| activated sludge | See: activated sludge method. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| activated sludge method | A method of sewage disposal in which the sewage is treated with 15% bacterially active, liquid sludge, which is produced by repeated vigorous aeration of fresh sewage to form floccules or sediment; when this flocculation process is complete, the resulting activated sludge contains large numbers of bacteria, together with yeasts, molds, and protozoa, which actively effect the oxidation of organic compounds; this mixture is piped to a sedimentation tank, the effluent from which is completely treated sewage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| activated sludge process | <procedure> A method of treating sewage and wastewater through microbial oxidation. Sewage previously treated in settling tanks is aerated to encourage the growth of nonpathogenic aerobic microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, moulds and protozoans) which break the organic matter down into carbon dioxide, water and simple salts. After this activated sludge is produced, the wastewater undergoes further processing through anaerobic digestion, filtering and chlorination. (29 Dec 1997) |
| sludge | 1. Mud; mire; soft mud; slush. 2. Small floating pieces of ice, or masses of saturated snow. 3. <chemical> See Slime. Sludge hole, the hand-hole, or manhole, in a steam boiler, by means of which sediment can be removed. Origin: CF. Slush. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| upflow sludge blanket | <apparatus> An apparatus for anaerobic digestion in which the microbes form thick flocculations that are kept suspended near the bottom of the reaction tank. (09 Oct 1997) |
| biliary | <anatomy> Pertaining to the bile, to the bile ducts or to the gallbladder. (13 Oct 1997) |
| biliary atresia | <embryology> A rare condition which is caused by the abnormal development of the bile ducts inside or outside the liver. The obstruction of bile flow from the liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver if not treated. Symptoms include jaundice in the second to third week of life along with clay-coloured stools. See: newborn jaundice. (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary calculus | <gastroenterology, surgery> A solid formation in the gallbladder composed of cholesterol and bile salts. (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary canaliculus | One of the intercellular channels, about 1 um or less in diameter, that occurs between liver cells forming the first portion of the bile system. Synonym: bile capillary. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biliary cirrhosis | <gastroenterology> A rare form of liver disease which results in the irreversible destruction of the liver and bile ducts. The cause is unknown, but is thought to be an autoimmune mechanism. (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary colic | Intense spasmodic pain felt in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen from impaction of a gallstone in the cystic duct. Synonym: gallstone colic, hepatic colic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biliary duct | <anatomy> A duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). (27 Sep 1997) |
| biliary ductules | The excretory ducts of the liver that connect the interlobular ductules to the right (or left) hepatic duct. Synonym: ductuli biliferi, canalicular ducts, ductus biliferi, tubuli biliferi. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biliary dyskinesia | Structural or functional abnormality of the sphincter of Oddi that interferes with bile drainage. Synonym: biliary dyskinesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biliary endoprosthesis | <surgery> A tube inserted into a narrowed or blocked bile duct to improve bile flow. (09 Oct 1997) |