Air-saturated Water Research Articles

The relationship between bubble motion and particle flocculation pattern under 20-kHz-ultrasound radiation in water

Dispersed particles with sub-millimeter and millimeter diameters in water were flocculated by a kHz-band-ultrasound radiation. This phenomenon was caused by the acoustic cavitation-oriented bubbles (ACOBs). The flocculating pattern varied with the components and concentration of the dissolved gases. The relationship between the gas conditions and the particle flocculation pattern is discussed along with the estimation of the force balance acting on the particle flocculation. First, the particle flocculation was visualized. The liquid motion in the vessel was then measured via particle image velocimetry. The flocculation patterns were mainly classified into two types: spherical flocculation and chain-like flocculation. Spherical flocculation occurred when air-dissolution water was used, and chain-like flocculation occurred when CO2 concentration-controlled water was used. Both patterns were dominantly influenced by the acoustic radiation force acting on the ACOBs. At the occurrence of spherical flocculation, the ratio of the acoustic radiation force to the other forces was greater than that at the occurrence of chain-like flocculation. We analyzed the motions of ACOBs and particles by high-speed visualization to clarify the interaction between the particles and ACOBs. The ACOBs adhering to the particle surface in CO2 concentration-controlled water oscillated with the irradiation frequency and synchronized with other ACOBs. The member particles of the chain-like flocculation were tenaciously held by the Bjerknes force. In contrast, in the air-saturated water, the diameter of the spherically flocculated particle swarm oscillated due to the unstable motion of ACOBs. We suspect that the diameters of the spherically flocculated particle swarm fluctuated.

Thermally induced evolution of dissolved gas in water flowing through a carbon felt sample

Carbon felts are widely used as flow through porous electrodes in great variety of electrochemical devices due to their superior electrochemical properties and low price. In plant-scale electrochemical reactors stacked with large carbon felt electrodes, uniformly and efficiently feeding liquid electrolytes to the entire area of individual electrode is frequently challenged by the complicated gas bubble evolution phenomena induced by dissolved gas exsolutions or/and gassing side reactions. To explore the hydraulic characteristics of this locally generated two-phase flow in fibrous porous media, thermally induced evolutions of dissolved air in water flowing through a carbon felt sample are experimentally studied. When 20°C air-saturated water is started to be pumped through the felt and simultaneously heated up to 30°C at the outlet, evolved gas bubbles are observed to emerge several minutes later and accumulate to considerable amount after a few hours. The correspondingly increasing average gas saturations in the felt are measured by a weighing method, maximum values of which fall in the range from 6% to 14% at different liquid velocities. The most surprising finding is that although the volume evolution rate of gas bubbles is only 0.36% of the liquid flow rate, the resulting liquid-phase relative permeability drops significantly and continuously for a couple of hours and down to 0.42 at the lowest liquid velocity.

Free and Dissolved Gases in Castrocaro Spa Waters (Italy)

Free and dissolved gases in cold water samples from the Castrocaro spa, Northern Italy, were analyzed for their chemical composition. These gases were interpreted as the result of the binary mixing between a N2- and a CH4-rich component. CO2 is generally a minor constituent. N2/Ar ratios below the air typical value suggest that air saturated water (ASW) is the most likely source of atmospheric-derived components. This atmospheric end-member is predominant in low-salinity waters. Conversely, CH4-enriched gases are mainly associated with brackish to saline waters. The occurrence of minor amounts of light hydrocarbons (C2-C3) indicates a predominant biogenic origin of CH4. The He isotopic composition of the CH4-richest sample (3He/4He = 0.22 Ra) is in the range of values measured for cold seeps and mud volcanoes along the Northern Apennines foothills, and indicates a predominant crustal origin of this gas.

Source and nature of ore-forming fluids of the Edmond hydrothermal field, Central Indian Ridge: evidence from He-Ar isotope composition and fluid inclusion study

To understand the source and nature of the ore-forming fluids of the Edmond hydrothermal field on the Central Indian Ridge, we studied the He-Ar isotope composition and fluid inclusions of the hydrothermal precipitates. Our results show that the sulfide samples contain noble gases He, Ne, Kr, and Xe with their abundances in between those of air-saturated water (ASW) and mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). The 3He/4He ratio varies from 1.3 to 8.7 Ra (n=10, average: 5.1 Ra), whereas the 40Ar/36Ar ratio is from 285.3 to 314.7 (n=10, average: 294.8). These results suggest that the He was derived from a mixture of MORB with variable amounts of seawater, but the Ar in the ore-forming fluids trapped in the sulfides is predominantly derived from seawater. The fluid inclusions of barite have a wide range of homogenization temperatures and salinities varying from 163°C to 260°C and 2.6 wt% to 8.5 wt% NaCl equiv., respectively. It is suggested that the ore-forming fluids were produced by phase separation, which agreed with the present-day vent fluid study.

Laser photochemistry of oxygen. Application to studies of the absorption spectra of dissolved oxygen molecules

This paper summarizes the data of our lab on the rates of photooxygenation of singlet oxygen traps upon direct laser excitation of oxygen in air-saturated organic solvents and water. Methods of application of these data to calculation of absorbance ( A ) and molar absorption coefficients ( e ) in the maxima of the main oxygen absorption bands (1273, 765 and 1070 nm) are discussed. The most accurate results were obtained from comparing the photooxygenation rates upon porphyrin-photosensitized and direct excitation of oxygen molecules. It is shown that e 1273 is not sensitive to the presence of heavy atom (bromine) in solvent molecules and markedly decreases on going from non-polar solvents to water being proportional to the radiative rate constants obtained from the quantum yields of singlet oxygen phosphorescence at 1274 nm. The coefficient e 765 markedly increases in the presence of bromine. In solvents lacking heavy atoms the 1.5-2-fold increase of e 765 was observed on going from non-polar solvents to water. Simultaneously, the ratios e 1273 / e 765 are changed from (7-10)/1 in non-polar solvents to 1.5/1 in water. The value of e 1070 obtained in carbon tetrachloride is shown to be about two orders smaller than e 1273 in the same solvent. The results are important for both analyses of oxygen photonics and dosimetry of laser radiation in biomedical experiments.

Archaeometric analysis of Roman bronze coins from the Magna Mater temple using solid-state voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Voltammetry of microparticles (VMP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, complemented by SEM-EDX and Raman spectroscopy, were applied to a set of 15 Roman bronze coins and one Tessera from the temple of Magna Mater (Rome, Italy). The archaeological site, dated back between the second half and the end of the 4th century A.D., presented a complicated stratigraphic context. Characteristic voltammetric patterns for cuprite and tenorite for sub-microsamples of the corrosion layers of the coins deposited onto graphite electrodes in contact with 0.10 M HClO4 aqueous solution yielded a grouping of the coins into three main groups. This grouping was confirmed and refined using EIS experiments of the coins immersed in air-saturated mineral water using the reduction of dissolved oxygen as a redox probe. The electrochemical grouping of coins corroborated the complex stratigraphy of the archaeological site and, above all, the reuse of the coins during the later periods due to the economic issues related to the fall of the Roman Empire.

Evolution of upper crustal faulting assisted by magmatic volatile release during early-stage continental rift development in the East African Rift

During the development of continental rifts, strain accommodation shifts from border faults to intra-rift faults. This transition represents a critical process in the evolution of rift basins in the East African Rift, resulting in the focusing of strain and, ultimately, continental breakup. An analysis of fault and fluid systems in the younger than 7 Ma Natron and Magadi basins (Kenya-Tanzania border) reveals the transition as a complex interaction between plate flexure, magma emplacement, and magmatic volatile release. Rift basin development was investigated by analyzing fault systems, lava chronology, and geochemistry of spring systems. Results show that extensional strain in the 3 Ma Natron basin is primarily accommodated along the border fault, whereas results from the 7 Ma Magadi basin reveal a transition to intra-rift fault–dominated strain accommodation. The focusing of strain into a system of intra-rift faults in Magadi also occurred without oblique-style rifting, as is observed in Ethiopia, and border fault hanging-wall flexure can account for only a minor portion of faulting along the central rift axis (∼12% or less). Instead, areas of high upper crustal strain coincide with the presence of hydrothermal springs that exhibit carbon isotopes and N2-He-Ar abundances indicating mixing between mantle-derived (magmatic) fluids and air saturated water. By comparing the distribution of fault-related strain and zones of magmatic fluid release in the 3 Ma Natron and 7 Ma Magadi basins, we present a conceptual model for the evolution of early-stage rifting. In the first 3 m.y., border faults accommodate the majority of regional extension (1.24–1.78 mm yr–1 in Natron at a slip rate ranging 1.93–3.56 mm yr–1), with a significant portion of intra-rift faulting (38%–96%) driven by flexure of the border fault hanging wall. Fluids released from magma bodies ascend along the border fault and then outward into nearby faults forming in the flexing hanging wall. By 7 m.y., there is a reduction in the amount of extension accommodated along the border fault (0.40–0.66 mm yr–1 in Magadi at a slip rate ranging from 0.62 to 1.32 mm yr–1), and regional extension is primarily accommodated in the intra-rift fault population (1.34–1.60 mm yr–1), with an accompanying transition of magmatic volatile release into the rift center. The focusing of magma toward the rift center and concomitant release of magmatic fluids into the flexing hanging wall provides a previously unrecognized mechanism that may help to weaken crust and assist the transition to intra-rift dominated strain accommodation. We conclude that the flow of magmatic fluids within fault systems plays an important role in weakening lithosphere and focusing upper crustal strain in early-stage continental rift basins prior to the establishment of magmatic segments.

Methane Sources and Migration Mechanisms in Shallow Groundwaters in Parker and Hood Counties, Texas-A Heavy Noble Gas Analysis.

This study places constraints on the source and transport mechanisms of methane found in groundwater within the Barnett Shale footprint in Texas using dissolved noble gases, with particular emphasis on 84Kr and 132Xe. Dissolved methane concentrations are positively correlated with crustal 4He, 21Ne, and 40Ar and suggest that noble gases and methane originate from common sedimentary strata, likely the Strawn Group. In contrast to most samples, four water wells with the highest dissolved methane concentrations unequivocally show strong depletion of all atmospheric noble gases (20Ne, 36Ar, 84Kr, 132Xe) with respect to air-saturated water (ASW). This is consistent with predicted noble gas concentrations in a water phase in contact with a gas phase with initial ASW composition at 18 °C-25 °C and it suggests an in situ, highly localized gas source. All of these four water wells tap into the Strawn Group and it is likely that small gas accumulations known to be present in the shallow subsurface were reached. Additionally, lack of correlation of 84Kr/36Ar and 132Xe/36Ar fractionation levels along with 4He/20Ne with distance to the nearest gas production wells does not support the notion that methane present in these groundwaters migrated from nearby production wells either conventional or using hydraulic fracturing techniques.

Noble gases solubility models of hydrocarbon charge mechanism in the Sleipner Vest gas field

Noble gases are chemically inert and variably soluble in crustal fluids. They are primarily introduced into hydrocarbon reservoirs through exchange with formation waters, and can be used to assess migration pathways and mechanisms, as well as reservoir storage conditions. Of particular interest is the role groundwater plays in hydrocarbon transport, which is reflected in hydrocarbon–water volume ratios. Here, we present compositional, stable isotope and noble gas isotope and abundance data from the Sleipner Vest field, in the Norwegian North Sea. Sleipner Vest gases are generated from primary cracking of kerogen and the thermal cracking of oil. Gas was emplaced into the Sleipner Vest from the south and subsequently migrated to the east, filling and spilling into the Sleipner Ost fields. Gases principally consist of hydrocarbons (83–93%), CO2 (5.4–15.3%) and N2 (0.6–0.9%), as well as trace concentrations of noble gases. Helium isotopes (3He/4He) are predominantly radiogenic and range from 0.065 to 0.116RA; reported relative to air (RA=1.4×10−6; Clarke et al., 1976; Sano et al., 1988), showing predominantly (>98%) crustal contributions, consistent with Ne (20Ne/22Ne from 9.70 to 9.91; 21Ne/22Ne from 0.0290 to 0.0344) and Ar isotopes (40Ar/36Ar from 315 to 489). Air-derived noble gas isotopes (20Ne, 36Ar, 84Kr, 132Xe) are introduced into the hydrocarbon system by direct exchange with air-saturated water (ASW). The distribution of air-derived noble gas species are controlled by phase partitioning processes; in that they preferentially partition into the gas (i.e., methane) phase, due to their low solubilities in fluids. Therefore, the extent of exchange between hydrocarbon phases and formation waters – that have previously equilibrated with the atmosphere – can be determined by investigating air-derived noble gas species. We utilize both elemental ratios to address process (i.e., open vs. closed system) and concentrations to quantify the extent of hydrocarbon–water exchange (i.e., volumetric gas–water ratios). These data are discussed within the framework of several conceptual models: (i) total gas-stripping model, which assumes all noble gases have been stripped from the water phase, thus defining the minimum volume of water to have interacted with the hydrocarbon phase; (ii) equilibrium model, which assumes equilibration between groundwater and hydrocarbon phase at reservoir P, T and salinity; and (iii) open and closed system gas-stripping models, using concentrations and elemental ratios. By applying these models to Ne–Ar data from Sleipner, we estimate volumetric gas–water ratios VgVw between 0.02 and 0.07, which are lower than standard geologic gas–water estimates of ∼0.24, estimated by combining gas-in-place estimates with groundwater porosity estimates. Sleipner Vest data can be best approximated by an open system model, which predicts more than an order of magnitude more groundwater interaction during migration than geologic estimates, indicating a dynamic aquifer system and/or a hydrous migration pathway. In an open system, the extent of gas loss can be estimated to be between 8 and 10 reservoir volumes, which have passed through the system and been lost (i.e., filled and spilled).

Dissolved gases in hydrothermal (phreatic) and geyser eruptions at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Multiphase and multicomponent fluid flow in the shallow continental crust plays a significant role in a variety of processes over a broad range of temperatures and pressures. The presence of dissolved gases in aqueous fluids reduces the liquid stability field toward lower temperatures and enhances the explosivity potential with respect to pure water. Therefore, in areas where magma is actively degassing into a hydrothermal system, gas-rich aqueous fluids can exert a major control on geothermal energy production, can be propellants in hazardous hydrothermal (phreatic) eruptions, and can modulate the dynamics of geyser eruptions. We collected pressurized samples of thermal water that preserved dissolved gases in conjunction with precise temperature measurements with depth in research well Y-7 (maximum depth of 70.1 m; casing to 31 m) and five thermal pools (maximum depth of 11.3 m) in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, USA. Based on the dissolved gas concentrations, we demonstrate that CO 2 mainly derived from magma and N 2 from air-saturated meteoric water reduce the near-surface saturation temperature, consistent with some previous observations in geyser conduits. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the dissolved CO 2 and N 2 modulate the dynamics of geyser eruptions and are likely triggers of hydrothermal eruptions when recharged into shallow reservoirs at high concentrations. Therefore, monitoring changes in gas emission rate and composition in areas with neutral and alkaline chlorine thermal features could provide important information on the natural resources (geysers) and hazards (eruptions) in these areas.

Separation of amine-insoluble species by flotation with nano and microbubbles

Amines (alkylamines–ether amines) are employed on a large scale to separate iron ores by reverse flotation of the gangue particles (mostly quartz and silicates). Quartz gangue particles coated with amine collector are dumped in tailings dams as concentrated pulps. Then, the fraction of the amines that detach from the surfaces and the portion that is soluble in water, contaminate surface and ground-water supplies. This work presents a novel flotation technique to remove decyl-trimethyl-ether-amine (collector employed in Brazilian iron mines) from water. This amine forms precipitates at pH>10.5 which are removed by flotation with microbubbles (MBs: 30–100μm) and nanobubbles (NBs: 150–800nm). Bubbles were generated simultaneously by depressurization of air-saturated water (Psat of 66.1psi during 25min) forced through a flow constrictor (needle valve). The flotation by these bubbles is known as DAF-dissolved air flotation, one of the most efficient separation technologies in water and wastewater treatment. Herein, best results (80% amine removal) were obtained only after selective separation of the MBs from the NBs exploring the fact that while the NBs remain dispersed in water, the MBs rise leaving the system. The MBs, because of their buoyancy, rise too rapidly and do not collide and adhere appropriately at the amine colloids/water interface, even causing some precipitates breakage. It was found that the “isolated” NBs attach onto the amine precipitates; aggregate (flocculate) them and entrain inside the flocs before rising by flotation. Because of the low residual amine concentration in water (6mgL−1), it is believed that this flotation technique have potential in this particular treatment of residual amine-bearing effluents.

Mathematical and experimental modelling of flow of air-saturated water through a convergent-divergent nozzle

In hydraulic elements an under-pressure is generated during fluid flow around sharp edges or changing the flow cross-section (e.g. for valves, switchgear, nozzles). In these locations air suction by leakages or release of air from the liquid during cavitation may occur. When flow modelling using classical mathematical model of cavitation at higher flow rates there is disagreement in the measured and calculated hydraulic variables before and behind hydraulic element. Therefore, it is necessary to use a mathematical model of cavitation applied to the three-phase flow (water, vapour, air). Nowadays it is necessary to look for mathematical approaches, which are suitable for quick engineering use in sufficiently precision numerical calculations. The article is devoted to theoretical investigation of multiphase mathematical model of cavitation and its verification using a laboratory experiment. At first case the k-e RNG turbulent mathematical model with cavitation was chosen in accordance [9] and was applied on water flow with cavitation (water and vapour) in a convergent-divergent nozzle. In other cases a solution of water flow with cavitation and air saturation was investigated. Subsequently, the results of mathematical modelling and experimental investigation focused on monitoring of air content and its impact on the value of hydraulic parameters and the size of the cavitation area were verified.

Carbon dioxide and helium dissolved gases in groundwater at central Tenerife Island, Canary Islands: chemical and isotopic characterization

Seismic-volcanic unrest was detected between 2004 and 2005 in the central and northwest zones of Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain). With the aim of strengthening the program of geochemical and seismic-volcanic surveillance, a study of the origin, characteristics, and spatial distribution of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) and helium (He) gases in the volcanic aquifer of central Tenerife Island and around Teide volcano was carried out. This work also improves the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical conceptual model of groundwater flow. Dissolved CO2 concentrations in sampled groundwater are several orders of magnitude higher than that of air-saturated water (ASW) suggesting a significant contribution of non-atmospheric CO2, mainly magmatic, confirmed through measurement of isotopic compositions (δ13CTDIC) and total dissolved inorganic carbon (TDIC) concentrations. A vertical stratification of dissolved CO2 and δ13CTDIC values was observed in the volcanic aquifer at the eastern region of Las Canadas Caldera. Stratification seems to be controlled by both degree of magmatic CO2-water interaction and CO2 degassing and the original δ13Cco2(g) isotopic composition. The highest dissolved helium (4He) concentrations in groundwater seem to be related to radiogenic contributions resulting from water-rock interactions, and increase with residence time, instead of with endogenous magmatic inputs. Isotopic systematics show that the dissolved gases in groundwater of central Tenerife are variable mixtures of CO2–3He-rich fluids of volcanic-hydrothermal origin with both organic and atmospheric components. The results suggest that the eastern area of Las Canadas Caldera, the South Volcanic Ridge, and the Teide summit cone are the areas most affected by degassing of the volcanic-hydrothermal system, and they are therefore the most suitable zones for future geochemical monitoring.

High CO2 alters the hypoxia response of the Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) transcriptome including known and novel hemocyanin isoforms

Acclimation to low O2 in many organisms involves changes at the level of the transcriptome. Here we used high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to explore the global transcriptomic response and specific involvement of a suite of hemocyanin (Hc) subunits to low O2 alone and in combination with high CO2, which naturally co-occurs with low O2. Hepatopancreas mRNA of juvenile L. vannamei exposed to air-saturated water, low O2, or low O2/high CO2 for 4 or 24 h was pooled, sequenced (HiSeq 2500) and assembled (Trinity: 52,190 contigs) to create a deep strand-specific reference transcriptome. Annotation of the assembly revealed sequences encoding the previously described small Hc subunit (HcS), and three full-length isoforms of the large subunit (HcL1-3). In addition to this, a previously unidentified full-length Hc subunit was discovered. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the subunit to be a β-type Hc subunit (denoted HcB), making this the first report of a β-type hemocyanin subunit in the Penaeoidea. RNAs of individual shrimp were sequenced; regulated genes identified from pairwise comparisons demonstrated a distinct pattern of regulation between prolonged low O2 and low O2/high CO2 treatments by GO term enrichment analysis (Roff-Bentzen, P < 0.0001), showcasing the stabilization of energetically costly translational machinery, mobilization of energy stores, and downregulation of the ubiquitin/proteasomal degradation machinery. Exposure to hypoxia for 24 h resulted in an increase in all of the full-length hemocyanin subunits (HcS, HcL1, HcL2, HcL3, and HcB). The addition of CO2 to hypoxia muted the transcriptomic response of all the Hc subunits to low O2, except for the β-type subunit.

Different proportion of mantle-derived noble gases in the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits: He–Ar isotopic constraint in the Edong district, Eastern China

Cu and Fe skarns are two economically important types of skarn deposit worldwide, but the critical factors controlling the difference in metal associations remain enigmatic. The Edong ore district, China, presents an excellent opportunity to study the differences between Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits. We have measured He–Ar isotopes trapped in fluid released by crushing pyrite and chalcopyrite from four well known Cu–Fe and Fe deposits in the Edong district, Eastern China, with the aim of constraining their different fluid source and then discussing the factors controlling their variations between Cu–Fe and Fe skarns.He–Ar isotopic compositions are markedly different between the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits in the Edong district. 3He/4He ratios in the Cu–Fe deposits are 0.75–1.87Ra and 40Ar/36Ar ratios are 300–472. By contrast, He–Ar isotopic compositions in minerals from the Fe deposits have lower 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar ratios of 0.08–0.93Ra and 299–361, respectively. These results suggest that noble gas of the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits in the Edong district formed by variable degrees of mixing between a magmatic fluid containing a mantle component, and modified air–saturated water (MASW). Importantly, He–Ar isotope data provide compelling evidence that contrasting fluid sources were involved in the formation of the Cu–Fe and Fe deposits, i.e., mineralizing fluids of the Cu–Fe deposits could have a greater contribution from mantle component, and little involvement of MASW than those of the Fe deposits in the Edong district. This conclusion is consistent with obvious differences in the nature of the intrusions related to mineralization, as well as sulfur isotopic compositions of sulfides in the Cu–Fe and Fe deposits. It is most likely that different proportion of mantle-derived noble gases play an essential role in controlling differences between the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits.

The continuous generation of hydrogen peroxide in water containing very low concentrations of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine

Continuous generation of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by low concentrations of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (heptyl)--a rocket fuel component--in air saturated water was shown by the method of enhanced chemiluminescence in the system of luminol-p-iodophenol-peroxidase. The concentration dependence and the influence of heat and light on the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the water under the influence of dimethylhydrazine at concentrations considerably lower than maximum allowable concentrations were studied, and the physical-chemical mechanism of this process was considered. It is supposed that dimethylhydrazine at ultra-low concentrations is associated with air nanobubbles and represents a long-lived complex performing catalysis of hydrogen peroxide formation under the influence of heat and light. We put forward the new concept of.toxicity of dimethylhydrazine at very low concentrations due to violation of homeostasis of reactive oxygen species formation in aqueous solutions entering the body of humans and animals.

Dissolution of a spherical cap bubble adhered to a flat surface in air-saturated water

Bubbles adhered to partially hydrophobic flat surfaces often attain a spherical cap shape with a contact angle much greater than zero. We address the fundamental problem of the diffusion-driven dissolution of a sessile spherical cap bubble (SCB) adhered to a flat smooth surface. In particular, we perform experiments on the dissolution of $\text{CO}_{2}$ bubbles (with initial radii ${\sim}1~\text{mm}$) immersed in air-saturated water adhered to two substrates with different levels of hydrophobicity. It is found that the contact angle dynamics plays an important role in the bubble dissolution rate. A dissolution model for a multicomponent SCB in an isothermal and uniform pressure environment is then devised. The model is based on the quasi-stationary approximation. It includes the effect of the contact angle dynamics, whose behaviour is predicted by means of a simplified model based on the results obtained from adhesion hysteresis. The presence of an impermeable substrate hinders the overall rate of mass transfer. Two approaches are considered in its determination: (a) the inclusion of a diffusion boundary layer–plate interaction model and (b) a finite-difference solution. The model solutions are compared with the experimental results, yielding fairly good agreement.

Optimization of dissolved air flotation technique in harvesting microalgae from treated wastewater without flocculants addition

Harvesting is a crucial step in biofuel production from microalgae. The expense of harvesting operation is estimated to be 20%–30% of the total biofuels production cost. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a well known technology for separating solid particles from liquid streams such as wastewater. This technology has been introduced for microalgae harvesting in the past few years. However, the high operating cost has been a hurdle to commercialization of this technology for microalgae dewatering. High power consumption for air compression and high cost of chemical coagulants are two main cost items. In this study, the DAF process was optimized without the use of chemical coagulants. It was found that saturator could be running at the low pressure of 3 atm to reduce the power consumption to 0.0025 kW h/m3 that was a reasonable value compared to similar DAF units that used chemical coagulants. Statistical analysis revealed that concentration of algal solution was the most significant factor to gain maximum removal efficiency. In this study, high concentration of algal solution along with low flow rates of air-saturated water contributed to the unprecedented removal efficiency of 91% without flocculation.

Increased fermentation activity and persistent methanogenesis in a model aquifer system following source removal of an ethanol blend release

The increased probability of groundwater contamination by ethanol-blended fuel calls for improved understanding of how remediation efforts affect the fate and transport of constituents of concern, including the generation and fate of fermentation byproducts. A pilot-scale (8 m3) model aquifer was used to investigate changes in the concentrations of ethanol and its metabolites (methane and volatile fatty acids) after removal of the contamination source. Following the shut-off of a continuous release of a dissolved ethanol blend (10% v:v ethanol, 50 mg/L benzene, and 50 mg/L toluene), fermentation activity was surprisingly stimulated and the concentrations of ethanol metabolites increased. A microcosm experiment showed that this result was due to a decrease in the dissolved ethanol concentration below its toxicity threshold (∼2000 mg/L for this system). Methane generation (>1.5 mg/L of dissolved methane) persisted for more than 100 days after the disappearance of ethanol, despite clean air-saturated water flowing continuously through the tank at a relative high seepage velocity (0.76 m/day). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that functional genes associated with methane metabolism (mcrA for methanogenesis and pmoA for methanotrophy) also persisted in the aquifer material. Persistent methanogenesis was apparently due to the anaerobic degradation of soil-bound organic carbon (e.g., biomass grown on ethanol and other substrates). Overall, this study reflects the complex plume dynamics following source removal, and suggests that monitoring for increases in the concentration of ethanol metabolites that impact groundwater quality should be considered.

Noble gases identify the mechanisms of fugitive gas contamination in drinking-water wells overlying the Marcellus and Barnett Shales.

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enhanced energy production but raised concerns about drinking-water contamination and other environmental impacts. Identifying the sources and mechanisms of contamination can help improve the environmental and economic sustainability of shale-gas extraction. We analyzed 113 and 20 samples from drinking-water wells overlying the Marcellus and Barnett Shales, respectively, examining hydrocarbon abundance and isotopic compositions (e.g., C2H6/CH4, δ(13)C-CH4) and providing, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive analyses of noble gases and their isotopes (e.g., (4)He, (20)Ne, (36)Ar) in groundwater near shale-gas wells. We addressed two questions. (i) Are elevated levels of hydrocarbon gases in drinking-water aquifers near gas wells natural or anthropogenic? (ii) If fugitive gas contamination exists, what mechanisms cause it? Against a backdrop of naturally occurring salt- and gas-rich groundwater, we identified eight discrete clusters of fugitive gas contamination, seven in Pennsylvania and one in Texas that showed increased contamination through time. Where fugitive gas contamination occurred, the relative proportions of thermogenic hydrocarbon gas (e.g., CH4, (4)He) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) and the proportions of atmospheric gases (air-saturated water; e.g., N2, (36)Ar) were significantly lower (P < 0.01) relative to background groundwater. Noble gas isotope and hydrocarbon data link four contamination clusters to gas leakage from intermediate-depth strata through failures of annulus cement, three to target production gases that seem to implicate faulty production casings, and one to an underground gas well failure. Noble gas data appear to rule out gas contamination by upward migration from depth through overlying geological strata triggered by horizontal drilling or hydraulic fracturing.