Search

Membrane biofouling is a major obstacle, which considerably affects membrane performance and shortens membrane life span. In the present study, the biofouling prevention potential of the tannic acid (TA) was tested on single and mixed species culture under flow conditions in flow cell and on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in drip flow reactor (DFR). Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to acquire three dimensional (3D) images of biofilm samples and biofilm biovolume (µm³) was calculated via IMARIS software. The continuous dosing of TA at 20 mg/L to a flow cell led to a 98.2% (P < 0.05) biofilm reduction by PAO1 and 84.6% (P < 0.05) by a multispecies culture isolated from an industrial RO membrane. Furthermore, the continuous addition of TA to DFR led to 96.6% (P < 0.05) biofilm reduction by PAO1 and 98.9% (P < 0.05) by multispecies species, which further indicated the anti-biofouling effect of TA on RO membrane. These results suggest that TA can be a potential agent for the control of RO biofouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, upflow microbial fuel cell was setup for the treatment of confectionery wastewater. Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was used as anaerobic unit which was connected with aerobic units with salt bridge. For optimization of reactor startup synthetic wastewater was used for 30 d then different concentrations of confectionery wastewater were treated. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Pearson’s correlation matrix was applied. Biogas was collected and electricity was measured through multimeter. Total anaerobic microbial count was performed on thioglycollate media (CFU mL–1) and biofilm formation was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After startup COD removal efficiency with 50% diluted wastewater was 100%. Highest voltage (982 mV), power density (0.042 W cm–2) and current (797 µA) were observed when 1 mL nutrients added wastewater was used. Maximum biogas 472 mL d–1 production was achieved in undiluted wastewater sample. Highest anaerobic count 1.24 × 104 CFU mL–1 was observed when 1.5 mL nutrient added wastewater was used. SEM analysis showed biofilm formation on C anode with filamentous microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of silver nanoparticles is increasing in different packaging material as disinfectant to protect food and pharmaceutical products. Its use has raised the contamination risk of fresh water and human exposure can cause serious problems. The coagulation/flocculation process can be an attractive option for silver nanoparticles removal at small-scale treatment just after its use. Four coagulants, aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride,Ocimum basilicum, andHibiscus esculentus(synthetic and natural) were applied. For coagulation/flocculation activity, a series of jar test experiments were conducted to treat silver nanoparticles at concentration of 1 mg L−1from wastewater.H.esculentusefficiently removed silver nanoparticles (98.7%) from aqueous solution at a dose of 150 mg L−1, whereas at same coagulant dose, ferric chloride,O.basilicum, and aluminum sulfate successfully removed silver nanoparticles at 96, 69, and 50%, respectively. No broad change in pH was observed and it remained between 6.5 and 7.5 during all the experiments at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]