Publications

Assessment of emissions and potential occupational exposure to carbon monoxide during biowaste composting

To date, only a few studies focused on the carbon monoxide (CO) production during waste composting; all targeted on CO inside piles. Here, the CO net emissions from compost piles and the assessment of worker’s occupational risk of exposure to CO at large-scale composting plants are shown for the first time. CO net emissions were measured at two plants processing green waste, sewage sludge, or undersize fraction of municipal solid waste. Effects of the location of piles (hermetised hall vs. open yard) and turning (before vs. after) were studied. Higher CO net emission rates were observed from piles located in a closed hall. The average CO flux before turning was 23.25 and 0.60 mg‧m -2 ‧h -1 for hermetised and open piles, respectively, while after– 69.38 and 5.11 mg‧m -2 ‧h -1 . The maximum CO net emissions occurred after the compost was turned (1.7x to 13.7x higher than before turning). The top sections of hermetised piles had greater CO emissions compared to sides. Additionally, 5% of measurement points of hermetised piles switched to ‘CO sinks’. The 1-h concentration in hermetised composting hall can reach max. ~50 mg CO∙m -3 before turning, and >115 mg CO∙m -3 after, exceeding the WHO thresholds for a 1-h and 15-min exposures, respectively.

<i>Evaluating of Products for Mitigation of Odor and Reduction of NH3, H2S, GHG, and VOC Emissions from Swine Manure in Deep Pit Storage Structures</i>

<b><sc>Abstract.</sc></b> <b>Odorous gas emissions from swine production are the unwanted by-product of farmers. Manure additive has a great potential to solve this problem. Manure additives are considered low-cost and user-friendly; they can be implemented without changing the current manure storage practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 12 current commercial manure additives on mitigating odor, ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), greenhouse gas (GHG), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from stored swine manure with pilot-scale setup by strictly following the recommended dosages and procedures from the product labels. Each product was tested for 2 months while gas and odor measurements were done weekly. At the end of the trials, manure properties and microbial communities were analyzed to determine whether manure additives impacting microbes in manure. Preliminary analyses indicate that there is no statistically significant reduction of any measured gas or odor emissions that could be associated with the tested products.</b>

The influence of evapotranspiration on vertical flow subsurface constructed wetland performance

Thermal regime-dependent behaviour of soil toxic elements and microbiota under mineral mix-amended phytostabilisation

The study of the influence of tetracycline and sulfadiazine on biomethane production from manure and apple pomace

Anaerobic digestion is the most popular technic for obtaining biomethane from substrates like cow manure and other organic materials, however, chlortetracycline (CTC) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) which are commonly used in animal husbandry and present in cow manure can adversely affect biomethane yields. In this paper, the results of the influence of an increasing dose of CTC between 10 and 1000 mg×kg−1 and dose of SDZ between 10 and 500 mg×kg−1 on biomethane yield and kinetics for co-fermentation of cow manure and apple pomace experiment was presented. The obtained data during 21 days of lasting batch tests performed under mesophilic conditions allowed the determination of kinetics parameters of biomethane production according to the modified Gompertz model. The biomethane yield for the experiment with CTC differs from 233 to 353 mlCH4, while for the experiment with SDZ from 396 to 455 mlCH4. The kinetics parameters varied in a broad range. The ymax, λ, and Rm were 232–531 ml, 18–66 ml d−1, and –2.9-(–1.7) d for CTC, and 533–653 ml, 20–21 ml d−1, and –4.5-(–0.8) d for SDZ, respectively. With the high antibiotics dose, the biomethane yield decreased due to the inhibitive effect on microorganisms. The experiment showed that antibiotics had an inhibitory effect on biomethane production, at high doses. The biomethane yield had been reduced by 32.3 % at 1000 mg×kg−1 of CTC and by 13.9 % at 500 mg×kg−1 of SDZ. Interestingly, small doses (<100 mg×kg-1) did not affect significantly methane yield and sometimes increased it. Obtained results showed that the co-fermentation of apple pomace and manure performance may be affected by high doses of antibiotics. Depending on the dose and the antibiotic type it affects the biomethane yield, production rate, or lag phase differently.

A simple and rapid method of isolation of active polypeptide complex, yolkin, from chicken egg yolk

Wykorzystanie reakcji Fentona do ograniczania procesu zagniwania i powstawania siarkowodoru w ściekach komunalnych

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas is typically formed in sewage collection systems that are conducive to creation of septic conditions. Collection systems in warm climates that have a flat grade or do not have the flow-through velocities (minimum two feet per second) to prevent the stagnation of fluid, allow the septic conditions to occur. In general, septic conditions occur when bacteria use all of the available oxygen while decomposing organic matter in wastewater for energy. Sewers with low velocities encourage the growth of anaerobic bacteria in a slime layer coating the sewer. These bacteria reduce sulphur compounds such as sulphate (SO4), thereby producing sulphites (SO2). These compounds occur naturally in domestic sewage but also can be concentrated in industrial waste streams. One of the more frustrating problems of H2S development from domestic and industrial wastewaters in collection systems is odours. Odour problems often are resolved by chemical addition. Chlorine compounds such as bleach, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite and ferric chloride are examples of chemicals that are effective in controlling H2S in wastewater collection systems. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of the application of advanced oxidation process with Fenton’s reagent to the reduction of nuisance of H2S generated at putrefaction of municipal sewage. The experiment was performed at the laboratory scale. Carbon compounds transformations were observed, redox potential, H2S concentration in biogas, and rate of purification were determined. Investigations were conducted in five phases, on laboratory-scale experimental anaerobic reactor at the temperature of 20oC. The research phases varied with the type of chemical reagents supplied to the technological system. Depending on the experimental phase different substances were dosed to the analysed sewage. Ions of Fe2+, Fe3+, H2O2, and advanced oxidation systems Fe/H2O2 and Fe/H2O2 were used in the experiment. Experimental system revealed the significance of coagulation, oxidation and advanced oxidation on deodorization of tested wastewater. Technology of reduction of H2S nuisance, generated at putrefaction of municipal sewage, based on advanced oxidation, allowed to obtain effective final results in relation to all analysed parameters.The most effective reduction of odours nuisance was obtained with classic Fenton reaction. An increase of the efficiency correlated with the increase of oxidant H2O2 doses. The dosage of 0.1 g Fe2+/dm3 and 2 g H2O2 caused sewage putrefaction after 11 days. Sewage putrefaction in control sample was observed after 24 hours. Application of advanced oxidation process was more effective method than other methods tested in the experiment. The final results of sewage preparation were far better than results observed at hydrogen peroxide, Fe2+ or Fe3+ ions application alone. Presented method of odours reduction for the sake of the obtained results, easy operation, chemical reagents accessibility and economical reasons can become alternative technology of reduction of nuisance of H2S generated at putrefaction of municipal wastewater.

The possibility to improve hygienic standard of liquid fractionated egg products.

The aim of the study was to verify the possibility of the membrane techniques application for pasteurisation of the solutions containing bioactive components isolated from chicken eggs. Solutions of lysozyme - muramidaze and inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, which could be utilised in the convenient state i.e. in liquid form, in some food and non food applications were analysed. Cross flow membranes made from polypropylene with pores 0.2 μm were utilised for separating microorganisms (bacteria, yeast and moulds) from solutions of cystatin and lysozyme isolated from egg white. In case of cystatin solution semiproduct after thermo-acidic pre-treatment was filtered and the cold pasteurisation was effective in solutions of pH=3 i.e. reduction of microorganisms number about was 3 log cycles but in solution of pH=4 the number of bacteria was reduced only by about 2 log cycles. In case of inoculation of solutions with Staphylococcus gallinarum (1x10 6 cfu/cm 3 ) isolated from egg shell aseptic solutions of cystatin after filtration with membrane filters were obtained. Filtration of lysozyme solutions containing 1-4x10 5 microorganisms was effective i.e. aseptic product was obtained but in solutions contaminated with 10 4 yeasts and moulds cold pasteurisation was less effective because reduction of the number was 2 log cycles. It can be concluded that membrane filtration is effective in reduction microorganisms in liquid products fractionated from egg white and allowed to achieve their high biological value.

Badania ruchowe prototypowego reaktora zgazowania biomasy

Incidence of antibodies in women after failure of assisted reproduction

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine to what degree antisperm allo-antibodies (ASA), anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA), anti-zona pellucida antibodies (AZPA) and seven anti-phospholipid antibodies (APLA) can explain the failure of assisted reproduction technology (ART) in women.Background: Among the causes of reproductive failure are allo-and autoimmune reactions of the organism against reproductive tissues and cells.Methods: We examined a sample of 43 selected women aged 27 to 45 after failure of assisted reproduction technology (ART) via intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Sera from these women were tested by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) (total Ig) for the presence of anti-sperm allo-antibodies (ASA), anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA), anti-zona pellucida antibodies (AZPA) and seven anti-phospholipid antibodies (APLA).Results: We found 22 (51 %) patients positive for the examined antibodies.Among patients with positive results were 3 miscarriages, 3 biochemical pregnancies (↑ hCG) and 16 with no evidence of conception.Positive APLA was found in 17 patients.Selected immunological parameters were negative in 21 (49 %) patients, which means that the tested allo-and auto-antibodies did not cause the failure of ART.Conclusion: This demonstrates that the range of diagnostic tests limits the success of diagnosis and the method of dealing with infertile couples.The use of cardiolipin as a screening test appears to be insuffi cient, because in our sample it would have caused a 35 % error rate.Investigation of antibodies against seven phospholipids is thus considered to be reasonable and is benefi cial for infertility diagnosis (Tab.2, Ref. 36).

The Development of Anammox and Chloroflexi Bacteria during the Composting of Sewage Sludge

The C/N ratio is an extremely important parameter in the composting process and is directly responsible for the growth of microorganisms. A low C/N ratio contributes to higher emissions of greenhouse gases and odorous substances, such as ammonia (NH3), which is formed by nitrogen mineralization. Due to the highly toxic effects of ammonia, it is a particularly unwanted by-product that can disrupt the composting process since it poisons microorganisms and causes environmental issues. The activity of anammox bacteria, so far analyzed only in wastewater treatment processes, is a particularly efficient method of nitrogen removal, having an advantage over the conventional methods used previously. This study shows the presence of anammox bacteria during composting, which allows for an opportunity to improve the process and reduce its impact on atmospheric pollution. Despite the aerobic nature of this process, the composted mass of waste presents conditions conducive to the development of these ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, as well as the other strains of microorganisms cooperating with them. This makes it possible to compost at a low C/N ratio; in addition, there is no need for an additional energy supply through aeration, as the processes carried out by anammox bacteria do not require oxygen. Therefore, more in-depth research is necessary to evaluate the low C/N effect on anammox and Chloroflexi bacteria growth and its effect on nitrogen balance during composting.

Carbon-relative molar mass for the modeling of the lignocellulosic biomass torrefaction and slow pyrolysis performance and biochar fuel properties

Diurnal cycling of dissolved gas concentrations in a willow vegetation filter treating landfill leachate

Enhancing municipal solid waste leachate treatment efficiency: AI-based prediction of electrocoagulation/flocculation recovery using iron electrodes

This study addresses a gap in municipal leachate (MUPL) treatment by introducing a pioneering application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the electrocoagulation/electroflocculation (EC/EF) process utilizing iron electrodes. The overarching aim is to demonstrate the efficacy of AI, particularly a multi-layer perceptron (MLP)-based feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) incorporating the Levenberg-Marquardt (LMb) algorithm, in predicting and optimizing EC/EF outcomes for turbidity (TDY) removal. The research methodology involved experimentation and robust ANN data modeling. The significance of this work emerges from the successful integration of AI, showcasing its potential in advancing wastewater, demonstrated through a strong positive correlation (0.994) between the ANN model predictions and experimental outcomes. The study achieves a remarkable 99.4% TDY removal at an electrolysis time of 10 min and contributes valuable insights into the critical parameters influencing the EC/EF process. Results from the ANN modeling exhibit high predictive accuracy, supported by elevated R-squared values and minimal mean square error. Statistical analyses underscore the significance of key process parameters, highlighting the influential roles of current intensity and settling time. The study emphasized the favourable impact of maintaining an acidic pH range, as it reduced electrostatic repulsion between particles, facilitating pollutant agglomeration, and identified electrolysis time as a key factor in enhancing treatment efficiency, supported by a strong positive correlation between electrolysis time and TDY reduction. Energy cost savings were realized by not requiring temperature elevation. Achieving a 99.4% TDY removal translates to substantial reductions in other pollutants present in the MUPL, thereby elevating water quality and ensuring compliance.

Municipal waste disposal in energetic piles in sweco technology - seven years of operation and what now?

Analiza stanu punktów i pojemników do selektywnej zbiórki odpadów

Reżim technologiczny kompostowania osadów ściekowych z bioodpadami w pryzmach przerzucanych. Bilans metali ciężkich oraz makro- i mikroskładników

Mitigation of Acute Ammonia Emissions With Biochar During Swine Manure Agitation Before Pump-Out: Proof-of-the-Concept

Ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions from animal agriculture can cause eutrophication of water ecosystems and are precursors to secondary particulate matter (PM 2 .5 ). NH 3 emissions from stored swine manure represent nutrient loss affecting the fertilizing value of manure. The short-term emission bursts occur when farmers agitate manure before emptying storage and fertilizing fields. There is no proven technology to mitigate gaseous emissions during agitation, while the hazards of acute releases (e.g., H 2 S) are well-known. Biochar mitigates NH 3 emissions from manure over the long-term. The objective of this research was to evaluate the mitigation of acute NH 3 emissions during/after agitation. Two biochars, highly alkaline and porous (HAP from corn stover) and red oak (RO), were tested. The 6 and 12 mm-thick layers of biochar powder were surficial applied followed by 3 min agitation. NH 3 concentrations were measured before/during/after agitation. Mitigation was assessed by comparing: (i) the maximum (peak) flux, (ii) total emission (from agitation start till NH 3 concentration returned to the before-agitation), and (iii) the total emissions during agitation. The 12 mm HAP significantly ( p &amp;lt; 0.05) reduced (i–iii) by 63, 70, and 85%, respectively. The 6 mm HAP significantly reduced (i–iii) by 76, 75, and 78%, respectively. The 12 mm RO significantly reduced (i–iii) by 9, 53, and 57%, respectively. The 6 mm RO significantly reduced (i–iii) by 61, 86, and 63%, respectively. The NH 3 emission kinetics model confirmed that a 6 mm dose was just as effective as the larger dose. More research is needed to optimize and scale-up mitigating emissions and retention of nutrients in manure with biochar.