Grant: Alliance Grants

Our industrial partner has developed a novel, in-situ bioreactor that has shown high treatment efficacy in 40+ wastewater lagoons in US and Canada. In this interdisciplinary research, we will examine the hydro- and bio-dynamic mechanisms underlying its high efficacy and further optimize the design and operation of the novel bioreactor. In particular, we will target addressing the following key scientific questions (knowledge gaps) for the broad academic and engineering community. (1) Hydro- and bio-dynamics for in-situ bioreactor in municipal wastewater lagoons; (2) Impacts of hydrodynamics and environmental parameters (e.g., low temperature, organic loading) to bioreactor's microorganism and performance; (3) Integrated coupling of hydro- and bio-dynamic models to understand and optimize bioreactor design and operation; (4) The potential and mechanism of sludge granulation in non traditional-column-type of flow conditions. This research is significant to Canada not only by generating new knowledge but also by directly benefiting municipalities and industries in managing wastewater lagoons. The new technology can significantly improve the digestion of lagoon sludge and thus restore historically lost lagoon space/capacity for future population growth and social-economic development, and increase wastewater treatment efficacy and thus better protect the environment and ecosystem of the receiving water bodies downstream.