Article
Environmental Sciences
Santo Fabio Corsino, Daniele Di Trapani, Federica De Marines, Michele Torregrossa, Gaspare Viviani
Summary: The present study evaluated the effects of different sludge-reduction mechanisms on methane productivity in the oxic-settling-anaerobic (OSA) process. Scheme A promoted an overall increase in methane production (+19%), but resulted in a significant decrease in excess sludge production (31%). Scheme B led to a higher reduction of excess sludge (82%), but a significant decrease in methane productivity (-41%). These findings suggest that specific sludge-reduction mechanisms can be triggered in the OSA process to maintain high levels of methane production.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Santo Fabio Corsino, Michele Carabillo, Alida Cosenza, Federica De Marines, Daniele Di Trapani, Francesco Traina, Michele Torregrossa, Gaspare Viviani
Summary: Insights into the mechanisms of excess sludge minimization in an oxic-settling-anaerobic (OSA) process were provided. Two parallel systems, a conventional activated sludge (CAS) system as control and an OSA system with pre-denitrification, were studied. The results showed that the OSA process had lower excess sludge production (12-41%) compared to the CAS system. The highest sludge reduction yield (40%) was achieved with scheme B and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 hours in the anaerobic reactor. Scheme A led to cell lysis and EPS destruction, while scheme B enabled maintenance and uncoupling metabolism, resulting in higher sludge reduction yield without compromising effluent quality.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangjuan Sun, Binhan Liu, Lingjun Zhang, Kyohei Aketagawa, Binjie Xue, Yinji Ren, Jianfeng Bai, Yong Zhan, Sisi Chen, Bin Dong
Summary: By comparing the effects of high and low concentration ozone on partial ozonation of returned sludge, it was found that high concentration ozone can more effectively reduce organic matter and excess sludge production, with stronger nutrient removal capacity. While there were no significant differences in the treatment properties of excess sludge, the advantages of high concentration ozone mainly lie in the sludge solubilization rate and impact on carbon source utilization capacity in bioreactors.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jingyao Zhang, Jiadong Liu, Bo Gao, Mika Sillanpaa, Jin Han
Summary: This study utilized biochar produced from dehydrated excess sludge to catalytically ozonate pollutants from landfill leachate. The biochar contained necessary catalytic sites originating from inorganic metals and organic matters in the sludge. These sites promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species and the removal rates of pollutants were enhanced by the synergistic interaction between microorganisms. The study provides insight into the mechanism of catalytic ozonation and offers a new approach for practical landfill leachate treatment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qinglian Wu, Xiaochi Feng, Ying Chen, Min Liu, Xian Bao
Summary: The production of short chain carboxylic acids (SCCAs) is a primary method for recycling excess sludge (ES). This study utilized chain elongation technology to upgrade SCCAs-rich sludge into medium chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs) with high hydrophobicity. The research achieved high yields of MCCAs and obtained branched-MCCAs for the first time, laying a foundation for ES recycling.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiyi Sun, Yuxiang Wang, Xiaoliang Chen, Nanwen Zhu, Haiping Yuan, Ziyang Lou
Summary: The study found that microbubble ozonation (MB-O-3) can improve oxidation efficiency for sludge solubilization, reducing disposal fees and enhancing settleability. However, at low dosages, MB-O-3 may deteriorate sludge dewaterability. The method works by oxidizing organic matters and improving the generation of radicals to reduce sludge mass.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
S. Mohan, P. Balakrishnan
Summary: The main objective of the study is to develop an effective treatment method for pharmaceutical wastewater by combining ozonation and biological treatment. The research found that ozone pre-treatment increased the biodegradability index and reduced the antibacterial activity of wastewater. Combined ozonation and biological treatment removed 82.5% of COD, whereas biological treatment alone only removed 38% of COD.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zongcai Yang, Shulei Liu, Yuqiong Tang, Yingping Zhou, Lin Xiao
Summary: In this study, a three dimensional electro-Fenton (3D-EF) method using Fe modified sludge biochar (Fe@SBC) as particle electrode, heterogeneous Fenton catalyst and skeleton builder was proposed for deep dewatering of sludge under neutral pH. Compared with EF, 3D-EF with Fe@SBC800 showed higher ability in breaking macromolecules and removing functional groups in EPS, which could facilitate release of bound water and self-coagulation of fine flocs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tingting Xiao, Xiaohu Dai, Xiankai Wang, Sisi Chen, Bin Dong
Summary: The addition of MnFe2O4@SBC to waste activated sludge significantly improves dewatering performance, with reduced capillary suction time and specific resistance to filtration under optimal conditions. This is achieved by promoting the conversion of ozone into active radicals and enhancing the destruction of organic biopolymers, resulting in improved dewatering efficiency of the sludge.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Malgorzata Szostek, Natalia Matlok, Patryk Kosowski, Anna Ilek, Maciej Balawejder
Summary: This study aimed to detect changes in trace element chemical speciation in sewage sludge (SS) after the ozonation process. The modified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure was used to determine the chemical speciation of trace elements in SS. The risk assessment code (RAC) coefficient, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and translocation factor (TF) values were utilized to evaluate potential soil contamination and trace element accumulation in plants fertilized with ozonated SS. The findings indicated significant differences in the mean concentration of certain trace elements, while the ozonation process had varying impacts on the chemical fractions of different elements.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dongdong Ge, Shouqiang Huang, Jiehong Cheng, Ying Han, Yuhui Wang, Yanting Dong, Jinwen Hu, Guobiao Li, Haiping Yuan, Nanwen Zhu
Summary: The PFS/O-3 process enhances sludge dewaterability through ozonation and polyferric sulfate catalysis, while also removing heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It shows great potential and practical value in sludge treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anwar Khursheed, Faris Mohammad A. Munshi, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Almohana, Abdulrhman Fahmi Alali, Mohab Amin Kamal, Shamshad Alam, Omar Alrehaili, Dar Tafazul Islam, Manish Kumar, Sunita Varjani, A. A. Kazmi, Vinay Kumar Tyagi
Summary: The reappearance of assimilated nitrogen and phosphorus in any biological process is a challenge to nutrient removal. A novel reactor configuration combining an anaerobic reactor and Anaerobic-Anoxic-Aerobic (A2O) SBR was tested for enhanced sludge and phosphorus removal. The reactor operated at low SRT for phosphorus assimilative uptake and resulted in a significant increase in phosphorus enrichment. However, the sludge reduction also occurred during the process. The success of the configuration lies in reconciling conflicting parameters of enhanced phosphorus uptake and sludge growth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Cheng, Kun Tian, Peng Xie, Xianghao Ren, Ying Li, Yingying Kou, Kangmin Chon, Moon-Hyun Hwang, Myung-Han Ko
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of EPS production and degradation in a real-scale food processing wastewater treatment system. The results showed that the organic carbon concentrations differed among different EPS fractions, and the composition of EPS changed throughout the treatment process. The microbial community composition was beneficial for EPS release and degradation, and the MAR-MBR system enhanced this process through gene function regulation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Duaa Natheer Khudhair, Majid Hosseinzadeh, Haider M. Zwain, Seyed Mostafa Siadatmousavi, Ali Majdi, Amin Mojiri
Summary: This study aims to reduce excess sludge production in the biological activated sludge process by upgrading the MBBR process to an integrated fixed film-activated sludge (IFAS) process. Two scenarios were tested, with the first scenario reducing sludge production and the second scenario eliminating sludge generation completely. The results showed that operating the system as an IFAS process with complete solid retention time (SRT) can eliminate sludge production, although it may result in higher NO3 effluent concentration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yixin Yan, Fan Liu, Jianlei Gao, Junfeng Wan, Jingyu Ding, Tiantian Li
Summary: In this study, low-intensity ultrasonication was used to improve the extraction efficiency of protein from excess sludge, reducing the cost of the process. The low-intensity ultrasonic radiation promoted enzyme activity and enhanced protein hydrolysis capacity, while also reducing the consumption and dosage of enzymes, and improving the dewatering performance of the sludge.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gaetano Di Bella, Giorgio Mannina
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paolo Bruno, Gaetano Di Bella, Mauro De Marchis
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giorgio Mannina, Luigi Badalucco, Lorenzo Barbara, Alida Cosenza, Daniele Di Trapani, Giuseppe Gallo, Vito Armando Laudicina, Giuseppe Marino, Sofia Maria Muscarella, Dario Presti, Herman Helness
Summary: Wastewater treatment plants need an urgent transition to a circular economy for resource recovery and sustainable waste management. However, technical, economic, social, and regulatory barriers make this transition complex and long. The EU's WIDER UPTAKE project aims to overcome these barriers and facilitate the shift from a linear to a circular economy model for WWTPs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Riccardo Campo, Claudio Lubello, Tommaso Lotti, Gaetano Di Bella
Summary: This review discusses the impact of aerobic granular sludge on performance and membrane fouling in combined aerobic granular sludge-membrane bioreactor systems. The research highlights that while aerobic granular sludge technology can mitigate fouling, granule breakage remains a critical issue to be addressed in the AGS-MBR process.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giorgio Mannina, Luigi Badalucco, Lorenzo Barbara, Alida Cosenza, Daniele Di Trapani, Vito Armando Laudicina, Sofia Maria Muscarella, Dario Presti
Summary: The current exploitation of freshwater and the increase in sewage sludge production pose a critical challenge for sustainable development and the circular economy. There is a need to rethink the concept of wastewater treatment plants and shift towards water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of resource recovery systems through case studies, highlighting the importance of plant optimization in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from WRRFs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giorgio Mannina, Rosa Alduina, Luigi Badalucco, Lorenzo Barbara, Fanny Claire Capri, Alida Cosenza, Daniele Di Trapani, Giuseppe Gallo, Vito Armando Laudicina, Sofia Maria Muscarella, Dario Presti
Summary: The article introduces a case study on water resource recovery, aiming to demonstrate the importance of a resource recovery system based on the circular economy concept. It highlights the potential of the wastewater treatment plant and the central role of the university in fostering the transition towards circular economy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gaetano Di Bella, Santo Fabio Corsino, Federica De Marines, Francesco Lopresti, Vincenzo La Carrubba, Michele Torregrossa, Gaspare Viviani
Summary: This study examined the presence of microplastics in the sludge of three wastewater treatment plants. The findings showed that microplastics were transferred and concentrated in the waste sludge, with different shapes and compositions observed in different treatment processes. This is an important discovery as sludge disposal could become a new pathway for microplastic release into the environment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Santo Fabio Corsino, Gaetano Di Bella, Francesco Traina, Lucia Argiz Montes, Angeles Val del Rio, Anuska Mosquera Corral, Michele Torregrossa, Gaspare Viviani
Summary: In this study, a biological strategy was employed in the MBR system to reduce membrane fouling tendency. By controlling the operating conditions, the organic matter was directed towards the accumulation of intracellular polymers (PHA), leading to a decrease in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and a reduction in fouling rate. This highlights the possibility of minimizing membrane fouling and recovering bioplastic precursors from wastewater in line with the circular economy model.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francesco Traina, Santo Fabio Corsino, Michele Torregrossa, Gaspare Viviani
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from agro-industrial wastewater treatment. Results showed that both aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and sequencing batch reactor (SBR) systems were effective in enriching biopolymers. The AGS system had a higher biopolymers accumulation capacity and EPS content, while the SBR system achieved higher PHA production.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Santo Fabio Corsino, Daniele Di Trapani, Federica De Marines, Michele Torregrossa, Gaspare Viviani
Summary: The present study evaluated the effects of different sludge-reduction mechanisms on methane productivity in the oxic-settling-anaerobic (OSA) process. Scheme A promoted an overall increase in methane production (+19%), but resulted in a significant decrease in excess sludge production (31%). Scheme B led to a higher reduction of excess sludge (82%), but a significant decrease in methane productivity (-41%). These findings suggest that specific sludge-reduction mechanisms can be triggered in the OSA process to maintain high levels of methane production.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alice Sorrenti, Santo Fabio Corsino, Francesco Traina, Gaspare Viviani, Michele Torregrossa
Summary: This study presents the results of using an innovative configuration of a closed-static solar greenhouse for sludge drying. The configuration involved a forced ventilation system for supplying hot air and utilization of solar irradiation for energy supply. The experiments showed successful drying of wet sewage sludge to a low residual humidity using this solar greenhouse system. The airflow rate and air supply promoted both sludge drying and stabilization. The specific energy consumption per ton of evaporated water was significantly lower compared to conventional thermal drying systems, making solar greenhouse drying a promising option for medium-small sized wastewater treatment plants.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Antonio Picone, Maurizio Volpe, Maria Gabriella Giustra, Gaetano Di Bella, Antonio Messineo
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising method for converting waste biomass into solid biofuels, but it generates organic process water (PW) that needs proper disposal. This study recycled PW from lemon peel waste HTC to maximize energy recovery and reduce environmental impact. Results showed that PW recirculation increased solid mass yield, particularly at lower HTC temperatures, leading to enhanced energy yield. Further investigation into different biomasses and operating conditions is encouraged.
APPLIED SYSTEM INNOVATION
(2021)
