Energy efficiency and resource recovery from a new concept of wastewater treatment based on organic pre-concentration and membrane photobioreactor (MPBR)

• Grant number: 23/18242-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Lucas Subtil
• Grantee: Eduardo Lucas Subtil
• Host Investigator: Angel Fernandez Mohedano
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain

Abstract

This research project aims to investigate a new concept of sewage treatment based on the pre-concentration of organic matter and the use of a membrane photobioreactor (MPBR), integrating the valorization of microalgae biomass through hydrothermal carbonization combined with anaerobic digestion as a strategy to maximize energy recovery and production of value-added product (hydrochar). The first stage of the research will be aimed at optimizing the MPBR in function of the HRT for the treatment of effluent from the organic matter pre-concentration stage produced by the use of two types of coagulant during the chemically enhanced preliminary treatment (CEPT). For this, two flat-panel photobioreactors with submerged membranes will be operated in continuous flow under 3 different HRT conditions. A broad characterization of pollutant removal, biomass and membrane separation processes is planned to evaluate the proposed configuration robustly. In the second stage, microalgae biomass will be used directly as a substrate for hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at different temperature conditions for hydrochar production and anaerobic valorization of process water produced together with CEPT sludge. Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests and hydrochar characterization will be carried out to quantify the potential energy recovery by this new proposed approach. The research will be carried out at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) with the Waste2Value group, a specialist in the valorization of resources through anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization, and is part of a recently approved research project (HYDROWASTE) and led by Prof. Ángel Fernandez Mohedano. During the research, there will also be the support and participation of Prof. Joan García, an expert in microalgae technologies and leader of the Environmental Engineering and Microbiology Group (GEMMA) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC - Barcelona). The experience of the Waste2Value group in anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization of waste, combined with the expertise of Prof. Joan from GEMMA in the evaluation of microalgae processes, and the contributions of Prof. Subtil, a specialist in hybrid membrane systems and water reuse, will be crucial to the success of this project. This integrated approach, bringing together knowledge from different areas through a multidisciplinary group of researchers, aims to contribute significantly to wastewater treatment and resource recovery. At the same time, it will allow the proponent to learn new approaches and techniques to create a new research field at UAFBC with microalgae and hydrothermal carbonization.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GONCALVES, RICARDO FRANCI; AZEREDO, LUDIMILA ZOTELE; SUBTIL, EDUARDO LUCAS. Investigating the use of coagulants and Ca2+-rich steel residues as an anti-fouling strategy in the ultrafiltration of microalgae: Towards sustainable resource recovery from wastewater. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 349, p. 14-pg., 2024-05-11. (23/18242-2)