Anaerobic zone Functionality, Design and Configurations for a Sustainable EBPR process: A Critical Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• Microbial Ecology

Background:

• Increasingly stringent phosphorus discharge limits necessitate advanced wastewater treatment technologies.
• Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) is crucial but often limited by design and operational knowledge gaps.
• Current practices may overlook the critical role of anaerobic biomass in EBPR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review mainstream and side-stream Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) processes.
• To analyze contrasting perspectives on key EBPR mechanisms, including hydrolysis, fermentation, and anaerobic conditions.
• To identify knowledge gaps and discuss advances for achieving sustainable EBPR.

Main Methods:

• Critical literature review of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) processes.
• Comparative analysis of mainstream and side-stream EBPR designs and operations.
• Examination of fundamental mechanisms: hydrolysis, fermentation, and anaerobic conditions.

Main Results:

• Design and operational criteria for EBPR are often influenced by overall plant sludge retention, potentially neglecting anaerobic biomass optimization.
• Contrasting views exist regarding the importance and implementation of hydrolysis, fermentation rates, and anaerobic conditions in EBPR.
• Significant knowledge gaps persist in understanding the fundamental mechanisms driving EBPR efficiency.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of EBPR's fundamental mechanisms is essential for overcoming design and operational limitations.
• Addressing knowledge gaps in anaerobic biomass management and process conditions is key to optimizing EBPR.
• Further research is needed to develop sustainable and effective EBPR strategies for stringent phosphorus removal.