In this study, the bottom ash from wastewater treatment sludge was examined to investigate the behavior of heavy metals and phosphorus in the melting process by a lab-scale as well as a pilot-scale experiment. The lab-scale experiment was performed in air or argon at temperatures from 800 to 1500 °C using an electric furnace and crucibles. The proportions of heavy metals remaining in the slag after the melting were effected by the compositions of the ash, especially basicity (CaO/SiO2). The proportion of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in the residue increased with the elevated basicity. Phosphorus did not volatilized by the melting process, and remained as a stable form, Ca3(PO4)2 by conjugating with Ca. Pilot-scale tests were also performed using swirling type melting furnace at 1400°C. The volatile heavy metals, like Cd, Pb and As were found in the dust collected by ceramic filter, whereas Zn, Cr and Mn were combined into the slag by the melting process.

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As a result of long-term continuous use of fertilizers in farm land, a large amount of nutrients accumulate in the soil, increasing the risk of eutrophication or nitrate pollution of groundwater. For rehabilitating the farm soil and recovering nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, a new system has been developed by our research group. This paper discusses the methodology of extracting nutrients from biomass in order to recover phosphorus and other nutrients in crystal form. Around 80% or higher extraction rates were achieved for phosphorus and potassium by soaking the powdered tissue in distilled water or 1% NaOH solution for 24 h. The extracted phosphorus and potassium act as a potential resource for recycled fertilizer or other industrial materials.

We have determined the structures of six oligosaccharides isolated from human milk using a monoclonal antibody, MSW 113. The isolation involved affinity chromatography on a column of the immobilized monoclonal antibody and high-performance liquid chromatography. From the results of 500 and 600 mHz 1H NMR spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry their structures were deduced to be: [formula; see text] Two of these oligosaccharides, numbers 4 and 5, have not previously been described. All of them bound to MSW 113, but their reactivities are weaker than those of sialyl-Le(a) oligosaccharides. The results indicate that MSW 113 reacts with oligosaccharides with the mono- and disialyl-Le(a), and other sialyl type 1 structures.