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Biological and Hybrid Wastewater Treatment Technology

Recent Developments in India

Editors: Makarand M. Ghangrekar, Shalini Yadav, Ram Narayan Yadava

Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland

Book Series : Earth and Environmental Sciences Library

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Table of Contents

About this book

This book provides technical information on different biological and hybrid wastewater treatment systems for the treatment of wastewater and reuse, and tracks their progress towards practical and field-scale applications including strategies to be adopted for minimizing the losses and maximizing the benefits, as well as protecting the environment through the application of advanced biological and hybrid wastewater treatment Technology. In addition, it discusses the crucial parts that science, technology, and innovation play in the formulation, implementation, and administration of wastewater treatment policy. It highlights the challenges that must be overcome to adopt biological and hybrid wastewater treatment infrastructure regulations successfully and provides some answers.

Also, it investigates how the biological and hybrid wastewater treatment technology may be used in a wide variety of field's sets apart from other on-the-shelf publications on the market. Also, it delves into the core concepts of Biological and Hybrid Wastewater Treatment Systems. It explores how these concepts can be modified to fit a variety of contexts and uses. Applications such as managing facilities, dealing with pandemics, urban wastewater treatment and reuse, farming, and other applications are included in this book. As a consequence, this book's content is engaging, and it will pique the interest of a diverse audience of readers who come from a wide variety of different professional backgrounds.

Therefore, the book is written by local experts in the topic who dealing with the treatment of wastewater treatment technologies for a long time in India.

This book will be helpful to researchers, entrepreneurs, professionals, planners, policymakers, environmental engineers, and others interested in biological and hybrid wastewater treatment system management strategies through the application of breakthroughs in biological and hybrid wastewater treatment technologies.

Frontmatter

Integrated Hybrid Biological Systems in Wastewater Treatment and Recycling

Abstract

Population growth and climate change are identified as the primary cause of water scarcity at global as well as regional levels, and the final outcome of this scarcity or crisis is that a large portion of the world’s population is under severe water stress and does not have adequate freshwater resources for satisfying present and future demands. Adding to this, the current water supply practices wherein freshwater is being supplied even for secondary usages like flushing toilets, gardening, street cleaning, etc., aggravate the water stress. It has become imperative to judiciously use our water resources to have sustainable progress. In this context, the world across, policymakers, researchers, and industries started thinking about treating the wastewater and effectively recycling the same to meet the secondary requirement, which accounts for about 50% of the total water requirement. The present chapter discusses the role of integrated hybrid biological systems in addressing wastewater treatment to recyclable levels, specifically in handling volumetric and organic shock loadings.

Arun Kumar Thalla, R. S. Devika

An Overview on Recent Developments in Biological and Hybrid Wastewater Treatment Technology in India

Abstract

Conventional biological wastewater treatments are broadly classified as suspended growth and attached growth treatments. The biomass is suspended in wastewater in suspended growth processes. It is attached as a slime layer to packings or rotating discs in attached growth processes. In attached growth processes microorganisms have large surface area for growth. Attached growth processes are costly and have high oxygen requirements. Activated sludge processes are suspended growth processes for biological treatment of water. Microorganisms consume the organic matter to purify the wastewater. The biological methods can also be aerobic and anaerobic. Anaerobic water treatment is utilized for very high organic loading and produces methane. Due to odour problems, this method is underutilized. Advancement in technology to intensify the processes is a key research area in wastewater treatment technology. Reductions in cost, area and time have been the driving forces for innovations in biological treatment technologies. Combining the advantages of one biological treatment process with other technologies such as membrane separation, advanced oxidation with UV light, ozone treatment, and biosorption for wastewater treatment are widely investigated research topics in wastewater engineering. Investigations of biological treatment in recent past are focused on optimization of process parameters and combining the biological treatment processes to obtain high percent removal of the pollutants along with modelling of the removal mechanism. This book chapter sheds light on the recent investigations on biological treatments along with an overview of treatment methodologies with a focus on research, investigations and initiatives in India.

Sunil Jayant Kulkarni

Biosorption for Wastewater Treatment and Post-sorption Utilization of Treated Wastewater and Spent Biosorbent

Abstract

Biosorption is one of the potent strategies for pollutant removal from aqueous solutions employing living or non-living biological materials. The mass transfer results in accumulating and concentrating the adsorbate in/on the biomass adsorbent (biosorbent), mostly through complexation and chelation. Generally, biosorbents such as bacteria, fungi, algae, chitin, and chitosan, plant biomass from agricultural and horticultural activities have been widely explored for the pollutant removal efficacy and for their comparative performance with activated carbon, zeolite, silicates and ion-exchange materials. Principally, biosorption is solely a mass transfer method, in which degradation or destruction of the pollutant does not happen. Only interphase transfer of mass (pollutant) and leaching of chemicals from biosorbent take place during the process which ultimately provides treated wastewater and pollutant loaded post-sorbent material. Management of post-sorption products is relatively less explored domain and a few options i.e., recovery of adsorbates by desorption/elution, land fill, storage, incineration, animal feed additive, crop irrigation (treated water) etc., have been reported. With this backdrop, the present chapter aims to provide a comprehensive account on the following aspects related to biosorption process:

Mechanism of biosorption

Factors influencing the biosorption process

Techniques used in biosorption research

Post-sorption exploration such as regeneration of spent adsorbent and recovery of adsorbates

Key issues that restrict the field application of biosorption process

SWOT analysis of biosorption process

Conclusion

Recommendations

K. Man Mohan, S. Gajalakshmi

Membrane Bioreactors and Other Emerging Membrane Technologies

Abstract

As fascinating as it sounds, membrane technologies have become very important for various applications in the present world. In the realm of wastewater treatment and resource recovery, the relentless pursuit of sustainable and efficient solutions has led to remarkable advancements in membrane technologies. Among these transformative innovations, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) stand out as a pioneering approach that marries the principles of biotechnology and filtration. Harnessing the power of semi-permeable membranes, MBRs, which were introduced in the 1960s, have revolutionized the field, offering unparalleled treatment efficiency, reduced footprint, and enhanced water quality. This process combines the ultrafiltration or microfiltration technique of membrane with biological treatments to separate sludge generated from the initial biological activities, thus eliminating the conventional gravity-enhanced clarifier/secondary sedimentation process in purifying wastewater. However, the journey of membrane technologies continues after MBRs. Exciting emerging membrane technologies are pushing the boundaries even further, promising even more remarkable achievements in water treatment, desalinization, and beyond. In exploring MBRs and emerging membrane technologies, we embark on a captivating journey through the intricacies of these cutting-edge solutions, revealing the immense possibilities they possess in shaping a more environmentally friendly tomorrow.

Geophry Wasonga Anyango, Gourav Dhar Bhowmick, Veeramani Rajasekar

Membrane Bioreactors: Design, Operation, and Maintenance

Abstract

Population explosion, urbanization, and industrialization are the responsible factors for the huge wastewater generation. Globally, around 380 billion m³ of wastewater is generated annually and in India, about 35% of the population lives in the urban area and generates around 72 million litres per day. Out of the total generated wastewater, only 28% is treated and the rest is discharged untreated which results in the deterioration of the freshwater resources and also impacts different components of the environment. Wastewater treatment is vital for the protection of the environment and human health, and therefore United Nations emphasized it under sustainable development goals (SDGs). The treated water can be a useful resource if used for secondary applications and offers resource and financial savings. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a reliable, robust, and flexible technology in the area of wastewater treatment, and through its application, SDGs can be achieved. In MBR technology, hyphenation of activated sludge process and membrane filtration is practiced for the treatment of organic-laden wastewater. MBR technology has frequently been used to treat industrial and municipal wastewater, where a small footprint, stringent discharge standards, or water reuse is essential. The MBR technology outcompetes with conventional wastewater treatment approach but still has some drawbacks such as fouling of membranes which surges operational costs. The drawbacks can be overcome through MBR designing and membrane selections. In this study, we cover the different MBR designs, membrane types, and operations for wastewater treatment. The recent development in the research area of MBR is reported in this chapter.

Sandeep Singh, Shweta Yadav, Jyoti Singh, Rajesh Singh, Vinay Kumar Tyagi, Sujata Kashyap, Kaptan Singh, Sandeep K. Malyan

Revolutionizing Wastewater Treatment: Cutting-Edge Technologies for Biological Nutrient Removal

Abstract

Nutrient removal is crucial in wastewater treatment to counter the negative environmental impacts of excessive nitrogen and phosphorus. From various sources, such as domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities, nutrient pollution poses a significant threat to aquatic systems, necessitating removing nutrients from wastewater. Several pioneering processes have revolutionised wastewater treatment, and this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of advanced technologies for biologically removing nitrogen and phosphorus. It discusses conventional nutrient removal systems based on nitrification and denitrification, followed by advanced nitrogen removal technologies, including simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, phosphorus removal (SNDPR), shortcut nitrogen removal, and post-denitrification technologies. The subsequent sections discuss high-rate, full-scale systems integrating various treatment processes for efficient nutrient removal. Examples include granular biomass systems and biofilm-based treatment systems. These systems provide enhanced nutrient removal capabilities and offer advantages like compactness, high treatment efficiency, and flexibility. The chapter also highlights microalgae-based nutrient removal, emphasising its potential for sustainable nutrient removal and bioenergy production while addressing associated benefits and challenges. Finally, the challenges related to nutrient removal technologies are listed to advance the research and strategies to overcome it. Overall, these pioneering nutrient removal processes have greatly enhanced wastewater treatment, minimising nutrient discharge, preserving water quality and ecosystems, and promoting sustainable development in wastewater management. Further innovation and research in nutrient removal technologies will enhance their effectiveness, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

G. Anjali, P. C. Sabumon

Nutrient Retrieval Techniques in Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for the growth and well-being of living organisms, making them important nutrients. However, the release of wastewater containing high levels of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) is a significant contributor to water pollution, leading to eutrophication and reduced levels of dissolved oxygen, which in turn pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems. The task of removing nutrients from sewage poses a considerable challenge. To meet stringent standards for nutrient discharge, it is crucial to remove nutrients from wastewater. Additionally, recovering nutrients from waste streams is vital for establishing a circular economy and avoiding the depletion of finite resources. In this comprehensive chapter, a thorough discussion is done on the available technologies for nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater. The focus is on understanding their operational mechanisms, advantages, and limitations. The working principles of each technology are meticulously analyzed, shedding light on how they effectively extract nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. The advantages of these technologies encompass factors such as treatment efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. However, their implementation is not devoid of challenges. Obstacles such as high operational costs, technical complexities, and energy consumption are identified and discussed. Furthermore, this chapter serves as a platform to propose potential solutions for overcoming these obstacles and enhancing the successful integration of nutrient removal technologies. The goal is to optimize nutrient recovery and make strides towards a sustainable wastewater treatment paradigm. By recognizing the impediments and devising strategies to address them, this chapter aims to pave the way for more effective and widespread implementation of nutrient removal technologies, fostering a cleaner and healthier environment.

Divyesh Parde, Rahul Ghosh, Praveen Rajpurohit, Soumyadeep Bhaduri, Manaswini Behera

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) and Resource Recovery

Abstract

This chapter delves into the captivating realm of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) and its remarkable potential for resource recovery. AD is a sustainable and effective biological process for converting organic waste into energy and fertilizers. A comprehensive overview of the AD process, with a focus on its mechanisms, operating parameters, and key factors affecting its performance. In addition, AD can utilize a variety of feedstocks, including farm residue, food waste, and wastewater sludge. In addition, a critical analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with each feedstock, including their availability, composition, and economic feasibility. The chapter also investigates various technological advancements and process optimization strategies to maximize the potential of AD and resource and nutrients recovery. The chapter highlights emerging technologies such as co-digestion, pre-treatment techniques, and reactor configurations that enhance biogas production and digestate quality. Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes the prospects and challenges in circular economy concepts, elucidating its ability to recover and harness valuable resources from organic waste streams. Finally, the techno-economic feasibility of AD technology is discussed.

Nagarjuna Kandagatla, Pilli Sridhar, P. V. Rao, R. D. Tyagi

Anaerobic Digestion for Treatment and Resource Recovery

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the most primitive form of metabolism. The process typically involves the breakdown of complex organic compounds into fatty acids by bacteria, which work in tandem with methanogens to produce carbon dioxide and methane, collectively known as biogas. Biogas has been widely considered as one of the most promising renewable energy sources for the past several decades. Apart from biogas generation, mineralising organics of higher molecular weight organics is particularly interesting to environmental scientists and engineers. It is possible as AD can be replicated in engineered vessels to treat organic wastes and wastewater. In addition, tailored AD of specific substrates can yield other valuables, such as hydrogen through dark fermentation, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus-rich liquid fertiliser recovery from the digestate supernatant liquid of the anaerobic digester. A revisit to the concepts and the translation of these concepts into resource recovery, solid organic waste stabilisation and wastewater treatment is imperative. This chapter, therefore, collates the fundamental principles of AD, emphasising its potential and limitations in wastewater/waste treatment and resource recovery.

Lakshmi Pathi Thulluru, Indrajit Chakraborty, Shamik Chowdhury, M. M. Ghangrekar

Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater and Resource Recovery

Abstract

Rapid industrialization, population growth, and excessive resource consumption significantly challenge the world for sustainable resources. It is imperative to use sustainable technologies for resource recovery from the wastewater stream to reduce the burden on natural resources. Anaerobic digestion is a promising resource and nutrient recovery technology for wastewater treatment plants. In anaerobic digesters, bacteria and archaea break down organic compounds present in wastewater, converting them into biogas and digestate. This biological treatment process effectively reduces the organic pollutant load in the wastewater, making it safer for release into the environment or for further treatment. The most significant resource recovered during anaerobic digestion is biogas. By capturing and utilizing biogas, not only can harmful emissions be reduced, but valuable energy can also be generated. Alternatively, the Implications of biogas for clean fuel in vehicles is also the need of the day apart from heat generation and electricity. In addition to biogas, anaerobic digestion can aid in nutrient recovery. The digestate produced during the process has abundant amounts of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, nutrients which are essential for agriculture. By properly treating and managing digestate, these nutrients can be reclaimed and reused as fertilizers, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, and minimizing nutrient pollution in water bodies. This chapter delves into the current state of resource and nutrient recovery technologies from wastewater and explores recent advancements in the field addressing challenges, perspective, and techno-economic feasibility.

Nupur Kesharwani, Samir Bajpai

Study of Anaerobic Digestion Mediated Micropollutant Degradation by UPLC-MS/MS

Abstract

Antibiotics have received considerable international interest but with its increased production and abuse and the risk of Antibiotic-Resistant bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARG’s) dispersing across several habitats it has become a serious issue. Residues of various organic micro-pollutants occur at low concentrations (ng/L to micro gram/L) in water bodies and possibly influence the environment and living organisms even at those low concentrations. Processes such as oxidation processes (advanced), chlorination, ozonation, electro-chemical as well as biological have been studied for micropollutant degradation. Anaerobic digestion (AD) can prove to be an effective way for biodegradation of this compound as its less time and energy consuming. Biomethane Potential Tests (BMP) were set up using Food, Sludge, Septage in four different ratios with six different loading rates in BMP vials of capacity 120 mL. Working volume of 80 mL was maintained. The digestate from nearby anaerobic reactor was used as an inoculum and was stabilized for a week prior to use. Loading rate of 1 kgVS/m³ (8:1:1) was used for the purpose of LC/MS as it gave highest biogas production for a 30-day monitoring period. The setup was spiked with Trimethoprim (TMP), Ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Estrone (EST) (Concentration 1 mg/L) followed by monitoring every 24, 48, and 72 h. The experiment aimed to establish a dependable and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) method to study TMP, CIP and EST degradation rates in AD.

Aatiya Shaikh, Srikanth Mutnuri

Constructed Wetland: Design, Operation, and Maintenance Techniques

Abstract

Globally constructed wetlands (CWs) have been adopted as the green solution for wastewater treatment owing to their low economic costs, reduced energy demand, and eco-friendly approach. They are artificially created systems for wastewater treatment utilizing natural processes involving vegetation species, soil, and microbes. The CW involves several contaminant removal strategies such as phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, phytostabilization, and rhizo-filtration. It provides decentralized wastewater treatment to both rural and urban areas and offers multiple ecosystem services such as improved water quality, reuse of treated water, and biodiversity development. However, the poorly understood design criteria, operation, and maintenance of CW limits its widespread adoption and sustainability, thus presenting a setback to the technology as a whole. Poor operation and maintenance of the CW lead to negative environmental outcomes such as excessive odor, and rerelease of the contaminants into the system. Appropriate human-centered design and regular maintenance is required to ensure effective and continuous functioning of CW treatment mechanisms (physical, chemical, and biological). This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the CW design, operation, and maintenance in the context of developing nations. The study further aims to ensure that the technology is widely accepted, implemented, and appropriately designed for effective wastewater treatment while minimizing negative environmental impacts. The classification of CW, their design criteria, operation, and maintenance are discussed in detail. Furthermore, appropriate recommendations were suggested for the confronting challenges in the design, operation, and maintenance of the CW system.

Shweta Yadav, Sandeep K. Malyan, Rajesh Singh, Sujata Kashyap, Vinay Kumar Tyagi, Omkar Singh, Jyoti Singh

Constructed Wetlands: Insights and Future Directions in Sustainable Approach for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

In recent years, the presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) has raised serious concerns as they pose significant threats to water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and human health. To address this issue, various treatment technologies have been employed to remove CECs from wastewater. Among these technologies, constructed wetlands have gained popularity as an effective and sustainable approach for remediation. Constructed wetlands (CWs), an engineered system designed employing combination of wetland soils, plants, and associated microbial communities emerged as vital tools for treating different types of wastewater including domestic, mining, industrial, and agricultural effluents. In CWs, selection of plant, microbial media, Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), and Hydraulic Loading Rate (HLR) play crucial roles in the removal of CECs through mechanisms such as filtration, sedimentation, adsorption, volatilization, microbial activity, and phyto-accumulation along with phytoremediation. Wetlands are categorized into sub-surface flow and free water surface types, with the aim of optimizing the elimination of organic pollutants from wastewater. Constructed wetlands exhibit superior performance in removing organic nutrients, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Notably, these systems demonstrate higher efficiency when operating under low hydraulic loading rates (HLR). This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of constructed wetlands and their significance in phytoremediation, factors affecting the system’s removal efficiency, and highlights the potential of this eco-friendly approach for environmental remediation. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, professionals, and decision-makers, offering information on the current state of the art and potential future directions for effective and sustainable pollution control.

Varun Shukla, Isha Hiwrale, Rita S. Dhodapkar, Sukdeb Pal

Biogas and Nutrient Recovery from Algal Biomass

Abstract

The rise of energy demand is likely to be twice by 2050 due to the massive growth of the population forcing several researchers, academicians, and scientists to think of alternative sources of energy by utilizing food waste, cow manure, plant leaves, and algae. This chapter deals with the significance of microalgae as the best source of generating green biogas/biofuels which not only save rapidly declining stocks of fossil fuels but also mitigates environmental problems. Low or no competition with human food or crops, low amounts of lignin, and rapid growth rate are the benefits of biogas production through Algae. Conversely, issues like chemical content changes, high amounts of moisture, and other inhibition practices hinder in generation of cost-effective biogas. However, it is still more economically and environmentally affable than ordinary fossil fuels. Anaerobic digestion of algal biomass suffers from low digestibility due to cell wall resistance and inappropriate carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. A short-span method comprising fungal crude enzyme-based pre-treatment of algal biomass is introduced and the effect of it was qualitatively assessed through visual and microscopic observations and quantitatively through measuring algal biomass solubilization. Up to 50% biomass COD solubilization was observed within 150 min of pretreatment under optimal conditions. A higher production is observed in subsequent anaerobic digestion of pretreated algal biomass from untreated algal biomass. Interestingly, methane yield upsurged when pretreated algal biomass co-digested with cattle dung while sugarcane bagasse harmed algal biomass co-digestion due to its poor digestibility. Overall, the present attempt showed promising results by improving methane yield from algal biomass though pretreatment and co-digestion.

Ranjeet Kumar Singh, Aditya Chaturvedi, Shailendra Kumar Singh, Sudarshan Singh Rathore, Rinku D. Jaiswal, Sameer Shekhar, Bhanu Pandey, Sidharth Singh, Raj S. Singh

Integrated and Hybrid Bioelectrical Systems (BES) for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Industrial and agricultural wastewater is one of the most crucial sources of water pollution. Traditional system of wastewater, for instance, trickling filter, activated sludge and other aerobic technologies, are not cost and resource effective owing to population expansion and ever-increasing demand for clean water. The integration of state-of-the-art technologies such as bioelectrical systems (BES) with anaerobic digestion, dark fermentation and constructed wetlands is increasingly promising for industrial and domestic wastewater treatment. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an upcoming technology where microbial catalytic reactions convert chemical energy stored in organic fraction of waste to electricity. This technique is also gradually applied for removal of a variety of pollutants namely pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, decolorization of dyes and xenobiotics. Hence, these systems provide benefits in two ways of electric power generation and wastewater treatment, thereby making the whole procedure sustainable and economically feasible. This chapter discusses the principles of microbial fuel cells and their subsequent utilization for removal of pollutants from wastewater, alongwith bioelectricity generation performance. Further, the chapter discusses integration of microbial fuel cells with current treatment technologies to scale up MFCs for sustainable wastewater treatment. The concluding remarks comprise of future applications and challenges faced in the real scale systems working for wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation.

Athar Hussain, Richa Madan

Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical Systems (BESs) exhibit substantial potential for addressing wastewater treatment challenges, emphasizing sustainability and resource management in contemporary contexts. Utilizing microbial activities to mediate electrochemical reactions, BESs offer a spectrum of benefits, including efficient wastewater treatment, electricity recovery, bioresource recovery, and carbon dioxide sequestration. The research in this context started with Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) and subsequently, next-generation BES technologies, such as Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MEC), Microbial Desalination Cells (MDC), Microbial Carbon Capture Cells (MCC), Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES), Plant and Wetland-MFC, and bioelectro-Fenton (BEF) evolved. The versatility of BES architectures, including single-chambered and multi-chambered designs are explored, offering personalized advantages for wastewater treatment. Thorough investigations into the operational principles of MFCs and advancements in various technologies, like MEC, MDC, MCC, and MES, emphasize their potential applications in wastewater treatment, energy recovery, and environmental sustainability. Despite over 3000 research articles available as per Scopus, BES technologies are facing challenges during field-scale implementation and successful commercialization as viable alternatives to conventional technological options. This chapter elucidates the wastewater treatment processes of different BES technologies and the suitability of specific BES technologies for specific treatment requirements.

Indrasis Das

Integrated and Hybrid Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are cutting-edge technologies in the field of wastewater remediation that offer additional advantages of simultaneous recovery of valuable resources. BESs are characterized by advanced oxidation processes such as bioelectro-Fenton (BEF), which integrates interdisciplinary concepts between biology, biophysics, and biochemistry. The BEF system utilizes electrons generated from bioelectrochemical systems for the treatment of wastewater. Bioelectro-Fenton system is an environmentally benign treatment option with notable advantages such as high efficiency without sludge accumulation, low toxicity, mild operational conditions, and low in energy consumption. However, despite having promising potential, BEF systems encounter several challenges that need to be addressed. These challenges include high power density, H₂O₂ concentration, selection of suitable cathode materials, adequate Fe²⁺ concentration and pH regulation. In addition to BEF, microbial biocatalysts are also integrated within BESs for the effective removal of emerging contaminants from the water matrix. The primary objective of this book chapter is to highlight the recent demonstrations pertaining to the removal of refractory organic pollutants from wastewater using BESs. Traditional wastewater treatment technologies often fail to adequately remove these persistent pollutants, leading to their discharge into the environment without proper treatment. In this chapter application of BESs is discussed in terms of their effectiveness in removing and degrading emerging contaminants. Furthermore, the various factors influencing the performance of BESs are summarized. This book chapter aims to assist researchers in developing more efficient BESs to remove emerging contaminants from wastewater.

Charu Juneja, Purusottam Tripathy, Om Prakash, Abhishek Sharma, Sukdeb Pal

Application of Mathematical Modelling Techniques in Optimal Design of Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have complex processes and interrelated operations, subsequently poses multi-facet challenges in their planning and designing. Moreover, factors such as effluent concentration, flow rate, dosage of coagulants and treatment techniques influence the efficiency of the wastewater treatment process. Mathematical modeling has evidently proven to be beneficial in designing any WWTP by predicting the trend or behavior of its treatment process in terms of its input variables. Furthermore, state-of-the-art computing power, advanced mathematical models, and user-friendly software have made it effortless to model the complexities and dependencies of the treatment process. This book chapter presents a comprehensive overview of the application of mathematical modeling in the optimal design of economical and efficient wastewater treatment plant. The statistical modeling approach has been demonstrated with a generation of regression prediction models for BOD and TSS removal in tertiary wastewater treatment using coagulant Zetag-4120. Further, chapter presents the formulation of optimization problem statement of WTTP design with emphasis upon selection of objective Function, setting up constraint criterion and choosing suitable trade-offs. Data-driven optimization techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, are briefly discussed. The chapter also touches upon the challenges and path-forward in the application of mathematical modeling in the field of wastewater treatment.

Mahendra Kumar Pal, Kirpa Ram

Laboratory to Field Scale Applications of Advanced Biological and Hybrid Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Abstract

Successful pilot-scale operation and commercialisation are critical benchmarks in the development of advanced biological and hybrid technologies. The most challenging issue at the pilot-level operation is performance drop, which is usually inversely proportional to the reactor size. In view of the aforementioned constraints, this chapter aims to elucidate the pivotal factors that determine the commercialisation and economics of hybrid biological systems. In addition, the current technology readiness level (TRL) of different upcoming hybrid technologies has been identified, and suggestions for enhancing the same have been included in future perspectives. Overall, the book chapter presents a comprehensive assessment of the lab-to-field transition of the hybrid biological system and the way forward of these emerging technologies.

Akash Tripathi, Rishabh Raj, Shraddha Yadav, M. M. Ghangrekar

Challenges and Opportunities in Enabling Circular Economy for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Globally, the goal of wastewater treatment technologies has shifted from avoiding the spread of water-borne diseases to extracting energy and other resources. The next pursuit in this realm is to solve the challenge of integrating wastewater treatment with circular economy and sustainability at the field scale. Along this line, a plethora of research investigations are available which highlight the reclamation of water, energy, nutrients and other value-added products. This chapter emphasizes the opportunities and challenges in attaining a circular economy in sustainable wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the pivotal role of the wastewater sector in sustainable development is emphasized, exploring its interconnectedness with circularity in other sectors. The chapter introduces the ideas of energy self-sufficiency and resource recovery in wastewater treatment systems, along with the interlinked challenges. The discussion delves into representing the importance of tools such as life cycle assessment (LCA) in assessing treatment technologies and alternate scenarios and making informed decisions. It is concluded that the circularity challenge is subject to local implementation and monitoring administered by global planning and directions in the wastewater sector.

Hema Jha, Brajesh Kumar Dubey

Life Cycle Assessment of Hybrid-Biological Wastewater Treatment Plants: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Primarily propelled by the growing population, wastewater generation has been continuously increasing. Rapid urbanization and industrial development are also increasing the load on the existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Henceforth, the pursuit of sustainable development goals, aided by technological advancements, has fuelled the construction of new WWTPs, along with the transformation of the existing conventional WWTPs into hybrid-biological treatment plants, which has emphasized the domains of resource recovery and circular economy. However, it is crucial to ensure that the overall environmental impact of the modified WWTP is lower than that of the conventional one. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) serves as a tool that quantitatively assesses the anticipated environmental impact of WWTPs and facilitates comparisons with their conventional counterparts. This book chapter provides an overview of the LCA methodology within the context of WWTPs, highlighting the iterative nature of the different phases of an LCA, along with a detailed discussion of the individual phase. The environmental impact of employing hybrid-biological wastewater treatment units was discussed with the aid of case studies on nutrient removal, constructed wetlands, moving bed biofilm reactors and membrane bioreactors. Apart from highlighting the trade-offs inherent to different hybrid systems, the chapter also emphasizes the challenges associated with data availability, quality and acceptability of the LCA results while underscoring the associated methodological challenges. Therefore, this chapter can aid researchers, policymakers and academicians alike in understanding the intricacies associated with the LCA of WWTPs and support better decision-making.

Rajarshi Bhar, Joydeepa Taran, Brajesh Kumar Dubey, Makarand Madhao Ghangrekar

Title: Biological and Hybrid Wastewater Treatment Technology
Editors: Makarand M. Ghangrekar
Shalini Yadav
Ram Narayan Yadava
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-63046-0
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-63045-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63046-0