Growth, structure and oxygen penetration in particle supported autotrophic biofilms.

Particle supported autotrophic biofilms were cultivated in external-loop airlift reactors at two different pumice concentrations. Oxygen microelectrodes were used to investigate substrate transport and conversion. A special flow cell was designed for the measurement of oxygen concentration profiles in the particle supported biofilms under defined hydrodynamic conditions. The oxygen concentration profiles inside the biofilms were found to be steeper at high flow velocities in the bulk phase of the flow cell compared to those at low flow velocities. Furthermore, the oxygen flux increased and the thickness of the concentration boundary layer decreased with increasing flow velocity. This dependence was found to be more pronounced in less dense biofilms out of airlift reactors with lower pumice concentrations. In addition confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to visualize the biofilm structure. The volume fractions of bacteria and extracellular polymeric substances (lectin-specific EPS-glycoconjugates) were measured in living fully hydrated biofilms. Both the microelectrode and CLSM measurement showed the influence of shear stress on particle supported biofilms. A higher particle concentration led to dense biofilms with a homogeneous surface, lower thickness of the concentration boundary layer and steeper oxygen concentration profiles. The combination of both techniques allows a detailed and quantitative characterisation of particle associated biofilm structure and function.     

基于涡动相关法的沉积物-水界面氧通量与水动力条件响应关系

沉积物-水界面是物质参与环境地球化学循环和生物耦合的"热区",水动力条件是沉积物-水界面物质交换的关键影响因素。溶解氧作为常用的水质评价指标,对调节生物化学进程有重要作用,因此本文采用涡动相关法这种非侵入式通量测量技术开展室内试验研究,探究沉积物-水界面氧通量与水动力条件的响应关系。结果表明:随着水体紊动增加(采用Batchelor尺度表征),扩散边界层厚度减小,氧通量增大。分析室内试验和相关研究中水动力条件、扩散边界层厚度及氧通量的关系,发现扩散边界层厚度与Batchelor尺度呈正相关关系,拟合结果表明可以用Batchelor尺度近似表示扩散边界层厚度;氧通量与扩散边界层厚度呈负相关关系,且当扩散边界层厚度小于0.5 mm时,扩散边界层厚度变化对氧通量影响更强烈,当厚度大于0.5 mm后,氧通量基本保持稳定。     

典型盐碱地改良区农田排水沟水体与底泥界面氧通量研究

农田排水沟水体与底泥中的氧含量决定了底泥中各种生源要素的最终归趋,对维持农田排水沟的水环境至关重要。本论文以陕西富平县卤泊滩盐碱地改良区农田排水沟水体与底泥为研究对象,从环境微界面角度出发,根据多年监测数据构建室内试验,采用高分辨率微环境固液剖面传感系统(丹麦Unisense微电极系统),探究了研究区农田排水沟水体与底泥界面氧通量变化规律。研究结果表明:底泥中的溶解氧随深度的增加逐渐减小,直至溶解氧浓度为零,到达厌氧层;溶解氧剖面浓度的实测值与Profile模型模拟值的相关系数均在0.995以上,表明该模型能客观地描述溶解氧在农田排水沟水体与底泥扩散边界层和底泥中的分布;农田排水沟上游不同监测点位的底泥含氧层厚度在3.5～6 mm之间,而下游监测点位的底泥含氧层厚度约为1.5 mm,差异显著;通过氧浓度线性分布、剖面拐点法得到氧气扩散边界厚度,上游监测点位的氧气扩散边界层厚度基本在1 mm,而下游监测点位的氧气扩散边界层厚度减少至0.2 mm。农田排水沟水体与底泥界面氧通量的测定,对于认识农田排水沟底泥的地球化学过程及水环境作用机理具有重要意义,可为农田排水沟水环境治理提供参考依据。     

Numerical solution of thermo-solutal mixed convective slip flow from a radiative plate with convective boundary condition

A mathematical model for mixed convective slip flow with heat and mass transfer in the presence of thermal radiation is presented. A convective boundary condition is included and slip is simulated via the hydrodynamic slip parameter. Heat generation and absorption effects are also incorporated. The Rosseland diffusion flux model is employed. The governing partial differential conservation equations are reduced to a system of coupled, ordinary differential equations via Lie group theory method. The resulting coupled equations are solved using shooting method. The influences of the emerging parameters on dimensionless velocity, temperature and concentration distributions are investigated. Increasing radiative-conductive parameter accelerates the boundary layer flow and increases temperature whereas it depresses concentration. An elevation in convection-conduction parameter also accelerates the flow and temperatures whereas it reduces concentrations. Velocity near the wall is considerably boosted with increasing momentum slip parameter although both temperature and concentration boundary layer thicknesses are decreased. The presence of a heat source is found to increase momentum and thermal boundary layer thicknesses but reduces concentration boundary layer thickness. Excellent correlation of the numerical solutions with previous non-slip studies is demonstrated. The current study has applications in bioreactor diffusion flows and high-temperature chemical materials processing systems.     

A model of two-dimensional biofilm morphology

A mathematical model of biofilm development was proposed. The model, which can be classified as a cellular automaton, is based on simple local rules for growth and detachment of individual cells. Results of several numerical simulations suggest that the thickness of concentration and hydrodynamic boundary layers may have an important effect on the developing biofilm structure. When external mass transfer limitations are significant, model biofilms develop an open structure. When the concentration boundary layer is reduced and external mass transfer is enhanced, a dense layer of a biofilm develops. Biofilm strength to withstand erosion has a smaller but also significant effect on its structure.     

Microsensor measurement of oxygen concentration in biofilms: from one dimension to three dimensions.

In this study, we measured oxygen concentration in biofilms in one dimension in field conditions and in three dimensions in laboratory conditions by using a robust oxygen microsensor in combination with an automation and data acquisition system. The biofilms were on the discs of rotating biological contactors treating domestic wastewater. The results of this study provide experimental evidence on oxygen distribution in wastewater biofilms and on biofilm structure. (1) The three dimensional measurements of oxygen concentration in biofilms revealed "pockets" of oxygen in deep sections of biofilms. In these isolated "pockets," located 600-760 microm from the biofilm surface, dissolved oxygen concentration was as high as 1 mg/L. This depth of oxygen diffusion is deeper than what was determined based on one dimensional measurements. (2) The heterogeneity of oxygen distribution was related to the surface structure of biofilms. The structure of the biofilm surface affected the diffusion boundary layer over the surface and, in turn, the oxygen diffusion and distribution inside biofilms. (3) Oxygen concentration in biofilms changed generally from a high degree of heterogeneity near the biofilm surface to a low degree of heterogeneity in deep sections of biofilms, indicating a cell-clusters-like structure near the surface and a more compact base layer close to the substratum.     

Controlling sulfide generation in force mains by air injection

Air injection into force mains has been used to control sulfide generation. However, the design criteria have not been clearly established. In this study, the minimum concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) required to prevent sulfide generation, and the oxygen balance in the force mains were investigated using an experimental facility. Air injection completely eliminated sulfide presence at the pipe outlet when DO at the pipe end was 0.2 mg/1 or higher. Reaeration from gaseous phase to wastewater was affected by sewage flow velocity and oxygen concentration in the gaseous phase. Oxygen consumption rate in bulk water (Rr) ranged widely from 3 to 18 mg/1.h. Oxygen consumption rate in biofilm (Re) was measured using a rotating reactor. Re seemed to increase in proportion to the square root of DO.     

平交口门区水动力特征试验研究

平原河网地区河道纵横交错,平交口门区("+"型交汇区)水流受交汇河道共同影响,水动力特征复杂。以新沟河三山港—武进港与京杭运河平交口门区为例,对其水动力特征进行了试验研究,并探讨了不同边界条件下的变化规律。受三山港吸流影响,京杭运河来流流至三山港口门时水流明显左偏并进入三山港,出现一定范围的横流区;受武进港出流顶托作用,位于武进港出口上游的运河右侧出现一较大范围的回流区,其范围随着武进港出流流速的减小而减小。河道边界对口门区水动力特征存在明显影响,流速较大一侧边界条件的改变对水动力特征的影响最明显。在类似平交口门区,需改变流速分布时,可优先考虑调整流速较大侧边界。     

水库异重流的三维数值模拟及影响因素分析

不同水沙条件下异重流的潜入位置以及潜入后流速和含沙量的垂向分布规律是研究异重流运动规律的关键要素,对优化水库异重流的排沙调度、提高水库运用效益等至关重要。本文利用SCHISM三维水沙数学模型对水库异重流水槽试验进行了数值模拟,结果表明模型能够得到符合实际情况的垂线流速和含沙量分布,且异重流潜入后的平均厚度、平均流速和平均含沙量均与实测值吻合较好。对异重流模拟结果的分析发现,入口流量和含沙量的增加造成异重流运动速度越快,而入口含沙量的减小和流量的增加会造成异重流厚度增加。异重流垂向流速和含沙量的无量纲化分布受到入口水沙条件的影响,表现在其与断面Froude数的相关性,Froude数越大,则最大流速点与河床的距离越小,最大流速越大;含沙量致密层的厚度越小,对应的含沙量也越大。此外,潜入点位置也受入口水沙条件的影响,表现在潜入水深与入口水深之比随入口Froude数增加而增加的定量关系,由此可以利用入口水沙条件预报异重流潜入的位置。研究结果不仅验证了SCHISM模型用于模拟水库异重流运动的优势,而且丰富和完善了关于异重流潜入点位置及流速和含沙量垂向分布受入口水沙条件影响的变化规律。     

沼液中全氮在非饱和均质土壤中的吸附特征试验

为探讨沼液中全氮在非饱和均质土壤中的吸附特征,在室内恒温条件下,对非饱和均质土柱采用一维沼液吸附试验,测定不同沼液浓度、土壤密度及沼液入渗水头条件下渗出液电导率及全氮含量,并应用对流弥散溶质运移模型和CXTFIT2.0软件对试验数据进行拟合,得到了不同试验方案下的全氮平均孔隙水流速和水动力弥散度。试验结果表明:不同试验方案下较大密度土壤的渗出液电导率峰值点均小于较小密度土壤的峰值点;峰值点后渗出液的电导率与峰值点差值随沼液浓度的增大而增大;相同土壤密度及入渗水头条件下,随沼液浓度的增大,吸附曲线逐渐向右偏移,全氮运移吸附转折点对应时间及被截获在土柱中的全氮量增加,而吸附转折点渗出液相对浓度、平均孔隙水流速及水动力弥散度均减小;相同沼液浓度及土壤密度条件下,随入渗水头增大,土壤对全氮吸附达到饱和所需时间减少,平均孔隙水流速及水动力弥散度增大;相同沼液浓度及入渗水头条件下,随土壤密度的增大,全氮吸附转折点对应时间增长,水动力弥散度增大,而平均孔隙水流速减小。     

Hydrogen limitation--a method for controlling the performance of membrane biofilm reactor for autotrophic denitrification of wastewater.

Hydrogen-driven denitrification using the fiber membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was evaluated for consistent operation in tertiary wastewater treatment. The possibility of controlling the process rates, as well as biofilm parameters by supplying limited amounts of electron donor (hydrogen), was tested. Limiting the hydrogen supply proved to be efficient in controlling the biofilm growth and performance of the MBfR. Denitrification rates remained unchanged for both synthetic wastewater (SWW) and real municipal wastewater (MWW) effluent as well through the fluctuations in the substrate (NO3-N) concentration. The average denitrification rates were 0.50 (+/- 0.02) g NO3-N per day per m2 for SWW and 0.59 (+/- 0.04) g NO3-N per day per m2 for MWW. Biofilm density rather than thickness was the determining factor in substrate diffusion and biofilm sloughing, ultimately determining operating stability. Limited hydrogen supply assured constant volatile solids (VS) concentration in the biofilm. It was determined that VS/TS ratio higher than 0.25 assured stable biofilm operation. Decrease of VS/TS ratio below 0.25 led to shearing of the nonbiological outer layers of the biofilm. The values of chemical oxygen demand (COD), volatile suspended solids (VSS) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the final effluent were stable and well below wastewater effluent guidelines. Substitutions of bicarbonate with gaseous carbon dioxide as the carbon source did not affect denitrification rates despite lower than optimum pH conditions.     

Predicting membrane flux decline from complex mixtures using flow-field flow fractionation measurements and semi-empirical theory.

Flow-Field Flow Fractionation (FI-FFF) is an idealization of the cross flow membrane filtration process in that, (1) the filtration flux and crossflow velocity are constant from beginning to end of the device, (2) the process is a relatively well-defined laminar-flow hydrodynamic condition, and (3) the solutes are introduced as a pulse-input that spreads due to interactions with each other and the membrane in the dilute-solution limit. We have investigated the potential for relating FI-FFF measurements to membrane fouling. An advection-dispersion transport model was used to provide 'ideal' (defined as spherical, non-interacting solutes) solute residence time distributions (RTDs) for comparison with 'real' RTDs obtained experimentally at different cross-field velocities and solution ionic strength. An RTD moment analysis based on a particle diameter probability density function was used to extract "effective" characteristic properties, rather than uniquely defined characteristics, of the standard solute mixture. A semi-empirical unsteady-state, flux decline model was developed that uses solute property parameters. Three modes of flux decline are included: (1) concentration polarization, (2) cake buildup, and (3) adsorption on/in pores, We have used this model to test the hypothesis-that an analysis of a residence time distribution using FI-FFF can describe 'effective' solute properties or indices that can be related to membrane flux decline in crossflow membrane filtration. Constant flux filtration studies included the changes of transport hydrodynamics (solvent flux to solute back diffusion (J/k) ratios), solution ionic strength, and feed water composition for filtration using a regenerated cellulose ultrafiltration membrane. Tests of the modeling hypothesis were compared with experimental results from the filtration measurements using several correction parameters based on the mean and variance of the solute RTDs. The corrections used to modify the boundary layer mass transfer coefficient and the specific resistance of cake or adsorption layers demonstrated that RTD analysis is potentially useful technique to describe colloid properties but requires improvements.     

Hydrodynamic effects on contaminants release due to rususpension and diffusion from sediments

Hydrodynamic effects play a very important role in the contaminants release from sediments. Experiments were perfor-med to study contaminants releasing characteristics due to resuspension. The time-dep...     

夏季引流条件下苏州古城区河网水质变化研究

为探寻城市河网水动力提升对水环境改善的影响,评估引水调流效益,以苏州古城区河网为例,在夏季丰水期条件下通过对不同流量引水条件下数条河流水动力及水质的监测和分析,探讨水动力作用对河网水体的水质改善效果。结果表明,在汛期允许最佳引流条件下,苏州齐门河、平门河及学士河的污染物通量分别下降了15.2%,16.5%和13.2%,其中古城区北部河网水环境改善情况明显高于南部河网。引水调流方案能够有效增强古城河网流动性,而河网水体中COD和溶解氧含量在不同水动力条件下的变化较为敏感,可以作为古城区河网典型水质指标参数,反映水动力调控的影响效果。     

Study of rotating biological contactor performance in wastewater treatment using multi-culture biofilm model.

The rotating biological contactor (RBC) process offers the specific advantages of a biofilm system in treatment of wastewater for removal of soluble organic substances and stabilisation of nitrogen compounds. Being a unique adaptation of the moving-medium biofilm system, it facilitates easy and effective oxygen transfer. However, process optimisation and adaptability under different conditions remain challenging tasks for the efficient use of this technology. Although modelling helps to study system performance under various external conditions, satisfactory mathematical representation is lacking due to the dynamic nature of the RBC system. In this work, it has been attempted to frame a mathematical model for a three-stage RBC process in simple and realistic ways. The model is based on the well-known principles of one-dimensional mass transfer and transport of substances. The biochemical conversion process is adopted from the Activated Sludge Model No. 3 which represents a mixed-culture biomass environment. Owing to the dynamic nature of oxygen transfer, which is the typical limiting substrate in municipal wastewaters, the boundary layer is assumed to be completely mixed and concentrations averaged over the entire volume. A part of the boundary layer is assumed to be exposed to air and the rest submerged in bulk liquid at all times. The model results are compared with laboratory-scale experimental data available at 25 'C. Sensitivity analysis is performed with the model to study the significance of variation of different system parameters or the surrounding environment. In essence, the model helps to explore the flexibilities within a RBC system and optimise the process design accordingly.     

Experimental investigation on diffusive contaminant release from permeable sediment layer under unidirectional unsteady flow

The interfacial diffusive contaminant（phosphorus） release from permeable sediment layer into overlying water column under a unidirectional unsteady（periodic） flow condition was experimentally measured and analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the gross diffusive contaminant release rate is substantially enhanced as compared to that under a steady flow condition, and this enhancement trend is much more pronounced in an immediate release stage. The interfacial diffusive contaminant release rate tends to increase with the increasing flow velocity, decreasing period and augmenting amplitude for the case of the unsteady flow. The additional interfacial diffusive contaminant release under the unsteady flow condition may be related to the hydrodynamic response of the diffusive boundary layer to the flow unsteadiness of the overlying water, depending upon not only the periodic thickness variation of the diffusive boundary layer immediately above the sediment-water interface modulated by the temporal flow velocity of the overlying water column but also the intensified turbulent mixing between the overlying water and the pore-water within the superficial sediment layer induced by an alternate acceleration/deceleration fluctuation during each period.     

Sediment transport in pure acceleration-skewed oscillatory sheet flow

In the present study, an analytical concept model is built, using a two-phase model for the sediment transport in a pure acceleration-skewed oscillatory sheet flow. The analytical model is based on the asymmetric wave theory, the irregular boundary layer theory and the exponential concentration distribution theory, to be used for analyzing the phase lag and the boundary layer development related to the acceleration skewness. The two-phase model is applied for the calculations of the instantaneous erosion depth, the sediment flux, the boundary layer thickness and the sediment transport rate, as well as the differences between the positive acceleration stage and the negative acceleration stage caused by the acceleration skewness, as very important in the net current and sediment transport. The effects of the sediment diameter and the phase lag are explained by a comparison with the instantaneous type empirical formula, as is closely related to the acceleration skewness. With the analytical concept model and the two-phase model, the generation of the net sediment transport in the pure acceleration-skewed flows is clearly explained. The phase lag effect is important for the instantaneous sediment transport in the pure acceleration-skewed flow, whereas the boundary layer development difference between the positive acceleration stage and the negative acceleration stage plays a major role in the determination of the net sediment transport.     

Numerical simulation of flow and bed morphology in the case of dam break floods with vegetation effect

The purpose of this study is to establish a depth-averaged 2-D hydrodynamic and sediment transport model for the dambreak flows with vegetation effect. The generalized shallow water equations are solved using an explicit finite volume method with unstructured quadtree rectangular grid, and in the hydrodynamic model, a Harten-Lax-Van Leer(HLL) approximate Riemann solver is used to calculate the intercell flux for capturing the dry-to-wet moving boundary. The sediment transport and bed variation equations in a coupled fashion are calculated by including the bed variation and the variable flow density in the flow continuity and momentum equations. The drag force of vegetation is modeled as the sink terms in the momentum equations. The developed model is tested against lab experiments of the dam-break flows over a fix bed and a movable bed in vegetated and non-vegetated channels. The results are compared with experimental data, and good agreement is obtained. It is shown that the reduced velocity under vegetated conditions leads to a decrease of the peak discharge and a rise of the water level of rivers and also an enhancement of the sediment deposition.