Comparison between two cases study on water kiosks

Bottled water consumption in Europe began in the 70s. Environmental impact derived from water production chain is very significant: for example plastic bottles use, oil consumption for bottle production, air emission from vehicles transporting bottles, not recycled plastic packages, etc. In this research an environmental and economic impact evaluation was presented for two case studies, regarding water kiosk design with the aim of supplying controlled natural and sparkling water with better organoleptic quality compared to water directly supplied from aqueduct

Modeling for use of water in agriculture

The present paper examines and evaluates the results of a survey carried out to define the criteria for restoring the surface water of the karstic stream "Gravina" (Southern-Italy). The stream runs through a watershed including several agricultural areas. The stream shows an environmental heterogeneity which is of great value to the conservation of biodiversity. The analysis supports a more general water pollution control strategy aimed at safeguarding natural water quality in the urbanized watershed with the aim, also, to reuse partially the water in agriculture. The methodology was based on the surface water sampling, quality parameter analysis and simulation by modelling. The variation and compatibility of wastewater discharge and water stream quality were verified by using a model available in literature in function of biodegradable pollutant load and dissolved oxygen. Several scenarios based on the fixed yield of treatment plants were examined

Assessment of biological kinetics in a conventional municipal WWTP by means of the oxygen uptake rate method

Pollution control of surface water bodies requires stringent checks on wastewater treatment plants performances. The satisfactory operation of biological treatment, commonly performed by means of activated sludge processes, requires a number of controlling and monitoring procedures. Suitable respirometric techniques for the determination of the kinetic parameters that regulate biological processes have been implemented in order to achieve this aim. This paper describes the results of an experimental research carried out in a conventional Italian municipal wastewater treatment plant. Particularly, the research has been finalized to both evaluate the biological process for the removal of biodegradable pollutants, such as carbonaceous substrates and ammonia nitrogen, and to collect data in order to evaluate a possible plant upgrade. Heterotrophic and autotrophic biomass kinetic parameters have been examined using respirometric techniques based on oxygen uptake measurements. The research performed makes a valuable contribution toward verifying the reliability of the values proposed in the literature for some kinetic parameters, which have been commonly used for a long time

Regional Seismic Characterization of Shallow Subsoil of Northern Apulia (Southern Italy)

A first-order seismic characterization of Northern Apulia (Southern Italy) has been provided by considering geological information and outcomes of a low-cost geophysical survey. In particular, 403 single-station ambient vibration measurements (HVSR techniques) distributed within the main settlements of the area have been considered to extract representative patterns deduced by Principal Component Analysis. The joint interpretation of these pieces of information allows the identification of three main domains (Gargano Promontory, Bradanic Through and Southern Apennines Fold and Thrust Belt), each characterized by specific seismic resonance phenomena. In particular, the Bradanic Through is homogeneously characterized by low frequency (< 1 Hz) resonance effects associated with relatively deep (> 100 m) seismic impedance, which is contrasting corresponding to the buried Apulian carbonate platform and/or sandy horizons located within the Plio-Pleistocene deposits. In the remaining ones, relatively high frequency (> 1 Hz) resonance phenomena are ubiquitous due to the presence of shallower impedance contrasts (< 100 m), which do not always correspond to the top of the geological bedrock. These general indications may be useful for a preliminary regional characterization of seismic response in the study area, which can be helpful for an effective planning of more detailed studies targeted to engineering purposes

Influence of feeding mixture composition in batch anaerobic co-digestion of stabilized municipal sludge and waste from dairy farms

Waste anaerobic co-digestion applications are particularly useful in Southern Mediterranean areas where large quantities of agricultural waste materials and waste from agro-industries are produced. This waste can be added to urban waste together with the sludge produced by wastewater treatment processes, which when combined guarantee the supply of organic matrixes for treatment throughout the year. The implementation of facilities to service vast areas of the agricultural economy and which are heterogeneous in terms of production, can provide a good solution. We present an experimental investigation into the anaerobic co-digestion of municipal sludge and bio-waste produced in the Mediterranean area. We conducted anaerobic treatability tests, with measures of biogas production and pH of the mixture in digestion. Our main aims were to identify an optimal mix of substrates for the production of biogas, and to analyse the influence on the composition of biogas and the variation in pH values of the substrates. This analysis was conducted considering the variation of the input, in particular due to the addition of waste acids, such as biological sewage sludge

Assay for planning anaerobic co-digestion of municipal sludge and biodegradable waste

Anaerobic digestion of biodegradable organic waste is an extremely topical issue since it offers new opportunities with relation to the needs for waste treatment, and becomes even more interesting if the energetic valorisation of biomasses is mainly considered. The present paper describes an experimental survey aimed at studying the processes of anaerobic co-digestion of municipal sludge and biodegradable organic waste coming from food processing industry and breeding livestock activities, waste which is largely produced in the Mediterranean area. Our specific aims were the recognition of the critical points for the process development and the assessment of dimensional and operating data of conventional managers. The experimental activity was carried out through tests of anaerobic tractability with included measuring biogas production and pH of the digestion mixture

Energy recovery from co-digestion of complex substrate mixtures: an overview, and case study of biogas production modeling

Anaerobic digestion processes represent one of the mainstream technologies for indirect energy recovery from waste streams, currently supported in many Countries by governmental incentives to promote renewable sources such as biogas production. The intrinsic variability of supply modes, composition and physical-biological characteristics of the feed mixtures, significantly affect the stability of this type of processes, and may negatively impact on the actual rates of biogas production, affecting the financial feasibility of this type of projects. Composition and pH the generated biogas are important indicators of process performance, and the availability of buffer alkalinity plays an key role in the sustainability methane-generating process steps. In this paper, a theoretical analysis of requirements and applications aimed at addressing critical issues arising during process operation in full-scale plants are reported. The aim of the paper is to support proper assessment methods to identify adequate design and operating conditions of co-digestion systems for the treatment of solid/liquid mixtures of biodegradable waste while maximizing biogas recovery. In order to appropriately assess the influence of organic load on the process, a case study was included to represent possible process conditions typical of Mediterranean Countries