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Mohamed A, El-Shatoury S, Aboulfotoh A, Abd El-Rahem KA, El Shahawy A. Synergistic effects (adsorption and biodegradation) of Streptomyces hydrogenans immobilization on nano-reed biochar for further application in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket. RSC Adv 2024; 14:22828-22846. [PMID: 39035718 PMCID: PMC11258616 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02864c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Water pollution due to wastewater is a serious issue that needs to be studied as many organic compounds are released from wastewater, affecting the ecosystem. Therefore, appropriate treatment methods should be used to prevent these effects. Phragmites australis biochar immobilized with bacteria was prepared in this study for use as an adsorbent in a pilot-scale up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) to remove organic matter from wastewater in a buffalo farm. Combining reed biochar and immobilized Streptomyces hydrogenans introduces a synergistic effect: reed biochar serves as a substrate for microbial colonization and provides a conducive environment for microbial growth while Streptomyces hydrogenans, immobilized on the biochar, enhances the degradation of organic matter through its metabolic activities. Suitable techniques were employed, including infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the functional groups before and after adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the morphology of the composite before and after adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to examine the mineralogical changes through reflectometry, high-resolution diffraction and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses to determine the surface area that always carried out by nitrogen adsorption/desorption technique based on the BET isotherm. Two-level factorial design experiments optimized using biochar, immobilized with bacteria, were employed to enhance the UASB performance. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and biogas production were studied as a function of four experimental parameters: biochar dose, buffalo sludge dose, pH, and bacteria type. The buffalo sludge (manure) dose negatively affected the model's performance. The results showed better COD removal with Streptomyces hydrogenans S11 inoculation. The optimum biochar dose, buffalo sludge dose, and pH were 20 g L-1, 0%, and 7.5, respectively. The COD removal efficiency under these experimental conditions reached 92.70% with a biogas production of 5.0 mL. The experimental results of a validated point from the model were 90.80% for COD removal ratio and 4.80 mL for biogas production at 2 g L-1 biochar dose, 0% buffalo sludge dose, and pH 7.5 using Streptomyces hydrogenans S11 bacteria. A buffalo wastewater (BWW) anaerobic digestion experimental model was best fitted to the data under optimal conditions. This study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). The implications of our work extend to large-scale applications, promising a greener and more sustainable future for wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Mohamed
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Suez Canal University P.O. Box 41522 Ismailia Egypt
| | - Sahar El-Shatoury
- Botany and Microbiology Dept, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University Box 41522 Ismailia Egypt
| | - Ahmed Aboulfotoh
- Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University Box Number 44519 Egypt
| | - Khaled A Abd El-Rahem
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University Assiut Branch P.O. Box 71524 Egypt
| | - Abeer El Shahawy
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Suez Canal University P.O. Box 41522 Ismailia Egypt
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Ahmad A, Senaidi AS. Sustainability for wastewater treatment: bioelectricity generation and emission reduction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:48703-48720. [PMID: 36862299 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26063-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
This review covers the technological measures of a self-sustainable anaerobic up-flow sludge blanket (UASB) system compared with an aerobic activated sludge process (ASP) for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The ASP requires a huge amount of electricity and chemicals and also results in the emission of carbon. The UASB system, instead, is based on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and is associated with biogas production for cleaner electricity. WWTPs including the ASP system are not sustainable due to the massive financial power required for clean wastewater. When the ASP system was used, the amount of production was estimated to be 10658.98 tonnes CO2eq-d- of carbon dioxide. Whereas it was 239.19 tonnes CO2eq-d-1 with the UASB. The UASB system is advantageous over the ASP system as it has a high production of biogas, needs low maintenance, yields a low amount of sludge, and is also a source of electricity that can be used as a power source for the WWTPs. Also, the UASB system produces less biomass, and this helps in reducing costs and maintaining work. Moreover, the aeration tank of the ASP needs 60% of energy distribution; on the other hand, the UASB consumes less energy, approximately 3-11%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Ahmad
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, PO 33 Postal Code 616, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman.
| | - Alaya Said Senaidi
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, PO 33 Postal Code 616, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman
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Bekkari NE, Amiri K, Hadjoudj M. Performance of pilot scale constructed wetland as ecological practice for domestic wastewater treatment in an arid climate - Algeria. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 86:787-799. [PMID: 36038977 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential for pollutant removal in a pilot-scale horizontal flow polyculture constructed wetland functioning in an arid region during different seasons. The analyzed system is located in the southeast of Algeria, where the climate is arid. During the research, 32 samples of sewage were collected from both the inflow and the outflow of the constructed wetland (CW). The effluent Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH4-N) and Ortho-Phosphate-Phosphorus (PO4-P) from all of the treatments were significantly lower than the influent and had a removal efficiency of 71.83, 73.75, 82.77, 80.29 and 59.49% respectively. The results showed that pollution removal efficiency in the tested CW system was affected by the season (air temperature and sunlight hours). It was observed that the removal rate of pollutant indicators was higher in summer and autumn compared to winter and spring. Finally, these findings confirmed that CW with polyculture would be an excellent candidate for treating domestic wastewater in rural settlements under arid environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naceur Eddine Bekkari
- Division of Water, Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Arid Areas (CRSTRA), Biophysical Station, 30240 Nezla, Touggourt, Algeria E-mail:
| | - Khaled Amiri
- Division of Water, Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Arid Areas (CRSTRA), Biophysical Station, 30240 Nezla, Touggourt, Algeria E-mail:
| | - Moussa Hadjoudj
- Division of Biological resources, Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Arid Areas (CRSTRA), Biophysical Station, 30240 Nezla, Touggourt, Algeria
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Selamawit M, Agizew N. Bio methane potential of sludge from municipal sewer and exchange stations. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08732. [PMID: 35059523 PMCID: PMC8760547 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Technologies with resource recovery alternatives are suggested in metropolitan settings. Anaerobic digesters (AD) are the most common. The use of microcrystalline cellulose and a variety of grocery products as control feed increases the cost of bio methane potential analysis (BMP). This limits its replication, especially in developing countries. As a result, this study looks into the use of milled paper as a control feed during BMP analysis of sludge from sewer and exchange stations. A batch experimental study at 37 °C with hydraulic retention times of 23 and 24 days for exchange station and sewage sludge, respectively, was established for the assessment. The pH of the sewage sludge was acidic during the analysis. To avoid underestimating the total (TS) and volatile solid (VS) ratios, the VS should indeed be determined through temperature or pH adjustment. As a result, the preceding alternative was implemented in this work. According to the findings of the online biogas application, the blank (milled paper) accurately keeps the required validation standards. Furthermore, the gas production potential of sludge from the exchange station (ES) and the sewage line (SS) is 2.4 and 1.6 NL/gVs, respectively. The generated gas has an electric potential of 8.81 and 3.35 KWH for ESS and SS, respectively. Interestingly, the calorific values of the investigated substrates were also nearly equivalent. In brief, using milled paper as a control feed in BMP analysis reduces laboratory costs and encourages BMP test repetition, which is especially important in developing countries. This advances research on the use of AD in the search for alternative energy sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Selamawit
- Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ethiopia
- Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, School of Civil and Architecture, Po. Box. 16417, Ethiopia
| | - N. Agizew
- Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ethiopia
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Mariraj Mohan S, Swathi T. A review on upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor: Factors affecting performance, modification of configuration and its derivatives. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e1665. [PMID: 34837281 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1665] [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: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor can be considered as one of the promising anaerobic wastewater treatment technologies suitable for the treatment of high-strength wastewater. In the recent period, researchers have focused on the treatment of low-strength wastewater using this technology. This review focuses on the key factors affecting the reactor performance such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), temperature, organic loading rate (OLR), pH and alkalinity, granulation, wastewater characteristics, mixing, and modification to conventional configuration. Start-up and granulation played a major role in the determination of reactor performance, and various theories have been proposed to understand the mechanism of granulation. Correlation between start-up time and OLR was found to be low, as other operating parameters might have been influencing the start-up time. Flowchart depicting the development of UASB reactor over time is included. In the present work, further development and derivatives of the UASB reactor such as static granular bed reactor (SGBR) and expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor are analyzed. The optimal conditions for UASB for treating various types of substrates was found to be HRT of 3-24 h, OLR of 1-15 kg COD/m3 /d, and operational temperature in mesophilic range (30-40°C). Analysis of various modifications that pave the way for identification of future areas of research to improve reactor performance is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mariraj Mohan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, India
| | - T Swathi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, India
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Collivignarelli MC, Abbà A, Caccamo FM, Calatroni S, Torretta V, Katsoyiannis IA, Carnevale Miino M, Rada EC. Applications of Up-Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) and Characteristics of Its Microbial Community: A Review of Bibliometric Trend and Recent Findings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10326. [PMID: 34639629 PMCID: PMC8508386 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The interest in research on up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors is growing. The meta-analysis of bibliometric data highlighted the growing interest in four diverse topics: (i) energy recovery production; (ii) combination with other treatments; (iii) the study of processes for the removal of specific pollutants and, (iv) characterization of microbial community and granular sludge composition. In particular, the papers published in the first 6 months of 2021 on this process were selected and critically reviewed to highlight and discuss the results, the gaps in the literature and possible ideas for future research. Although the state of research on UASB is to be considered advanced, there are still several points that will be developed in future research such as the consolidation of the results obtained on a semi-industrial or real scale, the use of real matrices instead of synthetic ones and a more in-depth study of the effect of substances such as antibiotics on the microbiota and microbiome of UASB granular biomass. To date, few and conflicting data about the environmental footprint of UASB are available and therefore other studies on this topic are strongly suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Collivignarelli
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.C.); (F.M.C.); (S.C.); (M.C.M.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Water Research, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Abbà
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Francesca Maria Caccamo
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.C.); (F.M.C.); (S.C.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Silvia Calatroni
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.C.); (F.M.C.); (S.C.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Torretta
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Insubria University of Varese, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Marco Carnevale Miino
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.C.C.); (F.M.C.); (S.C.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Elena Cristina Rada
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Insubria University of Varese, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy;
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Liu J, Wang C, Wu K, Tang Z, Peng S, Huang J, Li F, Zhao X, Yin F, Yang B, Liu J, Yang H, Zhang W. Comparison of long-term energy efficiency and microbial community dynamics of different reactors in response to increased loadings of water hyacinth juice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 744:140812. [PMID: 32711308 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140812] [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: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Water hyacinth is considered to be among the worst invasive weed species globally, causing detrimental environmental and social problems worldwide. It rapidly grows, and therefore has significant potential as a resource. Due to its high moisture content (approximately 95%), the by-product obtained by dehydrating water hyacinth yields a considerable amount of water hyacinth juice (WHJ). In this study, we performed a comparative assessment of long-term energy efficiency, maximum treatment capacity limits, and microbial community dynamics of modified internal circulation (MIC) and up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors in response to increasing loadings of WHJ. The MIC reactor exhibited a higher energy recovery rate and stronger performance compared with the UASB reactor. The optimal organic loading rates of the MIC and UASB reactors were 17.93 and 8.85 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m3/d, with methane conversion rates of 0.21 and 0.15 m3 CH4/kg COD, respectively. Furthermore, the engineering costs and project floor space required by the MIC reactor are less than those in the case of the UASB reactor. The high-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that the dominant phyla (e.g. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) were more abundant using the MIC reactor than with the UASB reactor, which may indicate WHJ degradation efficiency. Both reactors had similar predominant methanogens, suggesting that acetoclastic methanogenesis was the predominant metabolic pathway of methane formation. The results of this study provide new insights into the sustainable management of water hyacinth as a resource by establishing a regional ecosystem with biogas engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liu
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Jilin Dongsheng Institute of Biomass Energy Engineering, Tonghua 134118, PR China; DongMing Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development (Group) Co., LTD, Tonghua 134118, PR China
| | - Changmei Wang
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Jilin Dongsheng Institute of Biomass Energy Engineering, Tonghua 134118, PR China
| | - Kai Wu
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Zhengkang Tang
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Suyi Peng
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Jiang Huang
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Fuyuan Li
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Xingling Zhao
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Fang Yin
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Jilin Dongsheng Institute of Biomass Energy Engineering, Tonghua 134118, PR China
| | - Bin Yang
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Jing Liu
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Hong Yang
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China
| | - Wudi Zhang
- Yunnan Research Center of Biogas Technology and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Engineering and Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Bioenergy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, PR China; Jilin Dongsheng Institute of Biomass Energy Engineering, Tonghua 134118, PR China; DongMing Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development (Group) Co., LTD, Tonghua 134118, PR China.
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Mainardis M, Buttazzoni M, Goi D. Up-Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Technology for Energy Recovery: A Review on State-of-the-Art and Recent Technological Advances. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E43. [PMID: 32397582 PMCID: PMC7355771 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor belongs to high-rate systems, able to perform anaerobic reaction at reduced hydraulic retention time, if compared to traditional digesters. In this review, the most recent advances in UASB reactor applications are critically summarized and discussed, with outline on the most critical aspects for further possible future developments. Beside traditional anaerobic treatment of soluble and biodegradable substrates, research is actually focusing on the treatment of refractory and slowly degradable matrices, thanks to an improved understanding of microbial community composition and reactor hydrodynamics, together with utilization of powerful modeling tools. Innovative approaches include the use of UASB reactor for nitrogen removal, as well as for hydrogen and volatile fatty acid production. Co-digestion of complementary substrates available in the same territory is being extensively studied to increase biogas yield and provide smooth continuous operations in a circular economy perspective. Particular importance is being given to decentralized treatment, able to provide electricity and heat to local users with possible integration with other renewable energies. Proper pre-treatment application increases biogas yield, while a successive post-treatment is needed to meet required effluent standards, also from a toxicological perspective. An increased full-scale application of UASB technology is desirable to achieve circular economy and sustainability scopes, with efficient biogas exploitation, fulfilling renewable energy targets and green-house gases emission reduction, in particular in tropical countries, where limited reactor heating is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matia Mainardis
- Department Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture (DPIA), University of Udine, Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy; (M.B.); (D.G.)
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Al-Mamun A, Jafary T, Baawain MS, Rahman S, Choudhury MR, Tabatabaei M, Lam SS. Energy recovery and carbon/nitrogen removal from sewage and contaminated groundwater in a coupled hydrolytic-acidogenic sequencing batch reactor and denitrifying biocathode microbial fuel cell. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109273. [PMID: 32105886 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Developing cost-effective technology for treatment of sewage and nitrogen-containing groundwater is one of the crucial challenges of global water industries. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) oxidize organics from sewage by exoelectrogens on anode to produce electricity while denitrifiers on cathode utilize the generated electricity to reduce nitrogen from contaminated groundwater. As the exoelectrogens are incapable of oxidizing insoluble, polymeric, and complex organics, a novel integration of an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) prior to the MFC simultaneously achieve hydrolytic-acidogenic conversion of complex organics, boost power recovery, and remove Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) from the sewage and groundwater. The results obtained revealed increases in the fractions of soluble organics and volatile fatty acids in pretreated sewage by 52 ± 19% and 120 ± 40%, respectively. The optimum power and current generation with the pretreated sewage were 7.1 W m-3 and 45.88 A m-3, respectively, corresponding to 8% and 10% improvements compared to untreated sewage. Moreover, the integration of the ASBR with the biocathode MFC led to 217% higher carbon and 136% higher nitrogen removal efficiencies compared to the similar system without ASBR. The outcomes of the present study represent the promising prospects of using ASBR pretreatment and successive utilization of solubilized organics in denitrifying biocathode MFCs for simultaneous energy recovery and C/N removal from both sewage and nitrate nitrogen-contaminated groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al-Mamun
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Tahereh Jafary
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman; Process Engineering Department, International Maritime College, Sohar, Oman
| | - Mahad Said Baawain
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman
| | - Sadik Rahman
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman
| | - Mahbuboor Rahman Choudhury
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Manhattan College, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY, 10471, USA
| | - Meisam Tabatabaei
- Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Biofuel Research Team (BRTeam), Karaj, Iran; Microbial Biotechnology Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Pyrolysis Technology Research Group, Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Research (Akuatrop) & Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (Bio-D Tropika), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
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