Wastewater Treatment Using Methanogenic Bacteria for Sludge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wastewater treatment systems face challenges in efficiently removing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous, leading to high power consumption and excessive residual sludge production, particularly in the Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxide Activated Sludge Process (A2O) systems, which struggle to maintain effective nitrogen and phosphorous removal while generating large volumes of sludge and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater treatment system incorporating methanogenic bacteria in the first reactor, Phosphate Accumulating Organism (PAO) and denitrifying bacteria for organic carbon metabolism and phosphate release, followed by a third reactor with nitrifying bacteria for ammonia nitrogen processing, and a membrane separation reactor for microorganism separation, replacing aerobic heterotrophic bacteria to decrease power consumption and sludge volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional A2O process uses aerobic heterotrophic bacteria for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous removal, then pollutant removal capability is maintained, but power consumption increases and residual sludge volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the oxygen condition parameter from aerobic to anaerobic in the first reactor, enabling methanogenic bacteria to metabolize organic carbon and produce methane instead of using aerobic respiration. This parameter change reduces power consumption while maintaining carbon removal capability through alternative metabolic pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces aerobic heterotrophic bacteria with methanogenic bacteria as the primary carbon-metabolizing microorganisms. This substitution copies the carbon removal function using a different biological mechanism that operates without oxygen, thereby reducing energy input requirements and sludge production
2Quantity of substance
If traditional A2O process uses aerobic heterotrophic bacteria for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous removal, then pollutant removal capability is maintained, but residual sludge volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the metabolic pathway parameter by introducing methanogenic bacteria that convert organic carbon to methane gas instead of producing large amounts of biomass sludge. This parameter change in the biological conversion process directly reduces residual sludge volume while maintaining carbon removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes methanogenic bacteria for aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, copying the carbon degradation function but producing different end products (methane instead of biomass). This substitution fundamentally reduces the quantity of residual sludge generated while preserving the carbon removal capability
3Loss of energy
If methanogenic bacteria are introduced for carbon metabolism and methane production, then power consumption decreases and sludge volume reduces, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wastewater treatment process into distinct functional reactors: an anaerobic reactor for carbon metabolism by methanogenic bacteria, an anoxic reactor for denitrification, and an aerobic reactor for nitrification and phosphorous removal. This segmentation allows each reactor to be optimized for its specific function, managing system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Phosphate Accumulating Organisms (PAO) that perform multiple functions: phosphorous removal through polyphosphate accumulation, organic carbon metabolism, and cooperation with denitrifying bacteria. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized processes, thereby managing system complexity while achieving multiple treatment objectives
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 system effectively reduces power consumption and sludge volume by utilizing methanogenic bacteria for ammonia nitrogen nitrification, enhancing phosphorous and nitrogen removal efficiency, and minimizing residual sludge production while maintaining effective pollutant removal capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first reactor, which contains methanogenic bacteria, PAO and denitrifying bacteria for the reactions of eliminating organic carbon in denitrification by denitrifying bacteria, adsorbing partial organic carbon and releasing phosphate by PAO and; metabolizing organic carbon to form methane by methanogenic bacteria
Implementation Method 2
adsorbing partial organic carbon and releasing phosphate by PAO
Implementation Method 3
eliminating organic carbon in denitrification by denitrifying bacteria
Implementation Method 4
a third reactor disposed at the rearward of said second reactor, which comprises PAO, heterotrophic bacteria and nitrifying bacteria, wherein said PAO is applied for phosphorous accumulation process, said heterotrophic bacteria is applied for carbon removal process, said nitrifying bacteria is applied for nitrifying process
Implementation Method 5
said heterotrophic bacteria is applied for carbon removal process
Implementation Method 6
said PAO is applied for phosphorous accumulation process
Implementation Method 7
a membrane separation reactor disposed inside said third reactor or the rearward of said third reactor in order to separate a plurality of microorganisms and the treated effluent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wastewater treating system and method for removing pollutants of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, comprising: a first reactor contains methanogenic bacteria, PAO and denitrifying bacteria for eliminating the organic carbon in denitrification by denitrifying bacteria, adsorbing partial organic carbon and releasing phosphate by PAO and; metabolizing organic carbon to form methane gas by methanogenic bacteria; a second reactor disposed at the rearward of first reactor, second reactor treats the effluent from first reactor by denitrifying bacteria and PAO, denitrifying bacteria is able to denitrifying the nitrate and PAO is able to process the phosphorous releasing; a third reactor disposed rearward of second reactor, which comprises PAO, heterotrophic bacteria and nitrifying bacteria, wherein PAO is applied for phosphorous accumulating process, the heterotrophic bacteria is applied for carbon removal process, the nitrifying bacteria is applied for nitrifying process; and a membrane separation reactor disposed inside or rear of third reactor to separate various microorganisms and the treated effluent. The present invention applies methanogenic bacteria in the system for decreasing the amount of waste sludge efficiently and reduce power consuming.