AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR RESOURCES RECOVERY FROM WASTEWATER

The general focus of the present work is strictly related to find technologies for resources recovery from the integrated water cycle. The current need of achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations (UN), is driving the recent research activities in different field of applications. More in detail, in this PhD thesis, three aspects related to three SDGs will be examined: - The recovery of clean water, which is requested by the Goal #6 \u201cClean water and sanitation\u201d, and which can satisfy the most of the society\u2019s needs. - The recovery of protein-rich alternatives for a sustainable future, which is requested by the Goal #2 \u201cZero hunger\u201d. - Related to the previous point, the necessity of produce resources, such as novel protein sources, with a lower impact on the Earth in terms of greenhouse gases emissions, water consumption and land occupation; this is requested by the Goal #13 \u201cClimate action\u201d. In order to better understand the field of protein-rich alternatives, during the third year of the PhD, six months were spent in a Belgian company, Avecom NV (Ghent), for its experience in the optimization of microbial processes

Polyhydroxyalkanoated-Rich Microbial Cells from Bio-Based Volatile Fatty Acids as Potential Ingredient for Aquaculture Feed

In this study, the production of polyhydroxyalkanoated PHA-rich microbial biomass as a novel feed additive in aquaculture was investigated at a lab-scale. Bio-based volatile fatty acids (VFAs), obtained from the acidogenic fermentation of agricultural residues in existing anaerobic digestion plants, were used as carbon and energy to cultivate the PHA-rich microbial biomass. The experimental activities were carried out using Thauera sp. Sel9 as pure strain, which was grown in a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) operated at three different hydraulic retention times (HRT). The highest productivity obtained of biomass cells was 0.69 g/L day, operating at one day HRT while the observed PHAs production yield was 0.14 gPHA/g soluble COD removed. At these conditions, the PHA concentration in the microbial cells was 41%. Although the sulfur amino acids were available at high concentrations and above the typical concentration found in fishmeal, the amino acids profile of the obtained biomass revealed a lack of histidine and threonine. A preliminary economic analysis showed that the production of a novel source of feed additive from the conversion of agro-residues could give higher benefits in terms of revenues compared to the production of biogas production through anaerobic digestion

Combined sewer overflows: A critical review on best practice and innovative solutions to mitigate impacts on environment and human health

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are of major environmental concern for impacted surface waterbodies. In the last decades, major storm events have become increasingly regular in some areas, and meteorological scenarios predict a further rise in their frequency. Consequently, control and treatment of CSOs with respect to best practice examples, innovative treatment solutions, and management of sewer systems are an inevitable necessity. As a result, the number of publications concerning quality, quantity, and type of treatments has recently increased. This review therefore aims to provide a critical overview on the effects, control, and treatment of CSOs in terms of impact on the environment and public health, strict measures addressed by regulations, and the various treatment alternatives including natural and compact treatments. Drawing together the previous studies, an innovative treatment and control guideline are also proposed for the better management practices

Combined sewer overflows: A critical review on best practice and innovative solutions to mitigate impacts on environment and human health

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are of major environmental concern for impacted surface waterbodies. In the last decades, major storm events have become increasingly regular in some areas, and meteorological scenarios predict a further rise in their frequency. Consequently, control and treatment of CSOs with respect to best practice examples, innovative treatment solutions, and management of sewer systems are an inevitable necessity. As a result, the number of publications concerning quality, quantity, and type of treatments has recently increased. This review therefore aims to provide a critical overview on the effects, control, and treatment of CSOs in terms of impact on the environment and public health, strict measures addressed by regulations, and the various treatment alternatives including natural and compact treatments. Drawing together the previous studies, an innovative treatment and control guideline are also proposed for the better management practices