The paper presents the results of an experiment with sugar-industry waste (molasses) as an organic carbon source for denitrification. The investigations concern the influence of untreated molasses and molasses after pretreatment (hydrolyzed molasses) and variable COD/N ratio (6.0: 5.0: 4.0) on denitrification efficiency and kinetics. Moreover, sludge production, in dependence on tested carbon source, was estimated. Al COD/N ratio 6 and 5, regardless or applied organic carbon source (untreated molasses. hydrolyzed molasses), the denitrification efficiency was over 98%,. However. from kinetic analysis it results that a kind or carbon source and COD/N ratio have an effect on denitrification rate. The highest nitrate removal rate - 9.5 mg N,0/(dm-1-h) was obtained al COD/N = 6 in the reactor with hydrolyzed molasses as a carbon source and the lowest - 5.14 mg N,0J(dm1-h) in reactor with untreated molasses at COD/N = 5.0. The lowering or COD/N ratio to 4 caused decrease otthe process efficiency to 27.6% (untreated molasses) and 44.3% (hydrolyzed molasses). Hydrolyzed molasses as a carbon source caused higher production of activated sludge. In reactors with untreated molasses Y equals 0.40 mg VSS/rng COD at COD/N ratio 6 and 0.31 111g VSS/111g COD at COD/N ratio 5. In reactors with molasses alter hydrolysis Y, were 1.35-lolcl and 1.5-lold higher, respectively. Since, the molasses hydrolysis results in rising costs of wastewater treatment and cause higher sludge production, untreated molasses seems to be a more suitable carbon source for dcniuification.

Sugar beet molasses vinasse is a high-strength distillery wastewater. It contains colored substances which significantly affect the degree of pollution and toxicity of vinasse. This study aimed to optimize the medium composition and the process condition of sugar beet molasses vinasse decolorization by Lactobacillus plantarum MiLAB393. The research was conducted in two stages: the shake-fl ask stage in the 250 cm ³ Erlenmeyer flasks and the batch experiments in the 5 dm ³ working volume stirred-tank bioreactor. During the study, the concentrations of glucose and yeast extract were optimized using experimental design of experiments (DOE). The influences of the initial value of pH and pH control, temperature, stirrer speed and glucose concentration on decolorization were tested. The highest color reduction of 24.1% was achieved for an experiment in which 24.93 g/dm ³ of glucose was added to the medium and stirrer speed was 200 rpm. This efficiency of 30% v/v sugar beet molasses vinasse decolorization was obtained at non-controlled pH 6.0 and at 35.8°C. It was found that pH control determines vinasse decolorization. When the pH was controlled, decolorization did not exceed 9%. The glucose and yeast extract concentration and the stirrer speed have a great influence on the process. Changes in these parameters may increase biomass growth while decreasing the decolorization.

The prediction of rock cuttability to produce the lignite deposits in underground mining is important in excavation. Moreover, the certain geographic locations of rock masses for cuttability tests are also significant to apply and compare the rock cuttability parameters. In this study, sediment samples of two boreholes (Hole-1 and Hole-2) from the Sagdere Formation (Denizli Molasse Basin) were applied to find out the cerchar abrasivity index (CAI), rock quality designations (RQD), uniaxial compressive strengths, Brazilian tensile strengths and Shore hardnesses. The Sagdere Formation deposited in the terrestrial to shallow marine conditions consists mainly of conglomerates, sandstones, shales, lignites as well as reefal limestones coarse to fine grained. A dataset from the fine grained sediments (a part of the Sagdere Formation) have been created using rock parameters mentioned in the study. Dataset obtained were utilized to construct the best fitted statistical model for predicting CAI on the basis of multiple regression technique. Additionally, the relationships among the rock parameters were evaluated by fuzzy logic inference system whether the rock parameters used in the study can be correlated or not. When comparing the two statistical techniques, multiple regression method is more accurate and reliable than fuzzy logic inference method for the dataset in this study. Furthermore, CAI can be predicted by using UCS, BTS, SH and RQD values based on this study.

The fertilizing value of rye, potato and molasses decoctions was evaluated in a microplot experiment, in which maize and turnip were used as testing plants. Based on the analysis of chemical composition of decoctions it was found that these decoctions used as fertilizing material were unbalanced with respect to their N, Pand K contents. The potato decoction is characterized by the most favourable N:K ratio from the point of view of the nutritional requirements of plants. The rye decoction contains too little potassium and that from molasses - too much of this element in relation to N content. The use of the molasses decoction in fertilizing is possible after its correction with phosphorus. The rye decoction requires correction with potassium for appropriate use in fertilization. In addition, application of the decoctions studied caused an increase in the organic C and total N contents in soil and improvements in the sorption properties of soil. The molasses decoction caused a decrease in the available forms of P in soil. The decoctions applied in experiments considerably increased yields and nutrient content in plants studied, both in the direct and after- effect.