Author: Vinay Kumar Tyagi
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323901794
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 484
Book Description
Clean Energy and Resource Recovery: Wastewater Treatment Plants as Bio-refineries, Volume 2, summarizes the fundamentals of various treatment modes applied to the recovery of energy and value-added products from wastewater treatment plants. The book addresses the production of biofuel, heat, and electricity, chemicals, feed, and other products from municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, and sludge. It intends to provide the readers an account of up-to-date information on the recovery of biofuels and other value-added products using conventional and advanced technological developments. The book starts with identifying the key problems of the sectors and then provides solutions to them with step-by-step guidance on the implementation of processes and procedures. Titles compiled in this book further explore related issues like the safe disposal of leftovers, from a local to global scale. Finally, the book sheds light on how wastewater treatment facilities reduce stress on energy systems, decrease air and water pollution, build resiliency, and drive local economic activity.As a compliment to Volume 1: Biomass Waste Based Biorefineries, Clean Energy and Resource Recovery, Volume 2: Wastewater Treatment Plants as Bio-refineries is a comprehensive reference on all aspects of energy and resource recovery from wastewater. The book is going to be a handy reference tool for energy researchers, environmental scientists, and civil, chemical, and municipal engineers interested in waste-to-energy. - Offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamental treatments and methods used in the recovery of energy and value-added products from wastewater - Identifies solutions to key problems related to wastewater to energy/resource recovery through conventional and advanced technologies and explore the alternatives - Provides step-by-step guidance on procedures and calculations from practical field data - Includes successful case studies from both developing and developed countries
Clean Energy and Resource Recovery
Author: Vinay Kumar Tyagi
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323901794
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 484
Book Description
Clean Energy and Resource Recovery: Wastewater Treatment Plants as Bio-refineries, Volume 2, summarizes the fundamentals of various treatment modes applied to the recovery of energy and value-added products from wastewater treatment plants. The book addresses the production of biofuel, heat, and electricity, chemicals, feed, and other products from municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, and sludge. It intends to provide the readers an account of up-to-date information on the recovery of biofuels and other value-added products using conventional and advanced technological developments. The book starts with identifying the key problems of the sectors and then provides solutions to them with step-by-step guidance on the implementation of processes and procedures. Titles compiled in this book further explore related issues like the safe disposal of leftovers, from a local to global scale. Finally, the book sheds light on how wastewater treatment facilities reduce stress on energy systems, decrease air and water pollution, build resiliency, and drive local economic activity.As a compliment to Volume 1: Biomass Waste Based Biorefineries, Clean Energy and Resource Recovery, Volume 2: Wastewater Treatment Plants as Bio-refineries is a comprehensive reference on all aspects of energy and resource recovery from wastewater. The book is going to be a handy reference tool for energy researchers, environmental scientists, and civil, chemical, and municipal engineers interested in waste-to-energy. - Offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamental treatments and methods used in the recovery of energy and value-added products from wastewater - Identifies solutions to key problems related to wastewater to energy/resource recovery through conventional and advanced technologies and explore the alternatives - Provides step-by-step guidance on procedures and calculations from practical field data - Includes successful case studies from both developing and developed countries
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323901794
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 484
Book Description
Clean Energy and Resource Recovery: Wastewater Treatment Plants as Bio-refineries, Volume 2, summarizes the fundamentals of various treatment modes applied to the recovery of energy and value-added products from wastewater treatment plants. The book addresses the production of biofuel, heat, and electricity, chemicals, feed, and other products from municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, and sludge. It intends to provide the readers an account of up-to-date information on the recovery of biofuels and other value-added products using conventional and advanced technological developments. The book starts with identifying the key problems of the sectors and then provides solutions to them with step-by-step guidance on the implementation of processes and procedures. Titles compiled in this book further explore related issues like the safe disposal of leftovers, from a local to global scale. Finally, the book sheds light on how wastewater treatment facilities reduce stress on energy systems, decrease air and water pollution, build resiliency, and drive local economic activity.As a compliment to Volume 1: Biomass Waste Based Biorefineries, Clean Energy and Resource Recovery, Volume 2: Wastewater Treatment Plants as Bio-refineries is a comprehensive reference on all aspects of energy and resource recovery from wastewater. The book is going to be a handy reference tool for energy researchers, environmental scientists, and civil, chemical, and municipal engineers interested in waste-to-energy. - Offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamental treatments and methods used in the recovery of energy and value-added products from wastewater - Identifies solutions to key problems related to wastewater to energy/resource recovery through conventional and advanced technologies and explore the alternatives - Provides step-by-step guidance on procedures and calculations from practical field data - Includes successful case studies from both developing and developed countries
Water Recycling and Resource Recovery in Industry
Author: Piet Lens
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 9781843390053
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 736
Book Description
Water Recycling and Resource Recovery in Industry: Analysis, Technologies and Implementation provides a definitive and in-depth discussion of the current state-of-the-art tools and technologies enabling the industrial recycling and reuse of water and other resources. The book also presents in detail how these technologies can be implemented in order to maximize resource recycling in industrial practice, and to integrate water and resource recycling in ongoing industrial production processes. Special attention is given to non-process engineering aspects such as systems analysis, software tools, health, regulations, life-cycle analysis, economic impact and public participation. Case studies illustrate the huge potential of environmental technology to optimise resource utilisation in industry. The large number of figures, tables and case studies, together with the book's multidisciplinary approach, makes Water Recycling and Resource Recovery in Industry: Analysis, Technologies and Implementation the perfect reference work for academics, professionals and consultants dealing with industrial water resources recovery. Contents Part I: Industrial reuse for environmental protection Part II: System analysis to assist in closing industrial resource cycles Part III: Characterisation of process water quality Part IV: Technological aspects of closing industrial cycles Part V: Examples of closed water cycles in industrial processes Part VI: Resource protection policies in industry
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 9781843390053
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 736
Book Description
Water Recycling and Resource Recovery in Industry: Analysis, Technologies and Implementation provides a definitive and in-depth discussion of the current state-of-the-art tools and technologies enabling the industrial recycling and reuse of water and other resources. The book also presents in detail how these technologies can be implemented in order to maximize resource recycling in industrial practice, and to integrate water and resource recycling in ongoing industrial production processes. Special attention is given to non-process engineering aspects such as systems analysis, software tools, health, regulations, life-cycle analysis, economic impact and public participation. Case studies illustrate the huge potential of environmental technology to optimise resource utilisation in industry. The large number of figures, tables and case studies, together with the book's multidisciplinary approach, makes Water Recycling and Resource Recovery in Industry: Analysis, Technologies and Implementation the perfect reference work for academics, professionals and consultants dealing with industrial water resources recovery. Contents Part I: Industrial reuse for environmental protection Part II: System analysis to assist in closing industrial resource cycles Part III: Characterisation of process water quality Part IV: Technological aspects of closing industrial cycles Part V: Examples of closed water cycles in industrial processes Part VI: Resource protection policies in industry
Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse
Author: Vivek V. Ranade
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN: 0444634037
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 577
Book Description
Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse is an accessible reference to assist you when handling wastewater treatment and recycling. It features an instructive compilation of methodologies, including advanced physico-chemical methods and biological methods of treatment. It focuses on recent industry practices and preferences, along with newer methodologies for energy generation through waste. The book is based on a workshop run by the Indus MAGIC program of CSIR, India. It covers advanced processes in industrial wastewater treatment, applications, and feasibility analysis, and explores the process intensification approach as well as implications for industrial applications. Techno-economic feasibility evaluation is addressed, along with a comparison of different approaches illustrated by specific case studies. Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse introduces you to the subject with specific reference to problems currently being experienced in different industry sectors, including the petroleum industry, the fine chemical industry, and the specialty chemicals manufacturing sector. - Provides practical solutions for the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater via case studies - Instructive articles from expert authors give a concise overview of different physico-chemical and biological methods of treatment, cost-to-benefit analysis, and process comparison - Supplies you with the relevant information to make quick process decisions
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN: 0444634037
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 577
Book Description
Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse is an accessible reference to assist you when handling wastewater treatment and recycling. It features an instructive compilation of methodologies, including advanced physico-chemical methods and biological methods of treatment. It focuses on recent industry practices and preferences, along with newer methodologies for energy generation through waste. The book is based on a workshop run by the Indus MAGIC program of CSIR, India. It covers advanced processes in industrial wastewater treatment, applications, and feasibility analysis, and explores the process intensification approach as well as implications for industrial applications. Techno-economic feasibility evaluation is addressed, along with a comparison of different approaches illustrated by specific case studies. Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse introduces you to the subject with specific reference to problems currently being experienced in different industry sectors, including the petroleum industry, the fine chemical industry, and the specialty chemicals manufacturing sector. - Provides practical solutions for the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater via case studies - Instructive articles from expert authors give a concise overview of different physico-chemical and biological methods of treatment, cost-to-benefit analysis, and process comparison - Supplies you with the relevant information to make quick process decisions
Water Reclamation and Sustainability
Author: Satinder Ahuja
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0124165761
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 495
Book Description
Many hydrological, geochemical, and biological processes associated with water reclamation and reuse are poorly understood. In particular, the occurrence and effects of trace organic and inorganic contaminants commonly found in reclaimed water necessitates careful analysis and treatment prior to safe reuse. Water Reclamation and Sustainability is a practical guide to the latest water reclamation, recycling, and reuse theory and practice. From water quality criteria and regulations to advanced techniques and implementation issues, this book offers scientists a toolkit for developing safe and successful reuse strategies. With a focus on specific contaminant removal techniques, this book comprehensively covers the full range of potential inorganic/organic contaminating compounds and highlights proven remediation methods. Socioeconomic implications related to current and future water shortages are also addressed, underscoring the many positive benefits of sustainable water resource management. - Offers pragmatic solutions to global water shortages - Provides an overview of the latest analytical techniques for water monitoring - Reviews current remediation efforts - Covers innovative technologies for green, gray, brown and black water reclamation and reuse
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0124165761
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 495
Book Description
Many hydrological, geochemical, and biological processes associated with water reclamation and reuse are poorly understood. In particular, the occurrence and effects of trace organic and inorganic contaminants commonly found in reclaimed water necessitates careful analysis and treatment prior to safe reuse. Water Reclamation and Sustainability is a practical guide to the latest water reclamation, recycling, and reuse theory and practice. From water quality criteria and regulations to advanced techniques and implementation issues, this book offers scientists a toolkit for developing safe and successful reuse strategies. With a focus on specific contaminant removal techniques, this book comprehensively covers the full range of potential inorganic/organic contaminating compounds and highlights proven remediation methods. Socioeconomic implications related to current and future water shortages are also addressed, underscoring the many positive benefits of sustainable water resource management. - Offers pragmatic solutions to global water shortages - Provides an overview of the latest analytical techniques for water monitoring - Reviews current remediation efforts - Covers innovative technologies for green, gray, brown and black water reclamation and reuse
Water Reuse
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309224624
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 276
Book Description
Expanding water reuse-the use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes including irrigation, industrial uses, and drinking water augmentation-could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources. Water Reuse presents a portfolio of treatment options available to mitigate water quality issues in reclaimed water along with new analysis suggesting that the risk of exposure to certain microbial and chemical contaminants from drinking reclaimed water does not appear to be any higher than the risk experienced in at least some current drinking water treatment systems, and may be orders of magnitude lower. This report recommends adjustments to the federal regulatory framework that could enhance public health protection for both planned and unplanned (or de facto) reuse and increase public confidence in water reuse.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309224624
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 276
Book Description
Expanding water reuse-the use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes including irrigation, industrial uses, and drinking water augmentation-could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources. Water Reuse presents a portfolio of treatment options available to mitigate water quality issues in reclaimed water along with new analysis suggesting that the risk of exposure to certain microbial and chemical contaminants from drinking reclaimed water does not appear to be any higher than the risk experienced in at least some current drinking water treatment systems, and may be orders of magnitude lower. This report recommends adjustments to the federal regulatory framework that could enhance public health protection for both planned and unplanned (or de facto) reuse and increase public confidence in water reuse.
Innovative Wastewater Treatment & Resource Recovery Technologies: Impacts on Energy, Economy and Environment
Author: Juan M. Lema
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 1780407866
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 690
Book Description
This book introduces the 3R concept applied to wastewater treatment and resource recovery under a double perspective. Firstly, it deals with innovative technologies leading to: Reducing energy requirements, space and impacts; Reusing water and sludge of sufficient quality; and Recovering resources such as energy, nutrients, metals and chemicals, including biopolymers. Besides targeting effective C,N&P removal, other issues such as organic micropollutants, gases and odours emissions are considered. Most of the technologies analysed have been tested at pilot- or at full-scale. Tools and methods for their Economic, Environmental, Legal and Social impact assessment are described. The 3R concept is also applied to Innovative Processes design, considering different levels of innovation: Retrofitting, where novel units are included in more conventional processes; Re-Thinking, which implies a substantial flowsheet modification; and Re-Imagining, with completely new conceptions. Tools are presented for Modelling, Optimising and Selecting the most suitable plant layout for each particular scenario from a holistic technical, economic and environmental point of view.
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 1780407866
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 690
Book Description
This book introduces the 3R concept applied to wastewater treatment and resource recovery under a double perspective. Firstly, it deals with innovative technologies leading to: Reducing energy requirements, space and impacts; Reusing water and sludge of sufficient quality; and Recovering resources such as energy, nutrients, metals and chemicals, including biopolymers. Besides targeting effective C,N&P removal, other issues such as organic micropollutants, gases and odours emissions are considered. Most of the technologies analysed have been tested at pilot- or at full-scale. Tools and methods for their Economic, Environmental, Legal and Social impact assessment are described. The 3R concept is also applied to Innovative Processes design, considering different levels of innovation: Retrofitting, where novel units are included in more conventional processes; Re-Thinking, which implies a substantial flowsheet modification; and Re-Imagining, with completely new conceptions. Tools are presented for Modelling, Optimising and Selecting the most suitable plant layout for each particular scenario from a holistic technical, economic and environmental point of view.
Wastewater Reuse and Watershed Management
Author: Ajai Singh
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429783639
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 542
Book Description
Water is a finite resource, and the demand for clean water is constantly growing. Clean freshwater is needed to meet irrigation demands for agriculture, for consumption, and for industrial uses. The world produces billions of tons of wastewater every year. This volume looks at a multitude of ways to capture, treat, and reuse wastewater and how to effectively manage watersheds. It presents a selection of new technologies and methods to recycle, reclaim, and reuse water for agricultural, industrial, and environmental purposes. The editor states that more than 75–80% of the wastewater we produce goes back to nature without being properly treated, leading to pollution and all sorts of negative health and productivity consequences. Topics cover a wide selection of research, including molluscs as a tool for river health assessment, flood risk modeling, biological removal of toxins from groundwater, saline water intrusion into coastal areas, urban drainage simulations, rainwater harvesting, irrigation topics, and more. Key features: • explores the existing methodologies in the field of reuse of wastewater • looks at different approaches in integrated water resources management • examines the issues of groundwater management and development • discusses saline water intrusion in coastal areas • presents various watershed management approaches • includes case studies and analyses of various water management efforts
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429783639
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 542
Book Description
Water is a finite resource, and the demand for clean water is constantly growing. Clean freshwater is needed to meet irrigation demands for agriculture, for consumption, and for industrial uses. The world produces billions of tons of wastewater every year. This volume looks at a multitude of ways to capture, treat, and reuse wastewater and how to effectively manage watersheds. It presents a selection of new technologies and methods to recycle, reclaim, and reuse water for agricultural, industrial, and environmental purposes. The editor states that more than 75–80% of the wastewater we produce goes back to nature without being properly treated, leading to pollution and all sorts of negative health and productivity consequences. Topics cover a wide selection of research, including molluscs as a tool for river health assessment, flood risk modeling, biological removal of toxins from groundwater, saline water intrusion into coastal areas, urban drainage simulations, rainwater harvesting, irrigation topics, and more. Key features: • explores the existing methodologies in the field of reuse of wastewater • looks at different approaches in integrated water resources management • examines the issues of groundwater management and development • discusses saline water intrusion in coastal areas • presents various watershed management approaches • includes case studies and analyses of various water management efforts
Sustainability
Author: Rao Y. Surampalli
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119433894
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 694
Book Description
A comprehensive resource to sustainability and its application to the environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security sectors Sustainability fills a gap in the literature in order to provide an important guide to the fundamental knowledge and practical applications of sustainability in a wide variety of areas. The authors – noted experts who represent a number of sustainability fields – bring together in one comprehensive volume the broad range of topics including basic concepts, impact assessment, environmental and the socio-economic aspects of sustainability. In addition, the book covers applications of sustainability in environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security, as well as carbon cycle and infrastructural aspects. Sustainability addresses the challenges the global community is facing due to population growth, depletion of non-renewable resources of energy, environmental degradation, poverty, excessive generation of wastes and more. Throughout the book the authors discuss the economics, ecological, social, technological and systems perspectives of sustainability. This important resource: Explores the fundamentals as well as the key concepts of sustainability; Covers basic concepts, impact assessment, environmental and socio-economic aspects, applications of sustainability in environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security, carbon cycle and infrastructural aspects; Argues the essentiality of sustainability in ensuring the propitious future of earth systems; and Authored by experts from a range of various fields related to sustainability. Written for researchers and scientists, students and academics, Sustainability: Fundamentals and Applications is a comprehensive book that covers the basic knowledge of the topic combined with practical applications.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119433894
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 694
Book Description
A comprehensive resource to sustainability and its application to the environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security sectors Sustainability fills a gap in the literature in order to provide an important guide to the fundamental knowledge and practical applications of sustainability in a wide variety of areas. The authors – noted experts who represent a number of sustainability fields – bring together in one comprehensive volume the broad range of topics including basic concepts, impact assessment, environmental and the socio-economic aspects of sustainability. In addition, the book covers applications of sustainability in environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security, as well as carbon cycle and infrastructural aspects. Sustainability addresses the challenges the global community is facing due to population growth, depletion of non-renewable resources of energy, environmental degradation, poverty, excessive generation of wastes and more. Throughout the book the authors discuss the economics, ecological, social, technological and systems perspectives of sustainability. This important resource: Explores the fundamentals as well as the key concepts of sustainability; Covers basic concepts, impact assessment, environmental and socio-economic aspects, applications of sustainability in environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security, carbon cycle and infrastructural aspects; Argues the essentiality of sustainability in ensuring the propitious future of earth systems; and Authored by experts from a range of various fields related to sustainability. Written for researchers and scientists, students and academics, Sustainability: Fundamentals and Applications is a comprehensive book that covers the basic knowledge of the topic combined with practical applications.
Resource Recovery from Water
Author: Korneel Rabaey
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 9781780409559
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Throughout history, the first and foremost role of urban water management has been the protection human health and the local aquatic environment. To this end, the practice of (waste-)water treatment has maintained a central focus on the removal of pollutants through dissipative pathways. Approaches like – in case of wastewater treatment – the activated sludge process, which make ‘hazardous things’ disappear, have benefitted our society tremendously by safeguarding human and environmental health. While conventional (waste-)water treatment is regarded as one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, these dissipative approaches will not suffice in the 21th century as we enter the era of the circular economy. A key challenge for the future of urban water management is the need to re-envision the role of water infrastructure, still holding paramount the safeguard of human and environmental health while also becoming a more proactive force for sustainable development through the recovery of resources embedded in urban water. This book aims (i) to explain the basic principles governing resource recovery from water (how much is there, really); (ii) to provide comprehensive overview and critical assessment of the established and emerging technologies for resource recovery from water; and (iii) to put resource recovery from water in a legal, economic (including the economy of scale of recovered products), social (consumer’s point of view), and environmental sustainability framework. This book serves as a powerful teaching tool at the graduate entry master level with an aim to developing the next generation of engineers and experts and is also highly relevant for seasoned water professionals and practicing engineers.
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 9781780409559
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Throughout history, the first and foremost role of urban water management has been the protection human health and the local aquatic environment. To this end, the practice of (waste-)water treatment has maintained a central focus on the removal of pollutants through dissipative pathways. Approaches like – in case of wastewater treatment – the activated sludge process, which make ‘hazardous things’ disappear, have benefitted our society tremendously by safeguarding human and environmental health. While conventional (waste-)water treatment is regarded as one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, these dissipative approaches will not suffice in the 21th century as we enter the era of the circular economy. A key challenge for the future of urban water management is the need to re-envision the role of water infrastructure, still holding paramount the safeguard of human and environmental health while also becoming a more proactive force for sustainable development through the recovery of resources embedded in urban water. This book aims (i) to explain the basic principles governing resource recovery from water (how much is there, really); (ii) to provide comprehensive overview and critical assessment of the established and emerging technologies for resource recovery from water; and (iii) to put resource recovery from water in a legal, economic (including the economy of scale of recovered products), social (consumer’s point of view), and environmental sustainability framework. This book serves as a powerful teaching tool at the graduate entry master level with an aim to developing the next generation of engineers and experts and is also highly relevant for seasoned water professionals and practicing engineers.
Recent Trends in Waste Water Treatment and Water Resource Management
Author: Sadhan Kumar Ghosh
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811507066
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
This book addresses a complex issue – water sustainability – that requires a combined approach to manage both water and energy. It highlights several technologies that have been introduced to study the water–energy linkage. It also discusses the need to develop effective laws for water management. In turn, the book assesses hybrid biological systems and demonstrates why they are better for the wastewater treatment process. Lastly, it reviews wastewater quality requirements, which have been the primary driver of industrial wastewater treatment programs in India. Gathering selected, high-quality research papers presented at the IconSWM 2018 conference, the book offers a valuable asset, not only for researchers and academics, but also for industrial practitioners and policymakers.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811507066
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
This book addresses a complex issue – water sustainability – that requires a combined approach to manage both water and energy. It highlights several technologies that have been introduced to study the water–energy linkage. It also discusses the need to develop effective laws for water management. In turn, the book assesses hybrid biological systems and demonstrates why they are better for the wastewater treatment process. Lastly, it reviews wastewater quality requirements, which have been the primary driver of industrial wastewater treatment programs in India. Gathering selected, high-quality research papers presented at the IconSWM 2018 conference, the book offers a valuable asset, not only for researchers and academics, but also for industrial practitioners and policymakers.