Evaluation of the energetic potential of sewage sludge by characterization of its organic composition.

The composition of sewage sludge and, thus, its energetic potential is influenced by wastewater and wastewater treatment processes. Higher or lower heating values (HHV or LHV) are decisive factors for the incineration/gasification/pyrolysis of sewage sludge. The HHV is analyzed with a bomb calorimeter and converted to the LHV.

Examination of food waste co-digestion to manage the peak in energy demand at wastewater treatment plants.

Many digesters in Germany are not operated at full capacity; this offers the opportunity for co-digestion. Within this research the potentials and limits of a flexible and adapted sludge treatment are examined with a focus on the digestion process with added food waste as co-substrate. In parallel, energy data from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) are analysed and lab-scale semi-continuous and batch digestion tests are conducted.

Outpatient general anesthesia: a comparison of a combination of midazolam plus propofol and propofol alone.

Study Objective: To compare the hemodynamics, efficacy, safety, and postoperative recovery of patients following the use of either midazolam plus propofol or placebo plus propofol for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia for outpatient surgical procedures of less than two hours' duration.

Design: Prospective, parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.

Setting: Ten outpatient surgery centers.