Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater Using a Hybrid Membrane‐Biofilm Process: Pilot‐Scale Studies

Downing, Leon; Bibby, Kyle; Esposito, Kathleen; Fascianella, Tom; Tsuchihashi, Ryujiro; Nerenberg, Robert

doi:10.2175/106143009x426103

Cited by 17 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…While [NH 3 ] followed a consistent pattern of utilization and replenishment, the corresponding [ 3 NO  ] showed increases, decreases, or no change (Figure 10, middle). The increases in [ 3 NO  ] were attributed to nitrification by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria which are known to be present in wastewater [48]. The decreases in [ 3 NO  ] observed in Experiment 1 (days 5 -8) and Experiment 2 (days 1 -3 and 4 -6) were attributed to the depletion of NH 3 and the utilization of NO 3 as the microalgae's secondary nitrogen source (Figure 10, middle).…”

Section: Omega and Wastewater Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 94%

Microalgae Cultivation Using Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA)

Wiley¹,

Harris²,

Reinsch³

et al. 2013

JSBS

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OMEGA is a system for cultivating microalgae using wastewater contained in floating photobioreactors (PBRs) deployed in marine environments and thereby eliminating competition with agriculture for water, fertilizer, and land. The offshore placement in protected bays near coastal cities co-locates OMEGA with wastewater outfalls and sources of CO 2-rich flue gas on shore. To evaluate the feasibility of OMEGA, microalgae were grown on secondary-treated wastewater supplemented with simulated flue gas (8.5% CO 2 V/V) in a 110-liter prototype system tested using a seawater tank. The flow-through system consisted of tubular PBRs made of transparent linear low-density polyethylene, a gas exchange and harvesting column (GEHC), two pumps, and an instrumentation and control (I&C) system. The PBRs contained regularly spaced swirl vanes to create helical flow and mixing for the circulating culture. About 5% of the culture volume was continuously diverted through the GEHC to manage dissolved oxygen concentrations, provide supplemental CO 2 , harvest microalgae from a settling chamber, and add fresh wastewater to replenish nutrients. The I&C system controlled CO 2 injection and recorded dissolved oxygen levels, totalized CO 2 flow, temperature, circulation rates, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and the photosynthetic efficiency as determined by fast repetition rate fluorometry. In two experimental trials, totaling 23 days in April and May 2012, microalgae productivity averaged 14.1 ± 1.3 grams of dry biomass per square meter of PBR surface area per day (n = 16), supplemental CO 2 was converted to biomass with >50% efficiency, and >90% of the ammonia-nitrogen was recovered from secondary effluent. If OMEGA can be optimized for energy efficiency and scaled up economically, it has the potential to contribute significantly to biofuels production and wastewater treatment.

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Section: Omega and Wastewater Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 94%

Microalgae Cultivation Using Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA)

Wiley¹,

Harris²,

Reinsch³

et al. 2013

JSBS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The thickness of lines indicates the number of processes within a given category (e.g., biological processes or biological nitrogen processes), and the size of points indicates the number of processes within a given process group (e.g., microbial fuel cell). A full list of processes, as well as classification into process groups and by core attributes, is included in Table S3-1. − ...…”

Section: State Of the Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Evaluation of Emerging Wastewater Nutrient Removal and Recovery Technologies to Inform Practice and Advance Resource Efficiency

et al. 2021

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Advancing nutrient recovery from idea to implementation requires reporting practices that facilitate comparison among diverse nutrient removal and recovery (NRR) technologies and enhance the translation of academic research to practice. We reviewed 157 technologies that treat nitrogen-and/or phosphorusladen wastewater across several underlying mechanisms, stages of development, and scales of operation. We outline a systematic reporting and analysis framework to characterize NRR technologies using quantitative performance metrics (i.e., removal and recovery efficiency, removal and recovery rate, energy consumption, cost, greenhouse gas emissions, effluent concentration) and qualitative attributes (e.g., technology readiness level). Comparing peerreviewed literature with practitioner needs reveals limited reporting of energy consumption and cost, indicating misalignment between research and practice. By synthesizing literature and practitioner input on anticipated benefits, barriers to adoption, and knowledge gaps, we identify opportunities for expanding benefits achieved by NRR technologies and aligning research with critical barriers. We propose a research agenda addressing the most reported gaps (e.g., underlying process mechanisms, scale-up) and emphasizing rigorous investigations of systems-level impacts and product-market fit. Results from this study will facilitate interdisciplinary research on NRR technologies, guide technology development by academics and practitioners, and accelerate implementation for resource-efficient nutrient management fit for 21 st century challenges.

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“…The MAB thickness in hybrid systems is often thinner, and less biofilm control is generally needed. This occurs because the suspended growth in the bulk liquid consumes soluble COD, thereby minimizing heterotrophic growth in the biofilm (Downing et al 2010;Uri et al 2018). Biofilm thickness does respond to temperature and operational conditions.…”

Section: Biofilm Thickness Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent progress using membrane aerated biofilm reactors for wastewater treatment

Wagner

Carlson

et al. 2021

Water Science and Technology

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The membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), which is based on the counter diffusion of the electron donors and acceptors into the biofilm, represents a novel technology for wastewater treatment. When process air or oxygen is supplied, the MBfR is known as the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), which has high oxygen transfer rate and efficiency, promoting microbial growth and activity within the biofilm. Over the past few decades, lab-scale studies have helped researchers and practitioners understand the relevance of influencing factors and biological transformations in MABRs. In recent years, pilot- to full-scale installations are increasing along with process modeling. The resulting accumulated knowledge has greatly improved understanding of the counter-diffusional biological process, with new challenges and opportunities arising. Therefore, it is crucial to provide new insights by conducting this review. This paper reviews wastewater treatment advancements using MABR technology, including design and operational considerations, microbial community ecology, and process modeling. Treatment performance of pilot- to full-scale MABRs for process intensification in existing facilities is assessed. This paper also reviews other emerging applications of MABRs, including sulfur recovery, industrial wastewater, and xenobiotics bioremediation, space-based wastewater treatment, and autotrophic nitrogen removal. In conclusion, commercial applications demonstrate that MABR technology is beneficial for pollutants (COD, N, P, xenobiotics) removal, resource recovery (e.g., sulfur), and N2O mitigation. Further research is needed to increase packing density while retaining efficient external mass transfer, understand the microbial interactions occurring, address existing assumptions to improve process modeling and control, and optimize the operational conditions with site-specific considerations.

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Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater Using a Hybrid Membrane‐Biofilm Process: Pilot‐Scale Studies

Cited by 17 publications

References 20 publications

Microalgae Cultivation Using Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA)

Microalgae Cultivation Using Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA)

Systematic Evaluation of Emerging Wastewater Nutrient Removal and Recovery Technologies to Inform Practice and Advance Resource Efficiency

Recent progress using membrane aerated biofilm reactors for wastewater treatment

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