| 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) |
| carbohydrate utilization test | A test for the definitive identification of clinically important yeasts and yeastlike organisms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| drug utilization | The utilization of drugs as reported in individual hospital studies, FDA studies, marketing, or consumption, etc. This includes drug stockpiling, and patient drug profiles. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug utilization review | Formal programs for assessing drug prescription against some standard. Drug utilization review may consider clinical appropriateness, cost effectiveness, and, in some cases, outcomes. Review is usually retrospective, but some analysis may be done before drugs are dispensed (as in computer systems which advise physicians when prescriptions are entered). Drug utilization review is mandated for medicaid programs beginning in 1993. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oxygen utilization coefficient | The extraction coefficient for oxygen in any given tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| utilization review | An organised procedure carried out through committees to review admissions, duration of stay, professional services furnished, and to evaluate the medical necessity of those services and promote their most efficient use. (12 Dec 1998) |
| utilization time | The minimum duration of a stimulus of rheobasic strength that is just sufficient to produce excitation. Synonym: temps utile. (05 Mar 2000) |