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Closing the water loop in a maltery: reuse tests at pilot-scale.

This paper reports on the potential for water reuse in the malting sector. Core unit of a treatment train to close the water loop was a membrane bioreactor (MBR). We compared three different commercial submerged membranes for their fouling potential in this application and related this to the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In a second step, we subjected MBR permeate to reverse osmosis and several (advanced) oxidation processes to evaluate the water quality achieved. Finally we performed a set of water reuse tests with waters obtained through different scenarios. The optimal scenario was then tested in a closed water loop over several malting cycles at pilot scale and the effect on water and malt quality was investigated.

Bioreactors↗

Observation of electro-kinetic phenomena by imposing oscillating pressure and voltage gradients across some epithelial membranes.

When hydrostatic pressure across epithelia fixed between a Ussing-type chamber was oscillated mechanically, the membrane potential was found to oscillate synchronously. When the transepithelial potential was oscillated artificially, the hydrostatic pressure difference also oscillated synchronously. Under such oscillating gradient conditions, concentration changes in the unstirred layer can be minimized. Accordingly, the method using such oscillatory gradients seem to be appropriate for observation of the true streaming potential and electro-osmosis, respectively.

Animals↗

The use of intraoperative electrocochleography in Meniére's surgery.

Intra-operative electrocochleography was undertaken during surgery for Meniére's disease. It was found that the electrocochleogram (ECoG) provided a stable measure which accurately reflected changes within the inner ear during surgery. During salt osmosis of the round window, a rapid change in the summating potential versus action potential ratio (SP/AP) occurred which showed when the endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) had been altered. During a modified cochleostomy procedure, the ECoG showed when the cochlear duct had been ruptured. Forty ears were monitored during endolymphatic sac surgery. Twenty-five of these ears showed stable ECochG which did not alter at any time during the procedure; however, 8 of these ears showed normal SP/AP ratios during the surgery despite having been abnormal in the week prior to surgery. The SP/AP ratio was reduced in 8 ears, increased in 3 ears and showed other changes which were probably due to unstable electrode positioning in 4 ears. It was concluded that endolymphatic sac or duct surgery altered the inner ear physiology in a significant number of ears affected by endolymphatic hydrops.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Impact of modifications in acid development on the insoluble calcium content and rheological properties of Cheddar cheese.

Cheddar cheese was made from milk concentrated by reverse osmosis (RO) to increase the lactose content or from whole milk. Manufacturing parameters (pH at coagulant addition, whey drainage, and milling) were altered to produce cheeses with different total Ca contents and low pH values (i.e., <5.0) during ripening. The concentration of insoluble (INSOL) Ca in cheese was measured by cheese juice method, buffering by acid-base titration, rheological properties by small amplitude oscillatory rheometry, and melting properties by UW-Melt Profiler. The INSOL Ca content as a percentage of total Ca in all cheeses rapidly decreased during the first week of aging but surprisingly did not decrease below approximately 41% even in cheeses with a very low pH (e.g., approximately 4.7). Insoluble Ca content in cheese was positively correlated (r = 0.79) with cheese pH in both RO and nonRO treatments, reflecting the key role of pH and acid development in altering the extent of solubilization of INSOL Ca. The INSOL Ca content in cheese was positively correlated with the maximum loss tangent value from the rheology test and the degree of flow from the UW-Melt Profiler. When cheeses with pH <5.0 where heated in the rheometer the loss tangent values remained low (<0.5), which coincided with limited meltability of Cheddar cheeses. We believe that this lack of meltability was due to the dominant effects of reduced electrostatic repulsion between casein particles at low pH values (<5.0).

Animals↗

Online model-based diagnosis to support autonomous operation of an advanced life support system.

This article describes methods for online model-based diagnosis of subsystems of the advanced life support system (ALS). The diagnosis methodology is tailored to detect, isolate, and identify faults in components of the system quickly so that fault-adaptive control techniques can be applied to maintain system operation without interruption. We describe the components of our hybrid modeling scheme and the diagnosis methodology, and then demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology by building a detailed model of the reverse osmosis (RO) system of the water recovery system (WRS) of the ALS. This model is validated with real data collected from an experimental testbed at NASA JSC. A number of diagnosis experiments run on simulated faulty data are presented and the results are discussed.

Algorithms↗

Online fault adaptive control for efficient resource management in Advanced Life Support Systems.

This article presents the design and implementation of a controller scheme for efficient resource management in Advanced Life Support Systems. In the proposed approach, a switching hybrid system model is used to represent the dynamics of the system components and their interactions. The operational specifications for the controller are represented by utility functions, and the corresponding resource management problem is formulated as a safety control problem. The controller is designed as a limited-horizon online supervisory controller that performs a limited forward search on the state-space of the system at each time step, and uses the utility functions to decide on the best action. The feasibility and accuracy of the online algorithm can be assessed at design time. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme by running a set of experiments on the Reverse Osmosis (RO) subsystem of the Water Recovery System (WRS).

Algorithms↗

[Natural science and introduction to physical chemistry in nephrology].

Osmosis, as described in 1825 by H.J. Dutrochet, played a role in the role in the beginning of physical chemistry and of the evaluation of renal functions. In 1871, the osmotic pressure, not so well understood by scientists, was again suggested by de Vries who described the "plasmolysis", a phenomenon corresponding to cell retraction when incubated in high molecular concentration solutions. Although the results were not well interpretated, this phenomenon was related to the osmotic pressure. Van't Hoff studied the mechanisms phenomena and compared it to the gas volume/pressure relationship. Dreser measured in urine the cryoscopic delta that had just discovered by Raoult in animal and man, after a water load (-0.20 degree C) or a water restriction (-2.50 degrees C) and calculated approximately the amount of energy required to eliminate water at various different concentrations of solutes. Koranyi used the same methods in disease states. The loss of difference between the maximal and minimal delta indicates a functional renal insufficiency. This was the term first proposed by Koranyi outlining the role of the kidney in the regulation of the milieu interieur and more specifically in the regulation of water and solute concentration. Hyposthenuria, best named isosthenuria, in the range of osmotic pressure usually indicates terminal renal failure. Koranyi named this test funktionelle Nierendiagnostik, a start for the physiological investigations of renal functions.

Animals↗

Effects of natural organic matter source on reducing metal toxicity to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and on metal binding to their gills.

Juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, 3 g) were exposed for 74 h in ion-poor (soft) water to a mixed-metal solution in the presence of 4, 6, and 10 mg C/L natural organic matter (NOM). The metals were 0.2 microM Pb, 0.1 microM Hg, 0.1 microM Cd, 1.3 microM Cu, 0.05 microM Ag, and 3.5 microM Co, and the natural organic matter was isolated by reverse osmosis from three sources in southern Ontario, Canada. The six-metal solution alone was extremely toxic to the fish. Increasing concentrations of each NOM increased trout survival, but the NOM having the most allochthonous properties (from Luther Marsh) increased fish survival most, while the NOM having the most autochthonous properties (from Sanctuary Pond, Point Pelee) increased fish survival least. This pattern was reflected in the degree of reduction of Pb and Cu accumulation by the gills. Relatively simple chemical characterization of NOM, such as protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, or optical characterization, such as absorbance-to-fluorescence ratios (e.g., representing aromaticity), may adequately reflect these biologically relevant differences in organic matter quality.

Algorithms↗

Treatment of agricultural wastewater and reuse.

The use of membrane separation technology, such as ultrafiltration (UF) and subsequent reverse osmosis (RO), for purifying different types of low-contaminated wash water of carrots (COD = 1,314 mg/l) and wash water of different kinds of vegetables (COD = 2,280 mg/l) was investigated on a pilot scale to determine its suitability for reuse in the process. In both membrane processes, UF and RO, the permeate flux first decreased with increasing fouling (deposition of organic and inorganic substances on the membrane surface and in its pores). After that the membrane permeability (permeate flux) and selectivity (rejection of COD) remained constant on a stable level in spite of a concentration with a volumetric concentration factor of up to 39. The tests showed that water can be obtained with a quality complying with the German regulations by applying a process combination of UF and RO. It was found that the membranes gave a 5-log reduction for total bacteria, and no coliform bacteria were present in the permeate after RO. Using UF and RO, part of the wastewater can be recovered for reuse in the process if drinking water is used for the last step of vegetable washing.

Agriculture↗

Process water treatment at the Ranger uranium mine, Northern Australia.

The conceptual development and piloting of an innovative water treatment system for process water produced by a uranium mine mill is described. The process incorporates lime/CO2 softening (Stage 1), reverse osmosis (Stage 2) and biopolishing (Stage 3) to produce water of quality suitable for release to the receiving environment. Comprehensive performance data are presented for each stage. The unique features of the proposed process are: recycling of the lime/CO2 softening sludge to the uranium mill as a neutralant, the use of power station off-gas for carbonation, the use of residual ammonia as the pH buffer in carbonation; and the recovery and recycling of ammonia from the RO reject stream.

Australia↗

Agricultural recycling of the by-product concentrate of livestock wastewater treatment plant processed with VSEP RO and bio-ceramic SBR.

One of the problems in a reverse osmosis process for livestock wastewater treatment is disposal of the by-product concentrate. The agricultural recycling of the concentrate is more cost saving than a further treatment. Application of the concentrate reduces the chemical fertilizer amendment. The agricultural recycling of the concentrate from the Kimhae livestock wastewater treatment plant, processed with the VSEP RO and bio-ceramic SBR, was studied. The concentrate includes non-biodegradable humic ubstance and residual inorganic ions (NH4+, NO3-, PO4(3-), K+, etc.). The contents of N, P and K were 1,650, 382 and 2,059 mg L(-1), respectively. The total acidity of humic acids extracted from the concentrate was 5.17 cmol(+) g(-1), composed of 2.38 cmol(+) g(-1) of carboxylic group and 2.79 cmol(+) g(-1) of phenolic hydroxyl group. Coliforms and E. coli were not detected in the concentrate. The yield of rice plant with the concentrate applied to it resulted in similar production to that with chemical fertilizer applied. The water extractable nitrate content of the concentrate-applied land did not exceed that of chemical fertilizer applied, at soil depths of 30 and 60 cm. The percolated amount of nitrate into the water table in arable land with the concentrate applied showed a similar level to that treated with the chemical fertilizer.

Agriculture↗

Evaluation of the purification capacity of nine portable, small-scale water purification devices.

A test was performed to evaluate the microbial and chemical purification capacity of nine portable, small-scale water purification filter devices with production capacity less than 100 L/h. The devices were tested for simultaneous removal capacity of bacteria (cultured Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae), enteric protozoans (formalin-stored Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts), viral markers (F-RNA bacteriophages) and microcystins produced by toxic cyanobacterial cultures. In general, the devices tested were able to remove bacterial contaminants by 3.6-6.9 log10 units from raw water. Those devices based only on filtration through pores 0.2-0.4 microm or larger failed in viral and chemical purification. Only one device, based on reverse osmosis, was capable of removing F-RNA phages at concentrations under the detection limit and microcystins by 2.5 log10. The present study emphasised the need for evaluation tests of water purification devices from the public safety and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) points of view. Simultaneous testing for various pathogenic/indicator microbes and microcystins was shown to be a useful and practical way to obtain essential data on actual purification capacity of commercial small-scale drinking-water filters.

Animals↗

Hybrid membrane systems for secondary effluent polishing for unrestricted reuse for agricultural irrigation.

Field experiments are in progress for secondary wastewater upgrading for unrestricted utilization for agricultural irrigation. The integrative approach of secondary effluent polishing is based on using a hybrid UltraFiltration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane pilot system with a capacity of around 1 m3/hr. The UF effluent is used to feed the RO membranes. The RO permeate is subsequently applied for vegetable irrigation. Field results indicate the importance of the UF component in the removal of the organic matter and the pathogens that are still contained in the secondary effluent. Under specific conditions, when the dissolved solids content is relatively low, regarding sanitary and health aspects, the UF effluent can be applied for unrestricted irrigation. During the RO stage most nutrients are removed, allowing application of the effluent without jeopardizing the soil fertility and the aquifers. Preliminary economic assessment indicates that the extra cost for effluent polishing via the UF stage only is in the range of 5 to 15 US cents/m3. The extra cost for the RO stage is also assessed at 10 to 25 US cents/m3. The additional cost depends to a large extent on the quality of the incoming raw secondary effluent and local requirements of the command region.

Agriculture↗

The use of electrodialysis to prepare aqueous bread extracts for bromate determination by chemiluminescence.

A cleanup procedure based on electrodialysis is described for the preparation of aqueous bread extracts for bromate determination by chemiluminescence. The technique utilizes electrophoresis with 3 chambers separated by semipermeable membranes. The relative merits of reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration membranes with various molecular weight cutoffs were evaluated. The best results were obtained with an RO membrane manufactured from thin-film (composite) polysulfone as support for polyamide. A 0.14 M sodium sulfate solution in the center or collection chamber provides optimum conductivity. Aqueous hydroxylamine sulfate (30 mM) was selected for the anode compartment as a reductant for the anode oxidation products. The constant current mode at 150 mA with a potential of ca 100 volts was used. After electrophoretic separation, the bromate concentration in the collection chamber was typically 2 to 3 times greater than the concentration in the bread extract. The chemiluminescent reaction of bromate with sulfite with hydrocortisone as the enhancer was selected for detection of bromate. The emission, with a wavelength maximum at 575 nm, was found to "glow" rather than "flash" after the reagents were mixed; therefore, it was possible to optimize the light collection period. The method was validated with a variety of commercial bread products. White bread, hot dog buns, hamburger rolls, and a multigrain bread from 7 different manufacturers were studied.

Bread↗

Efficiency of membrane processes for taste and odor removal.

The occurrence of tastes and odors (T&O) in drinking water is considered as one of the main problems by the drinking water companies. Thus, several treatment processes were developed over the years to control T&O including air stripping, activated carbon and oxidation using ozone. However, little information is available in the literature on the use of membranes for T&O removal. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to present potential of membrane processes for removal of taste and odor causing compounds. Several membranes were tested including ultrafiltration (UF), UF combined with powdered activated carbon (PAC), nanofiltration (NF) and low pressure reverse osmosis (LP RO) membranes. The results of this study indicate that the combination of UF with PAC is effective for T&O control whereas the benefit of NF and LP RO remains unclear for T&O control.

Adsorption↗

Scale formation in NF/RO: mechanism and control.

Scale formation of soluble salts is one of the major factors limiting the application of nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. This article reviews the scale formation mechanisms in membrane systems, methods to retard scale formation, and a new hybrid system consisting of MF-NF/RO. Two distinct mechanisms in NF/RO fouling by scale formation including surface and bulk crystallization have been identified and investigated. The hydrodynamic operating conditions as well as module geometry determines which fouling mechanism is dominant. An increase in solute concentration at the membrane surface by concentration polarization is responsible for surface crystallization. Conventional methods for scale control only retard the rate of scale formation and their performances are unpredictable. On the other hand, using a MF-NF/RO hybrid system for continuous removal of crystal particles from the retentate stream appears to be effective at high recovery of permeate. When applying the MF-NF/RO hybrid system, substantial improvement in flux is observed in spiral wound module, whereas it is negligible in case of the tubular module. This is because the microfilter could only removes crystals formed in the retentate through the bulk crystallization that is the dominant fouling mechanism in the spiral wound module.

Equipment Failure↗

Impact of RO-desalted water on distribution water qualities.

A large-scale pilot distribution study was conducted to investigate the impacts of blending different source waters on distribution water qualities, with an emphasis on metal release (i.e. corrosion). The principal source waters investigated were conventionally treated ground water (G1), surface water processed by enhanced treatment (S1), and desalted seawater by reverse osmosis membranes (RO). Due to the nature of raw water quality and associated treatment processes, G1 water had high alkalinity, while S1 and RO sources were characterized as high sulfate and high chloride waters, respectively. The blending ratio of different treated waters determined the quality of finished waters. Iron release from aged cast iron pipes increased significantly when exposed to RO and S1 waters: that is, the greater iron release was experienced with alkalinity reduced below the background of G1 water. Copper release to drinking water, however, increased with increasing alkalinity and decreasing pH. Lead release, on the other hand, increased with increasing chloride and decreasing sulfate. The effect of pH and alkalinity on lead release was not clearly observed from pilot blending study. The flat and compact corrosion scales observed for lead surface exposed to S1 water may be attributable to lead concentration less than that of RO water blends.

Calcium Carbonate↗

Comparison of SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) between RO and NF processes for the reclamation of secondary effluent.

Secondary effluent reclamation and reuse has been considered as an alternative for agricultural irrigation water. Whilst all constituents in the reclaimed wastewater could affect plant growth and soil characteristics, the most important parameters for agricultural irrigation are salinity and SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio). Salinity affects the availability of crop water and sodium causes clay soils to disperse. Membrane technologies, especially NF (Nano-Filtration) and RO (Reverse Osmosis), have played in a key role reclaiming the secondary effluent. RO can remove monovalent and divalent cations simultaneously. However NF processes reject preferably divalent cations and most monovalent ions are allowed to pass through the NF membranes. This could make them have different SAR values for both NF and RO processes. Therefore the primary objective of this study is to examine if the SAR values of the reclaimed water could be changed while they undergo NF and RO processes. The measured SAR values of the secondary effluent, NF permeate, and RO permeate were 1.78, 4.67, and 0.72 respectively. The SAR value after NF (4.67) increased to more than twice that of the feed solution, whereas the SAR of the RO permeate decreased to 0.72. In general, the higher SAR the water has, the greater risk the soils have. Although the SAR value after NF was within the safe range, this increased SAR value will affect permeability of soil, thus limiting the reclaimed wastewater use for as agricultural irrigation water. Consequently, when the NF system is used for the reclamation of the secondary effluent, SAR has to be examined first because potentially it tends to increase the SAR value.

Adsorption↗