Impact of Influent Composition and Operating Conditions on Carbon and Nitrogen Removal from Urban Wastewater in a Continuous-Upflow (Micro)Aerobic Granular Sludge Blanket Reactor

Anna Lanzetta (), Francesco Di Capua, Balamurugan Panneerselvam, Davide Mattioli, Giovanni Esposito and Stefano Papirio
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Anna Lanzetta: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
Francesco Di Capua: School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Balamurugan Panneerselvam: Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, India
Davide Mattioli: Laboratory Technologies for the Efficient Use and Management of Water and Wastewater, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via M.M. Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Giovanni Esposito: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
Stefano Papirio: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: Aerobic granular sludge is an interesting alternative to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) system and modified-Ludzack–Ettinger (MLE) process for biological wastewater treatment, as it allows a more cost-effective and simultaneous removal of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) compounds in a single stage. In this study, (micro)aerobic C and N removal from synthetic urban wastewater was investigated in a continuous-double-column-upflow aerobic granular sludge blanket (UAGSB) system. The UAGSB reactor was operated under different dissolved oxygen (DO) ranges (0.01–6.00 mg∙L −1 ), feed C/N ratios (4.7–13.6), and hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (6–24 h). At a DO range of 0.01–0.30 mg∙L −1 , feed C/N ratio of 13.6, and HRT of 24 h, the UAGSB achieved the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD), N-NH 4 + , and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal efficiencies of 86, 99, and 84%, respectively. A preliminary assessment of the energy and economic savings associated with the process investigated was also carried out. The impact of capital and operating costs mainly related to the energy consumption of the aeration was taken into account. The assessment reveals that the capital and energy expenses of the UAGSB reactor would result in cost savings of around 14 and 7%, respectively, compared with a MLE system.

Keywords: aerobic granular sludge; urban wastewater; carbon and nitrogen removal; simultaneous nitrification and denitrification; microaerobic conditions; energy saving (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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