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(2009)Journal ArticleA rapid, highly sensitive and selective detector is urgently required to detect contamination events in recycled water systems – for example, cross-connection events in dual reticulation pipes that recycle advanced treated sewage effluent – as existing technologies, including total organic carbon and conductivity monitoring, cannot always provide the sensitivity required. Fluorescence spectroscopy has been suggested as a potential monitoring tool given its high sensitivity and selectivity. A review of recent literature demonstrates that by monitoring the fluorescence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the ratios of humic-like (Peak C) and protein-like (Peak T) fluorescence peaks can be used to identify trace sewage contamination in river waters and estuaries, a situation analogous to contamination detection in recycled water systems. Additionally, strong correlations have been shown between Peak T and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in rivers, which is indicative of water impacted by microbial activity and therefore of sewage impacted systems. Hence, this review concludes that the sensitive detection of contamination events in recycled water systems may be achieved by monitoring Peak T and/or Peak C fluorescence. However, in such systems, effluent is treated to a high standard resulting in much lower DOM concentrations and the impact of these advanced treatment processes on Peaks T and C fluorescence is largely unknown and requires investigation. This review has highlighted that further work is also required to determine (a) the stability and distinctiveness of recycled water fluorescence in relation to the treatment processes utilised, (b) the impact of matrix effects, particularly the impact of oxidation, (c) calibration issues for online monitoring, and (d) the advanced data analytical techniques required, if any, to improve detection of contamination events.
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(2009)Journal ArticleComposite steel-concrete structures experience non-linear effects which arise from both instability-related geometric non-linearity and from material non-linearity in all of their component members. This paper therefore presents a numerical procedure capable of addressing geometric and material non-linearities at the strength limit state based on the refined plastic hinge method. The refined plastic hinge approach models the elasto-gradual-plastic material non-linearity with strain-hardening under the interaction of bending and axial actions. This produces a benign method for a beam–column composite element under general loading cases. Another main feature of this paper is that, for members containing a point of contraflexure, its location is determined and a node is then located at this position to reproduce the real flexural behaviour and associated material non-linearity of the member. The formulation with the refined plastic hinge approach is efficacious and robust, and so a full frame analysis incorporating geometric and material non-linearity is tractable. Following development of the theory, its application is illustrated with a number of varied examples.
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(2009)ThesisHazardous and recalcitrant pollutants in the environments have led to a great many environmental issues these days. Many researchers have focused on the approaches to treatment of these pollutants which contaminate environments such as soil, surface and groundwater. As an advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), sonolysis which is the oxidation technology involving the use of ultrasonic irradiation, has proven to be successful for the treatment and remediation of contaminated environments. In this thesis, hydrogen peroxide formation and formic acid degradation by ultrasonic irradiation of well-characterised solutions are described under various conditions in order to determinate reaction mechanism by which peroxide degradation and contaminant degradation occur. The effect of gas properties and frequency on hydrogen peroxide and formic acid degradation are examined. Experimental results obtained are analyzed in light of the reactions occurring. Successful mathematical modeling of the result s obtained confirms that, for the most part, hydrogen peroxide and formic degradation occur by free radical generation within bubbles with subsequent transfer of these radicals to the bubble-water interface where the majority of the degradation occurs. The effect of Fe(II) addition which can lead to Fenton reactions in the bulk solution are also investigated. Experimental and model results show that the heterogeneous reactions can enhance the degradation of formic acid in the presence of Fe(II). Oxidation of phenol by ultrasonic irradiation under a variety of initial conditions and solution environments is also described and validated by a simple kinetic model. The model developed will be useful for improving our understanding of free radicals behaviour and the interplay between free radical generation and contaminant degradation.
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(2009)ThesisOn-site sewage systems, such as septic tank-absorption trenches, are used by approximately 20 000 people who live within the catchments that supply Sydney’s drinking water. These systems discharge sewage, treated to varying degrees depending on the system type and level of maintenance, to the environment. This can result in contamination of drinking water supplies if systems are not designed or managed appropriately. The aim of the project was to develop a methodology to define appropriate buffer distances between on-site sewage systems and waterways in Sydney’s drinking water catchments, to ensure the protection of drinking water quality. Specific objectives included: identifying the current status of on-site sewage management; assessing the effluent quality and treatment performance of septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) with disinfection and an amended material sand mound; and development of an appropriate methodology for delineating buffer distances and assessing development applications. Viruses were used as a focus for delineating the buffer distances due to their mobility and robustness in the environment, and the potential health consequences of their presence in drinking water. A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) model was developed to calculate the cumulative impact of the on-site sewage systems in the Warragamba catchment based on data from literature and experiments, with consideration of virus loads from sewage treatment plants within the catchments. The model enabled consideration of what was a tolerable impact in terms of the resulting infections within the community. The QMRA the tolerable loads of viruses from the Warragamba catchment were 108 viruses per year in raw water and 104 viruses per year in treated water. A log reduction method was developed to facilitate individual site development assessments. This method was compared to other management approaches to development assessment: fixed minimum buffer distances of 100m, reducing failure rates to zero, and the use of a preferred system. Each of these methods had a limit for how much they could reduce virus loads to the catchment due to either failure or short buffer distances at some sites. While the log reduction method is limited by the failure rates, the method provides a quantitative measure of risk by which maintenance inspections can be prioritised.