Enhancement of denitrification by sulfur-based carrier in sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for advanced wastewater treatment.

This study was to enhance the nitrogen removal efficiency in the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process by adding sulfur-based carriers. The nitrogen removal efficiency of the control group was compared with that of the experimental group through a two-series operation of SBR1 without carrier and SBR2 with the carrier under the condition of no external carbon source. A total nitrogen (T-N) removal efficiency of 6.

Removal of nitrogen from municipal wastewater by denitrification using a sulfur-based carrier: A pilot-scale study.

In the present study, to improve nitrate removal rate, a sulfur-based carrier was applied for autotrophic denitrification, and the removal rate was evaluated for advanced wastewater treatment without adding any external organic carbon source. Based on the results, an increased PAC concentration affected the removal efficiency of NO-N, and the optimal concentration of PAC was at 15 wt%. During the 60 d operation of a pilot process with a capacity of 1 m/d, the removal of T-N was 81.

Investigating the effects of physical properties of sulphur-based carriers on autotrophic denitrification.

In this study, four sulphur-based carriers (C1-C4) which have different mass ratio of sodium silicate to carrier from 30% to 50% (C1-C3) and the existence of water (C4) were prepared in order to evaluate the effect of the different physical properties on denitrification in sulphur-based autotrophic processes. While the apparent density and the compressive strength decreased as the proportion of sodium silicate increased and water was added in the carriers, the average pore size and the porosity increased from 0.43 to 3.

Forward osmosis with direct contact membrane distillation using tetrabutylphosphonium p-toluenesulfonate as an effective and safe thermo-recyclable osmotic agent for seawater desalination.

A phosphonium-based ionic liquid (IL) with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) property was assessed as a reusable draw solution (DS) for forward osmosis (FO). Tetrabutylphosphonium p-toluenesulfonate ([P4444]TsO) was successfully synthesized by neutralization reaction. Characterization results reveal its ability to generate sufficient osmotic pressure (14-68 bars for 0.

Nitrogen Removal by Sulfur-Based Carriers in a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR).

Sulfur-based carriers were examined to enhance the nitrogen removal efficiency in a mixed anoxic⁻anaerobic-membrane bioreactor system, in which sulfur from the carrier acts as an electron donor for the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas through the autotrophic denitrification process. A total nitrogen removal efficiency of 63% was observed in the system with carriers, which showed an increase in the removal efficiency of around 20%, compared to the system without carriers. The results also indicated that the carriers had no adverse effect on biological treatment for the organic matter and total phosphorus.

Application of Physical and Chemical Enhanced Backwashing to Reduce Membrane Fouling in the Water Treatment Process Using Ceramic Membranes.

This study investigated the improvement of operating efficiency through physical cleaning and chemical enhanced backwashing (CEB) using ceramic membranes with high permeability and chemical safety compared to organic membranes. The turbidity and DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) concentrations were selected to ensure that the degree of contamination was always constant. The operating pressures were fixed at 100, 200, and 300 kPa, and the filtration was terminated when the effluent flow rate decreased to 30% or less from the initial value.

Effect of powdered activated carbon on integrated submerged membrane bioreactor-nanofiltration process for wastewater reclamation.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on the overall performance of a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) system integrated with nanofiltration (NF) for wastewater reclamation. It was found that the trans-membrane pressure of SMBR increased continuously while that of the SMBR with PAC was more stable, mainly because water could still pass through the PACs and membrane even though foulants adhered on the PAC surface. The presence of PAC was able to mitigate fouling in SMBR as well as in NF.

Nitrification denitrification enhanced biological phosphorous removal (NDEBPR) occurs in a lab-scale alternating hypoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor.

Strict anaerobic or anoxic maintenance of the system and process susceptibility to low organic loading are major concerns in nitrification denitrification enhanced biological phosphorous removal (NDEBPR). The study has initiated NDEBPR in a lab-scale alternating hypoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor by developing an enhanced mixed microbial culture capable of removing 97±2% COD, 99±0.84% NH(3)-N, 90±3% TN, and 96±1% TP-PO(4)(3-) with 20-day SRT.

Relapsed spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated with aspirin and clopidogrel.

An acute spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare spinal pathology. A 57-year-old man who had hypertension and had been on dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel for primary prevention presented with the sudden onset of mid back pain and monoplegia of the left lower extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an epidural hematoma, and the patient underwent emergency hemilaminectomy for evacuation.

The functional effect of epigallocatechin gallate on ischemic stroke in rats.

We evaluated the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for improving function in rats with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Three procedures underwent for each groups; MCAO and EGCG treatment, MCAO without treatment (MCAO control), and sham operation. Function was evaluated on days 1, 5, 10, and 14 after ischemia, using a modified sticky-tape test and the percentage weight borne on the paretic leg.

New method to perform medial plantar proper digital nerve conduction studies.

Objective: We describe a technique that records the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of the medial plantar proper digital nerve (MPPDN), which is the final sensory branch of the medial plantar nerve.

Methods: We obtained antidromic MPPDN responses from 118 healthy volunteers, with surface recording electrodes placed on the medial side of the first metatarsal head of the great toe, with electrical stimulation applied at the 40% distance of the heel to great toe reference line. Antidromic SNAP parameters were recorded and normative reference values were obtained.