State of Art Technologies for Nutrient Removal from Wastewater

Treating the Wastewater produced in domestic or industrial source has been a practice associated with the human civilization since early stages and continues to be relevant in modern society. The primary focus of wastewater treatment is the removal of nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients are present in effluents and their presence can lead to eutrophication in water bodies in the natural environment. Nutrient removal techniques have evolved from primitive techniques to the most advanced methodologies historically. The incorporation of scientific knowledge has played a vital role in the modernization of wastewater treatment technologies just like in most modern technologies we enjoy. The objectives of nutrient removal from wastewater have significantly shifted from the sole aim of safeguarding public health and preventing diseases to encompass sustainable initiatives, such as resource recovery from wastewater. This book chapter provides a comprehensive discussion on emerging technologies designed to improve nutrient removal in wastewater treatment systems. Transition from traditional nutrient removal methods to contemporary techniques is also important for any professional who is looking in to learn about the wastewater technologies, which will be thoroughly explored, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms and highlighting the associated advantages and implementation challenges. Additionally, this chapter delves into the investigation of high-rate nutrient removal systems that have proven successful in full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Understanding the notable advancements achieved in conventional wastewater treatment is another important area that will be covered in this chapter. Under the recent advancements, implementation of advanced initiatives, including granular biomass systems, sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), wetland treatment, integrated up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) systems, and short aerobic systems will be discussed. Microbial consortia are utilized to remove nutrients in wastewater as an effective strategy. Present trend is to focus on further enhancing the efficiency and economy of biological nutrient removal from wastewater, aligning with sustainable initiatives. Key areas of interest are biological phosphorus removal, biofilm technology for water treatment, and the utilization of microalgae which have been covered in this chapter.