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Chen Y, Xing Y, Zuo Z, Jiang G, Min H, Tang D, Liang P, Huang X, Liu Y. Enhanced mechanistic insights and performance optimization: Controlling methane and sulfide in sewers using nitrate dosing strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167580. [PMID: 37832662 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167580] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate has been used for nearly 80 years as a chemical to control problematic gases in the sewer system. However, few studies have explored simultaneous control in biofilm and sediment using different strategies. Here, we introduced a nitrate dosing method involving an initial high shock followed by low level dosing, tested at two distinct frequencies in a lab-scale sewer reactor <110 days. Long-term investigation revealed that the more frequent 20 min interval dosing slightly surpassed the 1 h interval method when applying the same hourly dose of 30 mg N/L (sulfide control: 98.3 ± 1.7 % vs 97.9 ± 1.5 %; methane control: 89.8 ± 4.5 % vs 83.4 ± 6.7 %). 16 s rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed biofilm detachment and sediment stratification, which can be attributed to the differing effects of nitrate dosing on biofilm and sedimentary microbial interactions. Dominant bacteria such as Thauera and Thiobacillus performed autotrophic denitrification and nitrate-reducing sulfide-oxidation in conjunction with methane oxidizers. These microbes collaboratively control sulfide and methane emissions from sediment. Our findings suggest that nitrate supports the diversity and versatility of their metabolism in the sewer system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Yaxin Xing
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zuo
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Hongping Min
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; China Construction Third Bureau Green Industry Investment Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430100, China
| | - Dingding Tang
- China Construction Third Bureau Green Industry Investment Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430100, China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yanchen Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Cen X, Duan H, Hu Z, Huang X, Li J, Yuan Z, Zheng M. Multifaceted benefits of magnesium hydroxide dosing in sewer systems: Impacts on downstream wastewater treatment processes. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120788. [PMID: 37924683 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120788] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] is a non-hazardous chemical widely applied in sewer systems for managing odour and corrosion. Despite its proven effectiveness in mitigating these issues, the impacts of dosing Mg(OH)2 in sewers on downstream wastewater treatment plants have not been comprehensively investigated. Through a one-year operation of laboratory-scale urban wastewater systems, including sewer reactors, sequencing batch reactors, and anaerobic sludge digesters, the findings indicated that Mg(OH)2 dosing in sewer systems had multifaceted benefits on downstream treatment processes. Compared to the control, the Mg(OH)2-dosed experimental system displayed elevated sewage pH (8.8±0.1vs 7.1±0.1), reduced sulfide concentration by 35.1%±4.9% (6.7±0.9mgSL-1), and lower methane concentration by 58.0%±4.9% (19.1±3.6mgCODL-1). Additionally, it increased alkalinity by 16.3%±2.2% (51.9±5.4mgCaCO3L-1), and volatile fatty acids concentration by 207.4%±22.2% (56.6±9.0mgCODL-1) in sewer effluent. While these changes offered limited advantages for downstream nitrogen removal in systems with sufficient alkalinity and carbon sources, significant improvements in ammonium oxidation rate and NOx reduction rate were observed in cases with limited alkalinity and carbon sources availability. Moreover, Mg(OH)2 dosing in upstream did not have any detrimental effects on anaerobic sludge digesters. Magnesium-phosphate precipitation led to a 31.7%±4.1% reduction in phosphate concertation in anaerobic digester sludge supernatant (56.1±10.4mgPL-1). The retention of magnesium in sludge increased settleability by 13.9%±1.6% and improved digested sludge dewaterability by 10.7%±5.3%. Consequently, the use of Mg(OH)2 dosing in sewers could potentially reduce downstream chemical demand and costs for carbon sources (e.g., acetate), pH adjustment and sludge dewatering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Cen
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zhetai Hu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xin Huang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jiaying Li
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Cen X, Li J, Jiang G, Zheng M. A critical review of chemical uses in urban sewer systems. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 240:120108. [PMID: 37257296 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Chemical dosing is the most used strategy for sulfide and methane abatement in urban sewer systems. Although conventional physicochemical methods, such as sulfide oxidation (e.g., oxygen/nitrate), precipitation (e.g., iron salts), and pH elevation (e.g., magnesium hydroxide/sodium hydroxide) have been used since the last century, the high chemical cost, large environmental footprint, and side-effects on downstream treatment processes demand a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to these approaches. In this paper, we aimed to review the currently used chemicals and significant progress made in sustainable sulfide and methane abatement technology, including 1) the use of bio-inhibitors, 2) in situ chemical production, and 3) an effective dosing strategy. To enhance the cost-effectiveness of chemical applications in urban sewer systems, two research directions have emerged: 1) online control and optimization of chemical dosing strategies and 2) integrated use of chemicals in urban sewer and wastewater treatment systems. The integration of these approaches offers considerable system-wide benefits; however, further development and comprehensive studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Cen
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jiuling Li
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Zhang L, Qiu YY, Sharma KR, Shi T, Song Y, Sun J, Liang Z, Yuan Z, Jiang F. Hydrogen sulfide control in sewer systems: A critical review of recent progress. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 240:120046. [PMID: 37224665 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In sewer systems where anaerobic conditions are present, sulfate-reducing bacteria reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide (H2S), leading to sewer corrosion and odor emission. Various sulfide/corrosion control strategies have been proposed, demonstrated, and optimized in the past decades. These included (1) chemical addition to sewage to reduce sulfide formation, to remove dissolved sulfide after its formation, or to reduce H2S emission from sewage to sewer air, (2) ventilation to reduce the H2S and humidity levels in sewer air, and (3) amendments of pipe materials/surfaces to retard corrosion. This work aims to comprehensively review both the commonly used sulfide control measures and the emerging technologies, and to shed light on their underlying mechanisms. The optimal use of the above-stated strategies is also analyzed and discussed in depth. The key knowledge gaps and major challenges associated with these control strategies are identified and strategies dealing with these gaps and challenges are recommended. Finally, we emphasize a holistic approach to sulfide control by managing sewer networks as an integral part of an urban water system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Ying Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Keshab R Sharma
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tao Shi
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yarong Song
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jianliang Sun
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhensheng Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Feng Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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