This book presents recent developments in advanced biological treatment technologies that are attracting increasing attention or that have a high potential for large-scale application in the near future. It also explores the fundamental principles as well as the applicability of the engineered bioreactors in detail. It describes two of the emerging technologies: membrane bioreactors (MBR) and moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR), both of which are finding increasing application worldwide thanks to their compactness and high efficiency. It also includes a chapter dedicated to aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology, and discusses the main features and applications of this promising process, which can simultaneously remove organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus and is considered a breakthrough in biological wastewater treatment. Given the importance of removing nitrogen compounds from wastewater, the latest advances in this area, including new processes for nitrogen removal (e.g. Anammox), are also reviewed. Developments in molecular biology techniques over the last twenty years provide insights into the complex microbial diversity found in biological treatment systems. The final chapter discusses these techniques in detail and presents the state-of-the-art in this field and the opportunities these techniques offer to improve process performance.

The past 30 years have seen the emergence of a growing desire worldwide that positive actions be taken to restore and protect the environment from the degrading effects of all forms of pollution—air, water, soil, and noise. Because pollution is a direct or indirect consequence of waste, the seemingly idealistic demand for “zero discharge” can be construed as an unrealistic demand for zero waste. However, as long as waste continues to exist, we can only attempt to abate the subsequent pollution by converting it to a less noxious form. Three major questions usually arise when a particular type of pollution has been identi?ed: (1) How serious is the pollution? (2) Is the technology to abate it available? and (3) Do the costs of abatement justify the degree of abatement achieved? This book is one of the volumes of the Handbook of Environmental Engineering series. The principal intention of this series is to help readers formulate answers to the last two questions above. The traditional approach of applying tried-and-true solutions to speci?c pollution problems has been a major contributing factor to the success of environmental en- neering, and has accounted in large measure for the establishment of a “methodology of pollution control. ” However, the realization of the ever-increasing complexity and interrelated nature of current environmental problems renders it imperative that intelligent planning of pollution abatement systems be undertaken.

Emphasizing new technologies that produce clean water and energy from the wastewater treatment process, this book presents recent advancements in wastewater treatment by various technologies such as chemical methods, biochemical methods, membrane separation techniques, and nanotechnology. It addresses sustainable water reclamation, biomembrane treatment processes, advanced oxidation processes, and applications of nanotechnology for wastewater treatment. It also includes integrated cost-based design methodologies. Equations, figures, photographs and tables are included within the chapters to aid reader comprehension. Case studies and examples are included as well.

This monograph provides comprehensive coverage of technologies which integrate adsorption and biological processes in water and wastewater treatment. The authors provide both an introduction to the topic as well as a detailed discussion of theoretical and practical considerations. After a review of the basics involved in the chemistry, biology and technology of integrated adsorption and biological removal, they discuss the setup of pilot- and full-scale treatment facilities, covering powdered as well as granular activated carbon. They elucidate the factors that influence the successful operation of integrated systems. Their discussion on integrated systems expands from the effects of environmental to the removal of various pollutants, to regeneration of activated carbon, and to the analysis of such systems in mathematical terms. The authors conclude with a look at future needs for research and develoment. A truly valuable resource for environmental engineers, environmental and water chemists, as well as professionals working in water and wastewater treatment.

Recently, research efforts aiming to improve energy efficiency of wastewater treatment processes for large centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been increasing. Global warming impacts, energy sustainability, and biosolids generation are among several key drivers towards the establishment of energy-efficient WWTPs. WWTPs have been recognized as major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions as these are significant energy consumers in the industrialized world. The quantity of biosolids or excess waste activated sludge produced by WWTP will increase in the future due to population growth and this pose environmental concerns and solid waste disposal issues. Due to limited capacity of landfill sites, more stringent environmental legislation, and air pollution from incineration sites, there is a need to rethink the conventional way of dealing with wastewater and the sludge production that comes with it. This book provides an overview of advanced biological, physical and chemical treatment with the aim of reducing the volume of sewage sludge. Provides a comprehensive list of processes aiming at reducing the volume of sewage sludge and increasing biogas production from waste activated sludge. Includes clear process flowsheet showing how the process is modified compared to the conventional waste activated sludge process. Provides current technologies applied on full scale plant as well as methods still under investigation at laboratory scale. Offers data from pilot scale experience of these processes

This concise introduction to the fundamentals of biological treatment of wastewater describes how to model and integrate biological steps into industrial processes. The book first covers the chemical, physical and biological basics, including wastewater characteristics, microbial metabolism, determining stoichiometric equations for catabolism and anabolism, measurements of mass transfer and respiration rates and the aerobic treatment of wastewater loaded with dissolved organics. It the moves on to deal with such applications and technologies as nitrogen and phosphorus removal, membrane technology, the assessment and selection of aeration systems, simple models for biofilm reactors and the modeling of activated sludge processes. A final section looks at the processing of water and the treatment of wastewater integrated into the production process. Essential reading for chemists, engineers, microbiologists, environmental officers, agencies and consultants, in both academia and industry.

For information on the online course in Biological Wastewater Treatment from UNESCO-IHE, visit: http://www.iwapublishing.co.uk/books/biological-wastewater-treatment-online-course-principles-modeling-and-design Over the past twenty years, the knowledge and understanding of wastewater treatment have advanced extensively and moved away from empirically-based approaches to a first principles approach embracing chemistry, microbiology, physical and bioprocess engineering, and mathematics. Many of these advances have matured to the degree that they have been codified into mathematical models for simulation with computers. For a new generation of young scientists and engineers entering the wastewater treatment profession, the quantity, complexity and diversity of these new developments can be overwhelming, particularly in developing countries where access is not readily available to advanced level tertiary education courses in wastewater treatment. Biological Wastewater Treatment addresses this deficiency. It assembles and integrates the postgraduate course material of a dozen or so professors from research groups around the world that have made significant contributions to the advances in wastewater treatment. The book forms part of an internet-based curriculum in biological wastewater treatment which also includes: Summarized lecture handouts of the topics covered in book Filmed lectures by the author professors Tutorial exercises for students self-learning Upon completion of this curriculum the modern approach of modelling and simulation to wastewater treatment plant design and operation, be it activated sludge, biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal, secondary settling tanks or biofilm systems, can be embraced with deeper insight, advanced knowledge and greater confidence.