Current Search: sludge. (x)
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Title
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The effects of enzymes on activated sludge floc.
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Creator
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Stoddart, Terry Lee, null, null, Natural Sciences
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Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Dialysed activated sludge was used as a substrate to test for enzymes which can hydrolyse activated sludge floc. Two hundred and fifty aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were tested against activated sludge for the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. These included known genera and organisms obtained by various enrichment procedures. Anaerobic digester mixed liquor was contacted with activated sludge agar under anaerobic...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Dialysed activated sludge was used as a substrate to test for enzymes which can hydrolyse activated sludge floc. Two hundred and fifty aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were tested against activated sludge for the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. These included known genera and organisms obtained by various enrichment procedures. Anaerobic digester mixed liquor was contacted with activated sludge agar under anaerobic conditions. None of the microorganisms present in the digester liquor hydrolysed the floc. The following commercial enzymes were contacted with activated sludge singly, in combination, and sequentially under various physical and chemical conditions: protease, lipase, cellulase, pectinase, phospholipase C, trypsin, and glucuronidase. Although commercial enzymes and various microorganisms reacted with known substrate controls neither the enzymes nor microorganisms employed affected the activated sludge floc. Treatment of activated sludge floc with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid resulted in gross deflocculation and release of humic substances. The floc particle, probably a combination of polymers bound in a complex manner, is resistant to enzymatic degradation. Several workers have reported on the enzymatic hydrolysis of polymers produced by axenic cultures isolated from activated sludge floc. It is unlikely that the results of their work can be extrapolated to the complex structure of activated sludge floc particles.
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Date Issued
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1977
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Identifier
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CFR0003513, ucf:53004
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003513
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Title
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EFFECTS OF REDUCED RAS AND VOLUME ON ANAEROBIC ZONE PERFORMANCE FOR A SEPTIC WASTEWATER BIOLOGICAL PHOSPHOROUS REMOVAL SYSTEM.
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Creator
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Magro, Daniel, Randall, Andrew, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR) performance was found to be adequate with reduced Return Activated Sludge (RAS) flows (50% of available RAS) to the anaerobic tank and smaller than typical anaerobic zone volume (1.08 hours hydraulic retention time or HRT). Three identical parallel biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plants were fed with strong, highly fermented (160 mg/L VFAs), domestic/industrial wastewater from a full scale wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The pilot...
Show moreEnhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR) performance was found to be adequate with reduced Return Activated Sludge (RAS) flows (50% of available RAS) to the anaerobic tank and smaller than typical anaerobic zone volume (1.08 hours hydraulic retention time or HRT). Three identical parallel biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plants were fed with strong, highly fermented (160 mg/L VFAs), domestic/industrial wastewater from a full scale wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The pilot plants were operated at 100%, 50%, 40% and 25% RAS (percent of available RAS) flows to the anaerobic tank with the remaining RAS to the anoxic tank. In addition, varying anaerobic HRT (1.08 and 1.5 hours), and increased hydraulic loading (35% increase) was examined. The study was divided in four Phases, and the effect of these process variations on EBPR were studied by having one different variable between two identical systems. The most significant conclusions were that only bringing part of the RAS to the anaerobic zone did not decrease EBPR performance, instead changing the location of P release and uptake. Bringing less RAS to the anaerobic and more to the anoxic tank decreased anaerobic P release and increased anoxic P release (or decreased anoxic P uptake). Equally important is that with VFA rich influent wastewater, excessive anaerobic volume was shown to hurt overall P removal even when it resulted in increased anaerobic P release. Computer modeling with BioWin and UCTPHO was found to predict similar results to the pilot test results. Modeling was done with reduced RAS flows to the anaerobic zone (100%, 50%, and 25% RAS), increased anaerobic volume, and increased hydraulic loading. The most significant conclusions were that both models predicted EBPR did not deteriorate with less RAS to the anaerobic zone, in fact, improvements in EBPR were observed. Additional scenarios were also consistent with pilot test data in that increased anaerobic volume did not improve EBPR and increased hydraulic loading did not adversely affect EBPR.
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Date Issued
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2005
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Identifier
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CFE0000329, ucf:46285
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000329
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Title
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An Improved Biosolid Gasifier Model.
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Creator
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McLean, Hannah, Cooper, David, Randall, Andrew, Lee, Woo Hyoung, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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As populations increase and cities become denser, the production of waste, both sewage sludge and food biomass, increases exponentially while disposal options for these wastes are limited. Landfills have minimal space for biosolids; countries are now banning ocean disposal methods for fear of the negative environmental impacts. Agricultural application of biosolids cannot keep up with the production rates because of the accumulation of heavy metals in the soils. Gasification can convert...
Show moreAs populations increase and cities become denser, the production of waste, both sewage sludge and food biomass, increases exponentially while disposal options for these wastes are limited. Landfills have minimal space for biosolids; countries are now banning ocean disposal methods for fear of the negative environmental impacts. Agricultural application of biosolids cannot keep up with the production rates because of the accumulation of heavy metals in the soils. Gasification can convert biosolids into a renewable energy source that can reduce the amount of waste heading to the landfills and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. A recently published chemical kinetic computer model for a fluidized-bed sewage sludge gasifier (Champion, Cooper, Mackie, (&) Cairney, 2014) was improved in this work based on limited experimental results obtained from a bubbling fluidized-bed sewage sludge gasifier at the MaxWest facility in Sanford, Florida and published information from the technical literature. The gasifier processed sewage sludge from the communities surrounding Sanford and was operated at various air equivalence ratios and biosolid feed rates. The temperature profile inside of the gasifier was recorded over the span of four months, and an average profile was used in the base case scenario. The improved model gave reasonable predictions of the axial bed temperature profile, syngas composition, heating value of the syngas, gas flow rate, and carbon conversion. The model was validated by comparing the simulation temperature profile data with the measured temperature profile data. An overall heat loss coefficient was calculated for the gasification unit to provide a more accurate energy balance. Once the model was equipped with a heat loss coefficient, the output syngas temperature closely matched the operational data from the MaxWest facility.The model was exercised at a constant equivalence ratio at varying temperatures, and again using a constant temperature with varying equivalence ratios. The resulting syngas compositions from these exercises were compared to various literature sources. It was decided that some of the reactions kinetics needed to be adjusted so that the change in syngas concentration versus change in bed temperature would more closely match the literature. The reaction kinetics for the Water-Gas Shift and Boudouard reactions were modified back to their original values previously obtained from the literature.
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Date Issued
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2015
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Identifier
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CFE0005663, ucf:50199
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005663
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Title
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Evaluation of The Biodegradability and Toxicity of PCA and mPCA.
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Creator
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Rueda, Juan, Randall, Andrew, Duranceau, Steven, Yestrebsky, Cherie, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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The main types of hypergolic propellants used at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are hydrazine (HZ) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH). HZ and MMH are classified as hazardous materials and they are also known to be potentially carcinogenic to humans; therefore, handling these substances and their waste is strictly regulated. The wastes streams from HZ and MMH have been estimated to be the main hazardous wastes streams at KSC. Currently at KSC these wastes are first neutralized using citric acid and...
Show moreThe main types of hypergolic propellants used at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are hydrazine (HZ) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH). HZ and MMH are classified as hazardous materials and they are also known to be potentially carcinogenic to humans; therefore, handling these substances and their waste is strictly regulated. The wastes streams from HZ and MMH have been estimated to be the main hazardous wastes streams at KSC. Currently at KSC these wastes are first neutralized using citric acid and then they are transported on public roads for incineration as hazardous materials. A new method using alpha ketoglutaric acid (AKGA) was proposed to treat HZ and MMH wastes. From the reaction of AKGA with HZ and MMH two stable products are formed, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinecarboxylic acid (PCA) and l-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinecarboxylic acid (mPCA), respectively.The cost of purchasing AKGA is greater than the cost of purchasing citric acid; thus, AKGA can only become a cost effective alternative for the treatment of HZ and MMH wastes if the products of the reactions (PCA and mPCA) can be safely disposed of into the sewage system without affecting the treatment efficiency and effluent quality of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In this research mPCA and PCA were analyzed for acute toxicity using fish and crustaceans as well as their effect on the wastewater treatment efficiency and viability using AS microbes, and their biodegradability by AS organisms. Acute toxicity on fish and crustaceans was investigated according to the methods for acute toxicity by USEPA (USEPA Method EPA-821-R-02-012) using Ceriodaphnia dubia (96 hours) and Pimephales promelas (96 hours) as the test organisms. The effect of mPCA and PCA in the treatment efficiency and viability were estimated from respiration inhibition tests (USEPA Method OCSPP 850.3300) and heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs). Lastly, the biodegradability of mPCA and PCA was assessed using the Closed Bottle Test (USEPA Method OPPTS 835.3110). For mPCA, the 96 hours LC50 for C. dubia was estimated at 0.77 (&)#177; 0.06 g/L (with a 95% confidence level) and the NOEC was estimated at 0.5 g/L. For P. promelas, the LC50 was above 1.5 g/L but it was noticed that mPCA had an effect on their behavior. Abnormal behavior observed included loss of equilibrium and curved spine. The NOEC on the fish was estimated at 0.75 g/L. PCA did not exhibit a significant mortality on fish or crustaceans. The LC50 of PCA in P. promelas and C. dubia was (>) 1.5 g/L and the NOEC was 1.5 g/L for both organisms. An Inhibitory effect on the heterotrophic respiration of activated sludge organisms was not observed after exposing them for 180-min to PCA and mPCA at concentrations of up to 1.5 g/L compared to the blank controls. Overall the impact of PCA and mPCA on total respiration rates was small, and only observed at 1,500 mg/L if at all. The difference was apparently caused by inhibition of nitrification rather than heterotrophic inhibition. However due to the variability observed in the measurements of the replicates, it is not possible to firmly conclude that PCA or mPCA at 1,500 mg/L was inhibitory to nitrification.Based on the results from the HPCs, mPCA and PCA did not affect the viability of heterotrophic organisms at 750 mg/L. In the BOD-like closed bottle test using a diluted activated sludge mixed liquor sample, the AS microorganisms were capable of biodegrading up to 67% of a 2 mg/L concentration of PCA (with respect to its theoretical oxygen demand, or ThOD) in 28 days. No biodegradation was observed in the samples containing 2 and 5 mg/L of mPCA after 28 days of incubation using a diluted activated sludge mixed liquor sample as inoculum.The results of this study show that mPCA is more toxic than PCA to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas. However neither mPCA nor PCA had an effect on the heterotrophic respiration of an AS mixed liquor sample at 1.5 g/L and there was probably no significant inhibition of the nitrification respiration. Samples of PCA and mPCA at 2 and 5 mg/L could not be completely degraded (with respect to their total theoretical oxygen demand) by dilute AS biomass during a 28 day incubation period. mPCA did not show significant degradation in the two different biodegradation tests performed.
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Date Issued
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2013
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Identifier
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CFE0004744, ucf:49779
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004744
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Title
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Mathematical Modeling of Carbon Removal in the A-Stage Activated Sludge System.
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Creator
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Nogaj, Thomas, Randall, Andrew, Duranceau, Steven, Chopra, Manoj, Jimenez, Jose, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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This research developed a dynamic activated sludge model (ASM) to better describe the overall removal of organic substrate, quantified as chemical oxygen demand (COD), from A-stage high rate activated sludge (HRAS) systems. This dynamic computer model is based on a modified ASM1 (Henze et al., 2000) model. It was determined early in the project that influent soluble COD, which is normally represented by a single state variable in ASM1, had to be subdivided into two state variables (SBs and...
Show moreThis research developed a dynamic activated sludge model (ASM) to better describe the overall removal of organic substrate, quantified as chemical oxygen demand (COD), from A-stage high rate activated sludge (HRAS) systems. This dynamic computer model is based on a modified ASM1 (Henze et al., 2000) model. It was determined early in the project that influent soluble COD, which is normally represented by a single state variable in ASM1, had to be subdivided into two state variables (SBs and SBf, or slow and fast fractions) to simulate the performance of A-stage systems. Also, the addition of state variables differentiating colloidal COD from suspended COD was necessary due to short hydraulic residence times in A-stage systems which do not allow for complete enmeshment and bioflocculation of these particles as occurs in conventional activated sludge systems (which have longer solid retention times and hydraulic retention times). It was necessary to add several processes (both stoichiometry and kinetic equations) to the original ASM1 model including heterotrophic growth on both soluble substrate fractions and bioflocculation of colloidal solids. How to properly quantify heterotrophic growth on SBs and SBf resulted in two separate approaches with respect to process kinetic equations. In one approach the SBf was metabolized preferentially over SBs which was only utilized when SBf was not available. This is referred to as the Diauxic Model. In the other approach SBf and SBs were metabolized simultaneously, and this is referred to as the Dual Substrate Model. The Dual Substrate Model calibrated slightly better than the Diauxic Model for one of the two available pilot studies data sets (the other set was used for model verification). The Dual Substrate A-stage model was used to describe the effects of varying specific operating parameters including solids retention time (SRT), dissolved oxygen (DO), influent COD and temperature on the effluent COD:N ratio. The effluent COD:N ratio target was based on its suitability for a downstream nitrite shunt (i.e. nitritation/denitritation) process. In the downstream process the goal is to eliminate nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) from the reactor while selecting for ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB). The results showed that a low SRT ((<)0.25 d) can produce high effluent substrates (SB and CB), and elevated COD:N ratios consistent with NOB out-selection downstream, the HRAS model was able to predict the measured higher fraction of CB in the A-stage effluent at lower SRTs and DO concentrations, and to achieve the benefits of operating an A-stage process, while maintaining an effluent COD:N ratio suitable for a downstream nitritation/denitritation process, an A-stage SRT in the range of 0.1 to 0.25 d should be maintained.This research also included an analysis of A-stage pilot data using stoichiometry to determine the bio-products formed from soluble substrate removed in an A-stage reactor. The results were used to further refine the process components and stoichiometric parameters to be used in the A-stage dynamic computer model, which includes process mechanisms for flocculation and enmeshment of particulate and colloidal substrate, hydrolysis, production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and storage of soluble biodegradable substrate. Analysis of pilot data and simulations with the dynamic computer model implied (indirectly) that storage products were probably significant in A-stage COD removal.
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Date Issued
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2015
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Identifier
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CFE0005677, ucf:50161
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005677
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Title
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Magnesium and Acidified Ethanol Based Treatment Systems for the Extraction and Dechlorination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls from Contaminated Oils, Paints, and Soils.
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Creator
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Novaes-Card, Simone, Yestrebsky, Cherie, Clausen, Christian, Elsheimer, Seth, Frazer, Andrew, Duranceau, Steven, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of environmentally persistent halogenated organic compounds that were once used as stabilizers to improve the properties of a variety of materials such as lubricants, heat transfer fluids, paints, and caulking materials. PCBs are also capable of migration through processes such as spillage into soils, leaching into groundwater, and volatilization into the atmosphere. Although banned in 1979 over health concerns, PCBs persist in these materials to...
Show morePolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of environmentally persistent halogenated organic compounds that were once used as stabilizers to improve the properties of a variety of materials such as lubricants, heat transfer fluids, paints, and caulking materials. PCBs are also capable of migration through processes such as spillage into soils, leaching into groundwater, and volatilization into the atmosphere. Although banned in 1979 over health concerns, PCBs persist in these materials to this day because they are resistant to biotic degradation and natural weathering processes. The wide variety of contaminated materials means that many existing treatment options cannot be used across all media. This research focuses on the adaptation of a reductive dehalogenation system for dechlorination of PCBs from machine oils, paints, sludges, and soils. The system utilizes magnesium, glacial acetic acid, and ethanol in order to remove the chlorine atoms from the biphenyl backbone, which is less toxic and can be broken down biotically.A treatment plan was devised for machine oil contaminated with PCBs, involving sorption of PCBs onto a column of super activated alumina followed by desorption into hexane and treatment of the hexane with magnesium and acidified ethanol to dechlorinate the PCBs. In a small-scale study, 98.5% of PCBs from an oil sample were sorbed to the column, and the PCBs that were subsequently desorbed were dechlorinated to below detectable levels within one day of magnesium and acidified ethanol treatment. Information from small-scale studies was used to design larger sorption columns intended for use at a field site.A field study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of two different treatment system pastes at removing PCBs from painted surfaces. These pastes were formulated with bulking and viscosity control agents in order to cling to vertical surfaces, and contained either acidified ethanol and magnesium (Activated Metal Treatment System, AMTS) or acidified ethanol only (Non-Metal Treatment System, NMTS). AMTS was capable of 64.8% average removal of PCBs from paint, while NMTS demonstrated 89.5% average removal but required a second step to dechlorinate the extracted PCBs. This system allows for treatment of surfaces without demolishing the structure. AMTS was also studied for in situ dechlorination of PCBs in soils, and NMTS enclosed in a polyethylene barrier was studied for extraction of PCBs from sludges.A two-step system was devised for the ex situ treatment of PCB-contaminated soils. Solvent extraction with ethanol or an ethanol/ethyl lactate cosolvent is followed by dechlorination using magnesium and glacial acetic acid. Studies included the optimization of extraction solvent, cosolvent ratio, cost, and reuse of magnesium or extraction solvent. Surface analysis of magnesium particles used in dechlorination showed a precipitate occluding part of the surface, which was thought to be a combination of magnesium ethoxide and magnesium hydroxide. This precipitate is thought to come from the reaction of magnesium ethoxide formed during the PCB dechlorination process with pore water extracted from the soil.
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Date Issued
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2013
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Identifier
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CFE0005222, ucf:50630
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005222
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Title
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Cost and Environmental Impacts of Leachate Nitrogen/Phosphorus Management Approaches.
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Creator
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Alanezi, Alaa, Reinhart, Debra, Randall, Andrew, Sadmani, A H M Anwar, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Landfill leachate is a challenging wastewater to discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the most common approach for leachate management, due to the presence of contaminants that may affect the performance of the treatment plant. Treatment, disposal, and transportation of leachate are expensive and therefore a concern. Currently, sidestream treatment is becoming increasingly common in WWTPs prior to returning the liquid to the plant influent. For this research, a new...
Show moreLandfill leachate is a challenging wastewater to discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the most common approach for leachate management, due to the presence of contaminants that may affect the performance of the treatment plant. Treatment, disposal, and transportation of leachate are expensive and therefore a concern. Currently, sidestream treatment is becoming increasingly common in WWTPs prior to returning the liquid to the plant influent. For this research, a new treatment scheme is introduced combining centrate and leachate to reduce contaminants, recover phosphorous and nitrogen through struvite precipitation, and reduce energy requirements through anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox). By combining the two waste streams, the respective limited nutrients (nitrogen in centrate and nitrogen in leachate) can be removed in a low cost chemical treatment resources can be recovered. Carbon contaminants and remaining nutrients can be removed in subsequent innovative biological treatment units. The objective of this thesis is to conduct a cost analysis and environmental assessment of the proposed novel treatment approach and to compare it to more traditional landfill on-site leachate treatment approaches (e.g., membrane bioreactors (MBR) and sequencing batch reactors (SBR)). The study was completed with the use of spreadsheet-based models. Spreadsheets have been developed to evaluate treatment costs (Capital + O(&)M) for both the proposed nutrient recovery/biological and traditional on-site leachate treatments. Transportation costs of leachate to the WWTP have been studied and analyzed by the use of a spreadsheet model as a function of distance. Results suggest that treatment using Struvite (-) Aerobic Granular Sludge (-) Anammox (SGA) was higher in cost compared to traditional approaches. However, positive outcomes from this process include: lower N_2 O emissions, lower power consumption, struvite fertilizer, and overall recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus with the combination of centrate and leachate.
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Date Issued
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2018
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Identifier
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CFE0007147, ucf:52310
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007147
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Title
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A Comparison of Aluminum and Iron-based Coagulants for Treatment of Surface Water in Sarasota County, Florida.
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Creator
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Yonge, David, Duranceau, Steven, Randall, Andrew, Cooper, Charles, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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In this research, five different coagulants were evaluated to determine their effectiveness at removing turbidity, color and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from a surface water in Sarasota County, Florida. Bench-scale jar tests that simulated conventional coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes were used. Iron-based coagulants (ferric chloride and ferric sulfate) and aluminum-based coagulants (aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH)) were...
Show moreIn this research, five different coagulants were evaluated to determine their effectiveness at removing turbidity, color and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from a surface water in Sarasota County, Florida. Bench-scale jar tests that simulated conventional coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes were used. Iron-based coagulants (ferric chloride and ferric sulfate) and aluminum-based coagulants (aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH)) were used to treat a highly organic surface water supply (DOC ranging between 10 and 30 mg/L), known as the Cow Pen Slough, located within central Sarasota County, Florida. Isopleths depicting DOC and color removal efficiencies as a function of both pH and coagulant dose were developed and evaluated. Ferric chloride and ACH were observed to obtain the highest DOC (85% and 70%, respectively) and color (98% and 97%, respectively) removals at the lowest dose concentrations (120 mg/L and 100 mg/L, respectively). Ferric sulfate was effective at DOC removal but required a higher concentration of coagulant and was the least effective coagulant at removing color. The traditional iron-based coagulants and alum had low turbidity removals and they were often observed to add turbidity to the water. PACl and ACH had similar percent removals for color and turbidity achieving consistent percent removals of 95% and 45%, respectively, but PACl was less effective than ACH at removing organics. Sludge settling curves, dose-sludge production ratios, and settling velocities were determined at optimum DOC removal conditions for each coagulant. Ferric chloride was found to have the highest sludge settling rate but also produced the largest sludge quantities. Total trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) was measured for the water treated with ferric chloride and ACH. As with DOC removal, ferric chloride yielded a higher percent reduction with respect to THMFP.
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Date Issued
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2012
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Identifier
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CFE0004621, ucf:49936
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004621
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Title
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Development of a Chemical Kinetic Model for a Fluidized-bed Sewage Sludge Gasifier.
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Creator
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Champion, Wyatt, Cooper, Charles, Mackie, Kevin, Randall, Andrew, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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As the need for both sustainable energy production and waste minimization increases, the gasification of biomass becomes an increasingly important process. What would otherwise be considered waste can now be used as fuel, and the benefits of volume reduction through gasification are seen in the increased lifespan of landfills. Fluidized-bed gasification is a particularly robust technology, and allows for the conversion of most types of waste biomass.Within a fluidized-bed gasifier, thermal...
Show moreAs the need for both sustainable energy production and waste minimization increases, the gasification of biomass becomes an increasingly important process. What would otherwise be considered waste can now be used as fuel, and the benefits of volume reduction through gasification are seen in the increased lifespan of landfills. Fluidized-bed gasification is a particularly robust technology, and allows for the conversion of most types of waste biomass.Within a fluidized-bed gasifier, thermal medium (sand) is heated to operating temperature (around 1350(&)deg;F) and begins to fluidize due to the rapid expansion of air entering the bottom of the reactor. This fluidization allows for excellent heat transfer and contact between gases and solids, and prevents localized (")hot spots(") within the gasifier, thereby reducing the occurrence of ash agglomeration within the gasifier. Solids enter the middle of the gasifier and are rapidly dried and devolatilized, and the products of this step are subsequently oxidized and then reduced in the remainder of the gasifier. A syngas composed mainly of N2, H2O, CO2, CO, CH4, and H2 exits the top of the gasifier.A computer model was developed to predict the syngas composition and flow rate, as well as ash composition and mass flow rate from a fluidized-bed gasifier. A review of the literature was performed to determine the most appropriate modeling approach. A chemical kinetic model was chosen, and developed in MATLAB using the Newton-Raphson method to solve sets of 18 simultaneous equations. These equations account for mass and energy balances throughout the gasifier. The chemical kinetic rate expressions for these reactions were sourced from the literature, and some values modified to better fit the predicted gas composition to literature data.
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Date Issued
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2013
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Identifier
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CFE0005089, ucf:50746
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005089