The water and nutrient potential of brewery effluent for hydroponic tomato production
- Authors: Power, Sean Duncan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Hydroponics , Tomatoes -- Breeding , Brewery waste , Water -- Purification , Algae culture , Algae -- Biotechnology , Nitric acid , Phosphoric acid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5358 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011604 , Hydroponics , Tomatoes -- Breeding , Brewery waste , Water -- Purification , Algae culture , Algae -- Biotechnology , Nitric acid , Phosphoric acid
- Description: Brewery effluent that had undergone treatment in an anaerobic digester (AD) was used as an alternative water and nutrient source for hydroponic crop production. Brewery effluent was demonstrated to contain sufficient nutrients to support the growth, flowering and fruiting of Lycopersicum escolentum "Moneymaker" tomato crops. The adjustment of the effluent pH with phosphoric acid to between pH 6.0 and 6.5 increased the development of the crops by around 100% compared to crops grown in unaltered effluent. The pH adjusted effluent-grown plants grew to a mean height of 831.4 ± 21.1 mm and a dry biomass weight of 42.34 ± 2.76 g compared to the unaltered pH effluent plants which grew to a height of 410.6 ± 20.5 mm and a weight of 7.65 ± 0.68 g after 49 days. Effluent treatment in high-rate algal ponds (HRAP) was determined to have no positive effect on the nutritional potential of the effluent for Moneymaker production. The effluent-grown plants did not perform as well as plants grown in inorganic-fertilizer and municipal water. Plants grown in effluent grew taller but did not produce significantly more fruit when phosphoric acid (height: 1573.3 ± 50.4 mm, 19.4 ± 1.4 fruit per plant) was compared to nitric acid (height: 1254.1 ± 25.4 mm, 15.6 ± 1.5 fruit per plant) as the pH adjustment over 72 days. Direct and secondary plant stresses from effluent alkalinity, ammonium nutrition, nitrogen limitation, sodium concentrations and heat stress among other factors were probably confounding variables in these trials and require further investigation. Considering the raw effluent composition and manipulating the AD operation is a potential opportunity to improve overall AD performance, reduce chemical inputs in the effluent treatment process, reduce the final effluent alkalinity, and increase available nitrogen content in the final effluent. The anaerobic digester discharging >1000 m³ of nutrient enriched effluent every day is a resource with considerable potential. The benefits of developing this resource can contribute to cost-reduction at the brewery, more efficient water, nutrient and energy management at the brewery, and offer opportunities for job creation and potentially benefit local food security.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Power, Sean Duncan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Hydroponics , Tomatoes -- Breeding , Brewery waste , Water -- Purification , Algae culture , Algae -- Biotechnology , Nitric acid , Phosphoric acid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5358 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011604 , Hydroponics , Tomatoes -- Breeding , Brewery waste , Water -- Purification , Algae culture , Algae -- Biotechnology , Nitric acid , Phosphoric acid
- Description: Brewery effluent that had undergone treatment in an anaerobic digester (AD) was used as an alternative water and nutrient source for hydroponic crop production. Brewery effluent was demonstrated to contain sufficient nutrients to support the growth, flowering and fruiting of Lycopersicum escolentum "Moneymaker" tomato crops. The adjustment of the effluent pH with phosphoric acid to between pH 6.0 and 6.5 increased the development of the crops by around 100% compared to crops grown in unaltered effluent. The pH adjusted effluent-grown plants grew to a mean height of 831.4 ± 21.1 mm and a dry biomass weight of 42.34 ± 2.76 g compared to the unaltered pH effluent plants which grew to a height of 410.6 ± 20.5 mm and a weight of 7.65 ± 0.68 g after 49 days. Effluent treatment in high-rate algal ponds (HRAP) was determined to have no positive effect on the nutritional potential of the effluent for Moneymaker production. The effluent-grown plants did not perform as well as plants grown in inorganic-fertilizer and municipal water. Plants grown in effluent grew taller but did not produce significantly more fruit when phosphoric acid (height: 1573.3 ± 50.4 mm, 19.4 ± 1.4 fruit per plant) was compared to nitric acid (height: 1254.1 ± 25.4 mm, 15.6 ± 1.5 fruit per plant) as the pH adjustment over 72 days. Direct and secondary plant stresses from effluent alkalinity, ammonium nutrition, nitrogen limitation, sodium concentrations and heat stress among other factors were probably confounding variables in these trials and require further investigation. Considering the raw effluent composition and manipulating the AD operation is a potential opportunity to improve overall AD performance, reduce chemical inputs in the effluent treatment process, reduce the final effluent alkalinity, and increase available nitrogen content in the final effluent. The anaerobic digester discharging >1000 m³ of nutrient enriched effluent every day is a resource with considerable potential. The benefits of developing this resource can contribute to cost-reduction at the brewery, more efficient water, nutrient and energy management at the brewery, and offer opportunities for job creation and potentially benefit local food security.
- Full Text:
Towards a sustainable bioprocess for the remediation of acid mine drainage
- Authors: Mambo, Mutsa Prudence
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006167 , Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Description: Acid mine drainage is of growing concern for both developing and developed economies. Thus there is increasing pressure to develop alternative remediation strategies. Biological sulphidogenic mechanisms have long since been studied but, very few have been implemented on a large scale. Limitations are due to the inability to acquire a suitable, low cost, environmentally friendly, renewable carbon source. The present study investigated the use of an algae biomass generated by the HRAOP of an IAPS as a carbon source for the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium. The algae biomass and consortium were utilized together to remediate simulated AMD. Remediation involved decreasing the sulphate and metal concentrations in solution and decreasing the acidity of a simulated AMD. Experiments were carried out to investigate the capability of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. The consortium produced colonies when grown under anaerobic conditions in Petri dishes containing modified lactate SRB medium. The SRB consortium reduced the sulphate concentration of modified Postgates medium B and generated sulphide. Further analysis of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium revealed that the consortium was minimally impacted at pH 5 and by sulphate and iron at 3 g.L-1 and 0.5 g.L-1 respectively. The EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium was exposed to Actinomycin D and Ethidium Bromide to determine whether transcription and translation of proteins was required for sulphate reduction. Results indicated that sulphide generation and sulphate reduction were inducible. Analysis of the algae biomass used in this study revealed the empirical formula C1.0H1.91N0.084S0.003O0.36 indicating a carbon source rich in the nutrients required to sustain microbial development. Light microscopy revealed that algae cell walls and in particular those of Pediastrum were susceptible to acid hydrolysis. Dinitrosalicylic acid, Nile red, Bradford and Ninhydrin assays were used to determine the reducing sugar, lipid, protein and amino acid content respectively, of the mixed algae biomass. Results showed that upon exposure of the biomass to simulated AMD at pH 1 and pH 3, the concentration of reducing sugars and amino acids in solution increased. Whereas levels of lipids remained unchanged while the protein concentration decreased, indicating that, upon exposure of algae biomass to AMD, simulated or otherwise, cells ruptured, proteins were hydrolyzed and polysaccharides were broken down to sugars which are immediately available for SRB utilization. Exposure of biomass to simulated AMD revealed further that the presence of algae biomass increased the pH of simulated AMD (pH 3) to pH 7.67 after 4 d. Likewise, the pH of simulated AMD at 1 increased to 1.77 after 2 d while pH of the neutral control increased to 8.1 after 4 d. A direct comparison between lactate and algae biomass revealed 94 % sulphate removal after 23 d in the presence of algae biomass while 82 % sulphate removal was measured in the presence of lactate. Thus the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium successfully utilized algae biomass for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. In another experiment to establish if the consortium could remediate simulated AMD (pH 5) containing 0.5 g.L-1 iron and 3 g.L-1 sulphate while utilizing an algae biomass as the carbon source no residual iron was detected after 14 d and by day 23, an 89.07 % reduction in sulphate was measured. The results of this investigation are discussed in terms of utilizing a readily available and renewable biomass in the form of microalgae produced in HRAOPs as an effective carbon source in the SRB catalysed remediation of AMD.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mambo, Mutsa Prudence
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006167 , Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Description: Acid mine drainage is of growing concern for both developing and developed economies. Thus there is increasing pressure to develop alternative remediation strategies. Biological sulphidogenic mechanisms have long since been studied but, very few have been implemented on a large scale. Limitations are due to the inability to acquire a suitable, low cost, environmentally friendly, renewable carbon source. The present study investigated the use of an algae biomass generated by the HRAOP of an IAPS as a carbon source for the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium. The algae biomass and consortium were utilized together to remediate simulated AMD. Remediation involved decreasing the sulphate and metal concentrations in solution and decreasing the acidity of a simulated AMD. Experiments were carried out to investigate the capability of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. The consortium produced colonies when grown under anaerobic conditions in Petri dishes containing modified lactate SRB medium. The SRB consortium reduced the sulphate concentration of modified Postgates medium B and generated sulphide. Further analysis of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium revealed that the consortium was minimally impacted at pH 5 and by sulphate and iron at 3 g.L-1 and 0.5 g.L-1 respectively. The EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium was exposed to Actinomycin D and Ethidium Bromide to determine whether transcription and translation of proteins was required for sulphate reduction. Results indicated that sulphide generation and sulphate reduction were inducible. Analysis of the algae biomass used in this study revealed the empirical formula C1.0H1.91N0.084S0.003O0.36 indicating a carbon source rich in the nutrients required to sustain microbial development. Light microscopy revealed that algae cell walls and in particular those of Pediastrum were susceptible to acid hydrolysis. Dinitrosalicylic acid, Nile red, Bradford and Ninhydrin assays were used to determine the reducing sugar, lipid, protein and amino acid content respectively, of the mixed algae biomass. Results showed that upon exposure of the biomass to simulated AMD at pH 1 and pH 3, the concentration of reducing sugars and amino acids in solution increased. Whereas levels of lipids remained unchanged while the protein concentration decreased, indicating that, upon exposure of algae biomass to AMD, simulated or otherwise, cells ruptured, proteins were hydrolyzed and polysaccharides were broken down to sugars which are immediately available for SRB utilization. Exposure of biomass to simulated AMD revealed further that the presence of algae biomass increased the pH of simulated AMD (pH 3) to pH 7.67 after 4 d. Likewise, the pH of simulated AMD at 1 increased to 1.77 after 2 d while pH of the neutral control increased to 8.1 after 4 d. A direct comparison between lactate and algae biomass revealed 94 % sulphate removal after 23 d in the presence of algae biomass while 82 % sulphate removal was measured in the presence of lactate. Thus the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium successfully utilized algae biomass for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. In another experiment to establish if the consortium could remediate simulated AMD (pH 5) containing 0.5 g.L-1 iron and 3 g.L-1 sulphate while utilizing an algae biomass as the carbon source no residual iron was detected after 14 d and by day 23, an 89.07 % reduction in sulphate was measured. The results of this investigation are discussed in terms of utilizing a readily available and renewable biomass in the form of microalgae produced in HRAOPs as an effective carbon source in the SRB catalysed remediation of AMD.
- Full Text:
Ammonia removal from water by ion exchange using South African and Zambian zeolite samples
- Authors: Mwale, Monica
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Ammonia -- Toxicology , Water -- Purification , Zeolites , Ion exchange
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005058 , Ammonia -- Toxicology , Water -- Purification , Zeolites , Ion exchange
- Description: One problem of intensive fish culture systems is the progressive build-up of toxic wastes such as ammonia. The possibility of improving aquaculture water quality using two kinds of zeolite is discussed. Zeolites are alumino-silicates whose framework allows them to exchange cations. Ion exchange has been demonstrated to be competitive with other methods of ammonia removal due to the high selectivity for ammonia exhibited by zeolite materials. In this study an unknown Zambian zeolite (identified as laumontite by X-ray diffraction techniques) and Pratley clinoptilolite (a South African zeolite) were tested under laboratory conditions and in a fresh water recirculating system. Ammonia cation exchange capacities (CEC) and suitable application rates for efficient water treatment were determined using the batch and column ion exchange procedures. Estimated ammonia uptake, the most important criterion used to assess performance of zeolite filters was strongly influenced by zeolite type, particle size, pre-treatment, regeneration and ion exchange method used. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in average ammonia CEC values between clinoptilolite (14.94 mg g⁻¹) and laumontite (2.77 mg g⁻¹), with the former displaying a higher Na⁺ ® NH₄⁺ exchange rate especially in the early reaction stages. This difference accords with the higher purity of clinoptilolite, 47% as opposed to 4.7% for laumontite, which makes it a better zeolite for ammonium removal. CEC increased linearly as particle size of the clinoptilolite was reduced resulting in a linear regression model (y = 18.29 – 3.704 x; r² = 74%). Pre-treatment of clinoptilolite using 1N NaCl significantly improved the ammonia CEC of clinoptilolite. Overall performance of both the batch and column methods achieved after regeneration (18.3 mg g⁻¹) was 25% higher than the estimated CEC values (13.0 mg g⁻¹) for the unregenerated samples of clinoptilolite. Comparison of CEC estimates using Pratley clinoptilolite, showed that average batch CEC estimates were significantly lower than the column method estimates. The average ammonia CEC values estimated in a fresh water recirculating system (5.80 mg g⁻¹ and 4.12 mg g⁻¹ for the 0.7-1.0 and 1.0-1.4 mm particle sizes, respectively) were significantly lower than the column and batch estimates for the same particle sizes (P < 0.05). Some nitrite (NO₂) and nitrate (NO3) build up was experienced probably due to the growth of autotrophs in the filters. Mass balance of nitrogen (N) for the three treatments of the fish trial (0.7-1.0 mm, 1.0-1.4 mm and the control treatment that had no zeolite in the filter) indicated that less that 10% of the N was retained for growth. It was found that 60% of the NH₄-N present associated with the soluble N was available for absorption by the zeolite filter or biological nitrification and that a total of approximately 22% of NH₄-N available was absorbed by clinoptilolite. The results indicate that the rate of nitrification can be deductively estimated by allowing a zeolite filter to become a biological filter. It is concluded that water treatment by ion exchange using natural zeolites, provides a reliable and efficient method for ammonia removal and appears to be a viable supplementary water treatment method for fresh water systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mwale, Monica
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Ammonia -- Toxicology , Water -- Purification , Zeolites , Ion exchange
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005058 , Ammonia -- Toxicology , Water -- Purification , Zeolites , Ion exchange
- Description: One problem of intensive fish culture systems is the progressive build-up of toxic wastes such as ammonia. The possibility of improving aquaculture water quality using two kinds of zeolite is discussed. Zeolites are alumino-silicates whose framework allows them to exchange cations. Ion exchange has been demonstrated to be competitive with other methods of ammonia removal due to the high selectivity for ammonia exhibited by zeolite materials. In this study an unknown Zambian zeolite (identified as laumontite by X-ray diffraction techniques) and Pratley clinoptilolite (a South African zeolite) were tested under laboratory conditions and in a fresh water recirculating system. Ammonia cation exchange capacities (CEC) and suitable application rates for efficient water treatment were determined using the batch and column ion exchange procedures. Estimated ammonia uptake, the most important criterion used to assess performance of zeolite filters was strongly influenced by zeolite type, particle size, pre-treatment, regeneration and ion exchange method used. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in average ammonia CEC values between clinoptilolite (14.94 mg g⁻¹) and laumontite (2.77 mg g⁻¹), with the former displaying a higher Na⁺ ® NH₄⁺ exchange rate especially in the early reaction stages. This difference accords with the higher purity of clinoptilolite, 47% as opposed to 4.7% for laumontite, which makes it a better zeolite for ammonium removal. CEC increased linearly as particle size of the clinoptilolite was reduced resulting in a linear regression model (y = 18.29 – 3.704 x; r² = 74%). Pre-treatment of clinoptilolite using 1N NaCl significantly improved the ammonia CEC of clinoptilolite. Overall performance of both the batch and column methods achieved after regeneration (18.3 mg g⁻¹) was 25% higher than the estimated CEC values (13.0 mg g⁻¹) for the unregenerated samples of clinoptilolite. Comparison of CEC estimates using Pratley clinoptilolite, showed that average batch CEC estimates were significantly lower than the column method estimates. The average ammonia CEC values estimated in a fresh water recirculating system (5.80 mg g⁻¹ and 4.12 mg g⁻¹ for the 0.7-1.0 and 1.0-1.4 mm particle sizes, respectively) were significantly lower than the column and batch estimates for the same particle sizes (P < 0.05). Some nitrite (NO₂) and nitrate (NO3) build up was experienced probably due to the growth of autotrophs in the filters. Mass balance of nitrogen (N) for the three treatments of the fish trial (0.7-1.0 mm, 1.0-1.4 mm and the control treatment that had no zeolite in the filter) indicated that less that 10% of the N was retained for growth. It was found that 60% of the NH₄-N present associated with the soluble N was available for absorption by the zeolite filter or biological nitrification and that a total of approximately 22% of NH₄-N available was absorbed by clinoptilolite. The results indicate that the rate of nitrification can be deductively estimated by allowing a zeolite filter to become a biological filter. It is concluded that water treatment by ion exchange using natural zeolites, provides a reliable and efficient method for ammonia removal and appears to be a viable supplementary water treatment method for fresh water systems.
- Full Text:
Evaluation of a 'defouling on demand' strategy for the ultrafiltration of brown water using activatable enzymes
- Authors: Buchanan, K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Water -- Purification , Ultrafiltration , Enzymes , Membranes (Technology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003963 , Water -- Purification , Ultrafiltration , Enzymes , Membranes (Technology)
- Description: New approaches to the application of membranes for the production of potable water are constantly being sought after in anticipation of future demands for increasingly rigorous water quality standards and reduced environmental impact. A major limitation, however, is membrane fouling, which manifests itself as a continual reduction in flux over time and thus restricts the practical implementation to restore flux. Mechanical and chemical methods have been implemented to restore flux to ultrafiltration systems, but these either result in a break in the process operation or lead to membrane damage or additional pollution problems. This project was aimed to develop a 'defouling on demand' stategy for cleaning membranes used during brown water ultrafiltration. The process involves the use of activatable peroxidase enzymes, which were immobilised onto flat sheet polysulphone membranes. Following flux decline which reaches a critical level with the build-up of the foulant layer, the immobilised enzyme layer was activated by the addition of a chemical activator solution, in this case hydrogen peroxidase and manganous sulphate. Manganese peroxidase was found to be the most effective enzyme at alleviating fouling by degrading the foulant layer formed on the membrane surface and hence restored flux to the ultrafiltration system. A 93% flux improvement was observed when manganese peroxidase was activated when 800uM manganous sulphate, 100mM hydrogen peroxide were added in the presence of a manganese chelator, lactate. The concept and the potential benefits this system holds will be discussed in further detail.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Buchanan, K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Water -- Purification , Ultrafiltration , Enzymes , Membranes (Technology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003963 , Water -- Purification , Ultrafiltration , Enzymes , Membranes (Technology)
- Description: New approaches to the application of membranes for the production of potable water are constantly being sought after in anticipation of future demands for increasingly rigorous water quality standards and reduced environmental impact. A major limitation, however, is membrane fouling, which manifests itself as a continual reduction in flux over time and thus restricts the practical implementation to restore flux. Mechanical and chemical methods have been implemented to restore flux to ultrafiltration systems, but these either result in a break in the process operation or lead to membrane damage or additional pollution problems. This project was aimed to develop a 'defouling on demand' stategy for cleaning membranes used during brown water ultrafiltration. The process involves the use of activatable peroxidase enzymes, which were immobilised onto flat sheet polysulphone membranes. Following flux decline which reaches a critical level with the build-up of the foulant layer, the immobilised enzyme layer was activated by the addition of a chemical activator solution, in this case hydrogen peroxidase and manganous sulphate. Manganese peroxidase was found to be the most effective enzyme at alleviating fouling by degrading the foulant layer formed on the membrane surface and hence restored flux to the ultrafiltration system. A 93% flux improvement was observed when manganese peroxidase was activated when 800uM manganous sulphate, 100mM hydrogen peroxide were added in the presence of a manganese chelator, lactate. The concept and the potential benefits this system holds will be discussed in further detail.
- Full Text:
Analytical procedures for the determination of wattle polyphenols in wastewaters
- Authors: Hendry, Antony John
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Liquid chromatography , Spectrophotometry , High performance liquid chromatography , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4431 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007221 , Liquid chromatography , Spectrophotometry , High performance liquid chromatography , Water -- Purification
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hendry, Antony John
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Liquid chromatography , Spectrophotometry , High performance liquid chromatography , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4431 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007221 , Liquid chromatography , Spectrophotometry , High performance liquid chromatography , Water -- Purification
- Full Text:
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