Imperatives of Science of Sewage for Designing Efficient Wastewater Treatment System: Beyond Conventional approach to Sewage Management

Snehal Donde¹* and Upendra Muni Raval^2
1Fulbright SIR, US & Dean Administrative Affairs, Bhaktivedant Research Centre, Palghar, Mumbai
²Biologist
*Corresponding Author: Snehal Donde, Fulbright SIR, US & Dean Administrative Affairs, Bhaktivedant Research Centre, Palghar, Mumbai.

Published: June 06, 2024

DOI: 10.55162/MCAES.06.182

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Abstract  

Sewage is a climate linked science in that C and N containing compounds before their final sequestration stage are the most potential GHGs like CH4 and N2O. Therefore, their sequestration and or fixation is THE AIM of sewage treatment. Besides public health the sewage management is about climate health. All organic compounds in STPs, must be addressed at molecular level and not in terms of tonnage and billions of dollars invested on infrastructure and technology. Rivers are the anaerobic digesters of this planet. The process begins at zero order streams and urbanism has destroyed them long ago. Above all sustainable cities are a myth. Evaluation of conventional STPs reveal that it is a living cell membrane with a sandwich structure and gas diffusion through it goes beyond Boyle’s law. Aeration and dilution for pumping convenience is a flawed path. Argument is that if atmospheric oxygen can be taken by a microbe in the aeration process, why do plant cells require Nitrifiers to take atmospheric nitrogen? Although CO2 concentration is 0.04 % against nitrogen (79%). Henry’s law if applicable should not permit CO2 uptake by plants. Study reveals that Sewage degradation is an energy releasing path, any external input interferes with the process. Sewage treatment or transfer? Conventional STPs emphasize only gravitational pull. Environmental quality is compromised as the aerosol from the treatment plant is carried in the atmosphere. STPs are throwing in the air Nitrous oxide and aerosol. Oxidation Reduction Potential, ORP, of various molecules forms the basis of organic degradation- a staircase structure through which energy flows from higher status to lower status molecules, elements, following the second law of Thermodynamics. Further this paper explains the Molecular nature of the sludge and conversion of Fecal acetate to Sludge acetate in ASP, achieving nothing in terms of wastewater treatment. Propagating the science of sewage and its dynamics is the goal of this paper.

Keywords: Sewage science; conventional STPs; Activated sludge; role of Microbes

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