PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) production potential of activated sludge treating wastewater

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Takabatake ◽  
H. Satoh ◽  
T. Mino ◽  
T. Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Biodegradable Plastics ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Dry Cell Weight ◽  
Dry Cell

The main purposes of wastewater treatment systems are to remove organic pollutants, but it would be very attractive if there were a way to recover the organic pollutants as valuable organic materials. One of the possible ways to recover organic pollutants in wastewater is to convert them into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are biodegradable plastics. In this study, 18 activated sludge samples in 4 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Tokyo, Japan, were evaluated for their potential to produce PHAs by aerobic batch experiments with excess supply of acetate as the sole carbon source. The activated sludge samples tested had the capability to accumulate PHA up to 18.8% of dry cell weight on average, with the range of 6.0% to 29.5%. The results showed that the maximum PHA content was dependent on the influent more than on the operational conditions of the activated sludge, and that conventional activated sludge produced PHA as much as anaerobic-aerobic activated sludge did. The PHA content achieved in this study is still low, and further improvement is needed to put into practice the recovery process of organic pollutants as biodegradable plastics by activated sludge.

scholarly journals LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Dimitra C. Banti ◽  
Michail Tsangas ◽  
Petros Samaras ◽  
Antonis Zorpas
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems are connected to several advantages compared to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) units. This work aims to the examination of the life cycle environmental impact of an MBR against a CAS unit when treating municipal wastewater with similar influent loading (BOD = 400 mg/L) and giving similar high-quality effluent (BOD < 5 mg/L). The MBR unit contained a denitrification, an aeration and a membrane tank, whereas the CAS unit included an equalization, a denitrification, a nitrification, a sedimentation, a mixing, a flocculation tank and a drum filter. Several impact categories factors were calculated by implementing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, including acidification potential, eutrophication potential, global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential and photochemical ozone creation potential of the plants throughout their life cycle. Real data from two wastewater treatment plants were used. The research focused on two parameters which constitute the main differences between the two treatment plants: The excess sludge removal life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.50 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 2.67 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without sludge removal—and the wastewater treatment plant life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.002 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 0.14 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without land area contribution. Finally, in all the examined cases the environmental superiority of the MBR process was found.

scholarly journals Clustering micropollutants based on initial biotransformations for improved prediction of micropollutant removal during conventional activated sludge treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxin Wang ◽  
Kathrin Fenner ◽  
Damian E. Helbling
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Micropollutant Removal

The lack of fundamental insights on the fate of micropollutants during activated sludge treatment presents one of the biggest challenges in optimizing their removal in wastewater treatment plants.

Microscopic and enzymatic investigations on biofilms of wastewater treatment systems

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Gschlößl ◽  
Ingrid Michel ◽  
Marion Heiter ◽  
Christian Nerger ◽  
Verena Rehbein
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Organic Substances ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Sludge Flocs ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Stability

In biological wastewater treatment inorganic and organic substances are fixed and metabolized by mixed populations of microorganisms forming either activated sludge flocs or biofilms. Not only the type of wastewater but also the operational conditions promote the development of an adapted biocenosis of microorganisms with specialized enzymatic functions. Understanding the biological properties of the microorganisms, it is possible to assess the prevailing conditions in their natural environment. Regular microscopic and enzymatic investigations of activated sludge and biofilms thus improve the assessment of the stability of the processes and support troubleshooting in wastewater treatment plants. While the role of bacteria is often discussed, the importance of ciliated protozoes and metazoes for the maintenance of the stability of biofilm systems is rarely mentioned. In this paper we intend to show some new results of direct microscopic observations in different sorts of biofilm systems focussing upon ciliated protozoes and metazoes. Practical results will demonstrate the relation between enzymatic analysis, microscopic investigations and performance of biofilm systems.

Removal Characteristics of Human Antibiotics during Wastewater Treatment in Japan

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kobayashi ◽  
M. Yasojima ◽  
K. Komori ◽  
Y. Suzuki ◽  
H. Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Batch Experiment ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Activated Sludge Process ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge Process

Pharmaceuticals resident in sewage and in the aqueous environment has begun to attract attention. The objectives of this research were to clarify the behaviour of selected human antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants, namely levofloxacin (LVFX), clarithromycin (CAM) and azithromycin (AZM) which are much used in Japan. The concentrations in raw influent of LVFX, CAM, AZM were respectively 425~981ng/L, 340~573ng/L, ND(&lt;190 ng/L)~371ng/L. The averages of removal ratio were about 50 % for all selected antibiotics. It was suggested that selected antibiotics was not too much removed in the conventional creature processing like the conventional activated sludge process. The remarkable removals in activated sludge tank using high class treatment method were confirmed about all selected antibiotics. The rise of the concentrations of CAM and AZM was confirmed after the addition of chemical coagulants in one wastewater treatment plant. From the result of batch experiment with activated sludge, it was suggested that LVFX and AZM were removed from water mainly by the absorption to activated sludge. Also, in batch experiment with chemical coagulants, it was suggested that LVFX was removed from water and CAM, AZM were eluted a little in water by adding sulphuric acid band.

Control of Activated Sludge Bulking: From the Lab to the Plant

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 717-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pujol ◽  
P. Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Common Type ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Mixing Zone ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Sludge Bulking ◽  
Technical Aid

Activated sludge bulking often occurs in French wastewater treatment plants. Precise identification of filaments and better knowledge of their ecophysiology helped to clarify their re1ations with the operational conditions of plants. Effective techniques were therefore developed for control. The “mixing zone” is suitable for many cases of bulking ocurring in extended aeration plants (the most common type in France). A test method was developed to provide the elements for dimensioning the system. Unreserved cooperation between the owner of the plant, the manager, the SATESE (Service of technical aid to wastewater treatment plant managers) and specialized laboratories is required to implement such measures. Some cases, about which CEMAGREF was consulted, were examined; three of them are detailed and reasons for success or fai1ure are analysed. Seeking funds for the works too often leads to excessive delays.

Comparison of the removal of phthalates and other organic pollutants from industrial wastewaters in membrane bioreactor and conventional activated sludge treatment plants

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 2425-2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Llop ◽  
F. Borrull ◽  
E. Pocurull
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Organic Pollutant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Industrial Wastewaters ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge

In recent years greater attention has been paid to the presence of pollutants in wastewater treatment plants, mainly because of strict environmental regulations and the possibility of reusing treated water in industrial processes. Since some organic pollutant compounds are not sufficiently removed in conventional activated sludge treatment (CAST) plants, new treatment processes have been developed, such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs). In this study a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) was used to treat mixed industrial wastewaters in parallel with a CAST plant. Two hydraulic retention times (HRT) of wastewater were tested as one of the operational conditions of MBR and the quality of effluents of the two processes were studied and compared. Several general quality parameters were analysed in wastewaters: chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity, nitrogen, phosphate, suspended solids (SS) and turbidity. The two systems reduced COD by around 90%. SS was reduced by around 81% in the CAST plant and around 90% in the MBR plant. The results for the other general parameters were similar or better in the MBR process, which worked at a lower HRT. We also studied the removal of a group of six phthalates and bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate ester by SPME/GC—MS in the two treatment plants. Most of these compounds were not completely removed in the two treatment plants and were identified at low μg l−1 levels. We also tentatively identify some organic compounds in the wastewaters. Most of the compounds we found in the influent, MBR effluent and CAST effluent were benzene derivates, styrene, naphthalene and naphthalene derivates, and phenol derivates.

scholarly journals Detection and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis A Virus from Tunisian Wastewater Treatment Plants with Different Secondary Treatments

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 3834-3845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imen Ouardani ◽  
Syrine Turki ◽  
Mahjoub Aouni ◽  
Jesús L. Romalde
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Genotype Distribution ◽  
Oxidation Ditch ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Treatment Processes

ABSTRACTHepatitis A virus (HAV) is the main causative agent of hepatitis infection associated with waterborne outbreaks worldwide. In Tunisia, there is no specific surveillance system for HAV and current secondary wastewater treatment processes are unable to remove viral particles, which present a potential public health problem. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of HAV in 271 raw and treated wastewater samples from five sewage treatment plants (STPs) during 13 months was performed. Moreover, the efficiency of three secondary wastewater treatment processes (conventional activated sludge, extended aeration, and oxidation ditch activated sludge) was evaluated. Data obtained demonstrated that HAV is endemic in Tunisia and circulates with high prevalence in both raw (66.9%) and treated (40.7%) wastewater. HAV circulates throughout the year in the coastal areas, with the highest rates found during summer and autumn, whereas in central Tunisia, high levels were shown in autumn and winter. Total virus removal was not achieved, since no difference in mean HAV loads was observed in effluents (6.0 × 103genome copies [GC]/ml) and influents (2.7 × 103GC/ml). The comparison of the HAV removal values of the three different wastewater treatment methods indicates that extended aeration and oxidation ditch activated sludge had better efficiency in removing viruses than conventional activated sludge did. Molecular characterization revealed that the vast majority of HAV strains belonged to subgenotype IA, with the cocirculation of subgenotype IB in wastewater treatment plants that collect tourism wastewater.IMPORTANCEThis report provides important data on the incidence, behavior, seasonality, and genotype distribution of HAV in the environment in Tunisia, as well as the risk of infection derived from its occurrence in effluents due to inadequate wastewater treatment. In addition, these findings seem to confirm that the prevalence of HAV depends on socioeconomic level, sanitary conditions in the communities, sewage facilities, the locality, and the climate. The wide dispersion of HAV in effluents proves the inefficacity of the current wastewater treatment processes used in Tunisia to remove virus; therefore, establishment of tertiary treatment processes or replacement of the medium-charge activated sludge (conventional activated sludge) by the low-charge version (oxidation ditch activated sludge) is absolutely needed. Rapid detection of the HAV genome in wastewater may provide a timely warning sign to health authorities to implement population protection measures.

Influence of wastewater treatment plants' operational conditions on activated sludge microbiological and morphological characteristics

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisavet Amanatidou ◽  
Georgios Samiotis ◽  
Eleni Trikoilidou ◽  
Dimitrios Tzelios ◽  
Avraam Michailidis
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Operational Conditions
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