Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution using wine-processing waste sludge

Dye wastewaters usually contain toxins and high chroma, making them difficult to treat with biological methods. The adsorption process plays an important role in removing dyes from wastewaters. This study aimed to explore the methylene blue (MB) adsorption mechanism by wine-processing waste sludge (WPWS). The WPWS contains a high cation-exchange capacity (64.2 cmol(c) kg(-1)) and organic matter (52.8%). The parameters affecting MB adsorption included pH, initial concentration of MB, reaction temperature, particle size and dosage of WPWS. The WPWS adsorption isotherms of MB were only well described by Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q(m)) of MB was 285.7 mg g(-1) at 25 °C. The activation energy determined by Arrhenius equation is 29.995 kJ mol(-1). Under steady-state reaction conditions, the Gibb free energy (ΔG°) ranged from -24.607 to -27.092 kJ mol(-1) and ΔH° was -8.926 kJ mol(-1), indicating that lower reaction temperature would favor MB adsorption. Therefore, MB adsorption by WPWS was a spontaneous, exothermic and physisorption reaction.     

Removal of As(V) and As(III) from water with a PEI-modified fungal biomass.

A novel biosorbent was prepared by chemically grafting polyethylenimine (PEI) on the fungal biomass of Penicillium chrysogenum through a two-step reaction. The PEI-modified biomass was found to possess zero zeta potential at pH 10.4. Owing to the protonation of amine groups on the biosorbent surface, the biosorbent is favourable for the removal of anionic arsenic species in water. The sorption capacity for As(V) at pH 3 increased by 5.7-fold after surface modification. The sorption performances including kinetics and isotherm were investigated and several models were used to describe the experimental data. The pseudo-second-order model described the kinetic data better, while the Langmuir equation was the better model to fit the isotherm data. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters for As(V) and As(III) sorption were also calculated.     

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from sewage sludge by anaerobic degradation.

Due to the hydrophobic nature of the polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) they are mostly bound to the sludge and escape aerobic treatment in a wastewater treatment plant. They therefore proceed directly to the anaerobic post treatment, terminate in the sludge, and can be released to the environment if land spreading is used. PAH degradation in anaerobic methanogenic systems has only recently been shown to occur. In this study we have assessed several factors of anaerobic PAH degradation by evaluating thermodynamic feasibility of degradation, assessing degradation at different temperatures, and investigating the enriched cultures using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH). Thermodynamic calculations indicated that PAH degradation was possible under methanogenic conditions, in the presence of hydrogen utilizing methanogens. Removal of naphthalene and 1-methyl naphthalene depended both on temperature and the initial inoculum. Inocula sourced from contaminated land sites were the most effective. The enrichments were all a mixture of Bacteria, and Archaea, and the Archaea were generally identified as Methanobacteriales, using an order-specific probe. The bacteria were not specifically identified. The results indicate a syntrophic culture, with the bacteria oxidizing the naphthalene, and the Archaea converting the hydrogen produced by oxidation, to methane.     

Removal of Cr(VI) by magnetite nanoparticle.

Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. The highly crystalline nature of the magnetite structure with diameter of around 10 nm was characterized with transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The surface area was determined to be 198 m2/g. Batch experiments were carried out to determine the adsorption kinetics and mechanism of Cr(VI) by these magnetite nanoparticles. The Cr(VI) uptake was mainly governed by physico-chemical adsorption. The adsorption process was found to be pH and temperature dependent. The adsorption data fit well with the Freundlich isotherm equation. The Freundlich constants were calculated at different temperatures. The adsorption capacity increased with rising temperature. Preliminary results indicate that magnetite nanoparticles may be used as an adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater.     

Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and other priority (hazardous) substances from WWTP effluent.

More stringent effluent criteria will be required in the near future for the so-called priority substances listed in the Annex of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC. This includes heavy metals, volatile and semi-volatile organic substances, pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. The Fraunhofer Institute suggested FHI values for these substances in water. National Dutch legislation, the Vierde Nota WaterHuishouding (NWH) introduced in 1998 'maximum tolerable risk concentrations' (MTR). These include requirements for nutrients: P(tot) < 0.15 mg/l and N(tot) < 2.2 mg/l. The MTR values are being used until the FHI values become effective. Investigation into possible effluent polishing techniques is required in order to reach these objectives. During pilot research with tertiary denitrifying multi-media and biological activated carbon filtration at the WWTP Utrecht in The Netherlands, simultaneous nutrient removal to MTR quality was observed. Furthermore, simultaneous removal of heavy metals, 17beta-estradiol, bisphenol A and nonylphenols to extreme low concentrations by denitrifying activated carbon filtrated is achieved.     

Removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions using N-carboxymethyl chitosan

N-carboxymethyl chitosan (NCMC) was synthesized by reacting chitosan with chloroacetic acid in water under triethylamine (Et(3)N) as catalyst. The chemical structures of NCMC were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy and confirmed that carboxymethylation occurred on the amino groups. Samples of NCMC were used for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The effects of degree of substitution of NCMC, initial pH value and adsorption kinetics on the adsorption were studied. Adsorption experiments showed that NCMC has a high adsorption speed and high adsorption capacity for remove Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The adsorption kinetics data were best fitted with the pseudo-second-order model. The experimental equilibrium data of Cu(II) on the NCMC were both fitted to the Langmuir model and Freundlich model, which revealed that the maximum capacity for monolayer saturation was 147.93 mg/g.     

Removal of dissolved copper(II) and zinc(II) by aerobic granular sludge.

This study investigated the adsorption kinetics of dissolved copper(II) and zinc(II) by aerobic granular sludge. Two series of batch experiments were conducted at different initial copper(II), zinc(II) concentrations (Co) and initial granule concentrations (Xo). Results showed that the biosorption kinetics of individual copper(II) and zinc(II) by aerobic granules were closely related to Co and Xo. The maximum biosorption capacity of individual copper(II) and zinc(II) by aerobic granules was 246.1 mg g(-1) and 180 mg g(-1), respectively. In order to theoretically interpret the results obtained, two kinetic models previously developed for biosorption were employed and compared in this study. It was found that the model proposed by Liu et al. (2003) could fit the experimental data very well, but the second-order model failed to fit the data in some cases. It appears that aerobic granules would be potential biosorbent with high efficiency for the removal of dissolved copper(II) and zinc(II) from wastewater.     

臭氧生物活性炭深度处理饮用水中抗生素的研究

介绍了饮用水中抗生素污染的来源及潜在危害,阐述了臭氧氧化及生物活性炭技术处理微量抗生素污染的机理,概括了最近几年国内外关于饮用水中抗生素物质控制技术的研究成果,指出臭氧生物活性碳技术在抗生素微污染水处理领域的广泛应用前景。     

Removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from aqueous solution using foitite from Linshou mine in Hebei, China

Foitite from Linshou mine in China's Hebei province was investigated as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The results showed that foitite can readily remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The data shows that the metal uptake for Pb(II) increases rapidly, accounting for 74.47% when contact time was 2 min. In contrast to Pb(ll), there was a worse capability for adsorption of Cu(II). In the first 4 min, the metal uptake accounted for 34.7%. According to the analytical results obtained from X-ray diffraction, laser Raman spectrum, X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer, and Zeta potential, the removal mechanism of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by using foitite can be explained as following: firstly, the existence of an electrostatic field around foitite particles can attract heavy metal ions and consequently combine heavy metal ions with OH; secondly, heavy metal ions in the solution are exchanged with the Fe3+ and Al3+ in the foitite.     

Continuous hydrogen production from organic waste.

The antibiotic effects of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei, on hydrogen production were investigated using glucose as the substrate for the batch experiments. The effects of lactic acid bacteria on hydrogen fermentation depended on pH and the inhibition of hydrogen-producing bacteria was prevented by keeping the pH over 5.0. Then, a continuous hydrogen production experiment was conducted by using bean curd manufacturing waste as an actual organic waste at pH 5.5 at 35 degrees C. The increase of the substrate concentration and the addition of nitrogen gave precedence to acetic and butyric acids production in the metabolic pathway and suppressed propionic acid production. As the result, continuous hydrogen production from municipal organic waste was enabled.     

Removal of copper(II) and cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solutions by biosorption onto pine cone

In this study, the removal of copper(II) and cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solutions by biosorption onto pine cone was studied. Variables that affect the biosorption process such as pH, biosorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration, contact time and temperature of solution were optimized. Experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models to investigate the equilibrium isotherms. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models were used to determine the biosorption mechanism. The thermodynamics of biosorption were studied for predicting the nature of biosorption. Experimental results showed that pine cone could be evaluated as an alternative precursor for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions, due to its high biosorption capacity, availability, and low cost.     

Removal of organic impurities in waste glycerol from biodiesel production process through the acidification and coagulation processes

Treatment of waste glycerol, a by-product of the biodiesel production process, can reduce water pollution and bring significant economic benefits for biodiesel facilities. In the present study, hydrochloric acid (HCl) was used as acidification to convert soaps into salts and free fatty acids which were recovered after treatment. The pH value, dosages of polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and dosage of polyacrylamide (PAM) were considered to be the factors that can influence coagulation efficiency. The pH value of waste glycerol was adjusted to a pH range of 3-9. The PACl and PAM added were in the range of 1-6 g/L and 0.005-0.07 g/L. The results showed best coagulation efficiency occurs at pH 4 when dosage of PACl and PAM were 2 and 0.01 g/L. The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)), total suspended solids (TSS) and soaps were 80, 68, 97 and 100%, respectively. The compositions of organic matters in the treated waste glycerol were glycerol (288 g/L), methanol (3.8 g/L), and other impurities (0.3 g/L).     

Removal of organic micro-pollutants from solid waste landfill leachate in membrane bioreactor operated without excess sludge discharge

Two-stage membrane bioreactor (MBR) system was applied to the treatment of landfill leachate from a solid waste disposal site in Thailand. The first stage anoxic reactor was equipped with an inclined tube module for sludge separation. It was followed by an aerobic stage with a hollow fiber membrane module for solid liquid separation. Mixed liquor sludge from the aerobic reactor was re-circulated back to anoxic reactor in order to maintain constant mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration in the aerobic reactor. The removal of micro-pollutants from landfill leachate along the treatment period of 300 days was monitored. The results indicated that two-stage MBRs could remove biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH(4)(+) by 97, 87 and 91% at steady operating condition. Meanwhile organic micro-pollutant removals were 50-76%. The removal efficiencies varied according to the hydrophobic characteristic of compounds but they were improved during long-term MBR operation without sludge discharge.     

Removal mechanisms of endocrine disrupting compounds (steroids) during soil aquifer treatment.

The objective of this study was to determine the primary removal mechanisms of endocrine disruptors such as steroidal hormones present in reclaimed water, specifically 17beta-estradiol, estriol, and testosterone, during groundwater recharge via soil aquifer treatment (SAT). Steroidal hormones were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Bench-scale studies and laboratory-scale soil column experiments were employed to determine what mechanisms (i.e., adsorption, biodegradation, photolytic degradation) dominate the removal of the three compounds of interest during SAT. Findings of these studies revealed that the dominating removal mechanism for the compounds of interest during SAT is adsorption to the porous media matrix and additional attenuation to below the detection limit occurred in the presence of bioactivity. This additional removal occurred regardless of dominating redox conditions (aerobic vs. anoxic) or the type of organic carbon matrix present (hydrophobic acids, hydrophilic carbon vs. colloidal carbon).     

Aeration tank odour by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) waste in sewage.

Sewage plants can experience dimethyl sulphide (DMS) odour problems by at least one mg/L dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) waste residue in plant influent, through a DMSO/DMS reduction mechanism. This bench-scale batch study simulates in bottles the role of poor aeration in wastewater treatment on the DMSO/DMS and sulphate/H2S reduction. The study compares headspace concentrations of sulphide odorants developed by activated sludge (closed bottles, half full) after six hours under anoxic versus anaerobic conditions, with 0 versus 2 mg/L DMSO addition. Anoxic sludge (0.1 - 2 mg/L dissolved oxygen, DO) with DMSO resulted in about 50 ppmv DMS and no other sulphide, while DMSO-free sludge was free of detectable sulphides. Anaerobic sludge (no measurable DO to the point of sulphate reduction) with DMSO resulted in 22/4/37 ppmv of H2S/methanethiol (MT)/DMS, while DMSO-free sludge resulted in 44/8/2 ppmv of H2S/MT/DMS. It is concluded that common "anoxic" aeration tank zones with measurable DO in bulk water but immeasurable DO inside sludge flocs (nitrate reducing) experience DMSO reduction to DMS that is oxidation resistant and becomes the most important odorant. Under anaerobic conditions, H2S from sulphate reduction becomes an additional important odorant. A strategy is developed that allows operators to determine from the quantity of different sulphides whether the DMSO/DMS mechanism is important at their wastewater plant.     

飞来峡一期残留围堰拆除可行性分析与探讨

通过对一期残留围堰所壅高的尾水水头进行统计,并计算壅高水头对机组发电的影响,从发电损失、尾水水流流态等方面进行分析探讨,得出飞来峡一期残留围堰拆除的必要性和可行性,进一步提出拆除残留围堰的技术方案与实现的途径。     

Resource recovery from source separated domestic waste(water) streams; full scale results

A major fraction of nutrients emitted from households are originally present in only 1% of total wastewater volume. New sanitation concepts enable the recovery and reuse of these nutrients from feces and urine. Two possible sanitation concepts are presented, with varying degree of source separation leading to various recovery products. Separate vacuum collection and transport followed by anaerobic treatment of concentrated black water (BW) demonstrated on a scale of 32 houses preserve 7.6 g/N/p/d and 0.63 gP/p/d amounting to respectively 69 and 48% of the theoretically produced N and P in the household, and 95% of the retained P was shown to be recoverable via struvite precipitation. Reuse of the anaerobic sludge in agriculture can substantially increase the P recovery. Energy recovery in the form of biogas from anaerobic digestion of concentrated BW, fits well in new concepts of sustainable, zero energy buildings. Nutrient recovery from separately collected urine lowers the percentage of nutrient recovery in comparison with BW but can, on the other hand, often be implemented in existing sanitation concepts. Theoretically 11gN/p/d and 1.0 g P/p/d are produced with urine, of which 38-63 and 34-61% were recovered in practice on a scale of 8-160 inhabitants in Sweden. New sanitation concepts with resource recovery and reuse are being demonstrated worldwide and more and more experience is being gained.     

Removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution using Moringa oleifera seeds as a bioadsorbent

Metal contaminants are generally removed from effluents by chemical and physical processes which are often associated with disadvantages such as the use of toxic reagents, generation of toxic waste and high costs. Hence, new techniques have been developed, among them the study of natural adsorbents, for instance, the use of Moringa oleifera seeds. The potential of M. oleifera seeds for nickel removal in aqueous systems was investigated. The seeds utilized were obtained from plants grown in Uberlandia/Brazil. After being dried and pulverized, the seeds were treated with 0.1 mol/L NaOH. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analyses were used for the characterization of the material. Using the optimized methodology (50 mL of 4.0 mg/L Ni(II), pH range of 4.0-6.0, agitation time of 5 min and adsorption mass of 2.0 g) more than 90% of Ni(II) could be removed from water samples. The sorption data were fitted satisfactorily by the Langmuir adsorption model. Evaluation applying the Langmuir equation gave the monolayer sorption capacity as 29.6 mg/g. The results indicate that this material could be employed in the extraction of nickel, considering its ease of use, low cost and environmental viability, which make it highly attractive for application in developing countries.     

Adsorption of Cd(II), Zn(II) by extracellular polymeric substances extracted from waste activated sludge

Adsorption of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions in single solutions using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from activated sludge was investigated. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe metal adsorption. The results showed that EPS was an effective adsorbent for the zinc and cadmium ions from aqueous solution. The equilibrium metal uptake was increased with increasing the initial concentration of metal ion. Constants calculated from isotherms model showed that the maximum uptake capacity of cadmium was estimated to be 45 mg/g of Cd(II) and 80 mg/g of Zn(II). Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were suitable for describing adsorption of Cd(II) by EPS, while the Langmuir isotherm equation fit the date of Zn(II) adsorption better, indicating that EPS adsorb Cd(II) and Zn(II) by different mechanisms.Analysis of FTIR spectra demonstrated that C-O-C of polysaccharides at 1,150-1,030 cm(-1), group of the amide(I), CH(2) group of the lipids, carboxyl and -OH groups of proteins and polysaccharides were involved in cadmium and zinc binding, of which the -OH groups and the C-O-C group of polysaccharides.     

Removal of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and its chlorination by-products from water and wastewater using non-imprinted polymer (NIP) particles

Endocrine disrupting compounds and their chlorination by-products are two classes of emerging contaminants. Surface water and wastewater treatment technologies have limitations in removing these contaminants. This study evaluated the ability of non-imprinted polymer particles (NIP) to remove the endocrine disruptor 17beta-estradiol (E2) and its chlorination by-products from water and wastewater. NIP effectively removed 98% of 10 mg/L E2 from wastewater. NIP were also effective in removing chlorination by-products of E2 by 84.9% after 10 mg/L E2 in water was chlorinated at 5 mg/L. In the presence of 5 mg/L humic acid, NIP were able to achieve removal of 10 mg/L E2 by greater than 99.9%. Furthermore, after chlorination of 10 mg/L E2 and 5 mg/L humic acid at 10 mg/L chlorine, NIP were also able to remove the chlorination by-products formed as well as the remaining E2 by greater than 99.9%. The presence of 5 mg/L humic acid did not adversely affect the adsorption efficiency. The results of this research indicate that NIPs have good potential as a final treatment step for surface water and wastewater treatment.