CEEES - Studies on Bioreactor with Reduced Energy/Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Wastewater treatment accounts for around 4% of all electrical power consumption in the United States, and also is a significant direct source of greenhouse gases (GHG).  A novel bioreactor, the membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), can significantly reduce energy consumption and direct emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful GHG with a global warming potential of 310 times that of CO2.  We have several ongoing studies related to the MABR, include for municipal wastewater, coffee wet mill wastewater, and produced gas (fracking) wastewater.  In some cases, the goal is to determine how to manipulate the biofilm microbial community to maximize energy efficiency and minimize GHG emissions.  In others, it is to develop a novel, low-tech reactor configuration that would be suitable to developing countries.  Most of these projects are with industry sponsors.