Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from closed activated sludge- to aerobic granular sludge-based biosystems via gas circulation

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biological treatment units are challenging wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to their wide applications and global warming. This study aimed to reduce GHG emissions (especially N₂O) using a gas circulation strategy in a closed sequencing-batch reactor when the biological unit varies from activated sludge (AS) to aerobic granular sludge (AGS). Results show that gas circulation lowers pH to 6.3 ± 0.2, facilitating regular granules but elevating total N₂O production. From AS to AGS, N₂O emission factor increased (0.07–0.86 %) due to decreasing ammonia-oxidizing rates while the emissions of CO₂ (0.3 ± 0.1 kg-CO₂/kg-chemical oxygen demand) and CH₄ remained in the closed biosystem. The gas circulation decreased N₂O emission factor by 63 ± 15 % after granulation higher than 44 ± 34 % before granulation, which is implemented by heterotrophic denitrification. This study provides a feasible strategy to enhance heterotrophic N₂O elimination in the biological WWTPs. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd