Dewatering of Extracellular Polymer and Activated Sludges by Thermochemical Treatment

Of the dewatering characteristics of activated sludges in our previous paper, the dewatering rate of sludge decreased in proportion to increasing amounts of extracellular polymer. As extracellular polymer in activated sludge was one of the important factors in the dewatering process, the change of the dewatering characteristics of thermochemically treated sludge (containing extracellular polymer) were compared with that of extracellular polymer extracted from sludge. The ultrafiltration rate of extracellular polymer flocculated by thermochemical treatment was much faster than that without treatment, indicating improved dewatering characteristics. Under the same treatment conditions, the dewatering characteristics of sludge were also much improved. The addition of the extracellular polymer treated thermochemically below pH 3 had no effect on the dewatering characteristics of the sludge. The addition of a flocculant to the thermochemically treated sludge was found to further improve the dewatering characteristics. The thermochemical treatment under low pH condition facilitated the flaking of the cake from the filter.     

A new less toxic polymer gel dosimeter: Radiological characteristics and dosimetry properties

PurposeA new polymer gel dosimeter recipe was investigated that may be more suitable for widespread applications than polyacrylamide gel dosimeters, since the extremely toxic acrylamide has been replaced with the less harmful monomer 2-Acrylamido 2-Methyl Propane Sulfonic acid (AMPS).MethodsThe new formulation was named PAMPSGAT. The MRI response (R2) of the dosimeters was analyzed for conditions of varying dose, dose rate, and temperature during scanning. Radiological properties of the PAMPSGAT polymer gel dosimeter were investigated.ResultsThe dose-response (R2) of AMPS/Bis appears to be linear over a dose range 10–40 Gy. The percentage of difference between the R2 values for imaging at 15 °C and MRI room temperature is about 4.6% for vial with 40 Gy absorbed dose which decreased to less than 1% for imaging at 20 °C. The percentage difference of Zeff of PAMPSGAT gel and soft tissue was less than 1% in the practical energy range (100 KeV–100 MeV). The electron density of the PAMPSGAT polymer gel was 2.9% higher than that of muscle. Results showed that the sensitivity of PAMPSGAT polymer gel dosimeter irradiated by ⁶⁰Co (energy = 1.25 MeV) is about 27.7% higher than that of irradiated using a 6 MeV Linac system.ConclusionsTemperature during MRI scanning has a small effect on the R2 response of the PAMPSGAT polymer gel dosimeter. Results confirmed tissue equivalency of the PAMPSGAT polymer gel dosimeter in most practical energy range. The PAMPSGAT polymer gel dosimeter response depends on energy and dose rate.     

Investigation of Preparation and Mechanisms of a Dispersed Particle Gel Formed from a Polymer Gel at Room Temperature

A dispersed particle gel (DPG) was successfully prepared from a polymer gel at room temperature. The polymer gel system, morphology, viscosity changes, size distribution, and zeta potential of DPG particles were investigated. The results showed that zirconium gel systems with different strengths can be cross-linked within 2.5 h at low temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results showed that the particles were polygonal particles with nano-size distribution. According to the viscosity changes, the whole preparation process can be divided into two major stages: the bulk gel cross-linking reaction period and the DPG particle preparation period. A polymer gel with a 3-dimensional network was formed in the bulk gel cross-linking reaction period whereas shearing force and frictional force were the main driving forces for the preparation of DPG particles, and thus affected the morphology of DPG particles. High shearing force and frictional force reduced the particle size distribution, and then decreased the zeta potential (absolute value). The whole preparation process could be completed within 3 h at room temperature. It could be an efficient and energy-saving technology for preparation of DPG particles.     

The entropically favored osmotic "compression" of sickle cell hemoglobin gels

Contrary to the accurate, hard-sphere depiction of monomeric hemoglobin in solution, sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization/gelation requires attention to molecular interactions. From the temperature dependence of the osmotic compressibility of HbS gels, we were able to extract the entropy increase for concentrating HbS in this phase. Normalized per mole of water removed, the entropy increase from gel compression DeltaS(gel) is four times the previously measured DeltaS(trans), for the transition from monomeric HbS solution to HbS gel. The positive entropy change cannot emerge from the assembly of hard spheres but can indicate remodeling of HbS fibers driven by release of ordered water. The fourfold difference in DeltaS(gel) and DeltaS(trans) suggests that the act of initial fiber/gel formation from monomeric solution differs from the process of further polymerization due to tighter packing within the gel phase.     

Purification of anti-bromelain antibodies by affinity precipitation using pNIPAm-linked bromelain

Affinity precipitation has emerged as a very useful technique for the purification of proteins. Here it has been employed for the purification of anti-bromelain antibodies from rabbit serum. A system has been developed for reversibly binding and thermoprecipitating antibodies. Anti-bromelain antibodies were raised in rabbit by immunizing it with bromelain. Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAm)–bromelain conjugate was prepared and incubated with rabbit serum. After that the temperature was raised for thermal precipitation of the polymer. Antibodies were then eluted from the complex by incubating it with a small volume of buffer, pH 3.0. This method is very effective in concentrating the antibodies. Purity and specificity of the antibodies were checked by gel electrophoresis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The study of the effect of pH and temperature on the binding of the antibodies to the conjugate showed that the optimum binding occurred at pH 8.0 and 25°C.The polymer enzyme conjugate was further used for another cycle.     

Rheological and structural properties of aqueous alginate during gelation via the Ugi multicomponent condensation reaction

Turbidity, structure, and rheological features during gelation via the Ugi multicomponent condensation reaction of semidilute solutions of alginate have been investigated at different polymer and cross-linker concentrations and reaction temperatures. The gelation time of the system decreased with increasing polymer and cross-linker concentrations, and a temperature rise resulted in a faster gelation. At the gel point, a power law frequency dependence of the dynamic storage modulus (G' proportional, variant omega(n)(')) and loss modulus (G' ' proportional, variant omega(n)(' ')) was observed for all gelling systems with n' = n' ' = n. By varying the cross-linker density at a fixed polymer concentration (2.2 wt %), the power law exponent is consistent with that predicted (0.7) from the percolation model. The value of n decreases with increasing polymer concentration, whereas higher temperatures give rise to higher values of n. The elastic properties of the gels continue to grow over a long time in the postgel region, and at later stages in the gelation process, a solidlike response is observed. The turbidity of the gelling system increases as the gel evolves, and this effect is more pronounced at higher cross-linker concentration. The small-angle neutron scattering results reveal large-scale inhomogeneities of the gels, and this effect is enhanced as the cross-linker density increases. The structural, turbidity, and rheological features were found to change over an extended time after the formation of the incipient gel. It was demonstrated that temperature, polymer, and cross-linker concentrations could be utilized to tune the physical properties of the Ugi gels such as structure, transparency, and viscoelasticity.     

Additive-free harvesting of oleaginous phagotrophic microalga by oil and air flotation

A unique oleaginous phagotrophic microalga Ochromonas danica is poised for effective lipid production from waste. Cell harvesting and dewatering are major costs in making algae-based products. In this work an effective additive-free harvesting method was developed, taking advantage of O. danica’s comparatively more hydrophobic surface and larger size. The algal cells’ partitioning to oil/water interface was evaluated. Recovery by flotation with waste cooking oil was optimized using an L-9 Taguchi orthogonal-array design. Further, additive-free cell collection and concentrating by air flotation was studied for the effects of both physical factors (column dimension, air–stone pore size, sample-to-column volume ratio) and culture properties (pH, culture growth stage, cell concentration, and pure versus impure cultures). The optimized process consistently achieved >90 % recovery in a single stage. 98+ % recovery could be achieved when starting concentrations were >10⁸ cells/ml, or potentially using a two- or multi-stage process for diluter cultures.     

Rheometric study of the gelation of chitosan in aqueous solution without cross-linking agent

A new process of formation of chitosan physical hydrogels in aqueous solution, without any organic solvent or cross-linking additive, was studied. The three conditions required for the physical gelation were an initial polymer concentration over C*, a critical value of the balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, and a physicochemical perturbation responsible for a bidimensional percolating mechanism. The time necessary to reach the gel point was determined by rheometry, and gelations were compared according to different initial conditions. Thus, we investigated the influence of the polymer concentration and the degree of acetylation (DA) of chitosan on gelation. The number of junctions per unit volume at the gel point varied with the initial polymer concentration, i.e., the initial number of chain entanglements per unit volume or the number of gel precursors. The time to reach the gel point decreased with both higher DAs and concentrations. For a chitosan of DA = 36.7%, a second critical initial concentration close to 1.8% (w/w) was observed. Above this concentration, the decrease of the time to reach the gel point was higher and fewer additional junctions had to be formed to induce gelation. To optimize these physical hydrogels, to be used for cartilage regeneration, their final rheological properties were studied as a function of their degree of acetylation and their polymer concentration. Our results allowed us to define the most appropriate gel for the targeted application corresponding to a final concentration of chitosan in the gel of near 1.5% (w/w) and a DA close to 40%.     

Floc destruction and its impact on dewatering properties in the process of using flat-sheet membrane for simultaneous thickening and digestion of waste activated sludge

Floc destruction and its impacts on the dewatering properties in terms of capillary suction time (CST) in the process of using flat-sheet membrane for simultaneous thickening and digestion (MSTD) of waste activated sludge were investigated. A pilot-scale MSTD reactor was used to treat waste activated sludge, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), soluble biopolymers, dissolved cations and the dewatering properties were measured. The results indicated that the destruction mechanisms of the MSTD process could be divided into two phases due to the variation of dissolved oxygen (DO). Polysaccharides and proteins were released in both phases, but the release patterns were different. The concentration of polysaccharides was much greater than that of proteins in Phase 1, while the ratio of proteins to polysaccharides ranged from 1.5 to 1.7. The divalent cations in supernatant significantly increased in Phase 1, while the monovalent cations in supernatant rose in Phase 2. The dewatering properties in terms of CST significantly increased in the MSTD process, and the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), particle size, and biopolymers in supernatant had significant effects on the dewatering properties.     

Use of geotextile tubes with chemical amendments to dewater dairy lagoon solids

Three geo-textile filtration tubes were used to dewater lagoon solids from a first stage dairy lagoon using chemical amendments (aluminum sulfate and a polymer) to enhance the separation process. This experiment had previously been done without chemical amendment. The chemical amendments speeded the dewatering process so that filling could be accomplished sooner, and also increased the removal rate of nutrients, especially phosphorus into the solid phase. Chemically amended slurry was pumped from the lagoon into the tube with the filtered liquid seeping from the tube and returning to the lagoon. Each tube was filled five to six times at 2-5-day intervals, and then allowed to dewater for 2 weeks before sampling the solid fraction in the tube. Separation efficiency improved from 79% to 99% for phosphorous and from 92% to 100% for organic nitrogen with chemical amendment. Time required for dewatering was significantly reduced by chemical amendment. Cost for the tube was approximately $10/m(3) of recovered solids with no chemical amendment and cost including the chemicals was approximately $14/m(3) of recovered solids.     

Structural and rheological characterization of Scleroglucan/borax hydrogel for drug delivery

The polysaccharide Scleroglucan, one of the most rigid polymers found in nature, can form a chemical/physical gel, in the presence of borax. The obtained hydrogel was loaded with three different model molecules (Theophylline, Vitamin B12 and Myoglobin) and then, after freeze-drying, was used as a matrix for tablets. The release profiles of the substances from the dosage forms were evaluated; the matrix appeared capable to modulate the diffusion of the chosen molecules, and different diffusion rates were observed, according to the different radii of the tested molecules. Interestingly, in the dissolution medium the matrix undergoes an anisotropic swelling taking place only in the axial direction, while a negligible radial variation occurs. The water uptake of the matrix occurs according to a Fickian process.

Samples at two different polymer concentrations (0.7 and 2.3%, w/v) were characterized in terms of rheological and mechanical parameters and the properties were interpreted in terms of the molecular structure obtained by conformational analysis.

The flow curves acquired in the viscoelasticity interval, show the effect of the borate ion in improving the resistance of the gel in comparison to the polymer alone. The evaluation of the moduli indicates that the system is viscoelastic, with an appreciable liquid component that increases as the polymer concentration decreases. Also the cohesion of the gel is higher in comparison to the Scleroglucan and is strongly dependent on temperature.

The combination of experimental and theoretical conformational analysis approaches, allowed us to propose a model for the structure of the macromolecular network and to give an explanation to the anomalous swelling that was observed. It came out that the polymer can built up a channel structure, mediated via borax ion interaction, that can accommodate guest molecules of different size.     

Mass balance considerations for chemical recycling in two phase aqueous fractionation of proteins

Mathematical modelling, using mass balances, of a polymer/salt two phase aqueous protein fractionation process with phase chemical recycle, is used to investigate the effect of several process parameters on phase chemical requirement. Data available on whey protein fractionation to produce α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin are used. Parameters considered include the fraction of phase chemicals recycled, concentrating of phase chemicals in the recycles, bottom phase polymer concentration, concentrating of protein in the feed stream, and the effect of protein build-up due to recycling. The analysis shows that considerable savings in phase chemical requirement can be made by selecting appropriate process parameter values.     

Rheologic behavior of deoxyhemoglobin S gels

The physical properties of deoxyhemoglobin S gels formed from solutions at concentrations and temperatures approaching those in vivo have been characterized by stress relaxation using a rotational rheometer. Gels were annealed in the rheometer and then subjected to a constant shear strain; thereafter the stress sustained was followed with time. Gels with solid-like behavior held stress indefinitely, and were characterized by yield temperature (the temperature at which stress decreased). Gels with less solid behavior were unable to hold target stress, and were characterized by yield stress (maximum stress attained) and equilibrium stress (final stress held). The samples were ultracentrifuged to calculate pellet and polymer masses. The solidity of the gels, as measured by yield temperature or yield stress, was related to the initial hemoglobin concentration, pellet and polymer masses, shear history, temperature, and the temperature and time of annealing. Solidity increased significantly with time when gels were annealed at 37 degrees C, whereas, when annealed at 25 degrees C, no or minimal increases in solidity were noted. Studies suggest that polymerization occurs rapidly and is completed early in or before the gel annealing period and that the increase in solidity with time of annealing is mainly due to factors other than polymer mass, i.e. alignment, increasing bond strength, water loss. The chemical activity of deoxyhemoglobin S did not affect the solidity of the formed gels. When the resultant polymer masses were comparable, gels formed from samples with albumin present (higher initial total protein concentration, but lower initial deoxyhemoglobin S concentration), had the same behavior as gels formed from solutions with higher initial hemoglobin S concentration. These findings demonstrate that gel annealing conditions must be standardized when comparing the rheologic behaviors of deoxyhemoglobin S gels and indicate that the gel's physical properties (influenced by polymer mass, shear history, annealing time) must be considered in understanding pathophysiology of sickling disorders.     

Effects and model of alkaline waste activated sludge treatment

Due to lack of information about alkaline sludge treatment with high dose at ambient temperature, alkaline sludge treatment was investigated to know the effects of different doses (0-0.5 mol/L) of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] at 0-40 degrees C. Results showed that NaOH was more suitable than Ca(OH)2 for sludge disintegration. For NaOH treatment, most efficient dose was about 0.05 mol/L (0.16 g/g dry solid), and 60-71% solubilization of organic matters was achieved in first 30 min during its treatment of 24h. The process is described by a transmutative power function model, and relation between reaction rate constant and temperature are according with Arrhenius equation. Low dose NaOH treatment (<0.2 mol/L) deteriorated sludge dewatering ability obviously, while the ability was recovered gradually with the increase of NaOH dose. For Ca(OH)2 treatment, the disintegrated floc fragments and soluble organic polymers can be re-flocculated with the help of calcium cations. Consequently sludge disintegration effect was counteracted and dewatering ability improved.     

Changes in ionic selectivity with changes in density of water in gels and cells

Gels equilibrated with aqueous solutions of impermeant solutes reached a steady state in which, in the absence of a pressure difference, the activity of water in the pores of the gel was higher than that of water in the external solution. The chemical potential of water in the gel/polymer solution slurry was higher than that in the supernatant polymer solution removed from the gel. Water in the pores of the gel decreased in density to 0.96 as increasing osmotic stress was applied. It is argued that at constant temperature and pressure water can equilibrate between two compartments of unequal osmolality only by adjusting its molar volume. Experiments showed that when gel water had a higher activity than external water it was K⁺ selective; when it had a lower activity it was Na⁺ selective. It is proposed that a continuous spectrum of water structures can exist in these two compartment systems from dense, reactive, weakly-bonded water which selects highly hydrated ions, to expanded, stretched, unreactive, viscous water which is strongly hydrogen bonded and selects K⁺ and univalent anions. These findings are related to the state and properties of cytoplasmic water which is probably held under osmotic stress by the activity of the sodium pump.     

Quantitative microbial indices in biogas and raw cattle slurries

Biogas slurry, the secondary product of the anaerobic digestion process, is increasingly being used as fertilizer. Information is available on its chemical and physical properties and their effects on plant growth. However, there is a demand to characterize the microbial quality of slurries, which may control further mineralization processes after application to soil. In this study, biogas and raw slurries obtained from six farms were analyzed for their ergosterol and amino sugar concentrations as indices for microbial biomass. A reliable, precise method for determining ergosterol in slurries is presented. Biogas slurries contained significantly less ergosterol (?34%), muramic acid (MurN; ?42%), galactosamine (GalN; ?32%), and fungal glucosamine (GlcN; ?40%) than raw slurries. The mean fungal GlcN to ergosterol ratio (50) and also the mean fungal carbon (C) to bacterial C ratio (0.29) did not significantly differ between the slurry types. The mean microbial C concentration in the biogas slurries was significantly lower than in the raw slurries. Consequently, the contribution of microbial C to slurry organic C was 3.6% in the biogas slurries and 5.7% in the raw slurries. Microbial C revealed significant nonlinear relationships with the fiber and ash concentration, pH, as well as the C/N ratio of the slurries.     

Rheological characterisation of a novel thermosensitive chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend hydrogel

Thermosensitive hydrogels that are triggered by changes in environmental temperature thus resulting in in situ hydrogel formation have recently attracted the attention of many investigators for biomedical applications. In the current work, the thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared through the mixture of chitosan (CS), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sodium bicarbonate. The mixture was liquid aqueous solutions at low temperature (about 4 °C), but a gel under physiological conditions. The hydrogel was characterized by FTIR, swelling and rheological analysis. The effect of hydrogel composition and temperature on both the gel process and the gel strength was investigated from which possible hydrogel formation mechanisms were inferred. In addition, the hydrogel interior morphology as well as porosity of structure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The potential of the hydrogels as vehicles for delivering bovine serum albumin (BSA) were also examined. In this study, the physically crosslinked chitosan/PVA gel was prepared under mild conditions without organic solvent, high temperature or harsh pH. The viscoelastic properties, as investigated rheologically, indicate that the gel had good mechanical strength. The gel formed implants in situ in response to temperature change, from low temperature (about 4 °C) to body temperature, which was very suitable for local and sustained delivery of proteins, cell encapsulation and tissue engineering.     

Effect of physico-chemical properties of polyacrylamide gel media on the growth of Escherichia coli colonies]

We studied the growth of Escherichia coli LE-392 colonies on polyacrylamide gels (PAAG) depending on the physico-chemical properties of the latter, i.e. polymer concentration in the gel, swelling degree, bound water content (fm), spin-lattice relaxation and spin-spin relaxation times of water molecule protons, and modulus of elasticity (G0). S- or R-type colonies formed depending on gel properties; the diametral growth rate of S colonies was 3 times less compared with that on the control agar medium (Tryptose broth). The procedure is proposed for preparation of PAAG which rules out syneresis. Functional relations between the polymer concentrations in uniformly swelling gels and concentrations of copolymers in the reaction mixture, fm and G0 were revealed. The fm and G0 parameters can be used for controlling the quality of PAAG.     

Effects of cycle-frequency and temperature on the performance of anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs) treating swine waste

Anaerobic digestion of animal waste is a technically viable process for the abatement of adverse environmental impacts caused by animal wastes; however, widespread acceptance has been plagued by poor economics. This situation is dismal if the technology is adapted for treating low strength animal slurries because of large digester-volume requirements and a corresponding high energy input. A possible technology to address these constraints is the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR). The ASBR technology has demonstrated remarkable potential to improve the economics of treating dilute animal waste effluents. This paper presents preliminary data on the effects of temperature and frequency-cycle on the operation of an ASBR at a fixed hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results suggest that within the parameter range under consideration, temperature did not affect the biogas yield significantly, however, higher cycle-frequency had a negative effect. The biogas quality (%CH(4)) was not significantly affected by temperature nor by the cycle-frequency. The operating principle of the ASBR follows four phases: feed, react, settle, and decant in a cyclic mode. To improve the biogas production in an ASBR, one long react-phase was preferable compared to three shorter react-phases. Treatment of dilute manure slurries in an ASBR at 20 degrees C was more effective than at 35 degrees C; similarly more bio-stable effluents were obtained at low cycle-frequency. The treatment of dilute swine slurries in an ASBR at the lower temperature (20 degrees C) and lower cycle-frequency is, therefore, recommended for the bio-stabilization of dilute swine wastewaters. The results also indicate that significantly higher VFA degradation occurred at 20 degrees C than at 35 degrees C, suggesting that the treatment of dilute swine slurries in ASBRs for odor control might be more favorable at the lower than at the higher temperatures examined in this study. Volatile fatty acid reduction at the two reactor temperatures and cycle-frequencies, from a high of 639+/-75 mg/L to a low of 92+/-23 mg/L, greatly reduced the odor and the odor-generation potential in post-treatment storage. The nutrients (both N and P) in the waste influent were conserved in the effluents.     

Enzymatic decrease in the phenolic content of canola meal using concentrated aqueous or aqueous/hexane slurries

An enzymatic process to decrease the phenolic content in canola meal was investigated. The new method was based on the addition of an enzyme preparation from the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor to concentrated meal-buffer slurries. This approach eliminated the extraction of the valuable meal components such as proteins and carbohydrates. Two systems were considered: (i) slurries with canola meal concentrations higher than 33% [w/v]; (ii) slurries with canola meal concentrations equal to or less than 12.5% [w/v] with n-hexane as the main component of the continuous phase. The concentration of sinapic acid esters decreased by 99% after a 1.5, 2 and 3 hour long treatment of the meal with an initial moisture content of 75% at 90°C, 70°C and 50°C, respectively. The process was carried out at temperaturs as high as 110°C. Both the enzyme and the moisture concentrations influenced the enzymatic process and their action was coupled. The concentration of oxygen strongly affected the process. The enzymatic process was able to be carried out in the presence of hexane as the main component of the continuous phase. The optimum temperature for such a process was 30–40°C, At 30°C, after 1 h of treatment, the meal phenolic content was decreased by 97%. The water uptake by the meal was diminished in the presence of hexane.