Effects of acid,acid-ZVI/PMS,Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS and ZVI/PMS conditioning on the wastewater activated sludge(WAS)dewaterability and extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)

The effects of four conditioning approaches:Acid,Acid-zero-valent iron(ZVI)/peroxydisulfate(PMS),Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS and ZVI/PMS,on wastewater activated sludge(WAS) dewatering and organics distribution in supernatant and extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) layers were investigated.The highest reduction in bound water and the most WAS destruction was achieved by Acid-ZVI/PMS,and the optimum conditions were pH 3,ZVI dosage 0.15 g/g dry solid(DS),oxone dosage 0.07 g/g DS and reaction time 10.6 min with the reductions in capillary suction time(CST) and water content(Wc) as 19.67% and 8.49%,respectively.Four conditioning approaches could result in TOC increase in EPS layers and supernatant,and protein(PN) content in tightly bound EPS(TB-EPS).After conditioning,organics in EPS layers could migrate to supernatant.Polysaccharide(PS) was easier to migrate to supernatant than PN.In addition,Acid,Acid-ZVI/PMS or Fe(Ⅱ)/PMS conditioning promoted the release of some polysaccharides containing ring vibrations v P=O,v C-O-C,v C-O-P functional groups from TB-EPS.ESR spectra proved that both radicals of SO_4~-· and·OH contributed to dewatering and organics transformation and migration.CST value of WAS positively correlated with the ratios of PN/PS in LB-EPS and total EPS,while it negatively correlated with TOC,PN content and PS content in TB-EPS,as well as PS content in supernatant and LB-EPS.BWC negatively correlated to zeta potential and TOC value,PN content,and HA content in supernatant.     

空调环境的室内空气质量与健康问题

各国采取节能措施以来,空调环境的室内空气质量(IAQ)与健康问题日益受到政府和国际组织的关注,并开展了许多研究工作。本文着重讨论空调环境的IAQ与健康问题,例如病楼综合症、建筑楼相关综合症;同时讨论空调环境的IAQ标准法规与控制措施;介绍国外对IAQ与健康问题的研究动向;最后,笔者提出了应采取的对策。     

Improving the sludge conditioning potential of moringa seed

In the search for a cheaper material to effectively condition sludge, oil-free moringa seed was prepared and tested. A Soxhlet apparatus was used to extract the oil from moringa seed (Moringa oleifera). The oil-free seed (marc) has been found to have higher conditioning potential than the ordinary moringa seed. However, the traditional ferric chloride is still a better sludge conditioner than moringa seed marc. For the digested domestic sludge used, optimum conditioning dosages were found to be 0.6, 0.80, and 1.10% of the total solids for ferric chloride, marc of the moringa seed, and ordinary moringa seed, respectively. Since little or no operational material is lost in the extraction process, the moringa seed marc is a promising conditioner in place of the ordinary seed.     

污泥化学调理和机械脱水方面的研究进展

综述了近几年来国内外有关化学药剂单独或联合调理对污泥脱水性能的影响。污泥颗粒尺寸、污泥化学组成对污泥脱水性能的影响。以及污泥化学调理的静电作用过程、污泥离心脱水过程、污泥过滤和挤压固化脱水过程等方面的研究进展。汇总了实验研究中常用的参数指标．并展望今后在污泥调理和机械脱水方面的发展动态。     

Experimental continuous sludge microwave system to enhance dehydration ability and hydrogen production from anaerobic digestion of sludge

Dehydrating large amounts of sludge produced by sewage treatment plants is difficult.Microwave pretreatment can effectively and significantly improve the dewaterability and hydrogen production of sludge subjected to anaerobic digestion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different microwave conditions on hydrogen production from anaerobic digestion and dewaterability of sludge. Based on an analysis of the electric field distribution, a spiral reactor was designed and a continuous microwave system was built to conduct intermittent and continuous experiments under different conditions. Settling Volume, Capillary Suction Time, particle size, and moisture content of the sludge were measured. The results show that sludge pretreatment in continuous experiments has equally remarkable dehydration performance as in intermittent experiments; the minimum moisture content was 77.29% in the intermittent experiment under a microwave power of 300 W and an exposure time of 60 sec, and that in the continuous experiment was 77.56% under a microwave power of 400 W and an exposure time of 60 sec.The peak measured by Differential Scanning Calorimeter appeared earliest under a microwave power of 600 W and an exposure time of 180 sec. The heat flux at the peak was 4.343 W/g, which is relatively small. This indicates that microwave pretreatment induced desirable effects. The maximum yield of hydrogen production was 7.967% under the conditions of microwave power of 500 W, exposure time of 120 sec, and water bath at 55°C. This research provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the development of a continuous microwave sludge-conditioning system.     

Olfactory learning and memory in the bumblebee Bombus occidentalis

In many respects, the behavior of bumblebees is similar to that of the closely related honeybees, a long-standing model system for learning and memory research. Living in smaller and less regulated colonies, bumblebees are physiologically more robust and thus have advantages in particular for indoor experiments. Here, we report results on Pavlovian odor conditioning of bumblebees using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) that has been successfully used in honeybee learning research. We examine the effect of age, body size, and experience on learning and memory performance. We find that age does not affect learning and memory ability, while body size positively correlates with memory performance. Foraging experience seems not to be necessary for learning to occur, but it may contribute to learning performance as bumblebees with more foraging experience on average were better learners. The PER represents a reliable tool for learning and memory research in bumblebees and allows examining interspecific similarities and differences of honeybee and bumblebee behavior, which we discuss in the context of social organization.     

Homing pigeons (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Columba livia</Emphasis> f. <Emphasis Type="Italic">domestica</Emphasis>) can use magnetic cues for locating food

An experimental group of homing pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) learned to associate food with a magnetic anomaly produced by bar magnets that were fixed to the bowl in which they received their daily food ration in their home loft; the control group lacked this experience. Both groups were trained to search for two hidden food depots in a rectangular sand-filled arena without obvious visual cues; for the experimental birds, these depots were also marked with three 1.15 × 10⁶ μT bar magnets. During the tests, there were two food depots, one marked with the magnets, the other unmarked; their position within the arena was changed from test to test. The experimental birds searched within 10 cm of the magnetically marked depot in 49% of the test sessions, whereas the control birds searched there in only 11% of the sessions. Both groups searched near the control depot in 11 and 13% of the sessions, respectively. The significant preference of the magnetically marked food depot by the experimental birds shows that homing pigeons cannot only detect a magnetic anomaly but can also use it as a cue for locating hidden food in an open arena.