bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of drainability and filterability simulations for evaluation of oxidative treatment and polymer conditioning of sludge
Authors: Ayol A. , Dentel S.K. , Filibeli A.
Published: May 2018

In the traditional view of sludge structure, a two-phase system is visualized. The solid phase is often illustrated as consisting of uniform, spherical, negatively charged particles. This simplistic picture limits the understanding of both conditioning and dewatering. Specifically, it limits us to only two strategies for destabilization: charge neutralization (using cationic coagulant species with either uniform or patch effects), and bridging (using polymeric flocculants). In fact, the situation is more complex in many respects. In this paper, we compared chemical conditioning of anaerobically digested biosolids using (1) conventional polymeric flocculation, and (2) treatment by chemical oxidants. Since these strategies may alter dewatering behavior by very different mechanisms, we report comparisons using a lab-scale simulator of belt press dewatering, including separate steps for the drainage and filtration processes. This allows greater insight into the effects of these conditioning methods and how they might be properly employed.
The attribute rating test for sensory analysis
Authors: Dietrich A.M. , Whelton A.J. , Hoehn R.C. , Anderson R. , Wille M.
Published: May 2018

This new sensory method evaluates the intensity of an odorant by using a modified “paired-comparison” format. It can be applied to any situation for which the odor-causing agent is known and a purified standard is available. The attribute rating test requires that a standard solution of the odorant be prepared at a concentration that is both readily recognized by most individuals and likely to evoke customer complaints. Within an hour individuals can be trained to compare the odor type and intensity of the standard to water samples, then rate the odor in the sample as “not detected,” “less than the standard,” “equal to standard,” or “greater than the standard.” The attribute rating test was successfully used by a full-scale water treatment facility to monitor the intensity of geosmin in the source water and to determine the effectiveness of powdered activated carbon for controlling its earthy-odor in treated water.
Use of headspace solid-phase microextraction to characterize odour compounds in subsurface flow constructed wetland for wastewater treatment
Authors: Huang Y. , Ortiz L. , García J. , Aguirre P. , Mujeriego R. , Bayona J.M.
Published: May 2018

A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) preconcentration method was applied to the analysis of some of the major odorous compounds occurring in wastewater using GC/MS or GC/NPD detection. The detection limit for volatile amines, volatile fatty acids, and volatile alkylsulphides ranged from 3 to 100, 2 to 150, and 0.0006 to 0.035 μg/L, respectively. The SPME method was used to examine the fate of odorous compounds in the subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SFCW) operated under different hydraulic loading rate (HLR), bed aspect ratio, and granular medium size. Among the experimental conditions evaluated in the SFCW beds, HLR was found to be the most important factor influencing the evolution of the studied compounds. There were also significant differences among bed types in the behaviour of ammonia (NH3), acetic acid (Ac), isovaleric acid (IsoA), propionic acid (PrA), and dimethylsulphide. Aspect ratio and medium granular size were minor factors influencing SFCW performance. The major odour compounds by mass in the effluent of SFCW with different operational conditions were NH3 and Ac. Further removal of these two compounds is considered as very important from the viewpoint of chemical composition. On the other hand, Relative Odour Intensity (ROI: ratio between the absolute concentration to the odour threshold concentration) suggested that PrA and IsoA were the two major compounds responsible for odour intensity. Thus, further removal of these two compounds is viewed as very important for the effluent deodorization, especially for PrA. From our results, this compound appears to be produced by processes occurring in the SFCW.
Chlorophenols identification in water using an electronic nose and ANNs (artiÞcial neural networks) classification
Authors: Vázquez M.J. , Lorenzo R.A. , Cela R.
Published: May 2018

Electronic artificial noses are being developed as systems for the automated detection and classification of odours, vapors and gases. In the food industry, such devices are used as aids for quality control or process-monitoring tools. An electronic nose (EN) is generally composed of a chemical sensing system and a pattern recognition system (e.g. artificial neural network). An EN based on a non-specific conducting polymer array was used to monitor chlorophenols in water samples. Operational parameters for the EN were optimized by a Plackett-Burman factorial design. The experimental parameters studied were: sample volume, platen temperature, sample equilibration time, loop fill time, sample pressurization time and injection time. Optimal experimental conditions were applied to chlorophenols determination and differentiation in ultrapure water samples spiked with the EPA listed chlorophenols. Data analysis was carried out using principal component analysis (PCA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the chlorophenols presence in water samples. The obtained results showed that it was possible to differentiate the five chlorophenol groups: monochlorophenol, dichlorophenol, trichlorophenol, tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol. Differentiation of chlorophenol groups was based on Mahalanobis distance between the formed clusters. This Mahalanobis distance is designated by the Quality Factor, a value >2 for this quality factor means a good differentiation between the clusters.
Synthesis and odour thresholds of mixed halogenated anisoles in water
Authors: Díaz A. , Fabrellas C. , Galceran M. T. , Ventura F.
Published: May 2018

Earthy-musty off-flavour compounds in water samples are usually associated with the presence of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol. However, the presence of 2,3,6- and 2,4,6-trichloroanisoles or other halogenated anisoles can impart objectionable tastes and odours to the water even at very low trace levels. This paper shows the synthesis of non-commercial 2,3,6- and 2,4,6- mixed chloro/bromoanisoles which can be present in bromide rich waters and could also be suspected of imparting earthy-musty off-flavours to the water. All the synthesized compounds were subjected to the flavour profile analysis (FPA) method and their odour threshold concentrations (OTC) in water were carried out giving values in the low ng/L range.
Reactivation and/or growth of fecal coliform bacteria during centrifugal dewatering of anaerobically digested biosolids
Authors: Qi Y.N. , Gillow S. , Herson D.S. , Dentel S.K.
Published: May 2018

Fecal coliform bacteria are used as indicator organisms for the presence of pathogens. In sludges, it has often been assumed that the counts of fecal coliforms after digestion (where the sludges may also be called biosolids) are representative of the counts when the sludge is disposed or recycled, such as by land application. The possibility has been raised, however, that dewatering processes can lead to increased counts of fecal coliforms and, by inference, human pathogens. This paper presents data from previous studies of this possibility; the results were inconsistent but showed observable increases in fecal coliforms at one treatment plant. Additional studies were then performed at another treatment facility, which showed statistically significant increases in fecal coliform counts after dewatering and two days of aging. The increases exceeded two orders of magnitude and included two centrifuge types and two biosolids types. Artifacts of media type and enumeration method have been excluded, and shearing of the material by commercial blender did not produce the same effects.
Physical characteristics of a waste activated sludge: conditioning responses and correlations with a synthetic surrogate
Authors: Dursun D. , Ayol A. , Dentel S.K.
Published: May 2018

The efficient and economic management of waste activated sludge (WAS) requires a proper understanding of the sludge's material properties. Though there has been much study of WAS, an adequate linkage between its physical and chemical properties has been elusive. In particular, the conditioning and dewatering of WAS are expensive operations, and the addition of polymer to WAS leads to even more complex material behavior that is difficult to optimize. This paper reports on an extensive characterization of WAS, both with and without polymer conditioning. We combined the classical “jar test” approach with less conventional rheometric and electrokinetic measurements. In addition to the use of sampled WAS, a synthetic surrogate sludge was formulated, attempting to duplicate properties of WAS and allow more extensive characterization of a reproducible surrogate to WAS. Results with both the synthetic surrogate and WAS indicated that the traditional, electrokinetic, and rheological properties were related. However, the dose optima by rheometry were somewhat higher in both cases.
Nitrogen removal from sludge water with SBR process: start-up of a full-scale plant in the municipal wastewater treatment plant at Ingolstadt, Germany
Authors: Vallés-Morales M.J. , Mendoza-Roca J.A. , Bes-Pií A. , Iborra-Clar A.
Published: May 2018

The sludge water obtained from the dewatering processes following anaerobic sludge digestion contains high levels of ammonia. This sludge water is generally returned to the beginning of the waste water treatment plant process, thereby significantly increasing the nitrogen load on the biological process. In this project, the start-up of a full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process to separately treat the aforementioned sludge water is studied. Two parallel SBRs were operated over 8 hour cycles. The duration of the start-up was approximately 100 days until a hydraulic load of 225 m3/d was reached for each SBR. This paper presents the results of the start-up, highlighting the change in nitrogen concentration with time and the effect of other parameters such as temperature and suspended solids in that period. Following the project period of operation, the ammonium concentration was reduced by more than 95% on average.
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal in RBC with SBR modification
Authors: Yun Z. , Lee H. , Choi E.
Published: May 2018

The rotating biological contactor (RBC) system was operationally modified with a sequencing batch reactor to achieve biological phosphorus removal from a weak domestic sewage along with nitrogen removal. This study utilized three RBC units, of which two units were the main units to remove phosphorus and NH4N and the third RBC unit was used as the storage of wastewater for its minimal effect to the PAO activities in the anaerobic stage during the operation. It was noticed that the biofilm thickness in RBC must be controlled to be less than 1.8 mm in order to achieve more than 70% of P removal with about 60% of N removal. With a settled sewage representing 200 mg/L of COD and 5 mg/L of P, the predicted P content in biofilm was more than 3% and the effluent P concentration was about 1 mg/L. The %P content in biofilm decreased with an increase of influent COD/TP ratios. The COD requirement for anaerobic P release was similar to reported values for the suspended growth system, however, the overall requirement increased with thicker biofilm.
Integrated, long term, sustainable, cost effective biosolids management at a large Canadian wastewater treatment facility
Authors: LeBlanc R.J. , Allain C.J. , Laughton P.J. , Henry J.G.
Published: May 2018

The Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission's 115,000 m3/d advanced, chemically assisted primary wastewater treatment facility located in New Brunswick, Canada, has developed an integrated, long term, sustainable, cost effective programme for the management and beneficial utilization of biosolids from lime stabilized raw sludge. The paper overviews biosolids production, lime stabilization, conveyance, and odour control followed by an indepth discussion of the wastewater sludge as a resource programme, namely: composting, mine site reclamation, landfill cover, land application for agricultural use, tree farming, sod farm base as a soil enrichment, topsoil manufacturing. The paper also addresses the issues of metals, pathogens, organic compounds, the quality control program along with the regulatory requirements. Biosolids capital and operating costs are presented. Research results on removal of metals from primary sludge using a unique biological process known as BIOSOL as developed by the University of Toronto, Canada to remove metals and destroy pathogens are presented. The paper also discusses an ongoing cooperative research project with the Université de Moncton where various mixtures of plant biosolids are composted with low quality soil. Integration, approach to sustainability and “cumulative effects” as part of the overall biosolids management strategy are also discussed.
Mass transfer impacts in flocculent and granular biomass from SBR systems
Authors: Gapes D. , Wilén B.-M. , Keller J.
Published: May 2018

An experimental study was conducted to describe mass transfer impacts within nitrifying aggregates sourced from sequencing batch reactor (SBR) activated sludge systems. Flocculent and granular sludge with high nitrification activity was obtained in two laboratory SBR systems, supplied with a synthetic, ammonium-based feed. The flocculent biomass was fractionated using a sieving procedure, in order to obtain biomass fractions with different particle size distributions. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) response to changes in dissolved oxygen concentration was measured under highly controlled conditions in a titrimetric and off-gas analysis (TOGA) sensor, and the results used to assess mass transfer effects. As the average particle size of the biomass increased, mass transfer limitations were found to increase significantly. Empirically fitted, apparent KS,O2 values were demonstrated to be highly dependent on particle size, and reflect the mass transfer limitations occurring in the aggregates within a given system. Such parameters thus have little to do with the actual biokinetic parameter from which they are derived. The results obtained from the TOGA sensor study were consistent with those obtained from a microelectrode study on the same nitrifying granules. Together, these studies add considerable weight to the conclusion that consideration of external and internal mass transfer limitations is vital to the accurate description of activated sludge treatment processes, particularly those with a high oxygen uptake rate.
High COD wastewater treatment in an aerobic SBR: treatment of effluent from a small farm goat's cheese dairy
Authors: Torrijos M. , Sousbie Ph. , Moletta R. , Delgenes J.-P.
Published: May 2018

In France, small goat's cheese dairies using traditional craft methods often have no profitable solution for dealing with the whey byproduct of their cheesemaking activity: it is usually mixed with the cleaning wastewater which, in the absence of other possibilities, is then discharged directly into the environment. The volume of such wastewater is small but it has a high COD of around 12-15 g/L. An aerobic SBR was proposed as a method for treating the mixture of wastewater and whey and the first installation was set up on a farm with 170 goats. Its operations were monitored for 7.5 months, particularly in order to measure any excess volume of sludge and to check that such excess remained within acceptable limits, given the high COD of the effluent requiring treatment. The results obtained show that the treated wastewater was of excellent quality, well within the most rigorous discharge norms. With this type of wastewater, excess sludge was produced in only very low amounts with 0.2 g of SS/g of COD. Moreover, the sludge proved to be quick settling which made it possible to: i) maintain a high level of SS in the reactor (up to 15 g/L); ii) withdraw sludge with concentrations reaching 30 g/L after 2 hours of settling. This resulted in a low volume of excess sludge (less than 5% of treated volume), making such aerobic biological treatment in an SBR competitive when compared to the straightforward spreading of all the wastewater.
Integration of titrimetric measurement, off-gas analysis and NOx− biosensors to investigate the complexity of denitrification processes
Authors: McMurray S.H. , Meyer R.L. , Zeng R.J. , Yuan Z. , Keller J.
Published: May 2018

The denitrification process, namely the reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to nitrogen gas (N2), often cannot be simply modelled as a single step process. For a more complete and comprehensive model the intermediates, particularly nitrite (NO2−) and nitrous oxide (N2O), need to be investigated. This paper demonstrates the integration of titrimetric measurements and off-gas analysis with on-line nitrite plus nitrate (NOx−) biosensors, highlighting the necessity of measuring process intermediates with high time-scale resolution to study and understand the kinetics of denitrification. Investigation of activated sludge from a full-scale treatment plant showed a significant accumulation of NO2−, which appeared to impact on the overall denitrification rate measured as NOx− reduction or N2 production. A different sludge obtained from a lab-scale bioreactor produced N2O instead of N2 as the end product of denitrification. The two examples both illustrate the complexity of denitrification and stress the need for the more versatile and detailed measurement procedures, as presented in this paper.
Removal of Cr(VI) by magnetite
Authors: Hu J. , Lo I.M.C. , Chen G.
Published: May 2018

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 micro-particles by microbial granules used for aerobic wastewater treatment
Authors: Ivanov V. , Tay J.-H. , Tay S.T.-L. , Jiang H.-L.
Published: May 2018

Microbial granules with a diameter from 0.4 mm to 3.0 mm have been produced by fast sedimentation and retention of microbial aggregates in sequencing batch airlift reactors used for model wastewater treatment. The wastewater was with or without addition of calcium salt. The granules were able not only to degrade organic matter but to remove nano- and micro-particles from wastewater due to microchannels and pores in the matrix of the granules. To detect the removal of 0.1 μm, 0.6 μm, 4.2 μm fluorescent microspheres, and cells of Escherichia coli, stained by permeable nucleic acid stain SYTO9™, the granules were incubated with these particles. The rate of particle removal and their accumulation in the granules was measured by a Fluoview300 confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) (Olympus, Japan); a FACSCalibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, CA, USA), and a fluorescence spectrometer LS-50B (Perkin-Elmer, UK). The release or removal of biological and non-biological particles was analyzed by a flow cytometer after DNA staining. Total number of the particles bigger than 0.1 μm in the reactors was approximately 4 × 107 per ml, and 23% of these particles were bacterial cells. The 0.1 μm and 4.2. μm microbeads were accumulated within 250 μm in the upper layer of the microbial granule but externally added cells of Escherichia coli penetrated to the depth of approximately 800 μm in the granules without calcium addition. Microbial granules contained also attached ciliates but accumulation of the particles in protozoan cells was smaller than in the granule matrix. Kinetics of particle sorption was revealed by flow cytometry and fluorescence spectrometry. Almost half of the stained cells of E. coli can be removed by the granules for one hour. The ability of the microbial granules to remove the particles can enhance their function in aerobic treatment of wastewater.
Coagulation mechanisms - nano- and microprocesses
Authors: Licsko I.
Published: May 2018

Possible coagulation mechanisms were studied in relatively high alkalinity model systems and surface waters. On the basis of available information, original laboratory experiments and simple calculation ere performed in order to show that the adsorption of Al3+ and Fe3+ ions is not the dominant process in decreasing the stability of suspended particles. The ions of the feeding coagulants hydrolyse within short time and form positively charged water soluble aluminium- or ferric hydroxides. Adsorption of these water soluble hydroxides onto the surface of colloids and quasi-colloid particles are restricted because of the quick completion of the hydrolysis process in relatively high alkalinity (>1.2 mmol/L) water. The result of complete hydrolysis of Al3+ or Fe3+ ions are slightly positively charged poorly water soluble aluminium or ferric hydroxide sols. The positively charged hydroxides and the associated water molecules are connected to each other by hydrogen bonds, providing a stabile structure. The hydrogen bonds provide the aggregation of slightly positively charged sol aggregation into flocs. Considering the repulsing forces among the sols, high numbers of individual sol particles (having nm sizes) are able adsorb onto the surface of suspended particles, changing their electrical charge and decreasing the stability of the colloids and quasi-colloid particles. This process is dominant in the destabilisation of suspended particles.
Removal of nano and microparticles by granular filter media coated with nanoporous aluminium oxide
Authors: Lau B.L.T. , Harrington G.W. , Anderson M.A. , Tejedor I.
Published: May 2018

Conventional filtration was designed to achieve high levels of particle and pathogen removal. Previous studies have examined the possibility of modifying filtration media to improve their ability to remove microorganisms and viruses. Although these studies have evaluated filter media coatings for this purpose, none have evaluated nanoscale particle suspensions as coating materials. The overall goal of this paper is to describe the preliminary test results of nanoporous aluminium oxide coated media that can be used to enhance filtration of nano and microparticles. Filtration tests were carried out using columns packed with uncoated and coated forms of granular anthracite or granular activated carbon. A positive correlation between isoelectric pH of filter media and particle removal was observed. The modified filter media with a higher isoelectric pH facilitated better removal of bacteriophage MS2 and 3 μm latex microspheres, possibly due to increased favorable electrostatic interactions.
Nitrite accumulation followed by denitrification using sequencing batch reactor
Authors: Gee C.S. , Kim J.S.
Published: May 2018

Biological ammonia-nitrogen removal utilizes two distinct processes, nitrification and denitrification. In nitrification, ammonia oxidizes to nitrite then to nitrate. In this study, elimination of nitrite oxidation to nitrate step was attempted in order to directly remove nitrite to nitrogen gas by denitrification. For this study the supernatant from an anaerobic digester was used as an ammonia source and a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was employed. Emphasis was given to the evaluation of the operational factors affecting nitrite accumulation and the elucidation of kinetics for biological nitrification and denitrification. Accumulation of nitrite in the nitrification process was achieved by suppressing the growth of Nitrobacter, a nitrite oxidizer, by loading high concentration ammonia supernatant immediately after all ammonia in the previous loading was oxidized to nitrite. Nitrite oxidation was taking place as the solid retention time (SRT) was increased from 2.5 days to 3.0 days in a continuously aerated SBR mode with daily feeding. However, nitrite accumulation was achieved even at longer SRT of 5 days when the aeration and non-aeration periods were appropriately combined and the non-aeration period can be used for denitrification of the accumulated nitrite with a carbon source supplied.
Combined UASB reactor and DAF/BF/anoxic/aerobic process for the removal of high-concentration organic matter and nutrients from slurry-type swine waste
Authors: Kim B.U. , Won C.H. , Rim J.M.
Published: May 2018

This research aimed to effectively remove high-concentration organic matter and nutrients from slurry-type swine waste using a combined upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor with the dissolved air flotation/aerobic submerged biofilm/anoxic/aerobic process. The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was operated at an organics volumetric loading rate of 3.2Ð6.1 kg COD/m3/day, and the removal rates of COD were 53.9-65.5%. The removal rate of COD of the overall process was more than 99%. In the aerobic submerged biofilm, over 95% of ammonium nitrogen was removed at a volumetric loading rate of 0.08-0.16 kg NH4+-N/m3/day. The specific denitrification rate was 0.257 g NO3-N/g MLVSS/day and the removal rate of total nitrogen was 86.7%. Phosphorus was removed by flocculation in the dissolved air flotation process, and 0.16 g of PO4-P was removed by 1 g of ferric ion.
Improvement of existing nightsoil treatment plant for nitrogen removal
Authors: Lim B.S. , Kim J.U. , Park H.D.
Published: May 2018

This study was performed to increase the treatment efficiency and to reduce operation and maintenance costs of the existing nightsoil treatment plant. The existing nightsoil plant was not established by the nitrogen removal process, and was operated ineffectively with deterioration of treatment efficiency rate, and according to the demand of many operators, the expenses of operation and maintenance have become excessive. Modified plant has been changed through two steps. The first step, liquid decayed tank using closed oxidation ditch is operated to increase retention time only for nitrification. The second step, modified liquid decayed tank including anoxic tank is operated, it has an excellent nitrogen removal rate. In first step, when HRT was increased from 10 days to 13 days in liquid decayed tank including aeration tank using closed oxidation ditch, TN concentration of effluent appeared below 51 mg/l less than discharge limit, 60 mg/L. In second step, when anoxic tank and oxic tank were installed, HRT has been increased to 13 days and 26 days, respectively. Then average TN concentration of effluent was detected less than 13 mg/L for over one year. The simple process modified the existing two processes resulted in the reduction of costs for operation and maintenance in the personnel, chemical, and filter change sphere.
Sequenced anaerobic-aerobic treatment of high strength, strong nitrogenous landfill leachates
Authors: Kalyuzhnyi S.V. , Gladchenko M.A.
Published: May 2018

As a first step in treatment of high strength, strong nitrogenous landfill leachates (total COD - 9.66-20.56 g/l, total nitrogen 780-1,080 mg/l), the performance of laboratory UASB reactors has been investigated under sub-mesophilic (19±3°C) and psychrophilic (10±2°C) conditions. Under hydraulic retention time (HRT) of around 1.2 days, when the average organic loading rate (OLR) was around 8.5 g COD/l/day, the total COD removal accounted for 71% (on average) for sub-mesophilic regime. The psychrophilic treatment conducted under the average HRT of 2.44 days and the average OLR of 4.2 g COD/l/day showed an average total COD removal of 58% giving effluents more suitable for subsequent biological nitrogen removal. Both anaerobic regimes were quite efficient for elimination of heavy metals by concomitant precipitation in the form of insoluble sulphides inside the sludge. The subsequent submesophilic aerobic-anoxic treatment of submesophilic anaerobic effluents led to only 75% of total inorganic N removal due to COD deficiency for denitrification created by too efficient anaerobic step. On the contrary, psychrophilic anaerobic effluents (richer in COD compared to the submesophilic ones) were more suitable for subsequent aerobic-anoxic treatment giving the total N removal of 95 and 92% at 19 and 10°C, respectively.
Nitrogen removal characteristics analyzed with gas and microbial community in thermophilic aerobic digestion for piggery waste treatment
Authors: Lee J.-W. , Lee H.-W. , Kim S.-W. , Lee S.-Y. , Park Y.-K. , Han J.-H. , Choi S.I. , Yi Y.S. , Yun Z.
Published: May 2018

In order to characterize the nitrogen conversion characteristics in a thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) system, a laboratory study has been conducted with the analysis of effluent gas and microbial community in the sludge samples. The lab TAD system was operated with HRT of 3 days and 60°C. Based on the nitrogen mass balance, it has been found that about 2/3 of the daily load of nitrogen was converted to the gaseous form of nitrogen whereas cellular transformation and unmetabolized nitrogen accounted for about 1/3. Among the gaseous nitrogen transformation, significant amount of influent nitrogen had been converted to N2 gas (29% of influent N) and N2O (9% of influent N). Ammonia conversion was only 28% of influent N. The detection of N2O gas is a clear indication of the biological nitrogen reduction process in the thermophilic aerobic digester. No conclusive evidence for the existence of aerobic deammonification has been found. The microbial community analysis showed that thermophilic bacteria such as Bacillus thermocloacae, Bacillus sp. and Clostridial groups dominated in this TAD reactor. The diverse microbial community in TAD sludge may play an important role in removing both strong organics and nitrogen from piggery waste.
Treatment of spent brine from a nitrate exchange process using combined biological denitrification and sulfate precipitation
Authors: Bae B.U. , Kim C.H. , Kim Y.I.
Published: May 2018

A combined biological denitrification and sulfate precipitation process was developed to treat and reuse the spent brine produced by a nitrate exchange system. Although the spent brine contained a relatively high salt concentration, more than 80% of NO3Ð-N fed into the denitrification reactors was removed at a nitrate-N loading rate of 2.2 g NO3Ð-N/láday, regardless of the presence or absence of sulfate up to 8,000 mg/l. Sulfate present in the spent brine was successfully removed by the addition of BaCl2 and the settling velocity of BaSO4 suspension was remarkably enhanced by FeCl3 coagulation. Since most of the chloride consumed in regenerating the exhausted resins was replaced during chemical treatment with BaCl2 and FeCl3, it was possible to reuse the treated spent brine as a regenerant after compensating for the small amount of unreplaced NaCl.
Change of microbial community structure by respiratory quinone profile at intermittently aerated membrane bioreactor
Authors: Songprasert P. , Lim B.-R. , Ahn K.-H.
Published: May 2018

In the present study, the microbial community structure in an intermittently aerated submerged membrane bioreactor treating domestic wastewater was observed using the respiratory quinone profiles. The effects of different time interval for the aerobic and anoxic period on microbial community structure were examined with 60/90 min (Step 1) and 90/60 min (Step 2) as anoxic/aerobic periods. There was an observable slight difference in microbial community structure between Step 1 and Step 2 in the submerged membrane bioreactor. The dominant quinone types for Step 1 at both anoxic and aerobic conditions were UQ-8 followed by UQ-10 and MK-6, but those for Step 2 were UQ-8, MK-6 and MK-10(H4). The microbial diversity of Step 1 and Step 2 based on the composition of all quinones was 10.6Ð11.7 and 13.3Ð13.0 for anoxic and aerobic conditions, respectively. The present results suggest that the introduction of intermittent aeration into the submerged membrane bioreactor has little influence on the bacterial community structure.
Centralised versus decentralised sewage systems: a comparison of pathogen and nutrient loads released into Sydney's drinking water catchments
Authors: Charles K. , Ashbolt N. , Ferguson C. , Roser D. , McGuinness R. , Deere D.
Published: May 2018

Data collected from centralised and decentralised sewage treatment plants throughout Sydney's drinking water catchments was used to calculate the relative catchment loads of Cryptosporidium, enteric viruses, nitrogen and phosphorus for an initial screening assessment. Loads were assessed at median and 90 percentile values for expected and worst-cases scenarios. The expected scenario in the Sydney drinking water catchments is that decentralised systems (servicing 32,800 people) provide similar total loads to centralised systems (serving 70% of the catchment population) for total phosphorus (37,090 kg.y-1), Cryptosporidium (1011 oocysts.y-1) and enteric viruses (9.1 × 1013 y-1), but higher loads of total nitrogen (237,610 vs. 136,740 kg.y-1). Decentralised systems, however, were predicted to have higher loads in the worst-case scenario with 620,620 kg.y-1 TN, 82,040 kg.y-1 TP, 7.3 × 1013Cryptosporidium oocysts.y-1 and 9 × 1015 enteric viruses per year. Greater load variability was experienced with decentralised systems, which presumably reflects less reliability in their current operation and maintenance. Overall, catchment water quality is therefore not only affected by sewage disposal methods, but also failure issues. Decentralised system disposal to land may afford a degree of mitigation that can be enhanced, if the degree of failure is reduced.
Effects of hydroxylamine on microbial community structure and function of autotrophic nitrifying biofilms determined by in situ hybridization and the use of microelectrodes
Authors: Kindaichi T. , Okabe S. , Satoh H. , Watanabe Y.
Published: May 2018

Effects of hydroxylamine (NH2OH), an intermediate of NH4+ oxidation, on microbial community structure and function of two autotrophic nitrifying biofilms fed with and without NH2OH were analyzed by a 16S rRNA approach and the use of microelectrodes. In the NH2OH-added biofilm, partial oxidation of NH4+ to NO2- was observed, whereas complete oxidation of NH4+ to NO3- was achieved in the control biofilm. In situ hybridization results revealed that no nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) hybridized with any specific probes were detected in the NH2OH-added biofilm. Thus, the addition of low concentrations of NH2OH (250 mM) completely inhibited the growth of NOB. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA indicated that the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) detected in both biofilms were closely related to Nitrosomonas europaea, and that the clone sequences from both biofilm libraries have more than 99% similarity to each other. However, in situ hybridization results revealed that the addition of NH2OH changed the form of growth pattern of the dominant Nitrosomonas spp. from dense clusters mode to single scattered cells mode. Microelectrode measurements revealed that the average NH4+ consumption rate calculated in the NH2OH-added biofilm was two times higher than that in the control biofilm. This clearly demonstrated that the oxidation of NH4+ was stimulated by NH2OH addition.
Joint operation of small wastewater treatment plants in southern Turkey
Authors: Sarikaya H.Z. , Sevimli M.F. , Koyuncu I. , Yuksel E.
Published: May 2018

In this study, joint operation of several small wastewater treatment plants (SWWTPs) by the same operation company is proposed to avoid operational problems such as unqualified personnel, inadequate maintenance and laboratory services. Some case studies from Antalya province of Turkey are presented. Several SWWTPs are operated by the companies formed with the proportional shares of the owners such as ALTAS and TURAS. The performance data of the five treatment plants operated by ALTAS and two treatment plants operated by TURAS are presented. The status of wastewater treatment with emphasis on the small sized plants is also presented and evaluated. The percentage of small settlements served with sewer and wastewater treatment facilities is very low (3%) indicating that high volumes of investment are needed to increase the level of service to those of the developed countries. At present, the total number of the treatment plants in Antalya region is 409 with capacities ranging from 73 to 175 m3d-1. Package activated sludge type SWWPs built especially in the coastal regions meet the local effluent standards.
Application of small community sewer system for improving the quality of the water resource in Korea
Authors: Myung G.N. , Yu M.J.
Published: May 2018

An existing SBR plant in a rural area was retrofitted from a conventional fill-and-draw system to an intermittent-aeration system for additional nitrogen removal. This study indicated that organic and nitrogen removal efficiency was improved over that before the retrofitting. But effluent phosphorus concentration was increased gradually with the operating time. In the latter period of investigation, phosphorus concentration in effluent was higher than influent. It was regarded that an excessively accumulated phosphorus was released again under the anaerobic conditions of the sludge storage tank. The application of the electro-coagulation process was investigated as an alternative method in order to prevent phosphorus from re-releasing. A laboratory test for electro-coagulation indicated that T-P removal was more stable than the biological method only. In addition, it was confirmed that T-N and organic materials as well as T-P were removed simultaneously by the electrochemical reaction in the bioreactor combined with electrolysis by more than the bioreactor only.
Ten years experience of treating all flows from combined sewerage systems using package plant and constructed wetland combinations
Authors: Griffin P.
Published: May 2018

Severn Trent Water have been using constructed wetlands since 1991 as part of a flowsheet in which 6 DWF (Dry Weather Flow) is treated by rotating biological contactors (RBCs), and constructed reed beds used to provide both tertiary treatment and stormwater treatment. The company now has over 50 such sites using this flowsheet. Dimensioning and effluent quality achievable is reported and data presented showing the performance of reed beds treating stormwater alone or in admixture with RBC effluent. After 8-10 years of operation the condition of a number of storm reed beds was assessed to determine the remaining asset life. The majority seem likely to achieve at least another five years of operation before further review is needed.
Effect of solid hold-up on nitrite accumulation in a biofilm reactor - molecular characterization of nitrifying communities
Authors: Bernet N. , Sanchez O. , Dabert P. , Olaïzola A. , Godon J.J. , Delgenès J.P.
Published: May 2018

Biological ammonium oxidation was carried out in two inverse turbulent bed reactors fed with synthetic mineral wastewater containing a high ammonium concentration (100 mg N-NH4+/L). Both reactors were started-up and operated in the same conditions except for the solid carrier concentration: the solid hold-up ratios applied, defined as the ratios of static to expanded bed height, were 0.1 and 0.3 in reactors R10 and R30 respectively. These two solid hold-up ratios generate different particle-to-particle collision frequencies and, therefore, detachment forces. The influence of solid hold-up on biofilm growth and nitrifying performance was studied from a macroscopic (i.e. nitrate and/or nitrite production) and microbiological point of view. After 60 days of operation, both reactors contained the same amount of biomass. However, R10 produced only nitrate while nitrite accumulated in R30. A comparison of microbial populations in the reactors showed that R10 contained both ammonium and nitrite oxidizing populations such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira, whereas in R30, ammonium oxidizing populations were much greater than those of nitrite oxidizers. The major ammonium-oxidizing organism was not the same in both reactors.
Pre-treatment of domestic wastewater with pre-composting tanks: evaluation of existing systems
Authors: Gajurel D.R. , Benn O. , Li Z. , Behrendt J. , Otterpohl R.
Published: May 2018

A relatively new technology called pre-composting tank or Rottebehaelter, retaining solid material and draining water to a certain extent, has been found to be an interesting component of decentralised systems to replace the usual septic tank. Results of the investigation revealed that solid material which has been retained in the pre-composting tanks still contained a high percentage of water. However, there was no odour problem at and near the tanks. The pre-composted materials have to be further composted together with household and garden wastes for a year prior to their use as soil conditioner. The filtrate is further treated in a constructed wetland. One of the major advantages of this system compared to other systems, such as septic tanks, is that it does not deprive agriculture of the valuable nutrients and soil conditioner from human excreta and does not require an expensive tanker truck. It can be the most appropriate system for application in regions where there is a demand for local reuse of the end product. It has to be stated that maintenance is a crucial factor.
Assessment of three-dimensional biofilm models through direct comparison with confocal microscopy imaging
Authors: Xavier J.B. , Picioreanu C. , van Loosdrecht M.C.M.
Published: May 2018

The mathematical modeling of spatial biofilm formation that provides the capability to predict biofilm structure from first principles has been in development for the past six years. However, a direct and quantitative link between model predictions and the experimentally observed structure formation still remains to be established. This work assesses the capability of a state-of-the-art technique for three-dimensional (3D) modeling of biofilm structure, individual based modeling (IbM), to quantitatively describe the early development of a multispecies denitrifying biofilm. Model evaluation was carried out by comparison of predicted structure with that observed from two experimental datasets using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) monitoring of biofilm development in laboratory flowcells. Experimental conditions provided biofilm growth without substrate limitation, which was confirmed from substrate profiles computed by the model. 3D structures were compared quantitatively using a set of morphological parameters including the biovolume, filled-space profiles, substratum coverage, average thickness and normalized roughness. In spite of the different morphologies detectable in the two independent short-term experiments analyzed here, the model was capable of accurate fitting data from both experiments. Prediction of structure formation was precise, as expressed by the set of morphology parameters used.
Small sewage treatment system with an anaerobic - anoxic - aerobic combined biofilter
Authors: Park S.-M. , Jun H.-B. , Hong S.-P. , Kwon J.-C.
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate a small sewage treatment system that could improve nitrogen and BOD5 removal efficiency as well as generate less solid using an anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic biofiltration system. Wastewater temperature was in the range of 14–25°C, and hydraulic residual times were 12 h for each reactor. The upflow anaerobic digester equipped with anoxic filter was fed with both raw sewage and recycled effluent from the aerobic filter to induce denitrification and solid reduction simultaneously. In the subsequent aerobic filter, residual organic carbon and ammonia might be oxidized and finally nitrate formed. In the anaerobic reactor, about 71% of influent TCOD was removed by sedimentation of the un-filterable COD at the recycle ratio of 300%. Another 20% of influent TCOD was removed in the anoxic filter by denitrification of the recycled nitrate. After 100 days operation, solid reduction and nitrification efficiency were about 30% and 95%, respectively. Overall removal efficiencies of COD and total nitrogen (T-N) were above 94% and 70% at the recycle ratio of 300%, respectively. Total wasted solid from the system after 100 days operation was about 316 g, which was only 44% of the solid generated from a controlled activated sludge system operated at sludge retention time of 8 days.
IAL-CHS (internal airlift loop - ceramic honeycomb supports) reactor used for biodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol and phenol
Authors: Zhang Y. , Quan X. , Rittmann B.E. , Wang J. , Shi H. , Qian Y. , Yu J.
Published: May 2018

The internal airlift loop reactor with ceramic honeycomb supports (IAL-CHS) was applied for biodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and phenol. A strain of DCP-degrading bacteria isolated from activated sludge, Achromobacter sp., was rapidly immobilized onto the ceramic honeycomb supports. The immobilized cells effectively biodegraded 2,4-DCP alone and together with phenol in batch and continuous-flow experiments. For example, 2,4-DCP was biodegraded from an influent concentration of 50 mg/L to less than 1 mg/L with a 6-h hydraulic retention time (HRT) in continuous flow tests. The immobilized biomass grew and accumulated through 2,4-DCP biodegradation, and the rate of degradation increased accordingly.
Reproducibility of biofilm processes and the meaning of steady state in biofilm reactors
Authors: Lewandowski Z. , Beyenal H. , Stookey D.
Published: May 2018

The need for reproducing biofilm processes is undisputable - the quality of biofilm research depends on this reproducibility. However, as many biofilm researchers know, long-term biofilm processes are notoriously difficult to reproduce. To avoid problems related to biofilm reproducibility two strategies are used: (1) to study very young biofilms that have accumulated for a few hours to a few days only, and (2) to run biofilm experiments only once. The first approach trades reproducibility for relevance because natural biofilms are usually older, often much older than a few days. This approach can be applied to answer questions relevant to initial events of biofilm formation but not questions relevant to long-term biofilm accumulation. The second approach conceals the problem of biofilm reproducibility.

To assure reproducibility of biofilm processes, we methodically followed a procedure for growing biofilms in terms of microbial makeup, media composition, temperature, surface preparation, etc. Despite all this effort the reproducibility of our results for long term growth is unimpressive. Consequently, the question had to be asked: Are biofilm processes reproducible? The experiments described in this paper address this question. Biofilms grown in two identical and identically operated biofilm reactors had comparable structure only until the first sloughing event. After that, biofilms had different patterns of accumulation.