Abstract: A process for producing a biomass for use in the treatment of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction water includes introducing a nutrient component comprising Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P), and water into an aerobic reaction zone containing a sewage sludge, and maintaining, in the aerobic reaction zone and under aerobic conditions, a F/M ratio of 0.25-2 kg COD/kg MLSS, where F/M=Food to Microorganism Ratio; COD=Chemical Oxygen Demand, expressed as mg oxygen/B of liquid in the aerobic reaction zone; and MLSS=Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, expressed as mg solids in the aerobic reaction zone/B of liquid in the aerobic reaction zone. The F/M ratio is maintained for a period of time, to produce a biomass suitable for use in the treatment of FT reaction water.

Abstract: A process for producing a bio-mass for use in the treatment of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction water includes introducing a nutrient component comprising Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P), and water into an aerobic reaction zone containing a sewage sludge, and maintaining, in the aerobic reaction zone and under aerobic conditions, a F/M ratio of 0.25-2 kg COD/kg MLSS·day, where F/M=Food to Microorganism Ratio; COD=Chemical Oxygen Demand, expressed as mg oxygen/? of liquid in the aerobic reaction zone; and MLSS=Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, expressed as mg solids in the aerobic reaction zone/? of liquid in the aerobic reaction zone. The F/M ratio is maintained for a period of time, to produce a biomass suitable for use in the treatment of FT reaction water.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring unit [10] for monitoring the condition of a semi-permeable membrane [24] in a water purification system, and particularly the condition of spiral membrane in a reverse osmosis water purification system. The monitoring unit [10] comprises a flow chamber [12] that includes an inlet for permitting ingress of a feed fluid into the flow chamber [12], and a feed fluid outlet [22] for permitting at least partial through-flow of the feed fluid through the flow chamber [12] such that cross-flow conditions apply in the flow chamber [12]. The semi-permeable membrane [24] is at least partly supported in the flow chamber [12].