This study examines the removal of micropollutants (MPs) in a hybrid process that combines anaerobic and aerobic redox conditions under different Organic Loading Rates (OLRs). A laboratory-scale pilot-plant composed of an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor (UASB) combined with a membrane bioreactor (MBR) was operated. Six MPs were analyzed: the hormones estrone, 17-α-ethinyl estradiol and 17-β-estradiol, the plasticizer bisphenol A and the pharmaceuticals carbamazepine and diclofenac. In order to study its influence on removal

Reclaimed water can be used for non-potable applications to reduce water consumption from freshwater sources. In several regions, the full potential of reusing treated wastewater has not yet been exploited. Establishing a circular economy could promote the acceptance of reclaimed water as an alternative water supply source. This study investigates the feasibility of constructing a treatment plant to supply reclaimed water for non-potable applications using a dual water distribution network, from an engineering cost standpoint.

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An Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor combined with a two-stage membrane bioreactor were operated for 193 days in order to evaluate the biological removal of carbamazepine -CBZ from low-strength municipal wastewater. The system worked in three different organic loads stages (0.7 ± 0.1 kg COD·m−3·d−1, 0.4 ± 0.1 kg COD·m−3·d−1 and 0.1 ± 0.0 kg COD·m−3·d−1) to assess the impact of the influent OLR on operational parameters such as anaerobic and aerobic sludge retention time -SRT, acidity, volatile fatty acids -VFA, biomass activity or biogas production. The highest carbamazepine removals were achieved during the anaerobic stage (UASB reactor), reaching averages of 48.9%, 48.0% and 38.2% operating at high, medium and low OLR, respectively. The aerobic treatment (MBR) served as post-treatment, improving the removals, and the global UASB-MBR system reached averages of 70.0%, 59.6% and 49.8% when the influent was at medium and low OLR, respectively. The results demonstrate the potential of combined biological systems on the removal of recalcitrant pharmaceuticals.

No abstract