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，该技术具有能源效率和碳效率，且占地面积更小。 尽管有这些优点，但由于面临一些关键的工程挑战，包括缺乏可靠的操作数据和如何将 AGS 工艺集成到流通式反应器系统的基础知识，AGS 工艺的实施进展缓慢，特别是在美国。在这个 GOALI 项目中，牵头学术机构（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。为了推进这一目标，学术合作伙伴将重点关注反应器运行的基础科学、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转化方面提供指导和投入，以指导全/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推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，包括对犹他大学两名研究生和两名本科生的指导，将给社会带来额外的好处。与大多数大型废水处理厂（WWTP）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）反应器依赖于称为颗粒的快速沉降、圆形、致密的生物膜，避免了单独的好氧-缺氧-厌氧区域的需要。此外，他们不需要二级重力沉降器来进行后续澄清步骤。然而，由于缺乏可靠的运行数据和基础工程知识，流经 AGS 反应器的实施及其与大型污水处理厂的集成仍然难以实现。为了解决这些关键知识差距，该 GOALI 项目将在 AGS 系统的批次和流量排序中生成经过验证的动力学数据，作为两个关键操作参数（包括温度和食品与微生物 (F/M) 比率）的函数。研究的具体目标是 1) 研究并表征序批式反应器中 F/M 比和温度函数的造粒过程； 2) 使用完成目标 1 后选择的最佳温度和 F/M 比率，研究连续流通式反应器中的造粒过程； 3）构建稳态条件和外部扰动下颗粒和絮凝物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方案中，与直流水密切合作，实现流通式 AGS 反应器的最佳操作和维护。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计划来招募和指导来自代表性不足群体的本科生来从事该 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生和研究生课程中，2) 开发和开展基于计算机动画的推广活动，以展示，例如：受污染的水如何影响受纳水体的水质。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。