Over the past twenty years, the knowledge and understanding of wastewater treatment has advanced extensively and moved away from empirically based approaches to a fundamentally-based first principles approach embracing chemistry, microbiology, and physical and bioprocess engineering, often involving experimental laboratory work and techniques. Many of these experimental methods and techniques have matured to the degree that they have been accepted as reliable tools in wastewater treatment research and practice. For sector professionals, especially a new generation of young scientists and engineers entering the wastewater treatment profession, the quantity, complexity and diversity of these new developments can be overwhelming, particularly in developing countries where access to advanced level laboratory courses in wastewater treatment is not readily available. In addition, information on innovative experimental methods is scattered across scientific literature and only partially available in the form of textbooks or guidelines. This book seeks to address these deficiencies. It assembles and integrates the innovative experimental methods developed by research groups and practitioners around the world. Experimental Methods in Wastewater Treatment forms part of the internet-based curriculum in wastewater treatment at UNESCO-IHE and, as such, may also be used together with video records of experimental methods performed and narrated by the authors including guidelines on what to do and what not to do. The book is written for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, laboratory staff, plant operators, consultants, and other sector professionals.

The central theme of the book is the flow of information from experimental approaches in biofilm research to simulation and modeling of complex wastewater systems. Probably the greatest challenge in wastewater research lies in using the methods and the results obtained in one scientific discipline to design intelligent experiments in other disciplines, and eventually to improve the knowledge base the practitioner needs to run wastewater treatment plants. The purpose of Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment is to provide engineers with the knowledge needed to apply the new insights gained by researchers. The authors provide an authoritative insight into the function of biofilms on a technical and on a lab-scale, cover some of the exciting new basic microbiological and wastewater engineering research involving molecular biology techniques and microscopy, and discuss recent attempts to predict the development of biofilms. This book is divided into 3 sections: Modeling and Simulation; Architecture, Population Structure and Function; and From Fundamentals to Practical Application, which all start with a scientific question. Individual chapters attempt to answer the question and present different angles of looking at problems. In addition there is an extensive glossary to familiarize the non-expert with unfamiliar terminology used by microbiologists and computational scientists. The colour plate section of this book can be downloaded by clicking here. (PDF Format 1 MB)

Environmental quality is becoming an increasing concern in our society. In that context, waste and wastewater treatment, and more specifically biological wastewater treatment processes play an important role. In this book, we concentrate on the mathematical modelling of these processes. The main purpose is to provide the increasing number of professionals who are using models to design, optimise and control wastewater treatment processes with the necessary background for their activities of model building, selection and calibration. The book deals specifically with dynamic models because they allow us to describe the behaviour of treatment plants under the highly dynamic conditions that we want them to operate (e.g. Sequencing Batch Reactors) or we have to operate them (e.g. storm conditions, spills). Further extension is provided to new reactor systems for which partial differential equation descriptions are necessary to account for their distributed parameter nature (e.g. settlers, fixed bed reactors). The model building exercise is introduced as a step-wise activity that, in this book, starts from mass balancing principles. In many cases, different hypotheses and their corresponding models can be proposed for a particular process. It is therefore essential to be able to select from these candidate models in an objective manner. To this end, structure characterisation methods are introduced. Important sections of the book deal with the collection of high quality data using optimal experimental design, parameter estimation techniques for calibration and the on-line use of models in state and parameter estimators. Contents Dynamical Modelling Dynamical Mass Balance Model Building and Analysis Structure Characterisation (SC) Structural Identifiability Practical Identifiability and Optimal Experiment Design for Parameter Estimation (OED/PE) Estimation of Model Parameters Recursive State and Parameter Estimation Glossary Nomenclature

Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment is the second volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment, and focusses on the unit operations and processes associated with biological wastewater treatment. The major topics covered are: microbiology and ecology of wastewater treatment reaction kinetics and reactor hydraulics conversion of organic and inorganic matter sedimentation aeration The theory presented in this volume forms the basis upon which the other books of the series are built. About the series: The series is based on a highly acclaimed set of best selling textbooks. This international version is comprised by six textbooks giving a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment. Other titles in the series are: Volume 1: Wastewater Characteristics, Treatment and Disposal; Volume 3: Waste Stabilisation Ponds; Volume 4: Anaerobic Reactors; Volume 5: Activated Sludge and Aerobic Biofilm Reactors; Volume 6: Sludge Treatment and Disposal

This book presents the basic principles for evaluating water quality and treatment plant performance in a clear, innovative and didactic way, using a combined approach that involves the interpretation of monitoring data associated with (i) the basic processes that take place in water bodies and in water and wastewater treatment plants and (ii) data management and statistical calculations to allow a deep interpretation of the data. This book is problem-oriented and works from practice to theory, covering most of the information you will need, such as (a) obtaining flow data and working with the concept of loading, (b) organizing sampling programmes and measurements, (c) connecting laboratory analysis to data management, (e) using numerical and graphical methods for describing monitoring data (descriptive statistics), (f) understanding and reporting removal efficiencies, (g) recognizing symmetry and asymmetry in monitoring data (normal and log-normal distributions), (h) evaluating compliance with targets and regulatory standards for effluents and water bodies, (i) making comparisons with the monitoring data (tests of hypothesis), (j) understanding the relationship between monitoring variables (correlation and regression analysis), (k) making water and mass balances, (l) understanding the different loading rates applied to treatment units, (m) learning the principles of reaction kinetics and reactor hydraulics and (n) performing calibration and verification of models. The major concepts are illustrated by 92 fully worked-out examples, which are supported by 75 freely-downloadable Excel spreadsheets. Each chapter concludes with a checklist for your report. If you are a student, researcher or practitioner planning to use or already using treatment plant and water quality monitoring data, then this book is for you! 75 Excel spreadsheets are available to download.

The importance and need for faecal sludge management has been recognised worldwide. One major gap in developing appropriate and adequate faecal sludge treatment and monitoring techniques is the ability to understand faecal sludge characteristics, its quantification and correlation to source populations. Faecal sludge characteristics are highly variable, but as standard methods for sampling and analysis do not exist, results are not comparable and hence the actual variability is not yet fully understood. Due to the lack of standard methods for sampling and analysis of faecal sludge, standard methods from other fields such as water, wastewater and soil science are usually applied. However, these methods are not necessarily the most suitable for faecal sludge, and have not been specifically adapted for that purpose. Characteristics of faecal sludge are typically different from these other matrices by orders of magnitude. The methods for faecal sludge sampling are also greatly complicated by the wide range of technologies in each local context, and the heterogeneity within systems. Another gap in existing knowledge is how to quantify faecal sludge on a city-wide scale, or scale relevant for the design of treatment technologies. Moreover, the lack of standardisation complicates the transfer of knowledge and data between different regions and institutions as the results are not comparable. This illustrates the urgent need to establish common methods and procedures for faecal sludge characterisation and quantification. This book aims to address these challenges and provide a basis towards standardized methods for characterisation and quantification of faecal sludge from onsite sanitation technologies, including sampling techniques and health and safety procedures for faecal sludge handling. It also aims at improved communication between sanitation practitioners, comparative faecal sludge database and improved confidence in the methods and obtained results. The book will be beneficial for researchers, laboratory technicians, academics, students and sanitation practitioners.

This book outlines many of the techniques involved in materials development and characterization for photoelectrochemical (PEC) – for example, proper metrics for describing material performance, how to assemble testing cells and prepare materials for assessment of their properties, and how to perform the experimental measurements needed to achieve reliable results towards better scientific understanding. For each technique, proper procedure, benefits, limitations, and data interpretation are discussed. Consolidating this information in a short, accessible, and easy to read reference guide will allow researchers to more rapidly immerse themselves into PEC research and also better compare their results against those of other researchers to better advance materials development. This book serves as a “how-to” guide for researchers engaged in or interested in engaging in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. PEC water splitting is a rapidly growing field of research in which the goal is to develop materials which can absorb the energy from sunlight to drive electrochemical hydrogen production from the splitting of water. The substantial complexity in the scientific understanding and experimental protocols needed to sufficiently pursue accurate and reliable materials development means that a large need exists to consolidate and standardize the most common methods utilized by researchers in this field.

Practical techniques for handling industrial waste and designing treatment facilities Practical Wastewater Treatment is designed as a teaching and training tool for chemical, civil, and environmental engineers. Based on an AIChE training course, developed and taught by the author, this manual equips readers with the skills and knowledge needed to design a wastewater treatment plant and handle various types of industrial wastes. With its emphasis on design issues and practical considerations, the manual enables readers to master treatment techniques for managing a wide range of industrial wastes, including oil, blood and protein, milk, plating, refinery, and phenolic and chemical plant wastes. A key topic presented in the manual is biological modeling for designing wastewater treatment plants. The author demonstrates how these models lead to both more efficient and more economical plants. As a practical training tool, this manual contains a number of features to assist readers in tackling complex, real-world problems, including: * Examples and worked problems throughout the manual demonstrate how various treatment plants and treatment techniques work * Figures and diagrams help readers visualize and understand complex design issues * References as well as links to online resources serve as a gateway to additional information * Practical design hints, stemming from the author's extensive experience, help readers save time and avoid unwanted and expensive pitfalls * Clear and logically organized presentation has been developed and refined based on an AIChE course taught by the author in the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela Whether a novice or experienced practitioner, any engineer who deals with the treatment of industrial waste will find a myriad of practical advice and useful techniques that they can immediately apply to solve problems in wastewater treatment.

Coagulation and Flocculation in Water and Wastewater Treatment provides a comprehensive account of coagulation and flocculation techniques and technologies in a single volume covering theoretical principles to practical applications. Thoroughly revised and updated since the 1st Edition it has been progressively modified and increased in scope to cater for the requirements of practitioners involved with water and wastewater treatment. A thorough gamut of treatment scenarios is attempted, including turbidity, color and organics removal, including the technical aspects of enhanced coagulation. The effects of temperature and ionic content are described as well as the removal of specific substances such as arsenic and phosphorus. Chemical phosphorus removal is dealt with in detail, Rapid mixing for efficient coagulant utilization, and flocculation are dealt with in specific chapters. Water treatment plant waste sludge disposal is dealt with in considerable detail, in an Appendix devoted to this subject. Invaluble for water scientists, engineers and students of this field, Coagulation and Flocculation in Water and Wastewater Treatment is a convenient reference handbook in the form of numerous examples and appended information.

Industrial pollution is still a major concern and despite its significance, sound and systematic pollution control efforts are very poorly documented. The character and treatability of industrial wastewaters is highly variable and specific for each industrial activity. Biological treatment with activated sludge is the appropriate technology for industrial wastewaters from several major industrial sectors. Industrial Wastewater Treatment by Activated Sludge deals with the activated sludge treatment of industrial wastewaters by considering conceptual frameworks, methodologies and case studies, in a stepwise manner. The issues related to activated sludge treatment, such as biodegradability based characterization, modeling, assessment of stoichiometric and kinetic parameters and design, as well as the issues of industrial pollution control, e.g. in-plant control, effect of pretreatment, etc. are combined in a way to provide a comprehensive and information-rich view to the reader. By doing so, the book supplies an up-to-date reference for industrial wastewater experts and both graduate and undergraduate students. Industrial Wastewater Treatment by Activated Sludge provides a roadmap, describing the methodologies for the treatment of industrial wastewaters from several major sectors, based on a solid theoretical background. Up to now although valuable separate efforts both on activated sludge and industrial wastewater treatment have been presented, an integrated approach that is crucial to practice has not been available. This gap is filled by this book.