro-silicon by pyro-metallurgical process. DMS Powders uses municipal water for all processes taking place in the plants. The water used during the processes of milled and atom ferrosilicon powder is discharged into the environment without being treated. By treating this process wastewater before discharging will result in reducing the water consumption by recycling and the penalty costs for polluting the environment. The primary objective of this study is to find suitable method for treatment of DMS Powders’ process water using selected membrane processes. Membrane processes are better choice compared to traditional physical/chemical treatment processes, due to their advantages of approving water quality, no phase change, no chemical addition and simple operation. Two commercial membranes namely; NF-, and SW30HR are used in the treatment of DMS Powders process water. These membranes were purchased from (Dow/Filmtec) Manufacturing Company (Pty) situated in South Africa. Membranes were characterised by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Fourie Transform Infrared (FTIR) instruments. For synthetic water three membranes (NF- , NF90, and SW30HR) are investigated for the study. The fluxibility indicated that NF- membrane has higher flux compared to NF90 and SW30HR membranes. All the three membranes were very good in terms of rejection on single salts. Fouling was studied on DMS Powders process water. Concentration polarization was formed on NF- and SW30HR membranes investigations on selected membranes conclude that NF- membrane will be the suitable membrane for treatment of DMS Powders process water because of its high fluxibility and rejection. Discharged effluent of DMS Powders could comply with the legislature and environmental pollution could be minimised. The study revealed that fouling does occur during treatment of process water. SW30HR showed that M9 Plant had more fouling for M9 samples than other Plants (M8A and M8B). It was because of higher concentrations in suspended solids.or M8A, M8B and M9 process water.

Submitted in fulfillment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2016. / A large fraction of the world's population, around 1.1 billion people, do not have access to acceptable sources of water. In South Africa there is a growing pressure on the available freshwater resources. New sources of freshwater supply are becoming increasingly scarce, expensive or politically controversial. This has led to large scale interest in the application of water reclamation and reuse of domestic, mining and industrial wastewater as an alternative water supply sources. This is becoming critical to sustain development and economic growth in the Southern African region. This research aims at providing both social and scientific information on the importance of greywater reuse and recycling as an alternate source to aid water demand management under South African conditions. The approach to this research work was divided into two main thrusts: the first was to gain an understanding of the public attitudes towards the idea of reusing greywater that is usually perceived as wastewater which pose health concerns. The second was to provide an understanding of typical greywater quality in a peri-urban community in Durban, South Africa as well as investigate the suitability of a horizontal roughing filtration system in reducing pollutant strength of contaminants found in greywater for non-potable reuse applications. In order to achieve the central aim of this research study, the following objectives were considered: • Investigation of public perception and attitudes towards the reuse of greywater. • Determination of greywater quality in a peri-urban community in Durban South Africa. • Investigation of the performance of a horizontal roughing filtration system for the treatment of greywater collected from a peri-urban community in Durban, South Africa. It was important to have an understanding of public perception and attitudes towards the reuse of greywater because of the fact that the success of any reuse application depends on the acceptance of the public. The methodological approach for this aspect of the research work involved administering of structured questionnaires to residents within the community through field visits. The questionnaire addressed issues related to attitudes towards the reuse of greywater, perceived advantages related to the reuse of greywater and concerns related to public health issues regarding the reuse of greywater. The successful implementation of any greywater treatment process depends largely on its characteristics in terms of the pollutant strength. The methodological approach for this aspect of the research work involved physico- chemical characterization of the greywater collected from different sources within the households in the peri-urban community. Greywater samples were collected from the kitchen, shower and laundry within each of the households. This aspect of the research work was undertaken to gain an understanding of greywater quality from different sources within and between households. In order to achieve the third objective of this research work, a pilot plant horizontal roughing filtration system was designed and fabricated for the treatment of greywater. The system consisted of three compartments containing different sizes of gravel that served as the filter media. This was done in order to investigate the effect of varying filter media size on the performance of the horizontal roughing filtration system in treating greywater. The system had an adjustable manual valve used in varying the filtration rate. The impact of varying filtration rate on the performance of the horizontal roughing filtration system in treating greywater was also investigated. The main findings of this research were: • From the survey conducted, the percentage of the public willing to accept the reuse of greywater within the community was far higher than the percentage opposing its reuse. Concerns have often been expressed by the public that the reuse of greywater could pose possible adverse effects to public health. However, in this pilot study it was found that a higher percentage of respondents (>60%) disagree that the reuse of greywater could negatively impact on public health compared to less than 20% of the respondents that agree. An interesting finding of this study was that a greater percentage of the respondents were willing to have a dual water distribution system installed in their current place of residence. • The physico-chemical characterization of greywater from different sources within the households investigated indicated that, the quality of greywater varies considerably between all sources and from household to household. None of the households investigated produced the same quality of greywater. It was also found that greywater generated from the kitchen contains the most significant pollutants in terms of the physico-chemical parameters considered in this study compared to the other sources within the household. • The pilot plant horizontal roughing filtration system demonstrated its suitability for the treatment of greywater for non-potable reuse applications. It was observed that 90% turbidity and 63% Chemical Oxygen Demand reduction was achieved over the entire duration of operation of the horizontal roughing filter. It was also observed that the removal efficiency was significantly higher in the compartment with the smallest filter media size and the removal efficiency was significantly higher at lower filtration rates. It is therefore concluded from the investigation conducted in this research that the role of the public is a vital component in the development and implementation of any reuse system / application. It was found that there was a relatively high level of acceptance for the reuse of greywater among the respondents within the community where the study was conducted. The greywater characteristics results obtained from this investigation indicated the necessity of treatment prior to disposal in the environment. Also, a low BOD5/COD ratio of 0.24, which is significantly lower than 0.5, is an indication that the greywater generated from the community cannot be easily treated using biological treatment processes and/or technologies. The pilot horizontal roughing filtration system used for the treatment of greywater in this study demonstrated its suitability for the treatment of greywater for non-potable reuse applications such as irrigation, toilet flushing and washing activities. / M

Biotransformation and biodegradation rate constants were determined for naphthalene, lindane, and phenol in water samples from three different sources. Rate constants produced from monitoring disappearance of the parent chemical (biotransformation) were compared to those obtained from mineralization of the chemical (ultimate biodegradation) by ¹⁴CO₂ evolution as well as acidification of the residual ¹⁴C-labeled compound (primary biodegradation). Rate constants were statistically different for the three chemicals. The water source affected the rate constants. When biomass measurements of the waters were considered and second-order rate constants were derived, there was no statistical evidence that this parameter gave a reliable rate constant statistic that could be useful in predicting the fate of any of naphthalene, lindane, and phenol in these waters.

M. Tech., (Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Vaal University of Technology| / The methods used to remove potassium sulphate (K2S04) and other impurities contained within Karbochem finishing plant effluent were investigated. Reverse osmosis was explored for this application. The study was conducted in two steps. The first step focuses mainly on the effluent treatment using BW30 flatsheet as well as BW30-2540 spiral-wound reverse osmosis membranes for the rejection of potassium and sulphate ions. The membranes were supplied by Filmtec. The second step reveals the possible use of potassium sulphate obtained from the brine stream in the fertiliser and fertigation industry by a literature search. Reverse osmosis study was conducted on a laboratory scale unit using flat sheet membranes and also on a pilot plant scale using spiral wound membrane modules. The tests were conducted at a feed pressure of 20 bar(g) with the membrane rejections being 98% and 99.1% on flat sheet membrane, and 96.9% and 99.4% on spiral wound membrane for potassium and sulphates respectively. The results show that both membranes have completely desalinated. Significant reduction in the concentrations of all problematic quality parameters, especially of potassium and the sulphate ions was noted. Granular activated carbon (GAC) bed treatment was recommended for pretreatment of the effluent prior to exposure of the membrane to avoid organic fouling of the membrane. GAC treatment was tested to illustrate its effectiveness to adsorb the COD's. / NRF

I denna kandidatuppsats avlägsnas organiska föroreningar från vatten genom användning av textilier, vars yta belagts med nanopartiklar utav ämnet titandioxid. När titandioxid belyses med UV-strålning sker en fotokatalytisk reaktion, vilket i sin tur bryter ned bland annat bakterier och organiska färgämnen. I hopp om att finna ultimat vidhäftning mot textil passande titandioxid har olika typer av beläggningar studerats; akrylbaserade, sol-gel och slutligen en hybrid. Dessutom har fem olika konstruktioner av textila bindningar jämförts i syfte att undersöka dess påverkan på den fotokatalytiska effekten. Förorenade vatten är ett stort problem, både i utvecklingsländer och i industriella sammanhang. Att använda en textil fr att rena nedsmutsat vatten är en lockande tanke, speciellt attraktivt är förmågan att dra nytta av endast solenergi. En av fördelarna med textilier inom området är möjligheten att tillverka stora tygareor på ett enkelt och kostnadseffektivt vis.Elementär analys visade att TiO2-partikellager på textilierna fastande i olika grad beroende på beläggningsteknik. Avfärgning genom nedbrytning av metylenblått studerades under sollampa. Proverna utvärderades genom att vid bestämda tidpunkter avläsa kromavärdet på färglösningen. För att erhålla mer information om textilernas effekt gjordes även en bakterieanalys, samt bildtagning i ytterlig förstorning med SEM. Resultaten visade goda fotokatalytiska egenskaper för samtliga beläggningar, däribland är akryl- och hybridbeläggningarna mest lovande. Utöver det visade de textila bindningarna på substratens konstruktioner ha en påverkan på den vattenrenande effekten.In this bachelor essay work organic contaminants are removed from water using textiles, whose surface is coated with nanoparticles of titanium dioxide. When titanium dioxide is illuminated with UV radiation a photocatalytic reaction occurs, which in turn degrades substances such as bacteria and organic dyes. In hope of finding the ultimate adhesion for a textile coating suitable with titanium dioxide, various types of coatings are studies; acrylicbased, sol-gel and finally a hybrid coating. In addition, five different structures of textiles are compared in order to examine their different outcome in photocatalytic effect.Contaminated water is a major problem in both developing countries and industrial context. The use of a fabric to purify polluted water is an attractive idea, especially because the ability to exploit only solar energy. One of the benefits with use of fabric is the ability to producelarge areas of fabric, a process which is both simple and costeffective.Elemental analyses showed varying degree of fasten of the particle layer of TiO2 depending on the coating technology used. Decolorization by degradation of methylene blue was studied under a solar energy AM 1,5 lamp. The samples were evaluated by reading the chroma value of the color solution at specified moments. To obtain more information the coated textiles went through bacterial analysis, as well as picture shooting in extreme magnification with SEM. The results showed good photocatalytic properties for all coatings, among them were the acrylic coating and the hybrid most promising. In addition, results showed that depending on textile structures different effects in water purification was achieved. / Program: Textilingenjörsutbildningen