Fractionating soluble microbial products in the activated sludge process

Soluble microbial products (SMP) are the pool of organic compounds originating from microbial growth and decay, and are usually the major component of the soluble organic matters in effluents from biological treatment processes. In this work, SMP in activated sludge were characterized, fractionized, and quantified using integrated chemical analysis and mathematical approach. The utilization-associated products (UAP) in SMP, produced in the substrate-utilization process, were found to be carbonaceous compounds with a molecular weight (MW) lower than 290 kDa which were quantified separately from biomass-associated products (BAP). The BAP were mainly cellular macromolecules with an MW in a range of 290-5000 kDa, and for the first time were further classified into the growth-associated BAP (GBAP) with an MW of 1000 kDa, which were produced in the microbial growth phase, and the endogeny-associated BAP (EBAP) with an MW of 4500 kDa, which were generated in the endogenous phase. Experimental and modeling results reveal that the UAP could be utilized by the activated sludge and that the BAP would accumulate in the system. The GBAP and EBAP had different formation rates from the hydrolysis of extracellular polymeric substances and distinct biodegradation kinetics. This study provides better understanding of SMP formation mechanisms and becomes useful for subsequent effluent treatment.     

Simulation of the climate system performance of a museum in case of failure events

The paper presents the evaluation of the current HVAC components and indoor climate of a high tech Naval Depot when the system fails. The methodology of the research was: first, implementation of the heat, air & moisture models of the building and HVAC components. Second, validation of the models using measured data from the existing building control system. Third, simulation of the current and new HVAC systems designs. Fourth, discussion of the usability of the approach. For this specific case, we concluded that the current system design performs well if, in case of a fault, the air supply to the depots is switched off automatically. The construction of the depots has sufficient thermal inertia to maintain a stable indoor climate for a period long enough to allow it to be repaired. The design could be further improved by controlling the indoor climate surrounding the depots instead of inside the depots itself. In such a case, even if the system did not detect a fault and continued supplying uncontrolled air to the surroundings of the depot, the indoor climate in the depot would remain stable. We conclude that the approach presented in this paper has a wider application than this single case study.     

Ozonation kinetics of winery wastewater in a pilot-scale bubble column reactor

The degradation of organic substances present in winery wastewater was studied in a pilot-scale, bubble column ozonation reactor. A steady reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed under the action of ozone at the natural pH of the wastewater (pH 4). At alkaline and neutral pH the degradation rate was accelerated by the formation of radical species from the decomposition of ozone. Furthermore, the reaction of hydrogen peroxide (formed from natural organic matter in the wastewater) and ozone enhances the oxidation capacity of the ozonation process. The monitoring of pH, redox potential (ORP), UV absorbance (254 nm), polyphenol content and ozone consumption was correlated with the oxidation of the organic species in the water. The ozonation of winery wastewater in the bubble column was analysed in terms of a mole balance coupled with ozonation kinetics modeled by the two-film theory of mass transfer and chemical reaction. It was determined that the ozonation reaction can develop both in and across different kinetic regimes: fast, moderate and slow, depending on the experimental conditions. The dynamic change of the rate coefficient estimated by the model was correlated with changes in the water composition and oxidant species.     

Quantitative assessment of intrinsic groundwater vulnerability to contamination using numerical simulations

Intrinsic vulnerability assessment to groundwater contamination is part of groundwater management in many areas of the world. However, popular assessment methods estimate vulnerability only qualitatively. To enhance vulnerability assessment, an approach for quantitative vulnerability assessment using numerical simulation of water flow and solute transport with transient boundary conditions and new vulnerability indicators are presented in this work. Based on a conceptual model of the unsaturated underground with distinct hydrogeological layers and site specific hydrological characteristics the numerical simulations of water flow and solute transport are applied on each hydrogeological layer with standardized conditions separately. Analysis of the simulation results reveals functional relationships between layer thickness, groundwater recharge and transit time. Based on the first, second and third quartiles of solute mass breakthrough at the lower boundary of the unsaturated zone, and the solute dilution, four vulnerability indicators are extracted. The indicator transit time t₅₀ is the time were 50% of solute mass breakthrough passes the groundwater table. Dilution is referred as maximum solute concentration C_max in the percolation water when entering the groundwater table in relation to the injected mass or solute concentration C₀ at the ground surface. Duration of solute breakthrough is defined as the time period between 25% and 75% (t_25%-t_75%) of total solute mass breakthrough at the groundwater table. The temporal shape of the breakthrough curve is expressed with the quotient (t_25%-t_50%) / (t_25%-t_75%). Results from an application of this new quantitative vulnerability assessment approach, its advantages and disadvantages, and potential benefits for future groundwater management strategies are discussed.     

Detailed energy saving performance analyses on thermal mass walls demonstrated in a zero energy house

An insulated concrete wall system¹ was used on exterior walls of a zero energy house. Its thermal functions were investigated using actual data in comparison to a conventional wood frame system. The internal wall temperature of massive systems changes more slowly than the conventional wall constructions, leading to a more stable indoor temperature. The Energy10 simulated equivalent R-value and DBMS of the mass walls under actual climate conditions are, respectively, 6.98 (m² °C)/W and 3.39. However, the simulated heating energy use was much lower for the massive walls while the cooling load was a little higher. Further investigation on the heat flux indicates that the heat actually is transferred inside all day and night, which results in a higher cooling energy consumption. A one-dimensional model further verified these analyses, and the calculated results are in good agreement with the actual data. We conclude that the thermal mass wall does have the ability to store heat during the daytime and release it back at night, but in desert climates with high 24-h ambient temperature and intense sunlight, more heat will be stored than can be transferred back outside at night. As a result, an increased cooling energy will be required.     

A new methodology for the design of low energy buildings

The Kyoto protocol binded the developed countries to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions at least by 5% by 2008-2012 in order to tackle global warming and climate change. Some of the measures of the governments to achieve this goal are to promote new buildings construction and to retrofit existing buildings while satisfying low energy criteria. This means improving energy efficiency of buildings and energy systems, developing sustainable building concepts and promoting renewable energy sources.The design of a low energy building requires parametric studies via simulation tools in order to optimize the design of the building envelope and HVAC systems. These studies are often complex and time consuming due to a large number of parameters to consider. Hence, this paper aims to set up a methodology that simplifies parametrical studies during the design process of a low energy building. The methodology is based on the Design of Experiments (DOE) method which is a statistical method widely used in industry to perform parametric studies that reduces the required number of experiments.     

Localized corrosion studies on materials proposed for a safety-grade sodium-to- air decay-heat removal system for fast breeder reactors

The present investigation was carried out to assess the localized corrosion resistance of materials proposed for the construction of the safety-grade sodium-to-air decay-heat removal system for fast breeder reactors. The materials, such as Alloy 800,9Cr-lMo steel, and type 316LN stainless steel, in different microstructural conditions were assessed for pitting and stress-corrosion cracking resistances in a chloride medium. The results indicated that 9Cr-lMo steel in the normalized and tempered condition can be considered for the above application from the standpoint of corrosion resistance.     

Multiple linear regression modeling of disinfection by-products formation in Istanbul drinking water reservoirs

Oxidation of raw water with chlorine results in formation of trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA). Factors affecting their concentrations have been found to be organic matter type and concentration, pH, temperature, chlorine dose, contact time and bromide concentration, but the mechanisms of their formation are still under investigation. Within this scope, chlorination experiments have been conducted with water reservoirs from Terkos, Buyukcekmece and Omerli lakes, Istanbul, with different water quality regarding bromide concentration and organic matter content. The factors studied were pH, contact time, chlorine dose, and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA). The determination of disinfection by-products (DBP) was carried out by gas chromatography techniques. Statistical analysis of the results was focused on the development of multiple regression models for predicting the concentrations of total THM and total HAA based on the use of pH, contact time, chlorine dose, and SUVA. The developed models provided satisfactory estimations of the concentrations of the DBP and the model regression coefficients of THM and HAA are 0.88 and 0.61, respectively. Further, the Durbin-Watson values confirm the reliability of the two models. The results indicate that under these experimental conditions which indicate the variations of pH, chlorine dosages, contact time, and SUVA values, the formation of THM and HAA in water can be described by the multiple linear regression technique.     

我国城市地理研究的学术规范问题

改革开放以来,我国大陆包括城市地理研究在内的城市研究取得了长足的进展,但在城市研究的学术规范方面也存在明显的不足。这种不足具体表现在问题意识不足、学术对话严重不足、引用不太规范、学术史意识不强及理论创新不够。只有正视这些问题,认真分析成因和思考对策,才有可能在已有成绩的基础上找准方向,重新出发,并找到通向世界学术的桥梁。本文对此作了尝试。     

IoT-Based Operational Information Management for Built Landscape Projects: From Vacancy to Approaches

With the rapid advance of digital technology under the fourth industrial revolution, digital landscape and smart landscape architecture have gradually become the research hot spots in design professions. The Internet of Things (IoT), as an emerging digital tool, has shown great potential to assist operational information modeling for built landscape projects. This article, focusing on the post-operation for built projects, deliberates IoT-based approaches to operational information management (OIM) through vacancy analysis and literature review. It first argues that OIM’s main goals are performance evaluation and refined management, and points out the absence of effective monitoring tools for ecological performance and dynamic modeling tools for data storage, analysis, and visualization. Combing with existing cases, it also demonstrates and summarizes the methods for IoTbased ecological performance monitoring and dynamic information modeling, as well as the principles for related application. In addition, landscape architects and project managers should pay attention to emerging research trends of IoT technology, and more importantly, emphasize authentic application scenarios to avoid blind practice. As for the future of Landscape Architecture, this article attempts to reveal the profession development trajectory that technological upgrade leads to demand upgrade, which will also bring about changes in landscape architects’ contemporary mission and the methods for talent training, and about the innovations of landscape design and research tools.