Optimization of the operational processes of wastewater treatment plants to reduce nitrous oxide emissions

• Grant number: 21/02901-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Antunes Nolasco
• Grantee: Fernanda de Marco de Souza
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Most of the Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) do not have effective systems for Biological Nitrogen Removal (BNR), resulting in the release of point sources of reactive nitrogen in aquatic systems, as well as the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere - which has a high global warming potential and stratospheric ozone consumption. Within this context, operational strategies can significantly reduce the portions emitted to the atmosphere, by incorporating ideal operating conditions for the BNR, with a view to the complete completion of the nitrification-denitrification processes. Thus, the objective is to evaluate on a full scale and through literature review, biotechnologies applied to sewage treatment and their respective performance in the conversion of nitrogen, according to the operating conditions used, as well as their impacts on the footprint of carbon from the station. Therefore, as a methodology, metadata and synthesis and methods of field analysis and literature will be applied. As a result, it is expected to contribute with new knowledge and the proposal of operational conditions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, evaluation of ETEs bioprocesses and the different emission factors related to biotechnologies applied to treatment.