Physico-chemical monitoring of biodegradation of furfural from oil industry effluents from the Arzew refinery (Oran) Algeria

Furfural is one of the petroleum products posing a potential danger to the environment and human health. However, the decontamination of these pollutants released into the environment is primarily governed by biodegra-dation processes. This study is based on biodegradation kinetics at increasing concentrations of furfural by natural mixed culture in order to assess the potential of this process in the elimination of furfural from petrochemical effluents from the ARZEW refinery. This biodegradation was measured through physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, con-centration of hydrocarbons, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemi-cal oxygen demand (BOD5) and the concentration of furfural. The results obtained show at a concentration of 250ppm of injected furfural: a decrease in pH 4.9 and an increase in other parameters (conductivity 3450 μS.cm-1, HC 102 mg / l; furfural 210 ppm, COD 327mg / l, BOD5 98mgO2 / l. The study findings indicated that the injection of these effluents with concentrations greater than 180 ppm leads to values of pH, EC, HC, Furfural, COD, BOD5 which do not comply with direct discharge standards and disrupt biological treatment. The high levels of furfural not only cause a pollution problem but can also disrupt the functioning of bacteria at the biological treatment level. Therefore, dilution with the filtration wash water before switching to biologi-cal treatment is recommended in order to reduce the concentrations below 180 ppm.

Energy balance formation of sub-eutectoide fayalita at high pressures in particle separators

This article presents an approach to the problem of ceramic types adhesion, applying energy and matter balance to the established control volume (cyclone) with the use of mathematical formulas that are interrelated to develop mathematical calculations and establish a new mathematical model The first results are obtained by operating the energy balance considering the collision of particles, using the principle of conservation of energy, the first law of thermodynamics, in order to obtain information that allows describing the phenomena of thermoplasticity and creep, in the formation of adhesions, from a physicochemical and kinetic point of view, which will serve as the basis for understanding their effect. As a result, an energy value of 660 kJ / mol was obtained, sufficient energy to start the transformation of the solid particles to a state of thermo-flow that allows the adhesion phenomenon to be started. Keywords: Adhesion, energy balance, cyclones, elutriation, eutectoid, fayalite, thermoplasticity. References [1]O. Bustamante. “Dissipation of mechanical energy in the discharge of a hydrocyclone”. (Dyna, Ed.) The network of Scientific Journals of Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal, vol. 80 (181), Pages 136-143, 2013. [2]K.Petersen, P.Aldrich, and D.Van.,”Hydrocyclone underflow monitoring using image processing methods. Minerals Engineering”, pp. 301-315,1996. [3]M. Farghaly,” Controlled Wash Water Injection to the hydrocyclone underflow” [Ph.D. Thesis]. Erlangen, FAU, 2009. [4]M, Schneider, and T. Neesse. “Overflow-control system for a hydrocyclone battery. Int. J. Miner. Process". 74, pp. 339 – 343, 2004. [5]J.Bergström., “Flow field and fiber fractionation studies in hydro cyclones” [Ph.D. Thesis] Stockholm, Sweden, Royal Institute of Technology, 2006. [6]C, Liu, L. Wang, and Q. Lui., “Investigation of energy loss mechanisms in cyclone separators”. Chemical Engineering Technology 28, pp. 1182-1190, 2005. [7]O.Dam. & E.Jeffes.,.”Model for detailed assessment of chemical composition of reduced iron ores from single measurement”. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, 1987. [8]E. Ringdalen., “Softening and melting of SiO2 an important parameter for reactions with quartz in Si production” pp 43-44, 2016.

Sorption of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Particles to the Surface of Microplastics Released during Washing Processes

The research aims at washing processes as possible sources of microplastics, specifical microfibers in wastewater, and the behavior of the virus particles SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater after the washing process as well as their ability to sorb to the surface of microfibers, released from washing processes. The conclusions of the research point to the ability of the virus to attach to possible solid impurities such as textile fibers (microfibers) occurring in the sewer and to the ability of wash water to influence their possible occurrence in the sewer. The highest efficiency (more than 99%) of removal virus particles was after washing process, using liquid washing powder, and washing soda. These findings may gradually contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of the virus particles in the sewer.

Application of a Bacteriophage–Sanitizer Combination in Post-Harvest Control of E. coli O157:H7 Contamination on Spinach Leaves in the Presence or Absence of a High Organic Load Produce Wash

Foodborne illness due to the consumption of contaminated products continues to be a serious public health issue. Bacteriophages might provide a natural and effective way to control and reduce the pathogenic bacterial population on food products. Researchers have conducted various experiments to prove their effectiveness against different pathogens and their ability to act as a natural intervention to control pathogen populations, especially in the food industry. In this study, a cocktail of bacteriophages (phages) was added to wash water in the presence of a high organic load along with commercially used sanitizers (chlorine or Sanidate 5.0) to study the efficacy of the phage–sanitizer combination in the challenge water. It was determined that in the absence of organic loads, the sanitizer by itself or the combination with phages significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the contamination by 3.00–5.00 log CFU/mL. In the presence of organic loads, the sanitizer by itself did not contribute to a significant reduction (p > 0.05) compared to the control. However, the sanitizer–phage combination led to a 3.00-log and 6.00-log reduction (p < 0.001) of the pathogen at the end of 3 and 6 h, respectively, in the presence of high organic loads. Therefore, utilizing a combination treatment (phage–sanitizer) might be one solution to reduce pathogen contamination in the food industry, especially the fresh produce industry, thus providing safe food for consumption.

Creation of a combined system for treatment of iron-containing wastewater from etching operations

The object of research is the methods of purification of iron-containing wastewater from etching operations, the subject of the study is spent technological solutions of etching and wastewater from the operations of washing enterprises of hardware products. Spent etching solutions are characterized as highly concentrated solutions, and wash water belongs to the category of concentrated solutions containing toxic impurities: heavy metal ions, acids, surfactants. The main problem in the etching area is the processing of used etching solutions. The most progressive creation of combined systems in which the bulk of wastewater is treated in centralized systems with partial return of water to the production process. With such wastewater treatment, the problem arises of reducing the total concentration of iron to less than 1 mg/l. That is why, in accordance with the requirements of environmental legislation on nature management, there is a need for deep additional treatment of such wastewater. The study used the methods of potentiometric titration and chemical deposition, as well as the method of photometric determination. Magnetic cleaning was studied in an experimental magnetic deposition apparatus. The paper presents the results of studies evaluating methods for purifying iron-containing wastewater from etching operations. Improvement is achieved by the creation of technological combined schemes for the purification of iron-containing wastewater, including a magnetic device as an auxiliary element. At the same time, the main volume of wastewater is treated in centralized systems with a partial return of water to the production process. Waste solutions from etching operations are subject to regeneration with return to the production process and partial dosage into the main wastewater stream from washing operations. Deep purification from iron-containing impurities using a magnetic device expands the possibilities of practical implementation of reverse osmosis to obtain «clean» water in centralized systems. This water is applicable for the preparation of process solutions and mixed with industrial water for flushing operations.

RESULTS OF PILOT TESTS OF THE VSEP TECHNOLOGY ON THE EXAMPLE OF PURIFICATION OF CONTAMINATED ACID WASHING WATERS BY NANOFILTRATION

Shown are the results of a series of pilot tests for the purifi cation of waste (contaminated) acidic wash water formed during the production of graphite by the leaching method. The tests were carried out in laboratory and pilot modes (on-site) on the “LP” series machine. Purifi cation was simulated using nanofi ltration membranes using VSEP technology. This technology of vibro- membrane fi ltration makes it possible to purify such waters without preliminary purifi cation and the use of reagents (antiscalant) with a %Recovery more than 90 %. The mechanism for choosing the optimal sheet polymer membrane and the mechanism for determining the best working pressure are shown. Concentration series were carried out to determine the stability of the process and the duration of the fl ushing interval. The test results allow the design of an industrial water purifi cation system.

Practical Wash Water & Demulsifer Optimization at Khurais Crude Processing Facility

This paper covers practical demulsifer and wash water approach followed by Saudi Aramco Khurais producing facility to optimize the chemical and water consumption. This Paper is intended to: Share practical demulsifer and wash water optimization approach. Highlight how this approach enhanced the separation process and how it already helped Saudi Aramco to meet the product quality with minimal operating costs by optimizing operating parameters in the field. The basic idea of the optimization is to relax the oil - emulsified water separation in HPPT by allowing water carry over to the downstream equipment and vessels through minimizing the demulsifer dosage on the production header to increase the retention time. The optimization process includes manipulating different key parameters (controlled variables) which are demulsifer dosing rate (on production header and dehydrator), wash water dosing rate, de-salting train mixing valves differential pressure and transformers voltage with continues monitoring and corrective actions based on the export specification of BS&W and salts within pre-defined internal limits to avoid having off-spec product (Trial and Error) This approach resulted in decreasing the operating costs by reducing overall demulsifer dosage by 50%, and allowing the overall separation efficiency to be increased contributing towards enhanced separation. Various graphs included showing the full impact of optimizing the operating parameters on improved separation in dehydrator. From the water conservation, this process resulted in reducing non-potable wash water consumption for crude washing purposes by more than 20,000 gallon/day without compromising the crude specification. This optimization resulted in cost saving equivalent to around US$ 650,000 due to significant demulsifer reduction. Sustaining such an optimum performance proves to be a challenge and in this regard, the team is focusing heavily on the monitoring efforts that are equipped with the advisory features on what to do should the deviation exist from the stipulated target. This includes, among others, the alerting feature for immediate corrective actions by the team. Overall, this initiative succeeded in maintaining the facility crude quality specifications of BS&W and salts while reducing chemical operating costs, creating positive environmental impacts by saving non-potable wash water while increasing the assets utilization and reliability effectively.