Intensive bioconversion of sewage sludge and food waste by Bacillus thermoamylovorans

The main aim of this work was to intensify conventional composting of a mixture of sewage sludge and solid food wastes by a one-stage thermophilic bioconversion of these wastes into an organic fertilizer. An intensive process was carried out in a closed system, with or without addition of a starter culture of Bacillus thermoamylovorans. The most effective thermophilic bioconversion of the mixture of food waste and sewage sludge, with addition of starter culture, was when the pH was buffered with calcium carbonate, or the pH drop in the material was prevented by preliminary removal of sulphides from sewage sludge by hydrogen peroxide.     

Intensive treatment of respiratory failure--personal experiences

Controlled oxygen-therapy was used in 30 out of 49 patients (61%) with the acute respiratory failure or exacerbations of the chronic respiratory failure treated at ICU (Group Y), while artificial ventilation in the remaining 19 patients (39%; Group B). An improvement was achieved in 70% of patients of Group A and 42% in Group B. Overall improvement was achieved in 59% of the treated patients. There were 69% of treated patients with infections. Totally 41% of the treated patients died (30% of Group A and 58% of Group B). An analysis of the results has been carried out in various subgroups of the treated patients, i.e. the acute and exacerbated respiratory failure as well as partial and complete respiratory insufficiency. The result of high risk patients have also been analysed. This subgroup included sudden cardiac arrest, shock and non-compensated acidosis. Favourable effects of the intensive care of patients with infections have been discussed with particular reference to the life hazard in case of septic complications. Emphasis is on the unfavorable effects of therapy in patients with respiratory failure complicated with pulmonary embolism. Indications to the use of respirator and complications of the artificial ventilation have been discussed.     

污水和污泥中的人工合成麝香分析方法

市政污水和污泥排放是人工合成麝香输入土壤环境的主要途径,污染物排放是生态风险评价中暴露分析模型的必要输入参数。目前有关土壤中人工合成麝香的生态风险研究较少报道,其中缺乏快捷、简便、准确的检测技术是限制这方面研究的主要因素之一。本研究针对污水的固相萃取法和液-液萃取法,以及脱水污泥的索氏萃取法和快速溶剂萃取(ASE)法进行比较和优化,结果表明,采用液-液萃取法和ASE法结合硅胶小柱净化过程检测水样和污泥样品中的人工合成麝香能够获得较好的回收率。最后利用这2种方法检测了北京某污水处理厂的进出水和脱水污泥中的佳乐麝香(HHCB)和吐纳麝香(AHTN)的含量,结果表明,进水中的HHCB和AHTN的含量分别为897～1270ng·L-1和331～488ng·L-1,出水中含量分别为201～226ng·L-1和65～130ng·L-1,脱水污泥中的含量分别为137～348ng.g-1和64～138ng.g-1。     

Teaching ecosystem ecology through studying sewage treatment

Sewage treatment plants offer an excellent model ecosystem in which inputs and outputs can be quantified, and the response of the system to change measured

The dynamics of ecosystem functioning can be difficult for students to appreciate when systems are complex and difficult to quantify, in terms of flow of energy and cycling of matter. Most ‘textbook’ examples of real ecosystems are based on data collected over many years of study. A sewage treatment plant offers a working ‘model’ of an ecosystem but one which is still relatively complex, yet quantifiable. If is also a system which mimics a number of the transformations of energy and matter, which go in real ecosystems. It allows students to clearly understand the relationships between inputs and outputs, whilst being introduced to the design principles of environmental engineering required to design such an artificial ecosystem.     

微生物技术在医疗废水处理中的应用

医院污水含有多种病菌、病毒及寄生虫,其直接危害和潜在危害都是显而易见的,因此,进行医疗废水治理,已成为当务之急。微生物处理主要是通过采用活性污泥法、生物接触氧化法、膜生物反应器、曝气生物滤池法等对污水进行处理,从而有效去除水中的有机物,破坏病原微生物赖以生存的物质基础和保障消毒效果。不同的处理工艺各有优缺,适合于不同规模的医院。     

Inactivation of animal viruses during sewage sludge treatment

Using a previously developed filter adsorption technique, the inactivation of a human rotavirus, a coxsackievirus B5, and a bovine parvovirus was monitored during sludge treatment processes. During conventional anaerobic mesophilic digestion at 35 to 36 degrees C, only minor inactivation of all three viruses occurred. The k' values measured were 0.314 log10 unit/day for rotavirus, 0.475 log10 unit/day for coxsackievirus B5, and 0.944 log10 unit/day for parvovirus. However, anaerobic thermophilic digestion at 54 to 56 degrees C led to rapid inactivation of rotavirus (k' greater than 8.5 log10 units/h) and of coxsackievirus B5 (k' greater than 0.93 log10 unit/min). Similarly, aerobic thermophilic fermentation at 60 to 61 degrees C rapidly inactivated rotavirus (k' = 0.75 log10 unit/min) and coxsackievirus B5 (k' greater than 1.67 log10 units/min). Infectivity of parvovirus, however, was only reduced by 0.213 log10 unit/h during anaerobic thermophilic digestion and by 0.353 log10 unit/h during aerobic thermophilic fermentation. Furthermore, pasteurization at 70 degrees C for 30 min inactivated the parvovirus by 0.72 log10 unit/30 min. In all experiments the contribution of temperature to the total inactivation was determined separately and was found to be predominant at process temperatures above 54 degrees C. In conclusion, the most favorable treatment to render sludge hygienically safe from the virological point of view would be a thermal treatment (60 degrees C) to inactivate thermolabile viruses, followed by an anaerobic mesophilic digestion to eliminate thermostable viruses that are more sensitive to chemical and microbial inactivations.     

Developments in pre-treatment methods to improve anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge

During wastewater treatment, most organic matter is transferred to a solid phase commonly known as sludge or biosolids. The high cost of sludge management and the growing interest in alternative energy sources have prompted proposals for different strategies to optimize biogas production during anaerobic sludge treatment. Because of the high solid content and complex structure of sludge-derived organic matter, methane production during digestion is limited at the hydrolysis step. Therefore, large digester volume and long retention times of over 20 days are necessary to achieve adequate stabilization. Pre-treatments can be used to hydrolyze sludge and consequently improve biogas production, solids removal and sludge quality after digestion. This paper reviews the main pre-treatment processes, with emphasis on the most recent developments. An overview of the different technologies is presented, discussing their effects on sludge properties and anaerobic digestion. Future challenges and concerns related to pre-treatment assessment and implementation are also addressed.     

The seasonal changes of core bacterial community decide sewage purification in sub-plateau municipal sewage treatment plants

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - The decline of sewage purification efficiency in winter is a frequent problem in sub-plateau municipal sewage treatment plants (MSTPs). Understanding the...     

Thermochemical liquidization and anaerobic treatment of dewatered sewage sludge

Dewatered sewage sludge was thermochemically liquidized at 175°C and the liquidized sludge was separated by centrifugation to 57.7% (w/w) supernatant [moisture, 92.3%; volatile solid (VS), 7.0%] and 42.3% precipitate (moisture, 71.6%; VS, 18.9%). The supernatant was successfully anaerobically digested. Biogas yield from the supernatant at organic loading concentrations of 1.9–2.2 g VS/l during 9 days' incubation was 440 ml/g-added VS and digestion ratio was 66% (w/w). Biogas yield in the case of dewatered sewage sludge was 257% ml/g-added VS and digestion ratio was 45%. Digestion of the supernatant resulted in high biogas productivity and a high digestion ratio compared with that of the dewatered sewage sludge. Moreover, it was suggested that the precipitate can be incinerated without the need for any supplemental fuel.     

城市污水处理生态系统能值分析

脱水污泥的污染问题影响了城市污水处理厂的生存和发展,中水的不同处置方式对当地的水资源和水环境影响也不一样,将污水处理、脱水污泥和中水处置结合起来构建污水处理生态系统有利于研究污水处理的综合效益、探索促进污水处理事业可持续发展的途径.能值分析方法可作为分析这一复合系统的工具,传统能值分析方法由于对废物处理处置和排放的影响没有考虑,因此提出了针对污水处理生态系统的改进的能值分析方法和指标体系,以明镜滩污水处理生态系统作为案例用两种方法进行了对比分析.结果表明,改进的能值分析方法更适合于污水处理生态系统的实际情况;不可更新资源能值流比值(NR)和废物排放能值流比值(WR)对污水处理生态系统的可持续性影响最大,其次是中水回用能值流比值(IR),污水处理生态系统的可持续性最终取决于NR、WR和IR三者的共同贡献;废物利用可提高污水处理生态系统的可持续性.不同废物利用方式由于对废物利用的程度不同以及对不可更新资源的消耗不同,因此对污水处理生态系统的可持续性影响不一样;在提出的8个方案中,"脱水污泥填埋 中水排放"方案的可持续性最低,而"脱水污泥制堆肥 中水回用"方案的可持续性最高.     

Inactivation of animal viruses during sewage sludge treatment.

Using a previously developed filter adsorption technique, the inactivation of a human rotavirus, a coxsackievirus B5, and a bovine parvovirus was monitored during sludge treatment processes. During conventional anaerobic mesophilic digestion at 35 to 36 degrees C, only minor inactivation of all three viruses occurred. The k' values measured were 0.314 log10 unit/day for rotavirus, 0.475 log10 unit/day for coxsackievirus B5, and 0.944 log10 unit/day for parvovirus. However, anaerobic thermophilic digestion at 54 to 56 degrees C led to rapid inactivation of rotavirus (k' greater than 8.5 log10 units/h) and of coxsackievirus B5 (k' greater than 0.93 log10 unit/min). Similarly, aerobic thermophilic fermentation at 60 to 61 degrees C rapidly inactivated rotavirus (k' = 0.75 log10 unit/min) and coxsackievirus B5 (k' greater than 1.67 log10 units/min). Infectivity of parvovirus, however, was only reduced by 0.213 log10 unit/h during anaerobic thermophilic digestion and by 0.353 log10 unit/h during aerobic thermophilic fermentation. Furthermore, pasteurization at 70 degrees C for 30 min inactivated the parvovirus by 0.72 log10 unit/30 min. In all experiments the contribution of temperature to the total inactivation was determined separately and was found to be predominant at process temperatures above 54 degrees C. In conclusion, the most favorable treatment to render sludge hygienically safe from the virological point of view would be a thermal treatment (60 degrees C) to inactivate thermolabile viruses, followed by an anaerobic mesophilic digestion to eliminate thermostable viruses that are more sensitive to chemical and microbial inactivations.     

两个污水处理系统的能值与经济综合分析

运用改进的能值评价指标和经济指标对构建的两个污水处理综合系统("污水处理厂处理+脱水污泥填埋"及"污水处理厂处理+脱水污泥填埋+中水回用")进行了环境可持续性和经济竞争力的综合分析。改进的能值指标(能值产出率SEYR、环境负载率SELR、环境可持续发展指数SESI和能值受益率SEBR)是在考虑研究对象废物及产物能值对环境影响的基础上提出的,更好地反映了系统的特征。结果表明,中水回用系统的增加有利于提升系统的环境可持续发展能力;"污水处理厂处理+脱水污泥填埋+中水回用"系统较"污水厂处理+脱水污泥填埋"系统的经济竞争力差,但却拥有更强的可持续发展能力,有利的经济政策能够刺激其更好的推广运用。     

Intensive hemodialysis and hemoperfusion treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning

Over a period of fifteen years, 41 patients including 23 males and 18 females with Amanita mushroom poisoning were treated at the University Hospital of Lund, Sweden. The intensity of poisoning was graded according to serum transaminase elevations and prothrombin time reductions. Severity was mild in 16 patients (Group A), moderate in 14 (Group B) and severe in 11 (Group C). Members of Group C reported shorter latency periods before the onset of symptoms, (10±1 hours,p<0.05) and longer delays in treatment, (34±4 hours), than did the other patients. Intensive treatment was begun before the results of urine amatoxin assays were reported. Treatment consisted of: fluid and electrolyte replacement, oral activated charcoal and lactulose, IV penicillin, combined hemodialysis and hemoperfusion in two 8 hour sessions, some received IV thioctic acid, others IV silibinin, all received a special diet. This combination of treatment modalities was used to accelerate the elimination of amatoxin from the patients' bodies. The longest period of hospitalization, 13±2 days, was required by the patients of Group C (p<0.01). All patients improved and were discharged from the hospital asymptomatic. No sequelae were later reported for the majority of those moderately and severely poisoned. We have concluded that intensive combined treatment applied in these cases is effective in relieving patients with both moderate and severe amanitin poisoning.     

Effects of sewage treatment on the removal of Listeria monocytogenes

Two sewage treatment plants in Baghdad, Iraq, were investigated to assess the effects of the different treatment stages on the removal of Listeria monocytogenes . The bacteria were severely affected after the activation and digestion stages at both plants. A dramatic decrease in numbers of listerias after each of these two stages was noticed during the cold months (September-January). The organisms were able to survive these treatments and were present in the final effluent and even in low numbers in the sewage sludge cake. Sufficient dewatering of sewage sludge is recommended to obtain sewage free of listerias. Improvements in the isolation procedure of L. monocytogenes from such heavily contaminated material is also discussed.     

Effects of sewage treatment on the removal of Listeria monocytogenes

Two sewage treatment plants in Baghdad, Iraq, were investigated to assess the effects of the different treatment stages on the removal of Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria were severely affected after the activation and digestion stages at both plants. A dramatic decrease in numbers of listerias after each of these two stages was noticed during the cold months (September-January). The organisms were able to survive these treatments and were present in the final effluent and even in low numbers in the sewage sludge cake. Sufficient dewatering of sewage sludge is recommended to obtain sewage free of listerias. Improvements in the isolation procedure of L. monocytogenes from such heavily contaminated material is also discussed.     

小区生活污水处理模式的研究进展

分析了小区生活污水处理模式的现状,指出了集中式处理模式和分散式处理模式的不足.依据人工湿地、地下渗滤为主的土地生态处理技术的特点,提出小区污水处理采取土地生态处理模式的构想.通过分析污水土地生态处理技术的特征及其运行局限性,建议土地生态处理技术应重视强化预处理,采取低进水污染物浓度,高水力负荷的运行方式.