GOALI: Understanding granulation using microbial resource management for the broader application of granular technology

目标：利用微生物资源管理了解颗粒化，以实现颗粒技术的更广泛应用

• 批准号: 2227366
• 负责人: Ramesh Goel
• 金额: $ 52.61万
• 依托单位: University of Utah
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-01-01 至 2026-12-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2227366&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: GOALI; Understanding; granulation; using; microbial

The aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process has emerged as a promising biological wastewater treatment technology that is energy and carbon-efficient with a smaller footprint requirement compared to conventional activated sludge systems. Despite these advantages, the implementation of the AGS process has been slow, especially in the United States, due to several critical engineering challenges including the lack of robust operational data and fundamental knowledge on how to integrate the AGS process into flow-through reactor systems. In this GOALI project, the lead academic institution (University of Utah) and the industrial partner (DC Water) will combine and integrate their expertise, experience, and resources to address these critical challenges. To advance this goal, the academic partner will focus on the fundamental science of reactor operation, bacterial community analysis in different granular reactors, and kinetic analysis and modeling. The industrial partner will provide guidance and input in the design of the kinetic experiments, kinetic data analysis, student training and internship, and the translation of the research results to guide the design of full/pilot-scale systems. The successful completion of this project will benefit society through the generation of new fundamental knowledge to advance the design and implementation of granular activated sludge technology in flow-through reactor systems. Additional benefits to society will be achieved through student education and training including the mentoring of two graduate students and two undergraduate students at the University of Utah.Unlike the loose bacterial flocs of conventional activated sludge systems used in most large-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactors rely on fast-settling, round, compact biofilms called granules that circumvent the need to have separate aerobic-anoxic-anaerobic zones. In addition, they do not require a secondary gravity settler for a follow-up clarification step. However, the implementation of flow through AGS reactors and their integration into large-scale WWTPs has remained elusive due to a lack of robust operational data and fundamental engineering knowledge. To address these critical knowledge gaps, this GOALI project will generate validated kinetic data in sequencing batch and flow through AGS systems as a function of two critical operational parameters including temperature and food to microorganisms (F/M) ratio. The specific objectives of the research are to 1) investigate and characterize the granulation process as a function of F/M ratio and temperature in sequencing batch reactors; 2) investigate the process of granulation in a continuous flow-through reactor using optimal temperatures and F/M ratios that are selected following the completion of Objective 1; 3) construct functional gene networks existing in both granules and flocs under steady-state conditions and external perturbations and connect these networks with reactor performance using theoretical ecology and; 4) integrate findings into process design and operational protocols for the optimal operation and maintenance of flow-through AGS reactors in close collaboration with D.C. water. To implement the educational and training goals of this GOALI project, the Principal Investigator (PI) proposes to leverage existing programs at the University of Utah College of Engineering Diversity Office to recruit and mentor undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to work on this GOALI project. In addition, the PI plans to 1) integrate the research findings into existing undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah and 2) develop and deliver outreach activities based on computer animations to demonstrate, for example, how contaminated water affects water quality in receiving water bodies.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

好氧颗粒污泥（AGS）工艺已成为一种很有前途的生物废水处理技术，与传统的活性污泥系统相比，它具有能源和碳效率，占地面积更小。尽管有这些优势，但由于缺乏可靠的运行数据和如何将AGS工艺集成到流式反应堆系统的基本知识等几个关键的工程挑战，AGS工艺的实施一直很慢，特别是在美国。在这个GOALI项目中，领先的学术机构（犹他大学）和工业合作伙伴（DC Water）将结合并整合他们的专业知识、经验和资源，以应对这些关键挑战。为了实现这一目标，学术合作伙伴将专注于反应器操作的基础科学，不同颗粒反应器中的细菌群落分析以及动力学分析和建模。工业合作伙伴将在动力学实验设计，动力学数据分析，学生培训和实习以及研究成果的翻译方面提供指导和输入，以指导完整/中试规模系统的设计。该项目的成功完成将通过产生新的基础知识来促进颗粒活性污泥技术在流式反应器系统中的设计和实施，从而造福社会。通过学生教育和培训，包括在犹他大学指导两名研究生和两名本科生，将为社会带来额外的好处。与大多数大型污水处理厂（WWTPs）中使用的传统活性污泥系统的松散细菌絮凝体不同，好氧颗粒污泥（AGS）反应器依赖于快速沉淀，圆形，紧凑的生物膜，称为颗粒，无需单独的好氧-缺氧-厌氧区。此外，它们不需要二次重力沉降器进行后续澄清步骤。然而，由于缺乏可靠的运行数据和基础工程知识，通过AGS反应器的流动及其集成到大规模污水处理厂的实施仍然难以捉摸。为了解决这些关键的知识空白，该GOALI项目将在测序批次中生成经过验证的动力学数据，并通过AGS系统作为两个关键操作参数的函数，包括温度和食物与微生物（F/M）比。该研究的具体目标是：1)研究和表征顺序间歇式反应器中F/M比和温度对造粒过程的影响；2)在完成目标1后选择最佳温度和F/M比，在连续流式反应器中研究造粒过程；3)构建颗粒和絮凝体在稳态条件和外界扰动下均存在的功能基因网络，并利用理论生态学方法将这些网络与反应器性能联系起来；4)与dc水密切合作，将研究结果整合到流程设计和操作方案中，以实现流式AGS反应器的最佳运行和维护。为了实现该GOALI项目的教育和培训目标，首席研究员（PI）建议利用犹他大学工程学院多样性办公室的现有项目，从代表性不足的群体中招募和指导本科生参与该GOALI项目。此外，PI计划1)将研究成果整合到犹他大学土木与环境工程系现有的本科和研究生课程中；2)开发并开展基于电脑动画的推广活动，例如，展示受污染的水如何影响接收水体的水质。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。