Nitrous oxide (N2O) is considered a potent and very harmful greenhouse gas (GHG), and wastewater ... more Nitrous oxide (N2O) is considered a potent and very harmful greenhouse gas (GHG), and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered a potent source of it. Predicting N2O emissions is a first step in reducing these. One way of doing this is by using a process-based biokinetic model, based on Activated Sludge Models (ASMs) that have been extended to include the N2O production pathways. Alternatively, data-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) models can be used to predict N2O emissions. In this paper, a biokinetic model has been built and calibrated for the Amsterdam West WWTP (1.1 Million PE; 168 MLD), using the EnviroSim software, BioWin®. A comprehensive monitoring campaign was conducted to characterise the common quality parameters (COD, TKN, TP, TSS, etc.) into their fractions, which were then used as BioWin model inputs. The calibration was conducted in two stages to predict effluent quality followed by model calibration to predict N2O emissions. Additionally, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based model was developed using pertinent process parameters, such as the influent flowrate, and NH4 in the aerobic tank as inputs to predict the N2O concentration in the gas phase. Preliminary results demonstrate that the ANN model outperforms the BioWin model in terms of prediction accuracy. Still further work is required to better understand the pros and cons of the two modelling approaches.
Worm predation (WP) by Tubifex tubifex was investigated using waste activated sludge (WAS) as the... more Worm predation (WP) by Tubifex tubifex was investigated using waste activated sludge (WAS) as the substrate. In order to better understand the sludge degradation mechanisms during WP, the activity of five common hydrolytic enzymes was determined and compared among the initial feed activated sludge, endogenous respirated sludge and worm predated sludge. The results showed that the enzymatic activity decreased upon aerobic (worm) treatment of WAS and that this activity was predominantly associated with the removed solids fraction of the sludge. Interestingly, the protease activity showed a smaller decrease in activity when the worms were present. Flow cell cytometry revealed the release of intestinal bacteria from the worms, which are presumed to be largely responsible for the observed protease activity. Additionally, experiments in which T. tubifex were treated with antibiotics showed that the worms are responsible for a maximum of 73% of the observed proteolytic activity. The remaining 27% is attributed to the intestinal bacteria that exhibit a synergistic relationship with T. tubifex towards protein hydrolysis.
This study provides a comparison of the sludge characteristics along the height of an upflow anae... more This study provides a comparison of the sludge characteristics along the height of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor in terms of sludge morphology, activity and stability. The main aim of this study was to identify the best location (i.e. where sludge is of lowest stability and/or highest concentration) in the sludge bed for conveying the sludge from the low temperature UASB reactor to a digester. The sludge profile was investigated by collecting sludge samples along the different heights of the UASB-anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater. Results showed that total solids and volatile solids concentrations decreased with height, and the highest chemical oxygen demand concentration was observed at the bottom of the reactor. Active biomass remained near inlet of the reactor; whereas, non-active biomass consisted of loose, suspended particles and flocculents moved towards the top. This was confirmed by the high specific COD consumption rate near the inlet and poor specific COD biodegradation in the remaining portions of the bioreactor. Apparently, the assumption of a completely mixed sludge bed behavior for the UASB reactor, being part of an AnMBR system, does not hold for this type of reactor systems even at low temperatures, which makes the location in sludge bed from where the sludge is to be conveyed to the digester of operational importance. Considering the observed sludge bed stratification, the sludge to be recirculated from the UASB reactor to the digester is recommended to be taken from 40 to 50% of the sludge bed height.
The objective of this work is to assess the potentials and requirements for grey water reuse in J... more The objective of this work is to assess the potentials and requirements for grey water reuse in Jordan. The results revealed that urban, rural and dormitory grey water production rate and concentration of TS, BOD5, COD and pathogens varied between 18–66 L cap−1d−1, 848–1,919, 200–1,056, and 560–2,568 mg L−1 and 6.9E2–2.7E5 CFU mL−1, respectively. The grey water compromises 64 to 85% of the total water flow in the rural and urban areas. Storing grey water is inevitable to meet reuse requirements in terms of volume and timing. All the studied grey waters need treatment, in terms of solids, BOD5, COD and pathogens, before storage and reuse. Storage and physical treatment, as a pretreatment step should be avoided, since it produces unstable effluents and non-stabilized sludge. However, extensive biological treatment can combine storage and physical treatments. Furthermore, a batch-fed biological treatment system combining anaerobic and aerobic processes copes with the fluctuations in the hydrographs and pollutographs as well as the present nutrients. The inorganic content of grey water in Jordan is about drinking water quality and does not need treatment. Moreover, the grey water SAR values were 3–7, revealing that the concentrations of monovalent and divalent cations comply with agricultural demand in Jordan. The observed patterns in the hydrographs and pollutographs showed that the hydraulic load could be used for the design of both physical and biological treatment units for dormitories and hotels. For family houses the hydraulic load was identified as the key design parameter for physical treatment units and the organic load is the key design parameter for biological treatment units.
Submerged and external anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactors (AnDMBRs) have been compared in ter... more Submerged and external anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactors (AnDMBRs) have been compared in terms of removal efficiency, filtration characteristics and microbial community structure. High COD removal efficiencies were obtained with both submerged and external AnDMBRs. To obtain an effective dynamic membrane (DM) layer enabling high quality permeate, longer time was required in the external AnDMBR configuration compared to the submerged one. A difference in microbial community structure was identified using pyrosequencing analyses between the submerged and external AnDMBRs. The number of archaeal types decreased in the bulk sludge of the external AnDMBR. External sludge recirculation might have had a negative effect on the archaeal community in the bulk sludge of the external AnDMBR. However, the sludge recirculation in the external AnDMBR configuration led to a filtration at lower total filtration resistance and TMP in comparison to the submerged one at the same gas sparging rate. Results showed that the submerged AnDMBR system can provide a shorter start-up period, slightly better permeate quality in terms of COD concentration, and higher biogas production in comparison to the external one in gas-lift mode.
Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2013
To assess the feasibility of the Anammox process as a cost-effective post-treatment step for anae... more To assess the feasibility of the Anammox process as a cost-effective post-treatment step for anaerobic sewage treatment, the simultaneous effect of organic carbon source, COD/N ratio, and temperature on Anammox was studied. In batch experiments, three operating conditions were evaluated at 14, 22 and 30 ⁰ C, and at COD/N ratios of 2 and 6. For each operating condition, containing 60 mg Nitrogen/L, three different substrate combinations were tested to simulate the presence of readily biodegradable and slowly biodegradable organic matter (RBCOD and SBCOD, respectively): (i) Acetate (RBCOD), (ii) Starch (SBCOD); and, (iii) Acetate + Starch. The observed stoichiometric NO 2-N/NH 4 +-N conversion ratios were in the range of 1.12-1.43. High Anammox nitrogen removal was observed at 22 ⁰ C (77-88%) and 30 ⁰ C (73-79%), whereas there was no nitrogen removal at 14 ⁰ C; the Anammox activity was strongly influenced by temperature, in spite of the COD source and COD/N ratios applied. At 22 ⁰ C and COD/N of 6, the single or simultaneous presence of acetate and starch limits the Anammox metabolism. At 30 ⁰ C, acetate was favorable to Anammox process irrespective the COD/N ratio. These results suggest that the Anammox process could be applied as a nitrogen removal post-treatment for anaerobic sewage systems in warm climates.
Long-term performance of the Anammox process under low nitrogen sludge loading rate and moderate ... more Long-term performance of the Anammox process under low nitrogen sludge loading rate and moderate to low temperature, Biochemical Engineering Journal http://dx.
CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment techno... more CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment technologies. Both high-tech and low-tech systems are discussed, which are applicable in industrialized and developing countries. Anaerobic treatment systems, focusing on resource recovery are extensively discussed. Modern technologies for (extensive) nutrient removal / recovery are dealt with as well as membrane techniques for wastewater treatment. The study goals are to acquire knowledge on conventional and modern wastewater treatment technologies.
CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment techno... more CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment technologies. Both high-tech and low-tech systems are discussed, which are applicable in industrialized and developing countries. Anaerobic treatment systems, focusing on resource recovery are extensively discussed. Modern technologies for (extensive) nutrient removal / recovery are dealt with as well as membrane techniques for wastewater treatment. The study goals are to acquire knowledge on conventional and modern wastewater treatment technologies.
Anaerobic ammonia oxidation to nitrogen gas using nitrite as the electron acceptor (anammox proce... more Anaerobic ammonia oxidation to nitrogen gas using nitrite as the electron acceptor (anammox process) is considered a cost-effective solution for nitrogen removal after an anaerobic pretreatment process. In this study, we conducted a laboratory-scale experiment to develop a single-stage partial nitritation-anammox process in a sponge-based trickling filter (STF) reactor, inoculated with anammox sludge, simulating the treatment of anaerobically pretreated concentrated domestic sewage without mechanical oxygen control. The influent ammonia concentration was 100 mg-N•L −1. The K L a of the STF reactor was higher than those observed for conventional activated sludge processes. The STF reactor performed at 89.8 ± 8.2% and 42.7 ± 16.9% ammonia and TN removal efficiency, respectively, with a nitrogen loading rate of 0.55 ± 0.20 kg-N•m −3 •day −1 calculated based on sponge volume. Microbial community analysis of the STF-retained sludge indicated that both autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrogen removal occurred in the reactor.
This study evaluated a novel three-stage process devoted to the cascade production of lactate, bi... more This study evaluated a novel three-stage process devoted to the cascade production of lactate, biohydrogen and methane from tequila vinasse (TV), with emphasis on attaining a high and stable biohydrogen production rate (HPR) by utilizing lactate as biohydrogen precursor. In the first stage, tailored operating conditions applied to a sequencing batch reactor were effective in sustaining a lactate concentration of 12.4 g/L, corresponding to 89% of the total organic acids produced. In the second stage, the stimulation of lactate-centered dark fermentation which entails the decoupling of biohydrogen production from carbohydrates utilization was an effective approach enabling stable biohydrogen production, having HPR fluctuations less than 10% with a maximum HPR of 12.3 L/L-d and a biohydrogen yield of 3.1 L/L TV. Finally, 1.6 L CH 4 /L-d and 6.5 L CH 4 /L TV were obtained when feeding the biohydrogen fermentation effluent to a third methanogenic stage, yielding a global energy recovery of 267.5 kJ/L TV .
CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment techno... more CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment technologies. Both high-tech and low-tech systems are discussed, which are applicable in industrialized and developing countries. Anaerobic treatment systems, focusing on resource recovery are extensively discussed. Modern technologies for (extensive) nutrient removal / recovery are dealt with as well as membrane techniques for wastewater treatment. The study goals are to acquire knowledge on conventional and modern wastewater treatment technologies.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is considered a potent and very harmful greenhouse gas (GHG), and wastewater ... more Nitrous oxide (N2O) is considered a potent and very harmful greenhouse gas (GHG), and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered a potent source of it. Predicting N2O emissions is a first step in reducing these. One way of doing this is by using a process-based biokinetic model, based on Activated Sludge Models (ASMs) that have been extended to include the N2O production pathways. Alternatively, data-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) models can be used to predict N2O emissions. In this paper, a biokinetic model has been built and calibrated for the Amsterdam West WWTP (1.1 Million PE; 168 MLD), using the EnviroSim software, BioWin®. A comprehensive monitoring campaign was conducted to characterise the common quality parameters (COD, TKN, TP, TSS, etc.) into their fractions, which were then used as BioWin model inputs. The calibration was conducted in two stages to predict effluent quality followed by model calibration to predict N2O emissions. Additionally, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based model was developed using pertinent process parameters, such as the influent flowrate, and NH4 in the aerobic tank as inputs to predict the N2O concentration in the gas phase. Preliminary results demonstrate that the ANN model outperforms the BioWin model in terms of prediction accuracy. Still further work is required to better understand the pros and cons of the two modelling approaches.
Worm predation (WP) by Tubifex tubifex was investigated using waste activated sludge (WAS) as the... more Worm predation (WP) by Tubifex tubifex was investigated using waste activated sludge (WAS) as the substrate. In order to better understand the sludge degradation mechanisms during WP, the activity of five common hydrolytic enzymes was determined and compared among the initial feed activated sludge, endogenous respirated sludge and worm predated sludge. The results showed that the enzymatic activity decreased upon aerobic (worm) treatment of WAS and that this activity was predominantly associated with the removed solids fraction of the sludge. Interestingly, the protease activity showed a smaller decrease in activity when the worms were present. Flow cell cytometry revealed the release of intestinal bacteria from the worms, which are presumed to be largely responsible for the observed protease activity. Additionally, experiments in which T. tubifex were treated with antibiotics showed that the worms are responsible for a maximum of 73% of the observed proteolytic activity. The remaining 27% is attributed to the intestinal bacteria that exhibit a synergistic relationship with T. tubifex towards protein hydrolysis.
This study provides a comparison of the sludge characteristics along the height of an upflow anae... more This study provides a comparison of the sludge characteristics along the height of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor in terms of sludge morphology, activity and stability. The main aim of this study was to identify the best location (i.e. where sludge is of lowest stability and/or highest concentration) in the sludge bed for conveying the sludge from the low temperature UASB reactor to a digester. The sludge profile was investigated by collecting sludge samples along the different heights of the UASB-anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater. Results showed that total solids and volatile solids concentrations decreased with height, and the highest chemical oxygen demand concentration was observed at the bottom of the reactor. Active biomass remained near inlet of the reactor; whereas, non-active biomass consisted of loose, suspended particles and flocculents moved towards the top. This was confirmed by the high specific COD consumption rate near the inlet and poor specific COD biodegradation in the remaining portions of the bioreactor. Apparently, the assumption of a completely mixed sludge bed behavior for the UASB reactor, being part of an AnMBR system, does not hold for this type of reactor systems even at low temperatures, which makes the location in sludge bed from where the sludge is to be conveyed to the digester of operational importance. Considering the observed sludge bed stratification, the sludge to be recirculated from the UASB reactor to the digester is recommended to be taken from 40 to 50% of the sludge bed height.
The objective of this work is to assess the potentials and requirements for grey water reuse in J... more The objective of this work is to assess the potentials and requirements for grey water reuse in Jordan. The results revealed that urban, rural and dormitory grey water production rate and concentration of TS, BOD5, COD and pathogens varied between 18–66 L cap−1d−1, 848–1,919, 200–1,056, and 560–2,568 mg L−1 and 6.9E2–2.7E5 CFU mL−1, respectively. The grey water compromises 64 to 85% of the total water flow in the rural and urban areas. Storing grey water is inevitable to meet reuse requirements in terms of volume and timing. All the studied grey waters need treatment, in terms of solids, BOD5, COD and pathogens, before storage and reuse. Storage and physical treatment, as a pretreatment step should be avoided, since it produces unstable effluents and non-stabilized sludge. However, extensive biological treatment can combine storage and physical treatments. Furthermore, a batch-fed biological treatment system combining anaerobic and aerobic processes copes with the fluctuations in the hydrographs and pollutographs as well as the present nutrients. The inorganic content of grey water in Jordan is about drinking water quality and does not need treatment. Moreover, the grey water SAR values were 3–7, revealing that the concentrations of monovalent and divalent cations comply with agricultural demand in Jordan. The observed patterns in the hydrographs and pollutographs showed that the hydraulic load could be used for the design of both physical and biological treatment units for dormitories and hotels. For family houses the hydraulic load was identified as the key design parameter for physical treatment units and the organic load is the key design parameter for biological treatment units.
Submerged and external anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactors (AnDMBRs) have been compared in ter... more Submerged and external anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactors (AnDMBRs) have been compared in terms of removal efficiency, filtration characteristics and microbial community structure. High COD removal efficiencies were obtained with both submerged and external AnDMBRs. To obtain an effective dynamic membrane (DM) layer enabling high quality permeate, longer time was required in the external AnDMBR configuration compared to the submerged one. A difference in microbial community structure was identified using pyrosequencing analyses between the submerged and external AnDMBRs. The number of archaeal types decreased in the bulk sludge of the external AnDMBR. External sludge recirculation might have had a negative effect on the archaeal community in the bulk sludge of the external AnDMBR. However, the sludge recirculation in the external AnDMBR configuration led to a filtration at lower total filtration resistance and TMP in comparison to the submerged one at the same gas sparging rate. Results showed that the submerged AnDMBR system can provide a shorter start-up period, slightly better permeate quality in terms of COD concentration, and higher biogas production in comparison to the external one in gas-lift mode.
Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2013
To assess the feasibility of the Anammox process as a cost-effective post-treatment step for anae... more To assess the feasibility of the Anammox process as a cost-effective post-treatment step for anaerobic sewage treatment, the simultaneous effect of organic carbon source, COD/N ratio, and temperature on Anammox was studied. In batch experiments, three operating conditions were evaluated at 14, 22 and 30 ⁰ C, and at COD/N ratios of 2 and 6. For each operating condition, containing 60 mg Nitrogen/L, three different substrate combinations were tested to simulate the presence of readily biodegradable and slowly biodegradable organic matter (RBCOD and SBCOD, respectively): (i) Acetate (RBCOD), (ii) Starch (SBCOD); and, (iii) Acetate + Starch. The observed stoichiometric NO 2-N/NH 4 +-N conversion ratios were in the range of 1.12-1.43. High Anammox nitrogen removal was observed at 22 ⁰ C (77-88%) and 30 ⁰ C (73-79%), whereas there was no nitrogen removal at 14 ⁰ C; the Anammox activity was strongly influenced by temperature, in spite of the COD source and COD/N ratios applied. At 22 ⁰ C and COD/N of 6, the single or simultaneous presence of acetate and starch limits the Anammox metabolism. At 30 ⁰ C, acetate was favorable to Anammox process irrespective the COD/N ratio. These results suggest that the Anammox process could be applied as a nitrogen removal post-treatment for anaerobic sewage systems in warm climates.
Long-term performance of the Anammox process under low nitrogen sludge loading rate and moderate ... more Long-term performance of the Anammox process under low nitrogen sludge loading rate and moderate to low temperature, Biochemical Engineering Journal http://dx.
CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment techno... more CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment technologies. Both high-tech and low-tech systems are discussed, which are applicable in industrialized and developing countries. Anaerobic treatment systems, focusing on resource recovery are extensively discussed. Modern technologies for (extensive) nutrient removal / recovery are dealt with as well as membrane techniques for wastewater treatment. The study goals are to acquire knowledge on conventional and modern wastewater treatment technologies.
CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment techno... more CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment technologies. Both high-tech and low-tech systems are discussed, which are applicable in industrialized and developing countries. Anaerobic treatment systems, focusing on resource recovery are extensively discussed. Modern technologies for (extensive) nutrient removal / recovery are dealt with as well as membrane techniques for wastewater treatment. The study goals are to acquire knowledge on conventional and modern wastewater treatment technologies.
Anaerobic ammonia oxidation to nitrogen gas using nitrite as the electron acceptor (anammox proce... more Anaerobic ammonia oxidation to nitrogen gas using nitrite as the electron acceptor (anammox process) is considered a cost-effective solution for nitrogen removal after an anaerobic pretreatment process. In this study, we conducted a laboratory-scale experiment to develop a single-stage partial nitritation-anammox process in a sponge-based trickling filter (STF) reactor, inoculated with anammox sludge, simulating the treatment of anaerobically pretreated concentrated domestic sewage without mechanical oxygen control. The influent ammonia concentration was 100 mg-N•L −1. The K L a of the STF reactor was higher than those observed for conventional activated sludge processes. The STF reactor performed at 89.8 ± 8.2% and 42.7 ± 16.9% ammonia and TN removal efficiency, respectively, with a nitrogen loading rate of 0.55 ± 0.20 kg-N•m −3 •day −1 calculated based on sponge volume. Microbial community analysis of the STF-retained sludge indicated that both autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrogen removal occurred in the reactor.
This study evaluated a novel three-stage process devoted to the cascade production of lactate, bi... more This study evaluated a novel three-stage process devoted to the cascade production of lactate, biohydrogen and methane from tequila vinasse (TV), with emphasis on attaining a high and stable biohydrogen production rate (HPR) by utilizing lactate as biohydrogen precursor. In the first stage, tailored operating conditions applied to a sequencing batch reactor were effective in sustaining a lactate concentration of 12.4 g/L, corresponding to 89% of the total organic acids produced. In the second stage, the stimulation of lactate-centered dark fermentation which entails the decoupling of biohydrogen production from carbohydrates utilization was an effective approach enabling stable biohydrogen production, having HPR fluctuations less than 10% with a maximum HPR of 12.3 L/L-d and a biohydrogen yield of 3.1 L/L TV. Finally, 1.6 L CH 4 /L-d and 6.5 L CH 4 /L TV were obtained when feeding the biohydrogen fermentation effluent to a third methanogenic stage, yielding a global energy recovery of 267.5 kJ/L TV .
CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment techno... more CIE4485. This course deals with background and application of various wastewater treatment technologies. Both high-tech and low-tech systems are discussed, which are applicable in industrialized and developing countries. Anaerobic treatment systems, focusing on resource recovery are extensively discussed. Modern technologies for (extensive) nutrient removal / recovery are dealt with as well as membrane techniques for wastewater treatment. The study goals are to acquire knowledge on conventional and modern wastewater treatment technologies.
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