Integrated anaerobic and algal bioreactors: A promising conceptual alternative approach for conventional sewage treatment

Jixiang Yang, Jules B. van Lier, Jian Li, Jinsong Guo, Fang Fang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
121 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Conventional sewage treatment applying activated sludge processes is energy-intensive and requires great financial input, hampering widespread implementation. The introduction of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) followed by an algal reactor growing species of commercial interest, may present an alternative, contributing to the envisaged resource recovery at sewage treatment plants. AnMBRs can be applied for organic matter removal with energy self-sufficiency, provided that effective membrane fouling management is applied. Haematococcus pluvialis, an algal species with commercial value, can be selected for ammonium and phosphate removal. Theoretical analysis showed that good pollutant removal, positive financial output, as well as a significant reduction in the amount of hazardous activated sludge can be achieved by applying the proposed process, showing interesting advantages over current sewage treatment processes. Microbial contamination to H. pluvialis is a challenge, and technologies for preventing the contamination during continuous sewage treatment need to be applied.
Original languageEnglish
Article number126115
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume343
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Carbon neutral
  • Energy neutral
  • Microalgae
  • Nutrient recycling
  • Wastewater

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