To assess polishing of anaerobic secondary effluent and symbiotic bioremediation of primary effluent by microalgae, bench scale bubbling column reactors were operated in batch modes to test nutrients removal capacity and associated factors. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) together with oil and grease in terms of hexane extractable material (HEM) in the reactors were measured after batch cultivation tests of Chlorella Vulgaris, indicating the releasing algal metabolites were oleaginous (dissolved HEM up to 8.470 mg/L) and might hazard effluent quality. Ultrafiltration adopted as solid-liquid separation step was studied via critical flux and liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD) analysis. Although nutrients removal was dominated by algal assimilation, nitrogen removal (99.6% maximum) was affected by generation time (2.49 days minimum) instead of specific nitrogen removal rate (sN, 20.72% maximum), while phosphorus removal (49.83% maximum) was related to both generation time and specific phosphorus removal rate (sP, 1.50% maximum). COD increase was affected by cell concentration (370.90 mg/L maximum), specific COD change rate (sCOD, 0.87 maximum) and shading effect. sCOD results implied algal metabolic pathway shift under nutrients stress, generally from lipid accumulation to starch accumulation when phosphorus lower than 5 mg/L, while HEM for batches with initial nitrogen of 10 mg/L implied this threshold around 8 mg/L. HEM and COD results implied algal metabolic pathway shift under nutrients stress. Anaerobic membrane bioreactor effluent polishing showed similar results to synthetic anaerobic secondary effluent with slight inhibition while 4 symbiotic bioremediation of raw municipal wastewater with microalgae and activated sludge showed competition for ammonium together with precipitation or microalgal luxury uptake of phosphorus. Critical flux was governed by algal cell concentration for ultrafiltration membrane with pore size of 30 nm, while ultrafiltration membrane rejected most biopolymers (mainly polysaccharides). Further research would focus on balancing cell growth, specific nutrients removal, and specific COD change by utilizing rotating biological contactor.

Fat, oil, and grease residues, food particles, solids and some kitchen wastewaters are collected in grease traps which are separate from the municipal wastewater stream. Grease traps are emptied periodically and grease trap waste (GTW) is hauled for treatment. This dissertation focuses on anaerobic co-digestion of un-dewatered (raw) GTW with municipal wastewater treatment sludge (MWS) at wastewater treatment plants. In particular, this research focuses on the biochemical methane potential of un-dewatered GTW as well as the stability and performance of anaerobic co-digestion of MWS and un-dewatered GTW. A set of modified biochemical methane potential tests was performed to determine the methane potential of un-dewatered GTW under mesophilic conditions (35 °C). Methane potential of un-dewatered GTW in this study was 606 mL CH₄/g VS [subscript added] which is less than previously reported methane potentials of 845 - 1050 mL CH₄/g VS [subscript added] for concentrated/dewatered GTW. However, the methane potential of un-dewatered GTW (606 mL CH₄/g VS [subscript added]) was more than two times greater than the 223 mL CH₄/g VS [subscript added] reported for MWS digestion alone. A comprehensive study was performed to determine the stability and performance of anaerobic co-digestion of MWS with un-dewatered GTW as a function of increasing GTW feed ratios. The performance of two semi-continuously fed anaerobic digesters at 35 °C was evaluated as a function of increasing GTW feed ratios. Anaerobic co-digestion of MWS with un-dewatered GTW at a 46% GTW feed ratio (on a volatile solids basis) resulted in a 67% increase in methane production and a 26% increase in volatile solids reduction compared to anaerobic digestion of MWS alone. On the other hand, anaerobic co-digestion of un-dewatered GTW resulted in a higher inhibition threshold (46% on VS basis) than that of dewatered GTW. These results indicate that using un-dewatered GTW instead of dewatered GTW can reduce the inhibition risk of anaerobic co-digestion of MWS and GTW. Recovery of the anaerobic digesters following upset conditions was also evaluated and semi-continuous feed of digester effluent into upset digesters yielded of the biogas production level of the undisrupted digestion. Finally, a mathematical model was used to describe the relationship between methane potential and GTW feed ratio on a VS basis. The results of this research can be used to predict methane production and identify suitable GTW feeding ratios for successful co-digestion of un-dewatered GTW and MWS. / text

Fats, oil and grease (FOG) are generated in large amounts by cooking and food processing. Anaerobic co-digestion with municipal sewage sludge has proven to be one of best alternatives for FOG disposal due to its high potential for biogas production. However, excessive addition of long chain fatty acid, the major content of FOG, has been reported to have inhibitory effects on the anaerobic digestion process and to cause operational challenges. In this study, high purity long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) including linoleic acid, oleic acid, and a mixture of oleic acid and stearic acid were added to laboratory completed mixed anaerobic digesters. The performance of the digesters in terms of solids destruction, COD degradation, LCFAs accumulation and gas production was investigated. After reaching steady state, a large amount of palmitic acid was found in the reactors with oleic acid addition and mixture of stearic and oleic acid addition. In the meantime, no palmitic acid increase was observed in reactors where linoleic acid was added. A better solids and COD reduction and a higher biogas production were observed in reactors with higher LCFAs addition. For reactors with the same dosage of LCFAs addition, linoleic acid addition resulted in the greatest improvement in digester performance; the mixture of stearic acid and oleic acid achieved the least increase in biogas production and solids and COD reduction. A high concentration of both palmitic and stearic acid in the reactors with oleic acid addition and with 20% mixed acid addition was observed. In contrast, linoleic acid and 30% mixed acid addition did not lead to a greater palmitic or stearic acid concentrations. Up to 30% of pure linoleic acid, oleic acid and mixed acid addition are able to enhance the performance of anaerobic digesters. It is recommended that the dosage of oleic acid be below 30% to avoid LCFAs accumulation and to increase reactor stability. / Master of Science

Este trabalho buscou avaliar o desempenho de um reator de leito fixo e escoamento ascendente, operado de modo contínuo, com argila expandida e espuma de poliuretano como suportes para imobilização da biomassa, no tratamento de água residuária proveniente de abatedouro de aves. Na primeira fase do trabalho, o reator foi operado em condição anaeróbia e anaeróbia-aeróbia, no tratamento da água residuária bruta proveniente do abatedouro. No entanto, sua eficiência na redução de matéria orgânica pode ser atribuída a processos de adsorção e não biodegradação, o que resultou em períodos de operação curtos devido à obstrução do leito reacional. Na segunda fase, o reator foi alimentado com água residuária coletada após o pré-tratamento por sistema de flotação por ar dissolvido (FAD), realizado no próprio abatedouro, com intuito de minimizar a carga lipídica e a concentração de sólidos na entrada do reator. Assim, a vida útil do reator foi prolongada, com eficiências médias de remoção de DQO e nitrogênio total de 90 \'+ OU -\' 4% e 44 \'+ OU -\' 10%, respectivamente, e eficiência de desnitrificação de 89 \'+ OU -\' 6%, para o reator anaeróbio-aeróbio com razão de recirculação do efluente líquido igual a 1,5. Assim, o reator demonstrou bom desempenho na remoção simultânea de matéria orgânica e nutrientes, desde que seja precedido por sistema de pré-tratamento para remoção parcial de sólidos e óleos e graxas. / This work aimed to evaluate the performance of an up-flow fixed bed reactor, operated in a continuous way, using expanded clay and polyurethane foam as supports for immobilization of the biomass, for treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. Initially, the reactor was operated under anaerobic and anaerobic-aerobic conditions for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. However, the COD removal efficiency was related to adsorption and not to biodegradation processes. In this way, the operational periods were short due to solids retention in the system. In the second part of this work, trying to reduce the lipids and solids concentration in the reactor\'s affluent, the wastewater was collected after a pre-treatment installed at the poultry slaughterhouse. This pre-treatment was constituted of a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system. As a result, the operational longevity of the reactor was increased and the COD and total nitrogen removal efficiencies were 90 \'+ OU -\' 4% and 44 \'+ OU -\' 10% respectively, and the denitrification efficiency was 89 \'+ OU -\' 6% under an anaerobic-aerobic condition with a recycle ratio of the liquid phase of 1,5. Therefore, the reactor showed a good performance in reducing the organic matter and removing nutrients simultaneously, since it is preceded by a pre-treatment for the partial removal of solids, oils and grease.

This study is part of a project that was conducted by Florida International University (FIU), which designed, built, and characterized a constructed wetland (CW) wastewater treatment system in El Salvador, Central America. This study focuses on the detailed performance of a field-scale CW in the tropics, consisting of a subsurface flow wetland (SSF) and a surface flow wetland (SF). The SSF had a total area of 151.2 sq. m., filled with gravel and planted with Phragmites, Thalia, and Brachiaria, along three independent cells operating with a flow in parallel and receiving the influent domestic wastewater from a facultative lagoon and preceded the SF. The SF was a shallow open basin containing alternating regions of open water (195 sq. m. total) with submerged aquatic plants (Elodea) and regions of shallower water (605 sq. m. total) filled with emergent wetland vegetation (Typha, Thalia, and Cyperus). The design, construction, startup and operation phases of the field scale CW in that tropical setting are thus described with detail, including both SSF and SF characterization of influent and effluents. The SSF average hydraulic detention times during the wet and dry season were 2 days ± 0.9 days and 4 days ± 0.4 days, respectively; and the SF average hydraulic detention times during the wet and dry season were 20 days ± 11.1 days and 77 days ± 19.5 days, respectively. Brachiaria/Cyperus presented better results during the wet season with average BOD5 residuals of 36% ± 25%, and Thalia/Thalia during the dry season with average BOD5 residuals of 33% ± 22%. Phragmites/Typha presented better results during both seasons with average TSS residuals of 2% ± 3% (wet season), and 2% ± 2% (dry season). Residuals are also presented for COD, Oil & Grease, Total Fecal Coliform, Total Phosphorus, and Total Nitrogen. In addition, an assessment of the empirical models used in the design of the system is completed, having the EPA methodology as the preferred for BOD5 removal and three methodologies for TSS removal under tropical climate conditions. A comparison of the differences in treatment associated with each one of the selected plants and their combinations is also discussed. In summary, results strongly suggest that the CW system can effectively reduce contaminants in wastewater to levels that are comparable with the objective levels (i.e., secondary treatment levels).

Este trabalho buscou avaliar o desempenho de um reator de leito fixo e escoamento ascendente, operado de modo contínuo, com argila expandida e espuma de poliuretano como suportes para imobilização da biomassa, no tratamento de água residuária proveniente de abatedouro de aves. Na primeira fase do trabalho, o reator foi operado em condição anaeróbia e anaeróbia-aeróbia, no tratamento da água residuária bruta proveniente do abatedouro. No entanto, sua eficiência na redução de matéria orgânica pode ser atribuída a processos de adsorção e não biodegradação, o que resultou em períodos de operação curtos devido à obstrução do leito reacional. Na segunda fase, o reator foi alimentado com água residuária coletada após o pré-tratamento por sistema de flotação por ar dissolvido (FAD), realizado no próprio abatedouro, com intuito de minimizar a carga lipídica e a concentração de sólidos na entrada do reator. Assim, a vida útil do reator foi prolongada, com eficiências médias de remoção de DQO e nitrogênio total de 90 \'+ OU -\' 4% e 44 \'+ OU -\' 10%, respectivamente, e eficiência de desnitrificação de 89 \'+ OU -\' 6%, para o reator anaeróbio-aeróbio com razão de recirculação do efluente líquido igual a 1,5. Assim, o reator demonstrou bom desempenho na remoção simultânea de matéria orgânica e nutrientes, desde que seja precedido por sistema de pré-tratamento para remoção parcial de sólidos e óleos e graxas. / This work aimed to evaluate the performance of an up-flow fixed bed reactor, operated in a continuous way, using expanded clay and polyurethane foam as supports for immobilization of the biomass, for treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. Initially, the reactor was operated under anaerobic and anaerobic-aerobic conditions for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. However, the COD removal efficiency was related to adsorption and not to biodegradation processes. In this way, the operational periods were short due to solids retention in the system. In the second part of this work, trying to reduce the lipids and solids concentration in the reactor\'s affluent, the wastewater was collected after a pre-treatment installed at the poultry slaughterhouse. This pre-treatment was constituted of a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system. As a result, the operational longevity of the reactor was increased and the COD and total nitrogen removal efficiencies were 90 \'+ OU -\' 4% and 44 \'+ OU -\' 10% respectively, and the denitrification efficiency was 89 \'+ OU -\' 6% under an anaerobic-aerobic condition with a recycle ratio of the liquid phase of 1,5. Therefore, the reactor showed a good performance in reducing the organic matter and removing nutrients simultaneously, since it is preceded by a pre-treatment for the partial removal of solids, oils and grease.

Over 18 billion barrels of waste fluids are generated annually from oil and gas production in the United States. As a large amount of water is used for oilfield operations, treating and reusing produced water can cut the consumption of fresh water in well sites. This research has helped to develop a membrane process train for a mobile produced water treatment unit for treating oilfield produced brine for reuse. To design the process train, over 30 sets of combination tests at pilot laboratory scale were performed using pretreatment, microfiltration and nanofiltration processes. Membrane performance was selected based on high flux separation efficiency, high tolerance for solids and fluid treatments. Over 95 % solids rejection and greater than 80 % oil removal efficiency were obtained in all these tests. Process train (pre-treatment and membrane) performance was monitored by chemical analysis of permeate and models fitting experimental data for the process. From the results, hydrocarbon rejection was analyzed; total organic carbon rejection was 47.9 %, total carbon content averaged 37.3 % rejection and total inorganic carbon rejection was at 3.66 %. BTEX removal efficiency ranged from 0.98 % to 52.7 % with the progressive pretreatment methods of using cartridge filters. The nanofiltration membrane showed significant reduction in total dissolved solids and in both anionic and cationic species. The process train is seen to follow a sequence of treatment from cartridge and oil removal filter treatment to microfiltration treatment to ultrafiltration, followed by nanofiltration for the purpose of this research. Further research still needs to be done on to determine the kind of analytical test which will give real time feedback on effectiveness of filters. In summary, the process train developed by TAMU-GPRI possesses distinct advantages in treating oilfield produced brine using membrane technology. These advantages include high quality of permeate, reduced sludge and the possibility of total recycle water systems. The small space requirement, moderate capital costs and ease of operation associated with the use of the mobile unit membrane technology also makes it a very competitive alternative to conventional technologies.

Research on the electrocoagulation (EC) of hexane extractable materials (HEM) has been conducted at the University of New Orleans using a proprietary bench-scale EC reactor. The original reactor configuration forced the fluid to follow a vertical upward-downward path. An alternate electrode arrangement was introduced so that the path of flow became horizontal. Both configurations were evaluated by comparing the residence time distribution (RTD) data generated in each case. These data produced indication of internal recirculation and stagnant water when the fluid followed a vertical path. These anomalies were attenuated when the fluid flowed horizontally and at a velocity higher than 0.032 m s-1 . A series of EC experiments were performed using a synthetic emulsion with a HEM concentration of approximately 700 mg l-1. It was confirmed that EC of HEM follows first-order kinetics, and kinetic constants of 0.0441 s-1 and 0.0443 s-1 were obtained from applying both the dispersion and tanks-in-series (TIS) models, respectively. In both cases R2 was 0.97. Also, the TIS model indicated that each cell of the EC behaves as an independent continuous-stirred-tank reactor.