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Among various bioreactors examined in anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation, UASB bioreactor has shown to be a promising alternative. However, mass transfer resistance and biomass washout have been the issues that reported as draw backs of the granular system in the literature. Another problem associated with such a system is its long start-up period as a result of biomass washout and long microbial granulation stage. In this paper, the results obtained from an UASFF bioreactor in methane (AD process) and hydrogen (DF process) production from POME, are presented to assess mass transfer of substrate into the granules and also study the role of internal packing used in the middle part of reactor in the process stability. The value of effectiveness factor, η, for AD and DF processes were calculated to be 0.96 and 0.94, respectively, indicating that there was no mass transfer resistance due to internal and/or external factors. The results showed that the packing material could retain biomass in the reactor and had outstanding contribution in the granulation enhancement. Its role as a supplementing treatment stage was more significant at low HRTs and up-flow velocities.

The operation of centrifugal pumps can generate instabilities and pressure pulsations that may be detrimental to the integrity and performance of the pump. In the present study a numerical investigation of the time variation of pressure within a complete centrifugal pump was undertaken. A range of parameters and three flow rates were investigated and the pulsations were extracted at 15 different locations covering important pump regions. The transient flow results compared reasonably with experimental data obtained in a limited experimental survey and clearly indicated the pump locations experiencing the largest pulsation levels. It was also noted that monitoring pulsations at the top dead centre of the pump volute casing would provide a better indication of internal pump pulsations than monitoring at the discharge.

Use of a pilot-scale fixed-film bioreactor was investigated for remediation of bromate contamination within groundwater. Bromate reduction with stoichiometric production of bromide was observed, providing supporting evidence for complete reduction of bromate with no production of stable intermediates. Reduction of 87-90% bromate from an influent concentration of 1.1 mg L(-1) was observed with retention times of 40-80 h. Lower retention times led to decreases in bromate reduction capability, with 11.5% removal at a 10 h retention time. Nitrate reduction of 76-99% from a 30.7 mg L(-1) as NO(3)(-) influent was observed at retention times of 10-80 h, although an increase in nitrite production to 2.7 mg L(-1) occurred with a 10 h retention time. Backwashing was not required, with the large plastic packing media able to accommodate biomass accumulation without decreases in operational efficiency. This study has provided proof of concept and demonstrated the potential of biological bromate reduction by fixed-film processes for remediation of a bromate contaminated groundwater source.

The deposition of ash - combustion residues - on superheaters and heat exchanger surfaces reduce their efficiency; this phenomenon was investigated for a large-scale waste-to-energy incineration facility. Over a period of six months, ash samples were collected from the plant, which included the bottom ash and deposits from the superheater, as well as flyash from the convective heat exchanger, the economiser and fabric filters. These were analysed for particle size, unburned carbon, elemental composition and surface morphology. Element partitioning was evident in the different combustion residues, as volatile metals, such as cadmium, antimony and arsenic, were found to be depleted in the bottom ash by the high combustion temperatures (1000+°C) and concentrated/enriched in the fabric filter ash (transferred by evaporation). Non-volatile elements by contrast were distributed equally in all locations (transported by particle entrainment). The heat exchanger deposits and fabric filter ash had elevated levels of alkali metals. 82% of flyash particles from the fabric filter were in the submicron range.

One of the major environmental problems is the fast accumulation of brick kiln emissions near the peripheries of almost all urban centers. An enormous quantity of substandard coal, wood, rubber tires, or saw wood is used as fuel in these brick kilns, creating environmental pollution through carbon and heavy metals present in the emissions. The present study was designed to determine the distribution pattern of heavy metals in a soil-water-plant system under the influence of brick kiln emissions. Ash, soil (0-15 cm), water, and plant samples were collected from the adjacent areas of the brick kilns. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factors were used to assess the toxicity of metals to soil and plants. It was found that the concentrations of Cd in water, soil, coal, and plant samples were found in the range of 0.004-0.024 mg L-1, 0.02-0.66, 0.002-0.042, and 0.06 to 0.07 mg kg-1, respectively, while Pb concentration was found within the range of 0-0.08 mg L-1, 0.30-8.60, 0.011-0, and 0.01-0.08 mg kg-1 in water, soil, and plant samples, respectively. The concentration of Cd in brick kilns ash was in the range of 0-0.04 mg kg-1 while Pb was found within the range of 0.01-0.05 mg kg-1 for ash. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values for Cd were found higher suggesting proper pollution prevention measures to be implemented. Based on the results, it was concluded that Cd concentrations in soil, plants, and water samples were higher in the subject area due to brick kiln emissions and higher Cd concentrations in the fuel material.

ABSTRACTAn overview is given of an International Atomic Energy Agency Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on the treatment of irradiated graphite (i-graphite) to meet acceptance criteria for waste disposal. Graphite is a unique radioactive waste stream, with some quarter-million metric tons worldwide eventually needing to be disposed of. The CRP has involved 24 organizations from 10 Member States. Innovative and conventional methods for i-graphite characterization, retrieval, treatment and conditioning technologies have been explored in the course of this work, and offer a range of options for competent authorities in individual Member States to deploy according to local requirements and regulatory conditions.

Abstract The co-combustion of sewage sludge and woody biomass is a key issue in coal power plants. Different combustion and ash behaviors of sewage sludge and woody biomass cause unpredictable operating concerns. In this study, the combustion and ash agglomeration behavior of blended fuel of sewage sludge and woody biomass (BSW) were investigated while coal co-combusted with it. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that adding a high amount of BSW into the coal lowered volatilization, ignition, and burn-out temperature. The char combustion reactivity of coal differed from that of BSW. The shrinking core model (SCM) and volumetric reaction model (VRM) were used to fit the char combustion reactivity of coal and BSW. In the case of ash agglomeration behavior, BSW addition led to increasing particle agglomeration at fouling temperatures. In particular, phosphorus composition influenced particle growth, which was verified using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) analysis. Furthermore, the ash mixture ratio of BSW and coal changed the intensity of the phosphorus-bearing mineral phase from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and finally influenced the melting temperature of the ash.

The Wallace Dam Pumped Hydro Project was placed in full commercial operation in December 1980. This paper describes the significant features of this combination run-of-river and pumped storage project. Full-voltage, across-the-line starting is used for the 83,000 hp motors, making this the largest known unit using this starting method. The control system, using hard-wired, relay logic is also described.

Abstract The release of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion into the atmosphere is one of the leading causes of global climate change. The existing technologies for the capture of CO2 suffer from various drawbacks creating an opportunity for the development of new technologies. In this investigation, sodium-based sorbents were prepared and evaluated for performance in CO2 sorption. A series of Na2CO3-based sorbents was coated onto metal foils. The loading of Na2CO3 was maintained in the range of 25–40 wt.% on Al2O3. The performance of these sorbents was tested in a fixed-bed reactor at various absorption temperatures and at various water concentrations. To compare the performance of the sorbent coated metal foils, a series of Na2CO3/Al2O3 powder sorbents was also prepared by impregnation method with the same concentration of Na2CO3 as in the case of foil samples. In general, sorbent powders showed better performance compared to those of foil samples, but 35% Na2CO3/Al2O3 sorbent coated on foil showed highest performance (∼7.7 mol of CO2/kg of Na2CO3). This sorbent was also investigated for 500 cycles to evaluate the stability of the sorbent.