Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Jul 21, 2008
Being part of an online networking community exposes you to many different things. For one, you get to learn about so many different industries, people, hobbies, etc. If you take it a step further and network with people in your industry, you get to learn more about the different technologies available in the world and the different experts that can handle these technologies.
As a consulting/OEM firm, that's good to know. It opens our horizons to what is new, hip and functional. It also allows us to debate with different experts on how to solve a particular problem/issue we encounter on a daily basis.
This time around, I was exposed to - what I call - micro job sites. These job search engines are specific to a particular industry, in this case water, and are created by individuales who want to make a difference.
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
May 21, 2008
Lately, I have been debating with several clients about the difference between membrane separation processes and conventional chemical treatment for water and wastewater treatment.
There are several advantages and disadvantages to both concepts. However, I believe that membrane technology is a much superior option to conventional chemical treatment.
To illustrate my point, I’ll use the example of a Drinking Water Treatment Plant.
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
May 11, 2008
"Carbon Footprint" is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide."Water Footprint"can be translated as the impact of human activites on the world water resources, shall we say, in m3 of water.
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Apr 28, 2008
It is important to understand that information and data collection is key in any project, large or small. The lack of reliable information and accurate data can turn a project inside-out and have serious consequences. As such, it is important before we initiate any project in water that a detailed and profound water analysis is done. Other than the typical water analysis, it is also important to invest in analyzing elements that can represent a potential health risks, such as heavy metals, bacteria/viruses, etc. It is also primordial that an accredited lab does the analysis. This will ensure accuracy during testing and they can also advise us on how to properly sample water depending on what we want to analyze.
So, before we start any design or engineering work, we must ask the question: "what's in the water?"
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Apr 28, 2008
Reverse Osmosis Concentrate, or reject stream, is highly concentrated in dissolved salts. This stream is usually rejected to the sewer system, septic system or pumped back into the original water source.
There are some ways this water can be used such as:
- Lawn and garden irrigation
- Water supply for toilet tanks
- Washing water, etc.
Before reusing the salty rejected water back into your home, it is important to consider the consequence of reusing it.
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Apr 28, 2008
Hard water is water that contains high concentrations of minerals. The ions that are of concern are calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+). These minerals are naturally occurring and enter the water as calcium carbonate (limestone) or calcium sulfate. The source of magnesium is called dolomite and has the following formula: CaMg(CO3)2.
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Apr 28, 2008
One group of toxins produced and released by cyanobacteria are called microcystins because they were isolated from a cyanobacterium called Microcystis aeruginosa. Microcystins are the most common of the cyanobacterial toxins found in water, as well as being the ones most often responsible for poisoning animals and humans who come into contact with toxic blooms. Microcystins are extremely stable in water because of their chemical structure, which means they can survive in both warm and cold water and can tolerate radical changes in water chemistry, including pH. So far, scientists have found about 50 different kinds of microcystins. One of them, microcystin-LR, appears to be one of the microcystins most commonly found in water supplies around the world. For this reason, most research in this area has focused on this particular toxin.
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Apr 28, 2008
Water Management is defined as: the practices of planning, developing, distribution and optimum utilizing of water resources under defined water polices and regulations.
Interesting… but what does that really mean?
Posted by: Alan Mokbel in Untagged on
Apr 28, 2008
A life is worth protecting and one threat to such a life can indeed be diseases caused by water-born bacteria. Such examples are giardia and cryptosporidium. Both of these parasites cause digestive diseases with symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, fever, etc.
With this in mind, we have to also consider that a lot of municipalities keep there water with a certain level of hardness. The main reason is to keep the water in a state that will prevent any corrosion in the municipal water distribution system. In some cases, this is taken to an extreme and the tap water in your home or business is actually ridiculously high.
Where do membranes come in all of this?
