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Performance and microbial dynamics of side-stream activated sludge hydrolysis process at different influent food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratios

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Abstract

Insufficient influent carbon source affects the performance and stability of the biological nutrient removal (BNR) process in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To solve this problem, a side-stream activated sludge hydrolysis (SSH) process that utilizes the internal carbon source through hydrolysis and fermentation of return activated sludge (RAS) was proposed as an alternative. In this study, two laboratory-scale pilot reactors were run to compare the pollutant removal performance in SSH and conventional anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2/O) processes at various influent food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratios (0.07–0.71). When the average F/M ratio increased to > 0.35, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies in SSH reactor reached ~ 94%, > 95%, > 90%, and > 85%, respectively. Under the same influent conditions, the TN removal in SSH reactor was 23% higher than that in A2/O reactor, which is related to the additional carbon generated via RAS fermentation and mitigated substrate competition among various heterotrophic organisms. A relatively high polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAO) activity was also observed in SSH reactor. Meanwhile, the relative abundances of denitrifiers (e.g., Thiothrix, Azospira, and Dechloromonas) and PAOs (i.e., Accumulibacter, Tetrasphaera, and Dechloromonas) were higher in SSH reactor than those in A2/O reactor. These results will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in SSH process, leading to more effective nutrient removal for treating wastewater with limited carbon sources.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52070156), the Scientific Research Project Funded by the Shaanxi Provincial Education Department (No. 17JS097), the Scientific Research Project for Returned Overseas Scholars in Shaanxi Province of China, and the Qinchuangyuan Project for the Team of Scientists and Engineers in Shaanxi Province of China (2022KXJ-115).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zhongsheng Environmental Technology Development Co., Ltd, Xi’an, 710054, Shaanxi, China

    Z. Guo, J. Zhang, P. Xu, Y. Liu, X. Jing & L. Liu

  2. Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, Shaanxi, China

    Z. Zhang, L. Qin, G. Chai, T. Lv, X. Zheng & D. Wang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, Shaanxi, China

    X. Zheng & D. Wang

  4. Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, Shaanxi, China

    D. Wang

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Contributions

Zhimin Guo, Jinglin Zhang, Penghai Xu, Yulong Liu, and Xiaosheng Jing processed the experimental data and investigation process. Zhimin Guo was a major contributor to writing the manuscript. Zhimin Guo, Zhe Zhang, Lu Qin, Guodong Chai, and Taotao Lv performed the analysis and designed the figures. Xing Zheng was involved in supervision, resources, and project administration. Dongqi Wang participated in conceptualization, validation, writing, review, editing, and funding acquisition. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis, and manuscript.

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Correspondence to D. Wang.

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Editorial responsibility: Jing Chen.

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Guo, Z., Zhang, J., Xu, P. et al. Performance and microbial dynamics of side-stream activated sludge hydrolysis process at different influent food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratios. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 20, 11029–11040 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04659-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04659-x

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