Article
Energy & Fuels
Sajjad Malboosi, Seyed Majid Hashemian, Mahmood Chahartaghi
Summary: The sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants can be used as renewable energy, and the difference between physical and chemical exergy in WWTPs in southern Tehran is insignificant. Research on six other treatment plants shows that the larger the capacity of the treatment plant, the smaller the share of consumable work exergy compared to the exergy of incoming wastewater.
ENERGY SOURCES PART A-RECOVERY UTILIZATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhe Kong, Tianwei Hao, Hong Chen, Yi Xue, Dapeng Li, Yang Pan, Yong Li, Yu-You Li, Yong Huang
Summary: This study theoretically compared the feasibility of using anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) and conventional activated sludge (CAS) process for treating DMF-containing wastewater. The results showed that AnMBR had advantages in electricity generation, bio-energy recovery, and CO2 emission reduction, making it a promising carbon-neutral treatment process for high-strength DMF-containing wastewater in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shahbaz Raza, Kyeong Hwan Kang, Juhee Shin, Seung Gu Shin, Jihyun Chun, Hyun Uk Cho, Jingyeong Shin, Young Mo Kim
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an ongoing pandemic that is spread silently. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve as a potential source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can pose a threat to public health. This study examined the changes in ARG abundance and microbial community structure in two WWTPs, revealing the importance of microbial communities in determining ARG abundance.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xinzheng Zhang, Yuqin Fan, Tianwei Hao, Rong Chen, Tao Zhang, Yong Hu, Dapeng Li, Yang Pan, Yu-You Li, Zhe Kong
Summary: This article summarizes the importance and advantages of anaerobic digestion (AD) processes in the treatment of industrial organic wastewater, and introduces some advanced AD processes. AD processes are optimized through enhancement strategies to improve wastewater treatment and energy recovery. The combination of anaerobic ammonia oxidation (Anammox) with AD processes is introduced as a feasible solution for carbon-neutral wastewater treatment. In addition, the integration of AD processes with other bio-processes is proposed for low-carbon treatment in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kong Zhe, Xue Yi, Zhang Yanlong, Hao Tianwei, Hong Chen, Jianliang Sun, Yang Pan, Dapeng Li, Yong Li, Yong Huang
Summary: The promising sustainability and potential of the Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) integrated with Partial Nitritation-Anammox (PN/A) for carbon neutrality were evaluated in a large pilot-scale plant. The system effectively treated low-strength municipal wastewater for 217 days, with excellent COD removal efficiency of over 90%. The majority of the organic matter was converted to bio-methane, which can be used as bio-energy or bio-fuel. The AnMBR-PN/A process showed significant ecological and economical advantages, including energy conservation and recovery, reduction of CO2 emissions, and savings in electricity expenditure for wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhe Kong, Lu Li, Jiang Wu, Tianjie Wang, Chao Rong, Zibin Luo, Yang Pan, Dapeng Li, Yong Li, Yong Huang, Yu-You Li
Summary: The study found that a one-stage pilot scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) can efficiently treat municipal wastewater at ambient temperature, achieving over 90% COD removal efficiency and demonstrating a high potential for bio-energy recovery.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gideon Sarpong, Veera Gnaneswar Gude
Summary: The wastewater treatment industry aims to become energy self-sufficient or energy positive by recovering energy from wastewater. This paper presents an energy performance analysis considering energy efficiency and recovery mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of carbon capture enhancement and codigestion in enhancing biogas production.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunhui Zhang, Guifeng Zhao, Yanan Jiao, Bingxu Quan, Wenjing Lu, Peidong Su, Yuanhui Tang, Jianbing Wang, Mengmeng Wu, Nan Xiao, Yizhen Zhang, Jinghua Tong
Summary: This report analyzes the current state of Chinese wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and discusses issues such as climate change and air pollution. It also critically examines the strategies and upgrading trends in Chinese WWTPs, including bio-enhanced technologies and advanced treatment technologies. The discussion is based on current data and national policies, aiming to develop sustainable and carbon-neutral WWTPs in China.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinwei Tan, Yuqin Fan, Xinzheng Zhang, Tianwei Hao, Rong Chen, Tao Zhang, Rui Lu, Jianliang Sun, Dapeng Li, Yang Pan, Yu-You Li, Zhe Kong
Summary: The methanogenic degradation of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is a sustainable and low-carbon technology for the treatment of high-strength industrial wastewater, with great potential and feasibility.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Anna Christine Trego, B. Conall Holohan, Ciara Keating, Alison Graham, Sandra O'Connor, Michael Gerardo, Dermot Hughes, Umer Zeeshan Ijaz, Vincent O'Flaherty
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of high-rate, direct treatment of low-strength municipal wastewater at low temperatures for the first time. Efficient removal of BOD from wastewater and the discovery of a highly adaptable core microbiome provide a foundation for next-generation municipal wastewater treatment.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ezio Ranieri, Gianfranco D'Onghia, Luigi Lopopolo, Petros Gikas, Francesca Ranieri, Eleni Gika, Vincenzo Spagnolo, Ada Cristina Ranieri
Summary: An assessment of 183 Wastewater Treatment Plants in Apulia, Italy, has been conducted to evaluate their Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions and the advantages of using anaerobic sludge treatment in terms of electricity consumption and GHGs emissions. Out of these plants, 140 practice aerobic digestion of sludge, while 43 practice anaerobic digestion of sludge.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhe Kong, Yi Xue, Tianwei Hao, Yanlong Zhang, Jiang Wu, Hong Chen, Liuying Song, Chao Rong, Dapeng Li, Yang Pan, Yong Li, Yu-You Li
Summary: In this study, high-strength industrial wastewater containing DMF was treated by an AnMBR system with the aim of carbon neutrality. The results showed that the AnMBR effectively degraded the wastewater while recovering bio-methane as energy and reducing CO2 emissions. It was considered as an alternative to the conventional activated sludge process, with significant energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenbo Kong, Mohammed Jalalah, Saeed A. Alsareii, Farid A. Harraz, Abdulrhman A. Almadiy, Yuanzhang Zheng, Nandini Thakur, El-Sayed Salama
Summary: This review covers the identification, distribution, and abundance of different types of microplastics (MPs) in all units of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). It discusses the impact of MPs on microbial communities and functional enzymes of anaerobic digestion (AD). The mechanisms of MPs' impact on AD are highlighted.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiao Zhang, Bowei Zhao, Rui Li, Ying Cui, Fei Xie, Aijuan Zhou, Jinping Li, Xiuping Yue
Summary: The influence of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the granulation process, methane-producing capacity, microbial community structure, and pollutant removal efficiency of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) with simulated municipal wastewater was investigated. The results showed that even at low COD concentrations, the proportion of granular sludge in the UASB was high, and the COD removal efficiency was good. Shortening the HRT resulted in dense granular sludge and reduced the load of subsequent treatment processes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhe Kong, Yi Xue, Tianwei Hao, Jiang Wu, Yanlong Zhang, Chao Rong, Hong Chen, Liuying Song, Dapeng Li, Yang Pan, Yu-You Li
Summary: N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is a commonly used organic solvent in chemical industries. In this study, a lab-scale up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was used to treat high-strength DMF-containing industrial wastewater. The results showed that the UASB achieved excellent removal efficiency, reduced CO2 emission, and saved energy consumption. The study also demonstrated the economic potential of the UASB process in treating real DMF-containing wastewater.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ranbin Liu, Yaqian Zhao, Jinhui Zhao, Lei Xu, Caroline Sibille
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Xu, Yaqian Zhao, Tongyue Wang, Ranbin Liu, Fei Gao
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2017)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Yan Yang, Yaqian Zhao, Ranbin Liu, David Morgan
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ranbin Liu, Yaqian Zhao, Tong Wang, Cheng Shen
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ranbin Liu, Ting Wei, Yaqian Zhao, Ya'e Wang
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tong Wang, Ranbin Liu, Kate O'Meara, Emmet Mullan, Yaqian Zhao
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Yaqian Zhao, Ranbin Liu, Olumide Wesley Awe, Yan Yang, Cheng Shen
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2018)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Shen, Yaqian Zhao, Wenxuan Li, Yan Yang, Ranbin Liu, David Morgen
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yan Yang, Yaqian Zhao, Cheng Tang, Lei Xu, David Morgan, Ranbin Liu
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2020)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ranbin Liu, Siqi Li, Yingfan Tu, Xiaodi Hao
Summary: Microalgae-based systems (MBSs) have demonstrated the ability to remove micropollutants, with the majority of pollutants being removed at rates exceeding 80%. Biodegradation is the primary removal pathway, and future research will focus on optimizing reactor configuration and operational parameters to enhance system stability.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mengbo Zhang, Ranbin Liu, Yaxuan Li
Summary: Global warming has a clear impact on the natural water cycle, increasing extreme weather events and posing challenges to urban water supply systems. Diversifying water sources is a key to building resilience, and atmospheric water harvesting provides a direct point-of-use water source. Although it avoids the need for storage and distribution infrastructure, its high cost and low water generation rate limit its potential as a viable alternative to traditional water sources.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ranbin Liu, Yaxuan Li, Mengbo Zhang, Xiaodi Hao, Jie Liu
Summary: Wastewater treatment plants are transitioning to water resource recovery facilities to recover resources from wastewater instead of destroying them. Although various products and recovery technologies have been identified, only a few have been fully implemented. This review comprehensively maps cellulose recovery technologies from wastewater and discusses their impact and market potential. The importance of cellulose recovery is highlighted, especially the use of rotating belt filters. The review also emphasizes the impacts of cellulose recovery on wastewater treatment performance and explores sustainability and other factors in managing toilet paper and cellulose.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ranbin Liu, Yi Mao, Cheng Shen, Yaqian Zhao
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2017)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yaqian Zhao, Ranbin Liu, Jinhui Zhao, Lei Xu, Caroline Sibille
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaodi Hao, Ranbin Liu, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Daqi Cao
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rong-Gui Zhu, Chang-Gui Pan, Feng-Jiao Peng, Chao-Yang Zhou, Jun-Jie Hu, Kefu Yu
Summary: This comprehensive survey investigated the occurrence, bioaccumulation, and trophic magnification of parabens and their metabolite 4-HB in a marine food web. Results showed that parabens were the predominant pollutants in marine organisms, with significant bioaccumulation from sediments. The estimated trophic magnification factor indicated biomagnification for MeP and trophic dilution for 4-HB. Overall, the risks for humans consuming marine organisms were found to be low.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andres F. Torres-Franco, Deborah Leroy-Freitas, Cristina Martinez-Fraile, Elisa Rodriguez, Pedro A. Garcia-Encina, Raul Munoz
Summary: Anaerobic and microalgae-based technologies have emerged as sustainable alternatives for municipal wastewater treatment. However, the presence of viruses in the treated wastewater is a major concern for reuse applications. This study assessed the ability of these technologies to reduce viruses during secondary wastewater treatment. The results showed that all technologies were effective in reducing the concentration of viruses, with microalgae-based treatment exhibiting the highest potential for reducing the disinfection requirements of treated wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Young Gwang Kim, Sae Yun Kwon, Spencer J. Washburn, Scott C. Brooks, Ji Won Yoon, Lucien Besnard
Summary: The study uses Hg isotope ratios to identify the sources and exposure pathways of mercury in bivalves, finding that dissolved Hg phases in the water column are the primary source and exposure pathway to bivalves. This provides new insights into using bivalves as bioindicators for sediment quality monitoring.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Geng, Ying Xu, Rui Liu, Dianhai Yang, Xiaohu Dai
Summary: This study investigates the effect of cation exchange resin (CER) on the sequential recovery of hydrogen and methane from anaerobic digestion (AD) and the corresponding mechanisms. The results show that CER can simultaneously enhance the production of hydrogen and methane by promoting the solubilisation, hydrolysis, and acidification of organic matter. Additionally, CER facilitates effective contact between bacteria and organic particulates and reduces the energy barrier for mass transfer during methane production. The study also reveals changes in the microbial community structure and metagenomics during the AD process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Lin, Zhan Jin, Shunfeng Jiang, Zhiquan Wang, Suqing Wu, Ke Bei, Min Zhao, Xiangyong Zheng
Summary: Dehumidification combined with addition of absorbent resin supplement (ARS) was used to achieve rapid evaporation of non-pretreated urine, resulting in high water evaporation efficiency and nutrient recovery.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yangli Che, Chaoran Lin, Shen Li, Jiao Liu, Longhai Zhu, Shilei Yu, Nan Wang, Haoshuai Li, Mutai Bao, Yang Zhou, Tonghao Si, Rui Bao
Summary: Hydrodynamic processes play a crucial role in the transmission of sediments, microbial assembly, and organic carbon redistribution in the ocean. Through experiments and analysis, we found that hydrodynamics shape the assembly of microbial communities and control the redistribution of different sourced organic carbon, thereby influencing microbial-mediated biogeochemical transformation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Chen, Yu Yang, Nigel J. D. Graham, Zhenyu Li, Xingtao Yang, Zhining Wang, Nadia Farhat, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder, Li -an Hou
Summary: The fouling of seawater reverse osmosis membranes is a persistent challenge in desalination. This study monitored the operational performance of a desalination plant for 7 years and the fouling development in different areas of membrane modules. The findings showed that operational performance declined over time and fouling mainly occurred at the feed side of the modules, with the highest microbial diversity. Keystone species like Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes played an important role in maintaining community structure and biofilm maturation. Polysaccharides, soluble microbial products, marine humic acid-like substances, and inorganic substances contributed to fouling. Overall, biofouling had a significant impact on membrane fouling after 7 years of operation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dan Li, Jieyi Sun, Yibo Fu, Wentao Hong, Heli Wang, Qian Yang, Junhong Wu, Sen Yang, Jianhui Xu, Yunfei Zhang, Yirong Deng, Yin Zhong, Ping'an Peng
Summary: Sulfidation-oxidation treatment of magnetite (Fe3O4) enhances the production of dark center dot OH, which can efficiently degrade dissolved organic matter (DOM) and accelerate carbon cycling.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Yu, Kaijun Wang, Kaiyuan Zhang, Ruiyang Liu, Pingping Zheng
Summary: This study implemented a microaerobic-aerobic configuration in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility and investigated the effects on sludge characteristics, pollutant removal, microbial community, and granulation mechanisms. The results showed successful transition from flocculent-activated sludge to well-defined AGS after two months of operation. The primary pathways for pollutant removal were simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal. Moreover, the incorporation of internal separators induced shifts in the flow pattern, which promoted granulation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhe Zhang, Shaoyang Hu, Guangrong Sun, Wei Wang
Summary: Halogenated aromatic disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as halogenated phenols, have garnered widespread attention due to their high toxicity and prevalence. This study reports on the analysis, occurrence, and cytotoxicity of a group of emerging halogenated aromatic DBPs, known as halogenated polyhydroxyphenols (HPPs), in drinking water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengyue Chen, Jinliang Huang, Peng Wang, Xi Tang, Zhenyu Zhang
Summary: Accurate prediction of river water quality is crucial for sustainable water management. This study introduces wavelet analysis and transfer learning techniques to assist LSTM modeling, proposing a newly coupled modeling approach that improves short-term prediction of river water quality.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bang Du, Xinmin Zhan, Piet N. L. Lens, Yifeng Zhang, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Efficient anaerobic digestion relies on the cooperation of different microorganisms with different metabolic pathways. This study investigated the effects of different operational modes and the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on ethanol metabolic pathways. The results showed that the SBR mode and the presence of CO2 facilitated ethanol metabolism towards propionate production, while the CFR mode with extended solids retention time enriched Geobacter. Adjusting operational modes and PAC addition can modulate anaerobic ethanol metabolism and enrich Geobacter.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wanfa Wang, Si-Liang Li, Jun Zhong, Yuanbi Yi, Fujun Yue, Zenglei Han, Qixin Wu, Ding He, Cong-Qiang Liu
Summary: This study compares the carbon biogeochemical processes in karst and non-karst regions within large thermal stratified river-reservoir systems. The results demonstrate that karst reservoirs have a reduced potential for carbon emissions and highlight the importance of considering geologic settings to improve accuracy in regional and global CO2 emission estimates.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chunxia Jiang, Zelong Zhao, Dong Zhu, Xiong Pan, Yuyi Yang
Summary: This study analyzed the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in different environmental media of the Yangtze River using metagenomics. Core resistome dominated by multidrug resistance genes was found in all samples, while rare resistome dominated by various resistance genes was more prevalent in plasmids. Specific bacteria were identified as hosts for both core and rare resistomes, with high clinical concern ARGs found in the rare resistome. Particle-associated environment provided the most ideal conditions for resistome hosts. This study provided insights into the genetic locations of ARGs and the community assembly mechanisms of ARG hosts in freshwater environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Zhang, Yongtao He, Linchun Jia, Lei Xu, Zheng Wang, Yueling He, Ling Xiong, Xumeng Lin, Hong Chen, Gang Xue
Summary: By synergizing organic carbon source, thiosulfate, and zero-valent iron, efficient mixotrophic denitrification of oligotrophic secondary effluent can be achieved. Thiosulfate plays a vital role in promoting TN removal efficiency, while corrosion of Fe0 releases OH- to neutralize H+ from thiosulfate-driven denitrification, creating a suitable environment for denitrification. The coordination of thiosulfate and Fe0 maintains the dominance of Thiobacillus for denitrification.