Reaeration in sewers

The sewer system is a very dynamic system with an abundance of mass transfer processes and transformations. A key process is the mass exchange between the wastewater and the sewer atmosphere. An equation that describes the gas-liquid mass transfer under different hydrodynamic conditions is essential when sewer processes are to be quantified or modelled. In this work, a calibrated reaeration equation is proposed. It is based on the shear Reynolds and the Froude number to correct the increased gas-liquid interface roughness to higher flow rates. The equation was calibrated with previously published data and with new data. This data was obtained with a safe and environmentally friendly gas tracer method for gravity sewers based on the inert gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a new method for the sewer system. Measurements were conducted in four channels under different conditions. The resulting equation will allow for more accurate simulations of the sewer system. Finally, the effect of reaeration with regard to the oxygen consuming processes for different hydrodynamic conditions is discussed.     

Quantification of oxygen fluxes in a long gravity sewer

Quantification of the oxygen fluxes in the sewer system is at present the optimal methodology to obtain information about the influence of sewers on transformations and mass balances in the urban drainage system. However, the relative and absolute values of these fluxes are practically unknown. In this work, the oxygen fluxes were quantified experimentally in a full-scale aerobic main sewer. The sewer biofilm respiration was determined with an in situ flow cell, a method that has not been used before in the sewer. The surface reaeration was determined with a gas tracer method based on the inert, non-radio-active and non-toxic gas tracer sulphur hexafluoride. In addition, the wastewater biomass respiration rate was measured. The validity of the applied methods was verified with redundant oxygen balances over a 2-km-long section. Measurement campaigns under different hydrodynamic conditions showed that the relative contribution of the biofilm, the wastewater, the reaeration and the in- and outflow with the water, all contributed significantly. However, the absolute contributions varied extensively and depended especially on the discharge. The COD conversion in the sewer could be estimated from the aerobic activity. The aerobic total degradation in the study reach was 3%. However, when extrapolated to the entire sewer net of the catchment area with 5000 PE, the COD conversion was estimated as high as 30% of the dissolved COD during the night. This indicates that the wastewater composition at the treatment plant will be strongly affected by the sewer system.     

Phase-lock-loop operating ranges measurement

A measurement method is presented that quickly displays the operating ranges of phase-lock loops (PLLs) and acquisition aids under various input conditions such as noise and interference. The PLL measurement set-up is based on the use of normally available spectrum analyser/tracking generator equipment rather than on the common display of the control voltage of the oscillator. It is shown that in case of a narrow-band PLL the spectrum-analyser display can be more easily interpreted than the control-voltage display.     

A novel point mutation in the translation initiation codon of the pre-pro-vasopressin-neurophysin II gene: cosegregation with morphological abnormalities and clinical symptoms in autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus

Autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus (ADNDI) is a rare variant of idiopathic central diabetes insipidus. Several different mutations in the human vasopressin-neurophysin II (AVP-NP II) gene have been described. We studied nine family members from three generations of an ADNDI pedigree at the clinical, morphological, and molecular levels. AVP concentrations were measured during diagnostic fluid restriction tests. Coronal and sagittal high resolution T1-weighted images of the pituitary were obtained from affected and healthy family members. PCR was used to amplify the AVP-NP II precursor gene, and PCR products were directly sequenced. Under maximal osmotic stimulation, AVP serum levels were close to or below the detection limit in affected individuals. Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed the characteristic hyperintense ("bright spot") appearance of the posterior pituitary in two healthy family members. This signal was absent in all four ADNDI patients examined. The coding sequences of AVP and its carrier protein, neurophysin II, were normal in all family members examined. Affected individuals showed a novel single base deletion (G 227) in the translation initiation codon of the AVP-NP II signal peptide on one allele. The mutation in the AVP-NP II leader sequence appears to be responsible for the disease in this kindred, possibly by interfering with protein translocation. The absence of the hyperintense posterior pituitary signal in affected individuals could reflect deficient posterior pituitary function.