Integrated anaerobic and algal bioreactors

Integrated anaerobic and algal bioreactors: A promising conceptual alternative approach for conventional sewage treatment

Yang, Jixiang (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
van Lier, J.B. (TU Delft Sanitary Engineering)
Li, Jian (Panzhihua University)
Guo, Jinsong (Chongqing University)
Fang, Fang (Chongqing University)

2022

Conventional sewage treatment applying activated sludge processes is energy-intensive and requires great financial input, hampering widespread implementation. The introduction of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) followed by an algal reactor growing species of commercial interest, may present an alternative, contributing to the envisaged resource recovery at sewage treatment plants. AnMBRs can be applied for organic matter removal with energy self-sufficiency, provided that effective membrane fouling management is applied. Haematococcus pluvialis, an algal species with commercial value, can be selected for ammonium and phosphate removal. Theoretical analysis showed that good pollutant removal, positive financial output, as well as a significant reduction in the amount of hazardous activated sludge can be achieved by applying the proposed process, showing interesting advantages over current sewage treatment processes. Microbial contamination to H. pluvialis is a challenge, and technologies for preventing the contamination during continuous sewage treatment need to be applied.

Carbon neutral
Energy neutral
Microalgae
Nutrient recycling
Wastewater

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:de72d30a-042d-4bac-ad1b-9038e63bc583

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126115

0960-8524

Bioresource Technology, 343, 1-9

Institutional Repository

review

© 2022 Jixiang Yang, J.B. van Lier, Jian Li, Jinsong Guo, Fang Fang