Influence of organic loading on an anaerobic sequencing biofilm batch reactor (ASBBR) as a function of cycle period and wastewater concentration

The effect of organic loading on the performance of a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing biofilm batch reactor (ASBBR) has been investigated, by varying influent concentration and cycle period. For microbial immobilization 1-cm polyurethane foam cubes were used. An agitation rate of 500 rpm and temperature of 30+/-2 degrees C were employed. Organic loading rates (OLR) of 1.5-6.0gCODl(-1)d(-1) were applied to the 6.3-l reactor treating 2.0 l synthetic wastewater in 8 and 12-h batches and at concentrations of 500-2000mgCODl(-1), making it possible to analyze the effect of these two operation variables for the same organic loading range. Microbial immobilization on inert support maintained approximately 60 gTVS in the reactor. Filtered sample organic COD removal efficiencies ranged from 73 to 88% for organic loading up to 5.4gCODl(-1)d(-1). For higher organic loading (influent concentration of 2000mgCODl(-1) and 8-h cycle) the system presented total volatile acids accumulation, which reduced organics removal efficiency down to 55%. In this way, ASBBR with immobilized biomass was shown to be efficient for organic removal at organic loading rates of up to 5.4gCODl(-1)d(-1) and to be more stable to organic loading variations for 12-h cycles. This reactor might be an alternative to intermittent systems as it possesses greater operational flexibility. It might also be an alternative to batch systems suspended with microorganisms since it eliminates both the uncertainties regarding granulation and the time necessary for biomass sedimentation, hence reducing the total cycle period.     

新疆哈密地区煤化工产业发展中的环保问题

近年来中国能源、化工产品的需求出现了高速增长,煤化工行业的发展对于缓解中国石油、天然气等优质能源供求矛盾有重要意义,促进钢铁、化工、轻工等其他行业发展,也有重要的作用。在哈密地区的六大矿区内,预测及查明含煤区面积只占矿区总面积的52％左右,规划面积仅占矿区总面积的19％左右。近一半面积的资源未进行勘查,有8成以上面积的资源未列入规划,在哈密地区煤炭资源开发利用有极大的操作空间。煤化工产业是一个高污染、高安全要求的产业,每个生产环节都会产生各种污染物,大多有毒有害但无法回收,稍有不慎还可能造成重大环境安全事故,因此煤化工产业发展必须和环境保护并行。     

燃煤电厂对大气污染的控制

随着中国燃煤电厂的不断发展以及环保形势的不断严峻,近年来,中国针对燃煤电厂大气污染物控制出台了多项法规、政策、标准,涉及二氧化硫总量控制、排污收费、排污权交易、电价政策、温室气体减排、关停小火电机组、洁净煤燃烧技术等多个方面。通过现行的法规政策标准的导向以及污染物控制技术的发展,中国燃煤电厂大气污染物控制取得显著成效;不断增长的电力需求与环境、资源的矛盾在较长时期内仍然交出;电力工业的资源消耗水平和环境保护水平不论与自身的潜力比还是与国际先进水平比都有一定差距;电力行业的节能减排管理能力不足;通过市场手段促进节能减排的力度不够。     

Water demand of central pivot-irrigated areas in Bahia,Brazil: management of water resources applied to sustainable production

When performed without technical criteria, the rapid expansion of irrigated agricultural frontiers can result in overexploitation of water, causing worrying impacts on the balance of agroecosystems. This study proposes a model applied to the state of Bahia, to estimate the water demand of areas irrigated by a central pivot, in order to contribute to information that will subsidize the inspection and planning of water resources in the promotion of sustainable agriculture. The irrigated areas were identified and measured by photointerpretation using orbital images from the Landsat-8 satellite. With a historical series of data, the reference evapotranspiration was calculated and monthly water balance was elaborated. The data obtained were spatialized by kriging, and with punctual values of water deficit (mm), the water demand of the irrigated perimeter of the equipment was estimated. The results were described considering strategic planning units, proposed from municipalities, hydrographic basins and biomes. A total of 4075 pivots were quantified, covering an irrigated area of 265,896.30 ha and with an average annual consumption of 1,333,473,208.02 m³ of water. Areas of high demand were identified, especially in the western region of Bahia, which includes the hydrographic basin of the São Francisco River and the Cerrado biome, concentrating 80.85% and 75.47% of the state water demand for pivots, respectively. Considering possible points of water vulnerability and continuity of this expansion, the results provide the primary information needed to encourage the adoption of public policies aimed at the management of water resources. The study method proposes guidelines that condition the application in any region of interest in the world.

Graphical abstract