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3 pages, 163 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy

by Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska

Energies 2022, 15(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010173 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1850

Abstract

This Special Issue titled “Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy” aims to compile the latest research and challenges in the field of wastewater treatment and energy production to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

Research

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16 pages, 13515 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Optical Evaluation of Effects of Energy Substrates on PHB Accumulation for Bioplastic Production

by Alicja Staśczak, Hanna Langer-Macioł, Karolina Widzisz, Wiktoria Śliwińska, Kinga Lucińska, Przemysław Wencel, Barbara Strózik, Mariusz Frąckiewicz, Piotr Skupin, Dariusz Choiński and Sebastian Student

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8390; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228390 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1665

Abstract

To date, hundreds of millions tons of plastics has been produced worldwide. Their production and disposal are associated with high pollution and carbon release into the atmosphere. A more environmentally friendly alternative is bioplastics, and the most popular is polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymer. Large [...] Read more.

To date, hundreds of millions tons of plastics has been produced worldwide. Their production and disposal are associated with high pollution and carbon release into the atmosphere. A more environmentally friendly alternative is bioplastics, and the most popular is polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymer. Large amounts of PHB can be obtained from activated sludge where used cooking oil or other industrial waste can be used as potential substrates. In this work, efficient bioplastic production strategies are studied, and the considered substrate is a mixture of oil and peptone. Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria are used to accumulate PHB, and the cultivation of microorganisms is carried out in batch and continuous-flow bioreactors. Microscopic observations and laboratory essays are performed to confirm presence of PHB and other key parameters. The obtained results allow us to determine the optimal feeding strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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22 pages, 1260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supply of Wood Biomass in Poland in Terms of Extraordinary Threat and Energy Transition

by Magdalena Majchrzak, Piotr Szczypa and Krzysztof Adamowicz

Energies 2022, 15(15), 5381; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15155381 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2193

Abstract

In this article, we present the possibility of applying the concept of elasticity in the system of sustainable energy development through the use of wood biomass. We used a dual (socio-ecological and economic) approach to sustainable energy development. The research was carried out [...] Read more.

In this article, we present the possibility of applying the concept of elasticity in the system of sustainable energy development through the use of wood biomass. We used a dual (socio-ecological and economic) approach to sustainable energy development. The research was carried out using the methods of reduction reasoning, scientific observation, and examination of source documents. We identified crisis threats in the context of sustainable energy development. Then, we analyzed the supply of wood biomass in Poland, taking into account its geographical location. As a result, we identified and characterized the causal relationships between the assumptions of the concept of resistance and the sustainable development of energy with the use of wood biomass. We found that the concepts of resilience can be adapted to assessing energy sustainability. This adaptation is based on resilience, flexibility, and strategic ability to revitalize the country. We found that five key threats (extreme weather events, climate breakdown, pollution, infectious diseases, loss of biodiversity) affect both the energy-sustainability system and forest management, and the relationship is two-way. We show that the production of forest biomass is compatible with modern forest management and supports the implementation of sustainable energy development, which takes place under the concept of resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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20 pages, 3318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Denitrification Process Enhancement and Diversity of the Denitrifying Community in the Full Scale Activated Sludge System after Adaptation to Fusel Oil

by Przemysław Kowal, Sławomir Ciesielski, Jeremiah Otieno, Joanna Barbara Majtacz, Krzysztof Czerwionka and Jacek Mąkinia

Energies 2021, 14(17), 5225; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14175225 - 24 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2097

Abstract

Implementation of anaerobic digestion of primary sludge in modern wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) limits the availability of organic carbon for denitrification in conventional nitrification-denitrification (N/DN) systems. In order to ensure efficient denitrification, dosage of the external carbon source is commonly undertaken. However, application [...] Read more.

Implementation of anaerobic digestion of primary sludge in modern wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) limits the availability of organic carbon for denitrification in conventional nitrification-denitrification (N/DN) systems. In order to ensure efficient denitrification, dosage of the external carbon source is commonly undertaken. However, application of commercial products, such us ethanol or acetate, greatly increases operational costs. As such, inexpensive and efficient alternative carbon sources are strongly desirable. In this study, the use of the fusel oil, a by-product from the distillery industry, was validated in terms of the denitrification process enhancement and impact on the activated sludge bacterial community structure. The experiment was conducted at a full scale biological nutrient removal facility (210,000 PE), in the set of the two technological lines: the experimental line (where fusel oil was introduced at 45 cm³/m³ dose) and the reference line (without an external carbon source addition). During the experimental period of 98 days, conventional nitrate utilization rate (NUR) measurements were carried out on a regular basis in order to assess the biomass adaptation to the fusel oil addition and denitrification process enhancement. While the NURs remained at a stable level in the reference line (1.4 ± 0.1 mg NO₃-N/g VSS·h) throughout the entire duration of the experiment, the addition of fusel oil gradually enhanced the denitrification process rate up to 2.7 mg NO₃-N/g VSS·h. Moreover, fusel oil contributed to the mitigation of the variability of NO₃-N concentrations in the effluent from the anoxic zone. The bacterial community structure, characterized by 16S rRNA PCR—DGGE and the clone libraries of the genes involved in the denitrification process (nirS and nirK), was comparable between the reference and the experimental line during the entire experimental period. In both analyzed lines, the most frequent occurrence of denitrifiers belonging to the genera Acidovorax, Alcaligenes, Azoarcus, Paracoccus and Thauera was noticed. Our results proved that fusel oil would a valuable substrate for denitrification. The addition of fusel oil enhances the process rate and does not reflect a severe selection pressure on the bacterial community at applicable doses. Practical application of fusel oil generates opportunities for the WWTPs to meet effluent standards and reduce operational costs, as well as optimizing waste management for the distillery industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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18 pages, 3100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Achieving Efficient and Stable Deammonification at Low Temperatures—Experimental and Modeling Studies

by Hussein Al-Hazmi, Xi Lu, Dominika Grubba, Joanna Majtacz, Przemysław Kowal and Jacek Mąkinia

Energies 2021, 14(13), 3961; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133961 - 1 Jul 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2290

Abstract

The short-term effects of temperature on deammonification sludge were evaluated in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Mathematical modeling was used for further evaluations of different intermittent aeration strategies for achieving high and stable deammonification performance at decreasing temperatures. As for the biomass [...] Read more.

The short-term effects of temperature on deammonification sludge were evaluated in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Mathematical modeling was used for further evaluations of different intermittent aeration strategies for achieving high and stable deammonification performance at decreasing temperatures. As for the biomass cultivated at high temperatures (e.g., 30 °C), a higher temperature dependency (the adjusted Arrhenius coefficient θ for 11–17 °C = 1.71 vs. θ for 17–30 °C = 1.12) on the specific anammox growth rates was found at lower temperatures (11–17 °C) in comparison with higher temperatures (17–30 °C). Further evaluations of recovering the nitrogen removal efficiency at decreasing temperatures with the mathematical model by modifying the intermittent aeration strategies (aeration frequency (F) and the ratio (R) between non-aerated (non-aer) phase and aerated (aer) phase durations) indicated that intermittent aeration with a prolonged non-aerated phase (e.g., R ≥ 4 regardless of F value) would help to maintain high and stable deammonification performance (~80%) at decreasing temperatures (14–22 °C). Extending the non-aerated phases (increasing R) and reducing the frequency (F) of off/on phase changes have a positive effect on increasing energy savings, leading to increasing interest in this method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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11 pages, 1386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metatranscriptome Analysis of Bisphenol A-Exposed Aerobic Granular Sludge

by Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska, Martyna Grzyb and Piotr Jachimowicz

Energies 2021, 14(11), 3263; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113263 - 2 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2784

Abstract

Understanding of the metabolic pathways connected with a removal of micropollutant bisphenol A (BPA) may help to better design effective wastewater treatment processes. The aim of this study was to determine changes in gene expression in an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) community exposed [...] Read more.

Understanding of the metabolic pathways connected with a removal of micropollutant bisphenol A (BPA) may help to better design effective wastewater treatment processes. The aim of this study was to determine changes in gene expression in an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) community exposed to BPA. In the study, AGS adapted to BPA degradation was used. In this sludge, BPA was dosed; as a control sample, granules without BPA addition were used. mRNA was isolated from both samples and sequenced using the Illumina platform. Metatranscriptome analysis of AGS exposed to BPA indicated direct biodegradation as the main mechanism of BPA removal from wastewater. High expression of genes coding pilus and flagellin proteins in the BPA-exposed biomass indicated that exposition to BPA stimulated aggregation of microbial cells and formation of biofilm. In the BPA-exposed biomass, nitrogen was mainly used as an energy source, as indicated by the presence of genes coding nitrification enzymes and urease. Moreover, exposition to BPA stimulated expression of genes coding proteins responsible for xenobiotic degradation, including enzymes responsible for benzoate degradation. These results increase knowledge about BPA metabolism in complex microbial communities in wastewater treatment systems and indicate that AGS is suitable for efficiently removing BPA from wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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10 pages, 1534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can the Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge Compost in the Aided Phytostabilization Technique Provide an Effective Waste Management Method?

by Maja Radziemska, Zygmunt M. Gusiatin, Agnieszka Bęś, Justyna Czajkowska, Zbigniew Mazur, Tereza Hammerschmiedt, Łukasz Sikorski, Eliska Kobzova, Barbara K. Klik, Wojciech Sas, Ernesta Liniauskienė, Jiri Holatko and Martin Brtnicky

Energies 2021, 14(7), 1984; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14071984 - 2 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2563

Abstract

(1) Background: sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment, which needs to be managed appropriately, e.g., in composting processes. The application of municipal sewage sludge composts (MSSCs) as a soil amendment is a potential way to effectively manage sewage sludge. (2) Methods: [...] Read more.

(1) Background: sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment, which needs to be managed appropriately, e.g., in composting processes. The application of municipal sewage sludge composts (MSSCs) as a soil amendment is a potential way to effectively manage sewage sludge. (2) Methods: this paper presents the results of a vegetation pot experiment undertaken to assess the suitability of Dactylis glomerata L. and MSSC in the aided phytostabilization technique when applied on soils from an area effected by industrial pressure; this is characterized by high levels of heavy metal (HM). The contents of HMs in the test plant (the roots and above-ground parts), as well as in the soil and MSSC, were determined via an atomic spectrometry method. (3) Results: the application of MSSC positively contributed to an increased production of plant biomass and an increase in the pH in the soil. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cr were higher in the roots than in the above-ground parts of Dactylis glomerata L. The addition of MSSC contributed most significantly to the considerable reduction in Ni, Pb, and Zn contents in the soil after the experiment. (4) Conclusions: MSSC can support the phytostabilization of soils contaminated with high levels of HMs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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20 pages, 5572 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Influence of Co-Fermentation of Agri-Food Waste with Primary Sludge on Biogas Production and Composition of the Liquid Fraction of Digestate

by Anna Wilinska-Lisowska, Monika Ossowska and Krzysztof Czerwionka

Energies 2021, 14(7), 1907; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14071907 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2437

Abstract

Energy self-sufficiency is a current trend in wastewater treatment plants. This effect can be achieved by increasing the production of electricity from biogas and by reducing energy consumption for technological processes. One idea, in line with the circular economy concept, is the use [...] Read more.

Energy self-sufficiency is a current trend in wastewater treatment plants. This effect can be achieved by increasing the production of electricity from biogas and by reducing energy consumption for technological processes. One idea, in line with the circular economy concept, is the use of waste rich in organic matter as co-substrates for the fermentation process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of waste co-fermentation on biogas production and nitrogen concentration in the reject water. A co-fermentation process with flotate or flotate and vegetables increased biogas production compared to primary sludge by 162 and 180%, respectively. During the tests, there was no inhibition of the fermentation process. Hydrolysis of organic compounds contained in flotate and vegetables resulted in a significant increase in ammonium nitrogen (by 80–100%) and dissolved organic nitrogen concentration (by 170–180%). The biogas and methane production rate as well as the ammonium and total nitrogen release rate were calculated. An energy balance was made, which took into account the variable amount of electric energy production depending on the efficiency of the cogeneration systems and energy consumption for supplying oxygen necessary to remove nitrogen contained in the reject water. A positive energy balance was obtained for all analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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14 pages, 2994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mature Landfill Leachate as a Medium for Hydrodynamic Cavitation of Brewery Spent Grain

by Magdalena Lebiocka, Agnieszka Montusiewicz, Sylwia Pasieczna-Patkowska and Sławomir Gułkowski

Energies 2021, 14(4), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14041150 - 22 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2135

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of mature landfill leachate (MLL) as a carrier allowing hydrodynamic cavitation (HD) of brewery spent grain (BSG). The HD experiments were conducted using an orifice plate with a conical concentric hole of 3/10 mm (inlet/outlet diameter) [...] Read more.

In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of mature landfill leachate (MLL) as a carrier allowing hydrodynamic cavitation (HD) of brewery spent grain (BSG). The HD experiments were conducted using an orifice plate with a conical concentric hole of 3/10 mm (inlet/outlet diameter) as a constriction in the cavitation device. The initial pressure was 7 bar and the number of recirculation passes through the cavitation zone reached 30. The results showed that complex organic matter was degraded and solubilized when cavitating the MLL and BSG mixture. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) increased by 45% and the BOD₅/total chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio increased by 69%, whereas the COD, total solids, and nutrient concentration dropped noticeably. However, Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) revealed the generation of possibly toxic HD byproducts such as aromatic compounds. This seems to indicate that MLL could not be regarded as a suitable carrier for BSG cavitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Energy)

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