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Intensification of Algal Bioprocesses for Nutrient Recovery from Wastewaters
Jeremy GuestAssistant ProfessorCivil & Environmental EngineeringUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
68th Annual KU Environmental Engineering ConferenceLawrence, KS
April 18, 2018
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We may often think of algae as a potential risk to public and environmental health.
[green-blog.org]
[http://www.nsf.gov/news]
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We may often think of algae as a potential risk to public and environmental health.
[toledoblade.com; 2014 water crisis]
cyanobacteria in Lake Erie near the drinking water intake for Toledo, Ohio
Note: Algae are eukaryotes. Cyanobacteria are often referred to as “blue-green algae”, but they are not algae. They are bacteria.
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We may often think of algae as a potential risk to public and environmental health.
[toledoblade.com; 2014 water crisis]
the cyanobacteria bloom resulted in high concentrations of microcystin, a chemical that can damage the liver.
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Or perhaps we think of algae as a nuisance…
[Kuldip Kumar, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]
algae on secondary clarifier weirs can slough off and interfere with water quality measurements.
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Today we’ll discuss the development of suspended growthalgal processes for wastewater treatment.
intensification of algal systems for nutrient recovery
traditional design and use of algal systems
recent findings and & emerging trends in algal processes
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Phototrophs have traditionally been used in low intensity, large footprint systems like ponds or lagoons.
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Wastewater ponds/lagoons are some of the most common technologies for small utilities.
[Data from Robert Bastian, US EPA; Algae Biomass Summit (ABS) Presentation, October 2016, Pheonix, AZ.]
In the U.S. in the year 2000:
~16,255 Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
~ half (50.3%) included ponds/lagoons
~ half (49.7%) with no ponds/lagoons
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The objective for microalgae in stabilization ponds has been to provide oxygen for BOD removal (and nitrification).
[Oswald and Gotaas (1957) Proc. Am. Soc. Civil Engrs., Separate; 686.]
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Algae growth was largely incidental. Make the pond large and shallow, and algae will come (in low concentrations).
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Design standards for ponds are empirical, based on depth and hydraulic retention time (HRT).
anaerobic facultative maturation(tertiary)
aerated
[Rich, Unit Processes of Sanitary Engineering, 1963]
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anaerobic
facultative
maturation(tertiary)
aerated cBOD removalnitrification
cBOD removal nitrification
cBOD removal
cBOD removal
[Mihelcic et al., Field Guide to Environmental Engineering for Development Workers, 2009]
[Tchobanoglous et al., Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery, 2014]
Design standards for ponds are empirical, based on depth and hydraulic retention time (HRT).
function
varies
1-1.5 m
1.2-2.4 m
2-5 m
depth
> 3 days
> 4 days
> 1 day
HRT
varies
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These low(er) cost systems have been effective for many utilities with low flow and adequate land.
[maps.google.com]
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…but conventional ponds simply haven’t evolved to meet the needs of many utilities.
reliable, resilient treatmentdespite influent microbes and changes in weather, wastewater composition & flow,
etc., MUST meet permits
small footprint
financially viable with manageable risk profile
[maps.google.com]
requirements for broader adoption of algal technologies
these objectives not met by ponds
nutrient removal or recovery
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Intensification may make the technology a viable alternative for more utilities.
[maps.google.com]
[et.byu.edu]
[Clearas Water Recovery]
low intensitylarge footprint
medium intensitymedium footprint
high intensitysmall footprint
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Two things to keep in mind for intensification: (i) algae achieve nutrient removal via growth and (ii) they can remove many forms of N and P.
N and P uptake via assimilation
N
P
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N and P uptake via assimilation
NP
[Qin et al. (2015) Sci. Total Environ. 511, 47–53.]
access organic N/P
Two things to keep in mind for intensification: (i) algae achieve nutrient removal via growth and (ii) they can remove many forms of N and P.
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traditional design and use of algal systems
recent findings and & emerging trends in algal processes
intensification of algal systems for nutrient recovery
Today we’ll discuss the development of suspended growthalgal processes for wastewater treatment.
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To address needs for nutrient removal, algal turf scrubbers have been around for decades.
20[Adey, W.H. et al. Bioscience (2011) 61(6), 434-441]
[hydromentia.com]
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Attached growth systems are mostly at the scale of a single greenhouse.
[http://www.algaewheel.com/]
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In general, suspended growth phototrophic systems with good mixing achieve better treatment.
[Shoener et al. (2014) Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts; 16(6): 1204-1222]
HRAP - high rate algal pond (suspended)PBR - photobioreactor (suspended)Stirred Tank - stirred tank reactor (suspended)WSP - waste stabilization pond (suspended)ATS - algal turf scrubber (attached)
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Recent efforts to intensify algal processes and achieve nutrient removal still rely on conventional assumptions.
HRT = SRT
typical assumptions
no solid-liquid separation to retain
biomass in the system
fixed N:P ratiosRedfield ratioC106N16P
N:P = 16:1
orspecies-specific
N:P
we cannot control what grows
it’s just a “bloom”
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High rate algal ponds achieve more rapid nutrient recovery (relative to unmixed ponds).
[et.byu.edu]
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High rate algal ponds are the most common approach to intensification of suspended growth processes.
[Frank Rogalla, Aqualia; ABS Presentation, October 2016]
pilot-scale plant recently built in Cadiz, Spain.
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Small-scale high rate algal ponds are also being tested at pilot-scale at treatment plants in the U.S.
[microbioengineering.com/products]
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Photobioreactors can further intensify treatment and have been pursued at pilot-scale.
[Rodolfi et al., Biotech Bioeng 102(1), 2009]
[chemicals-technology.com] [sardi.sa.gov.au]
[bae.uky.edu]
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At least one photobioreactor system will be operating at full-scale in the United States in 2019.
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Intensification is being enabled by solid-liquid separation using membranes.
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These processes have the potential to achieve tertiary or sidestream nutrient recovery.
Tertiary Treatment
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These processes have the potential to achieve tertiary or sidestream nutrient recovery.
Tertiary Treatment
Sidestream Treatment
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intensification of algal systems for nutrient recovery
traditional design and use of algal systems
recent findings and & emerging trends in algal processes
Today we’ll discuss the development of suspended growthalgal processes for wastewater treatment.
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Our approach to the intensification of algal processes is to challenge all of these assumptions.
HRT = SRT
typical assumptions
no solid-liquid separation to retain
biomass in the system
fixed N:P ratiosRedfield ratioC106N16P
N:P = 16:1
orspecies-specific
N:P
we cannot control what grows
it’s just a “bloom”
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Our approach to the intensification of algal processes is to challenge all of these assumptions.
HRT = SRTtypical assumptionsfixed N:P ratios we cannot control
what grows
opportunities for innovationselective pressures
can enable reliabilityHRT << SRT
[Terry et al. (1985) J. Phycol. 21, 323–329.; Ågren (2004) Ecol. Lett. 7, 185–191.]
N:P is dependent on species & growth rate
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We conduct experimental studies with real and synthetic wastewater, pure and mixed cultures, etc.
35
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We conduct experimental studies with real and synthetic wastewater, pure and mixed cultures, etc.
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1st thing to know: The N:P uptake ratio of algae can be influenced by controlling growth rate (via solids residence time, SRT).
[Gardner-Dale, D.A.; Bradley, I.M.; Guest, J.S. Influence of solids residence time and carbon storage on nitrogen and phosphorus recovery by microalgae across diel cycles. Water Research, 2017, 121: 231-239.]
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2nd thing to know: Algae can take up nutrients at night by using intracellular, stored organic carbon.
[Gardner-Dale, D.A.; Bradley, I.M.; Guest, J.S. Influence of solids residence time and carbon storage on nitrogen and phosphorus recovery by microalgae across diel cycles. Water Research, 2017, 121: 231-239.]
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3rd thing to know: You may be able to achieve reliable performance with your local algae.
39[Fedders, A.C.; DeBellis, J.L.; Bradley, I.M.; Sevillano-Rivera, M.C.; Pinto, A.J.; Guest, J.S. Comparable nutrient uptake across diel cycles from three distinct algal communities. Submitted]
FloridaIllinois North Carolina
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4th thing to know: We will be able to model algae just as well as every other wastewater treatment process.
41
[Guest, J.S.; van Loosdrecht, M.C.M.; Skerlos, S.J.; Love, N.G. A lumped pathway metabolic model of organic carbon accumulationand mobilization by the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Environmental Science & Technology, 2013, 47(7), 3258-3267.]
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4th thing to know: We will be able to model algae just as well as every other wastewater treatment process.
42
use whole-plant, dynamic models
add in algal unit processes with the phototrophic process model (PPM)
ASMs, ADM1, Mantis, phys-chem models
[Guest, J.S.; van Loosdrecht, M.C.M.; Skerlos, S.J.; Love, N.G. A lumped pathway metabolic model of organic carbon accumulation and mobilization by the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Environmental Science & Technology, 2013, 47(7), 3258-3267.]
[Shoener et al. (Work in progress).]
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To summarize our recent findings: there’s a bright future for intensive algal treatment processes. We will…
tailor N:P uptake to match your wastewater
achieve 24-hr nutrient uptake via stored carbon
leverage local algae model these processes and their integration into the plant
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There’s a bright future for intensive algal treatment processes.
tailor N:P uptake to match your wastewater
achieve 24-hr nutrient uptake via stored carbon
leverage local algae
model these processes and their integration into the plant
Jeremy Guest, Assistant [email protected]
In the not-to-distant future, you’ll be able to:
tertiary
sidestream