Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in a fully illuminated fluidized bed reactor

The potential of a fluidized bed reactor for the UV-A photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI), a priority water pollutant, by utilizing a TiO(2)/quartz sand composite, was explored. The effects of oxalic acid (OA) as a sacrificial agent in the heterogeneous system was also investigated and compared with the homogeneous photoreduction by the same dicarboxylic acid under both oxygenated or anoxic conditions of the reacting media. The performance of the 'preconditioned' photocatalyst, either by pretreating it with the OA solution (at dark or under UV-A illumination) or by letting the catalyst stand wet with the OA solution, during designated time intervals (1-5 weeks) prior to its reuse, was assessed. Then, up to 95% reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was achieved in less than 100 min.     

Activity of sulphate reducing bacteria according to COD/SO4(2-) ratio of acrylonitrile wastewater containing high sulphate.

This study was performed to evaluate the biodegradability of acrylonitrile wastewater, microbial inhibition effect of acrylonitrile wastewater on removal efficiency and the activity of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) according to COD/sulphate ratio. Acrylonitrile wastewater was hardly biodegradable in a biodegradability test, however, SRB activity was 57% for overall consumption of electron donor and it was relatively high value compared to 17% of reference test with glucose. COD removal of acrylonitrile wastewater was improved to 57% and 61% from 20% as the COD/sulphate ratio were 0.5 and 0.3 by sulphate addition to acrylonitrile wastewater. First order reaction rate constants k on organic removal of acrylonitrile wastewater were 0.001, 0.004 and 0.004 at each COD/sulphate ratio of 0.9, 0.5 and 0.3. Thus it was suggested that the activity of SRB was a significant factor for removing organics and sulphate simultaneously in acrylonitrile wastewater.     

Real-time PCR quantification of nitrite reductase (nirS) genes in a nitrogen removing fluidized bed reactor.

Molecular approaches were applied to identify and enumerate denitrifying bacteria subsisting in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The FBR was continuously operated as a unit for the removal of nitrogen from the effluents of domestic sewage treatment plant, with an additional supply of methanol as a carbon source. By denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, Thauera group was found to be dominant among the denitrifying bacteria in the FBR sludge. Oligonucleotide probe THA155 for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was newly designed for specifically targeting the Thauera group. However, the THA155 signal obtained from the sludge was only 0.9-5.7% of the DAPI-stained total cells. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the sequences of nitrite reductase (NIR) gene, a key enzyme of denitrification processes, was performed to quantify the cells of denitrifying bacteria cells including the Thauera group in FBR sludge. An excellent correlation was obtained between the numbers of nirS genes and the activity of denitrifiers in the FBR sludge.     

Experimental and modeling investigations of a hybrid upflow anaerobic sludge-filter bed (UASFB) reactor

A 9.8-L hybrid UASFB reactor, in which the lower half was occupied by a sludge blanket and the upper half by small floating polyethylene media, was evaluated using wine distillery vinasse as substrate. The reactor was operated for a total period of 232 days at 33 + 1 degrees C. Continuous feeding of the reactor was started with an initial OLR of 2.9 g COD/L.d and then it was increased step wise to 19.5 g COD/L.d by increasing the feed COD, while maintaining a constant HRT (1.05 d). The reactor was equipped with a continuous internal recirculation system from top to the bottom at the rate of 9 L/h (upflow velocity = 0.83 m/h) upto day 159 and then it was reduced to about half on day 160 onwards. It was observed that the reduced recirculation rate did not affect the performance of the reactor with an average COD(t) and COD(s) removal efficiencies of 82 and 88%, respectively. A maximum gas production rate of 6.7 L CH(4)/L(reactor).d was achieved for the highest OLR applied. The specific activity analysis depicts that the activity of the attached biomass was more than 2 times higher than that of the granular sludge. The efficiency of liquid mixing was good through out this study. The packing medium had a dual role in the retention of the biomass inside the reactor: i.e. entrapment of biomass within the support and filtration of the granular biomass, preventing it from going out of the reactor. ADM1_10 model simulated well the dynamic evolutions of the main variables in the liquid as well as in the gas phases.     

Biofiltration of H(2)S with reclaimed water as a nutrient/moisture source at loading rates from 10 to 300 g H(2)S m(-3) h(-1)

A biofilter was evaluated with two different media under field conditions using reclaimed water as a nutrient source. Evaluation with a single medium demonstrated that H(2)S could be efficiently removed at volumetric loading rates of up to 200 g H(2)S m(-3) h(-1). After an extended period of high loading rates, the performance began to deteriorate at loading rates greater than 150 g H(2)S m(-3) h(-1) possibly due to nutrient limitations. The reclaimed water served as a nutrient source even though the primary form of nitrogen was nitrate. The reclaimed water successfully supplied nutrients at the majority of loading rates observed in the study and this was verified by stoichiometric calculations. The biofilter was converted to a dual media filter and consistent performance was also observed with the dual media filter at loading rates up to 150 g H(2)S m(-3) h(-1). The biofilter was successfully operated at loading rates higher than previously reported under field conditions. The use of nitrate in reclaimed water as a nitrogen source was successful and demonstrated the potential to eliminate the need for a separate nutrient source at a water reclamation plant.     

Interaction between control and design of a SHARON reactor: economic considerations in a plant-wide (BSM2) context.

The combined SHARON-Anammox process is a promising technique for nitrogen removal from wastewater streams with high ammonium concentrations. It is typically applied to sludge digestion reject water, in order to relieve the activated sludge tanks, to which this stream is typically recycled. This contribution assesses the impact of the applied control strategy in the SHARON-reactor, both on the effluent quality of the subsequent Anammox reactor as well as on the plant-wide level by means of an operating cost index. Moreover, it is investigated to which extent the usefulness of a certain control strategy depends on the reactor design (volume). A simulation study is carried out using the plant-wide Benchmark Simulation Model no. 2 (BSM2), extended with the SHARON and Anammox processes. The results reveal a discrepancy between optimizing the reject water treatment performance and minimizing plant-wide operating costs.     

Photocatalytic inactivation of Flavobacterium and E. coli in water by a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) fed with suspended/immobilised TiO2 medium

A photocatalytic continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) was built at laboratory scale to inactivate two environmental bacteria strains (Flavobacterium and E. coli) in tap water. Several parameters were found to impact reactor efficiency. Bacterial initial concentration is an important factor in inactivation rate. After 30 minutes of irradiation at 10(8)-10(9) CFU mL(-1) starting concentration, a >5 log reduction was achieved while at 10(4)-10(6) CFU mL(-1) only a 2 log reduction was observed. Water hardness and pH have an important influence on the photocatalytic inactivation process. Soft water, with low Ca(+2) and Mg(+2) at low pH approximately 5.3 resulted in increased inactivation of Flavobacterium reaching >6 orders of magnitude reduction. E. coli and Flavobacterium at pH 5 were inactivated by 3 logs more as compared to pH 7 under similar conditions. pH below TiO2 isoelectric point (approximately 5.6) supports better contact between bacteria and anatase particles resulting in superior inactivation. TiO2 powder suspension was compared with immobilised powder in sol-gel coated glass beads in order to exclude the need for particles separation from the treated water. TiO2 suspension was more effective by 3 orders of magnitude when compared to coated glass beads. An interesting observation was found between the two bacterial strains based on their hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance. The more hydrophobic Flavobacterium compared to E. coli was inactivated photocatalytically by >3 logs more then E. coli in the first 30 minutes of irradiation interval. The results indicate the importance of the parameters involved in the contact between TiO2 particles and microorganisms that govern the successful inactivation rate in CSTR.     

Low-temperature swirl combustion of different kinds of fuel in a BKZ-210-13.8 boiler at the Kirov TÉTs-4 heating and electric power plant

New technological schemes for low-temperature swirl combustion of different kinds of fuel in semienclosed furnaces are developed and successfully tested in an operating plant. Data on swirl combustion of bituminous coals, peat, and natural gas in a BKZ-210-13.8 boiler are presented.     

长江口深水航道(一、二期工程)回淤变化

利用长江口深水航道回淤资料,研究了北槽航道回淤的时空变化特征及其对流域来水来沙、河槽地形的关系.长江口深水航道治理一、二期工程实施后,北槽航道年淤积强度明显下降,工程治理效果得以显现.从空间上看,一、二期工程航道回淤的峰值位置和重心位置经历了下移和上提的过程.从时间上看,一、二期工程后北槽航道回淤年内呈现洪季多淤、枯季少淤;洪季淤积位置下移,枯季淤积位置上提的变化特点,季节性上、下移动约7～11km.深水航道淤积的泥沙来源有多种,仅流域悬沙输沙量减小并不能明显降低深水航道的回淤量.     

三峡围堰蓄水和初期蓄水期(2003-2008)宜都低水分汊河段冲淤变化

宜都河段是典型的低水弯曲分汉河段.三峡水库的围堰蓄水和初期蓄水改变了宜都河段的来水来沙条件.根据宜都河段建库后原型观测资料,对由此引起的河床冲淤分布、深泓变化、沙石泓变化和洲滩变化进行了分析,并对其演变趋势做了预测.结果表明,三峡蓄水后,河段整体河势变化不大,冲淤调整以冲刷为主且主要集中于枯水河槽;南阳碛冲刷缩小,沙泓上浅区以刷深为主,下浅区以冲滩为主;石泓深泓冲刷下降,沙石泓冲刷进程的差异主要受水流动力条件与局部河床组成的影响.预计河段仍将维持低水分汊的基本分流格局,在未来一段时间内,两汊枯水期主、支汉的地位将持续稳固.     

刚果(金)RN4-2000公路工程勘察测量综述

在刚果(金)勘察测量中遇到了与国内不同的问题,针对实际情况制定了相应的测量方案和方法.文章对在国外相似环境中的测量工作有一定借鉴意义.     

Effect of pH on nitrate and selenate reduction in flue gas desulfurization brine using the H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR)

Increased tightening of air regulations is leading more electric utilities to install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. These systems produce brine containing high concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, and selenate which must be removed before discharge. The H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was shown to consistently remove nitrate, nitrite, and selenate at high efficiencies. The maximum selenate removal flux reached 362 mgSe m(-2)d(-1) and was higher than that observed in earlier research, which shows continual improvement of the biofilm for selenate reduction. A low pH of 6.8 inhibited precipitation when treating actual FGD brine, yet did not inhibit removal. SO4(2-) was not removed and therefore did not compete with nitrate, nitrite, and selenate reduction for the available H2.     

Changes in fish communities of the Phongolo floodplain,Zululand (South Africa) before,during and after a severe drought

The Pongolapoort Dam in Zululand, South Africa has regulated the flow of the Phongolo River to its floodplain downstream since 1970. Ecological surveys of the floodplain fish communities were conducted before (1974–6), during (September 1983) and after (August 1984) a severe drought to assess the response of the fish stocks. During the three study periods the floodplain lake communities varied. Fish populations were markedly reduced during the drought. The redistribution offish on the floodplain after the drought was rapid. Colonization of previously dry lakes was mainly by juvenile fish and the mean size of the fish was lower in these lakes than in the refuge lakes. A few species successfully spawned during the drought, although the natural mortality of the young of the year was probably greater due to increased competition and predation in restricted habitats. Large scale spawning in most species occurred immediately after the drought was broken by a large flood.     

Cladophora (green algae) and dreissenid mussels over a nutrient loading gradient on the north shore of Lake Ontario

Benthic algae, much of it the green alga Cladophora, blanket the nearshore lakebed of the north shore of Lake Ontario. Nearshore field studies in Toronto, Ajax, Oshawa and Cobourg in 2012 and 2013, and Toronto in 2015 examined the distribution of Cladophora over a nutrient gradient on the north shore of the lake. Concentrations of total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus and total inorganic nitrogen in the water column decreased from west to east over the gradient corresponding with decreasing watershed development and size. However, high surface cover and nuisance levels of Cladophora biomass were found across the gradient, including the least developed study area where total phosphorus concentrations were similar to those in the open lake. The abundance of Dreissena, high in all areas, was measured concurrently with Cladophora biomass and correlated positively at depths of 6 to 10 m. External loading of phosphorus provides a basis for abatement of Cladophora; however, the influences of enrichment along the shoreline, internal loading at the lakebed and lake trophic status in sustaining growth remain obscure. Nuisance levels of Cladophora are not isolated to locations experiencing elevated external loading and should be viewed in the context of interacting area-specific and lake-wide nutrient supplies.     

Estimation of bacterial production through the coupling of (methyl 3H) Thymidine incorporation and several parameters over a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom in a hypereutrophic reservoir

The coupling of the changes in bacterial quantitative and metabolic aspects during Microcystis aeruginosa bloom conditions together with several environmental parameters was studied in the hypereutrophic Villerest reservoir, France. Bacterial abundance varied from 5.20 to 21.28 × 10⁶ bacteria-mL^?1, while bacterial biomass ranged between 75 and 507 μg C mL^?1. These results confirmed the highly eutrophic status of the Villerest reservoir. The relative quantitative importance of attached bacteria increased as Microcystis proliferated. Methyl-³H incorporation and D-(U-¹⁴C) glucose uptake varied from 8.99 to 60.57 × 10⁶ cells-mL^?1, and 0.016 to 1.587 μg CL^?1 h^?1, respectively. Correlations between several abiotic and biotic parameters showed that phytoplankton regulated bacterial growth by releasing organic carbon which is directly uptaken by heterotrophic bacteria. In the hypolimnion, the sedimentation of decaying algae represented a substantial substrate for bacterial growth.     

水工程调度与低影响开发协同作用下典型城市片区洪涝过程模拟——以福州市为例

城市水工程调度与低影响开发措施,在应对城市暴雨洪涝中发挥了重要作用。本文以沿海城市福州主城区晋安河片区为例,构建一套综合的水文水动力模拟框架,从全域视角分析实时控制调度下的洪涝响应特征,并选择典型社区,从社区尺度下分析低影响开发措施与水工程调度协同作用下的洪涝过程。结果表明,全域尺度下,通过上游水工程联合调度可以有效控制下游内河水位,距离琴亭湖更近的晋安河主河道断面相比于下游断面,其断面水位变化受实时调度方案影响更为明显。在未考虑河道漫溢时,联合调度对河道水位的影响明显大于对内涝淹没的影响。在社区尺度下考虑河道漫溢时,低影响开发措施与水工程调度对内涝淹没的协同作用明显。在重现期为100 a、历时为2 h降雨下,协同治理前后,淹没面积由7.57 hm~2减少至4.85 hm~2;在苏迪罗台风降雨数据驱动时,协同治理前后,淹没面积由22.87 hm~2减少至9.83 hm~2。研究成果可以为城市防洪减灾应对措施提供一定的参考。