Using wastewater and high-rate algal ponds for nutrient removal and the production of bioenergy and biofuels

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 915-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Batten ◽  
Tom Beer ◽  
George Freischmidt ◽  
Tim Grant ◽  
Kurt Liffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Algae Biomass

This paper projects a positive outcome for large-scale algal biofuel and energy production when wastewater treatment is the primary goal. Such a view arises partly from a recent change in emphasis in wastewater treatment technology, from simply oxidising the organic matter in the waste (i.e. removing the biological oxygen demand) to removing the nutrients – specifically nitrogen and phosphorus – which are the root cause of eutrophication of inland waterways and coastal zones. A growing need for nutrient removal greatly improves the prospects for using new algal ponds in wastewater treatment, since microalgae are particularly efficient in capturing and removing such nutrients. Using a spreadsheet model, four scenarios combining algae biomass production with the making of biodiesel, biogas and other products were assessed for two of Australia’s largest wastewater treatment plants. The results showed that super critical water reactors and anaerobic digesters could be attractive pathway options, the latter providing significant savings in greenhouse gas emissions. Combining anaerobic digestion with oil extraction and the internal economies derived from cheap land and recycling of water and nutrients on-site could allow algal oil to be produced for less than US$1 per litre.

Algal biofuels from wastewater treatment high rate algal ponds

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Craggs ◽  
S. Heubeck ◽  
T. J. Lundquist ◽  
J. R. Benemann
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Algal Production ◽  
High Rate Algal Ponds

This paper examines the potential of algae biofuel production in conjunction with wastewater treatment. Current technology for algal wastewater treatment uses facultative ponds, however, these ponds have low productivity (∼10 tonnes/ha.y), are not amenable to cultivating single algal species, require chemical flocculation or other expensive processes for algal harvest, and do not provide consistent nutrient removal. Shallow, paddlewheel-mixed high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) have much higher productivities (∼30 tonnes/ha.y) and promote bioflocculation settling which may provide low-cost algal harvest. Moreover, HRAP algae are carbon-limited and daytime addition of CO2 has, under suitable climatic conditions, the potential to double production (to ∼60 tonnes/ha.y), improve bioflocculation algal harvest, and enhance wastewater nutrient removal. Algae biofuels (e.g. biogas, ethanol, biodiesel and crude bio-oil), could be produced from the algae harvested from wastewater HRAPs, The wastewater treatment function would cover the capital and operation costs of algal production, with biofuel and recovered nutrient fertilizer being by-products. Greenhouse gas abatement results from both the production of the biofuels and the savings in energy consumption compared to electromechanical treatment processes. However, to achieve these benefits, further research is required, particularly the large-scale demonstration of wastewater treatment HRAP algal production and harvest.

Upgrading Wastewater Treatment Plants for Biological Nutrient Removal

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Rabinowitz ◽  
T. D. Vassos ◽  
R. N. Dawson ◽  
W. K. Oldham
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Removal Technology ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

A brief review of recent developments in biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal technology is presented. Guidelines are outlined of how current understanding of these two removal mechanisms can be applied in the upgrading of existing wastewater treatment plants for biological nutrient removal. A case history dealing with the upgrading of the conventional activated sludge process located at Penticton, British Columbia, to a biological nutrient removal facility with a design flow of 18,200 m3/day (4.0 IMGD) is presented as a design example. Process components requiring major modification were the headworks, bioreactors and sludge handling facilities.

scholarly journals Nitrous oxide emissions during microalgae-based wastewater treatment: current state of the art and implication for greenhouse gases budgeting

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 1025-1030
Author(s):  
Maxence Plouviez ◽  
Benoit Guieysse
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Aerobic Wastewater Treatment

Abstract Microalgae can synthesise the ozone depleting pollutant and greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Consequently, significant N2O emissions have been recorded during real wastewater treatment in high rate algal ponds (HRAPs). While data scarcity and variability prevent meaningful assessment, the magnitude reported (0.13–0.57% of the influent nitrogen load) is within the range reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for direct N2O emissions during centralised aerobic wastewater treatment (0.016–4.5% of the influent nitrogen load). Critically, the ability of microalgae to synthesise N2O challenges the IPCC's broad view that bacterial denitrification and nitrification are the only major cause of N2O emissions from wastewater plants and aquatic environments receiving nitrogen from wastewater effluents. Significant N2O emissions have indeed been repeatedly detected from eutrophic water bodies and wastewater discharge contributes to eutrophication via the release of nitrogen and phosphorus. Considering the complex interplays between nitrogen and phosphorus supply, microalgal growth, and microalgal N2O synthesis, further research must urgently seek to better quantify N2O emissions from microalgae-based wastewater systems and eutrophic ecosystems receiving wastewater. This future research will ultimately improve the prediction of N2O emissions from wastewater treatment in national inventories and may therefore affect the prioritisation of mitigation strategies.

Dielectric barrier discharge-based investigation and analysis of wastewater treatment and pollutant removal

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 2858-2867 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ramdani ◽  
A. Lousdad ◽  
A. Tilmatine ◽  
S. Nemmich
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Dielectric Barrier Discharge ◽  
Barrier Discharge ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Oxidation Potential ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Process ◽  
Dielectric Barrier

Abstract Current research reveals that the oxidation by ozone is considered as an effective solution and offers irrefutable advantages in wastewater treatment. It is also well known that ozone is used to treat different types of water due to its effectiveness in water purification and for its oxidation potential. This process of ozonation is becoming progressively an alternative technology and is inscribed in a sustainable development perspective in Algeria. In this regards, the present paper investigates the wastewater treatment process by ozone produced by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) under high potential. Three (DBD) ozone generators of cylindrical form have been used, at a laboratory scale, for treating collected samples from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of the city of Sidi-Bel-Abbes located in the west of Algeria. Our experimental results reveal the efficiency of this type of treatment on the basis of the physicochemical analysis (pH, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, heavy metals) and microbial analysis downstream of the WWTP, which showed a high rate of elimination of all the parameters.

Minimising Nuisances by Covering Compact Sewage Treatment Plants

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 363-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Rogalla ◽  
G. Roudon ◽  
J. Sibony ◽  
F. Blondeau
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Parallel Plates ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants

Stringent effluent quality programs to limit wastewater discharges into receiving waters require extensive upgrading of conventional wastewater treatment plants. Large facilities built some decades ago are now often located in densely urbanised areas where land is unavailable. Since nitrogen and phophorus removal often require additional unit processes, innovative solutions have to be found to upgrade existing plants for nutrient removal. This paper shows large scale examples of compact technology and the additional upgrading flexibility provided. New facilities are implemented in sensitive neighborhoods by creative siting under sports stadiums, parks or buildings. In covered plants, air emission control becomes of primary importance. To reduce visual impacts and facilitate odour control, more and more underground treatment plants are constructed, allowing multiple use of plant surfaces. Several plants are illustrated in inner-city locations, avoiding infrastructure cost to pump sewage to remote sites. Most of the presented plants incorporate spacesaving settling facilities and high rate biological reactors to reduce the ‘footprints' of the installations and thus favour coverage. Parallel plates in primary setllers reduce the surface to about one tenth of conventional systems. Biocarbone aerated filters combine biodegradation with very high removal rates and retention of particles in one reactor, without additional clarification or filtration. Air treatment for large plant is mostly performed by chemical scrubbing, completely eliminating environmental nuisances. Performance results of both air and water treatment technology are given. Examples include recent sewage treatment plants on the French Mediterranean Coast. A physico-chemical treatment plant for 1 Million p.e. has operated since 1987 under a stadium in Marseille. In Monaco, the sewage treatment plant for 100 000 p.e.is located in the city center underneath a building of 3000 m2. Primary lamella settlers are followed by biological treatment on Biocarbone aerated filters and air is chemically deodourised. Similar technology is used in Antibes' 200 000 p.e. plant, integrated underneath a park close to the beach.

The ecological filter system for treatment of decentralized wastewater

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1553-1560
Author(s):  
Kun Zhong ◽  
Yi-yong Luo ◽  
Zheng-song Wu ◽  
Qiang He ◽  
Xue-bin Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Carbon Nitrogen Ratio ◽  
Ecological Filter ◽  
Aerated Filter

A vertical flow constructed wetland was combined with a biological aerated filter to develop an ecological filter, and to obtain the optimal operating parameters: The hydraulic loading was 1.55 m3/(m2·d), carbon–nitrogen ratio was 10, and gas–water ratio was 6. The experimental results demonstrated considerable removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in wastewater by the ecological filter, with average removal rates of 83.79%, 93.10%, 52.90%, and 79.07%, respectively. Concentration of NH4+-N after treatment met the level-A discharge standard of GB18918-2002. Compared with non-plant filter, the ecological filter improved average removal efficiency of COD, NH4+-N, TN, and TP by 13.03%, 25.30%, 14.80%, and 2.32%, respectively: thus, plants significantly contribute to the removal of organic pollutants and nitrogen. Through microporous aeration and O2 secretion of plants, the ecological filter formed an aerobic–anaerobic–aerobic alternating environment; thus aerobic and anaerobic microbes were active and effectively removed organic pollutants. Meanwhile, nitrogen and phosphorus were directly assimilated by plants and as nutrients of microorganisms. Meanwhile, pollutants were removed through nitrification, denitrification, filtration, adsorption, and interception by the filler. High removal rates of pollutants on the ecological filter proved that it is an effective wastewater-treatment technology for decentralized wastewater of mountainous towns.

Electrically enhanced MBR system for total nutrient removal in remote northern applications

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Wei ◽  
M. Elektorowicz ◽  
J. A. Oleszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Transmembrane Pressure ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Electrically Enhanced ◽  
P Removal

Thousands of sparsely populated communities scatter in the remote areas of northern Canada. It is economically preferable to adopt the decentralized systems to treat the domestic wastewater because of the vast human inhabitant distribution and cold climatic conditions. Electro-technologies such as electrofiltration, elctrofloatation, electrocoagulation and electrokinetic separation have been applied in water and conventional wastewater treatment for decades due to the minimum requirements of chemicals as well as ease of operation. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) is gaining popularity in recent years as an alternative water/wastewater treatment technology. However, few studies have been conducted to hyphenate these two technologies. The purpose of this work is to design a novel electrically enhanced membrane bioreactor (EMBR) as an alternative decentralized wastewater treatment system with improved nutrient removal and reduced membrane fouling. Two identical submerged membranes (GE ZW-1 hollow fiber module) were used for the experiment, with one as a control. The EMBR and control MBR were operated for 4 months at room temperature (20 ± 2 °C) with synthetic feed and 2 months at 10 °C with real sewage. The following results were observed: (1) the transmembrane pressure (TMP) increased significantly more slowly in the EMBR and the interval between the cleaning cycles of the EMBR increased at least twice; (2) the dissolved chemical oxygen demand (COD) or total organic carbon (TOC) in the EMBR biomass was reduced from 30 to 51%, correspondingly, concentrations of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the major suspicious membrane foulants, decreased by 26–46% in the EMBR; (3) both control and EMBR removed >99% of ammonium-N and >95% of dissolved COD, in addition, ortho-P removal in the EMBR was >90%, compared with 47–61% of ortho-P removal in the MBR; and (4) the advantage of the EMBR over the conventional MBR in terms of membrane fouling retardation and phosphorus removal was further demonstrated at an operating temperature of 10 °C when fed with real sewage. The EMBR system has the potential for highly automated control and minimal maintenance, which is particularly suitable for remote northern applications.

Treatment of synthetic wastewater and hog waste with reduced sludge generation by the multi-environment BioCAST technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Yerushalmi ◽  
M. Alimahmoodi ◽  
C. N. Mulligan
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Biological Sludge ◽  
Removal Efficiencies ◽  
Cod Removal Rate

Simultaneous removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus was examined along with reduced generation of biological sludge during the treatment of synthetic wastewater and hog waste by the BioCAST technology. This new multi-environment wastewater treatment technology contains both suspended and immobilized microorganisms, and benefits from the presence of aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions for the biological treatment of wastewater. The influent concentrations during the treatment of synthetic wastewater were 1,300–4,000 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L, 42–115 mg total nitrogen (TN)/L, and 19–40 mg total phosphorus (TP)/L. The removal efficiencies reached 98.9, 98.3 and 94.1%, respectively, for carbon, TN and TP during 225 days of operation. The removal efficiencies of carbon and nitrogen showed a minimal dependence on the nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N/P) ratio, while the phosphorus removal efficiency showed a remarkable dependence on this parameter, increasing from 45 to 94.1% upon the increase of N/P ratio from 3 to 4.5. The increase of TN loading rate had a minimal impact on COD removal rate which remained around 1.7 kg/m3 d, while it contributed to increased TP removal efficiency. The treatment of hog waste with influent COD, TN and TP concentrations of 960–2,400, 143–235 and 25–57 mg/L, respectively, produced removal efficiencies up to 89.2, 69.2 and 47.6% for the three contaminants, despite the inhibitory effects of this waste towards biological activity. The treatment system produced low biomass yields with average values of 3.7 and 8.2% during the treatment of synthetic wastewater and hog waste, respectively.

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