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

好氧颗粒污泥（AGS）工艺已经成为一种有前途的生物废水处理技术，与传统的活性污泥系统相比，该工艺具有能量和碳效率，并且占地面积较小。 尽管有这些优点，但AGS工艺的实施一直很缓慢，特别是在美国，这是由于几个关键的工程挑战，包括缺乏关于如何将AGS工艺整合到流通式反应器系统中的可靠的操作数据和基本知识。在这个GOALI项目中，领先的学术机构（犹他州大学）和工业合作伙伴（DC Water）将联合收割机并整合他们的专业知识，经验和资源，以应对这些关键挑战。为了推进这一目标，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投入，以指导全尺寸/中试系统的设计。该项目的成功完成将通过产生新的基础知识来促进流通式反应器系统中颗粒活性污泥技术的设计和实施，从而造福社会。通过学生教育和培训，包括指导犹他州大学的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（WWTP）中使用的传统活性污泥系统的松散细菌絮体不同，好氧颗粒污泥（AGS）反应器依赖于快速沉降、圆形、紧凑的生物膜称为颗粒，避免了需要有单独的好氧-缺氧-厌氧区。此外，它们不需要用于后续澄清步骤的二级重力沉降器。然而，由于缺乏可靠的运行数据和基本的工程知识，AGS反应器及其集成到大型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差距，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，包括温度和食品与微生物（F/M）的比例。本研究的具体目标是：1）研究和表征作为F/M比和温度的函数的序批式反应器中的造粒过程; 2）研究在连续流通式反应器中使用在完成目标1之后选择的最佳温度和F/M比的造粒过程; 3）构建稳态条件下和外界扰动下颗粒和絮体中存在的功能基因网络，并利用理论生态学将这些网络与反应器性能联系起来; 4）将研究结果整合到工艺设计和操作协议中，以便与DC水密切合作，优化AGS反应器的运行和维护。为了实现这个GOALI项目的教育和培训目标，主要研究者（PI）建议利用犹他州工程学院多样性办公室的大学现有课程，从代表性不足的群体中招募和指导本科生，以完成这个GOALI项目。此外，PI计划1）将研究结果整合到犹他州大学土木与环境工程系现有的本科生和研究生课程中，2）开发和提供基于计算机动画的外展活动，以展示，例如，受污染的水如何影响接收水体的水质。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得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。

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.