Search results for "techniques"
showing 10 items of 4426 documents
ESTCube-1 in-orbit experience and lessons learned
2015
ESTCube-1 is a student satellite project lead by the University of Tartu, Estonia, and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) via Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS). Development of ESTCube-1 has been a collaborative effort with many international partners. The satellite is shown on Figure 1 [1].
Determination of mono-, di- and trinitronaphthalenes in soil samples contaminated by explosives.
2004
We investigated the extraction of eight mono-, di- and trinitronaphthalenes from soil samples by ultrasonic, respectively, soxhlet extraction. Sonication was the more convenient procedure with a usually higher repeatability than the soxhlet method. All extracts were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. These methods were used to determine the concentration of nitronaphthalenes in five soil samples polluted by explosives. The most abundant contaminants were 1,5- and 1,8-dinitronaphthalene as well as 1,3,5-, 1,3,8- and 1,4,5-trinitronaphthalene. In all samples the sum of trinitronaphthalenes exceeded the sum of mono- and dinitronaphthalenes. It is rec…
Low cost-sensors as a real alternative to on-line nitrogen analysers in continuous systems.
2009
This paper is focused on the evaluation of the applicability of low-cost sensors (pH and ORP) versus nutrient analysers for controlling biological nitrogen removal in WWTPs. A nutrient removal pilot plant located in Carraixet WWTP (Valencia, Spain) that is equipped with a significant number of nutrient analysers and low-cost sensors was used. The relations between reliable, cheap on-line sensors such as pH and ORP (located in anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic zones) and the nitrification/denitrification processes are provided. The nitrification process can be evaluated by measuring the pH difference between the first and last aerobic zones. The denitrification process can be evaluated by measur…
Electrochemical oxidation of organics in water: Role of operative parameters in the absence and in the presence of NaCl
2008
The electrochemical oxidation of organics in water was investigated theoretically and experimentally to determine the role of several operative parameters on the performances of the process in the presence and in the absence of sodium chloride. Theoretical considerations were used to design the experimental investigation and were confirmed by the results of the electrochemical oxidation of oxalic acid (OA) at boron doped diamond (BDD) or IrO(2)-Ta(2)O(5) (DSA-O(2)) anodes in a continuous batch recirculation reaction system equipped with a parallel plate undivided electrochemical cell. Polarization curves and chronoamperometric measurements indicated that, in the presence of chlorides, the a…
Effect of intracellular P content on phosphate removal in Scenedesmus sp. Experimental study and kinetic expression
2014
The present work determines the effect of phosphorus content on phosphate uptake rate in a mixed culture of Chlorophyceae in which the genus Scenedesmus dominates. Phosphate uptake rate was determined in eighteen laboratory batch experiments, with samples taken from a progressively more P-starved culture in which a minimum P content of 0.11% (w/w) was achieved. The results obtained showed that the higher the internal biomass P content, the lower the phosphate removal rate. The highest specific phosphate removal rate was 6.5 mgPO4 P gTSS -1 h -1 . Microalgae with a P content around 1% (w/w) attained 10% of this highest removal rate, whereas those with a P content of 0.6% (w/w) presented 50% …
Photoinductive efficiency of soil extracted humic and fulvic acids
2002
Humic and fulvic acids extracted from soils of different genesis were investigated for their ability to photoinduce the transformation of fenuron (2 x 10(-4) mol(-1)) at 365 nm. The ratio of the initial rate of fenuron consumption over the rate of light absorption by humic substances was found to be higher for fulvic acids (range 2.0 x 10(-3) to 9.0 x 10(-5)) than for humic acids (range 1.7 x 10(-4) to - 3.6 x 10(-5)). Within the FAs population, this ratio decreased as the specific absorption coefficient at 365 nm increased. It seems therefore that most of 365-nm absorbing components have no photoinductive activity and even reduce that of photoinductive chromophores.
Comparative electrochemical treatments of two chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Time course of the main reaction by-products.
2011
The chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons conjugate toxicity with high chemical stability, bioaccumulation and long-range diffusivity. Chloroethanes are particularly ubiquitous in the industry and in household products, and their entry to the environment may entail potential risks for the living beings. At present, the US Environmental Protection Agency is carrying out the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), where 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCA) are considered as priorities for their potential effects on the endocrine system. DCA is also found in the list of priority substances drawn up by the European Commission. To avoid the release of chloroethanes int…
Analysis of Trace Pharmaceuticals and Related Compounds in Municipal Wastewaters by Preconcentration, Chromatography, Derivatization, and Separation …
2014
A significant portion of pharmaceuticals and other organic chemicals consumed by people and animals are released into municipal wastewater treatment plants. Most of them are degraded during the wastewater treatment processes, but some of them degrade only partially and may be widely transported and dispersed into the aquatic environment. This is why efficient and fast analytical methods are needed for detection of organic compounds in wastewaters at trace levels. Because wastewaters often consist of complex matrices and high-molecular mass materials, e.g., lignocellulosic biomass, which may bring challenges to the sample preparation procedures, efficient pre-concentration methods such as so…
Co-digestion of sewage sludge and sterilized solid slaughterhouse waste: Methane production efficiency and process limitations
2012
The rendering product of Category 2 and 3 Animal By-Products is known as sterilized mass (SM) and it is mainly composed of fat and proteins, making it interesting substrate for anaerobic digestion. Batch and semi-continuous laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of SM addition in co-digestion with sewage sludge on methane production and possible process limitations. Results showed that SM addition in the feed mixture up to 5% (w/w), corresponding to 68.1% of the organic loading, increased methane production 5.7 times, without any indication of process inhibition. Further increase of SM addition at 7.5% (w/w) caused methane production decrease and volatile solids r…
Dietary acrylamide and physical performance tests: A cross-sectional analysis
2021
Background Dietary acrylamide is found in certain foods, such as deep frying, baking and roasting, and is associated with higher inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. The association between dietary acrylamide and physical performance has not yet been explored. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dietary acrylamide intake and physical performance tests in a large cohort of North American individuals affected by knee osteoarthritis or at high risk for this condition. Methods Dietary acrylamide intake was obtained through a food frequency questionnaire and reported in quartiles and as an increase in deciles. Physical performance was explored using the 20-…