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I detta projekt har experiment utförts med mål att förse kommunalförbundet Norrvatten med data som kan användas som underlag för beslutsfattande angående om deras fällningslinjer i vattenreningsprocessen ska köras i flotation eller sedimentering. För detta ändamål har koncentrationen av poly- och perfluorerade alkylsubstanser (PFAS) samt karaktär av agglomererade partiklar (flockar) undersökts och jämförts mellan fällningslinjer som körs i olika konfigurationer. För flockkaraktär har skapandet och stabiliteten av flockar varit av intresse, eftersom flotation har ett mer turbulent flöde där flockarna riskerar att brista. Partikelstorlek, storleksfördelning och zeta potential identifierades som egenskaper som reflekterar flockarnas karaktär, dessa analyserades i en zetasizer. Koncentrationen av elva vanligt förekommande PFAS ämnen analyserades i projektet. Resultatet av flockkaraktär tyder på att det ej fanns någon större skillnad i skapandet av flockar samt deras stabilitet mellan de olika fällningslinjerna som undersökts. Detta eftersom zeta potentialen var identisk (-6.45 mV) för de analyserade proverna från respektive process. Analyserna och provberedningen bedömdes ha en hög mätosäkerhet, och några förbättringar som föreslås för att öka säkerheten är genomförande av komplementerande fotoanalys för att bekräfta likheter i utseende mellan flockar, samt att genomföra mer analyser så att en statistisk giltighet av analysen kan kvantifieras. För PFAS koncentrationen så var koncentrationen av PFAS lägre i utgående vatten från fällningslinje som körs i sedimentation (7.5 ng/l), jämfört med prov från linje som körs i flotation (9.2 ng/l). För fällningslinjen som kördes i flotation så skapades skum med höga koncentrationer av PFAS (3800 ng/l) jämfört med analyserade vattenprover (5.5–9.2 ng/l), detta identifierades som en potentiell källa för PFAS-avlägsning. Resultaten av PFAS baserades endast på en provtagningsserie, och förbättringar av validitet kan åstadkommas genom samling av mer analysdata för samma processer, och genom att analysera ett av proverna i två olika instrument, som båda analyserar PFAS koncentration. / In this project, attempts have been made to collect data that allows the municipal association Norrvatten in the decision-making process on the  flotation/ sedimentation step of their water treatment process. In this sense, poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) concentration and the characteristics of agglomerated particles (flocs) have been investigated and compared between the two modes that the process can be operated. For the floc characteristics, the creation and stability of the flocs were investigated, and the particle size, size distribution and zeta potential was identified as important properties and thereafter analysed using the instrument zetasizer. The concentration of eleven different PFAS compounds were analysed. The results of floc characteristics show that there is no major difference in creation and breakage of flocs in the two investigated modes, since the analysed samples had the same zeta potential, -6.45 mV. The results were deemed uncertain because of varying results, and improvement suggestions include using photoanalysis to confirm similar floc appearances and to produce more data so a statistical validity can be quantified. As for the PFAS concentration, the concentration of PFAS were slightly lower in the treatment step in which sedimentation was utilized (7.5 ng/l) compared to when flotation was utilized (9.2 ng/l). The flotation mode did, however, create foam with a high PFAS concentration (3800 ng/l) compared to the liquid samples (5.5-9.2 ng/l), so a potential PFAS removal source was identified. The results were based on one sample series, so improvements of validity can be achieved by gathering more data, analysing more samples, and analysing the same sample in two different instruments measuring PFAS concentrations.

<p>Over 750 million people, 80% of whom live in rural communities, lack access to improved water sources. Even where an improved water source is easily accessible, recontamination and/or inadequate infrastructure may make it unsafe for human consumption. A lack of safe water leads to elevated rates of waterborne diseases and can exacerbate cycles of poverty by forcing individuals to miss school and work and to travel greater distances to secure better-quality water. Households in rural and remote communities may thus choose to use point-of-use treatment as a means of gaining greater control over their water quality and the health of their families. The BioSand Filter (BSF) is one such technology: it is an intermittently-operated household-scale slow sand filter currently used in over 70 nations around the world.</p> <p>This thesis situates point-of-use water treatment, and specifically the BSF, within the context of the relationship between water and health and the continuum of technologies used for water treatment. From this foundation, it presents the methodology and results of a study carried out to inform best-practices around BSF use by: (a) examining the effects on BSF media and filtration performance of physical disturbances that may commonly occur in the field; and (b) assessing whether the biological community within BSFs promotes nitrification that could produce elevated nitrate/nitrite levels.</p> <p>Results demonstrated that disturbing the filters through moving and side impacts caused marked sand compaction and decreased flow rates for plastic (Hydraid) BSFs. Although these decreased flow rates may contribute to user frustration and disuse, they were not associated with reduced filtration performance. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations were well below WHO guidelines for all samples, but changes in nitrogen speciation suggested that nitrification was mediated by the biological community within the filters. Recommendations for practitioners and for future research are discussed in light of these findings.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Denna rapport presenterar resultat och analys av prestandan i ett pilotförsök om temperaturstegsrötning (TPAD). Pilotförsöket genomfördes på uppdrag av Käppalaförbundet. Resultaten jämfördes med en nedskalad mesofil process som simulerade den nuvarande fullskaliga rötningsprocessen på Käppala  avloppsreningsverk. Syftet var att utvärdera om TPAD kunde erbjuda fördelar jämfört med det mesofila systemet. TPAD har tidigare visat stor potential i pilotstudier och till viss del i fullskaliga implementeringar på avloppsreningsverk runt om i världen. Då prestanda och beteende vid rötningsprocesser dock är starkt beroende av lokal slamkomposition och processparametrar, behövdes en skräddarsydd pilotstudie för att utvärdera TPADs applicerbarhet vid Käppala avloppsreningsverk specifikt. Sammanfattningsvis visade TPAD något bättre metanutbyte än det mesofila kontollförsöket (MAD), och VSD ökade markant. Dessa fördelar erhölls trots den lägre totala retentionstiden för TPAD. Kvävemineraliseringen ökade dock också märkbart vilket potentiellt kan medföra ökade kostnader associerade med rening av kväve i rejektvattnet för avloppsreningsverket. Avvattningsprov på labbskala visade ett omfattande utsläpp av TSS i rejektvattnet efter det termofila rötningssteget. Detta förbättrades dock avsevärt (om än inte i samma utsträckning som MAD) efter det mesofila skedet. Mycket preliminära resultat indikerade att TPAD hade en utmärkt inneboende hygieniseringsförmåga tack vare det termofila skedet, och resulterade i ett slutgiltigt rötslam som uppfyllde hygieniseringsriktlinjer enligt Revaq. TPAD verkade uppvisa hög robusthet, utan någon uppenbar syrakollaps trots hög belastning i det termofila steget. Framtida stresstester föreslås för att tvinga fram en termofil syrakollaps, vilket skulle kunna ge en syra/gas-fasad TPAD, med potentiellt ytterligare ökad prestanda enligt mycket av den befintliga litteraturen. / This report analyzes the performance of a pilot scale temperature phased anaerobic digestion process (TPAD) undertaken on commission from the Käppalaförbundet wastewater treatment plant. Results from the newly initiated TPAD pilot were compared to those of a scaled down mesophilic process simulating the current full scale digestion used at Käppala, to evaluate whether TPAD could provide benefits over the mesophilic system. TPAD had previously showed great promise at pilot and full scale at other plants around the world, but given that anaerobic digestion performance and behavior are highly dependent on local sludge composition and process parameters, a bespoke pilot was needed to evaluate TPAD at Käppala WWTP specifically. In summary, the TPAD exhibited slightly better methane yields than the mesophilic control, and showed better removal of volatile solids. Such benefits were seen despite the lower overall retention time of the TPAD. Nitrogen mineralisation however also increased, potentially imposing increased costs associated with sludge liquor nitrogen purification. Dewaterability tests showed the thermophilic stage of TPAD releasing large amounts of problematic colloidal material, which however was reduced by the subsequent mesophilic stage. Preliminary results indicated the TPAD had an excellent inherent hygienization ability owing to the thermophilic stage, producing a final digestate which fulfilled Revaq hygienization guidelines. The TPAD also seemed to exhibit great robustness, with no acid collapse in the thermophilic stage apparent despite high loads and short retention times. Future stress tests are proposed to test an acid-gas phased TPAD, with potentially further increased performance as per much of the existing literature.

Swedavia är ett statligt ägt bolag som äger och driver tio flygplatser i Sverige, varav Stockholm Arlanda Airport är en. Flygplatsen har ett miljötillstånd där ett utredningsvillkor kallat U4 finns. Prövotidsutredningen syftar främst till att utvärdera reningseffekten hos dagvattenanläggningarna vid flygplatsen, med slutgiltiga villkor om utsläpp av bl.a. organiska föreningar och näringsämnen. När det under vintertid bildas snö- och isbeläggningar på flygplanen och banorna riskerar det att delvis påverka den aerodynamiska förmågan men också orsaka otillräcklig friktion mellan flygplansdäcken och marken. För att förhindra att olyckor sker eller att plan inte lyfter används framför allt kaliumformiat och propylenglykol som av-isning och halkbekämpningsmedel. Följden av att använda dessa blir förhöjda halter löst TOC (Total Organic Carbon) i dagvattnet och det kan leda till syrefria förhållanden i recipienten, vilket i detta fall är Märstaån. Swedavia har, med det primära syftet att rena dagvattnet på av-isning-och halkbekämpningsmedel, anlagt flera dagvattenanläggningar på flygplatsområdet. Dessa består av dammar som genom biologisk nedbrytning och sedimentering ska rena vattnet med avseende på TOC. Enligt ett prövotidsvillkor som uppkom i samband med miljödomen för flygplatsen ska slutgiltiga halter bestämmas och den potentiella reningseffektiviteten av dagvattnet ska undersökas. Reningseffektiviteten har dock visat sig vara svår att fastställa då dammarna kontinuerligt fylls på med vatten och att vattnet leds förbi dammarna via bypass-funktion vid för stora vattenflöden. Då reningseffektiviteten i dammarna fortfarande inte är fastställd är denna studies syfte att utvärdera reningseffekten och om den kan förbättras. Ett inkubationsförsök för nedbrytning gjordes med en experimentuppställning där vattenprover från Arlanda inkuberades i 3 olika temperaturer (5°C, 10°C och 23°C) med kategorierna låg/hög TOC-halt och med/utan tillsats av makronäringsämnena fosfor och kväve (N och P), enligt Redfield förhållandet 106:16:1. Försöket pågick i 33 dagar och kontinuerliga vattenprover togs för att sedan analysera TOC-halten. Resultatet visade att näringstillsats, enligt Redfieldförhållandet, inte hade någon statistisk signifikant påverkan på nedbrytningshastigheten vid 5°C och 10°C. Det fanns dock en statistisk signifikant skillnad vid 23°C, vilket tyder på att näringstillsats är gynnsamt för nedbrytningen vid högre temperaturer. Vid jämförelser mellan nedbrytningshastigheterna vid olika temperaturer fanns det en statistisk signifikant skillnad mellan proverna, förutom för kategorin med hög initialhalt utan näring. Vid låg initialhalt och en temperatur på 5°C, 10°C och 23°C kunde en reduktion av TOC på 65-73%, 83-86% samt 80-90% för respektive temperatur observeras efter en inkubationstid på 33 dagar. För proverna som startade med hög initialhalt i temperaturerna 5°C, 10°C reducerades TOC med 4-42% och 11-16%, och för 23°C skiljde sig nedbrytningen mellan kategorierna näringstillsats/ingen näringstillsats. Utan näring ökade TOC-halten med 38% och med näring reducerades den med 88 % efter 33 inkubationsdagar. En ökning av halten tyder på felkällor i metoden. Nedbrytningshastigheten och tiden för 100% nedbrytning vid låg och hög initialhalt för olika förutsättningar för hela perioden var mellan 0.34-1.02 mg/l respektive 8.45-11.47 mg/l TOC per dag samt 30-47 respektive 39-84 dagar. Efter en vecka var spannet mellan nedbrytningshastigheter för låga och höga initialhalter 1.63-6.98 mg/l respektive 33.21-83.28 mg/l TOC per dag och reningskapacitetenefter en vecka var 33-100% respektive 30-81%. De förbättringar som kan föreslås, baserat på resultatet i studien, är att se över möjligheten att ha ett kostnadseffektivt uppvärmt system, eventuellt genom att nyttja spillvärme på flygplatsen. Vid uppvärmning kan ett alternativ vara att tillföra näringsrikt avloppsvatten, för att upprätthålla en effektiv nedbrytning. Om detta inte är möjligt bör man överväga möjligheten att introducera ett ytterligare reningssteg, som ett biofilter som reducerar TOC-halten innan vattnet lagras i dammarna. Mer studier krävs dock för att kunna dra välgrundade slutsatser från arbetet, eftersom det i studien uppkommit osäkerheter i resultatet. / Swedavia is a state-owned company that owns and operates ten airports in Sweden, of which Stockholm Arlanda Airport is one. The airport has an environmental permit where an investigation condition called U4 exists. The investigation condition primarily aims to evaluate the treatment of stormwater at the airport, with final conditions regarding emissions of e.g. organic compounds and nutrients. Snow and ice deposits form on airplanes and runways during winter, this affects the aerodynamic ability of the airplanes and cause insufficient friction between the airplane tires and the ground. To prevent crashes or planes not taking off, anti-icing agents such as mono propylene glycol and potassium formate are being used. The consequence of using these agents is increased levels of dissolved organic material in the stormwater and in the worst case this can lead to oxygen depletion in the recipient, which in this case is Märstaån. Swedavia has, with the primary purpose of purifying stormwater, built several stormwater facilities in the airport area. These consist of ponds that through biological decomposition depletes the water of the dissolved organic material. According to the trial period investigation, the final conditions for the storm water should be decided and the potential TOC-removal efficiency from the storm water needs to be evaluated. However, it has been hard to establish how well the ponds reduction of TOC work since water continuously fills up the ponds and because water sometimes gets bypassed when there are high flows. Since the reduction of TOC in the ponds is still not determined, the the purpose of this study was to evaluate the TOC-removal efficiency and whether it can be improved. Experimental incubations for degradation of TOC where conducted with water samples from Arlanda, incubated at 3 different temperatures (5°C, 10°C and 23°C) with the categories low/high TOC content and with/without addition of nutrients, according to the Redfield ratio 106:16:1. The experiment lasted 33 days and continuous water samples were taken to then analyze the TOC content. The result showed that nutrient addition according to the Redfield ratio had no statistically significant influence on the degradation, except at 23°C, which suggests that nutrient addition is beneficial at higher temperatures. When comparing the degradation rates at different temperatures, there was a statistically significant difference between the samples, except for the high initial content category without added nutrients. At a low initial content and a temperature of 5°C, 10°C and 23°C, a TOC-reduction of 65-73%, 83-86% and 80-90% was observed for the respective temperature after 33 days of incubation. For the samples that started with a high initial content in the temperatures 5°C, 10°C, a TOC removal of 4-42% and 11-16% was observed and for 23°C, the TOC-removal differed between the the samples without and with addition of nutrients. Without added nutrient, the TOC content increased by 38% and with added nutrient, it was reduced by 88 % after 33 days of incubation. An increase in the TOC content indicates sources of error in the method. The degradation rate and time to 100% degradation at low and high initial content for different conditions and the entire test period was between 0.34-1.02 mg/l respectively 8.45-11.47 mg/l TOC per day and 30-47 and 39-84 days respectively. After a week the range of degradation rates for low and high initial concentrations was 1.63-6.98 mg/l respectively 33.21-83.28 mg/l TOC per day and the TOC-removal capacity after one week was 33-100% respectively 30-83%. The improvements suggested, based on the results of the study, is to investigate the possibility of having a cost-effective heated pond system, possibly if there is waste heat to use from the airport. When heating, an alternative may be to add nutrient-rich wastewater, to maintain efficient degradation. If this is not possible, consideration should be given to the possibility of introducing an additional step for TOC-removal, such as a biofilter that reduces the TOC content before the water is stored in the ponds. However, more studies are required to draw well-founded conclusions from the study, as there were uncertainties in the results.

The provision of clean drinking water typically involves treatment processes to remove contaminants. The conventional process involves coagulation with hydrolysing metal salts, typically of aluminium (‘alum’) or trivalent iron (‘ferric’). Along with the product water this also produces a waste by-product, or sludge. The fact of increasing sludge production — due to higher levels of treatment and greater volume of water supply — conflicts with modern demands for environmental best practice, leading to higher financial costs. A further issue is the significant quantity of water that is held up in the sludge, and wasted. / One means of dealing with these problems is to dewater the sludge further. This reduces the volume of waste to be disposed of. The consistency is also improved (e.g. for the purpose of landfilling). And a significant amount of water can be recovered. The efficiency, and efficacy, of this process depends on the dewaterability of the sludge.In fact, good dewaterability is vital to the operation of conventional drinking water treatment plants (WTP’s). The usual process of separating the particulates, formed from a blend of contaminants and coagulated precipitate, relies on ‘clarification’ and ‘thickening’, which are essentially settling operations of solid–liquid separation.WTP operators — and researchers — do attempt to measure sludge dewaterability, but usually rely on empirical characterisation techniques that do not tell the full story and can even mislead. Understanding of the physical and chemical nature of the sludge is also surprisingly rudimentary, considering the long history of these processes. / The present work begins by reviewing the current state of knowledge on raw water and sludge composition, with special focus on solid aluminium and iron phases and on fractal aggregate structure. Next the theory of dewatering is examined, with the adopted phenomenological theory contrasted with empirical techniques and other theories.The foundation for subsequent analyses is laid by experimental work which establishes the solid phase density of WTP sludges. Additionally, alum sludges are found to contain pseudoböhmite, while 2-line ferrihydrite and goethite are identified in ferric sludges. / A key hypothesis is that dewaterability is partly determined by the treatment conditions. To investigate this, numerous WTP sludges were studied that had been generated under diverse conditions: some plant samples were obtained, and the remainder were generated in the laboratory (results were consistent). Dewaterability was characterised for each sludge in concentration ranges relevant to settling, centrifugation and filtration using models developed by LANDMAN and WHITE inter alia; it is expressed in terms of both equilibrium and kinetic parameters, py(φ) and R(φ) respectively.This work confirmed that dewaterability is significantly influenced by treatment conditions.The strongest correlations were observed when varying coagulation pH and coagulant dose. At high doses precipitated coagulant controls the sludge behaviour, and dewaterability is poor. Dewaterability deteriorates as pH is increased for high-dose alum sludges; other sludges are less sensitive to pH. These findings can be linked to the faster coagulation dynamics prevailing at high coagulant and alkali dose.Alum and ferric sludges in general had comparable dewaterabilities, and the characteristics of a magnesium sludge were similar too.Small effects on dewaterability were observed in response to variations in raw water organic content and shearing. Polymer flocculation and conditioning appeared mainly to affect dewaterability at low sludge concentrations. Ageing did not produce clear changes in dewaterability.Dense, compact particles are known to dewater better than ‘fluffy’ aggregates or flocs usually encountered in drinking water treatment. This explains the superior dewaterability of a sludge containing powdered activated carbon (PAC). Even greater improvements were observed following a cycle of sludge freezing and thawing for a wide range of WTP sludges. / Further aspects considered in the present work include deviations from simplifying assumptions that are usually made. Specifically: investigation of long-time dewatering behaviour, wall effects, non-isotropic stresses, and reversibility of dewatering (or ‘elasticity’).Several other results and conclusions, of both theoretical and experimental nature, are presented on topics of subsidiary or peripheral interest that are nonetheless important for establishing a reliable basis for research in this area. / This work has proposed links between industrial drinking water coagulation conditions, sludge dewaterability from settling to filtration, and the microstructure of the aggregates making up that sludge. This information can be used when considering the operation or design of a WTP in order to optimise sludge dewaterability, within the constraints of producing drinking water of acceptable quality.

The freshwater dinoflagellate species, Ceratium hirundinella (C. hirundinella) possesses unique characteristics, such as a thecal-plate cell covering of cellulose, spines and flagella. Unlike most other algae and cyanobacteria, C. hirundinella cells are relatively large in size (up to 450 μm in length and 50 μm in width). These unique characteristics (e.g. cell covering and flagella) and adaptations (e.g. spines) give the dinoflagellate cells the ability to reduce their sinking rate from the euphotic zone and to migrate easily through the water column. When source water contains high concentrations of C. hirundinella cells, water treatment problems and poor aesthetic water quality can be expected. These water treatment problems may include 1) the disruption of coagulation and flocculation, 2) clogging of sand filters and 3) taste and odour problems when cells penetrate into the final water. In Chapter 9 of this study, a list of operational guidelines (including alert levels) and recommendations to assist managers and operators of plants when C. hirundinella cells are causing water treatment problems. During events of high C. hirundinella concentrations in source water, managers and operators of conventional water treatment plants need strategies to optimize coagulants and unit processes. Thus when source water contains motile nuisance algae, such as C. hirundinella, in moderate or abundant quantities, it is advisable to conduct jar stirring test experiments using both turbidity and total photosynthetic pigment (or chlorophyll-a) analyses as indicators of appropriate coagulant choice and dosages. The aims of this study are summarized as follows:  To optimize coagulants and conventional water treatment processes by implementing relevant algal removal strategies and indicators during jar stirring test experiments,  To investigate the changes in surface charge (known as zeta potential) on C. hirundinella cells before and after adding coagulants as part of the treatment processes,  To investigate the physical and chemical impacts on the morphology of C. hirundinella cells after coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation,  To identify organic compounds that may be responsible for taste and odour problems associated with C. hirundinella,  To investigate the efficiency of pre-chlorination on the removal C. hirundinella cells when dosing various coagulants, and  Give recommendations and operational guidelines relevant for a conventional water treatment plant to improve C. hirundinella removal A combined water treatment system (Phipps and Bird Model), consisting of a six paddle jar test apparatus and six sand filter columns, was used to simulate conventional processes (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and rapid sand filtration). Source water samples containing relatively high C. hirundinella concentrations (> 500 cell/mℓ) were collected from Benoni Lake (26º10’50.40’’S; 28º17’50.11’’ E) in plastic containers and stored as a homogenous sample in a 200 litre container under laboratory conditions (± 22 °C). Samples were collected from the source water as well as after sedimentation (from the supernatant or sludge) to determine turbidity, total photosynthetic pigment analyses (chlorophyll) and for phytoplankton analyses. Flocs (containing C. hirundinella cells) were collected from the sludge or sediment for scanning electron microscopy investigations and to perform zeta potential analyses. Concentrated C. hirundinella samples were frozen at -80 °C according to the proposed sampling protocol for organic compound analyses. Results obtained from this study proved that using the relevant indicators to determine the appropriate coagulant dosages during jar stirring tests may generally improve the removal of problem-causing algae, such as C. hirundinella cells. Improved algal removal efficiencies will subsequently ensure final water with good aesthetic quality. The surface charge (zeta potential) on C. hirundinella cells can be used to evaluate the best coagulation conditions within an operating window of -10 mV to +3 mV when dosing various coagulants. Scanning electron microscopy investigations revealed major damaging effects to C. hirundinella cells when dosing high Ca(OH)2 concentrations. However, when dosing lower Ca(OH)2 concentrations, in combination with organic polymer, better C. hirundinella cell removal efficiencies with less damaging effects to cells was observed. This study also indicated that the pre-chlorination, without causing cell lyses, can be applied to render the highly motile cells immobile which will subsequently assist the coagulation unit process. The aesthetic quality (e.g. tastes and odours) of drinking water may be influenced when C. hirundinella cells release organic material into the water as a result of cell lyses. Organic compounds, such as fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids can lead to taste and odour problems which associate with the presence of C. hirundinella. Organic compounds also serve as precursors for the formation of harmful chlorine by-products formed during chlorination. / PhD (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The freshwater dinoflagellate species, Ceratium hirundinella (C. hirundinella) possesses unique characteristics, such as a thecal-plate cell covering of cellulose, spines and flagella. Unlike most other algae and cyanobacteria, C. hirundinella cells are relatively large in size (up to 450 μm in length and 50 μm in width). These unique characteristics (e.g. cell covering and flagella) and adaptations (e.g. spines) give the dinoflagellate cells the ability to reduce their sinking rate from the euphotic zone and to migrate easily through the water column. When source water contains high concentrations of C. hirundinella cells, water treatment problems and poor aesthetic water quality can be expected. These water treatment problems may include 1) the disruption of coagulation and flocculation, 2) clogging of sand filters and 3) taste and odour problems when cells penetrate into the final water. In Chapter 9 of this study, a list of operational guidelines (including alert levels) and recommendations to assist managers and operators of plants when C. hirundinella cells are causing water treatment problems. During events of high C. hirundinella concentrations in source water, managers and operators of conventional water treatment plants need strategies to optimize coagulants and unit processes. Thus when source water contains motile nuisance algae, such as C. hirundinella, in moderate or abundant quantities, it is advisable to conduct jar stirring test experiments using both turbidity and total photosynthetic pigment (or chlorophyll-a) analyses as indicators of appropriate coagulant choice and dosages. The aims of this study are summarized as follows:  To optimize coagulants and conventional water treatment processes by implementing relevant algal removal strategies and indicators during jar stirring test experiments,  To investigate the changes in surface charge (known as zeta potential) on C. hirundinella cells before and after adding coagulants as part of the treatment processes,  To investigate the physical and chemical impacts on the morphology of C. hirundinella cells after coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation,  To identify organic compounds that may be responsible for taste and odour problems associated with C. hirundinella,  To investigate the efficiency of pre-chlorination on the removal C. hirundinella cells when dosing various coagulants, and  Give recommendations and operational guidelines relevant for a conventional water treatment plant to improve C. hirundinella removal A combined water treatment system (Phipps and Bird Model), consisting of a six paddle jar test apparatus and six sand filter columns, was used to simulate conventional processes (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and rapid sand filtration). Source water samples containing relatively high C. hirundinella concentrations (> 500 cell/mℓ) were collected from Benoni Lake (26º10’50.40’’S; 28º17’50.11’’ E) in plastic containers and stored as a homogenous sample in a 200 litre container under laboratory conditions (± 22 °C). Samples were collected from the source water as well as after sedimentation (from the supernatant or sludge) to determine turbidity, total photosynthetic pigment analyses (chlorophyll) and for phytoplankton analyses. Flocs (containing C. hirundinella cells) were collected from the sludge or sediment for scanning electron microscopy investigations and to perform zeta potential analyses. Concentrated C. hirundinella samples were frozen at -80 °C according to the proposed sampling protocol for organic compound analyses. Results obtained from this study proved that using the relevant indicators to determine the appropriate coagulant dosages during jar stirring tests may generally improve the removal of problem-causing algae, such as C. hirundinella cells. Improved algal removal efficiencies will subsequently ensure final water with good aesthetic quality. The surface charge (zeta potential) on C. hirundinella cells can be used to evaluate the best coagulation conditions within an operating window of -10 mV to +3 mV when dosing various coagulants. Scanning electron microscopy investigations revealed major damaging effects to C. hirundinella cells when dosing high Ca(OH)2 concentrations. However, when dosing lower Ca(OH)2 concentrations, in combination with organic polymer, better C. hirundinella cell removal efficiencies with less damaging effects to cells was observed. This study also indicated that the pre-chlorination, without causing cell lyses, can be applied to render the highly motile cells immobile which will subsequently assist the coagulation unit process. The aesthetic quality (e.g. tastes and odours) of drinking water may be influenced when C. hirundinella cells release organic material into the water as a result of cell lyses. Organic compounds, such as fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids can lead to taste and odour problems which associate with the presence of C. hirundinella. Organic compounds also serve as precursors for the formation of harmful chlorine by-products formed during chlorination. / PhD (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Nearly all South African abalone farms function on an intensive pump-ashore, flow-through system. Large volumes of sea water that are pumped ashore flow through abalone or kelp harvesting tanks and finally gravitate back to the ocean. If the effluent from an abalone farm can be desalinated without permanent membrane fouling, then sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology can be integrated effectively with established abalone farms without having to increase the farms’ intake system capacities. Without the need to construct and maintain an intake system, the overall cost of desalination can be reduced. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and viability of integrating a SWRO desalination plant with a typical South African abalone farm. The project focused on four areas of concern, namely: - characterisation of typical South African abalone farm water - SWRO desalination plant pilot study and membrane fouling behaviour - general operation of a typical abalone farm and its implications for desalination - cost estimates and implications for the integration of an SWRO desalination plant with an abalone farm During a nine-month on-site investigation, sea water turbidity was reduced by up to 43% from a mean value of 0.82 NTU in the influent stream to 0.47 NTU in the combined effluent stream from the abalone tanks. Even with spikes in the influent turbidity, the turbidity of the combined effluent from all abalone tanks (excluding tank flush water) remained below 1 NTU. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in both the influent and combined effluent remained below 1 mg/litre. Ultrafiltration (UF) was selected as pre-treatment to the reverse osmosis (RO) in order to minimise potential fouling of the RO membranes. Membrane compaction of both the UF and RO membranes contributed significantly to initial flux losses – as much as 18% for the polyethersulfone (PESM) UF membranes and 20% for the thin film composite (TFC) polyamide RO membrane. However, this is comfortably in line with typical compaction values quoted in the literature. Without pre-flocculation, the UF was able to operate at a specific flux between 45 and 55 litre/m2/h (LMH) and recoveries ranging between 60 and 75%. Corresponding trans-membrane pressure (TMP) ranged between 0.59 and 0.76 bar. With ferric chloride pre-flocculation at a concentration of 3 mg/litre (as Fe3+) the UF could be operated at notably lower TMP values between 0.11 and 0.36 bar. These results indicate that provision should definitely be made for pre-flocculation when using UF as pre-treatment, despite the fact that the DOC concentrations and turbidity of the abalone farm effluent are quite low (DOC <1 mg/litre, NTU <1). It furthermore highlights the inability of DOC and turbidity alone to predict the membrane fouling potential of water. A better indicator of membrane fouling potential, albeit not perfect, is the modified fouling index (MFI0.45). This index follows a linear trend with foulant concentration and serves as a good indicator of the filterability of water. On-site measurements showed an increase in mean MFI0.45 values from 29 s/litre2 for the influent to 48 s/litre2 for the effluent from the abalone tanks, thereby confirming the need for pre-flocculation as part of UF pre-treatment. Chemically enhanced backwashing (CEB) of the UF membrane at least every 24 hours was found to be essential for its stable operation. Therefore, UF with pre-flocculation (3 mg/litre Fe3+) and regular CEB can be used effectively as pre-treatment method for the desalination of abalone farm effluent water. An RO ‘feed-and-bleed’ system was used to simulate the typical performance of the last membrane in a full-scale RO membrane bank. This RO membrane performed well with no signs of extreme fouling. The membrane produced a good quality permeate – for the last membrane in a membrane bank – reducing the TDS of the RO feed from 33 493 mg/litre to 969 mg/litre. These results compared well with simulated values by Reverse Osmosis System Analysis (ROSA; an RO simulator by DOW), indicating a TDS reduction from 33 271 mg/litre to 1 409 mg/litre at a feed pressure of 56 bar, and overall recovery of 44%. A steady performance of the RO membrane during the pilot study indicated that it is possible to desalinate abalone effluent water without notable permanent membrane fouling. A stable normalised flux rate of 8 LMH was achieved and RO membrane integrity remained intact with a salt rejection that ranged from 98.0 to 98.5%. No sudden reduction in permeate flux was observed as a result of fouling by unknown constituents present in the UF permeate. DBNPA (a non-oxidising disinfectant) was dosed once per week at a concentration of 10 – 30 mg/litre for 30 minutes. Scaling was controlled effectively by means of an antiscalant dosed at a concentration of 11 – 12 mg/litre in the feed stream. The CIP frequency was not optimised but a CIP frequency of once every 6 – 8 weeks appeared to be more than adequate to prevent permanent membrane fouling Advantages of integrating an SWRO desalination plant with a South African abalone farm include: - no lengthy and costly environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required to build a new intake system - shared capital and operational cost of intake system - dual incentive to keep constant good quality water flowing through the farm - early warnings regarding occurrences such as algal bloom and red bait - shared operational and management cost to keep pipelines clean - electricity saved (pumps for intake system) Disadvantages of integrating an SWRO desalination plant with a South African abalone farm include: - will require diverting of the abalone tank wash water from regular effluent - possible water ‘down-times’ due to maintenance operations on abalone farm Based on information from the literature the fixed capital cost depreciation rate (FCCDR) typically contributes approximately 40% and the operation and maintenance (O&M) cost typically contributes 60% to the unit production cost (UPC) of desalinated water. Furthermore, a SWRO desalination plant’s intake system can contribute between 5% and 33% to the FCCDR, depending on the nature and design of the plant. Consequently, the intake system can contribute between 2% and 13% of the UPC of desalinated sea water. This implies possible cost savings of between R0.15/m3 and R2.37/m3 for the production of fresh water (depending on site-specific design factors) when desalinating sea water effluent from on-shore abalone tanks. Integration of an SWRO desalination plant with a South African abalone farm is feasible and viable, provided that the necessary steps and precautions are taken to ensure a smooth and stable operation of the SWRO desalination plant. Cost savings on the part of all the stakeholders are possible if the correct contract can be negotiated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Byna alle Suid Afrikaanse perlemoenplase funksioneer op ‘n seewater deurvloeistelsel. Groot volumes seewater word aan wal gepomp en vloei deur die perlemoen of kelp-oes tenks. Hierdie water vloei dan uiteindelik terug na die oseaan as gevolg van swaartekrag. Indien die afvalwater van die perlemoenplase ontsout kan word sonder permanente membraanbevuiling kan seewater tru-osmose (SWTO)-tegnologie effektief met gevestigde perlemoenplase geïntegreer word sonder om die plase se water inname-stelsels se kapasiteite te vergroot. Sonder die behoefte aan uitbreiding en instandhouding van ‘n water inname-stelsel by so ‘n plaas behoort die totale koste van ontsouting aansienlik minder te wees. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die uitvoerbaarheid en lewensvatbaarheid van ‘n integrasie van ‘n SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg met ‘n tipiese Suid Afrikaanse perlemoenplaas te ondersoek. Ten einde dit te doen, het die projek op vier areas van belang gefokus, naamlik: - karakterisering van tipiese Suid-Afrikaanse perlemoenplaas water - SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg loodsstudie en membraan bevuilingsgedrag - algemene bedryf van ‘n tipiese perlemoenplaas en die implikasies vir ontsouting - kosteberamings en koste-implikasies met betrekking tot die integrasie van ‘n SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg met ‘n perlemoenplaas Gedurende ‘n nege maande op-perseel ondersoek is seewater troebelheid verminder met tot 43% van 'n gemiddelde waarde van 0.82 NTU in die invloeistroom tot 0.47 NTU in die gekombineerde afvalwaterstroom wat die tenks verlaat. Selfs met skerp wisseling in die invloeistroom troebelheid, bly afvalwaterstroom troebelheid deurgaans onder 1 NTU met die uitsondering van tenk spoelwater. Opgeloste organiese koolstof (OOK) in beide die invloeistroom en die gekombineerde afvalwaterstroom het deurgaans onder 1 mg/liter gebly. Ultrafiltrasie (UF) is gebruik as voorbehandeling vir die tru-osmose (TO) om sodoende potensiële bevuiling van TO membrane te minimaliseer. Membraan kompaksie van beide die UF en TO het merkbaar bygedra tot aanvanlike deurvloeiverliese – so veel as 18% vir die poli-etersulfoon (PESM) UF membrane en 20% vir die dun film saamgestelde (DFS) poli-amied TO membraan. Hierdie is egter gerieflik binne die tipiese kompaksiewaardes soos aangehaal in die literatuur. Sonder flokkulasie was die UF in staat tot temperatuur aangepaste deurvloeitempo van tussen 45 en 55 liter/m2/h (LMH) teen herwinningstempo’s tussen 60 en 75%. Ooreenstemmende trans-membraandrukkings (TMD) het gewissel tussen 0.59 en 0.76 bar. Met ysterchloried voor-flokkulasie teen 'n konsentrasie van 3 mg/liter (as Fe3+) kon die UF teen merkbaar laer TMD waardes bedryf word – tussen 0.11 en 0.36 bar. Hierdie resultate dui daarop dat daar beslis voorsiening vir pre-flokkulasie gemaak moet word wanneer UF as voorbehandeling gebruik word, ten spyte van die feit dat die OOK konsentrasie en troebelheid van die afvalwater van die perlemoenplaas redelik laag is (OOK <1 mg / liter, troebelheid <1 NTU). Verder lig dit die onvermoë uit om OOK en troebelheid alleen te gebruik om membraanbevuilingspotensiaal van water te voorspel. ‘n Beter aanwyser van membraanbevuilingspotensiaal, alhoewel nie perfek nie, is die aangepaste bevuilingsindeks (MFI0.45). Hierdie bevuilingsindeks volg ‘n lineêre neiging met die konsentrasie van onsuiwerhede en dien as ‘n goeie aanwyser van die filtreerbaarheid van water. Op-perseel metings het getoon dat ‘n toename in gemiddelde MFI0.45 waardes van 29 s/litre2 vir die invloeistroom tot 48 s/litre2 vir die afvalstroom van die perlemoentenks die behoefte vir voor-flokkulasie as deel van UF voorbehandeling bevestig. Chemies versterkte terugspoeling (CVT) van die UF membrane ten minste elke 24 uur is noodsaaklik gevind ten einde bestendige werking te verseker. Dus kan UF met voor-flokkulasie (3 mg/liter Fe3 +) en gereelde CVT effektief as voorbehandeling metode vir die ontsouting van perlemoenplaas afvalwater gebruik word. ‘n TO ‘voer-en-bloeistelsel’ is gebruik om die tipiese prestasie van die laaste membraan in ‘n volskaalse TO membraanbank te simuleer. Hierdie TO membraan het goed presteer sonder tekens van buitensporige membraanbevuiling. Vir die laaste membraan in ‘n membraanbank het die membraan goeie gehalte finale water gelewer – ‘n vermindering van die totaal opgeloste stowwe (TOS) van die TO voerwater van 33 493 mg/liter tot 969 mg/liter is behaal. Hierdie resultate het goed vergelyk met gesimuleerde waardes deur Reverse Osmosis Analysis System (ROSA, ‘n TO simulator deur DOW) wat ‘n TOS vermindering van 33 271 mg/liter tot 1 409 mg/liter by ‘n voerdruk van 56 bar en ‘n algehele herwinningstempo van 44% aandui. ‘n Bestendige werking van die TO membraan tydens die loodsstudie het getoon dat dit moontlik is om perlemoenplaas afvalwater te ontsout sonder merkwaardige permanente membraanbevuiling. 'n Stabiele genormaliseerde deurvloeitempo van 8 LMH is bereik en TO membraan integriteit het ongeskonde gebly met 'n sout verwerping wat gewissel het van 98.0 tot 98.5%. Geen skielike afname in finale water deurvloeitempo is waargeneem as gevolg van bevuiling deur onbekende onsuiwerhede in die UF finale water nie. DBNPA (‘n nie-oksiderende ontsmettingsmiddel) is een keer per week teen ‘n ‘n konsentrasie van 10 – 30 mg / liter vir 30 minute gedoseer. Mineraal skaalvorming is effektief beheer deur die dosering van ‘n anti-skaalmiddel teen 11 – 12 mg/liter in die TO voerstroom. Die skoonmaak-in-plek (SIP) frekwensie is nie ge-optimeer nie, maar ‘n SIP een keer elke 6 – 8 weke is meer as voldoende gevind om mikrobiese bevuiling te voorkom. Voordele van die integrasie van 'n SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg met 'n Suid-Afrikaanse perlemoenplaas sluit die volgende in: - geen lang en duur omgewings impak ontleding (OIO) is nodig vir die bou van ‘n nuwe inname-stelsel nie - gedeelde kapitaal en operasionele koste van inname-stelsel - tweeledige aansporing om konstant goeie gehalte watervloei deur die plaas te verseker - vroegtydige waarskuwings ten opsigte van gebeurtenisse soos rooigety - gedeelde bedryfs- en bestuurskoste om voerpype skoon te hou Nadele van die integrasie van 'n SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg met 'n Suid-Afrikaanse perlemoenplaas sluit die volgende in: - vereis herleiding van perlemoentenk spoelwater weg van gereelde afvalwater - moontlike watervloei-aftye weens instandhoudingsbedrywighede op die perlemoenplaas Gebaseer op inligting uit die literatuur dra die vaste kapitaal koste waardeverminderings-koers (VKKWK) gewoonlik ongeveer 40% en die bedryfs- en instandhoudingskoste (B&I) ongeveer 60% by tot die produksiekoste per eenheid (PKE) van ontsoute water.Verder kan ’n SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg se inname-stelsel tussen 5% en 33% tot die VKKWK bydra afhangende van die aard en ontwerp van die aanleg. Gevolglik kan die inname-stelsel tussen 2% en 13% tot die PKE van ontsoute seewater bydra. Dit impliseer ‘n moontlike kostebesparing van tussen R0.15/m3 en R2.37/m3 vir die produksie van vars water wanneer die afvalwater van perlemoentenks ontsout word. Integrasie van 'n SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg met 'n Suid-Afrikaanse perlemoenplaas is uitvoerbaar en lewensvatbaar indien die nodige stappe en voorsorgmaatreëls geneem is om ‘n vlot en bestendige werking van die SWTO ontsoutingsaanleg te verseker. Kostebesparings vir alle belanghebbendes (beleggers) is moontlik indien daar oor die korrekte kontrak onderhandel kan word.