Satwinder S. Marwaha

Studies on the use of an anaerobic baffled reactor for the continuous anaerobic digestion of pulp and paper mill black liquors

This paper reports the use of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) and effect of different pH, temperatures, hydraulic retention times and organic loading rates on continuous anaerobic digestion of black liquor from pulp and paper mills. A maximum COD reduction of about 60% at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 5 kg m−3 d−1 at hydraulic retention time of 2 d, pH 8.0 and 35°C was recorded. The OLR above 6 kg m−3 d−l were toxic and destabilised the reactor system.

Continuous biobleaching of black liquor from the pulp and paper industry using an immobilized cell system

Three different support materials have been screened for immobilization of Phanerochaete chrysosporium for biobleaching of anaerobically digested black liquor. Of these, jute rope-immobilized P. chrysosporium showed better performance than cotton and wheat carriers in terms of decolorization and COD reduction. Process parameters such as temperature, mycelial load, pH, glucose concentration and retention time were optimized using jute-immobilized fungus and the optimal values recorded were 40°C, 340 mg, 5·5, 1% (w/v) and 72 h, respectively. Continuous biobleaching of anaerobically digested black liquor using a packed bed reactor system carrying the jute-immobilized fungal biomass was successfully carried out over a period of 21 days.

ORGANOMERCURY(II) COMPLEXES OF KOJIC ACID AND MALTOL : SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES

A number of organomercury(II) complexes of kojic acid (HL1, I) and maltol (HL2, II) of the type p-XC6H4HgL1 (III) and p-XC6H4HgL2 (IV) [X = Me, MeO, NO2] have been synthesized and characterized. [formula: see text] Conductance measurements indicate the nonelectrolyte behavior of the complexes. From IR and UV studies, the bonding modes of the ligands to the organomercury(II) moieties have been elucidated. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra support the stoichiometry of the complexes. The fragmentation pattern has been analyzed on the basis of mass spectra. From thermal studies (TG and DTA), various kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for thermal degradation have been enumerated. The complexes have been screened against some pathogenic bacterial strains. The bactericidal activity has been correlated with the thermal data.

Structure Determination and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of some Purine Complexes.

Organomercury(II)-purine derivatives of the type, p-MeOC6H4HgL1 (I), p-NO2C6H4HgCl(L2)(II), p-MeC6H4HgCl(L3)(III) and p-NO2C6H4HgCl(L3)(IV) [ HL1 = theophylline, L2 = theobromine, L3 = caffeine] have been synthesised and characterised on the basis of spectral studies (IR, UV, 1H & 13C NMR). The complexes have been screened for anti-inflammatory activity.

14 – Biobleaching of pulp and paper mill black liquor in fluidized bed reactor using immobilised Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKMF 1767

ABSTRACT Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized in calcium alginate gel was used in a fluidized bed reactor for the biobleaching of black liquor. The alginate-entrapped mycelium was activated for 6-24 h in the bioreactor, and different flow rates (10-30 ml h-1) were studied for the continuous biobleaching of black liquor. All the activation periods with different flow rates, resulted in poor reduction in colour and chemical oxygen demand than batch system.