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Stoddard H, Kulas D, Zolghadr A, Aloba S, Schaerer LG, Putman L, Valencia I, Lacey JA, Shonnard DR, Techtmann SM, Ong RG. Biofilm mitigation in hybrid chemical-biological upcycling of waste polymers. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1435695. [PMID: 39104625 PMCID: PMC11298394 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1435695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Accumulation of plastic waste in the environment is a serious global issue. To deal with this, there is a need for improved and more efficient methods for plastic waste recycling. One approach is to depolymerize plastic using pyrolysis or chemical deconstruction followed by microbial-upcycling of the monomers into more valuable products. Microbial consortia may be able to increase stability in response to process perturbations and adapt to diverse carbon sources, but may be more likely to form biofilms that foul process equipment, increasing the challenge of harvesting the cell biomass. Methods: To better understand the relationship between bioprocess conditions, biofilm formation, and ecology within the bioreactor, in this study a previously-enriched microbial consortium (LS1_Calumet) was grown on (1) ammonium hydroxide-depolymerized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monomers and (2) the pyrolysis products of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Bioreactor temperature, pH, agitation speed, and aeration were varied to determine the conditions that led to the highest production of planktonic biomass and minimal formation of biofilm. The community makeup and diversity in the planktonic and biofilm states were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results: Results showed that there was very little microbial growth on the liquid product from pyrolysis under all fermentation conditions. When grown on the chemically-deconstructed PET the highest cell density (0.69 g/L) with minimal biofilm formation was produced at 30°C, pH 7, 100 rpm agitation, and 10 sL/hr airflow. Results from 16S rRNAsequencing showed that the planktonic phase had higher observed diversity than the biofilm, and that Rhodococcus, Paracoccus, and Chelatococcus were the most abundant genera for all process conditions. Biofilm formation by Rhodococcus sp. And Paracoccus sp. Isolates was typically lower than the full microbial community and varied based on the carbon source. Discussion: Ultimately, the results indicate that biofilm formation within the bioreactor can be significantly reduced by optimizing process conditions and using pure cultures or a less diverse community, while maintaining high biomass productivity. The results of this study provide insight into methods for upcycling plastic waste and how process conditions can be used to control the formation of biofilm in bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Stoddard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Daniel Kulas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Ali Zolghadr
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Sulihat Aloba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Laura G. Schaerer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Lindsay Putman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Isabel Valencia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Lacey
- Biological Processing Department, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, United States
| | - David R. Shonnard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Stephen M. Techtmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Rebecca G. Ong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
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Fu L, Wang P, Wu C, Zhou Y, Song Y, Guo S, Li Z, Zhou J. Upgrade of the biggest catalytic ozonation wastewater treatment plant in China: From pollution control to carbon reduction. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 349:119421. [PMID: 37939466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Catalytic ozonation is a widely used effective technology in advanced treatment for the removal of refractory organics from wastewater. However, it is also a highly energy-consuming technology, usually accounting for 30%∼40% of the total electricity consumption of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The O3 consumption per unit of COD removed (g-O3/g-COD) is usually higher than 1.5 g-O3/g-COD, and the total carbon emission from catalytic ozonation is usually higher than 393.12 kgCO2 e/m3 of wastewater. In this study, we investigated an energy reduction strategy for the biggest catalytic ozonation WWTP, from laboratory-scale experimentation to corresponding engineering application. Laboratory-scale experiments showed that the mass transfer rate of dissolved O3 to the catalyst surface is crucial for COD removal efficiency. To improve the efficiency of catalytic ozonation, adding effluent backflow is a simple method that can enhance the removal of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from the catalyst surface and promote surface exposure. In the pilot-scale experiment (48 m3/d), when the backflow ratio increased from 0% to 100% (the optimal value), the proteins in EPS on the catalyst surface decreased significantly by 66.7%. The corresponding O3 consumption per unit of COD removed was reduced from 2.0 to 1.0 g-O3/g-COD. Furthermore, in the engineering application (52,000 m3/d) with a backflow ratio of 100%, the average effluent COD reduced from 52.0 to 43.3 mg/L, and the O3 consumption per unit of COD removed decreased from 0.98 to 0.69 g-O3/g-COD. In terms of carbon reduction, the indirect carbon emission reduction was approximately 3.0 × 103 t CO2 e/a. This study demonstrates the advantages of catalytic ozonation improvement and provides an engineering model of energy conversation and carbon emission reduction for over 35 similar WWTPs in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Panxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Changyong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Yuexi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yudong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Shujun Guo
- Jilin Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jilin Petrochemical Company of PetroChina, Jilin, 132000, China
| | - Zhimin Li
- Jilin Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jilin Petrochemical Company of PetroChina, Jilin, 132000, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Jilin Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jilin Petrochemical Company of PetroChina, Jilin, 132000, China
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Jia M, Farid MU, Kharraz JA, Kumar NM, Chopra SS, Jang A, Chew J, Khanal SK, Chen G, An AK. Nanobubbles in water and wastewater treatment systems: Small bubbles making big difference. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120613. [PMID: 37738940 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of nanobubbles (NBs) in 1994, NBs have been attracting growing attention for their fascinating properties and have been studied for application in various environmental fields, including water and wastewater treatment. However, despite the intensive research efforts on NBs' fundamental properties, especially in the past five years, controversies and disagreements in the published literature have hindered their practical implementation. So far, reviews of NB research have mainly focused on NBs' role in specific treatment processes or general applications, highlighting proof-of-concept and success stories primarily at the laboratory scale. As such, there lacks a rigorous review that authenticates NBs' potential beyond the bench scale. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the recent progress in NB research in the field of water and wastewater treatment at different scales, along with identifying and discussing the challenges and prospects of the technology. Herein, we systematically analyze (1) the fundamental properties of NBs and their relevancy to water treatment processes, (2) recent advances in NB applications for various treatment processes beyond the lab scale, including over 20 pilot and full-scale case studies, (3) a preliminary economic consideration of NB-integrated treatment processes (the case of NB-flotation), and (4) existing controversies in NBs research and the outlook for future research. This review is organized with the aim to provide readers with a step-by-step understanding of the subject matter while highlighting key insights as well as knowledge gaps requiring research to advance the use of NBs in the wastewater treatment industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyi Jia
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Muhammad Usman Farid
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Jehad A Kharraz
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Center for Circular Supplies, HICCER - Hariterde International Council of Circular Economy Research, Palakkad, Kerala 678631, India
| | - Shauhrat S Chopra
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Am Jang
- Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - John Chew
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Samir Kumar Khanal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Guanghao Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Water Technology Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alicia Kyoungjin An
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Li Y, Han Q, Li B. Engineering-scale application of sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification wetland for advanced treatment of municipal tailwater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 379:129035. [PMID: 37037329 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
An engineering-scale sulfur driven autotrophic denitrification vertical-flow constructed wetland (SADN-VFCW) was established to treat low C/N ratio tailwater from municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs). One-year stable operation results indicated that the addition of sulfur prominently enhanced TN, NO3--N and TP removal with efficiencies higher than 68.9%, 69.2% and 45.5%, respectively. Higher nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates were achieved in summer than that in other seasons. Furthermore, the microbial analysis revealed the structure of the microbial community changed significantly after sulfur addition, which proved that sulfur promoted the enrichment of autotrophic (Thiobacillus, Sulfurimonas, Ferritrophicum) and heterotrophic (Denitratisoma, Anaerolineaae, Simplicispira) functional bacteria, thus facilitating pollutants removal. Function prediction analysis results also indicated the abundance of nitrate removal/sulfur metabolism functions was significantly strengthened. This study achieved reliable engineering-scale application of SADN-VFCW and offered great potential for simultaneous in-depth treatment of N and P in municipal tailwater by SADN system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Li
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Qi Han
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Bang Li
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Rehabilitation Technology, Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan 467036, China
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Zhou S, Liu M, Chen B, Sun L, Lu H. Microbubble- and nanobubble-aeration for upgrading conventional activated sludge process: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 362:127826. [PMID: 36029987 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The activated sludge process (ASP) is widely used for wastewater treatment, and the aeration efficiency is crucial to the operation of wastewater treatment plants. Recently, microbubble (MB)- and nanobubble (NB)-aeration has attracted much attention as there is growing evidence that it holds a great promise for upgrading the process efficiency of current ASP under conventional macro-bubble-aeration. However, a comprehensive review to elucidate the potential application of MB- and NB-aeration in ASP is still lacking. Therefore, this review will provide a systematic introduction to MB- and NB-aeration (including the unique properties and generation methods of MBs and NBs), and gain mechanistic insights on how MB- and NB-aeration improve gas-liquid mass transfer. The recent advances in MB- and NB-aeration applications to ASP and the resultant effects are also highlighted and discussed in-depth. The review concludes with a brief consideration of future research interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sining Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Min Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ben Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Lianpeng Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, PR China.
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