Grundämnet fosfor är essentiellt för alla levande organismer men kan i överskott leda till problem med övergödning. Det finns därför höga krav på halten avloppsreningsverk släpper ut till recipienter. Idag sker stora delar av fosforreningen kemiskt genom dosering av fällningskemikalier. Det finns dock fördelar med att istället använda en biologisk metod som bygger på att reningsförhållandena premierar tillväxt av bakterier med möjlighet att ta upp mer fosfor än de behöver för sin cellväxt.  Bakterierna gynnas genom omväxlande anaeroba och aeroba zoner samt en god tillgång på lättillgänglig kolkälla och fosfor. Många reningsverk kombinerar den kemiska och biologiska fosforreningen men de är inte alltid kompatibla och den kemiska kan störa ut den biologiska. På Kungsängsverket finns sedan 2010 förutsättningar för en biologisk fosforreduktion men processen har inte fungerat tillfredsställande. Anledningen tros vara höga halter järn i slammet. Järnet fäller delar av den fosfor som är nödvändig för processen. Arbetet har därför syftat till att undersöka om det går att tvätta bioslammet på järn och på så sätt nå en fungerande fosforrening; vid vilka järnhalter detta sker och vilka besparingar det skulle kunna leda till för Uppsala Vatten och Avfall AB. För vidare utredning genomfördes ett pilotförsök där två reaktorer byggdes, en referensreaktor och en försöksreaktor. Reaktorerna matades sedan med vatten med olika sammansättning, främst gällande järnhalt. Även befintlig data för verket och uppgifter kring förutsättningarna på andra reningsverk med en fungerande biologisk fosforreduktion undersöktes. Pilotförsöket visade att det går att tvätta bioslammet på järn då en sjunkande halt sågs under försökets gång. Halten sjönk från 40 mg Fe/g TS till 18 mg Fe/g TS i försöksreaktorn. En fungerande fosforrening uppnåddes aldrig så inga slutsatser gällande besparingar, eller vid vilka järnhalter en fungerande rening sker, kan dras. Andra reningsverk med biologisk fosforrening har kring 10 mg Fe/g TS vilket ger en indikation på vad halten bör vara. Pilotförsöket visade också att dosering av polymer ledde till att stora delar av den inkommande kolkällan fälldes, kolkälla som behövs för fungerande fosfor- och kväverening. Recirkulation av nitratkväve sågs hämma det fosforsläpp som vid fungerande rening ska ske i den anaeroba zonen och tros ha stört reningen under försökets gång. Förutsättningarna för biologisk fosforrening på Kungsängsvrket anses inte vara optimala gällande avloppsvattnets sammansättning, recirkulering av nitratkväve till den anaeroba zonen och mängden lättillgänglig kolkälla från hydrolysbassängen. / Phosphorus is an essential element but can cause eutrophication when present in high concentrations. Emission requirements from municipal wastewater treatment plants are therefore strict. Today chemical precipitation is common but there are advantages to using a biological method. It is based on creating conditions that favor growth of a special type of bacteria. These bacteria absorb more phosphorus than they need for growth. To do this they need alternating anaerobic and aerobic zones and access to carbon and phosphorus. A combination between the two methods are common but the precipitation chemicals can under some conditions disturb the biological removal.   At Kungsängsverket the process of biological phosphorus removal has been in place since 2010. It has not worked adequately and the reason could be high concentrations of iron in the biological sludge. The purpose of this thesis has therefore been to investigate whether it is possible to wash out the iron from the bio-sludge and as a result reach a satisfying reduction of phosphorus, to see at which iron content this might happen and what kind of savings a functioning biological phosphorus removal might lead to for Uppsala Vatten och Avfall AB.  To test the hypothesis two reactors were built, a reference reactor and an experimental reactor. The two were fed with water with different compositions, primarily regarding iron content. Also, existing data was examined from the plant and records regarding sludge composition at plants with working biological phosphorus removal. The pilot test showed that it was possible to wash out the iron from the biological sludge. Iron content in the experimental reactor went down from 40 mg Fe/g DM to 18 mg Fe/g DM. A satisfying reduction of phosphorus was never achieved and no conclusions can be drawn regarding savings or at which iron content a reduction might happen. Other wastewater treatment plants with biological phosphorus reduction have shown to have a content of about 10 mg Fe/g DM which can be used as an indication. According to the pilot test dosing of polymer can lead to a large precipitation of carbon source. Lack of carbon will inhibit phosphorus and nitrogen removal. Circulation of nitrate repressed the release of phosphate in the anaerobic zone and is believed to have disturbed the removal during the pilot. The conditions for biological phosphorus removal at Kungsängsverket are not ideal as to the composition of the wastewater, the circulation of nitrate to the anaerobic zone and the amount of carbon source from the hydrolysis.

This critical overview document (COD) presents, discusses and brings together the selected portfolio of publications that the author believes make a significant contribution to the field of wastewater treatment, focusing on the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in wastewater treatment applications. The aim of the research within this COD was to investigate the fate, mechanisms and optimisation of EDCs removal in wastewater treatment applications. The key objectives were to: 1. Investigate and understand the mechanisms of removal of EDCs in wastewater and sludge treatment processes. 2. Evaluate novel methods for the removal of EDCs in water and wastewater treatment applications. 3. Establish the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the removal processes to inform process modelling of full scale design of treatment processes.

Thesis (MScEng (Process Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The thesis reports the investigation of various distillery processes and wastewater streams. The aim was to evaluate the processes and thereafter design interventions for improved wastewater treatment at the respective distilleries. An integrated environmental approach was adopted based on the principle that prevention of pollution is the preferred option and end-of-pipe treatment the least favoured option. As such, feed material to the processes was studied to determine whether some of the components that are not required in the distillation process could in fact be removed prior to entering the system. The results indicate that organic constituents such as phenol and tartaric acid could be removed using physico-chemical and biological treatment methods. The treatment of effluent was studied using an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) set-up to determine the reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in the wastewater. Thereafter the UASB treated effluent was exposed to aeration for further treatment. Summary of conclusions • Pretreatment of wine feed material with calcium hydroxide is effective in removal of 98% tartaric acid, 30% COD and a total phenol content of 57%. • Bio-augmentation results showed that the soil inoculum was the most effective treatment method with reductions of 61% COD at a temperature of 30°C, tartaric acid removal of 98% at the same temperature and 25% reduction in total phenol at 26°C. • UASB was effective with soil inoculum and removed approximately 90% of COD although operational problems were experienced and hindered the operation of the plant. • Aeration of UASB effluent further reduced the COD by a further 60% with a total COD reduction of 96% after both UASB and aeration treatment. • Effective reduction of total phosphorus by 70% and the total phenol content by 80% was achieved by UASB treatment followed by aeration.

Thesis (M.Phil. (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Water and sanitation is one of the key factors in the socio-economic development of a nation and people. Billions of people worldwide do not have access to clean water or basic sanitation leading to many health problems and developmental issues. This article discusses the challenges facing the world, South Africa and in particular the Western Cape and Cape Town in the provision of water and sanitation. For most people the desire is to have access to their own private portable water supply and their own private flush toilet connected via costly bulk water services to sewage treatment plants far away. The question posed is whether this model is sustainable into the future, given the water demands in many parts of the world affected by droughts and more violent weather cycles as a result of climate change and global warming. These factors will affect water supplies in South Africa and in particular the Western Cape and Cape Town. To answer some of the questions raised the Lynedoch EcoVillage development is discussed in detail in terms of sustainable neighbourhood planning and implementation. Sustainable Development is discussed, also various options in terms of applying ecological sanitation. The on-site water and sanitation system of the Lynedoch EcoVillage is discussed as a case study. The results of influent and effluent tests conducted by the CSIR are analysed to see whether the system is conforming to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry standards for the use of effluent water in irrigation and re-use of water in toilets. Localised models of water and sanitation provision might thus be a way forward to satisfy the increasing demand for such services made on national and local authorities as urban areas increase in size and population.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine performance and wine quality are influenced by various factors, two of the most important being the availability and quality of irrigation water. In relatively dry countries such as South Africa the conservation and effective use of water is of utmost importance. Expected increases in temperature and decreases in rainfall in the future due to climate change impacts highlights the importance of water conservation. This inspired investigations into possible alternative irrigation water sources and therefore the possibility of vineyard irrigation using winery wastewater is of utmost importance for the sustainability of the wine industry. Winery wastewater contains higher concentrations of certain elements other than water generally used for vineyard irrigation, the most important differences being Na and K levels. Furthermore, winery wastewater contains larger populations of microorganisms such as yeasts, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria, typical associated with wine production. If irrigation using winery wastewater affects the uptake of certain elements or alters grapevine water status, it may affect grapevine growth, juice and wine composition. Furthermore, if juice and wine composition is affected wine composition and sensorial quality may be affected. Cabernet Sauvignon/99R grapevines, growing in a sandy soil in the Breede River Valley, were subjected to eight irrigation treatments using augmented winery wastewater in addition to irrigation using raw river water as control. The study was carried out during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons. The various wastewater irrigation treatments were made up by augmenting winery wastewater with raw river water to obtain a target chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration. In this study, the level of COD in the irrigation water is a direct indication of water quality, the two being indirectly proportional. The eight wastewater irrigation treatments ranged from 100 mg/L COD up to 3000 mg/L COD. The first objective of the study was to determine the effect of irrigation using augmented winery wastewater on grapevine response, with regards to vegetative growth, berry development and berry composition. The various wastewater irrigation treatments did not affect grapevine vegetative growth or reproductive growth, including yield, throughout berry development up to harvest. Berry sugar accumulation and evolution in acid concentrations were also not affected. An increase in berry juice pH was observed with an increase in the level of COD in the augmented winery wastewater only in the second season. The amount of elements, ions and heavy metals in juice was not affected by wastewater irrigation, indicating that there was no absorption by the grapevines. Berry skin thickness, colour and phenolic content as well as yield and its associated components were not affected by irrigation using augmented winery wastewater. The second objective of the study was to determine the effect of irrigation using augmented winery wastewater on wine microbial and chemical composition, fermentation performance and wine sensorial characteristics. The natural yeast and bacteria flora of juice was not affected by the various wastewater irrigation treatments. In addition, the ability of the inoculated yeast and lactic acid bacteria strains to conduct their respective fermentation processes were not affected. With the exception of total titratable acidity (TTA) and pH, irrigation using augmented winery wastewater did not affect wine chemical composition with regards to basic wine parameters as well as colour, phenolic and tannin composition. Similar to juice, phosphorus and selected ions were not affected. None of the measured wine sensorial characteristics were affected by irrigation using augmented winery wastewater. The third objective of the study was to investigate the effect of direct contact between berries and winery wastewater on wine sensorial characteristics. The study focussed on the transference of off-flavours from the wastewater into the wine and the occurrence of off-flavours as a response to contact with winery wastewater. Wine colour and general sensory wine descriptives were not affected by direct contact with winery wastewater. The presence of a winery wastewater-like off-odour and volatile acidity was, however, more detectable in wines made from berries that were in contact with the most concentrated wastewater. Therefore, it may be possible for off-odours to be transferred from the winery wastewater into the wines, or that off-odours are formed as a direct or indirect result of contact with winery wastewater. Under the given conditions, results obtained in this two seasons of the study suggest that irrigation using augmented winery wastewater does not affect grapevine performance or wine quality substantially. The major impact that was observed was an increase in wine pH and a decreasing trend in TTA. Both these parameters could be rectified by simply adding acid to the wines. Therefore, irrigation using augmented winery wastewater may be considered as a possible future alternative source for vineyard irrigation. It is, however, important to remember that some of the effects of wastewater irrigation may be cumulative and could possibly arise only after several years. Furthermore, different field conditions and cultivars may respond differently. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd prestasie en wyngehalte word deur verskeie faktore beïnvloed waarvan twee van die belangrikste die beskikbaarheid en gehalte van besproeiingswater is. In relatiewe droë lande soos Suid Afrika is waterbesparing en die effektiewe benutting van water hulpbronne van uiterste belang. Die verwagte toename in temperatuur en afname in reënval in die toekoms as gevolg van klimaatsveranderinge plaasdieklem op op die belangrikheid van waterbesparing. Dit het navorsing om moontlike alternatiewe vorme van besproeiingswater te ontdek geïnspireer. Na aanleiding van hierdie faktore word daar toenemend gefokus op navorsing oor die moontlikheid om kelder afvalwater as alternatiewe bron van besproeiings water vir wingerde te benut. Kelder afvalwater bevat hoër konsentrasie van sekere elemente as water wat onder normale omstandighede gebruik word vir die besproeiing van wingerde, die belangrikste verskille was die vlakke van Na en K. Benewens die hoër konsentrasie van sekere elemente bevat kelder afvalwater ook groot populasies van mikroörganismes soos giste, melksuurbakterieë en asynsuurbakterieë, tipies geassosieerd met wynbereiding. Indien besproeiing met kelder afvalwater die opname van sekere elemente of die plant water status beϊnvloed, mag wingerd groei, sap en wyn samestelling beϊnvloed word. Daar benewens, indien die mikrobiese samestelling van die sap en wyn beϊnvloed word sal die samestelling en sensoriese gehalte van die wyn moontlik beϊnvloed word. Cabernet Sauvignon/99R wingerde, geleë in sanderige grond in die Breede Rivier Vallei, is onderwerp aan besproeiing met agt verskillende konsentrasies van verdunde kelder afvalwater, bykomend tot besproeiing met onbehandelde rivier water wat as kontrole gedien het. Hierdie studie is uitgevoer gedurende die 2010/11 en 2011/12 seisoene. Die teiken besproeiings konsentrasies is verkry deur kelder afvalwater met onbehandelde rivier water te verdun tot ‘n sekere chemiese suurstofbehoefte (CSB) konsentrasie bereik is. Die CSB is in hierdie studie ‘n direkte aanduiding van watergehalte, die twee was indirek eweredig tot mekaar. Die agt CSB konsentrasies waarteen die afvalwater besproei is wissel tussen 100 mg/L CSB en 3000 mg/L CSB. Die eerste doelwit van die studie was om te bepaal wat die effek van besproeiing met verdunde kelder afvalwater op wingerdprestasie, met spesifieke verwysing na vegetatiewe groei, korrelontwikkeling en korrelsamestelling is. Wingerd vegetatiewe en reproduktiewe groei, insluitende opbrengs, is op geen stadium tydens korrelontwikkeling tot en met oes beïnvloed nie. Die laai van suikers gedurende rypwording, sowel as verskuiwings in suurkonsentrasie, is nie deur besproeiing met kelder afvalwater beïnvloed nie. In die tweede seisoen is ‘n toename in sap pH waargeneem soos die CSB konsentrasie van die besproeiings water toegeneem het. Die element, ioon en swaar metaal samestelling van sap was nie beïnvloed deur besproeiing met afvalwater nie wat aandui dat daar geen opname was deur die wingerd nie. Die dikte, kleur en fenoliese samestelling van druifdoppe is ook nie beïnvloed nie. Die tweede doelwit van die studie was om te bepaal wat die effek van besproeiing met verdunde kelder afvalwater op wyn mikrobiese en chemiese samestelling, fermentasie effektiwiteit en wyn sensoriese eienskappe is. Die verskeie afvalwater besproeiings behandelings het geen effek op die natuurlike gis of bakterieë flora van die sap gehad nie. Die vermoë van die geïnokuleerde gis en melksuurbakterieë om hul afsonderlike fermentasie prosesse te voltooi is ook nie beïnvloed nie. Met die uitsondering van totale titreerbare suur (TTS) en pH, is die chemiese samestelling van wyne met betrekking tot basiese wyn parameters, kleur, fenole en tanniene nie beïnvloed nie. Soortgelyk aan sap is wyn fosfor en geselekteerde ioon samestelling nie geaffekteer nie. Die sensoriese karakteristieke was eenders vir wyne van alle behandelings. Die derde doelwit van die studie was om te bepaal wat die effek wat direkte kontak van kelder afvalwater met druiwekorrels op wyn sensoriese eienskappe het. Hierdie studie het gefokus op die oordrag van afgeure vanaf kelder afvalwater na die wyne sowel as die voorkoms van afgeure as ‘n reaksie op kontak met kelder afvalwater. Wyn kleur en algemene sensoriese eienskappe is nie geaffekteer deur kontak tussen druiwe en kelder afvalwater nie. Kelder afvalwater-geassosieerde afgeure en vlugtige suur was meer duidelik waarneembaar in wyne wat gemaak is van druiwe wat in kontak was met die meer gekonsentreerde afvalwater. Dit mag dus moontlik wees dat afgeure vanaf kelder afvalwater oorgedra word na wyne, of dat sekere afgeure gevorm word as ‘n direkte of indirekte reaksie op kontak met kelder afvalwater. Onder die gegewe toestande oor die twee jaar studie periode het resultate getoon dat besproeiing met verdunde kelder afvalwater nie wingerdprestasie en wyn gehalte aansienlik beïnvloed nie. Die grootste impak wat afvalwater besproeiing gehad het, was om ‘n toename in wyn pH en ‘n tendens tot afname in TTS te veroorsaak. Deur eenvoudig suur by die wyn te voeg kan albei hierdie probleme reg gestel word. Op grond van hierdie bevindings kan besproeiing met verdunde kelder afvalwater moontlik as toekomstige bron vir addisionele wingerdbesproeiing dien. Dit is egter belangrik om te onthou dat die effekte van besproeiing met kelder afvalwater mootlik kumulatief kan wees en dat probleme moontlik eers na etlike jare na vore kan kom. Ander kultivars en veldkondisies mag ook lei tot ander resultate.

The intensified greenhouse effect is the biggest cause for a negative climate change. Global warming is a result of enhanced greenhouse effect and poses a potential threat for humans and its surrounding environment that can result in disastrous consequences. The rise in temperature is driven by increased human activity whereas the leading cause for emissions of greenhouse gases is the combustion of fossil fuels. The prominent source of emissions is from the following sectors: transport, industrial and energy. The task of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases is both globally and internationally prioritized. Progress has been made although every potential source for emissions has to be investigated in order to reduce the total climate impact. Based on scientific research, wastewater treatment plants are also a contributing factor to the greenhouse effect by emissions of gases. This bachelor’s thesis is investigating two wastewater treatment plants and identifying which processes contribute to the climate impact. The climate impact is calculated with an Excel-based analyzing tool and the results show the Carbon Footprints for the treatment plants. The purpose of this paper is to present result acquired from the treatment plants and identify the processes that have the biggest impact on our climate. Afterwards, solutions derived from the analysis of results will be suggested to improve and bring additional help to the treatment plants with their climate work. In conclusion, it is determined that the treatment plants both have net emissions of greenhouse gases. The biggest contributor is the wastewater treatment and the use of biogas. Results from analysis show that some of the assumptions on emissions made in the tool make the initial results doubtful. Therefore, further research is needed on this subject in order to produce more reliable facts.

Οι βιοαντιδραστήρες μεμβρανών αποτελούν μια καινοτόμο τεχνολογία, ιδανική για την αποκατάσταση προηγμένων αστικών και βιομηχανικών λυμάτων, τα οποία περιέχουν υψηλά ποσοστά βιοαποικοδομήσιμων οργανικών ενώσεων. Η παρούσα εργασία αποτελεί ένα μέρος μιας ευρύτερης προσπάθειας ανάπτυξης μιας νέας κατηγορίας λειτουργικών μεμβρανών τεχνολογίας “Βιοαντιδραστήρα Μεμβρανών” (Membrane Bioreactors, MBRs) ή/και βελτίωσης των ήδη χρησιμοποιούμενων μεμβρανών τεχνολογίας MBR με την ενσωμάτωση στο ενεργό πορώδες τους νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα. Οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα δυνητικά θα προσέφεραν ταυτόχρονα υψηλότερες ταχύτητες ροής νερού, υψηλότερο ποσοστό απόρριψης οργανικών ενώσεων και ανόργανων αλάτων χαμηλού μοριακού βάρους, καθώς και υψηλότερη αντοχή της μεμβράνης στην εναπόθεση διαφόρων μικροοργανισμών. Η πρόκληση στην περίπτωση αυτή είναι η αποτελεσματική ενθυλάκωση τους στην ενεργή εκλεκτική στοιβάδα των μεμβρανών αυτών. Οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα από την πρώτη στιγμή της ανακάλυψης τους, έχουν προσελκύσει το ενδιαφέρον της επιστημονικής κοινότητας, λόγω της ευρείας εφαρμογής τους σε πολλά επιστημονικά και τεχνολογικά πεδία, ως συνέπεια των μοναδικών ιδιοτήτων τους. Οι χημικές, οπτικές, ηλεκτρικές και μηχανικές ιδιότητές τους, τους καθιστούν δυνητικά χρήσιμους σε πάρα πολλές εφαρμογές. Στη συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση, τα τελευταία 5-7 έτη, οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα έχουν ταυτοποιηθεί ως μια καινούργια γενιά νανο-πορωδών υλικών με τρομερό δυναμικό για εφαρμογές ως φίλτρα σε υλικά μεμβρανών που θα μπορούσε να φέρει πραγματική επανάσταση στο σχετικό χώρο. H δυνατότητα ελέγχου της διαμέτρου τους και κατά συνέπεια του μεγέθους των πόρων τους μέσω των οποίων λαμβάνει χώρα το φαινόμενο της διάχυσης ή ροής (από τα 4 Angstroms έως τα 15 nm), σε συνδυασμό με τα σχεδόν άτριβου χαρακτήρα γραφιτικά τους τοιχώματα, εξασφαλίζει εξαιρετικά ταχεία ροή μικρών μορίων με ταυτόχρονη καταπληκτική εκλεκτικότητα στη διαπερατότητα μορίων με βάση το μέγεθός τους. Η ροή υγρών μέσα από αυτές των νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα προβλέπεται να είναι 3-5 τάξεις μεγέθους πάνω απ’ ότι αναμένεται με βάση υπολογισμούς βασισμένους σε απλές αρχές της υδροδυναμικής. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, μελετήθηκε ο εμβολισμός νανοπορωδών εμπορικών μεμβρανών με διάφορα είδη νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα (CNTs): μονοφλοιϊκών (με ένα τοίχωμα) (Single Wall CNT: SWCNT), διπλοφλοιϊκών (με δύο τοιχώματα) (Double Wall CNT: DWCNT), πολυφλοιϊκών (με πολλαπλά (~15) τοιχώματα) (Multi Wall CNT: MWCNT), λεπτών “πολλαπλού” τοιχώματος (με λίγα (~6-7 ) τοιχώματα) (thin MWCNT), αλλά και τροποποιημένων νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα πολλαπλού τοιχώματος με υδρόξυ-ομάδες (-OH) και καρβόξυ-ομάδες (-COOH) καθώς επίσης και νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα τροποποιημένων με διάφορα πολυμερή όπως πολυβινυλοπυρολιδόνη (PVP), πολυμεθακρυλικό γλυκιδιλεστέρα (PGMA), (PSSPC16). Οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα, αρχικά, χαρακτηρίσθηκαν με τη βοήθεια της φασματοσκοπίας Raman και της Ηλεκτρονικής Μικροσκοπίας Σάρωσης και μελετήθηκε η διασπορά τους σε νερό (H2O) και αιθανόλη (EtOH). Κατόπιν, εμβολίσθηκαν σε διαφόρων τύπων πορώδεις ανισοτροπικές μεμβράνες (πόρων κωνικού τύπου), αλλά και σε μεμβράνες καθορισμένου μεγέθους πόρων κυλινδρικού τύπου (track etched), στην προσπάθεια ανάδειξης μιας βέλτιστης ενθυλάκωσής τους στο ενεργό/εκλεκτικό τμήμα των μεμβρανών αυτών, κάτι που δεν είναι καθόλου προφανές. Αναπτύχθηκε μια πειραματική διάταξη εμβολισμού νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα, βασιζόμενη στην αρχή της διήθησης/φιλτραρίσματος, η οποία επέτρεψε ένα βαθμό εμβολισμού τους στις μεμβράνες και μια τάση βελτίωσης του χρόνου/των ρυθμών διέλευσης του νερού από αυτές. Στην προσπάθεια αυτή αρωγός σ’ ένα μεγάλο βαθμό αποδείχθηκε η Ηλεκτρονική Μικροσκοπία Σάρωσης. / Membrane Bioreactors are an innovative technology, ideal for the treatment and rehabilitation of advanced municipal and industrial wastewater which contain high biodegradable organic compounds. A new category of functional membranes for technology MBR, which offer higher water flow, higher rejection rate of organic compounds and inorganic salts of low molecular weight, and greater resistance to the deposition of the membrane of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various types of carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) into porous polymeric membranes and its basic principle is the efficient binding of modified carbon nanotubes in these membranes. Carbon nanotubes, from the first moment of their discovery, have attracted the interest of the scientific community, due to their wide application in many scientific and technological fields, as a result of their unique properties. More specifically, the chemical, optical, electrical and mechanical properties make them potentially useful in many applications. Important is the use of carbon nanotubes for the development of an innovative high performance membrane for use in Membrane Bioreactors Technology (Membrane Bioreactors, MBR’s). In the present study different types of carbon nanotubes were examined, such as single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT’s), double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNT’s), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT’s), thin multi-wall carbon nanotubes (thin MWCNT’s), and modified carbon nanotubes with hydroxy groups (-OH), carboxyl groups (-COOH) as well as carbon nanotubes modified with various polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), phosphonium salt of polystyrene sulfonate (PSSPC16) and polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA). Initially, the different types of carbon nanotubes were characterized, using Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Their dispersion in H2O and ethanol was also examined. Then, they were infiltrated into various types of porous anisotropic membranes with conical porous and into defined pore size membranes (track etched), to find the most suitable combination, which would result to the best water flow through the infiltrated membrane. For this purpose, an experimental device was developed, based on the principle of filtration, which allowed both the filtration of the nanotubes in the films, and the measuring of the water flow through them. Furthermore, the optimal conditions of the system were studied that could both bring about the greater coverage of the membrane pores from nanotube suspensions, (probed by SEM), and result to the optimum water flow rate.

<p>New possibilities of nutrients removal by additions of magnesium compounds were studied in primary treatment and supernatant of side stream in wastewater treatment. The precipitation product from this method is magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) socalled struvite. High efficiencies on NH4-N and PO4-P removals have been demonstrated up to over 90 % respectively in side stream from dewatering of digested sludge. In order to find out the nutrient removal efficiency in raw wastewater and the feasibility of MAP recycling in wastewater treatment, the postulations of combining MAP and nitrification-denitrification process, and MAP and partial nitritation-anmmox process were carried out by experimental works in the laboratory at Land and Water Resources Department, KTH. It was found that 92-97 % of PO4-P and 57 % of NH4-N were removed from raw wastewater by Mg2+ addition at pH10 to pH10.5. The research work revealed that recycling of MAP by nitrification-denitrification and partial nitritation-anmmox processes may be a feasibly process combination. In MAP and nitrification -denitrification process, the released ammonium was mostly oxidized to nitrate in nitrification phase and ready for denitrification. Based on presented results on MAP and partial nitritation-anmmox process, it was found that the released ammonium was consumed by anammox bacteria.</p>

<p>År 2000 startades ett samarbete mellan Wuhan i Kina och Borlänge Energi i Sverige. De två parterna bestämde år 2005 tillsammans med IVL, Svenska Miljöinstitutet, att samarbeta inom följande områden; hållbar energiproduktion, hållbar avfallsproduktion samt grundandet av ett miljöteknikcentrum i Wuhan. Miljöteknikcentrumet är till för att vara en plattform för svensk miljöteknik och expertis. Som ett första steg inför grundandet av ett miljöteknikcentrum gjordes en undersökning för att se inom vilka sektorer svensk miljöteknik kan etableras.</p><p>Undersökningen var inriktat på industriell avloppsvattenrening i Wuhan; bedömning av vilka typer av industrier/företag som har problem med avloppsvattenreningen och i vilken utsträckning det finns svenska tekniklösningar på problemen. Undersökningen genomfördes genom intervjuer med myndigheter och en del utvalda företag. Det var svårt att få fram information om vilka företag som inte följer de kinesiska gränsvärdena, varför en del besök gjordes till företag som lever upp till gränsvärdena. På grund av detta togs även andra problem med miljön som företagen hade upp. Några kommunala reningsverk besöktes och intervjuades också för att få en bättre bild av den kommunala vattenreningssituationen. En generell beskrivning av Wuhans miljösituation utfördes också samt en beskrivning av de viktigaste miljömyndigheterna och institutionerna.</p><p>Wuhans största utmaning är att konstruera reningsverk till alla de 3.5 miljoner som fortfarande släpper sitt avloppsvatten rätt ut till sjöar och floder, snarare än att ytterligare rena det industriella avloppsvattnet. Behandlingsgraden av det industriella avloppsvattnet har nått 97 % medan behandlingsgraden av det kommunala avloppsvattnet endast nått 70 %.</p><p>Besök vid de utvalda företagen och kommunala reningsverk ledde till slutsatsen att svensk teknik och expertis kan införas i följande områden: hantering av slam från reningsverk, byggandet av förbränningsanläggningar för sopor och hur man löser problemet med att rena luften från gaser som SO2 och dioxiner. De flesta företagen kunde följa de kinesiska gränsvärdena för utsläpp av avloppsvatten men mycket kan göras för att förbättra företagens tekniker ytterligare. Detta utförs dock nästan aldrig eftersom det är en ekonomisk fråga. Det är möjligt för Wuhan att sätta lokala, hårdare gränsvärlden för att tvinga företagen att förbättra sina reningstekniker ytterligare.</p> / <p>In 2000 a co-operation between Wuhan in China and Borlänge Energi in Sweden started. The two parts decided in 2005 together with IVL, the Swedish Research Institute, to co-operate in the fields of sustainable energy production, sustainable waste management and the establishment of an Environmental Technology Centre, supplying Swedish environmental expertise to companies in Wuhan. As a first step for the establishment of an Environmental Technology Centre in Wuhan, an investigation was made to find out in which sectors Swedish environmental technology could be established.</p><p>The investigation took aim at observing the industrial wastewater treatment in Wuhan and to see which types of companies that have problems with the wastewater treatment and if there existed Swedish technology that could solve the problems. The investigation was performed through interviews with the authorities and some selected companies. It was difficult to get information about companies that did not comply with the National Chinese wastewater standards. This meant that some of the visits were made to companies that comply with the standards, also taking into consideration other problems with the environment that the companies might have. Visits were also paid to municipal wastewater treatment plants to get an overview over the municipal wastewater treatment situation. An overall survey of the environmental situation in Wuhan was also made and a presentation of the most important environmental departments and institutions is given.</p><p>The greatest challenge for Wuhan is to construct wastewater treatment plants for the around 3.5 million people that still discharge their wastewater directly to rivers and lakes, rather than to improve the industrial wastewater treatment further. The treatment rate of the industrial wastewater has reached 97%, but the municipal wastewater treatment rate has only reached 70%.</p><p>After the visits to the selected companies and municipal wastewater treatment plants the conclusion was made that Swedish technologies and expertise can be applied to the following areas; handling sludge from the wastewater treatment plants, construction of waste incineration plants and handling flue gas and dioxins. Most of the visited companies could follow the wastewater standards. Although much can be done to improve their technologies further, this is not done since it is too expensive. It is possible for Wuhan to apply stricter local wastewater treatment standards. This could be used as a tool to make companies invest more money in improvements of their technologies.</p>

<p>Chile and Santiago are struggling with heavy environmental problems as a consequence of urbanisation and industrialisation. In the Santiago region the air is seriously contaminated and most of the rivers are classified as heavily polluted.</p><p>The aim of this thesis is to survey the industrial fluid waste situation in the Santiago region and to make suggestions on technological improvements or process changes. The purpose is also to study five different enterprises more closely and to give more detailed suggestions for improvement. Another purpose is to summarize relevant Chilean legislation.</p><p>Information, provided by the supervisory authority, about the release of industrial wastewater to rivers has been analysed. Deep interviews have been made with authorities and consultants. Five enterprises have been visited; a brewery, a dairy, a bakery, a producer of cooked meat and a surface treatment industry. The present treatment of the wastewater was studied at the plants and the information was completed with a questionnaire to the responsible at each company.</p><p>The contamination load released to the Chilean rivers is heavy. The rivers in southern Chile receive the biggest loads of BOD and SS and the rivers in central Chile were the most exposed to discharges of the metals Cr, Cu, Zn and CN as well as phenols.</p><p>The industrial discharge into the rivers of Santiago RM and Region VII is also to a large extent characterized by high concentrations of BOD and SS. Large releases of oils and greases, nitrogen and phosphorus are also fairly common, as are too high or too low pH levels. The food industry is the most contaminating sector, but also tanneries have great problems with effluents exceeding limits.</p><p>All five companies visited share the need to take measures towards more water saving technologies. The brewery, the producer of cooked meat and the surface treatment company also need end-of-pipe-treatment of their wastewater. In many cases, the recommended and most economic alternative is to separate the flows with the highest concentration of polluting substances for internal treatment, while releasing the rest of the wastewater to the outside sewage system. The costs of the suggested changes must be balanced against the present costs for treatment of wastewater and remaining solid waste as well as the costs for alternative treatments.</p><p>The economic incentives for Chilean companies to invest in wastewater treatment plants or to optimize the processes until today have been few. Cost reductions may be achieved by savings in water consumption and reuse of raw material. Another motive could be to keep “one step ahead” if the discharge limits in the future are tightened up leading to rising costs.</p> / <p>Chile och Santiago brottas med omfattande miljöproblem till följd av urbanisering och industrialisering. I santiagoregionen är luftföroreningarna svåra och de flesta floderna klassas som gravt förorenade av CONAMA, det chilenska naturvårdsverket.</p><p>Syftet med examensarbetet är att kartlägga situationen i santiagoregionen med avseende på industriell avloppsrening samt att ge förslag på förbättring av teknik eller förändring av processer. Dessutom är syftet att studera fem industrier närmare och att ge mer detaljerade förslag på åtgärder. Syftet är också att ge rekommendationer för fortsatt utveckling av relevant chilensk lagstiftning.</p><p>Uppgifter från tillsynsmyndigheten för utsläpp till ytvattendrag har studerats och djupintervjuer har gjorts med myndigheter och konsulter. Fem olika industrier besöktes; ett bryggeri, ett mejeri, ett bageri, ett charkuteri samt en ytbehandlingsindustri. Nuvarande hantering av processvattnet studerades på plats och med hjälp av ett frågeformulär kompletterades uppgifterna av ansvariga på företagen.</p><p>Föroreningsbelastningen på Chiles floder är stor. Floderna i södra delen av landet tar emot störst mängder organiskt material och suspenderat material medan centrala Chiles floder är värst drabbade av utsläpp av metallerna Cr, Cu, Zn och CN samt utsläpp av fenoler. Utsläppen från industrin till floderna i Region Metropolitana och Region VII kännetecknas också i stor utsträckning av höga halter BOD och suspenderat material. Relativt vanligt är också stora utsläpp av oljor och fetter, kväve, fosfor samt för höga eller låga för pH-värden. Det är främst flera olika typer av livsmedelsindustri, som har de största utsläppen till floderna, men även garverierna har stora problem med överskridande av gränsvärden.</p><p>Gemensamt för de fem besökta företagen är att vattenbesparande åtgärder bör vidtas för att minska volymen avloppsvatten som går till extern eller intern behandling. Bryggeriet, charkuterifabriken och ytbehandlaren behöver även end-of-pipe-rening. Det kan ofta vara lämpligt och mer ekonomiskt att avskilja de flöden som har högst halt av föroreningar till den interna reningsanläggningen. Resten av avloppet kan i vissa fall släppas ut på avloppsnätet. Kostnader för föreslagna åtgärder måste vägas mot aktuella kostnader för behandling av avlopp och restprodukter, samt kostnader för alternativa behandlingar.</p><p>Incitamenten, bl a de ekonomiska, för chilenska företag att skaffa eget reningsverk eller att resurseffektivisera produktionen har hittills varit små. Kostnadsminskningar kan uppnås genom sänkt vattenförbrukning samt återanvändning av råmaterial. Ytterligare en drivkraft kan vara att ”ligga steget före” om utsläppskraven i framtiden skärps och kostnaderna därmed ökar.</p>