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F A Koch

Publications and source records attributed to F A Koch.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Production and basic morphology of struvite crystals from a pilot-scale crystallization process.

A pilot-scale, struvite crystallization process was operated using anaerobic digester supernatants from two, full-scale, treatment plants as influent. It was found that the produced struvite crystals were easily separated from the process and were composed of very pure struvite (91.2 % to 94.1 % purity), with small amounts of calcium and carbonate, and traces of iron and aluminum. Most of the harvested struvite crystals, which were an aggregation of numerous fine crystals, were round, hard and larger than 1.5 mm in mean diameter. The crystal retention time in the reactor and the magnesium dosage in the supernatant appeared to have a significant effect on the crystal size, hardness and morphology.

Crystallization↗

Exploring the determination of struvite solubility product from analytical results.

The solubility of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (struvite) was determined in different water and wastewater solutions, by using the analytical results of the solubility tests conducted in the Environmental Engineering Lab at the University of British Columbia. The various factors affecting the struvite solubility such as pH, ionic strength and the temperature of the solutions were also studied in this project. The struvite solubility product values were found to vary significantly from one solution to another and over the range of the experimental conditions as well. For instance, the solubility product (Ksp) determined at 20 degrees C for anaerobic digester supernatant from the Penticton, B.C. Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, was found to vary from 8.46 x 10(-15) (pKsp =14.07) to 1.3 x 10(-13) (pKsp =12.89), over a pH range 6.45 to 8.97; while in the case of distilled water, with the same struvite crystals and at the identical temperature, it was found to vary from 5.21 x 10(-15) (pKsp=14.28) to 2.12 x 10(-13) (pKsp =12.67) over a pH range of 7.01 to 9.62. These results explore the possible reasons for widely varying struvite solubility reported in the literature. A possible correlation was also developed to correlate struvite solubility product with varying temperature. Furthermore, an attempt was made to establish a correlation between conductivity and calculated ionic strength of the solutions. A significant gap, between the values predicted by the correlation developed in this study and those predicted by the existing correlation, was also observed.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Competency-based orientation for registered perioperative nurses.

A comprehensive orientation is essential for new nurses who plan to practice in the perioperative area. The traditional perioperative orientation program at our hospital was not effective, so we developed a competency-based orientation program to improve patient care, decrease costs, and increase new nurses' confidence and perioperative skills. Program results have been positive and rewarding and have provided many new perioperative registered nurses whose practice is based on sound principles.

Competency-Based Education↗