C4-HSL Signal Molecules for Low-Temperature Nitrogen Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sewage treatment methods face challenges in maintaining effective biological nitrogen removal at low temperatures due to microbial sensitivity, high costs of heat insulation and equipment modification, and the complexity of using long-chain acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) signal molecules, which are difficult to dissolve and store.
Innovation Solution
The use of a cost-effective exogenous acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) signal molecule, specifically N-butanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), is introduced to intervene in the quorum sensing phenomenon among microorganisms in low-temperature systems, enhancing nitrogen removal performance and reducing mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in activated sludge processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat insulation or heating measures are adopted to eliminate the impact of low temperature on biological nitrogen removal, then nitrogen removal efficiency is improved, but construction and operation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the system by introducing exogenous AHLs signal molecules to alter microbial behavior and activate quorum sensing pathways, enabling low-temperature nitrogen removal without changing the physical temperature parameter through heating or insulation measures
2Reliability
If treatment equipment is modified to improve low-temperature performance, then nitrogen removal efficiency is improved, but construction costs increase and implementation is limited in existing plants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces AHLs signal molecules as intermediaries that mediate between the low-temperature environment and the microbial community, enabling the existing treatment equipment to function effectively at low temperatures without any structural modification
3Reliability
If low-temperature microbial inoculant is added to improve nitrogen removal at low temperatures, then nitrogen removal efficiency is improved, but screening process becomes complex and acclimation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the existing microbial community to self-adjust and activate low-temperature functionality by responding to AHLs signal molecules, eliminating the need for external low-temperature inoculants and their associated screening and acclimation processes
4Reliability
If microbial inoculant is inoculated to improve low-temperature nitrogen removal, then nitrogen removal efficiency is improved, but local bacteria are competed against causing loss of bacterial strains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces AHLs signal molecules that create a feedback mechanism within the existing microbial community, stimulating quorum sensing and cooperative behavior among native bacteria to maintain diversity while improving low-temperature nitrogen removal performance
5Speed
If mixed AHLs-like signal molecules are used for rapid start-up at low temperatures, then start-up speed is improved, but solubility decreases and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and uses only the essential short-chain AHLs signal molecules (C4-HSL, C6-HSL, C8-HSL) that provide the necessary quorum sensing activation, eliminating the need for complex mixed formulations and their associated solubility and storage problems
6Speed
If common AHLs signal molecules are used for rapid start-up, then start-up speed is improved, but cost increases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AHLs signal molecules by chain length and selectively applies only the short-chain variants (C4-HSL, C6-HSL, C8-HSL) that are water-soluble and cost-effective, simplifying the overall process while maintaining rapid start-up capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The C4-HSL molecule improves nitrogen removal efficiency, promotes microbial activity, and reduces sludge amounts, achieving stable operation and cost-effectiveness in low-temperature sewage treatment, even under sudden cooling conditions, while being easier to store and handle compared to other AHLs.
Implementation Method 1
adding an exogenous signal molecule. The signal molecule can intervene in a QS phenomenon among microorganisms in a low-temperature system to be treated
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for improving a biological nitrogen removal effect of low-temperature sewage, and relates to the technical field of sewage treatment. In the present disclosure, the method is implemented by adding an exogenous signal molecule. The exogenous signal molecule can intervene in a quorum sensing (QS) phenomenon among microorganisms, and can also reduce mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), reduce an amount of remaining sludge, and reduce a cost of sludge treatment while effectively improving the low-temperature nitrogen removal effect.