The primary goal of this research was to improve understanding of the fouling of low pressure hollow fiber membranes used in drinking water treatment. The major difference of this study compared to other reported studies was the use of a hollow fiber membrane module at operating conditions mimicking those of full-scale practice. Two poly(vinylidene-fluoroethylene) based hollow fiber membranes (A and B) were tested. Different types of fouling indices (total, hydraulic irreversible, chemical irreversible) developed based on a resistance in series model were used to assess membrane performance. Data from bench-scale and full-scale plants were compared to validate the use of fouling indices. The impact of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) on membrane fouling was demonstrated with model waters containing humic substances and several model organic nitrogen compounds. Three different natural water sources normalized to the same organic content were tested. Fouling indices determined from the resistance in series model approach were more applicable for natural waters than for model waters. Fouling was proportional to throughput for both raw and pretreated water and at different flux rates. Pretreatment (coagulation) reduced hydraulic irreversible fouling. Most fouling was reversed by hydraulic and chemical cleaning. Specific flux and fouling indices of the bench-scale system were higher than those of the full-scale system but the fouling index ratios were comparable suggesting a similar fouling nature. A minimum of a few days of testing is recommended for longer-term membrane performance assessment. The impact of high DON concentration on membrane fouling was insignificant. Membrane fouling was dependant on foulant properties other than, or in addition to, molecular size and the DON/DOC ratio. With three different natural water sources normalized to a similar organic content, membrane fouling was specific to membrane type and water source. High initial total and hydraulic irreversible fouling rates did not lead to high chemical irreversible fouling rates. It is not possible to generalize the impact of different water sources on membrane fouling. Membrane surface anlyses showed that hydraulically irreversible organic foulants were detected as mostly hydrocarbons/polysaccharides, humic substances and peptide/protein. Humic substances and peptide/protein were found to be organic foulants regardless of their molecular weight and origin. Chemical cleaning with chlorine solution was effective in removing all inorganic foulants and most organic foulants.

<p> This report is the only detailed study concerning the fresh water cobble beaches of the Georgian Bay Islands. It includes extensive studies on the morphological characteristics, especially the platform development and profile configuration, and the sedimentary provenance of the cobbles. </p> <p> It was found that the platform configuration (step topography) acts as a substrate control for the cobble beaches. The presence of two cobble generations, angular and well-rounded, indicate that t he shore platform is the source for these cobble beaches. </p> <p> The roundness values of these cobble generations depends on t heir mode of transport. Evidence indicates that longshore movement of cobbles increases their roundness values, but their angular shape i s indicative of their lack of transport. </p> <p> Very little proof was found within this study to correlate relict cobble beaches with any specific stage of the Lake Huron Basin, although it was possible to generalize and state that the relict cobble beaches were generated by high-energy wave events during the transition from the Algoma stage to Lake Huron. </p> <p> Clast analysis determines the relationship between the length of the wave fetch and its related energy environment. It was found that high-energy coastal environments have oblate cobbles with a high roundness and low sphericity. In each case, the samples were associated with a large fetch. Those cobbles of a low-energy coastal environment have a high sphericity, low roundness, and are associated with smaller fetches. </p> <p> The steepness of the beach profile results from the increase in wave height, generated by an increase in shallowness. It also depends upon the volume of backwash. The backwash is reduced by the increased percolation rates through the cobbles, thus reducing the combing down effect of the backwash. </p> <p> This study also provides a discussion on the minor morphological features such as sinkholes and imbrication. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)

"This study examined the fate of manganese in manganese oxide (MnO_x(s)) coated filter media. Specific objectives of the project included the following: 1. Determination of the effect of influent pH upon Mn(II) sorption and oxidation and upon the physical characteristics of the coating on the media. 2. Determination of the effect of backwash rate upon MnO_x(s) coatings. 3. Examination of the effect of air scour upon MnO_x(s) coatings. 4. Observation of the effect of an increasing MnO_x(s) coating on the physical characteristics of anthracite coal filter media. 5. Development of an overall mass balance on manganese loading and accumulation on the filter media. Resolution of the stated objectives involved construction, optimization, and continuous operation of a pilot-scale filtration system for the purpose of removing manganese from filter-applied water. The pilot-scale filter system functioned like a typical water treatment plant filtration system with similar hydraulic loading rates, influent manganese concentrations, free chlorine dosage, filter media bed depths, filter run times, and backwash rates. With regard to the fate of manganese in MnO_x(s)-coated filter media, it was determined that as long as free chlorine was present to oxidize sorbed manganese, manganese continued to accumulate and remained on the media in sufficient concentrations to promote continual removal of soluble Mn(II). While oxide coating that was susceptible to breakage was removed in backwash, some portion of coating remained on the media. The combination of MnO_x(s) accumulation during filtration and its partial removal during backwash maintained a net amount of MnO_x(s) coating optimal for catalyzing further manganese removal and, yet, did not hinder filtration for turbidity by significantly altering the size of the media. The results of the pilot-scale study also indicated the following pertinent conclusions: 1. Neutral or slightly acidic pH conditions (7 ≥ pH ≥ 6) inhibited Mn(11) oxidation before filtration and, instead, promoted sorption and oxidation of Mn(II) on MnO_x(s)-coated media. Alkaline filter influent pH (pH > 7) allowed some Mn(II) oxidation before filtration, resulting in significant manganese removal by MnO_x(s) particle filtration. 2. Although the intent of MnO_x(s)-coating on the filter media was to remove influent Mn(II) from filter-applied water, MnO_x(s) that was removed by particle filtration also provided MnO_x(s) surface area within the filter and, thus, additional sorption sites for Mn(II) removal. 3. Increases in fluid backwashing rate tended to produce greater amounts of MnO_x(s) release from filter media for the duration of these backwash operations. However, backwashing did not result in complete MnO_x(s) release from the media surface; rather, there was always sufficient Mn0O_x(s) retained to permit efficient soluble Mn(II) removal after the filtration operations were restarted. Removal of soluble Mn(II) by sorption and oxidation proved to be a dependable, low-maintenance Mn(II) removal technique that worked well within a wide range of raw water influent conditions. Because the process is cost-effective and easily integrated into new or existing water treatment facilities, it is an economical and competitive alternative for removal of soluble Mn(II)." / Master of Science

The first part of this diploma thesis deals with knowledge of chosen technological devices in water treatment plants gathered from Czech and foreign literature. The thesis continues by linking the information gathered to the water treatment plant in Švařec for which a plan to increase the sludge water volume reuse was researched and formed. Furthermore, financial assessment of this plan was completed.

Esta pesquisa comparou a incorporação de iodeto de propídio (IP) com a avaliação simultânea de corantes indicativos de danificação em membrana e atividade enzimática (Live/Dead Cell Assay&#174;) para a estimar a viabilidade de cistos de Giardia muris e oocistos de Cryptosporidium parvum. Além disso, foram testados métodos de recuperação de (oo)cistos em amostras de lodo e água de lavagem de filtros (ALF) geradas em escala de bancada, simulando tratamento de água por ciclo completo com decantação. Dentre os métodos estudados para a detecção de G. muris e C. parvum inoculados em amostras de lodo, destacou-se a floculação com sulfato férrico, seguida de separação imunomagnética (IMS). Realizou-se, portanto, ensaio de qualidade analítica com ColorSeedTM, para este método, tendo atendido ao requerido pelo Método 1623.1 da USEPA (2012) para Giardia spp. (32,25%; CV=9,00%), mas não tendo sido suficiente para Cryptostoridium spp. (11,00%; CV=47,67%). O teste com ColorSeedTM em amostras de ALF reproduziu o procedimento de filtração em membrana (FM) com raspagem utilizando Tween&#174; 80 (45&#176;C, 0,1%) seguido de IMS, tendo atendido ao Método 1623.1 para Giardia spp. (13,00%, CV=19,61%), mas não tendo sido suficiente para Cryptostoridium spp. (2,00%; CV=93,54%). Optou-se por este procedimento na avaliação de qualidade analítica, pois o inóculo prévio de suspensões comerciais seguido de recuperação por FM sem IMS superou 100% para C. parvum, devido à utilização de fator de multiplicação. O desempenho do Live/Dead Cell Assay&#174; sobre suspensões comerciais de (oo)cistos foi subjetivo, sobretudo para visualização de organismos enzimaticamente ativos, de modo que optou-se pela inclusão de IP como parâmetro para estimar o efeito dos métodos de recuperação sobre a viabilidade. Em função da baixa recuperação e fluorescência de G. muris, a incorporação de IP foi avaliada apenas em C. parvum. Os resultados reiteraram a dificuldade na recuperação de protozoários em lodo e ALF e o fato de que as particularidades destes procedimentos analíticos podem prejudicar a interpretação de dados de viabilidade. / This study compared the incorporation of propidium iodide (PI) with the simultaneous evaluation of dyes that indicate both membrane damage and enzymatic activity (Live/Dead Cell Assay&#174;) to assess the viability of Giardia muris cysts and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. In addition, methods of recovering protozoan cysts and oocysts from sludge and filter backwash water (FBW) samples generated on bench scale, simulating conventional water treatment with decantation, were tested. Among the studied methods for detection of G. muris and C. parvum spiked into sludge samples, ferric sulphate flocculation followed by immunomagnetic separation (IMS) lead to higher recoveries. An analytical quality assay was therefore carried out with ColorSeedTM having met the USEPA Method 1623.1 (2012) recommendation for Giardia spp. (32.25%, CV=9.00%) but not for Cryptostoridium spp. (11.00%, CV = 47.67%). The quality assay test for FBW samples replicated the membrane filtration (MF) procedure using Tween&#174; 80 (45 °C, 0.1%) followed by IMS, having complied with Method 1623.1 for Giardia spp. (13.00%, CV=19.61%) but again not for Cryptostoridium spp. (2.00%; CV=93.54%). This procedure was chosen for the analytical quality exam, since the previous inoculum of commercial suspensions followed by MF without IMS exceeded 100% recovery for C. parvum, due to the use of a multiplication factor. The Live/Dead Cell Assay&#174; performance on commercial suspensions of cysts and oocysts was subjective, especially for visualizing enzymatically active organisms, thus PI inclusion was chosen as the parameter to estimate the effect of recovery methods on the organisms\' viability. Due to the low recovery and poor fluorescence of G. muris, IP inclusion was evaluated only in C. parvum. The results reiterated the difficulty in the recovery of protozoa from sludge and FBW and the possibility of these analytical procedures hinder the interpretation of cysts and oocysts viability.

Bei der Aufbereitung von Rohwässern zu Trinkwasser fallen in der Regel unvermeidbare Rückstände an, die den gesetzlichen Bestimmungen entsprechend entsorgt werden müssen. Schlammhaltige Wässer, die den größten Anteil an Wasserwerksrückständen einnehmen, entstehen bei der Spülung von Filtern und enthalten nahezu alle aus dem Rohwasser entfernten Stoffe und nicht im Trinkwasser verbleibende Aufbereitungschemikalien. Während früher in vielen Wasserwerken Teile des schlammhaltigen Filterspülwassers nach einem Sedimentationsvorgang wieder in den Aufbereitungsprozess zurückgeführt wurden, ist dies in Deutschland auf Grund einer möglichen Beeinträchtigung der Trinkwasserqualität bei mikrobiologisch belasteten Wässern (z. B. Oberflächenwasser) ohne eine adäquate Behandlung (z. B. Ultrafiltration) nicht mehr erlaubt. Somit müssen schlammhaltige Filterspülwässer anderweitig entsorgt werden, z. B. durch eine Einleitung in die Kanalisation. Die dabei auftretenden Auswirkungen auf Abwasserbehandlungsanlagen sind noch nicht ausreichend bekannt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden unterschiedliche Ultrafiltrationsmodule (Kapillarmembranmodul und getauchtes Modul) hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zur Aufbereitung aluminiumhaltiger schlammhaltiger Filterspülwässer und damit zur Rückführung des entstehenden Filtrates in den Aufbereitungsprozess untersucht. Die grundsätzliche Eignung beider Modulsysteme wird nachgewiesen. Bei Verwendung von getauchten Modulen kann auf eine vorangehende Sedimentationsanlage verzichtet werden. Als kritisch muss unabhängig vom gewählten Modulkonzept die Entsorgung des anfallenden Retentates angesehen werden, da die gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen Grenzwerte der Indirekteinleitung für mehrere Parameter nicht eingehalten werden. Bilanzierungen der relevanten Schadstoffe ergeben, dass der Schadstoffeintrag überwiegend diffus mit dem Rohwasser in das Wasserwerk erfolgt. Zur Untersuchung von Auswirkungen der Einleitung aluminiumhaltiger schlammhaltiger Filterspülwässer aus der Oberflächenwasseraufbereitung auf die Abwasserbehandlung wurden labortechnische Versuche zur Ermittlung des Phosphatadsorptionspotenzials durchgeführt. Neben der Abhängigkeit der Phosphatadsorptionskapazität vom pH-Wert wurde der Einfluss der Feststoffkonzentration des schlammhaltigen Filterspülwassers in Versuchen mit Modellwasser nachgewiesen. Eine Erhöhung der Feststoffkonzentration wirkt einer möglichst hohen Ausnutzung des Adsorptionspotenzials entgegen. Während für die Ultrafiltrationsbehandlung gegenüber der Indirekteinleitung ein Kostenvorteil ermittelt wird, ist die für die Nutzung des Phosphatadsorptionsanteils verfügbare Schlammmenge für einen alleinigen Einsatz in der Kläranlage bei gleichen Einzugsgebieten nicht ausreichend. / In most water treatment plants (WTPs), during the water purification process, residuals are generated that have to be disposed according to current regulations. Most of the residuals are derived from filter backwash processes (i. e. spent filter backwash water, SFBW) and contain substances that are removed from the raw water. In addition, in the spent filter backwash water, chemicals can be found that are required for the operation of the water treatment process and do not remain in the drinking water. Over recent decades, SFBW has been returned to the beginning of the water treatment plant (WTP) after a sedimentation process in order to reduce the amount of water being discharged. Concerns over the recycling of microorganisms, of heavy metals or precursors for disinfection by-products, have led to a significant reduction of the number of WTPs that directly return filter backwash water to the water treatment process. According to German technical standards, the reuse of SFBW might only be possible after the application of groundwater infiltration or an equivalent technique. Because of an almost complete recovery of particles and microorganisms, ultrafiltration treatment is a proven alternative to groundwater recharge of SFBW. In this work, different ultrafiltration modules for the treatment and reuse of SFBW are compared. Capillary as well as submerged membrane modules are suitable for the treatment of SFBW. If submerged membrane modules are used, no sedimentation period prior to ultrafiltration treatment is necessary. As a consequence of the accumulation of particulate matter including heavy metals and other compounds in the retentate during ultrafiltration treatment, threshold values of several regulations cannot be met, and either the discharge of retentate into the sewer will be charged or alternative disposal options must be considered. Mass balances for an entire WTP showed most of these contaminants to originate from non-point sources in the watershed. Lab-scale experiments are performed for the examination of the phosphate adsorption potential of SFBW derived from surface water treatment using aluminum-based coagulants. Besides a strong influence of the pH-value present in the SFBW, an influence of the TSS-concentration of SFBW on phosphate adsorption capacity could be demonstrated. Elevated TSS-concentrations resulted in a lower phosphate adsorption capacity of the investigated SFBW. While ultrafiltration treatment with subsequent reuse of SFBW might be cheaper than the discharge to the sewer system, the amount of SFBW required for a complete phosphate removal in the wastewater treatment plant is to large and therefore, no economic advantage of phosphate adsorption could be demonstrated

This dissertation reports on research related to ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in drinking water applications. A pilot-scale investigation identified seasonal surface water quality impacts on UF performance and resulted in the development of a dynamic chemically enhanced backwash protocol for fouling management. Subsequent analysis of UF process data revealed limitations with the use of specific flux, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and other normalization techniques for assessing UF process fouling. A new TMP balance approach is presented that identifies the pressure contribution of membrane fouling and structural changes, enables direct process performance comparisons at different operating fluxes, and distinguishes between physically and chemically unresolved fouling. In addition to the TMP balance, a five component optimization approach is presented for the systematic improvement of UF processes on the basis of TMP variations. Terms are defined for assessing process event performance, a new process utilization term is presented to benchmark UF productivity, and new measures for evaluating maintenance procedures are discussed. Using these tools, a correlation between process utilization and operating pressures was established and a sustainable process utilization of 93.5% was achieved. UF process capabilities may be further enhanced by pre-coating media onto the membrane surface. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) are evaluated as precoating materials, and the applicability of the TMP balance for assessing pre-coated membrane performance is demonstrated. The first use of SiO2 as a support layer for PAC in a membrane pre-coating application is presented at the laboratory-scale. SiO2-PAC pre-coatings successfully reduced physically unresolved fouling and enhanced UF membrane organics removal capabilities.

The major objective of this empirical research is to identify and explain the level of regional development and analyse the challenges of policy implementation with special focus on Tigray and Gambella Regions from 1995 to 2015. In line with the research objectives and statement of the problem, this study was designed to determine the level of development of the two regional states, the critical factors of regional growth in the regions, and what the major challenges were in the implementation of regional development policy. This research was explanatory cross-sectional in its design. In this research, both primary and secondary sources were consulted. Key informant interview, document review and observation were used to collect the necessary information. Accordingly, based on their expertise knowledge, and the position they held, a total of 24 regional and federal key informants were purposively selected and interviewed. The findings of the study showed that both regions made remarkable improvements and changes in health, education, road network, agricultural and revenue collection performance. However, contrary to the perceptions of the respondents, the secondary data when divided by regional population showed that in the past 20 years Gambella has been better off in terms of health, education, road networks and some agricultural indicators than Tigray. Tigray, however, grew more in terms of infrastructure than Gambella during the same period. The study found that the Government regional development policy designed and implemented as measured by growth-oriented indicators brought encouraging results. The most important determinant factors for regional economic development between the two sampled regions were: initial historical level of development; capacity of resource utilisation; leadership commitment, cultural differences, recurrent conflicts and insecurity, governance issues, political will, capacity of the regional government authorities; and rent-seeking attitude of politicians and civil servants. To address some of the challenges, few recommendations are made: designing a regional specific development policy, strengthening intergovernmental relations, protecting the environment, ensuring good governance, maintaining peace and security, strengthening capacity building, supporting infrastructural development for Gambella and the provision of additional financial incentives to regions. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

Bei der Aufbereitung von Rohwässern zu Trinkwasser fallen in der Regel unvermeidbare Rückstände an, die den gesetzlichen Bestimmungen entsprechend entsorgt werden müssen. Schlammhaltige Wässer, die den größten Anteil an Wasserwerksrückständen einnehmen, entstehen bei der Spülung von Filtern und enthalten nahezu alle aus dem Rohwasser entfernten Stoffe und nicht im Trinkwasser verbleibende Aufbereitungschemikalien. Während früher in vielen Wasserwerken Teile des schlammhaltigen Filterspülwassers nach einem Sedimentationsvorgang wieder in den Aufbereitungsprozess zurückgeführt wurden, ist dies in Deutschland auf Grund einer möglichen Beeinträchtigung der Trinkwasserqualität bei mikrobiologisch belasteten Wässern (z. B. Oberflächenwasser) ohne eine adäquate Behandlung (z. B. Ultrafiltration) nicht mehr erlaubt. Somit müssen schlammhaltige Filterspülwässer anderweitig entsorgt werden, z. B. durch eine Einleitung in die Kanalisation. Die dabei auftretenden Auswirkungen auf Abwasserbehandlungsanlagen sind noch nicht ausreichend bekannt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden unterschiedliche Ultrafiltrationsmodule (Kapillarmembranmodul und getauchtes Modul) hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung zur Aufbereitung aluminiumhaltiger schlammhaltiger Filterspülwässer und damit zur Rückführung des entstehenden Filtrates in den Aufbereitungsprozess untersucht. Die grundsätzliche Eignung beider Modulsysteme wird nachgewiesen. Bei Verwendung von getauchten Modulen kann auf eine vorangehende Sedimentationsanlage verzichtet werden. Als kritisch muss unabhängig vom gewählten Modulkonzept die Entsorgung des anfallenden Retentates angesehen werden, da die gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen Grenzwerte der Indirekteinleitung für mehrere Parameter nicht eingehalten werden. Bilanzierungen der relevanten Schadstoffe ergeben, dass der Schadstoffeintrag überwiegend diffus mit dem Rohwasser in das Wasserwerk erfolgt. Zur Untersuchung von Auswirkungen der Einleitung aluminiumhaltiger schlammhaltiger Filterspülwässer aus der Oberflächenwasseraufbereitung auf die Abwasserbehandlung wurden labortechnische Versuche zur Ermittlung des Phosphatadsorptionspotenzials durchgeführt. Neben der Abhängigkeit der Phosphatadsorptionskapazität vom pH-Wert wurde der Einfluss der Feststoffkonzentration des schlammhaltigen Filterspülwassers in Versuchen mit Modellwasser nachgewiesen. Eine Erhöhung der Feststoffkonzentration wirkt einer möglichst hohen Ausnutzung des Adsorptionspotenzials entgegen. Während für die Ultrafiltrationsbehandlung gegenüber der Indirekteinleitung ein Kostenvorteil ermittelt wird, ist die für die Nutzung des Phosphatadsorptionsanteils verfügbare Schlammmenge für einen alleinigen Einsatz in der Kläranlage bei gleichen Einzugsgebieten nicht ausreichend. / In most water treatment plants (WTPs), during the water purification process, residuals are generated that have to be disposed according to current regulations. Most of the residuals are derived from filter backwash processes (i. e. spent filter backwash water, SFBW) and contain substances that are removed from the raw water. In addition, in the spent filter backwash water, chemicals can be found that are required for the operation of the water treatment process and do not remain in the drinking water. Over recent decades, SFBW has been returned to the beginning of the water treatment plant (WTP) after a sedimentation process in order to reduce the amount of water being discharged. Concerns over the recycling of microorganisms, of heavy metals or precursors for disinfection by-products, have led to a significant reduction of the number of WTPs that directly return filter backwash water to the water treatment process. According to German technical standards, the reuse of SFBW might only be possible after the application of groundwater infiltration or an equivalent technique. Because of an almost complete recovery of particles and microorganisms, ultrafiltration treatment is a proven alternative to groundwater recharge of SFBW. In this work, different ultrafiltration modules for the treatment and reuse of SFBW are compared. Capillary as well as submerged membrane modules are suitable for the treatment of SFBW. If submerged membrane modules are used, no sedimentation period prior to ultrafiltration treatment is necessary. As a consequence of the accumulation of particulate matter including heavy metals and other compounds in the retentate during ultrafiltration treatment, threshold values of several regulations cannot be met, and either the discharge of retentate into the sewer will be charged or alternative disposal options must be considered. Mass balances for an entire WTP showed most of these contaminants to originate from non-point sources in the watershed. Lab-scale experiments are performed for the examination of the phosphate adsorption potential of SFBW derived from surface water treatment using aluminum-based coagulants. Besides a strong influence of the pH-value present in the SFBW, an influence of the TSS-concentration of SFBW on phosphate adsorption capacity could be demonstrated. Elevated TSS-concentrations resulted in a lower phosphate adsorption capacity of the investigated SFBW. While ultrafiltration treatment with subsequent reuse of SFBW might be cheaper than the discharge to the sewer system, the amount of SFBW required for a complete phosphate removal in the wastewater treatment plant is to large and therefore, no economic advantage of phosphate adsorption could be demonstrated

No description available.