Identifier

etd-11132014-235426

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

An up-flow column study was operated in a greenhouse composed of a sand/peat mixed media to investigate the effectiveness of an aerobic zone on the disappearances of chloroethane. The oxygen was supplied by mean of porous Silastic tubing under pressure with a breathing air gas cylinder. Chloroethane was generated via reductive dechlorination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and 1,1-dichloroethane (DCA) in anaerobic bioreactors (ABRs). The columns study was conducted with two duplicate reactors (operated in parallel) that underwent separate perturbations of breathing air introduction. Aqueous samples were collected in 160 mL microcosm bottles and analyzed on a GC equipped with a Flame Ionization Detector. A statistical analysis of the data was conducted using a 2-tailed Student’s T-test. Results showed that decreases in aqueous chloroethane were greater during periods of aeration in both reactors, with approximately 41% changes in chloroethane concentration from the influent to the final port (Port 3), during periods of aeration. An analysis of changes that ensued from implementation of a full-scale anaerobic bioreactor system (ABR) to replace a physical/chemical treatment scheme was conducted using site specific data. Carbon dioxide emissions and energy requirements associated with operation of the site with each treatment scheme were compared. Specifically, source of energy to run the site, transportation of generated sludge, and utilization of chemicals (sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid) were studied. Production of grid-based energy for site operation was eradicated through implementation of a solar-system. Generated sludge production decreased, resulting in a 92% decrease in implied inputs to the Petroleum Refineries sector. Carbon dioxide emissions and energy inputs to commercial production of sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid also decreased by 92%.

Date

2014

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Pardue, John

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1403

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