Exploring versatile applications of nitrite/nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation through modelling and experimental investigations

Abstract

operated Gas Chromatography (GC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Flow Injection Analyzer (FIA) to analyze the concentrations of methane, nitrous oxide, organic acids and nitrogen species. Microbial analysis (i.e., 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) was performed in Australian Centre for Ecogenomics (ACE) of UQ. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree No works submitted towards another degree have been included in this thesis. Research Involving Human or Animal Subjects No animal or human subjects were involved in this research. XII Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to show my heartfelt gratitude to my principal supervisor, Associate Professor Jianhua Guo, for his generous help and patient guidance in my PhD career. It is a great honour for me having this opportunity to work with and learn from him, such as his creating thoughts, efficient multitasking skills, and smart but rigorous attitude to research, which will all be extremely significant for my future career, no matter in which field. This thesis would have been also impossible without his continual guidance, encouragement, and support. I would like to extend my gratitude to my co-supervisor, Dr. Shihu Hu, and the leader of our METHANE project, Prof. Zhiguo Yuan, who have been showing generous help and caring in both my research and personal life. Not only their broad and profound knowledge but also their endless passion to the beloved research work will influence me for my entire life. I'm also sincerely grateful to the administrative staff, laboratory staff, academics and students of Advanced Water Management Centre, who are helpful and supportive during this three and half years journey. I thank all my amazing friends and family members in Australia and China. Their support and love have made my life full of joy and happiness. Last but not the least, I would like to appreciate the financial support from MERINO (Maximizing Energy Recovery through Innovative Nitrogen remOval) project funded by Queensland Urban Utilities, South Australian Water Corporation and Melbourne Water Corporation. Also, this study was co-funded by ARC Linage project (LP180100772). XIII Financial support This study is funded by ARC Linage project (LP180100772) and MERINO (Maximizing Energy Recovery through Innovative Nitrogen remOval) project funded by Queensland Urban Utilities, South Australian Water Corporation and Melbourne Water Corporation.

Quantification and Modelling of Fugitive Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urban Water Systems

“…Membrane-based technologies using microporous or non-porous membranes, have been developed to recover methane for subsequent reuse (Bandara et al, 2011). The microporous membrane can be applied for AnMBR permeate due to its high substrate transfer efficiency, while the non-porous membrane is more suitable for the UASB effluent to avoid micropore wetting (Liu, 2020). Vacuum or sweeping gas could be introduced to create a methane gradient between the inside and outside of the membrane to promote methane liquid-to-gas transfer.…”