Cloud-Model-Based Feature Engineering to Analyze the Energy-Water Nexus of a Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)are important and energy-intensive municipal infrastructures.High energy consumption and relatively low operating performance are major challenges from the perspective of carbon neutrality.However,water-energy nexus analysis and models for WWTPs have rarely been reported to date.In this study,a cloud-model-based energy consumption analysis(CMECA)of a WWTP was conducted to explore the relationship between influent and energy consumption by clustering its influent’s parameters.The principal component analysis(PCA)and K-means clustering were applied to classify the influent condition using water quality and volume data.The energy consumption of the WWTP is divided into five standard evaluation levels,and its cloud digital characteristics(CDCs)were extracted according to bilateral constraints and golden ratio methods.Our results showed that the energy consumption distribution gradually dispersed and deviated from the Gaussian distribution with decreased water concentration and quantity.The days with high energy efficiency were extracted via the clustering method from the influent category of excessive energy consumption,represented by a compact-type energy consumption distribution curve to identify the influent conditions that affect the steady distribution of energy consumption.The local WWTP has high energy consumption with 0.3613 kW·h·m^(-3)despite low influent concentration and volumes,across four consumption levels from low(I)to relatively high(IV),showing an unsatisfactory operation and management level.The average oxygenation capacity,internal reflux ratio,and external reflux ratio during high energy efficiency days recognized by further clustering were obtained(0.2924-0.3703 kg O_(2)·m^(-3),1.9576-2.4787,and 0.6603-0.8361,respectively),which could be used as a guide for the days with low energy efficiency.Consequently,this study offers a water-energy nexus analysis method to identify influent conditions with operational management anomalies and can be used as an empirical reference for the optimized operation of WWTPs.

Performance of a Horizontal Flow Constructed Reed Bed Filter for Municipal Wastewater Treatment: The Case Study of the Prototype Installed at Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal

In Saint-Louis, Senegal, a constructed wetland with horizontal flow reed beds (FHa and FHb) has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating municipal wastewater. Analyzing various treatment stages, the system showed only a slight temperature variation, from an influent average of 26.3°C to an effluent of 24.7°C. Electrical conductivity decreased from 1331 mS/cm to 974.5 mS/cm post-primary treatment, with suspended solids (SS) dramatically reduced from 718.9 mg/L to 5.7 mg/L in the final effluent. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) saw a notable decrease, from initial levels of 655.6 mg/L and 1240 mg/L to 2.3 mg/L and 71.3 mg/L, respectively. Nitrogenous compounds (N-TN) and phosphates () also decreased significantly, indicating the system’s nutrient removal capacity. Microbiological analysis revealed a reduction in fecal coliforms from 7.5 Ulog/100ml to 1.8 Ulog/100ml and a complete elimination of helminth eggs. The presence of Phragmites and Typha was instrumental in enhancing these reductions. The system’s compliance with the Senegalese standards for disposal into natural environments, WHO recommendations for unrestricted water reuse in irrigation, and the European legislation for water reuse was established. The effluent quality met the stringent criteria for various classes of agricultural reuse, illustrating the system’s potential for sustainable water management. This wetland model presents a robust solution for water-stressed regions, ensuring environmental protection while supporting agricultural needs. The study calls for ongoing research to further refine the system for optimal, reliable wastewater treatment and water resource sustainability.

Occurrences of Glucocorticoids in Aquatic Environment and Their Removal during Wastewater Treatment

Glucocorticoids(GCs) are a group of endocrine-disrupting compounds(EDCs) frequently prescribed against various medical conditions.Recently,GCs have been shown to be effective in managing septic shock in patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus(COVID-19).Due to colossal consumption and potential risks to aquatic organisms,GCs have immensely attracted the focus of the scientific research community as a water pollutant.Therefore,the aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge on the occurrence of various GCs in the aquatic environment and their removal during wastewater treatment.A variety of GCs are ubiquitous in surface water,hospital wastewater,and sewage water worldwide.And the minimum concentration in volume is below 0.01 ng/L,and the maximum one is 10 000 ng/L,and enter the environment through hospital and urban wastewater discharging.Compared with natural GCs,higher risks to aquatic environments could be induced by synthetic GCs.The current activated sludge processes used in wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) are not fully effective in eliminating GCs,some of which may further increase the risk of GC in the environment.In comparison with the aerobic process in WWTPs,the anaerobic and anoxic processes were found to be more efficient for GC degradation.Of the studied GCs,fluticasone propionate,clobetasol propionate,fluocinolone acetonide,and triamcinolone acetonide need more attention due to their low removal efficiencies and strong toxicity.Among the advanced treatment processes,reverse osmosis,ultraviolet irradiation,CaO_(2),and plasma could achieve significant GC activity removal while micro/ultra-filtration,chlorination,and ozonation were less efficient.

Levels and distributions of polychlorinated biphenyls in sewage sludge of urban wastewater treatment plants

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） have been measured in sewage sludge samples from 8 urban wastewater treatment plants in Beijing, China. The PCB congeners were analyzed by isotope dilution high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry method. The concentration of PCBs ranged from 65.6 to 157 ng/g dry weight （dw）, with a mean value of 101 ng/g dw. The dioxin-like PCB WHO-TEQs （World Health Organization-Toxic Equivalents） of the sludge were lower than 1 pg /g dw. Consequently, all the concentrations of PCBs in sludge samples were below the upper limit for land application according to the Chinese legislation law for agriculture use. The PCB homologue profiles in sludge samples were dominated by tri-CBs and tetra- CBs. Similar distributions have been found in one of the Chinese PCB commercial products. The patterns of dioxin-like and indicator congeners observed in this study were quite similar in all samples. The predominant congener for dioxin-like and indicator PCBs were PCB-118 and PCB-28, respectively, while PCB-126 had the highest TEQ value.

Experimental analysis of a nitrogen removal process simulation of wastewater land treatment under three different wheat planting densities

Nitrogen contaminant transport, transformation and uptake simulation experiments were conducted in green house under three different planting density of winter wheat. They were Group A, planting density of 0.0208 plants/cm 2, Group B, 0.1042 plants /cm 2, and Group C, 0.1415 plants/cm 2. The capacity and ratio of nitrogen removal were different on three kinds of conditions of wastewater land treatment. From analysis of wastewater treatment capacity, wastewater concentration and irrigation intensity for Group C were suitable and nitrogen quantity added was 2 times of that for Group B, 2.6 times for Group A while nitrogen residue was only 7.06%. Hence, wastewater irrigation and treatment design with purpose of waste water treatment should select the design with maximum capacity, optimal removal ratio and least residue in soil, which was closely related to crop planting density, crop growth status and also background nitrogen quantity in soil.

Optimum municipal wastewater treatment plant design with consideration of uncertainty

A newly developed model for the optimum municipal wastewater treatment plant(MWTP) design is presented. Through introducing the interval variables, the model attempts to consider the effects of uncertainties caused by the fluctuation of the wastewater quality and quantity during the design of MWTP. The model solution procedure is illustrated in detail, and a numerical example is given to verify the feasibility and advantage of the model. Furthermore, the possibility of the model application is briefly outlined.

Advanced Treatment of Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent by Using Biofilms on Filamentous Bamboo

[ Objective ] The study aimed at treating wastewater treatment plant （WWTP） effluent by using bio-film reactor with filamentous bamboo as bio-carrier. [ Method] With the aid of a continuous flow reactor, a bio-film reactor using filamentous bamboo as bio-carrier was used to treat WWTP effluent with low C/N ratio, and the removal effects of CODc,, TN （total nitrogen）, and NO3--N in the wastewater were analyzed.[ Result ] The average removal rates of CODcr, TN, and NO3- -N reached 47.7%, 23.6% and 34.5% when the C/N ratio of influent was around 2. In addi- tion, a stable bio-film was formed very well in the secondary effluent with low C/N ratio and hardly degradable organic pollutants. The pollutants could be removed effectively because of the excellent surface characteristics and compositions of filamentous bamboo. [ Conclusion] The research provides a new method to treat WWTP effluent with low C/N ratio.

The Effect of Wastewater Treatment Plants on Retainment of Plastic Microparticles to Enhance Water Quality—A Review

Microplastics, plastic pieces of ≤5 mm in size, are ubiquitous in ther environment and can be found in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This manuscript reviews the literature on the fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment and briefly highlights novel developments in the removal of microplastics from aqueous systems.

Research Progress on Energy Plants in Piggery Wastewater Treatment

Large-scale pig-raising can discharge a great deal of wastewater,which contains high content of organic matter,ammonia nitrogen and suspended solids.The improper treatment of the piggery wastewater can lead to serious environmental problems. As a liquid fertilizer,piggery wastewater is relatively low in fertilizer efficiency and high in transportation cost,so it is very necessary to treat it in situ. Energy plants have the advantages of rapid growth,large biomass,strong tillering ability and developed root system. Therefore,energy plants can be used to absorb and transform the pollutants( like nitrogen and phosphorus) in piggery wastewater into the components of plants,as well as form the rhizosphere environment which is conducive to microbial growth,so as to enhance the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The obtained energy plants can be recycled as the raw materials for biogas to increase the production of biogas,which brings economic benefits while solving the environmental problems caused by piggery wastewater.

Simulation of Low TDS and Biological Units of Fajr Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Artificial Neural Network and Principal Component Analysis Hybrid Method

Being familiar with characteristics of industrial town effluents from various wastewater treatment units, which have high qualitative and quantitative variations and more uncertainties compared to urban wastewaters, plays very effective role in governing them. With regard to environmental issues, proper operation of wastewater treatment plants is of par- ticular importance that in the case of inappropriate utilization, they will cause serious problems. Processes that exist in environmental systems mostly have two major characteristics: they are dependent on many variables;and there are complex relationships between its components which make them very difficult to analyze. In order to achieve a better and efficient control over the operation of an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), powerful mathematical tool can be used that is based on recorded data from some basic parameters of wastewater during a period of treatment plant operation. In this study, the treatment plant was divided into two main subsystems including: Low TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) treatment unit and Biological unit (extended aeration). The multilayer perceptron feed forward neural network with a hidden layer and stop training method was used to predict quality parameters of the industrial effluent. Data of this study are related to the Fajr Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in Mahshahr—Iran that qualita- tive and quantitative characteristics of its units were used for training, calibration and validation of the neural model. Also, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique was applied to improve performance of generated models of neural networks. The results of L-TDS unit showed good accuracy of the models in estimating qualitative profile of wastewater but results of biological unit did not have sufficient accuracy to being used. This model facilitates evaluating the performance of each treatment plant units through comparing the results of prediction model with the standard amount of outputs.

Notice on a Case Study on the Utilization of Wind Energy Potential on a Remote and Isolated Small Wastewater Treatment Plant

Small wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are frequently located, by necessity, in remote and isolated sites, which increases the difficulty of its energy supply. Some of them are located near the seaside, in environmental sensible zones, and due to tourism activity of these sites, seasonal effects related with population size fluctuation can occur, which can originate certain inefficiencies concerning WWTP design and energy supply. The objective of this paper is to describe a step by step procedure for evaluation of the wind potential of sites that are dependent of in-situ energy generation, as well as, a case study on the utilization of the potential wind energy in Magoito WWTP (5000 p.e.). The employed methodology comprised the collection of one year of in-situ wind data and its validation by comparison with historical data of about 10 years of a nearby anemometric station. The data provided by the two anemometric stations was statistically treated. It allowed the analysis of the results from the two stations are promissory in terms of wind availability and velocity. Finally, it comprised the simulation of the local wind conditions for a considerable larger area in order to find the best site for locating a wind turbine.

Design and Comparison of Wastewater Treatment Plant Types (Activated Sludge and Membrane Bioreactor), Using GPS-X Simulation Program: Case Study of Tikrit WWTP (Middle Iraq)

Mathematical models and simulation are considered a powerful tool in engineering practice. Those tools are becoming increasingly used for the improvement of wastewater treatment plants design because the conceptual design is complex and ill-defined. In this paper, three alternatives: 1) complete mix activated sludge without nitrogen removal (CAS);2) complete mix activated sludge with nitrogen removal (CAS-N) and;3) membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes were designed into two steps: first concept design to calculate the size of process units, then second implement modeling and simulation to improve the accuracy of the conceptual design. In brief, the treatment process design has been verified by using the activated sludge model No. 1 (ASM1) in GPS-X (v.7) simulation software. This application helps not only in sizing the treatment units but also in understanding the plant’s capacity. In the same time, it can assist in studying the future expansion works required for increased hydraulic and organic loadings. For this purpose, Tikrit WWTP was selected as a case study. The used model was validated by comparing the designed values of the plant and the modeling data. The verification of the obtained results from both hand calculations and the results of the program showed a good agreement. A significant difference in the volume of secondary treatment was obtained from design calculations, where the CAS without denitrification system was 9244 m3 (aerobic and secondary tanks), CAS with denitrification system was 11,324 m3 (anoxic, aerobic and secondary tanks) and for MBR system was 7468 m3 (anoxic, aerobic and immersed membrane tanks). From the obtained results point of view, it can be concluded that mathematical models can be considered as worthy tools to complement the established wastewater treatment plant design procedures.

Effectiveness of Centralized Wastewater Treatment Plant in Removing Emerging Contaminants: A Case Study at Kuching, Malaysia

Before the construction of the Kuching Centralized Wastewater Treatment System Package 1 (KCWTSP1), partially treated blackwater and greywater were discharged directly into natural waterways. The accumulated wastewater had polluted Sarawak river, which is regulated and cannot discharge freely into the South China Sea. The polluted Sarawak river has endangered human health, river water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. Hence, the KCWTSP1 commissioned in 2015 serves the purpose of removing pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged into natural waterways. However, the effectiveness of KCWTPP1 is unknown. This paper is aimed to discuss and review the effectiveness of KCWTPP1 in treating wastewater since its inception in 2015. From 2017 to 2020, KCWTPP1 has treated an average of 4,200,000 m3 of wastewater per year. Generally, most of the discharge effluent met Environmental Quality Act (1974) Standard A criteria, except for the oil and grease parameter. Initially, the plant could not treat suspended solids and total phosphorus, but this was greatly improved in subsequent years. Therefore, some improvements are required to treat oil and grease parameters effectively and efficiently to ensure that only Standard A effluent is discharged into the Sarawak River in the future.

Importance of Monitor and Control on New-Emerging Pollutants in Conventional Wastewater Treatment Plants

The wide occurrence of new-emerging pollutants and their potential environmental and ecological risks have recently caused great public concerns. The paper firstly put forward the severe problem. Then the possible main reasons were analyzed which might attribute to both the inefficient removal of wastewater treatment plants with conventional technology and ignorance of the monitor and control of new-emerging pollutants in the effluents. Also, the complexity and extreme high costs may also make the organizations sidestep the problem. Finally, possible strategies to deal with the problems were proposed. The upgrade of wastewater treatment plants was important and urgent.

Effectiveness of a Wastewater Treatment Plant located at EPZ in reducing Pollutants Discharged into River Athi, Kenya

Information about effectiveness of a wastewater treatment plant is vital in ensuring the quality of water discharged into water bodies and the environment in general meet set standards.In this study,the performance of a wastewater treatment plant located at the Export Processing Zone(EPZ)along River Athi in Machakos County,Kenya was assessed because the final effluent from the treatment plant is released into the river where water is used downstream.Effectiveness of the plant was assessed through the reduction percentage of pollutants between influent and effluent during the dry and wet seasons.Samples of water were collected from the following points i.e.inlet,outflow pool,outlet and along the river.The samples were analyzed for heavy metals,Total Dissolved Solids(TDS),Total Suspended Solids(TSS),Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD),Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD),organic nitrogen,phosphate,color,temperature,pH,and total coliforms.The resulting data was compared with the established standards.Standard methodologies of laboratory analysis were employed as per Kenyan regulations of 2006 on waste water treatment and discharge.From the results,the waste water treatment plant was not effective in reducing nitrates,phosphates,TDS,TSS,color,and heavy metals i.e.mercury,lead,selenium,copper and cadmium.The inefficiency was more pronounced in rain season.Nitrates(-2.04%),phosphates(-66%),mercury(-48%),lead(-48%),selenium(-2.29%)and copper(-9.75%)were high in the effluent after treatment process during the rains than in the influent.However,the treatment plant was effective in reducing Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD)and Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD).Some parameters like pH,conductivity,temperature,color and TSS were within allowable values described by Kenyan and International standards for effluent discharge into public waters.The study recommends expansion or re-designing of the treatment plant and better monitoring of the sources or types of wastewaters received at the plant for efficient and proper treatment process.Further research required on the seasonal fluctuation of pollutants along River Athi to reduce pollution of the waters.This should be coupled with studying the role of river gradient in self-cleansing of the pollutants.

Phosphorus Recovery as Struvite from the Supernatant of Anaerobic Digestion in Wastewater Treatment Plant

Phosphorus is an irreplaceable and depletable element. Furthermore, it has an almost one-way circulation on earth, so it is necessary to close the phosphorus cycle loop. Phosphorus could be recovered as struvite, which is a good slow-released fertilizer for agriculture. The supernatant of anaerobic digestion used to treat sludge from wastewater treatment plant is one main source from which phosphorus can be recovered. Studies have proven that phosphorus recovery from digester supematant is a feasible choice to preserve phosphorus rock technically and economically. A modified ＂PHOSNIX＂ P-recovery process was applied under the operating conditions of a 9.0 pH value and a 1.8 mg： P ratio with the influent of the centrate coming from the sludge centrifuge of the Songjiang Wastewater Treatment Plant in Shanghai. More than 80% influent phosphorus was recovered as struvite. Crystal products with good purity and low heavy metal content were gained. The largest crystal had a length of up to 0.26 mm. It was found in our study that the reaction time did not play an important role in crystal growth. Therefore, the optimization of the reaction condition for crystal growth should be examined in future study.

Environmental Assessment of AI-Hilla City Wastewater Treatment Plants

Iraq is one of the countries that is suffering from water shortage problems and, for this reason, wastewater treatment plants become a necessity to minimize this problem. In this study, the impact of A1-Hilla WWTP （wastewater treatment plant） on the environment has been studied. This was achieved using SimaPro software package. This software is a powerful tool for analyzing the environmental impact on products during their whole life cycle. A huge amount of knowledge about the environment is built into the program and database, enabling to analyze a product with a minimum of specialized knowledge. The results of LCA （life cycle assessment） showed that the impact and damage on the environment by A1-Hilla WWTP was 41 bad points for each 1 m3 of treated wastewater. The most environmental impacts potentially were global warming, respiratory inorganics and non-renewable energy. The study also showed that most of the effects were the result of the use of cement, steel and electricity consumption.

Examination of the Level of Heavy Metals in Wastewater of Bandar Abbas Wastewater Treatment Plant

One of the main environmental pollutants is heavy metals. Due to extensive usage in industry, these metals enter biological cycle rapidly and contaminated water and soil resources rapidly. In this work, lead, copper, zinc and chromium of Bandar Abbas wastewater are examined. For this research, nine stations were set for measurement in urban level in Bandar Abbas and sampling of aforesaid metals was performed in fall and winter 2006 in these stations. After extraction and preparation operations using APDC-MIBK, samples were measured using flame atomic absorption system. According to results, concentrate of studied metals was lower than allowable standard value set by Iran environmental protection organization for agricultural purposes and sewage to ground level waters. In addition, efficiency of Bandar Abbas wastewater treatment plant to remove these metals is 40% - 70% from which highest removal is for zinc as much as 71.1% and lowest level is for copper as much as 40.5%. However, copper level was higher than allowable level for agricultural purposes in spring and summer (0.21 mg/L and 0.23 mg/L, respectively) and lower in fall and winter (0.103 mg/L and 0.098 mg/L, respectively). Furthermore, changes in concentration of metals in these stations in various seasons were measured and analyzed using one-way variance analysis and simultaneous effects of time and place on measured variables were analyzed using two-way variance analysis.

Community analysis of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in activated sludge of eight wastewater treatment systems

We investigated the communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in activated sludge collected from eight wastewater treatment systems using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） followed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism （T-RFLP）, cloning, and sequencing of the α-subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase gene （amoA）. The T-RFLP fingerprint analyses showed that different wastewater treatment systems harbored distinct AOB communities. However, there was no remarkable difference among the AOB T- RFLP profiles from different parts of the same system. The T-RFLP fingerprints showed that a full-scale wastewater treatment plant （WWTP） contained a larger number of dominant AOB species than a pilot-scale reactor. The source of influent affected the AOB community, and the WWTPs treating domestic wastewater contained a higher AOB diversity than those receiving mixed domestic and industrial wastewater. However, the AOB community structure was little affected by the treatment process in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the cloned amoA genes clearly indicated that all the dominant AOB in the systems was closely related to Nitrosomonas spp. not to Nitrosospira spp. Members of the Nitrosomonas oligotropha and Nitrosomonas communis clusters were found in all samples, while members of Nitrosomonas europaea cluster occurred in some systems.

Impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent discharge on the antibiotic resistome in downstream aquatic environments:a mini review

Antimicrobial resistance(AMR)has emerged as a significant challenge in human health.Wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs),acting as a link between human activities and the environment,create ideal conditions for the selection and spread of antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs)and antibioticresistant bacteria(ARB).Unfortunately,current treatment processes are ineffective in removing ARGs,resulting in the release of large quantities of ARB and ARGs into the aquatic environment through WWTP effluents.This,in turn,leads to their dispersion and potential transmission to human through water and the food chain.To safeguard human and environmental health,it is crucial to comprehend the mechanisms by which WWTP effluent discharge influences the distribution and diffusion of ARGs in downstream waterbodies.In this study,we examine the latest researches on the antibiotic resistome in various waterbodies that have been exposed to WWTP effluent,highlighting the key influencing mechanisms.Furthermore,recommendations for future research and management strategies to control the dissemination of ARGs from WWTPs to the environment are provided,with the aim to achieve the“One Health”objective.