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Potential reuse of dewatered sludge (DS) and municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash as components to develop controlled low-strength material (CLSM) was explored. The effects of DS:MSWI bottom ash:calcium sulfoaluminate (C S ¯ A) cement ratio and thermal treatment of MSWI bottom ash at 900 °C on the mechanical and microstructural properties of CLSM were intensively studied to optimize the process. Results showed DS and MSWI bottom ash could be utilized for making CLSM. The CLSM prepared with milled MSWI bottom ash gave higher unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 2.0–6.2 MPa following 1 year of curing at 1.0:0.1:0.9 ≤ DS:MSWI bottom ash:C S ¯ A ≤ 1.0:0.8:0.2. However, the corresponding strengths for CLSM containing thermally treated MSWI bottom ash ranged from 0.7 to 4.6 MPa, decreasing 26–65%. The microstructural analysis by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed that ettringite (C 3 A·3C S ¯ ·H 32 , or AFt) crystals were the most important strength-producing constituents which grew into and filled the CLSM matrix pores. Milled MSWI bottom ash addition favored the formation of highly crystalline AFt phases and accordingly enhanced compressive strengths of CLSM specimens. In contrast, thermal treatment at 900 °C produced new phases such as gehlenite (Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 ) and hydroxylapatite (Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH)), which deteriorated the pozzolanic activity of bottom ash and caused the strengths to decrease. Leaching tests evidenced that leachable substances from CLSM samples exhibited negligible health and environmental risks. The results of this study suggested that MSWI bottom ash can be effectively recycled together with DS in developing CLSM mixtures with restricted use of C S ¯ A cement.

The activated sludge process of wastewater leads to the production of a substantial amount of excess activated sludge. The increasing interest of Fe(II)-mediated persulfate ( S 2 O 8 2 - ) oxidation in improving sludge dewatering highlights a need to understand their environmental impacts on subsequent treatment, but the potential effects on sludge anaerobic digestion remains unknown. In this study, the response of waste activated sludge anaerobic digestion to a shock load of Fe ( II ) / S 2 O 8 2 - oxidation were investigated. It was observed that total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) removals were considerably lowered when Fe(II) and S 2 O 8 2 - dosages were greater than 0.8 and 1.0 mmol/g VSS, respectively, while 34.6–60.5% drop in hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) took place. Degradation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of sludge induced by Fe ( II ) / S 2 O 8 2 - oxidation resulted in their deteriorating protective role on the microorganisms, which may cause the inhibitory effects on the microbial activity, and subsequently reduce digestion efficiency and H 2 S generation. Then, sludge dewaterability during digestion process was investigated. It was found that dewaterability of sludge, firstly improved by Fe ( II ) S 2 O 8 2 - pretreatment, was gradually worsened during subsequent digestion because of slightly increased EPS. The visualization of EPS with three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy further revealed that the discernable rise in tyrosine and tryptophan protein-like substances together contributed to poorer dewaterability.

In this work, the enhanced dewaterabing characteristics of waste activated sludge using Fenton pretreatment was investigated in terms of effectiveness and statistical optimization. Response surface method (RSM) and central composite design (CCD) were applied to evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of important operational parameters, i.e., H2O2 concentrations, Fe2+ concentrations and initial pH values. A significant quadratic polynomial model was obtained (R2= 0.9189) with capillary suction time (CST) reduction efficiency as the response. Numerical optimization based on desirability function was carried out. The optimum values for H2O2, Fe2+, and initial pH were found to be 178 mg·g−1 VSS (volatile suspended solids), 211 mg·g−1 VSS and 3.8, respectively, at which CST reduction efficiency of 98.25% could be achieved. This complied well with those predicted by the established polynomial model. The results indicate that Fenton pretreatment is an effective technique for advanced waste activated sludge dewatering. The enhancement of sludge dewaterability by Fenton’s reagent lies in the migration of sludge bound water due to the disintegration of sludge flocs and microbial cells lysis.

The feasibility of electrolysis integrated with Fe(II)-activated persulfate (S2O8(2-)) oxidation to improve waste activated sludge (WAS) dewaterability was evaluated. The physicochemical properties (sludge volume (SV), total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS)) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), including slime EPS, loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) were characterized to identify their exact roles in sludge dewatering. While dewaterability negatively corresponded to LB-EPS, TB-EPS, protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) in LB-EPS and TB-EPS, it was independent of SV, TSS, VSS, slime EPS and PN/PS. Further study through scanning electron microscope (SEM) verified the entrapment of bacterial cells by TB-EPS, protecting them against electrolysis disruption. Comparatively, electrolysis integrated with S2O8(2-)/Fe(II) oxidation was able to effectively disrupt the protective barrier and crack the entrapped cells, releasing the water inside EPS and cells. Therefore, the destruction of both TB-EPS and cells is the fundamental reason for the enhanced dewaterability.

Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) are an attracting technology for the disposal of wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy production. In MESs, at the anode microorganisms through the catalytic activity generates electrons that can be converted into electricity or other valuable chemical compounds. Microorganisms those having ability to donate and accept electrons to and from anode and cathode electrodes, respectively are recognized as 'exoelectrogens'. In the MESs, it renders an important function for its performance. In the present mini-review, we have discussed the role of microbiome including pure culture, enriched culture and mixed culture in different BESs application. The effects of operational and biological factors on microbiome development have been discussed. Further discussion about the molecular techniques for the evaluation of microbial community analysis is addressed. In addition different electrochemical techniques for extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanism of electroactive biofilms have been discussed. This review highlights the importance of microbiome in the development of MESs, effective operational factors for exo-electrogens activities as well their key challenges and future technological aspects are also briefly discussed.

In this work, the performance of dual-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) constructed either with commonly used Nafion ® proton exchange membrane or supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) was assessed. The behavior of MFCs was followed and analyzed by taking the polarization curves and besides, their efficiency was characterized by measuring the electricity generation using various substrates such as acetate and glucose. By using the SILMs containing either [C 6 mim][PF 6 ] or [Bmim][NTf 2 ] ionic liquids, the energy production of these MFCs from glucose was comparable to that obtained with the MFC employing polymeric Nafion ® and the same substrate. Furthermore, the MFC operated with [Bmim][NTf 2 ]-based SILM demonstrated higher energy yield in case of low acetate loading (80.1 J g −1 COD in m −2 h −1 ) than the one with the polymeric Nafion ® N115 (59 J g −1 COD in m −2 h −1 ). Significant difference was observed between the two SILM-MFCs, however, the characteristics of the system was similar based on the cell polarization measurements. The results suggest that membrane-engineering applying ionic liquids can be an interesting subject field for bioelectrochemical system research.

A lab-scale methanolic wastewater-fed (3000 mg COD L − 1 ) UASB reactor was operated for 235 days to evaluate the influence of the sulfidogenesis process on metabolic routes, the re-granulation of dispersed granules and long-term process performance. Various sulfidogenesis scenarios were created by stepwise decreasing the influent COD/SO 4 2− ratio from 20 to 0.5 at a fixed organic loading rate (OLR) of 12 g COD L − 1 d − 1 . It was shown that the conversion of methanol to methane was stable at a wide COD/SO 4 2− range of ≥2, attaining high biogas production rate of 3.78 ± 0.32 L L − 1 d − 1 with efficient concurrent removal of the total COD (96.5 ± 4.4%) and sulfate (56.3 ± 13.0%). The methane content in biogas remained relatively stable at 81.5 ± 1.6% for all COD/SO 4 2− ratios tested. The particle size of the granules was shown to clearly increase as the COD/SO 4 2− ratios decreased. A slight linear decline was noted in the number of electrons utilized by methane producing archaea (MPA) (from 98.5 ± 0.5% to 80.0 ± 2.4%), whereas consumption by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) increased (from 1.5 ± 0.5% to 20.0 ± 2.4%) with the decreasing COD/SO 4 2− ratio. According to the results of activity tests and microbial community analysis, the conversion of methanol to methane at a low COD/SO 4 2− ratio, except from Methanomethylovorans sp., depends not only on low levels of acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens, but also on incomplete oxidizer SRB species (e.g. Desulfovibrio sp.) that utilize H 2 -CO 2 with acetate to mineralize the methanol. This serves to diversify the metabolic pathway of methanol. Further analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that a lower COD/SO 4 2− ratio favored the sulfidogenesis process and diversified the microbial community inside the reactor. The benefical sulfidogenesis process subsequently invoked the formation of a sufficient, rigid [-Fe-EPS-] n network (EPS: extracellular polymeric substances), binding and immobilizing the sludge, and resulting in the re-granulation of the dispersed granules.

A lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) has been run for 250days to investigate the influence of influent COD/SO4(2-) ratios on the biodegradation behavior of starch wastewater and process performance. Stepwise decreasing COD/SO4(2-) ratio enhanced sulfidogenesis, complicating starch degradation routes and improving process stability. The reactor exhibited satisfactory performance at a wide COD/SO4(2-) range ⩾2, attaining stable biogas production of 1.15-1.17LL(-1)d(-1) with efficient simultaneous removal of total COD (73.5-80.3%) and sulfate (82.6±6.4%). Adding sulfate favored sulfidogenesis process and diversified microbial community, invoking hydrolysis-acidification of starch and propionate degradation and subsequent acetoclastic methanogenesis; whereas excessively enhanced sulfidogenesis (COD/SO4(2-) ratios

The potential of Fe(II)-activated persulfate (S(2)O(8)(2-)) oxidation on enhancing the dewaterability of sludge flocs from 3-full scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were investigated. Normalized capillary suction time (CST) was applied to evaluate sludge dewaterability. Both extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and metabolic activity of microorganisms were determined to explore the responsible mechanism. Fe(II)-S(2)O(8)(2-) oxidation effectively improved sludge dewaterability. The most important mechanisms were proposed to be the degradation of EPS incorporated in sludge flocs and rupture of microbial cells. Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed that the powerful SO(4)(-) from Fe(II)-S(2)O(8)(2-) system destroyed the particular functional groups of fluorescing substances (i.e., aromatic protein-, tryptophan protein-, humic- and fulvic-like substances) in EPS and caused cleavage of linkages in the polymeric backbone and simultaneous destruction of microbial cells, resulting in the release of EPS-bound water, intracellular materials and water of hydration inside cells, and subsequent enhancement of dewaterability.

The potential benefits of Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation on sludge dewatering and its mechanisms were investigated in this study. Capillary suction time (CST) was used to evaluate sludge dewaterability. Both extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and viscosity were determined in an attempt to explain the observed changes in sludge dewaterability. The optimal conditions to give preferable dewaterability characteristics were found to be persulfate (S(2)O(8)(2-)) 1.2 mmol/gVSS, Fe(II) 1.5 mmol/gVSS, and pH 3.0-8.5, which demonstrated a very high CST reduction efficiency (88.8% reduction within 1 min). It was further observed that both soluble EPS and viscosity played relatively negative roles in sludge dewatering, whereas no correlation was established between sludge dewaterability and bound EPS. Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectra also revealed that soluble EPS of sludge were degraded and sludge flocs were ruptured by persulfate oxidation, which caused the release of water in the intracellular pace and subsequent improvement of its dewaterability.

The high organic content in sewage sludge is the main obstacle to Portland cement-based solidification/stabilization (S/S). A novel aluminate 12CaO⋅7Al2O3 was prepared as accelerator in order to improve the performance of cement-based S/S making the sludge disposal and recycling possible. The behavior of pastes fabricated with various mass ratios of aluminate/cement has been analyzed in terms of mechanical strength, hydration products, microstructure and leaching characteristics. The incorporation of aluminate significantly improved the cement-based S/S performance. The solid matrix obtained with the aluminate/cement ratio of 4/6 and binder addition of 10 wt.% presented 28 day-strength of 157.2 kPa, in contrast, 25.1 kPa or so obtained for the cement only-sludge mix. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the presence of aluminate counteracted the interference from organic matters, favored the formation of crystalline phases viz. ettringite C6A S ¯ 3H32, calcite CaCO3 and quartz, and therefore the strength development. Environmental assessment of the final products in compliance leaching tests demonstrated that the concentration of heavy metals were below the certain legal limits (GB 5085.3-2007) set in China, though the addition of aluminate slightly fell the resistance of solidified mortars to acidic environments.

This research evaluated the use of sewage sludge and refuse incineration bottom ash to replace calcium sulfoaluminate cement (C A) in making controlled low-strength material (CLSM). Various properties of CLSM mixtures were characterized in terms of unconfined compressive strength, microstructure and leachability. It was found that the strength of tested CLSM mixtures ranged from 3.6 to 9.0 MPa, over the upper excavatable limit of 2.1 MPa. The micro-structural analysis revealed that sewage sludge and bottom ash were crystallochemically incorporated within CLSM systems by forming the needle-like ettringite (C 3 A·3C ·H 32 ) with exiguous tubers via the typical Pozzolanic Reaction, leading to a dense and low-porosity microstructure. Furthermore, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure evidenced that the cumulative leachable metals in the leachate were much below the regulatory thresholds. The potential for using sewage sludge and bottom ash in CLSM making was thus confirmed.

Long-term performance of methanol biocatalysis conversion in a lab-scale UASB reactor was evaluated. Properties of granules were traced to examine the impact of methanol on granulation. Methanolic wastewater could be stably treated during initial 240d with the highest biogas production rate of 18.6 ± 5.7 L/Ld at OLR 48 g-COD/Ld. However, the reactor subsequently showed severe granule disintegration, inducing granule washout and process upsets. Some steps (e.g. increasing influent Ca(2+) concentration, etc.) were taken to prevent rising dispersion, but no clear improvement was observed. Further characterizations in granules revealed that several biotic/abiotic factors all caused the dispersion: (1) depletion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and imbalance of protein/polysaccharide ratio in EPS; (2) restricted formation of hard core and weak Ca-EPS bridge effect due to insufficient calcium supply; and (3) simplification of species with the methanol acclimation. More efforts are required to solve the technical deficiencies observed in methanolic wastewater treatment.

Renewable energy recovery from submerged aquatic plants such as Egeria densa ( E. densa ) via continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) represents a bottleneck because of process instability. Here, a single-chamber membrane-free microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) equipped with a pair of Ti/RuO 2 mesh electrodes (i.e. the combined MEC-AD system) was implemented at different applied voltages (0–1.0 V) to evaluate the potential effects of bioelectrochemical stimulation on methane production and process stability of E. densa fermentation. The application of MEC effectively stabilized E. densa fermentation and upgraded overall process performance, especially solid matters removal. E. densa AD process was operated steadily throughout bioelectrochemical process without any signs of imbalance. The solubilization-removal of solid matters and methane conversion efficiency gradually increased with increasing applied voltage, with an average methane yield of approximately 248.2 ± 21.0 mL L −1 d −1 at 1.0 V. Whereas, the stability of the process became worse immediately once the external power was removed, with weaken solid matters removal along with methane output, evidencing the favorable and indispensable role in maintaining process stability. The stabilizing effect was further quantitatively demonstrated by statistical analysis using standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variance (CV) and box-plots. The syntrophic and win–win interactions between fermenting bacteria and electroactive bacteria might have contributed to the improved process stability and bioenergy recovery.

To better understand the underlying mechanisms for methane bioelectrosynthesis, a two-chamber MECs containing a carbon biocathode was developed and studied. Methane production substantially increased with increasing cathode potential. Considerable methane yield was achieved at a poised potential of -0.9 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), reaching 2.30±0.34 mL after 5 h of operation with a faradaic efficiency of 24.2±4.7%. Confirmatory tests done at 0.9 V by switching the type of flushed substrates (CO2/N2) or the electrical exposure modes (ON/OFF) demonstrated that cathode serving as an electron donor was the vital driving force for methanogenesis occurring at microbe-electrode surface. Fluorescence in situ hybridization reveled Methanobacteriaceae (particularly Methanobacterium) was the predominant methanogens, supporting the mechanisms of direct electron transfer between cell-electrode. Additionally, the analysis of scanning electron microscope confirmed that the multiple pathways of electron transfer, including direct cathode-to-cell, interspecies exchange and semi-conductive conduits all together ensured the successful electromethanogenesis process.

Long-term performance of a lab-scale UASB reactor treating starch wastewater was investigated under different hydraulic retention times (HRT). Successful start-up could be achieved after 15days' operation. The optimal HRT was 6h with organic loading rate (OLR) 4g COD/Ld at COD concentration 1000mg/L, attaining 81.1-98.7% total COD removal with methane production rate of 0.33L CH4/g CODremoved. Specific methane activity tests demonstrated that methane formation via H2-CO2 and acetate were the principal degradation pathways. Vertical characterizations revealed that main reactions including starch hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis occurred at the lower part of reactor ("main reaction zone"); comparatively, at the up converting acetate into methane predominated ("substrate-shortage zone"). Further reducing HRT to 3h caused volatile fatty acids accumulation, sludge floating and performance deterioration. Sludge floating was ascribed to the excess polysaccharides in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). More efforts are required to overcome sludge floating-related issues.

The potential benefits of Fe(II)–activated persulfate (S 2 O 8 2− ) oxidation under mild temperature in enhancing the dewaterability of waste activated sludge were investigated. Capillary suction time (CST) was used to characterize sludge dewatering. Zeta potential, particle size distribution, three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) were employed to explore influencing mechanisms. The results indicated that the dewaterability was deteriorated with single thermal treatment, but significantly enhanced in the presence of Fe(II)–S 2 O 8 2− oxidation and further advanced together with thermal treatment. EEM and FT-IR analysis indicated that combined thermal and Fe(II)–S 2 O 8 2− oxidation pretreatment led to degrading of tyrosine and tryptophan protein-like substances in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and cleavage of linkages in polymeric backbone. SEM images further revealed the rupture of sludge flocs at the colloidal scale, which contributed to the release of EPS-bound water and interstitial water trapped between flocs, and subsequent enhanced dewaterability.