Improved Denitrification of Municipal Sludge in Biofilm-electrode Reactor

The denitrification of municipal sludge was improved by combining biofilm process with the electro-chemical effect in a single novel reactor. Experiments in this reactorl-electric current 60 mA, hydraulic reten-tion time (HRTs) 6.0h] showed that the removal of CODcr, ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in the biofilm-electrode reactor were 2.5%, 1.2%, 14.9%, respectively, higher than those in a traditional biofilm reactor.     

Denitrification of Highly Alkaline Nitrate Waste Using Adapted Sludge

Uranium extraction and regeneration of ion exchange resin generates concentrated nitrate effluents (typically 500 to 10,000 ppm NO(3)-N) that are highly alkaline in nature (pH 9.0 to 11.0). It is difficult to remove nitrate from such solutions using standard physiochemical and biological methods. This paper reports denitrification of such wastes using preadapted sludge (biomass), which was acclimatized to different influent pH (7.5 to 11.5) in a sequencing batch reactor (4 l) for 2 months. Performance of the developed consortia was studied under different pH (7.5 to 12). Biomass denitrified the synthetic wastewater containing 1,694 ppm NO(3)-N at a pH of 10.5. Decrease in nitrite build up was observed at higher pH, which differs from the reported results. Kinetic analysis of the data showed that specific rate of nitrate reduction was highest (78 mg NO(3)-N/g MLSS/h) at higher pH (10.5). This was attributed to the acclimatization process. Thus, high-strength nitrate wastewater, which was highly alkaline, was successfully treated using preadapted sludge.     

Influence of Pyrolytic Biochar on Settleability and Denitrification of Activated Sludge Process

Biochar is a massively produced by-product of biomass pyrolysis to obtain renewable energy and has not been fully used.Incomplete separation of sludge and effluent and insufficient denitrification of sewage are two of main factors that influence the efficiency of activated sludge process.In this work,we proposed a new utilization of biochar and investigated the effect of biochar addition on the performance of settleability and denitrification of activated sludge.Results show that the addition of biochar can improve the settleability of activated sludge by changing the physicochemical characteristics of sludge (e.g.,flocculating ability,zeta-potential,hydrophobicity,and extracellular polymeric substances constituents).Moreover,the dissolved organic carbon released from biochar obtained at lower pyrolysis temperature can improve the nitrate removal efficiency to a certain extent.     

Decomposition of Benzene in Air in a Plasma Reactor: Effect of Reactor Type and Operating Conditions

The decomposition of benzene was carried out in two types of plasma reactors packed with BaTiO₃ pellets: one reactor had two stainless steel electrodes (SUS reactor), and the other reactor had a glass layer between two concentric electrodes (GL reactor). The decomposition efficiency and the suppression of formation of N₂O and NO_x were greater in the GL reactor than in the SUS reactor. In contrast, the suppression of O₃ formation and the oxidation to CO_x in the SUS reactor were superior to those in the GL reactor. The effect of wa eform and frequency of applied ac power was in estigated for each reactor.     

Depolymerization Study of Pakistani Coal in a Hydrogen Atmosphere. Effect of Operating Conditions

A Pakistani coal was de‐polymerized/liquefied in toluene in a 1000 mL micro autoclave. Experiments have been performed in a pool of hydrogen under varying operating conditions of temperature, residence time, hydrogen pressure (cold), coal/solvent ratio and coal particle size. A pronounced effect of all these process variables has been noted on the yields of liquefied products, i.e., THF solubles, n‐pentane solubles, and n‐pentane insolubles. Extraction temperature of 450 °C, residence time of 1 hour, hydrogen pressure of 30 kgf/cm², coal/solvent ratio of 1:2 and coal particle size of 53–45 μm were found optimum for maximum conversion of Pakistani coal into liquefied products.     

Effect of Operating Conditions and Immobilization on Butanol Enhancement in an Extractive Fermentation Using Non-ionic Surfactant

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - The present study was undertaken in order to investigate effect of diverse parameters such as fermentation media, pH, initial concentration of biomass,...     

Enhanced Hydrolysis and Acidification of Waste Activated Sludge by Biosurfactant Rhamnolipid

The effect of biosurfactant rhamnolipid (RL) on hydrolysis and acidification of waste activated sludge (WAS) was investigated. The results indicated that RL could greatly reduce the surface tension of sludge, resulting in stimulating the hydrolysis rate of WAS and enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). With the increase of RL dosage from 0.2 to 0.5 g/g DS, the maximum soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), protein and carbohydrate concentration increased correspondingly. After 6 h of hydrolysis, SCOD, protein and carbohydrate concentration increased from 371.9, 93.3 and 9.0 mg/l to 3,994.5, 800.0 and 401.4 mg/l at RL 0.3 g/g DS, respectively. Furthermore, the release of NH₄ ⁺-N, PO₄ ^3?-P and the accumulation of SCFAs also improved in the presence of RL. The maximum SCFAs was 1,829.9 mg COD/l at RL 0.3 g/g DS, while it was only 377.7 mg COD/l for the blank test. The propionic acid and acetic acid were the mainly SCFAs produced, accounting for 50–60% of total SCFAs.     

Combined Mesophilic Anaerobic and Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion Process: Effect on Sludge Degradation and Variation of Sludge Property

One-stage autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) is effective for the reduction of volatile solids (VSs) and pathogen in sewage sludges. A novel process of combining mesophilic (<35 °C) anaerobic digestion with a thermophilic (55 °C) aerobic digestion process (AN/TAD) occurred in a one-stage digester, which was designed for aeration energy savings. The efficiency of sludge degradation and variation of sludge properties by batch experiments were evaluated for the AN/TAD digester with an effective volume of 23 L for 30 days compared with conventional thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD). The AN/TAD system can efficiently achieve sludge stabilization on the 16th day with a VS removal rate of 38.1 %. The AN/TAD system was operated at lower ORP values in a digestion period with higher contents of total organic compounds, volatile fatty acids, protein, and polysaccharide in the soluble phase than those of the TAD system, which can rapidly decreased and had low values in the late period of digestion for the AN/TAD system. In the AN/TAD system, intracellular substances had lysis because of initial hydrolytic acidification.     

Effect of Operating Conditions in Production of Diagnostic Salmonella Enteritidis O-Antigen-Specific Monoclonal Antibody in Different Bioreactor Systems

In this study, different cultivation systems such as roller bottles (RB), 5-L stirred-tank bioreactor (STR), and disposable bioreactors were used to cultivate hybridoma for lab-scale production of Salmonella Enteritidis O-antigen-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb). Hybridoma cell line was cultivated in either serum-containing or serum-free medium (SFM) culture conditions. In STR, MAb production scaled up to 4 L, and production capabilities of the cells were also evaluated in different featured production systems. Moreover, the growth parameters of the cells in all production systems such as glucose consumption, lactate and ammonia production, and also MAb productivities were determined. Collected supernatants from the reactors were concentrated by a cross-flow filtration system. In conclusion, cells were not adapted to SFM in RB and STR. Therefore, less MAb titer in both STR and RB systems with SFM was observed compared to the cultures containing fetal bovine serum-supplemented medium. A higher MAb titer was gained in the membrane-aerated system compared to those in STR and RB. Although the highest MAb titer was obtained in the static membrane bioreactor system, the highest productivity was obtained in STR operated in semicontinuous mode with overlay aeration.     

仿生超疏油材料在苛刻工况条件下的应用

超双疏兼备超疏水和超疏油两种极端不润湿现象,其中超疏油的实现难度更大,应用前景广阔。为了获得超疏油材料,通常采用仿生思路,在材料表面构建粗糙结构和以含氟低表面能物质修饰表面。表面粗糙结构在机械力学作用下易遭到破坏,例如摩擦和冲击。低表面能物质修饰层在光照条件下易分解,而诸多的太阳能装置如太阳能电池板,必须在室外工作。耐紫外的超疏油性可以帮助这些设施实现高效工作并延长使用期限,节约资源。更进一步,科研人员研究了超疏油材料在各种苛刻条件下的可靠性。本文应用新进展聚焦在超疏油材料在紫外线照射下的可靠性或可逆响应性;超疏油材料经过撞击之后的油滴接触角变化;在高温条件下超疏油材料的极端润湿性能保持能力;在冲击条件下的稳定性,甚至包括了多种复合苛刻条件下的超疏油材料的耐受性。由于大多的工业环境无法避开摩擦和腐蚀,因此本文着重从超疏油材料的耐摩擦性和抗腐蚀性两个方面讨论了其研究现状,同时也讨论了超疏油在其他工程应用方面的可靠性。最后,总结了各实验方案的优缺点、实验与工业化过程中存在的问题、有望突破的方向,以及作者对于在苛刻工况条件下提升超疏油材料可靠性的观点。     

Effect of Dissolved Oxygen Tension and Agitation Rates on Sulfur-Utilizing Autotrophic Denitrification: Batch Tests

The effect of dissolved oxygen (DO) and agitation rate in open and closed reactors was examined for sulfur-utilizing autotrophic denitrification. The reaction rate constants were determined based on a half-order kinetic model. Declining denitrification rate constants obtained for open reactors those of 8.46, 8.03, and 2.18 for 50 mg NO₃ ^?-N/L, while 11.12, 9.14, and 0.12 mg^1/2/L^1/2?h were for 100 mg NO₃ ^?-N/L at agitation speeds of 0, 100, and 200 rpm. In closed reactors, the ever-increasing denitrification rates were 10.13, 22.56, and 37.03, whereas for the same nitrate concentrations and speeds the rates were 13.17, 15.63, and 26.67 mg^1/2/L^1/2?h. The rate constants correlated well (r ² ?=?0.89–0.99) with a half-order kinetic model. In open reactors, high SO₄ ^2?/N ratios (8.02–75.10) while in closed reactors comparatively low SO₄ ^2?/N ratios (6.10–13.39) were obtained. Sulfur oxidation occurred continuously in the presence of DO, resulting in mixed cultures acclimated to sulfur and nitrate. SO₄ ^2? was produced as an end product, which reduced alkalinity and lowered pH over time. Furthermore, DO inhibited sulfur denitrification in open reactors, while agitation in closed reactors increased the rate of denitrification.     

Enhanced Biodecolorization of Reactive Dyes by Basidiomycetes Under Static Conditions

This study presents the biodecolorization potential of basidiomycete fungi Trametes hirsuta, Pycnoporus sp., and Irpex sp. for different reactive dyes viz. Reactive Red 120, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), Reactive Orange G, and Reactive Orange 16 under static and shaking conditions. The screening trials revealed that T. hirsuta exhibited maximum potential (83.75 %) for biodecolorization of RBBR dye under static conditions after the fifth day of incubation. However, the rate of biodecolorization of RBBR dye by Pycnoporus sp. was much slow and reached maximum (81.25 %) after 15 days of incubation under shaking conditions. By process optimization, enhanced decolorization (91.2 %) of RBBR by T. hirsuta was achieved at pH 5.5 within 24 h using a defined salt medium amended with p-coumaric acid under static conditions. pH was found to be an important parameter for the enzymatic system involved in RBBR dye decolorization by T. hirsuta and Pycnoporus sp. Biodecolorization of RBBR dye was determined by a reduction in optical density at the wavelength of maximum absorbance (λ, 578 nm) by UV–vis spectrophotometer. The shift in maximum wavelength toward shorter/longer wavelength in UV–vis scanning spectrum revealed the degradation of RBBR dye into different transformation products.     

Autonomous-Strengthening Adhesive Provides Hydrolysis-Resistance and Enhanced Mechanical Properties in Wet Conditions

The low-viscosity adhesive that is used to bond composite restorative materials to the tooth is readily damaged by acids, enzymes, and oral fluids. Bacteria infiltrate the resulting gaps at the composite/tooth interface, demineralize the tooth, and further erode the adhesive. This paper presents the preparation and characterization of a low-crosslink-density hydrophilic adhesive that capitalizes on sol-gel reactions and free-radical polymerization to resist hydrolysis and provide enhanced mechanical properties in wet environments. Polymerization behavior, water sorption, and leachates were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) were conducted using water-saturated adhesives to mimic load transfer in wet conditions. Data from all tests were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests (α = 0.05). The degree of conversion was comparable for experimental and control adhesives at 88.3 and 84.3%, respectively. HEMA leachate was significantly lower for the experimental (2.9 wt%) compared to control (7.2 wt%). After 3 days of aqueous aging, the storage and rubbery moduli and the glass transition temperature of the experimental adhesive (57.5MPa, 12.8MPa, and 38.7 °C, respectively) were significantly higher than control (7.4MPa, 4.3 MPa, and 25.9 °C, respectively). The results indicated that the autonomic sol-gel reaction continues in the wet environment, leading to intrinsic reinforcement of the polymer network, improved hydrolytic stability, and enhanced mechanical properties.     

Effects of Feedstock Sources on Inoculant Acclimatization: Start-up Strategies and Reactor Performance

Different inoculum sources and acclimatization methods result in different substrate adaptation and biodegradability. To increase straw degradation rate, shorten the digester start-up time, and enhance the biogas production, we domesticated anaerobic sludge by adding microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). During acclimatization, the start-up strategies and reactor performance were investigated to analyze changes in feedstock adaption, biodegradability, and methanogen activity. The effect of the domesticated inoculum was evaluated by testing batch un-pretreated corn stover with a dewatered sludge (DS)-domesticated inoculum as a control. The results showed that (1) using MCC as a substrate rapidly improved microorganism biodegradability and adaptation. (2) MCC as domesticated substrate has relatively stable system and high mass conversion, but with low buffer capacity. (3) Macro- and micronutrients should be added for improving the activity of methanogenic and system’s buffer capacity. (4) Using the domesticated inoculums and batch tests to anaerobically digest untreated corn stover yielded rapid biogas production of 292 mL, with an early peak value on the first day. The results indicated that cultivating directional inoculum can efficiently and quickly start-up digester. These investigated results to promote anaerobic digestion of straw for producing biogas speed up the transformation of achievements of biomass solid waste utilization have a positive promoting significance.     

Surface Coordination of Pd/ZnIn2S4 toward Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity for Pyridine Denitrification

New surface coordination photocatalytic systems that are inspired by natural photosynthesis have significant potential to boost fuel denitrification. Despite this, the direct synthesis of efficient surface coordination photocatalysts remains a major challenge. Herein, it is verified that a coordination photocatalyst can be constructed by coupling Pd and CTAB-modified ZnIn₂S₄ semiconductors. The optimized Pd/ZnIn₂S₄ showed a superior degradation rate of 81% for fuel denitrification within 240 min, which was 2.25 times higher than that of ZnIn₂S₄. From the in situ FTIR and XPS spectra of 1% Pd/ZnIn₂S₄ before and after pyridine adsorption, we find that pyridine can be selectively adsorbed and form Zn⋅⋅⋅C-N or In⋅⋅⋅C-N on the surface of Pd/ZnIn₂S₄. Meanwhile, the superior electrical conductivity of Pd can be combined with ZnIn₂S₄ to promote photocatalytic denitrification. This work also explains the surface/interface coordination effect of metal/nanosheets at the molecular level, playing an important role in photocatalytic fuel denitrification.     

工业尺寸固体氧化物燃料电池高效及阳极安全运行条件研究

固体氧化物燃料电池(Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, SOFC)是一种清洁高效的能源转化装置, 如何提高SOFC的发电效率, 并保证阳极不发生局部氧化, 是工业界与学术界的焦点问题之一. 建立了工业尺寸SOFC的效率测试与评价方法, 通过对比多组高燃料利用率下的电池效率测试结果, 发现在相同燃料利用率下, 电压会随电流的增大而下降. 因此, 较低的电流有利于达到更高的效率, 较大的电流则有利于输出更高的功率. 此外, 研究了高燃料利用率下放电时电压波动与阳极局部氧化的关联, 通过分析阳极Ni的临界氧化条件, 提出了避免发生阳极局部氧化的电池安全运行条件: 电池的输出电压应高于Ni的临界氧化电动势. 基于所采用的电池和测试参数, 发现在各个电流及温度下, SOFC发电效率大于50%时, 对应的燃料利用率一般在77%~90%这一区间内, 当燃料利用率为87.10%时, 电池具有最大的发电效率. 尽管对于不同材料、结构和制备工艺的SOFC, 其最高效率所对应的工况会有所差异, 但所提出的效率测试及评价方法和阳极安全运行的判断条件具有一定的普适性, 可以根据实际需求中高功率、高效率及长期稳定运行的重要程度, 确定相应的高效及阳极安全运行条件.     

Conversion of Industrial Paper Sludge to Ethanol: Fractionation of Sludge and Its Impact

Paper sludge is an attractive biomass source for the conversion to ethanol due to its low cost and the lack of severe pretreatment required. Four sludges from pulp and paper operations including both virgin kraft (VK) and recycled and deinking (RD) paper mills were analyzed. A fractionation process using a laboratory screen was utilized to produce a fiber-rich stream for enzymatic hydrolysis. This process removed 82–98 % of the ash with fiber yields from 39 to 69 %. Even though sludges in both non-fractionated and fractionated scenarios were pH-adjusted, total sugar conversion was still improved by 12–27 % by fractionation with 4.5 times less acid required for pH adjustment. Fermentation of the fractionated sludges showed very high ethanol yields. Acid insoluble clay adsorbs 3–5 mg enzyme per gram of clay depending on enzyme dosage. Acid soluble CaCO₃ adsorbs about half of the enzyme compared to clay. Fractionation efficiency was also evaluated by testing different size mesh screen openings (100 to 500 mesh). The 400-mesh screen presented the best fiber yield, ash removal and ash fractionation ratio for both VK and RD sludges. The ash-rich streams have a lower C/N ratio than the original sludge which improves its suitability as soil amendment.     

Influence of Operating Conditions on BaSO4 Crystal Size and Morphology in a Continuous Couette Precipitator

Precipitation of a sparingly soluble salt in the annular gap of a continuous Couette reactor with two unpremixed feeds has been experimentally investigated. Barium chloride and sodium sulphate in stoichiometric ratio are fed at different flow rate in the lower part of the reactor; different feeding modes have been considered. The dependence of precipitation yield, mean crystal size and particle size distribution on rotation speed, axial flow rate and initial supersaturation ratio has been studied. Depending on the operating conditions crystals with different morphologies have been obtained, varying from dentritic tabular crystals to complex pyramidal ones and from single crystals to aggregates. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.