Comparative study of flotation techniques for the treatment of liquid effluents.

This work aimed to study the performance of three different induced air flotation units (flotation column, flotation tank and centrifugal flotation in hydrocyclone) for the treatment of a synthetic dairy effluent. Under continuous operation, it was possible to achieve removal efficiencies of milky material in suspension up to 90%, both for the flotation column and the flotation tank units. Using the centrifugal flotation unit in hydrocyclone, it was possible to decrease up to 45% of all suspended material in the effluent, with a clarified flow rate approximately three times greater than those found for the previous flotation units.

Influence of the flocculating agent in sedimentation and performance of a non flocculent strain of Zymomonas mobilis in the ethanol production process.

The influence of the flocculating agent was studied in the performance (measured by microbial growth and ethanol production) of a non flocculent strain of Zymomonas mobilis, as well as the potentiality of the sedimentation process in the separation of the biomass from the fermentation broth. Among the flocculating agents studied, it was verified that both tannin and the polyelectrolyte yielded good results with regard to cellular performance. However, with regard to sedimentation tannin is more adequate to be used in processes involving Zymomonas mobilis.

[Presentation of a simple apparatus enabling easier tomography in Hirtz's position (author's transl)].

By means of a smiple and hardly burdensome apparatus, owing to a tomograph with hypocycloidal or better spiral scanning a detailed study of the boney structures of the base of the skull can be obtained in a position which up to now has been reputed to be difficult.