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Liu Q, Li X, Wu M, Huang H, Chen Y. N 2O recovery from wastewater and flue gas via microbial denitrification: Processes and mechanisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174231. [PMID: 38917909 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174231] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is increasingly regarded as a significant greenhouse gas implicated in global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer, yet it is also recognized as a valuable resource. This paper comprehensively reviews innovative microbial denitrification techniques for recovering N2O from nitrogenous wastewater and flue gas. Critical analysis is carried out on cutting-edge processes such as the coupled aerobic-anoxic nitrous decomposition operation (CANDO) process, semi-artificial photosynthesis, and the selective utilization of microbial strains, as well as flue gas absorption coupled with heterotrophic/autotrophic denitrification. These processes are highlighted for their potential to facilitate denitrification and enhance the recovery rate of N2O. The review integrates feasible methods for process control and optimization, and presents the underlying mechanisms for N2O recovery through denitrification, primarily achieved by suppressing nitrous oxide reductase (Nos) activity and intensifying competition for electron donors. The paper concludes by recognizing the shortcomings in existing technologies and proposing future research directions, with an emphasis on prioritizing the collection and utilization of N2O while considering environmental sustainability and economic feasibility. Through this review, we aim to inspire interest in the recovery and utilization of N2O, as well as the development and application of related technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Meirou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Haining Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; The Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yinguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Li D, Sun Z, Luo G, Lu L, Zhang S, Xi J. Enhancing biological conversion of NO to N 2O by utilizing thermophiles instead of mesophiles. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 350:141037. [PMID: 38147927 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141037] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The production of nitrous oxide (N2O) through the biological denitrification of nitric oxide (NO) from flue gases has recently been achieved. Although the temperature of flue gas after desulphurization is usually 45-70 °C, all previous studies conducted microbial denitrification of NO under mesophilic conditions (22-35 °C). This study investigated the biological conversion of NO to N2O in both mesophilic (35-45 °C) and thermophilic conditions (45-50 °C). The results showed that temperature has a great impact on N2O production, with a maximum conversion efficiency (from NO to N2O) of 82% achieved at 45 °C, which is obviously higher than the reported conversion efficiencies (24-71%) under mesophilic conditions. Additionally, high-throughput sequencing result showed that the genera Enterococcus, Clostridium, Romboutsia, and Streptococcus were closely related to NO denitrification and N2O production. Microbial communities at 40 and 45 °C had greater metabolizing capacities for polymeric carbon sources. This study suggests that thermophilic condition (45 °C) is more suitable for biological production of N2O from NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhuqiu Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, China
| | - Ga Luo
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lichao Lu
- School of Petrochemical Engineering and Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316004, China
| | - Shaobo Zhang
- Beijing Capital Sludge Disposal Technology Co. LTD, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Jinying Xi
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Gao J, Wu J, Chen S, Chen Y. Nitrogen removal from pharmaceutical wastewater using simultaneous nitrification-denitrification coupled with sulfur denitrification in full-scale system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130066. [PMID: 37984670 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Fermentation pharmaceutical wastewater (FPW) containing excessive ammonium and low chemical oxygen demand (COD)/nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) brings serious environmental risks. The stepwise nitrogen removal was achieved in a full-scale anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic treatment system with well-constructed consortia, that enables simultaneous partial nitrification-denitrification coupled with sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SPND-SAD) (∼99 % (NH4+-N) and ∼98 % (TN) removals) at the rate of 0.8-1.2 kg-N/m3/d. Inoculating simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) consortia in O1 tank decreased the consumed ΔCOD and ΔCOD/ΔTN of A1 + O1 tank, resulting in the occurrence of short-cut SND at low C/N ratio. In SAD process (A2 tank), bio-generated polysulfides reacted with HS- to rearrange into shorter polysulfides, enhancing sulfur bioavailability and promoting synergistic SAD removal. PICRUSt2 functional prediction indicated that bioaugmentation increased genes related to Nitrogen/Sulfur/Carbohydrate/Xenobiotics metabolism. Key functional gene analysis highlighted the enrichment of nirS and soxB critical for SPND-SAD system. This work provides new insights into the application of bioaugmentation for FPW treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jingyu Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shuyan Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yuancai Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Shao X, Huang Y, Wood RM, Tarpeh WA. Electrochemical sulfate production from sulfide-containing wastewaters and integration with electrochemical nitrogen recovery. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133527. [PMID: 38241833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical methods can help manage sulfide in wastewater, which poses environmental and health concerns due to its toxicity, malodor, and corrosiveness. In addition, sulfur could be recovered as fertilizer and commodity chemicals from sulfide-containing wastewaters. Wastewater characteristics vary widely among wastewaters; however, it remains unclear how these characteristics affect electrochemical sulfate production. In this study, we evaluated how four characteristics of influent wastewaters (electrolyte pH, composition, sulfide concentration, and buffer strength) affect sulfide removal (sulfide removal rate, sulfide removal efficiency) and sulfate production metrics (sulfate production rate, sulfate production selectivity). We identified that electrolyte pH (3 × difference, i.e., 25.1 to 84.9 μM h-1 in average removal rate within the studied pH range) and sulfide concentration (16 × difference, i.e., 82.1 to 1347.2 μM h-1 in average removal rate) were the most influential factors for electrochemical sulfide removal. Sulfate production was most sensitive to buffer strength (6 × difference, i.e., 4.4 to 27.4 μM h-1 in average production rate) and insensitive to electrolyte composition. Together, these results provide recommendations for the design of wastewater treatment trains and the feasibility of applying electrochemical methods to varying sulfide-containing wastewaters. In addition, we investigated a simultaneous multi-nutrient (sulfur and nitrogen) process that leverages electrochemical stripping to further enhance the versatility and compatibility of electrochemical nutrient recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Shao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States
| | - Yixuan Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States
| | - Robert M Wood
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States
| | - William A Tarpeh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States; Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States.
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Karmann C, Mágrová A, Jeníček P, Bartáček J, Kouba V. Advances in nitrogen removal and recovery technologies from reject water: Economic and environmental perspectives. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 391:129888. [PMID: 37914052 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129888] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
This review critically assesses nitrogen removal technologies applied in the reject water treatment, across different stages of technological development, with a focus on their economic and environmental impacts. The prevalent use of biological processes raises concerns due to potential environmental impacts caused by N2O emissions. However, partial nitritation-anaerobic ammonium oxidation demonstrated economic benefits and the potential for positive environmental outcomes when properly operated and controlled. Furthermore, reject water, in many cases, provides sufficient nitrogen concentrations for nitrogen recovery processes, such as ammonia stripping, substituting production of industrial fertilizers and contributing to a circular economy. Nonetheless, their financial competitiveness is subject to various conditions, including the nitrogen concentration or reject water flow. As the environmental benefits of bioprocesses and economic benefits of nitrogen recovery processes may vary, it is crucial to further optimize both and investigate novel promising technologies such as electrochemical systems, denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation or direct ammonia oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Karmann
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic.
| | - Anna Mágrová
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Jeníček
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Bartáček
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic.
| | - Vojtěch Kouba
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic.
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6
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Deng R, Huo P, Chen X, Chen Z, Yang L, Liu Y, Wei W, Ni BJ. Towards efficient heterotrophic recovery of N 2O via Fe(II)EDTA-NO: A modeling study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160285. [PMID: 36403844 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Efficient recovery of nitrous oxide (N2O) through heterotrophic denitrification with the help of Fe(II)EDTA-NO as a chelating agent has been regarded as an ideal technology to treat nitric oxide (NO)-rich flue gas. In this study, an integrated NO-based biological denitrification model was developed to describe the sequential reduction of the NO fixed in Fe(II)EDTA-NO with organic carbon as the electron donor. With the inclusion of only the key pathways contributing to nitrogen transformation, the model was firstly developed and then calibrated/validated and evaluated using the data of batch tests mediated by the identified functional heterotrophic bacteria at various substrates concentrations and then used to explore the possibility of enhancing N2O recovery by altering the substrates condition and reactor setup. The results demonstrated that the optimal COD/N ratio decreased consistently from 1.5 g-COD/g-N at the initial NO concentration of 40 g-N/m3 to 1.0 g-COD/g-N at the initial NO concentration of 420 g-N/m3. Furthermore, sufficiently increasing the headspace volume of the reactor was considered an ideal strategy to obtain ideal N2O production of 86.6 % under the studied conditions. The production of high-purity N2O (98 %) confirmed the practical application potential of this integrated treatment technology to recover a valuable energy resource from NO-rich flue gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghua Deng
- Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Pengfei Huo
- Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Xueming Chen
- Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.
| | - Zhijie Chen
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Linyan Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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7
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Diaz R, Mackey B, Chadalavada S, Kainthola J, Heck P, Goel R. Enhanced Bio-P removal: Past, present, and future - A comprehensive review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136518. [PMID: 36191763 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Excess amounts of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from anthropogenic activities such as population growth, municipal and industrial wastewater discharges, agriculture fertilization and storm water runoffs, have affected surface water chemistry, resulting in episodes of eutrophication. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) based treatment processes are an economical and environmentally friendly solution to address the present environmental impacts caused by excess P present in municipal discharges. EBPR practices have been researched and operated for more than five decades worldwide, with promising results in decreasing orthophosphate to acceptable levels. The advent of molecular tools targeting bacterial genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has also helped us reveal the identity of potential polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) and denitrifying PAO (DPAO) responsible for the success of EBPR. Integration of process engineering and environmental microbiology has provided much-needed confidence to the wastewater community for the successful implementation of EBPR practices around the globe. Despite these successes, the process of EBPR continues to evolve in terms of its microbiology and application in light of other biological processes such as anaerobic ammonia oxidation and on-site carbon capture. This review provides an overview of the history of EBPR, discusses different operational parameters critical for the successful operation of EBPR systems, reviews current knowledge of EBPR microbiology, the influence of PAO/DPAO on the disintegration of microbial communities, stoichiometry, EBPR clades, current practices, and upcoming potential innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Diaz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Brendan Mackey
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Sreeni Chadalavada
- School of Engineering, University of Southern Queensland Springfield, Queensland, 4350, Australia.
| | - Jyoti Kainthola
- Department of Civil Engineering, École Centrale School of Engineering, Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India, 500043
| | - Phil Heck
- Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ramesh Goel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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8
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Singh U, Algren M, Schoeneberger C, Lavallais C, O’Connell MG, Oke D, Liang C, Das S, Salas SD, Dunn JB. Technological avenues and market mechanisms to accelerate methane and nitrous oxide emissions reductions. iScience 2022; 25:105661. [PMID: 36567716 PMCID: PMC9772851 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies targeting methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are critical to meeting global climate targets. Existing literature estimates the emissions of these gases from specific sectors, but this knowledge must be synthesized to prioritize and incentivize CH4 and N2O mitigation. Accordingly, we review emissions sources and mitigation strategies in all key sectors (fuel extraction and combustion, landfilling, agriculture, wastewater treatment, and chemical industry) and the role of carbon markets in reducing emissions. The most accessible reduction opportunities are in the hydrocarbon extraction and waste sectors, where half (>3 Gt-CO2e/year) of the emissions in these sectors could be mitigated at no net cost. In total, 60% of CH4 emissions can be mitigated at less than $50/t-CO2. Expanding the scope of carbon markets to include these emissions could provide cost-effective decarbonization through 2050. We provide recommendations for carbon markets to improve emissions reductions and set prices to appropriately incentivize mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udayan Singh
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Mikaela Algren
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Carrie Schoeneberger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Chayse Lavallais
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Margaret G. O’Connell
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Doris Oke
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sabyasachi Das
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Santiago D. Salas
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Jennifer B. Dunn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA,Corresponding author
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9
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Ge M, Liu Y, Zhou J, Jin M. Densification pretreatment triggers efficient methanogenic performance and robust microbial community during anaerobic digestion of corn stover. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 362:127762. [PMID: 35963487 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The recalcitrant characteristics of lignocellulosic waste and difficulties in biomass transportation and storage severely limit bioenergy production through anaerobic digestion (AD). In this study, Densifying Lignocellulosic biomass with Chemicals (DLC) pretreatment was developed to address these issues. The results showed that DLC treated corn stover (CS) reached a cumulative methane yield of as high as 224.30 mL/g VS (Volatile Solids), which was 59.27 % higher than that of un-treated. The reduced scum formation in the reactor, increased components consumption of solid phase, and higher organic biodegradability of liquid phase in AD of DLC treated CS enhanced methane yield. Microbial analysis indicated that DLC pretreatment affected the bacterial and methanogenic community structure, and a co-network with Comamonas and Methanobacterium, etc. as hub microbes was constructed. This study proposed a promising technology that could be potentially applied to industrial AD of lignocellulosic biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianshen Ge
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, PR China; Biorefinery Research Institution, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, PR China
| | - Yongdi Liu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Jun Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Mingjie Jin
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, PR China; Biorefinery Research Institution, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, PR China.
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Lee YJ, Lin BL, Lei Z. Nitrous oxide emission mitigation from biological wastewater treatment - A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 362:127747. [PMID: 35964917 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted from wastewater treatment processes has emerged as a focal point for academic and practical research amidst pressing environmental issues. This review presents an updated view on the biological pathways for N2O production and consumption in addition to the critical process factors affecting N2O emission. The current research trends including the strain and reactor aspects were then outlined with discussions. Last but not least, the research needs were proposed. The holistic life cycle assessment needs to be performed to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed mitigation strategies or recovery options. This review also provides the background information for the proposed future research prospects on N2O mitigation and recovery technologies. As pointed out, dilution effects of the produced N2O gas product would hinder its use as renewable energy; instead, its use as an effective oxidizing agent is proposed as a promising recovery option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10649, Taiwan
| | - Bin-le Lin
- Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Zhongfang Lei
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.
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Nie H, Liu X, Dang Y, Sun D. Early activated quorum sensing enhanced a nosZ-deficient strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for stably recovering nitrous oxide from incineration leachate in microbial electrolysis cell. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 360:127394. [PMID: 35640816 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127394] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a quorum sensing (QS) signal molecule, 3-oxo-C12-HSL, was supplied into ΔnosZ Pseudomonas microbial electrolysis cell system for strengthening the N2O recovery from incineration leachate. The resistance for high nitrite loading was strongly improved with nitrite removal efficiency of 80.35% compared to 67.07% from the control on day 13 due to the increasing biomass through early activated QS. Higher N2O proportion in biogas (85.85% on average) was achieved in the QS early activated reactor, which indicated the better potential for N2O recovery. Bacterial community analysis showed the purity of ΔnosZ strain with the abundance of 100% in the anode chamber at the end of the operation. This was plausibly related to the increased synthesis of phenazine derivatives by the early activated QS system. These results show a more promising way for N2O recovery by a single engineering bacteria from the high nitrogen contained actual wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbing Nie
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dezhi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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12
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Hausherr D, Niederdorfer R, Bürgmann H, Lehmann M, Magyar P, Mohn J, Morgenroth E, Joss A. Successful year-round mainstream partial nitritation anammox: Assessment of effluent quality, performance and N 2O emissions. WATER RESEARCH X 2022; 16:100145. [PMID: 35789883 PMCID: PMC9250041 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2022.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
For two decades now, partial nitritation anammox (PNA) systems were suggested to more efficiently remove nitrogen (N) from mainstream municipal wastewater. Yet to date, only a few pilot-scale systems and even fewer full-scale implementations of this technology have been described. Process instability continues to restrict the broad application of PNA. Especially problematic are insufficient anammox biomass retention, the growth of undesired aerobic nitrite-oxidizers, and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. In this study, a two-stage mainstream pilot-scale PNA system, consisting of three reactors (carbon pre-treatment, nitritation, anammox - 8 m3 each), was operated over a year, treating municipal wastewater. The aim was to test whether both, robust autotrophic N removal and high effluent quality, can be achieved throughout the year. A second aim was to better understand rate limiting processes, potentially affecting the overall performance of PNA systems. In this pilot study, excellent effluent quality, in terms of inorganic nitrogen, was accomplished (average effluent concentrations: 0.4 mgNH4-N/L, 0.1 mgNO2-N/L, 0.9 mgNO3-N/L) even at wastewater temperatures previously considered problematic (as low as 8 °C). N removal was limited by nitritation rates (84 ± 43 mgNH4-N/L/d), while surplus anammox activity was observed at all times (178 ± 43 mgN/L/d). Throughout the study, nitrite-oxidation was maintained at a low level (<2.5% of ammonium consumption rate). Unfortunately, high N2O emissions from the nitritation stage (1.2% of total nitrogen in the influent) were observed, and, based on natural isotope abundance measurements, could be attributed to heterotrophic denitrification. In situ batch experiments were conducted to identify the role of dissolved oxygen (DO) and organic substrate availability in N2O emission-mitigation. The addition of organic substrate, to promote complete denitrification, was not successful in decreasing N2O emission, but increasing the DO from 0.3 to 2.9 mgO2/L decreased N2O emissions by a factor of 3.4.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Hausherr
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
- Corresponding author:
| | - R. Niederdorfer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, 6047, Switzerland
| | - H. Bürgmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, 6047, Switzerland
| | - M.F. Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - P. Magyar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - J. Mohn
- Empa, Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - E. Morgenroth
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - A. Joss
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
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13
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Yu KH, Can F, Ergenekon P. Nitric oxide and nitrite removal by partial denitrifying hollow-fiber membrane biofilm reactor coupled with nitrous oxide generation as energy recovery. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 43:2934-2947. [PMID: 33779527 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2021.1910348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions cause significant impacts on the environment and must therefore be controlled even more stringently. This requires the development of cost-effective removal strategies which simultaneously create value-added by-products or energy from the waste. This study aims to treat gaseous nitric oxide (NO) by hollow-fibre membrane biofilm reactor (HFMBfR) in the presence of nitrite (NO2-) and evaluate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions formed as an intermediate product during the denitrification process. Accumulated N2O can be utilised in methane oxidation as an oxidant to produce energy. In the first stage of the study, the HFMBfR was operated by feeding only gaseous NO as the nitrogen source. During this period, the best performance was achieved with 92% NO removal efficiency (RE). In the second stage, both NO gas and NO2- were supplied to the system, and 91% NO and 99% NO2- reduction were achieved simultaneously with the maximum N2O generation of 386 ± 31 ppm. Lower influent carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios, such as 4.5 and 2.0, and higher NO2--N loading rate of 158 mg N day-1 favoured N2O generation. An improved NO removal rate and N2O accumulation were seen with the increasing amount of PO43- in the medium. The 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Alicycliphilus denitrificans and Pseudomonas putida were the dominant species. The study shows that an HFMBfR can be successfully used to eliminate both NO2- and gaseous NO and simultaneously generate N2O by adjusting the system parameters such as C/N ratio, NO2- and PO43- loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khin Hnin Yu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Faruk Can
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pınar Ergenekon
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
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14
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Huang Y, Wang X, Xiang W, Wang T, Otis C, Sarge L, Lei Y, Li B. Forward-Looking Roadmaps for Long-Term Continuous Water Quality Monitoring: Bottlenecks, Innovations, and Prospects in a Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5334-5354. [PMID: 35442035 PMCID: PMC9063115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Long-term continuous monitoring (LTCM) of water quality can bring far-reaching influences on water ecosystems by providing spatiotemporal data sets of diverse parameters and enabling operation of water and wastewater treatment processes in an energy-saving and cost-effective manner. However, current water monitoring technologies are deficient for long-term accuracy in data collection and processing capability. Inadequate LTCM data impedes water quality assessment and hinders the stakeholders and decision makers from foreseeing emerging problems and executing efficient control methodologies. To tackle this challenge, this review provides a forward-looking roadmap highlighting vital innovations toward LTCM, and elaborates on the impacts of LTCM through a three-hierarchy perspective: data, parameters, and systems. First, we demonstrate the critical needs and challenges of LTCM in natural resource water, drinking water, and wastewater systems, and differentiate LTCM from existing short-term and discrete monitoring techniques. We then elucidate three steps to achieve LTCM in water systems, consisting of data acquisition (water sensors), data processing (machine learning algorithms), and data application (with modeling and process control as two examples). Finally, we explore future opportunities of LTCM in four key domains, water, energy, sensing, and data, and underscore strategies to transfer scientific discoveries to general end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuankai Huang
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Xingyu Wang
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Wenjun Xiang
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Tianbao Wang
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Clifford Otis
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Logan Sarge
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Yu Lei
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Baikun Li
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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15
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Wu L, Wang LK, Wei W, Song L, Ni BJ. Sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification of nitric oxide for efficient nitrous oxide recovery. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 119:257-267. [PMID: 34693996 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2 O) was previously deemed as a potent greenhouse gas but is actually an untapped energy source, which can accumulate during the microbial denitrification of nitric oxide (NO). Compared with the organic electron donor required in heterotrophic denitrification, elemental sulfur (S0 ) is a promising electron donor alternative due to its cheap cost and low biomass yield in sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification. However, no effort has been made to test N2 O recovery from sulfur-driven denitrification of NO so far. Therefore, in this study, batch and continuous experiments were carried out to investigate the NO removal performance and N2 O recovery potential via sulfur-driven NO-based denitrification under various Fe(II)EDTA-NO concentrations. Efficient energy recovery was achieved, as up to 35.5%-40.9% of NO was converted to N2 O under various NO concentrations. N2 O recovery from Fe(II)EDTA-NO could be enhanced by the low bioavailability of sulfur and the acid environment caused by sulfur oxidation. The NO reductase (NOR) and N2 O reductase (N2 OR) were inhibited distinctively at relatively low NO levels, leading to efficient N2 O accumulation, but were suppressed irreversibly at NO level beyond 15 mM in continuous experiments. Such results indicated that the regulation of NO at a relatively low level would benefit the system stability and NO removal capacity during long-term system operation. The continuous operation of the sulfur-driven Fe(II)EDTA-NO-based denitrification reduced the overall microbial diversity but enriched several key microbial community. Thauera, Thermomonas, and Arenimonas that are able to carry out sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification became the dominant organisms with their relative abundance increased from 25.8% to 68.3%, collectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Li-Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lan Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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16
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Wang C, Qiao S, Bi Z, Zhou J. Nitrate removal by anammox biomass with intracellular carbon source as electron donors via DNRA pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111390. [PMID: 34052243 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a novel nitrate (NO3-) reduction pathway by anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) biomass was firstly discovered with the intracellular carbon sources as the only electron donors. And the possible reaction mechanism was deduced to be intracellular dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) pathway according to the experimental results. In batch experiments, without any external electron donors, NO3--N (about 50 mg/L) was reduced to N2 within 48 h, and a small amount of NO2--N was detected (the maximum of 2 mg/L) with the anammox biomass concentration of 4400 mg/L. Acetylene (4.46 mmol/L) addition resulted in obvious NH4+ accumulation during NO3- degradation by anammox biomass, since acetylene mainly interfered in hydrazine (N2H4) generation from NH4+ and NO. Without HCO3- addition, the NO3--N degradation rate was slower than that with HCO3- addition. Simultaneously, glycogen contents inside anammox biomass decreased to 133.22 ± 1.21 mg/g VSS and 129.79 ± 1.21 mg/g VSS with and without HCO3-, respectively, from 142.20 ± 0.61 mg/g VSS. In the long-term experiment, anammox biomass stably degraded NO3--N without external electron donors addition, and the maximum removal efficiency of NO3--N reached 55.4%. The above results indicated the anammox bacteria utilized the DNRA pathway to reduce NO3- to NO2- and further NH4+, then normal anammox metabolism would continue to convert the produced NO2- and NH4+ to N2. The intracellular stored carbon sources (e.g., glycogen) were supposed to be electron donors for NO3- degradation. This capability would enhance the viability and living space of anammox bacteria in different natural ecosystems, and make it plausible that complete nitrogen removal could be implemented only by the anammox process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
| | - Sen Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
| | - Zhen Bi
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215002, China.
| | - Jiti Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
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17
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Zhang X, Liu Y. Circular economy-driven ammonium recovery from municipal wastewater: State of the art, challenges and solutions forward. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 334:125231. [PMID: 33962161 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In current biological nitrogen removal (BNR) processes, most of ammonium in municipal wastewater is biologically transformed to nitrogen gas, making ammonium recovery impossible. Thus, this article aims to provide a holistic review with in-depth discussions on (i) current BNR processes for municipal wastewater treatment, (ii) environmental and economic costs behind ammonium in municipal wastewater, (iii) state of the art of ammonium recovery from municipal wastewater including anaerobic membrane bioreactor turning municipal wastewater to a liquid fertilizer, capturing ammonium in phototrophic biomass, waste activated sludge for land application, bioelectrochemical systems, biological conversion of ammonium to nitrous oxide as a fuel oxidizer, and adsorption, (iv) feasibility and challenge of adsorption for ammonium recovery from municipal wastewater and (v) innovative municipal wastewater reclamation processes coupled with ammonium recovery. Moving forward, municipal wastewater reclamation and resource recovery should be addressed under the framework of circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Zhang
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 637141, Singapore
| | - Yu Liu
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 637141, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
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18
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Nie H, Dang Y, Yan H, Sun D, Holmes DE. Enhanced recovery of nitrous oxide from incineration leachate in a microbial electrolysis cell inoculated with a nosZ-deficient strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 333:125082. [PMID: 33878502 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125082] [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: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
High concentrations of nitrous oxide were recovered from partial nitrification treated leachate in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) inoculated with a nosZ-deficient strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. N2O conversion efficiencies > 90% were achieved when a potential of 0.8 V was applied to the MEC. The ΔnosZ strain was enriched in the 0.8 V MEC, but Achromobacter dominated the non-current control. Nitric oxide reductase genes were highly expressed by ΔnosZ cells growing in the 0.8 V MEC, consistent with enhanced nitrous oxide production rates. Concentrations of phenazine derivatives and transcripts from phenazine biosynthesis genes were also high in the 0.8 V MEC. Phenazine derivatives are known to act as electron shuttles, enhance biofilm formation, and help ward off competitors, thereby increasing the survivability of the ΔnosZ strain in the MEC. These results show that applied current stabilized growth of the ΔnosZ strain in the reactor and allowed it to sustainably generate high concentrations of nitrous oxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbing Nie
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongkang Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dezhi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Dawn E Holmes
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119, United States
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19
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Duan H, Zhao Y, Koch K, Wells GF, Zheng M, Yuan Z, Ye L. Insights into Nitrous Oxide Mitigation Strategies in Wastewater Treatment and Challenges for Wider Implementation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7208-7224. [PMID: 33975433 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions account for the majority of the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Many N2O mitigation strategies have since been developed while a holistic view is still missing. This article reviews the state-of-the-art of N2O mitigation studies in wastewater treatment. Through analyzing existing studies, this article presents the essential knowledge to guide N2O mitigations, and the logics behind mitigation strategies. In practice, mitigations are mainly carried out by aeration control, feed scheme optimization, and process optimization. Despite increasingly more studies, real implementation remains rare, which is a combined result of unclear climate change policies/incentives, as well as technical challenges. Five critical technical challenges, as well as opportunities, of N2O mitigations were identified. It is proposed that (i) quantification methods for overall N2O emissions and pathway contributions need improvement; (ii) a reliable while straightforward mathematical model is required to quantify benefits and compare mitigation strategies; (iii) tailored risk assessment needs to be conducted for WWTPs, in which more long-term full-scale trials of N2O mitigation are urgently needed to enable robust assessments of the resulting operational costs and impact on nutrient removal performance; (iv) current mitigation strategies focus on centralized WWTPs, more investigations are warranted for decentralised systems, especially decentralized activated sludge WWTPs; and (v) N2O may be mitigated by adopting novel strategies promoting N2O reduction denitrification or microorganisms that emit less N2O. Overall, we conclude N2O mitigation research is reaching a maturity while challenges still exist for a wider implementation, especially in relation to the reliability of N2O mitigation strategies and potential risks to nutrient removal performances of WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yingfen Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Konrad Koch
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - George F Wells
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Min Zheng
- Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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20
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A review of partial nitrification in biological nitrogen removal processes: from development to application. Biodegradation 2021; 32:229-249. [PMID: 33825095 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-021-09938-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To further reduce the energy consumption in the wastewater biological nitrogen removal process, partial nitrification and its integrated processes have attracted increasing attentions owing to their economy and efficiency. Shortening the steps of ammonia oxidation to nitrate saves a large amount of aeration, and the accumulated nitrite could be reduced by denitritation or anammox, which requires less electron donors compared with denitrification. Therefore, the strategies through mainstream suppression and sidestream inhibition for the achievement of partial nitrification in recent years are reviewed. Specifically, the enrichment strategies of functional microorganisms are obtained on the basis of their growth and metabolic characteristics under different selective pressures. Furthermore, the promising developments, current application bottlenecks and possible future trends of some biological nitrogen removal processes integrating partial nitrification are discussed. The obtained knowledge would provide a new idea for the fast realization of economic, efficient and long-term stable partial nitrification and biological nitrogen removal process.
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21
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Yao Y, Wang Z, Criddle CS. Robust Nitritation of Anaerobic Digester Centrate Using Dual Stressors and Timed Alkali Additions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:2016-2026. [PMID: 33443415 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen is commonly removed from wastewater by nitrification to nitrate followed by nitrate reduction to N2. Shortcut N removal saves energy by limiting ammonia oxidation to nitrite, but nitrite accumulation can be unstable. We hypothesized that repeated short-term exposures of ammonia-oxidizing communities to free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) would stabilize nitritation by selecting against nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Accordingly, we evaluated ammonium oxidation of anaerobic digester centrate in two bench-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), seeded with the same inoculum and operated identically but with differing pH-control strategies. A single stressor SBR (SS/SBR) using pH set-point control produced HNO3, while a dual stressor SBR (DS/SBR) using timed alkalinity addition (TAA) produced HNO2 (ammonium removal efficiency of 97 ± 2%; nitrite accumulation ratio of 98 ± 1%). The TAA protocol was developed during an adaptation period with continuous pH monitoring. After adaptation, automated TAA enabled stable nitritation without set-point control. In the SS/SBR, repeatedly exposing the community to FA (8-10 h/exposure, one exposure/cycle) selected for FA-tolerant ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (Nitrosomonas sp. NM107) and NOB (Nitrobacter sp.). In the DS/SBR, repeatedly exposing the community to FA (2-4 h/exposure, three exposures/cycle) and FNA (4-6 h/exposure, two exposures/cycle) selected for FA- and FNA-resistant AOB (Nitrosomonas IWT514) and against NOB, stabilizing nitritation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinuo Yao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Zhiyue Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Craig S Criddle
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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22
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Wang LK, Chen X, Wei W, Xu Q, Sun J, Mannina G, Song L, Ni BJ. Biological Reduction of Nitric Oxide for Efficient Recovery of Nitrous Oxide as an Energy Source. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1992-2005. [PMID: 33430585 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chemical absorption-biological reduction based on Fe(II)EDTA is a promising technology to remove nitric oxide (NO) from flue gases. However, limited effort has been made to enable direct energy recovery from NO through production of nitrous oxide (N2O) as a potential renewable energy rather than greenhouse gas. In this work, the enhanced energy recovery in the form of N2O via biological NO reduction was investigated by conducting short-term and long-term experiments at different Fe(II)EDTA-NO and organic carbon levels. The results showed both NO reductase and N2O reductase were inhibited at Fe(II)EDTA-NO concentration up to 20 mM, with the latter being inhibited more significantly, thus facilitating N2O accumulation. Furthermore, N2O accumulation was enhanced under carbon-limiting conditions because of electron competition during short-term experiments. Up to 47.5% of NO-N could be converted to gaseous N2O-N, representing efficient N2O recovery. Fe(II)EDTA-NO reduced microbial diversity and altered the community structure toward Fe(II)EDTA-NO-reducing bacteria-dominated culture during long-term experiments. The most abundant bacterial genus Pseudomonas, which was able to resist the toxicity of Fe(II)EDTA-NO, was significantly enriched, with its relative abundance increased from 1.0 to 70.3%, suggesting Pseudomonas could be the typical microbe for the energy recovery technology in NO-based denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Xueming Chen
- College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, PR China
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Qiuxiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Giorgio Mannina
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Engineering Department, Palermo University, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Lan Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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23
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Zhuge YY, Shen XY, Liu YD, Shapleigh J, Li W. Application of acidic conditions and inert-gas sparging to achieve high-efficiency nitrous oxide recovery during nitrite denitrification. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 182:116001. [PMID: 32544733 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen removal with energy recovery through denitrification dependent N2O production is garnering recent attention due to its cost advantages. The most effective current method requires alternating COD and nitrite to achieve high N2O production making it incompatible with typical wastewaters and consequently difficult to use in most settings. The work described here introduces a robust and highly efficient N2O recovery approach which has the potential to work with wastewaters containing COD and nitrite simultaneously. This method relies on low pH incubation and inert gas sparging (IGS) to shift a community of mainly N2 producing nitrite denitrifiers to a community that accumulates N2O when incubated in the absence of IGS. Before experiencing IGS, samples from activated sludge incubated at a pH of 4.5 and 6.0 only achieved a maximum N2O production efficiency (PE_N2O) of ∼26%. After IGS the PE_N2O values increased to ∼97.5% and ∼80.2% for samples from these same pH 4.5 and pH 6.0 reactors, respectively. IGS did not lead to N2O production in a pH 7.5 bioreactor. Meta-omics analysis revealed that IGS resulted in an increase in bacteria utilizing the clade I nitrous oxide reductase (nosZI) relative to bacteria utilizing the clade II nitrous oxide reductase (nosZII). This likely results from IGS flushing out N2O leaving nitrite as the principal nitrogen oxide available for respiration, favoring nosZI utilizing bacteria which are more likely to be complete denitrifiers. Metatranscriptomic analysis suggested that the high PE_N2O values that occurred after stopping IGS result from the NO generated by chemodenitrification accumulating to levels that inactivate [4Fe:4S] clusters in the NosR protein essential for N2O reduction in the nosZI denitrifiers. This study provides an efficient and straightforward method for N2O recovery, widening the options for energy recovery from nitrogen-based wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Yang Zhuge
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun-Yu Shen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-di Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Wei Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, China.
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Wang Z, Woo SG, Yao Y, Cheng HH, Wu YJ, Criddle CS. Nitrogen removal as nitrous oxide for energy recovery: Increased process stability and high nitrous yields at short hydraulic residence times. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 173:115575. [PMID: 32058151 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) is a two-stage process for nitrogen removal and resource recovery: in the first, ammonia is oxidized to nitrite in an aerobic bioreactor; in the second, oxidation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) drives reduction of nitrite to nitrous oxide (N2O) which is stripped for use as a biogas oxidant. Because ammonia oxidation is well-studied, tests of CANDO to date have focused on N2O production in anaerobic/anoxic sequencing batch reactors. In these reactors, nitrogen is provided as nitrite; PHA is produced from acetate or other dissolved COD, and PHA oxidation is coupled to N2O production from nitrite. In a pilot-scale study, N2O recovery was affected by COD/N ratio, total cycle time, and relative time periods for PHA synthesis and N2O production. In follow-up bench-scale studies, different reactor cycle times were used to investigate these operational parameters. Increasing COD/N ratio improved nitrite removal and increased biosolids concentration. Shortening the anaerobic phase prevented fermentation of PHA and improved its utilization. Efficient PHA synthesis and utilization in the anaerobic phase correlated with high N2O production in the anoxic phase. Shortening the anoxic phase prevented reduction of N2O to N2. By shortening both phases, total cycle time was reduced from 24 to 12 h. This optimized operation enabled increased biomass concentrations, increased N2O yields (from 71 to 87%), increased N loading rates (from 0.1 to 0.25 kg N/m3-d), and shorter hydraulic residence times (from 10 to 2 days). Long-term changes in operational performance for the different bioreactor systems tested were generally similar despite significant differences in microbial community structure. Long-term operation at short anaerobic phases selected for a glycogen-accumulating community dominated by a Defluviicoccus-related strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyue Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; U.S. National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), USA
| | - Sung-Geun Woo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; U.S. National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), USA
| | - Yinuo Yao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; U.S. National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), USA
| | - Hai-Hsuan Cheng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Craig S Criddle
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; U.S. National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), USA.
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25
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Wu L, Peng L, Wei W, Wang D, Ni BJ. Nitrous oxide production from wastewater treatment: The potential as energy resource rather than potent greenhouse gas. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 387:121694. [PMID: 31776086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O), produced from wastewater treatment, is a potent greenhouse gas and has become a global concern in recent years. However, N2O has also been commonly used as a powerful oxidant for energy generation. As such, an increasing effort has been devoted to explore the energy potential of N2O from wastewater treatment processes recently. Nevertheless, the holistic knowledge on energy recovery from nitrogen in wastewater is still lacking for facilitating its further development. Striving for sustainable wastewater treatment, this review paper aimed to give the up-to-date status on several essential aspects regarding the N2O recovery as an energy resource rather than emission as a greenhouse gas, including energy production via N2O decomposition, main biotic N2O production sources, the potential bioprocesses used for N2O recovery, and the possible N2O harvesting strategies. We then put forward perspectives for N2O recovery and future challenges to improve our understanding of the energy generation, microbial processes involved and harvesting approaches in order to potentially achieve sustainable wastewater treatment via N2O recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Lai Peng
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Dongbo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
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26
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A hydraulically optimized fluidized bed UF membrane reactor (FB-UF-MR) for direct treatment of raw municipal wastewater to enable water reclamation with integrated energy recovery. Sep Purif Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2019.116165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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27
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Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Chen Y. Recent advances in partial denitrification in biological nitrogen removal: From enrichment to application. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 298:122444. [PMID: 31784254 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
To maximize energy recovery, carbon capture followed by shortcut nitrogen removal is becoming the most promising route in biological wastewater treatment. As the intermediate of microbial denitrification, nitrite could serve as a substrate for anammox bacteria, while N2O is a combustion promoter that can increase 37% energy release from CH4 than O2. Therefore, the important advances in partial denitrification (PD) that produces nitrite or N2O as the main product using inorganic or organic electron donors were critically reviewed. Specifically, the enrichment strategies of PD microorganisms were obtained by analyzing the selection pressures, metabolism, physiology, and microbiology of these microorganisms. Furthermore, some prospective and promising processes integrating PD microorganisms and the bottlenecks of current applications were discussed. The obtained knowledge would provide new insights into the upgrading of current WWTPs involving commitment to achieve nitrogen removal from wastewaters more economically and environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yinguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
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28
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Nie H, Liu X, Dang Y, Ji Y, Sun D, Smith JA, Holmes DE. Efficient nitrous oxide recovery from incineration leachate by a nosZ-deficient strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 297:122371. [PMID: 31753601 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122371] [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: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, nitrous oxide was recovered from a lab-scale moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) treating partial nitrification-treated leachate supplemented with a nosZ-deficient strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Batch culture tests with the nosZ-deficient strain determined that the threshold for free nitrous acid (FNA) inhibition was 0.016 mg/L and that FNA concentrations above this threshold severely inhibited denitrification and transcription of genes from the dissimilatory nitrate reduction pathway (narG, nirS, and norB). High nitrite removal and N2O conversion efficiencies (>95%) were achieved with long-term operation of this MBBR. N2O accounted for the majority of biogas (80%) produced when the MBBR was fed partial nitrification-treated leachate with high nitrite concentrations and the drainage ratio was adjusted to 30%. Bacterial community analysis revealed that the nosZ-deficient Pseudomonas strain remained metabolically active and was primarily responsible for denitrification processes in the reactor. This study presents a promising method for N2O recovery from incineration leachate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbing Nie
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yanan Ji
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dezhi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Jessica A Smith
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT 06050, United States
| | - Dawn E Holmes
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119, United States
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29
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Zhang M, Gu J, Liu Y. Engineering feasibility, economic viability and environmental sustainability of energy recovery from nitrous oxide in biological wastewater treatment plant. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 282:514-519. [PMID: 30878291 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the biological wastewater treatment has been challenged by their high energy consumption. An increasing effort has been devoted to exploring energy recovery from nitrous oxide (N2O) as a powerful fuel additive rather than as an unwanted byproduct during biological nitrogen removal. This review aims to offer a holistic and critical analysis of the ideas for N2O production and energy recovery in terms of engineering feasibility, economic viability and environmental sustainability. It turns out that the recoverable energy from N2O produced in municipal wastewater is below 0.03 kWh/m3, which is insignificant compared with the in-plant energy consumption, while complicated process configuration and high cost associated with harvesting and post-purification of N2O will be incurred. An environmental risk related to global climate change due to the emission of residual dissolved N2O is also concerned. Further effort on N2O production and recovery technologies is indeed required to improve the overall energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 637141, Singapore
| | - Jun Gu
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 637141, Singapore
| | - Yu Liu
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 637141, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
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30
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Chen M, Zhou XF, Yu YQ, Liu X, Zeng RJX, Zhou SG, He Z. Light-driven nitrous oxide production via autotrophic denitrification by self-photosensitized Thiobacillus denitrificans. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 127:353-360. [PMID: 30954721 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
N2O (Nitrous oxide, a booster oxidant in rockets) has attracted increasing interest as a means of enhancing energy production, and it can be produced by nitrate (NO3-) reduction in NO3--loading wastewater. However, conventional denitrification processes are often limited by the lack of bioavailable electron donors. In this study, we innovatively propose a self-photosensitized nonphototrophic Thiobacillus denitrificans (T. denitrificans-CdS) that is capable of NO3- reduction and N2O production driven by light. The system converted >72.1 ± 1.1% of the NO3--N input to N2ON, and the ratio of N2O-N in gaseous products was >96.4 ± 0.4%. The relative transcript abundance of the genes encoding the denitrifying proteins in T. denitrificans-CdS after irradiation was significantly upregulated. The photoexcited electrons acted as the dominant electron sources for NO3- reduction by T. denitrificans-CdS. This study provides the first proof of concept for sustainable and low-cost autotrophic denitrification to generate N2O driven by light. The findings also have strong implications for sustainable environmental management because the sunlight-triggered denitrification reaction driven by nonphototrophic microorganisms may widely occur in nature, particularly in a semiconductive mineral-enriched aqueous environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Yu-Qing Yu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Raymond Jian-Xiong Zeng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Shun-Gui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
| | - Zhen He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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31
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Thakur IS, Medhi K. Nitrification and denitrification processes for mitigation of nitrous oxide from waste water treatment plants for biovalorization: Challenges and opportunities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 282:502-513. [PMID: 30898409 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas. Even though its emissions is much lesser than CO2 but its global warming potential (GWP) is 298 times more than CO2. N2O emissions from wastewater treatment plants was caused due to incomplete nitrification or incomplete denitrification catalyzed by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and heterotrophic denitrifiers. Low dissolved oxygen, high nitrite accumulation, change in optimal pH or temperature, fluctuation in C/N ratio, short solid retention time and non-availability of Cu ions were responsible for higher N2O leakage. Regulation of enzyme metabolic pathways involved in N2O production and reduction has also been reviewed. Sequential bioreactors, bioscrubbers, membrane biofilters usage have helped microbial nitrification-denitrification processes in succumbing N2O production in wastewater treatment plants. Reduction of N2O negativity has been studied through its valorization for the formation of value added products such as biopolymers has led to biorefinery approaches as an upcoming mitigation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Shekhar Thakur
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Kristina Medhi
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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32
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Sharif HMA, Cheng HY, Haider MR, Khan K, Yang L, Wang AJ. NO Removal with Efficient Recovery of N 2O by Using Recyclable Fe 3O 4@EDTA@Fe(II) Complex: A Novel Approach toward Resource Recovery from Flue Gas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:1004-1013. [PMID: 30525505 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Traditional technologies for handling nitrogen oxides (NO x) from flue gas commonly entail the formation of harmless nitrogen gas (N2), while less effort has been made to recover the N-containing chemicals produced. In this work, we developed a novel nanomagnetic adsorbent, Fe3O4@EDTA@Fe(II) (MEFe(II)), for NO removal. The NO adsorbed by MEFe(II) was then selectively converted to N2O, a valuable compound in many industries, by using sulfite (a product from desulfurization in flue gas treatment) as the reductant for the regeneration of MEFe(II). Because of the magnetic and solid properties of MEFe(II), the processes of NO adsorption and N2O recovery can be readily carried out under their optimal pH conditions in separate systems. In addition, the produced N2O is easily handled without unwanted release to the atmosphere. At the optimal pH (7.5 and 8.0 for NO adsorption and N2O recovery, respectively), the maximum NO adsorption capacity of MEFe(II) was measured as 0.303 ± 0.037 mmol·g-1, over 90% of which was converted to N2O during the recovery process. Moreover, MEFe(II) exhibited good five consecutive cycles. All of above reactions were performed at room temperature. These findings indicate MEFe(II) may hold great potential for application to NO removal from flue gas with the benefits of resource recovery, decreased chemical use, and low energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Muhammad Adeel Sharif
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology , Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100085 , PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Hao-Yi Cheng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Muhammad Rizwan Haider
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology , Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100085 , PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Kifayatullah Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology , Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100085 , China
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences , University of Swat , Swat 19130 , Pakistan
| | - Lihui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology , Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100085 , PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
| | - Ai-Jie Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , 100049 , China
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33
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Campos JL, Crutchik D, Franchi Ó, Pavissich JP, Belmonte M, Pedrouso A, Mosquera-Corral A, Val del Río Á. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Recovery From Anaerobically Pretreated Agro-Food Wastes: A Review. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2018.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Gayen P, Spataro J, Avasarala S, Ali AM, Cerrato JM, Chaplin BP. Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate Using Magnéli Phase TiO 2 Reactive Electrochemical Membranes Doped with Pd-Based Catalysts. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:9370-9379. [PMID: 30039962 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This research focused on synthesis, characterization, and application of point-of-use catalytic reactive electrochemical membranes (REMs) for electrocatalytic NO3- reduction. Deposition of Pd-Cu and Pd-In catalysts to the REMs produced catalytic REMs (i.e., Pd-Cu/REM and Pd-In/REM) that were active for NO3- reduction. Optimal performance was achieved with a Pd-Cu/REM and upstream counter electrode, which reduced NO3- from 1.0 mM to below the EPAs regulatory MCL (700 μM) in a single pass through the REM (residence time ∼2 s), obtaining product selectivity of <2% toward NO2-/NH3. Nitrate reduction was not affected by dissolved oxygen and carbonate species and only slightly decreased in a surface water sample due to Ca2+ and Mg2+ scaling. Energy consumption to treat surface water was 1.1 to 1.3 kWh mol-1 for 1 mM NO3- concentrations, and decreased to 0.19 and 0.12 kWh mol-1 for 10 and 100 mM NaNO3 solutions, respectively. Electrocatalytic reduction kinetics were shown to be an order of magnitude higher than catalytic NO3- reduction kinetics. Conversion of up to 67% of NO3-, with low NO2- (0.7-11 μM) and NH3 formation (<10 μM), and low energy consumption obtained in this study suggest that Pd-Cu/REMs are a promising technology for distributed water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pralay Gayen
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Illinois at Chicago , 810 South Clinton Street , Chicago , Illinois 60607 , United States
| | - Jason Spataro
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Illinois at Chicago , 810 South Clinton Street , Chicago , Illinois 60607 , United States
| | - Sumant Avasarala
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Abdul-Mehdi Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Brian P Chaplin
- Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Illinois at Chicago , 810 South Clinton Street , Chicago , Illinois 60607 , United States
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35
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Significant enhancement of nitrous oxide energy yields from wastewater achieved by bioaugmentation with a recombinant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11916. [PMID: 30093706 PMCID: PMC6085377 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30326-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is formed during wastewater nitrogen removal processes. It is a strong greenhouse gas, however, if properly captured it can also be used as a renewable energy source. In this study, a nosZ-deficient strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was constructed. During growth under denitrifying conditions, the nosZ-deficient strain was more highly transcribing other genes from the denitrification pathway (narG, nirS, and norB) than the wild-type strain. This strain could also convert 85% of NO2--N to N2O when it was grown with acetate compared to <0.6% by the wild-type strain. When a bioreactor treating synthetic wastewater with high NO2--N concentrations (700 mg/L) was inoculated with this strain, the N2O conversion efficiencies were >73% and N2O comprised 73~81% of the biogas being generated. The energy yield from wastewater in bioaugmented reactors also reached levels as high as 1260 kJ/m3. These results are significant and show that bioaugmentation of reactors during denitrification treatment processes with nosZ-deficient strains of Pseudomonas or other core denitrifying bacteria might be an effective way to enhance N2O recovery.
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36
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Weißbach M, Thiel P, Drewes JE, Koch K. Nitrogen removal and intentional nitrous oxide production from reject water in a coupled nitritation/nitrous denitritation system under real feed-stream conditions. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 255:58-66. [PMID: 29414173 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.01.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) was performed over five months to investigate the performance and dynamics of nitrogen elimination and nitrous oxide production from digester reject water under real feed-stream conditions. A 93% conversion of ammonium to nitrite could be maintained for adapted seed sludge in the first stage (nitritation). The second stage (nitrous denitritation), inoculated with conventional activated sludge, achieved a conversion of 70% of nitrite to nitrous oxide after only 12 cycles of operation. The development of an alternative feeding strategy and the addition of a coagulant (FeCl3) facilitated stable operation and process intensification. Under steady-state conditions, nitrite was reliably eliminated and different nitrous oxide harvesting strategies were assessed. Applying continuous removal increased N2O yields by 16% compared to the application of a dedicated stripping phase. These results demonstrate the feasible application of the CANDO process for nitrogen removal and energy recovery from ammonia rich wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Weißbach
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Paul Thiel
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Jörg E Drewes
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Konrad Koch
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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37
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Weißbach M, Gossler F, Drewes JE, Koch K. Separation of nitrous oxide from aqueous solutions applying a micro porous hollow fiber membrane contactor for energy recovery. Sep Purif Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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38
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Perez-Garcia O, Mankelow C, Chandran K, Villas-Boas SG, Singhal N. Modulation of Nitrous Oxide (N 2O) Accumulation by Primary Metabolites in Denitrifying Cultures Adapting to Changes in Environmental C and N. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:13678-13688. [PMID: 29083886 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics provides insights into the actual physiology of cells rather than their mere "potential", as provided by genomic and transcriptomic analysis. We investigate the modulation of nitrous oxide (N2O) accumulation by intracellular metabolites in denitrifying bacteria using metabolomics and genome-based metabolic network modeling. Profiles of metabolites and their rates of production/consumption were obtained for denitrifying batch cultures under four conditions: initial COD:N ratios of 11:1 and 4:1 with and without nitrite spiking (28 mg-N L-1). Only the nitrite-spiked cultures accumulated N2O. The NO2- spiked cultures with an initial COD:N = 11:1 accumulated 3.3 ± 0.57% of the total nitrogen added as N2O and large pools of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and amino acids. In comparison, the NO2- spiked cultures with COD:N = 4:1 showed significantly higher (p = 0.028) N2O accumulation (8.5.3 ± 0.9% of the total nitrogen added), which was linked to the depletion of C11-C20 fatty acids. Metabolic modeling analysis shows that at COD:N of 4:1 the denitrifying cells slowly generate electron equivalents as FADH2 through β-oxidation of saturated fatty acids, while COD:N of 11:1 do it through the TCA cycle. When combined with NO2- shock, this prolonged the duration over which insufficient electron equivalents were available to completely reduce NOx to N2, resulting in increased N2O accumulation. Results extend the understanding of how organic carbon and nitrite loads modulate N2O accumulation in denitrification, which may contribute to further design strategies to control greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils or wastewater treatment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Perez-Garcia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Cody Mankelow
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Silas G Villas-Boas
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Naresh Singhal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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Laboratory and field studies on a new sensor for dissolved N 2O. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 409:4719-4727. [PMID: 28577074 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0418-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a strong greenhouse gas, whose atmospheric concentration has been continuously increasing for more than 200 years. One major source is wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where N2O emissions should either be minimized or pushed to levels where exploitation in biogas combustion engines becomes efficient. Both these strategies require online control of the N2O concentrations in the liquid as well as in the gas phase. For this purpose, we propose a system for membrane extraction of the gas from the liquid phase, which then allows for a subsequent gas-phase analysis, which we perform by photoacoustic spectroscopy. We compare different theoretical calculations of the extraction efficiency, based either on a straightforward mathematical model or on a finite element simulation. The comparison of results with measurements produced on a well-defined model system shows good accordance. Based on the outcome, a field probe was developed and tested on a WWTP, yielding results comparable to the one achieved by GC reference analysis. Graphical abstract Gas extraction from liquids, e.g. from a wastewater treatment plant, for online gas monitoring.
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40
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Forward osmosis as a platform for resource recovery from municipal wastewater - A critical assessment of the literature. J Memb Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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41
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Gao H, Liu M, Griffin JS, Xu L, Xiang D, Scherson YD, Liu WT, Wells GF. Complete Nutrient Removal Coupled to Nitrous Oxide Production as a Bioenergy Source by Denitrifying Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:4531-4540. [PMID: 28212019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Coupled aerobic-anoxic nitrous decomposition operation (CANDO) is a promising emerging bioprocess for wastewater treatment that enables direct energy recovery from nitrogen (N) in three steps: (1) ammonium oxidation to nitrite; (2) denitrification of nitrite to nitrous oxide (N2O); and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy generation. However, CANDO does not currently target phosphorus (P) removal. Here, we demonstrate that denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organism (PAO) enrichment cultures are capable of catalyzing simultaneous biological N and P removal coupled to N2O generation in a second generation CANDO process, CANDO+P. Over 7 months (>300 cycles) of operation of a prototype lab-scale CANDO+P sequencing batch reactor treating synthetic municipal wastewater, we observed stable and near-complete N removal accompanied by sustained high-rate, high-yield N2O production with partial P removal. A substantial increase in abundance of the PAO Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis was observed, increasing from 5% of the total bacterial community in the inoculum to over 50% after 4 months. PAO enrichment was accompanied by a strong shift in the dominant Accumulibacter population from clade IIC to clade IA, based on qPCR monitoring of polyphosphate kinase 1 (ppk1) gene variants. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of combining high-rate, high-yield N2O production for bioenergy production with combined N and P removal from wastewater, and it further suggests a putative denitrifying PAO niche for Accumulibacter clade IA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Wen-Tso Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Zhao J, Huang N, Hu B, Jia L, Ge G. Potential of nitrous oxide recovery from an aerobic/oxic/anoxic SBR process. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2016; 73:1061-1066. [PMID: 26942527 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2015.524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A single sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with an operating mode of anaerobic/oxic/anoxic (A/O/A) was developed to determine a simpler process to recover nitrous oxide (N2O) from synthetic wastewater containing ammonia and glucose. This SBR system was initiated in A/O mode to implement nitritation (ammonia to nitrite) and then switched to A/O/A mode. Using measurements of the dissolved N2O concentration and release rate, the total production and conversion rate of N2O were calculated to reveal the potential of producing and recovering N2O in the extended anoxic phase. Results showed that the A/O/A SBR could convert the majority of the nitrite available in the system into N2O by heterotrophic denitritation over longer anoxic periods, and a conversion rate of 77% could be achieved. As a consequence, the A/O/A SBR presents potential ability to produce and recover N2O from wastewater containing ammonia and organic carbon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China E-mail:
| | - Nan Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China E-mail:
| | - Bo Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China E-mail:
| | - Luwei Jia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China E-mail:
| | - Guanghuan Ge
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China E-mail:
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43
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Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants: Minimization, Treatment, and Prevention. J CHEM-NY 2016. [DOI: 10.1155/2016/3796352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The operation of wastewater treatment plants results in direct emissions, from the biological processes, of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as indirect emissions resulting from energy generation. In this study, three possible ways to reduce these emissions are discussed and analyzed:(1)minimization through the change of operational conditions,(2)treatment of the gaseous streams, and(3)prevention by applying new configurations and processes to remove both organic matter and pollutants. In current WWTPs, to modify the operational conditions of existing units reveals itself as possibly the most economical way to decrease N2O and CO2emissions without deterioration of effluent quality. Nowadays the treatment of the gaseous streams containing the GHG seems to be a not suitable option due to the high capital costs of systems involved to capture and clean them. The change of WWTP configuration by using microalgae or partial nitritation-Anammox processes to remove ammonia from wastewater, instead of conventional nitrification-denitrification processes, can significantly reduce the GHG emissions and the energy consumed. However, the area required in the case of microalgae systems and the current lack of information about stability of partial nitritation-Anammox processes operating in the main stream of the WWTP are factors to be considered.
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Liu Y, Peng L, Guo J, Chen X, Yuan Z, Ni BJ. Evaluating the Role of Microbial Internal Storage Turnover on Nitrous Oxide Accumulation During Denitrification. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15138. [PMID: 26463891 PMCID: PMC4604521 DOI: 10.1038/srep15138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological wastewater treatment processes under a dynamic regime with respect to carbon substrate can result in microbial storage of internal polymers (e.g., polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)) and their subsequent utilizations. These storage turnovers play important roles in nitrous oxide (N2O) accumulation during heterotrophic denitrification in biological wastewater treatment. In this work, a mathematical model is developed to evaluate the key role of PHB storage turnovers on N2O accumulation during denitrification for the first time, aiming to establish the key relationship between N2O accumulation and PHB storage production. The model is successfully calibrated and validated using N2O data from two independent experimental systems with PHB storage turnovers. The model satisfactorily describes nitrogen reductions, PHB storage/utilization, and N2O accumulation from both systems. The results reveal a linear relationship between N2O accumulation and PHB production, suggesting a substantial effect of PHB storage on N2O accumulation during denitrification. Application of the model to simulate long-term operations of a denitrifying sequencing batch reactor and a denitrifying continuous system indicates the feeding pattern and sludge retention time would alter PHB turnovers and thus affect N2O accumulation. Increasing PHB utilization could substantially raise N2O accumulation due to the relatively low N2O reduction rate when using PHB as carbon source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Liu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lai Peng
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Xueming Chen
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Myung J, Wang Z, Yuan T, Zhang P, Van Nostrand JD, Zhou J, Criddle CS. Production of Nitrous Oxide from Nitrite in Stable Type II Methanotrophic Enrichments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:10969-10975. [PMID: 26301949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The coupled aerobic-anoxic nitrous decomposition operation is a new process for wastewater treatment that removes nitrogen from wastewater and recovers energy from the nitrogen in three steps: (1) NH4(+) oxidation to NO2(-), (2) NO2(-) reduction to N2O, and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy production. Here, we demonstrate that type II methanotrophic enrichments can mediate step two by coupling oxidation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) to NO2(-) reduction. Enrichments grown with NH4(+) and NO2(-) were subject to alternating 48-h aerobic and anoxic periods, in which CH4 and NO2(-) were added together in a "coupled" mode of operation or separately in a "decoupled mode". Community structure was stable in both modes and dominated by Methylocystis. In the coupled mode, production of P3HB and N2O was low. In the decoupled mode, significant P3HB was produced, and oxidation of P3HB drove reduction of NO2(-) to N2O with ∼ 70% conversion for >30 cycles (120 d). In batch tests of wasted cells from the decoupled mode, N2O production rates increased at low O2 or high NO2(-) levels. The results are significant for the development of engineered processes that remove nitrogen from wastewater and for understanding of conditions that favor environmental production of N2O.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewook Myung
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Zhiyue Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Tong Yuan
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Science, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Ping Zhang
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Science, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Joy D Van Nostrand
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Science, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Science, University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Craig S Criddle
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- William and Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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46
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Schaubroeck T, De Clippeleir H, Weissenbacher N, Dewulf J, Boeckx P, Vlaeminck SE, Wett B. Environmental sustainability of an energy self-sufficient sewage treatment plant: improvements through DEMON and co-digestion. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 74:166-79. [PMID: 25727156 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
It is still not proven that treatment of sewage in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is (in every case) environmentally friendly. To address this matter, we have applied a state-of-the-art life cycle assessment (LCA) to an energy self-sufficient WWTP in Strass (Austria), its supply chain and the valorization of its 'products': produced electricity out of biogas from sludge digestion and the associated stabilized digestate, applied as agricultural fertilizer. Prominent aspects of our study are: a holistic environmental impact assessment, measurement of greenhouse gas emissions (including N2O), and accounting for infrastructure, replacement of conventional fertilizers and toxicity of metals present in the stabilized digestate. Additionally, the environmental sustainability improvement by implementing one-stage partial nitritation/anammox (e.g. DEMON(®)) and co-digestion was also assessed. DEMON on the digesters reject water leads to a considerable saving of natural resources compared to nitritiation/denitritation (about 33% of the life cycle resource input), this through the lowering of sludge consumption for N-removal, and thus increasing electricity production via a higher sludge excess. However, its N2O emission could be restrained through further optimization as it represents a large share (30-66%) of the plants' damaging effect on human health, this through climate change. The co-substrate addition to the digester resulted in no significant improvement of the digestion process but induced net electricity generation. If respective amounts of conventional fertilizers are replaced, the land application of the stabilized digestate is environmentally friendly through prevention of natural resource consumption and diversity loss, but possibly not regarding human health impact due the presence of toxic heavy metals, mainly Zn, in the digestate. The outcomes show that the complete life cycle results in a prevention of resource extraction from nature and a potential mitigation of diversity loss (though for some impact categories no quantification of associated diversity loss is possible) but it also leads to a damaging effect on human health, mainly via climate change and heavy metal toxicity. Since it is for now impossible to aggregate the impact to these different aspects in a sound manner, it is not yet possible to consider in this case the studied system as environmentally friendly. Generally, the field of LCA needs further development to present a better and single outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schaubroeck
- Research Group ENVOC, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Haydée De Clippeleir
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA
| | - Norbert Weissenbacher
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jo Dewulf
- Research Group ENVOC, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Laboratory of Applied Physical Chemistry (ISOFYS), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernhard Wett
- ARAconsult, Unterbergerstr. 1, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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47
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Oshita K, Okumura T, Takaoka M, Fujimori T, Appels L, Dewil R. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions following anaerobic digestion of sludge in Japanese sewage treatment facilities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2014; 171:175-181. [PMID: 25194911 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potentials (expressed in terms of CO2-equivalents) of 28 and 265, respectively. When emitted to the atmosphere, they significantly contribute to climate change. It was previously suggested that in wastewater treatment facilities that apply anaerobic sludge digestion, CH4 continues to be emitted from digested sludge after leaving the anaerobic digester. This paper studies the CH4 and N2O emissions from anaerobically digested sludge in the subsequent sludge treatment steps. Two full-scale treatment plants were monitored over a 1-year period. Average emissions of CH4 and N2O were 509±72 mg/m(3)-influent (wastewater) and 7.1±2.6 mg/m(3)-influent, respectively. These values accounted for 22.4±3.8% of the indirect reduction in CO2-emissions when electricity was generated using biogas. They are considered to be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Oshita
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan; Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Jan De Nayerlaan 5, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium.
| | - Takuya Okumura
- Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Masaki Takaoka
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Takashi Fujimori
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, C-cluster, Kyotodaigaku-katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Lise Appels
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Jan De Nayerlaan 5, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - Raf Dewil
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Jan De Nayerlaan 5, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
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48
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Scherson YD, Criddle CS. Recovery of freshwater from wastewater: upgrading process configurations to maximize energy recovery and minimize residuals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:8420-8432. [PMID: 24963949 DOI: 10.1021/es501701s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of conventional and novel wastewater treatment configurations reveals large differences in energy consumed or produced and solids generated per cubic meter of domestic wastewater treated. Complete aerobic BOD removal consumes 0.45 kWh and produces 153 g of solids, whereas complete anaerobic treatment produces 0.25 kWh and 80 g of solids. Emerging technologies, that include short-circuit nitrogen removal (SHARON, CANON with Anammox, CANDO) and mainstream anaerobic digestion, can potentially remove both BOD and nitrogen with an energy surplus of 0.17 kWh and production of 95 g of solids. Heat from biogas combustion can completely dry the solids, and these solids can be converted to syngas without imported energy. Syngas combustion can produce ∼ 0.1 kWh with an inorganic residue of just 10 g. If salt is removed, freshwater can be recovered with net production of electrical energy from methane (0.03-0.13 kWh) and syngas (∼ 0.1 kWh) and an inorganic residue of ∼ 0.1-0.3 kg as brine. Current seawater desalination requires 3-4 kWh (thermodynamic limit of 1 kWh) and results in an inorganic residue of ∼ 35 kg as brine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv D Scherson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States
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