Starved-State Sludge for Organic Micropollutant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater treatment systems are inefficient in removing organic micropollutants (OMPs) due to their low concentration and resistance to biodegradation, as they are designed to handle conventional pollutants like organic matters, nitrogen, and phosphorus, leading to incomplete removal of OMPs in wastewater.
Innovation Solution
A method involving aerobic starvation treatment of sludge to enrich microorganisms that can degrade complex organic matters, allowing for efficient removal of OMPs by treating wastewater with starved-state sludge, with controlled aeration times and sludge concentration to maintain aerobic conditions and prevent anaerobic states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional biological treatment processes are used to remove ordinary organic matters, nitrogen and phosphorus, then these conventional pollutants are effectively removed, but OMPs remain in the effluent because the treatment system is not designed to degrade refractory micropollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into two functional segments: a first biological treatment unit for removing conventional pollutants (organic matters, nitrogen, phosphorus) and a second biological treatment unit for degrading OMPs. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, with the second unit receiving pre-treated effluent containing OMPs and treating it with specialized microorganisms that have been enriched through starvation treatment to enhance their ability to degrade refractory micropollutants
Solution Approach 2:
Before the effluent enters the second biological treatment unit, the microorganisms in that unit undergo a preliminary starvation treatment period where easily degradable organic matters are depleted. This preliminary action enriches the microbial community with species capable of degrading complex refractory compounds like OMPs, preparing the system for effective micropollutant removal before the actual treatment process begins
2Reliability
If activated carbon, graphene or carbon nanotubes are used for OMP adsorption, then OMP removal efficiency is improved, but the cost becomes prohibitively high for large-scale application
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses naturally occurring microorganisms that are enriched through starvation treatment to perform OMP degradation. These microorganisms utilize the OMPs themselves as carbon sources for their metabolism and growth, eliminating the need for expensive external adsorbents like activated carbon. The microbial community serves itself by converting the micropollutants into biomass and energy, providing a cost-effective biological treatment mechanism
3Reliability
If advanced oxidation processes such as ozone oxidation or Fenton oxidation are applied, then OMP removal capability is enhanced, but the technical complexity and economic cost increase making large-scale popularization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex chemical oxidation systems (ozone generators, Fenton reagent dosing systems, UV reactors) with a simpler biological treatment system. Instead of using mechanical and chemical equipment to generate oxidants, the system uses biologically mediated degradation by enriched microorganisms that naturally produce oxidizing enzymes, substituting a complex engineered system with a more straightforward biological process that is easier to implement and maintain at scale
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
This approach effectively degrades refractory OMPs, reduces sludge volume and treatment costs, and maintains long-term treatment capacity, providing a cost-effective and practical solution for OMP removal in wastewater treatment.
Implementation Method 1
aerobic microorganisms which use complex organic matters... the refractory OMPs may be degraded by the enriched sludge
Implementation Method 2
aerating residual sludge under a starvation condition... treating wastewater containing OMPs under an aeration condition
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method and device for removing Organic Micropollutants (OMPs) in water, and belongs to the technical field of wastewater treatment. The method includes the following steps: S1: aerating residual sludge under a starvation condition to enrich starved-state microorganisms; and S2: treating wastewater containing OMPs under an aeration condition with sludge containing the starved-state microorganisms obtained in step S1, and periodically updating the sludge containing the starved-state microorganisms. According to the present disclosure, aerobic starvation treatment is performed on the sludge to gradually reduce the abundance of microorganisms that may use degradable organic matters only and enrich microorganisms that may use complex organic matters in the sludge, and the enriched sludge may degrade various OMPs and be used to remove OMPs in wastewater. The process is easy to operate and low in cost and has relatively high practical application value.