Encapsulated microorganisms for distributed anaerobic wastewater treatment

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar

Paige Novak, Professor, University of Minnesota

Abstract: With the challenges of climate change, we must use all of our options to decrease carbon emissions. One area of current focus for environmental engineers is resource recovery from wastewater. We are studying the use of encapsulated microorganisms to accomplish this goal by providing a low-energy, small-footprint method to achieve resource recovery from high-strength industrial wastewater. Novak will present research from her lab focused on understanding the interactions between the encapsulated biomass, the encapsulant itself, and the outside environment. Diffusion and partitioning experiments were used to understand how encapsulant chemistry can be used to modify the in-encapsulantenvironment. Batch and continuous flow reactors were used to monitor biomass leakage, encapsulant breakage, and community shifts. Results suggested that PEG-based encapsulants provide ease of use, control of encapsulant environment, and acceptable longevity. It was also shown that flexible and robust communities can be developed for encapsulation, taking advantage of their ability to grow and adapt within the encapsulant. Finally, modeling studies by collaborators and pilot-scale studies with real industrial wastewater show promise for facilitating the application of encapsulation technology.