New method for efficient control of hydrogen sulfide and methane in gravity sewers: Combination of NaOH and nitrite

Abstract

• The combination of NaOH and nitrite was used to control harmful gas in sewers.

• Hydrogen sulfide and methane in airspace were reduced by 96.01% and 91.49%.

• Changes in sewage quality and greenhouse effect by chemical dosing were negligible.

• The strong destructive effects on biofilm slowed down the recovery of harmful gases.

• The cost of the method was only 3.92 × 10⁻³ $/m³.

An innovative treatment method by the combination of NaOH and nitrite is proposed for controlling hydrogen sulfide and methane in gravity sewers and overcome the drawbacks of the conventional single chemical treatment. Four reactors simulating gravity sewers were set up to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method. Findings demonstrated hydrogen sulfide and methane reductions of about 96.01% and 91.49%, respectively, by the combined addition of NaOH and nitrite. The consumption of NaNO₂ decreased by 42.90%, and the consumption rate of NaOH also showed a downward trend. Compared with a single application of NaNO₂, the C/N ratio of wastewater was increased to about 0.61 mg COD/mg N. The greenhouse effect of intermediate N₂O and residual methane was about 48.80 gCO₂/m³, which is far lower than that of methane without control (260 gCO₂/m³). Biofilm was destroyed to prevent it from entering the sewage by the chemical additives, which reduced the biomass and inhibited the recovery of biofilm activity to prolong the control time. The sulfide production rate and sulfate reduction rate were reduced by 92.32% and 85.28%, respectively. Compared with conventional control methods, the cost of this new method was only 3.92 × 10⁻³ $/m³, which is potentially a cost-effective strategy for sulfide and methane control in gravity sewers.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Sewer corrosion / Sulfide control / Combination treatment / NaOH / Nitrite

References

[1] APHA 2012 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd Edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association (APHA)

[2] Auguet O, Pijuan M, Borrego C M, Gutierrez O (2016). Control of sulfide and methane production in anaerobic sewer systems by means of Downstream Nitrite Dosage. Science of the Total Environment, 550: 1116–1125

[3] Boon A G (1995). Septicity in sewers: Causes, consequences and containment. Water Science and Technology, 31(7): 237–253

[4] Chen W, Song J, Jiang S, He Q, Ma J, Huangfu X (2021). Influence of extracellular polymeric substances from activated sludge on the aggregation kinetics of silver and silver sulfide nanoparticles. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 16(2):16

[5] Duan H, Gao S, Li X, Ab Hamid N H, Jiang G, Zheng M, Bai X, Bond P L, Lu X, Chislett M M, Hu S, Ye L, Yuan Z (2020). Improving wastewater management using free nitrous acid (FNA). Water Research, 171: 115382

[6] Ganigué R, Gutierrez O, Rootsey R, Yuan Z (2011). Chemical dosing for sulfide control in Australia: An industry survey. Water Research, 45(19): 6564–6574

[7] Ganigué R, Jiang G, Liu Y, Sharma K, Wang Y C, Gonzalez J, Nguyen T, Yuan Z (2018). Improved sulfide mitigation in sewers through on-line control of ferrous salt dosing. Water Research, 135: 302–310

[8] Ganigué R, Yuan Z (2014). Impact of oxygen injection on CH₄ and N₂O emissions from rising main sewers. Journal of Environmental Management, 144: 279–285

[9] Gao J, Guo J, Chen R, Su K, Peng Y (2008). Comparison of the efficiency of five extra cellular polymeric substances (EPS) extraction methods using three dimensional excitation and emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy together with chemical analysis. Environmental Chemistry, 27(5): 662–668

[10] Greene E A, Brunelle V, Jenneman G E, Voordouw G (2006). Synergistic inhibition of microbial sulfide production by combinations of the metabolic inhibitor nitrite and biocides. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72(12): 7897–7901

[11] Guisasola A, de Haas D, Keller J, Yuan Z (2008). Methane formation in sewer systems. Water Research, 42(6–7): 1421–1430

[12] Gutierrez O, Mohanakrishnan J, Sharma K R, Meyer R L, Keller J, Yuan Z (2008). Evaluation of oxygen injection as a means of controlling sulfide production in a sewer system. Water Research, 42(17): 4549–4561

[13] Gutierrez O, Park D, Sharma K R, Yuan Z (2009). Effects of long-term pH elevation on the sulfate-reducing and methanogenic activities of anaerobic sewer biofilms. Water Research, 43(9): 2549–2557

[14] Gutierrez O, Sudarjanto G, Ren G, Ganigué R, Jiang G, Yuan Z (2014). Assessment of pH shock as a method for controlling sulfide and methane formation in pressure main sewer systems. Water Research, 48(1): 569–578

[15] Ji B, Zhu L, Wang S, Liu Y (2021). Temperature-effect on the performance of non-aerated microalgal-bacterial granular sludge process in municipal wastewater treatment. Journal of Environmental Management, 282(15): 111955

[16] Jiang G, Gutierrez O, Sharma K R, Keller J, Yuan Z (2011). Optimization of intermittent, simultaneous dosage of nitrite and hydrochloric acid to control sulfide and methane productions in sewers. Water Research, 45(18): 6163–6172

[17] Jiang G, Gutierrez O, Sharma K R, Yuan Z (2010). Effects of nitrite concentration and exposure time on sulfide and methane production in sewer systems. Water Research, 44(14): 4241–4251

[18] Jiang G, Sharma K R, Guisasola A, Keller J, Yuan Z (2009). Sulfur transformation in rising main sewers receiving nitrate dosage. Water Research, 43(17): 4430–4440

[19] Jiang G, Sharma K R, Yuan Z (2013). Effects of nitrate dosing on methanogenic activity in a sulfide-producing sewer biofilm reactor. Water Research, 47(5): 1783–1792

[20] Jiang G, Sun J, Sharma K R, Yuan Z (2015b). Corrosion and odor management in sewer systems. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 33: 192–197

[21] Jiang G, Sun X, Keller J, Bond P L (2015a). Identification of controlling factors for the initiation of corrosion of fresh concrete sewers. Water Research, 80(7): 30–40

[22] Li X, Bond P L, O’Moore L, Wilkie S, Hanzic L, Johnson I, Mueller K, Yuan Z, Jiang G (2020). Increased resistance of nitrite-admixed concrete to microbially induced corrosion in real sewers. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(4): 2323–2333

[23] Lin H W, Couvreur K, Donose B C, Rabaey K, Yuan Z, Pikaar I (2017b). Electrochemical production of magnetite nanoparticles for sulfide control in sewers. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(21): 12229–12234

[24] Lin H W, Kustermans C, Vaiopoulou E, Prévoteau A, Rabaey K, Yuan Z, Pikaar I (2017c). Electrochemical oxidation of iron and alkalinity generation for efficient sulfide control in sewers. Water Research, 118: 114–120

[25] Lin H W, Lu Y, Ganigué R, Sharma K R, Rabaey K, Yuan Z, Pikaar I (2017a). Simultaneous use of caustic and oxygen for efficient sulfide control in sewers. Science of the Total Environment, 601– 602: 776–783

[26] Liu J, Yue P, Zang N, Lu C, Chen X (2021). Removal of odors and VOCs in municipal solid waste comprehensive treatment plants using a novel three-stage integrated biofilter: Performance and bioaerosol emissions. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 15(3): 48

[27] Liu Y, Ni B J, Sharma K R, Yuan Z (2015a). Methane emission from sewers. Science of the Total Environment, 524– 525: 40–51

[28] Liu Y, Sharma K R, Ni B J, Fan L, Murthy S, Tyson G Q, Yuan Z (2015b). Effects of nitrate dosing on sulfidogenic and methanogenic activities in sewer sediment. Water Research, 74: 155–165

[29] Luo J, Huang W, Zhang Q, Wu Y, Fang F, Cao J, Su Y (2021). Distinct effects of hypochlorite types on the reduction of antibiotic resistance genes during waste activated sludge fermentation: Insights of bacterial community, cellular activity, and genetic expression. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 403(5): 124010

[30] Mohanakrishnan J, Gutierrez O, Meyer R L, Yuan Z (2008). Nitrite effectively inhibits sulfide and methane production in a laboratory scale sewer reactor. Water Research, 42(14): 3961–3971

[31] Mohanakrishnan J, Gutierrez O, Sharma K R, Guisasola A, Werner U, Meyer R L, Keller J, Yuan Z (2009). Impact of nitrate addition on biofilm properties and activities in rising main sewers. Water Research, 43(17): 4225–4237

[32] Muezzinoglu A (2003). A study of volatile organic sulfur emissions causing urban odors. Chemosphere, 51(4): 245–252

[33] Pang H, He J, Ma Y, Pan X, Zheng Y, Yu H, Yan Z, Nan J (2021). Enhancing volatile fatty acids production from waste activated sludge by a novel cation-exchange resin assistant strategy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278(1): 123236

[34] Pang H, Li L, He J, Yan Z, Ma Y, Nan J, Liu Y (2020b). New insight into enhanced production of short-chain fatty acids from waste activated sludge by cation exchange resin-induced hydrolysis. Chemical Engineering Journal, 388(15): 124235

[35] Pang H, Pan X, Li L, He J, Zheng Y, Qu F, Ma Y, Cui B, Nan J, Liu Y (2020c). An innovative alkaline protease-based pretreatment approach for enhanced short-chain fatty acids production via a short-term anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge. Bioresource Technology, 312: 123397

[36] Pang H, Xu J, He J, Pan X, Ma Y, Li L, Li K, Yan Z, Nan J (2020a). Enhanced anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge by NaCl assistant hydrolysis strategy: Improved bio-production of short-chain fatty acids and feasibility of NaCl reuse. Bioresource Technology, 312: 123303

[37] Pikaar I, Sharma K R, Hu S, Gernjak W, Keller J, Yuan Z (2014). Reducing sewer corrosion through integrated urban water management. Science, 345(6198): 812–814

[38] Qiu S, Liu J, Zhang L, Zhang Q, Peng Y (2021). Sludge fermentation liquid addition attained advanced nitrogen removal in low C/N ratio municipal wastewater through short-cut nitrification-denitrification and partial anammox. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 15(2): 26

[39] Rathnayake D, Kastl G, Sathasivan A (2017). Evaluation of a combined treatment to control gaseous phase H₂S in sewer. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 124: 206–214

[40] Rebosura M Jr, Salehin S, Pikaar I, Sun X, Keller J, Sharma K, Yuan Z (2018). A comprehensive laboratory assessment of the effects of sewer-dosed iron salts on wastewater treatment processes. Water Research, 146: 109–117

[41] Roberts D J, Nica D, Zuo G, Davis J L (2002). Quantifying microbially induced deterioration of concrete: Initial studies. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 49(4): 227–234

[42] Spencer A U, Noland S S, Gottlieb L J (2006). Bathtub fire: an extraordinary burn injury. Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association, 27(1): 97–98

[43] Sun J, Hu S, Sharma K R, Ni B J, Yuan Z (2014). Stratified microbial structure and activity in sulfide- and methane-producing anaerobic sewer biofilms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 80(22): 7042–7052

[44] Sun X, Jiang G, Bond P L, Keller J, Yuan Z (2015). A novel and simple treatment for control of sulfide induced sewer concrete corrosion using free nitrous acid. Water Research, 70: 279–287

[45] Wang S, Ji B, Cui B, Ma Y, Guo D, Liu Y (2021). Cadmium-effect on performance and symbiotic relationship of microalgal-bacterial granules. Journal of Cleaner Production, 282(1): 125383

[46] Wen T, Zhao B, Zhang J (2020). Emission pathways and influencing factors for CH₄ and N₂O from rice-duck farming. Journal of Agro-Environment Science, 39(07): 1442–1450 (in Chinese)

[47] Xi X, Wei X, Wang Y, Chu Q, Xiao J (2010). Determination of tea polysaccharides in Camellia sinensis by a modified phenol-sulfuric acid method. Archives of Biological Sciences, 62(3): 669–676

[48] Xu X, Wang Y, Wang S, Zhu D (2012). National and international research on control of harmful gases in municipal drainage pipeline. China Water & Wastewater, 28(14): 18–21

[49] Zhang L, De Schryver P, De Gusseme B, De Muynck W, Boon N, Verstraete W (2008). Chemical and biological technologies for hydrogen sulfide emission control in sewer systems: A review. Water Research, 42(1–2): 1–12

[50] Zhang L, Verstraete W, de Lourdes Mendoza M, Lu Z, Liu Y, Huang G, Cai L (2016). Decrease of dissolved sulfide in sewage by powdered natural magnetite and hematite. Science of the Total Environment, 573: 1070–1078

[51] Zhen G, Lu X, Li Y, Zhao Y, Wang B, Song Y, Chai X, Niu D, Cao X (2012). Novel insights into enhanced dewaterability of waste activated sludge by Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation. Bioresource Technology, 119: 7–14

[52] Zuo Z, Song Y, Ren D, Li H, Gao Y, Yuan Z, Huang X, Zheng M, Liu Y (2020). Control sulfide and methane production in sewers based on free ammonia inactivation. Environment International, 143: 105928

[53] Zuo Z, Sun Z, Zhang Y, Wang M, Ren D, Li S, Yuan Z, Liu Y, Huang X (2021b). In situ exploration of the sulfidogenic process at the water-sediment interface in sewers: Mechanism and implications. ACS ES&T Engineering, 1(3): 415–423

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press