Nutrient recovery from wastewater via biological algal uptake

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1 School of Civil Engineering FACULTY OF ENGINEERING Nutrient recovery from waste via biological algal uptake Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero WASH and Resource Recovery BioRefine Final Conference Het Pand, Ghent University 2 nd September 2015, Ghent, Belgium

Algae-based technology for sewage treatment Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSPs) are natural waste treatment systems based on the symbiotic relationship between algae and heterotrophic

2 Algae-based technology for sewage treatment Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSPs) are natural waste treatment systems based on the symbiotic relationship between algae and heterotrophic bacteria. WSP pilot plant at Esholt, Bradford, UK Matthew E Verbyla (University of South Florida). Location of Waste Stabilization Ponds systems in the United States (2014) Algae-bacteria symbiosis

3 Waste Stabilization Ponds in the UK A primary facultative pond receiving 80 kg ha -1 day -1 of BOD loading is able to produce an effluent which complies with the requirements for WSP effluents in the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive i.e., 25 mg filtered BOD per litre and 150 mg SS per litre. However, they require further treatment (polishing units) to meet ammonium and phosphorus discharge requirements. Primary facultative ponds perform even better when baffles are added. Pilot primary facultative pond WSP: UK design criteria SECONDARY FACULTATIVE POND e.g., 500 p.e. Pre-treatment: septic tank (100m 3 ) l BOD = 80 kg ha -1 day -1 Area: 3.75 m 2 p.e. -1

4 Waste Pond System

5 Yorkshire Water s Ecological Waste Treatment Plant at Scrayingham, North Yorkshire, UK Winter/Spring Effluent EA consent BOD, mg/l SS, mg/l 31 60

6 Yorkshire Water s Ecological Waste Treatment Plant at Scrayingham, North Yorkshire, UK

7 Outdoor microalgae cultivation in the UK Experiments conducted with 15 N stable isotopes in facultative and maturations ponds, revealed the potential for nitrogen recovery from sewage via biological algal uptake under UK weather conditions. Further research in this field has gathered evidence supporting the feasibility to incorporate algal photo-bioreactors in sewage works for both N and P control and recovery. M1 and M2 are maturation ponds in series Algal biomass cultivated in sewage ponds in the UK contained up to 10% N and 1% P (dry weight).

8 Outdoor microalgae cultivation in the UK Tracer experiments in maturation ponds: summer conditions: 15 N Ammonium spike 1,0 0,8 C/Co 0,6 0,4 0,2 0,0 0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 t/qo 15N-Ammonium 15N-Suspended Organic Nitrogen Rhodamine WT q 0 = Theoretical hydraulic retention time, days t = time, days

9 Outdoor microalgae cultivation in the UK Tracer experiments in maturation ponds: summer conditions: 15 N Ammonium spike Accumulative 15 N mass balance Recovery, % M1 effluent Suspended organic N 48.9 Soluble organic N 4.9 Ammonium N 8.8 Oxidised nitrogen N 0.2 Accumulation Water column 24.8 Sludge layer 7.4 Volatilisation 0.0 Total recovery after 3 q 0 q 0 = Theoretical hydraulic retention time 100

10 Outdoor microalgae cultivation in the UK Nitrogen content in algal biomass and sludge Maturation pond M1 Algal biomass: 9.8% (d.w.) Sludge: 5.1% Maturation pond M2 Algal biomass: 10.0% Sludge: 3.9% d.w. = dry weight M1 and M2 are maturation ponds in series

11 Waste reuse for food and energy crops Calado-Araujo et al., 2015 Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil Our main research project Caatinga Viva (USD$ years, founding by PETROBRAS, the Brazilian petroleum company) is carried out in the area surrounding the treatment plant of Pendências, a city located 220 km from Natal. There we are making the reuse of final effluent for irrigation of elephant grass (15 ha) for biomass (production of briquettes), to

12 Waste reuse for food and energy crops Maturation ponds for pathogen control and nutrient recycle Calado-Araujo et al., 2015 Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil

13 Waste reuse for food and energy crops We're finishing the installation the briquette factory and the first harvest should be done in May. The workers of the area Elephant grass already for planted the corn, banana production and beans for their own. of briquettes Calado-Araujo et al., 2015 Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil

14 Nutrient control in large WWTWs Most popular biological nutrient removal configurations Nitrogen removal: nitrification/denitrification and bacterial uptake Phosphorus removal: bacterial uptake Source: Manyumba et al., Meeting the phosphorus consent with biological nutrient removal under UK winter conditions. Water and Environmental Journal, 23,

Nutrient control in modern, large WWTWs Waste treatment: costs Screens Primary sedimentation Biological process Secondary sedimentation Final effluent Sewage

15 Nutrient control in modern, large WWTWs Waste treatment: costs Screens Primary sedimentation Biological process Secondary sedimentation Final effluent Sewage sludge treatment: income/savings Sewage sludge Hydrothermal process Anaerobic digestion Combined Heat and Power Power Low-grade heat Digestate sludge Digestate liquor

16 Re-Engineering the activated sludge process The activated sludge process (Edward Ardern and W.T. Lockett, 1913) Return of digestate liquor from AD reactors

17 P recovery through biological algal uptake Typical level of in-cell P in algae = 1% P (dry-weight) Luxury P uptake = accumulation of poly P (>1% P) algal biomass production Algae can easily grow in CO 2 enriched environments light CO 2 nutrients Algae are versatile in adapting to nutrient requirements orthophosphate in sewage Algae can grow in fresh, saline and waste specific products: algal bio-oil bio fertiliser Source: Yulistyorini A., Camargo-Valero M. A. and Horan N. J. (2015) In-cell poly P crystals Luxurious P uptake

18 Biological nutrient recovery using microalgae 4 % in-cell P Yulistyorini A., Camargo-Valero M. A. and Horan N. J. (2015) 1% in-cell P

19 Cumm. STP (Nml) Bioenergy generation from algal biomass 700 0:100 25:75 50:50 75:25 100: Time (Days) Cumulative methane yield from a blend of thermally hydrolysed algae and sewage sludge. Source: Adewale O., Camago-Valero M. A. and Horan H. (2015)

20 Current global challenges Water security Food security Energy security Adaptation to climate change

21 Resource recovery and reuse from waste Waste reuse Nutrient recovery Renewable Energy Waste treatment

22 School of Civil Engineering FACULTY OF ENGINEERING The European Regional Development Fund, INTERREG, NW Region co-funded this work under the project BioRefine : Recycling Inorganic Chemicals from Agro- and Bio-Industry Waste streams. NPK - Nutrient Platform UK meeting The Royal Society of Edinburgh 17 September 2015

New Events 11th IWA Specialist Group Conference on Ponds Technology for Waste Treatment 21-23 March 2016,

to make available the latest discoveries and proven technologies from pond systems, with the ultimate aim of

23 New Events 11th IWA Specialist Group Conference on Ponds Technology for Waste Treatment March 2016, University of Leeds, UK The School of Civil Engineering will host this international conference, which intends to make available the latest discoveries and proven technologies from pond systems, with the ultimate aim of achieving sustainable and affordable waste treatment systems. Contact: Dr Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero Conference Chair

24 School of Civil Engineering FACULTY OF ENGINEERING Institute for Public Health and Environmental Engineering iphee Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero Lecturer in Water and Environmental Engineering WASH and Resource Recovery Research Groups Room 4.04, School of Civil Engineering University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT E: M.A.Camargo-Valero.ac.uk T: +44 (0)

Phosphorus Removal in Wastewater Treatment

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT REPORT NO. Phosphorus Removal in Wastewater Treatment (Final Report) Research and Development Section Electrical & Mechanical Projects Division Nov 2013 Final Report endorsed by