Effect of Solid Retention and Hydraulic Retention Times on Membrane Fouling in Membrane Bioreactor

In this bench scale submerged membrane bioreactor, effect of solid retention time and hydraulic retention time on membrane fouling propensity has been studied. This experiment is carried out at different solid retention time of 5, 10, 30, 70 and 98 days; and fouling behavior of membrane bioreactor is investigated. Average effluent quality is found to be 88.14%-94.38%. The experiment with different hydraulic retention is carried for 3 to 4 days and fouling behavior has been investigated. The effluent quality at different hydraulic retention time of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 24 hours has been investigated. This paper aims to search optimal values of solid and hydraulic retention times at which lower fouling and higher organic removal efficiency can be obtained. This study has been mainly focused on operating parameters rather than microbial structure, effect and analysis of activated sludge to membrane fouling.

Effect of sludge retention time on sludge characteristics and membrane fouling of membrane bioreactor

Three identical membrane bioreactors （MBRs） were operated over 2 years at different sludge retention time （SRT） of 10 d, 40 d and no sludge withdrawal （NS）, to elucidate and quantify the effect of SRT on the sludge characteristics and membrane fouling. The hydraulic retention times of these MBRs were controlled at 12 h. With increasing SRT, the sludge concentrations in the MBRs increased, whereas the ratio of volatile suspended solid to the total solid decreased, and the size of sludge granule diminished in the meantime. A higher sludge concentration at long SRT could maintain a better organic removal efficiency, and a longer SRT was propitious to the growth of nitrifiers. The performance of these MBRs for the removal of COD and NH4^＋-N did not change much with different SRTs. However, the bioactivity decreased as SRT increase. The measurement of specific oxygen uptake rates （SOUR） and fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes testified that SOUR and the proportion of the bacteria-specific probe EUB338 in all DAPI-stainable bacteria decreased with increasing SRT. The concentrations of total organic carbon, protein, polysaccharides and soluble extracellular polymeric substance （EPS） in the mixed liquor supernatant also decreased with increasing SRT. The membrane fouling rate was higher at shorter SRT, and the highest fouling rate appeared at a SRT of 10 d. Both the sludge cake layer and gel layer had contribution to the fouling resistance, but the relative contribution of the gel layer decreased as SRT increase.

Effect of Sludge Retention Time on Nitrite Accumulation in Real-time Control Biological Nitrogen Removal Sequencing Batch Reactor

In this study,four sequencing batch reactors(SBR),with the sludge retention time(SRT)of 5,10,20 and 40 d,were used to treat domestic wastewater,and the effect of SRT on nitrite accumulation in the biological nitrogen removal SBR was investigated.The real-time control strategy based on online parameters,such as pH,dissolved oxygen(DO)and oxidation reduction potential(ORP),was used to regulate the nitrite accumulation in SBR. The model-based simulation and experimental results showed that with the increase of SRT,longer time was needed to achieve high level of nitritation.In addition,the nitrite accumulation rate(NAR)was higher when the SRT was relatively shorter during a 112-day operation.When the SRT was 5 d,the system was unstable with the mixed liquor suspended solids(MLSS)decreased day after day.When the SRT was 40 d,the nitrification process was significantly inhibited.SRT of 10 to 20 d was more suitable in this study.The real-time control strategy combined with SRT control in SBR is an effective method for biological nitrogen removal via nitrite from wastewater.

A QSRR Study on the Relative Retention Time of Halogenated Methyl-phenyl Ethers

Halogenated methyl-phenyl ethers （anisoles） are ubiquitous organic compounds in the environment. In the present study, geometrical optimization and electrostatic potential calculations have been performed for 42 halogenated anisoles at the HF/6-31 G^＊ level. A number of statistically based parameters have been obtained. By multiple regression method, linear relationships between the gas-chromatographic relative retention time （RRT） and structural descriptors have been established for the training set of 32 halogenated anisoles. The result showed that the parameters derived from electrostatic potentials （ESPs） together with the molecular volume （Vmc） could be well used to express the quantitative structure-RRT relationships of halogenated anisoles. The best two-variable regression model gives a correlation coefficient of 0.980 and a standard deviation of 0.07, and the leave-one-out cross-validated correlation coefficient is 0.975. The goodness of the model has been further validated through exploring the predictive power for the testing set of 10 halogenated anisoles.

Effects of hydraulic retention time, temperature, and effluent recycling on efficiency of anaerobic filter in treating rural domestic wastewater

With rural population expansion and improvement of the socio-economic standard of living, treatment of rural domestic wastewater has rapidly become a major aspect of environmental concern. Selection of a suitable method for treatment of rural domestic wastewater depends on its efficiency, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. This study investigated the effects of hydraulic retention time （HRT）, temperature, and effluent recycling on the treatment efficiency of an anaerobic filter （AF） reactor. The first round of experimental operations was run for three months with HRTs of one, two, and three days, temperatures of 18℃, 21℃, and 24℃, and no effluent recycling. The second round of experimental operations was conducted for another three months with HRTs of three and four days; temperatures of 30.67℃, 30.57℃, and 26.91 ℃ ; and three effluent recycling ratios of 1：1, 1：2, and 2：1. The first round of operations showed removal rates of 32% to 44% for COD, 30% to 35% for TN, 32% to 36% for NH4-N, 19% to 23% for NO3-N, and 12% to 22% for TE In the second round of operations, the removal rates varied from 75% to 81% for COD, 35% to 41% for TN, 31% to 39% for NH4-N, 30% to 34% for NO3-N, and 41% to 48% for TP. The average gas production rates were 6.72 L/d and 7.26 L/d for the first and second rounds of operations, respectively. The gas production rate increased in the second round of operations as a result of applied effluent recycling. The best removal efficiency was obtained for an optimum HRT of three days, a temperature of 30℃, and an effluent recycling ratio of 2：1. The results show that the removal efficiency of the AF reactor was affected by HRT, temperature, and effluent recycling.

Determination and discussion hydraulic retention time in membrane bioreactor system

Based on the microorganism kinetic model, the formula for computing hydraulic retention time in a membrane bioreactor system (MBR) is derived. With considering HRT as an evaluation index a combinational approach was used to discuss factors which have an effect on MBR. As a result, the influencing factors were listed in order from strength to weakness as: maximum specific removal rate K , saturation constant K s, maintenance coefficient m , maximum specific growth rate μ m and observed yield coefficient Y obs . Moreover, the formula was simplified, whose parameters were experimentally determined in petrochemical wastewater treatment. The simplified formula is θ=1.1(1/β-1)(K s +S)/KX 0, for petrochemical wastewater treatment K and K s equaled 0 185 and 154.2, respectively.

Predicting the Relative Retention Time (RRT) of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

Using the molecular electronegativity distance vector descriptors derived directly from the molecular topological structures, the relative retention time （RRT） of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） were predicted. A four-variable regression model （M30） with the correlation coefficient of 0.9816 and the root mean square errors of 0.061 was developed using a training set including 30 PBDEs. The correlation coefficient of 0.9841 and the root mean square errors of 0.054 between the values of RRT predicted by M30 and the RRT observed for 16 external PBDEs show a good predictive potential of M30. The descriptors included in the M30 represent four interactions between four pairs of atom types, i.e., atom -C= and -C=, -C= and 〉C=, 〉C= and 〉C=, -C= and -Br.

Quantitative Structure-retention Relationship Study on the GC-MS Retention Time of Illicit Drugs

A quantitative structure-retention relationship（QSRR） study has been carried out on the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry（GC-MS） system retention time（RT） of two sets of illicit drugs by using molecular structural descriptors.Heuristic method（HM） was utilized to construct the linear models.Appropriate models with low standard errors and high correlation coefficients were obtained（R2=0.9873,F=390.18 for data set 1 and R2=0.9881,F=749.13 for data set 2）.The results of leave-one-out cross validation showed good predictive ability of these proposed models（R c2v= 0.9812 and R c2v= 0.9824,respectively）.Each molecular descriptor in the two models was disputed to unfold the relationship between the molecular structures and RT.

Influence of hydraulic retention time on efficiencies of high concentration PAC-MF bioreactor treating slightly polluted surface water

In this study,the influence of hydraulic retention time on feasibility,efficiency and membrane foul- ing of slightly polluted surface water treatment by a high concentration PAC-MF bioreactor were investigated. During three months operation,TOC,NH4 + -N,nitrobenzene,and TMP were measured to evaluate the MBR performance. The results show that,when HRT reduces from 3 h to 1 h,removal efficiency of TOC and ammonia-nitrite decrease a little. However,there is little effect of HRT on nitrobenzene. And the optimal hydraulic retention time is 1 h.

Regulation of MRI contrast and cellular retention time by cellular interfacial distribution of Gd agents:Implications for stem cell tracking

Human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs)were labeled with Dotarem or(Gd-DOTA)2-EM7(EM7Gd2)via electroporation(EP).Cellular transmission electron microscopy(TEM)reveals free distribution of Gd agents and formation of EM7Gd2 clusters in the cytosol.Cellular magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)reveals that the free Gd agents induce MRI signal enhancement effect due to its fast exocytosis and subsequent interaction with intercellular water molecules.The EM7Gd2 clusters exhibits a longer intracellular retention time and induce a persistent MRI signal reduction effect.The cellular MRI results are interpreted by taking into account both T1 and T2 relaxation rates and their correlation with cellular binding structures of Dotarem and EM7Gd2.

Quantitative structure retention relationship studies for predicting relative retention times of chlorinated phenols on gas chromatography

A new method of quantitative structure retention relationship(QSRR) studies was reported for predicting gas chromatography(GC) relative retention times(RRTs) of chlorinated phenols (CPs) using a DB 5 column. Chemical descriptors were calculated from the molecular structure of CPs and related to their gas chromatographic RRTs by using multiple linear regression analysis. The proposed model had a multiple square correlation coefficient R 2=0.970, standard error SE =0.0472, and significant level P =0.0000. The QSRR model also reveals that the gas chromatographic relative retention times of CPs are associated with physicochemical property interactions with the stationary phase,and influenced by the number of chlorine and oxygen in the CP melecules.

A Study of Retention Time Gradient Effect of Gradientally Loaded Columns

In this work, the 'retention time gradient effect' of gradient GC columns is intensively studied to establish some equations and formulas for structure calculation of chromatographic columns. In addition, the relevant computer programs are designed.

Simultaneous Prediction of Retention Times and Peak Shapes of Sulfonamides in Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

In this paper, we propose a novelmethod based on the plate theory to simultaneously predict retention times and peak shapes under gradient elutions and different flow rates by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The proposed method yielded excellent retention prediction results in experiments with 16 common sulfonamides under 18 gradient conditions and four different flow rates, including 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, and 1.5 mL/min. The mean absolute deviation was 0.70%, which indicates accurate prediction. Moreover, the proposed method predicts the change wellin peak shapes caused by the expansion or compression ofpeaks under different gradient conditions.

Effect of Sludge Retention Time on the Fate of Proteins and Polysaccharides in AAO Process

Effect of sludge retention time( SRT) on the removal of potential and polysaccharides in an anaerobic / anoxic / aerobic( AAO) process was investigated. The Lowry method and anthrone method were used to detect proteins and polysaccharides. Total removal efficiency of proteins at SRT of 10 to 25 d in the AAO system was higher than 90%. Polysaccharides removal efficiencies were above 80% when SRT was increased from 15 to 25 d,whereas only 81% of polysaccharides was removed at SRT of 10 d. The biodegradation part of proteins and polysaccharides increased from87. 40% to 93% and from 74. 22% to 86. 94% with increasing SRTs.The ratios of polysaccharides and proteins in extracellular polymer substances( EPSs) were around 1. 5-3 in different SRTs. As SRT increasing,polysaccharides and proteins discharged with residual sludge decreased gradually. The amount of EPSs decreased with increasing SRTs.

Effects of sludge retention time,carbon and initial biomass concentrations on selection process:From activated sludge to polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulating cultures

Four sequence batch reactors（SBRs） fed by fermented sugar cane wastewater were continuously operated under the aerobic dynamic feeding（ADF） mode with different configurations of sludge retention time（SRT）, carbon and initial biomass concentrations to enrich polyhydroxyalkanoate（PHA） accumulating mixed microbial cultures（MMCs） from municipal activated sludge.The stability of SBRs was investigated besides the enrichment performance. The microbial community structures of the enriched MMCs were analyzed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism（T-RFLP）. The optimum operating conditions for the enrichment process were： SRT of 5 days, carbon concentration of 2.52 g COD/L and initial biomass concentration of3.65 g/L. The best enrichment performance in terms of both operating stability and PHA storage ability of enriched cultures（with the maximum PHA content and PHA storage yield（YPHA/S） of61.26% and 0.68 mg COD/mg COD, respectively） was achieved under this condition. Effects of the SRT, carbon concentration and initial biomass concentration on the PHA accumulating MMCs selection process were discussed respectively. A new model including the segmentation of the enrichment process and the effects of SRT on each phase was proposed.

Effects of hydraulic retention time on net present value and performance in a membrane bioreactor treating antibiotic production wastewater

A cost sensitivity analysis was performed for an industrial membrane bioreactor to quantify the effects of hydraulic retention times and related operational parameters on cost.Different hydraulic retention times(72-24 h)were subjected to a flat-sheet membrane bioreactor updated from an existing 72 h oxidation ditch treating antibiotic production wastewater.Field experimental data from the membrane bioreactor,both full-scale(500 m/d)and pilot(1.0 m3/d),were used to calculate the net present value(NPV),incorporating both capital expenditure(CAPEX)and operating expenditure.The results showed that the tank cost was estimated above membrane cost in the 38.2%,where capital expenditure contributed 24.2%more than operational expenditure.Tank construction cost was decisive in determining the net present value contributed 62.1%to the capital expenditure.The membrane bioreactor has the advantage of a longer lifespan flat-sheet membrane,while flux decline was tolerable.The antibiotics decreased to 1.87±0.33 mg/L in the MBR effluent.The upgrade to the membrane bioreactor also benefited further treatments by 10.1%-44.7%lower direct investment.

Modelling the thresholds of nitrogen/phosphorus concentration and hydraulic retention time for bloom control in reclaimed water landscape

The risks posed by algal blooms caused by nitrogen and phosphorus in reclaimed water used in urban water landscapes need to be carefully controlled.In this study,the combined effects of the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and the light intensity and temperature on the specific growth rates of algae were determined using Monod,Steele,and Arrhenius models,then an integrated algal growth model was developed.The algae biomass,nitrogen concentration,and phosphorus concentration mass balance equations were used to establish a new control model describing the nitrogen and phosphorus concentration and hydraulic retention time thresholds for algal blooms.The model parameters were determined by fitting the models to data acquired experimentally.Finally,the control model and numerical simulations for six typical algae and mixed algae under standard conditions were used to determine nitrogen/phosphorus concentration and hydraulic retention time thresholds for landscape water to which reclaimed water is supplied(i.e.,for a reclaimed water landscape).

Zwitterionic comb-like lipid polymers encapsulating linalool for increasing the fragrance retention time

Fragrances are widely used in cosmetics,apparel and detergents.However,the rapid evaporation of the aro ma shortens the useful life of the aromatic product.Therefore,improving the fragrance retention time of aromatic products and prolonging the service life of aromatic products are the key scientific problems that need to be solved in current aromatic products.In this study,zwitterionic comb-like lipid polymers were synthesized to encapsulate the fragrance molecule linalool.The results showed that the zwitterionic comb lipid molecules were capable of encapsulating more linalool than linear lipid molecules.At the same time,the zwitterionic comb-like lipid molecules also limited the slow release rate of the aroma,thereby increasing the fragrance retention time of the nano-fragrance.

Digestive retention times for Allen’s swamp monkey and L’Hoest’s monkey: data with implications for the evolution of cercopithecine digestive strategy

Primates access energy from plant fiber via bacterial fermentation in either a modified forestomach(‘fore­gut’),a caecocolic(‘hindgut’)chamber of the large intestine,or both.Longer digestive retention times allow for more complete fermentation;as such,primates that consume an herbivorous diet high in fiber are expected to have both relatively and absolutely longer retention times than those mammals that rely on more readily digest­ible plant foods,such as fruit.We used particulate markers to measure the digestive retention times of captive Al­len’s swamp monkeys[Allenopithecus nigroviridis(Pocock,1907)](n=3)and L’Hoest’s monkey(Cercopithe­cus lhoesti P.Sclater,1899)(n=2).Results indicate mean retention times of 23.2-29.4 h and 23.2-24.0 h for C.lhoesti and A.nigroviridus,respectively.Results from this study,in combination with previously published data on digestive retention times in other primate species,indicate that cercopithecines differ from other primate taxa by having lengthier retention times that can be predicted by body mass alone.These data are consistent with the hypothesis that relatively lengthy retention times are a primitive trait for Cercopithecinae.

New Modes for the Prediction of Gas Chromatographic Relative Retention Times of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

A series of quantitative structure-retention relationship models were developed to predict gas chromatographic relative retention times （GC-RRTs） for 209 polybrominated diphenyl ether （PBDE） congeners on 10 stationary phases. A genetic algorithm with twofold leave-multiple-out cross validation （LMOCV） was used to select optimal subsets from large-size molecular descriptors. Overall multiple-linear regression fitting correlation coefficients （R2） are greater than 0.988, except for the CP-Sil 19 colunm, in which Q^uocv （correlation coefficient of LMOCV）, Q^oocv （correlation coefficient of leave-one-out cross validation, LOOCV）, and Rp2re （correlation coefficients of prediction set） are larger than 0.98. The excellent statistical parameters reveal that the models are robust and have high internal and external predictive capability. According to the descriptors for constructing the models, the GC-RRTs in various stationary phases are highly dependent on distances among atoms, branches of molecules, and molecular properties. PBDE congeners with 1, 9, and 10 bromines are major outliers based on the results of the application domain.