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A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
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Characterization of downflow hanging sponge reactors with regard to structure, process function, and microbial
Masashi Hatamoto1, Tsutomu Okubo2, Kengo Kubota3
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka-machi, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|October 22, 2018
Summary
The downflow hanging sponge (DHS) process offers an energy-saving alternative to traditional activated sludge (AS) wastewater treatment. This review highlights DHS development, mechanisms, and microbial communities for wider adoption.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Microbiology
- Water Treatment Technologies
Background:
- The activated sludge (AS) process is a widely used wastewater treatment method but faces limitations due to high energy consumption and excess sludge production.
- The downflow hanging sponge (DHS) process has emerged as an energy-efficient and low-maintenance alternative to AS.
- Ongoing research and development have led to various sponge configurations and performance evaluations in DHS reactors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a concise, state-of-the-art review of the downflow hanging sponge (DHS) process.
- To summarize the history, treatment mechanisms, and recent advancements in DHS technology.
- To explore the microbial community structures associated with DHS for enhanced wastewater treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on the downflow hanging sponge (DHS) process.
- Analysis of different sponge configurations and their performance in practical and full-scale reactors.
- Examination of research on enhancing DHS performance and expanding its application fields.
- Investigation of microbial community structures in DHS systems.
Main Results:
- Six distinct sponge configurations for DHS have been developed and assessed.
- Numerous studies have focused on improving DHS efficiency and broadening its applications.
- The DHS process is transitioning from research to deployment in countries like India, Egypt, and Japan.
- Understanding microbial communities is crucial for optimizing DHS functionality.
Conclusions:
- The downflow hanging sponge (DHS) process presents a promising, sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, addressing limitations of the activated sludge (AS) process.
- Continued research into DHS configurations and microbial ecology will drive its wider adoption and application.
- The DHS technology is poised for significant growth and diffusion in global wastewater management strategies.
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