2,4,6‐Trichlorophenol and phenol removal in methanogenic and partially‐aerated methanogenic conditions in a fluidized bed bioreactor

A fluidized bed bioreactor (FBBR) was operated for more than 575 days to remove 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (TCP) and phenol (Phe) from a synthetic toxic wastewater containing 80 mg L^?1 of TCP and 20 mg L^?1 of Phe under two regimes: Methanogenic (M) and Partially‐Aerated Methanogenic (PAM). The mesophilic, laboratory‐scale FBBR consisted of a glass column (3 L capacity) loaded with 1 L of 1 mm diameter granular activated carbon colonized by an anaerobic consortium. Sucrose (1 g COD L^?1) was used as co‐substrate in the two conditions. The hydraulic residence time was kept constant at 1 day. Both conditions showed similar TCP and Phe removal (99.9 + %); nevertheless, in the Methanogenic regime, the accumulation of 4‐chlorophenol (4CP) up to 16 mg L^?1 and phenol up to 4 mg L^?1 was observed, whereas in PAM conditions 4CP and other intermediates were not detected. The specific methanogenic activity of biomass decreased from 1.01 ± 0.14 in M conditions to 0.19 ± 0.06 mmolCH₄ h^?1 gTKN^?1 in PAM conditions whereas the specific oxygen uptake rate increased from 0.039 ± 0.008 in M conditions to 0.054 ± 0.012 mmolO₂ h^?1 gTKN^?1, which suggested the co‐existence of both methanogenic archaea and aerobic bacteria in the undefined consortium. The advantage of the PAM condition over the M regime is that it provides for the thorough removal of less‐substituted chlorophenols produced by the reductive dehalogenation of TCP rather than the removal of the parent compound itself. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of glucose oxidase immobilized in different carriers using radiation polymerization

Glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4) was immobilized on different polymeric materials using different immobilization techniques (entrapping by γ‐irradiation, and covalent binding using epichlorohydrin). Studies were carried out to increase the thermal stability of glucose oxidase (GOD) for different applications. The activity and stability of the resulting biopolymers have been compared with those of free GOD. The effect of different polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylamide (PVA/PAAm) compositions of the copolymer carrier on the enzymatic activity of the immobilized GOD was studied. The maximum enzymatic activity was obtained with the composition ratio of PVA/PAAm of 60:40. The behaviour of the free and immobilized enzyme was analysed as a function of pH. A broadening in the pH profile (5.5–8) was observed for immobilized preparations. The activity and stability of the resulting biopolymers produced by immobilization of GOD onto different carriers have been compared, in both aqueous and organic media, with those of the free GOD. The enzyme's tolerance toward both heat and organic solvent was enhanced by immobilization onto polymers. The addition of different concentrations of organic solvents (10–50%, v/v) to the enzyme at higher temperature (60 °C) was found to stabilize the enzyme molecule. The strongest stabilizing effect on the enzymatic activity was achieved at a concentration of 10%. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ozonation of CI Reactive Black 5 using rotating packed bed and stirred tank reactor

This study investigates the ozonation of CI Reactive Black 5 (RB5) by using the rotating packed bed (RPB) and completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) as ozone contactors. The RPB, which provides high gravitational force by adjusting the rotational speed, was employed as a novel ozone contactor. The same ozone dosage was separately introduced into either the RPB or the CSTR for the investigation, while the experimental solution was continuously circulated within the apparatus consisting of the RPB and CSTR. The decolorization and mineralization efficiencies of RB5 in the course of ozonation are compared for these two methods. Moreover, the dissolved and off‐gas ozone concentrations were simultaneously monitored for the further analysis. As a result, the ozone mass transfer rate per unit volume of the RPB was significantly higher because of its higher mass transfer coefficient and gas–liquid concentration driving force. Furthermore, ozonation kinetics was found to be independent of the gravitational magnitude of an ozone gas–liquid contactor. Therefore, the results suggest employing RPBs as ozone‐contacting devices with the advantage of volume reduction. The experimental results, which can be used for further modeling of the ozonation process in the RPB, also show the requirement of correct design for the RPB. Consequently, the present study is useful for the understanding of practical application of RPBs. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Virtual circuit connection method for RSVP multicasting supportingheterogeneous receivers on the ATM network

The authors suggest a novel virtual circuit connection method based on the reverse traversing technique to minimise the waste of network bandwidth resources, when the Internet protocol multicast is interoperated using the resource reservation protocol over an asynchronous transfer mode network. Simulation results show that, as the number of receivers increases, the bandwidth requirements on all links of the network of the proposed scheme become more advantageous than those of other conventional methods     

Effect of type of processing on the microstructural features and mechanical properties of Al-Cu/SiC metal matrix composites

In this study, an aluminum based metallic matrix (Al-2wt.% Cu) was reinforced with SiC particulates using a conventional casting technique and a new disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies conducted on the samples taken from disintegrated melt deposition technique revealed a more uniform distribution of SiC particulates and good interfacial integrity between SiC particulates and metallic matrix when compared to the conventionally cast composite samples. Results of ambient temperature mechanical tests demonstrate an increase in 0.2% YS and ultimate tensile strength of samples taken from disintegrated melt deposition technique when compared with the unreinforced and conventionally cast composite samples. The results of microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were finally rationalized in terms of the nature of processing technique employed to reinforce Al-2wt.% Cu metallic matrix with SiC particulates.     

Interfacial reactions in the squeeze-cast (SAFFIL+C)/SAE 329 Al composite

Interfacial reactions in the squeeze-cast SAE 329 Al alloy reinforced with SAFFIL and carbon fibers were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The SiO₂ layer added as a binder for the preform of SAFFIL fiber appeared to prevent excessive reaction between the fiber and the molten Al alloy during casting. In the as-cast composite, the reaction between the SiO₂ layer and the Al alloy is considered to produce MgO crystals in the vicinity of SAFFIL fiber. With subsequent heat treatment of the composite to the T6 condition, small crystals of MgO and MgAl₂O₄ were found to form at the surface of SAFFIL fiber as a result of interfacial reaction between the SiO₂ layer and the Al alloy. Even at the T6 condition, significant reactions between the Al alloy and SAFFIL fiber itself were not observed, indicating the effective role of the binder layer in suppressing the degradation of SAFFIL fiber by reaction with the Al alloy.     

HEURISTIC APPROACHES FOR LOADING PROBLEMS IN FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

Flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) are able to process a wide variety of operations, but the specific mix of operations that can be performed at any point in time depends upon the combination of tools loaded onto the machines. The machines have tool magazines with finite capacities. We consider the problem of assigning operations and their associated tools to machines (or groups of machines) to maximize the throughput for a specified steady-state mix of orders. Since this objective is difficult to deal with directly, we use an intermediate objective of meeting workload targets for each machine group as closely as possible. A certain form of this intermediate objective has been shown to correlate highly with the original objective.

Since it is computationally intractable to find optimal solutions for problems with more than 20 operations, fast heuristic algorithms are developed. These algorithms are adapted from multi-dimensional bin-packing algorithms. Computational results are reported.     

Modified atmosphere packaging of a mixed prepared vegetable salad dish

The aim of this study was to design a modified atmosphere package for a mixed vegetable salad consisting of 75 g of cut carrot, 55 g of cut cucumber, 20 g of sliced garlic and 50 g of whole green pepper. Respiration data of all the components were combined with film permeability data to predict package atmospheres and design optimal packages for experimental testing for improved shelf-life of the produce. The optimal package avoided minimum O₂ and maximum CO₂ tolerance limits, and chilling injury temperatures for any component. A pouch form package made of 27 mm low density polyethylene developed a modified atmosphere of 2.0–2.1% O₂ and 5.5–5.7% CO₂, which was beneficial for all components and provided better quality retention than other test packages.     

INSTRUMENTATION FOR FLOW PROPERTIES OF GAS-SOLID SUSPENSIONS AND RECENT ADVANCES

Measurements of local velocity, density, and mass flow of phases of a gas-solid suspension are needed in determining transport properties, validating theoretical predictions, and formulating design procedures. Most of the available instruments are based on time averages or fluctuations with time. Primary standard for direct measurement of density of a phase such as solid particles is being developed. A laser phase Doppler device, within certain restrictions, may give local instantaneous density, while other optical methods and neutron beam remain secondary standards based on mass flow calibrations. An overall review including recent results has been made on both intrusive and non-intrusive instruments; their limitations and future possibilities are outlined and discussed. The limitations of the traditional approach utilizing the triangular relation between local averages of mass flow, velocity, and density of particles for the determination of flow properties, and higher order correlations are demonstrated.