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Author Lindeboom, R.E.F.; De Paepe, J.; Vanoppen, M.; Alonso-Fariñas, B.; Coessens, W.; Alloul, A.; Christiaens, M.E.R.; Dotremont, C.; Beckers, H.; Lamaze, B.; Demey, D.; Clauwaert, P.; Verliefde, A.R.D.; Vlaeminck, S.E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A five-stage treatment train for water recovery from urine and shower water for long-term human Space missions Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Desalination Abbreviated Journal Desalination  
  Volume 495 Issue Pages (up) 114634  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Long-term human Space missions will rely on regenerative life support as resupply of water, oxygen and food comes with constraints. The International Space Station (ISS) relies on an evaporation/condensation system to recover 74–85% of the water in urine, yet suffers from repetitive scaling and biofouling while employing hazardous chemicals. In this study, an alternative non-sanitary five-stage treatment train for one “astronaut” was integrated through a sophisticated monitoring and control system. This so-called Water Treatment Unit Breadboard (WTUB) successfully treated urine (1.2-L-d−1) with crystallisation, COD-removal, ammonification, nitrification and electrodialysis, before it was mixed with shower water (3.4-L-d−1). Subsequently, ceramic nanofiltration and single-pass flat-sheet RO were used. A four-months proof-of-concept period yielded: (i) chemical water quality meeting the hygienic standards of the European Space Agency, (ii) a 87-±-5% permeate recovery with an estimated theoretical primary energy requirement of 0.2-kWhp-L−1, (iii) reduced scaling potential without anti-scalant addition and (iv) and a significant biological reduction in biofouling potential resulted in stable but biofouling-limited RO permeability of 0.5 L-m−2-h−1-bar−1. Estimated mass breakeven dates and a comparison with the ISS Water Recovery System for a hypothetical Mars transit mission show that WTUB is a promising biological membrane-based alternative to heat-based systems for manned Space missions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000582172900007 Publication Date 2020-09-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0011-9164 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.9 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.9; 2020 IF: 5.527  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:171514 Serial 6523  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Spiller, M.; Muys, M.; Papini, G.; Sakarika, M.; Buyle, M.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Environmental impact of microbial protein from potato wastewater as feed ingredient : comparative consequential life cycle assessment of three production systems and soybean meal Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Water Research Abbreviated Journal Water Res  
  Volume 171 Issue Pages (up) 115406  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings (EMIB)  
  Abstract Livestock production is utilizing large amounts of protein-rich feed ingredients such as soybean meal. The proven negative environmental impacts of soybean meal production incentivize the search for alternative protein sources. One promising alternative is Microbial Protein (MP), i.e. dried microbial biomass. To date, only few life cycle assessments (LCAs) for MP have been carried out, none of which has used a consequential modelling approach nor has been investigating the production of MP on food and beverage wastewater. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact of MP production on a food and beverage effluent as a substitute for soybean meal using a consequential modelling approach. Three different types of MP production were analysed, namely consortia containing Aerobic Heterotrophic Bacteria (AHB), Microalgae and AHB (MaB), and Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria (PNSB). The production of MP was modelled for high-strength potato wastewater (COD = 10 kg/m3) at a flow rate of 1,000 m3/day. LCA results were compared against soybean meal production for the endpoint impact categories human health, ecosystems, and resources. Soybean meal showed up to 52% higher impact on human health and up to 87% higher impact on ecosystems than MP. However, energy-related aspects resulted in an 8–88% higher resource exploitation for MP. A comparison between the MP production systems showed that MaB performed best when considering ecosystems (between 13 and 14% better) and resource (between 71 and 80% better) impact categories, while AHB and PNSB had lower values for the impact category human health (8–12%). The sensitivity analysis suggests that the conclusions drawn are robust as in the majority of 1,000 Monte Carlo runs the initial results are confirmed. In conclusion, it is suggested that MP is an alternative protein source of comparatively low environmental impact that should play a role in the future protein transition, in particular when further process improvements can be implemented and more renewable or waste energy sources will be used.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000514748900032 Publication Date 2019-12-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.8 Times cited 10 Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors would like to thank (i) the MIP i-Cleantech Flanders (Milieu innovatieplatform; Environment innovation platform) project Microbial Nutrients on Demand (MicroNOD; 150360) for financial support, (ii) the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen) for supporting Gustavo Papini with a doctoral fellowship (strategic basic research; 1S38917N), (iii) Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen) for supporting Matthias Buyle with a post-doctoral fellowship (Postdoctoral Fellow junior; 1207520N), and (iv) Bo Weidema, Abbas Alloul, Yixing Sui and Tim Van Winckel for their insightful discussions. ; Approved Most recent IF: 12.8; 2020 IF: 6.942  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164944 Serial 6509  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vandekerckhove, T.G.L.; Props, R.; Carvajal-Arroyo, J.M.; Boon, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Adaptation and characterization of thermophilic anammox in bioreactors Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Water Research Abbreviated Journal Water Res  
  Volume 172 Issue Pages (up) 115462  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Anammox, the oxidation of ammonium with nitrite, is a key microbial process in the nitrogen cycle. Under mesophilic conditions (below 40 °C), it is widely implemented to remove nitrogen from wastewaters lacking organic carbon. Despite evidence of the presence of anammox bacteria in high-temperature environments, reports on the cultivation of thermophilic anammox bacteria are limited to a short-term experiment of 2 weeks. This study showcases the adaptation of a mesophilic inoculum to thermophilic conditions, and its characterization. First, an attached growth technology was chosen to obtain the process. In an anoxic fixed-bed biofilm bioreactor (FBBR), a slow linear temperature increase from 38 to over 48 °C (0.05–0.07 °C d−1) was imposed to the community over 220 days, after which the reactor was operated at 48 °C for over 200 days. Maximum total nitrogen removal rates reached up to 0.62 g N L−1 d−1. Given this promising performance, a suspended growth system was tested. The obtained enrichment culture served as inoculum for membrane bioreactors (MBR) operated at 50 °C, reaching a maximum total nitrogen removal rate of 1.7 g N L−1 d−1 after 35 days. The biomass in the MBR had a maximum specific anammox activity of 1.1 ± 0.1 g NH4+-N g−1 VSS d−1, and the growth rate was estimated at 0.075–0.19 d−1. The thermophilic cultures displayed nitrogen stoichiometry ratios typical for mesophilic anammox: 0.93–1.42 g NO2--Nremoved g−1 NH4+-Nremoved and 0.16–0.35 g NO3--Nproduced g−1 NH4+-Nremoved. Amplicon and Sanger sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes revealed a disappearance of the original “Ca. Brocadia” and “Ca. Jettenia” taxa, yielding Planctomycetes members with only 94–95% similarity to “Ca. Brocadia anammoxidans” and “Ca. B. caroliniensis”, accounting for 45% of the bacterial FBBR community. The long-term operation of thermophilic anammox reactors and snapshot views on the nitrogen stoichiometry, kinetics and microbial community open up the development path of thermophilic partial nitritation/anammox. A first economic assessment highlighted that treatment of sludge reject water from thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge may become attractive.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000517663600014 Publication Date 2020-01-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.8 Times cited 5 Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge (i) the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT Flanders) [grant number SB-141205] for funding T.G.L.V., (ii) Ghent University (BOFDOC2015000601) and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK.CEN) for funding R.P., (iii) Bart De Gusseme from Farys/UGent for providing the hollow fiber membranes, (iv) Tim Lacoere for performing the DNA extraction and data processing of the Sanger sequencing and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data, (v) Tim Hendrickx from Paques BV for providing the inoculum, (vi) Bert Bundervoet and Wim Groen in 't Woud from Colsen for the valuable input on the economic assessment and (vii) Joop Colsen, Stijn Van Hulle, Mark Van Loosdrecht, Erik Smolders and Leen De Gelder for their constructive discussions on this work. ; Approved Most recent IF: 12.8; 2020 IF: 6.942  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165392 Serial 6449  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Geerts, R.; Vandermoere, F.; Van Winckel, T.; Halet, D.; Joos, P.; Van Den Steen, K.; Van Meenen, E.; Blust, R.; Borregán-Ochando, E.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Bottle or tap? Toward an integrated approach to water type consumption Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Water Research Abbreviated Journal Water Res  
  Volume 173 Issue Pages (up) 115578-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change  
  Abstract While in many countries, people have access to cheap and safe potable tap water, the global consumption of bottled water is rising. Flanders, Belgium, where this study is located, has an exceptionally high consumption of bottled water per capita. However, in the interest of resource efficiency and global environmental challenges, the consumption of tap water is preferable. To our knowledge, an integrated analysis of the main reasons why people consume tap and bottled water is absent in Flanders, Belgium. Using Flemish survey data (N = 2309), we first compared tap and bottled water consumers through bivariate correlation analysis. Subsequently, path modelling techniques were used to further investigate these correlations. Our results show that bottled water consumption in Flanders is widespread despite environmental and financial considerations. For a large part, this is caused by negative perceptions about tap water. Many consumers consider it unhealthy, unsafe and prefer the taste of bottled water. Furthermore, we found that the broader social context often inhibits the consumption of tap water. On the one hand, improper infrastructures (e.g. lead piping) can limit access to potable tap water. On the other hand, social norms exist that promote bottled water. Lastly, results suggest that the consumption of bottled water is most common among men, older people and less educated groups. We conclude that future research and policy measures will benefit from an approach that integrates all behavioural aspects associated with water type consumption. This will enable both governments and tap water companies to devise more effective policies to manage and support tap water supply networks.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000523569000012 Publication Date 2020-01-31  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.8 Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes ; This was supported by a grant from Water-link. ; Approved Most recent IF: 12.8; 2020 IF: 6.942  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165873 Serial 6464  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Paepe, J.; De Paepe, K.; Gòdia, F.; Rabaey, K.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Clauwaert, P. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Bio-electrochemical COD removal for energy-efficient, maximum and robust nitrogen recovery from urine through membrane aerated nitrification Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Water Research Abbreviated Journal Water Res  
  Volume 185 Issue Pages (up) 116223  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Resource recovery from source-separated urine can shorten nutrient cycles on Earth and is essential in regenerative life support systems for deep-space exploration. In this study, a robust two-stage, energy-efficient, gravity-independent urine treatment system was developed to transform fresh real human urine into a stable nutrient solution. In the first stage, up to 85% of the COD was removed in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), converting part of the energy in organic compounds (27-46%) into hydrogen gas and enabling full nitrogen recovery by preventing nitrogen losses through denitrification in the second stage. Besides COD removal, all urea was hydrolysed in the MEC, resulting in a stream rich in ammoniacal nitrogen and alkalinity, and low in COD. This stream was fed into a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) in order to convert the volatile and toxic ammoniacal nitrogen to non-volatile nitrate by nitrification. Bio-electrochemical pre-treatment allowed to recover all nitrogen as nitrate in the MABR at a bulk-phase dissolved oxygen level below 0.1 mg O2 L-1. In contrast, feeding the MABR directly with raw urine (omitting the first stage), at the same nitrogen loading rate, resulted in nitrogen loss (18%) due to denitrification. The MEC and MABR were characterised by very distinct and diverse microbial communities. While (strictly) anaerobic genera, such as Geobacter (electroactive bacteria), Thiopseudomonas, a Lentimicrobiaceae member, Alcaligenes and Proteiniphilum prevailed in the MEC, the MABR was dominated by aerobic genera, including Nitrosomonas (a known ammonium oxidiser), Moheibacter and Gordonia. The two-stage approach yielded a stable nitrate-rich, COD-low nutrient solution, suitable for plant and microalgae cultivation.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000580639800035 Publication Date 2020-07-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.8 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 12.8; 2020 IF: 6.942  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:170524 Serial 6461  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Agrawal, S.; Weissbrodt, D.G.; Annavajhala, M.; Jensen, M.M.; Arroyo, J.M.C.; Wells, G.; Chandran, K.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Terada, A.; Smets, B.F.; Lackner, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Time to act–assessing variations in qPCR analyses in biological nitrogen removal with examples from partial nitritation/anammox systems Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Water Research Abbreviated Journal Water Res  
  Volume 190 Issue Pages (up) 116604  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is broadly used as the gold standard to quantify microbial community fractions in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. Benchmarking efforts to ensure the comparability of qPCR data for environmental bioprocesses are still scarce. Also, for partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) systems systematic investigations are still missing, rendering meta-analysis of reported trends and generic insights potentially precarious. We report a baseline investigation of the variability of qPCR-based analyses for microbial communities applied to PN/A systems. Round-robin testing was performed for three PN/A biomass samples in six laboratories, using the respective in-house DNA extraction and qPCR protocols. The concentration of extracted DNA was significantly different between labs, ranged between 2.7 and 328 ng mg−1 wet biomass. The variability among the qPCR abundance data of different labs was very high (1−7 log fold) but differed for different target microbial guilds. DNA extraction caused maximum variation (3–7 log fold), followed by the primers (1–3 log fold). These insights will guide environmental scientists and engineers as well as treatment plant operators in the interpretation of qPCR data.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000632807700001 Publication Date 2020-11-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.942 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.942  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:173838 Serial 8672  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Paepe, J.; Garcia Gragera, D.; Arnau Jimenez, C.; Rabaey, K.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Gòdia, F. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Continuous cultivation of microalgae yields high nutrient recovery from nitrified urine with limited supplementation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of environmental management Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 345 Issue Pages (up) 118500-118510  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Microalgae can play a key role in the bioeconomy, particularly in combination with the valorisation of waste streams as cultivation media. Urine is an example of a widely available nutrient-rich waste stream, and alkaline stabilization and subsequent full nitrification in a bioreactor yields a stable nitrate-rich solution. In this study, such nitrified urine served as a culture medium for the edible microalga Limnospira indica. In batch cultivation, nitrified urine without additional supplements yielded a lower biomass concentration, nutrient uptake and protein content compared to modified Zarrouk medium, as standard medium. To enhance the nitrogen uptake efficiency and biomass production, nitrified urine was supplemented with potentially limiting elements. Limited amounts of phosphorus (36 mg L−1), magnesium (7.9 mg L−1), calcium (12.2 mg L−1), iron (2.0 mg L−1) and EDTA (88.5 mg Na2-EDTA.2H2O L−1) rendered the nitrified urine matrix as effective as modified Zarrouk medium in terms of biomass production (OD750 of 1.2), nutrient uptake (130 mg N L−1) and protein yield (47%) in batch culture. Urine precipitates formed by alkalinisation could in principle supply enough phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, requiring only external addition of iron, EDTA and inorganic carbon. Subsequently, the suitability of supplemented nitrified urine as a culture medium was confirmed in continuous Limnospira cultivation in a CSTR photobioreactor. This qualifies nitrified urine as a valuable and sustainable microalgae growth medium, thereby creating novel nutrient loops on Earth and in Space, i.e., in regenerative life support systems for human deep-space missions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001052880800001 Publication Date 2023-08-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0301-4797 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 8.7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 03.02.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.7; 2023 IF: 4.01  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199049 Serial 8844  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sui, Y.; Jiang, Y.; Moretti, M.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Harvesting time and biomass composition affect the economics of microalgae production Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume 259 Issue Pages (up) 120782-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Cost simulations provide a strong tool to render the production of microalgae economically viable. This study evaluated the unexplored effect of harvesting time and the corresponding microalgal biomass composition on the overall production cost, under both continuous light and light/dark regime using techno-economic analysis (TEA). At the same time, the TEA gives evidence that a novel product “proteinaceous salt” from Dunaliella microalgae production is a promising high-value product for commercialization with profitability. The optimum production scenario is to employ natural light/dark regime and harvest microalgal biomass around late exponential phase, obtaining the minimum production cost of 11 €/kg and a profitable minimum selling price (MSP) of 14.4 €/kg for the “proteinaceous salt”. For further optimization of the production, increasing microalgal biomass concentration is the most effective way to reduce the total production cost and increase the profits of microalgae products.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000530695500009 Publication Date 2020-02-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited 5 Open Access  
  Notes ; This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council (File No. 201507650015) and the MIP i-Cleantech Flanders (Milieu-innovatieplatform; Environment innovation platform) project Microbial Nutrients on Demand (MicroNOD). ; Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:166802 Serial 6531  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sui, Y.; Muys, M.; Van de Waal, D.; D'Adamo, S.; Vermeir, P.; Fernandes, T.V.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Enhancement of co-production of nutritional protein and carotenoids in Dunaliella salina using a two-phase cultivation assisted by nitrogen level and light intensity Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 287 Issue Pages (up) 121398  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Microalga Dunaliella salina is known for its carotenogenesis. At the same time, it can also produce high-quality protein. The optimal conditions for D. salina to co-produce intracellular pools of both compounds, however, are yet unknown. This study investigated a two-phase cultivation strategy to optimize combined high-quality protein and carotenoid production of D. salina. In phase-one, a gradient of nitrogen concentrations was tested. In phase-two, effects of nitrogen pulse and high illumination were tested. Results reveal optimized protein quantity, quality (expressed as essential amino acid index EAAI) and carotenoids content in a two-phase cultivation, where short nitrogen starvation in phase-one was followed by high illumination during phase-two. Adopting this strategy, productivities of protein, EAA and carotenoids reached 22, 7 and 3 mg/L/d, respectively, with an EAAI of 1.1. The quality of this biomass surpasses FAO/WHO standard for human nutrition, and the observed level of β-carotene presents high antioxidant pro-vitamin A activity.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000469414500008 Publication Date 2019-04-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:159661 Serial 7916  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Cagnetta, C.; Saerens, B.; Meerburg, F.A.; Decru, S.O.; Broeders, E.; Menkveld, W.; Vandekerckhove, T.G.L.; De Vrieze, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Verliefde, A.R.D.; De Gusseme, B.; Weemaes, M.; Rabaey, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title High-rate activated sludge systems combined with dissolved air flotation enable effective organics removal and recovery Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 291 Issue Pages (up) 121833  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract High-rate activated sludge (HRAS) systems typically generate diluted sludge which requires further thickening prior to anaerobic digestion (AD), besides the need to add considerable coagulant and flocculant for the solids separation. As an alternative to conventional gravitational settling, a dissolved air flotation (DAF) unit was coupled to a HRAS system or a high-rate contact stabilization (HiCS) system. The HRAS-DAF system allowed up to 78% removal of the influent solids, and the HiCS-DAF 67%. Both were within the range of values typically obtained for HRAS-settler systems, albeit at a lower chemical requirement. The separated sludge had a high concentration of up to 47 g COD L−1, suppressing the need of further thickening before AD. Methanation tests showed a biogas yield of up to 68% on a COD basis. The use of a DAF separation system can thus enable direct organics removal at high sludge concentration and with low chemical needs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000480326200048 Publication Date 2019-07-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:161098 Serial 8036  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wittner, N.; Slezsák, J.; Broos, W.; Geerts, J.; Gergely, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Cornet, I. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Rapid lignin quantification for fungal wood pretreatment by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Spectrochimica acta: part A: molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages (up) 121912  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE)  
  Abstract Lignin determination in lignocellulose with the conventional two-step acid hydrolysis method is highly laborious and time-consuming. However, its quantification is crucial to monitor fungal pretreatment of wood, as the increase of acid-insoluble lignin (AIL) degradation linearly correlates with the achievable enzymatic saccharification yield. Therefore, in this study, a new attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy method was developed to track fungal delignification in an easy and rapid manner. Partial least square regression (PLSR) with cross-validation (CV) was applied to correlate the ATR-FTIR spectra with the AIL content (19.9%–27.1%). After variable selection and normalization, a PLSR model with a high coefficient of determination (  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000985309100010 Publication Date 2022-09-22  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1386-1425 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.4; 2023 IF: 2.536  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:190328 Serial 7201  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Muys, M.; Papini, G.; Spiller, M.; Sakarika, M.; Schwaiger, B.; Lesueur, C.; Vermeir, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Dried aerobic heterotrophic bacteria from treatment of food and beverage effluents: Screening of correlations between operation parameters and microbial protein quality Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 307 Issue Pages (up) 123242-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000528857700051 Publication Date 2020-03-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors kindly thank (i) i-Cleantech Flanders MIP (Milieu-innovatieplatform) for financial support through the MicroNOD project (Microbial Nutrients on Demand), (ii) Erik Fransen (StatUA) for the helpful advice on the statistical analysis, and (iii) Ilse De Leersnyder and Diederik Leenknecht for assistance with the EAA analysis. ; Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2020 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:169452 Serial 6491  
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Author Seuntjens, D.; Carvajal Arroyo, J.M.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Chatzigiannidou, I.; Molina, J.; Nop, S.; Boon, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Mainstream partial nitritation/anammox with integrated fixed-film activated sludge : combined aeration and floc retention time control strategies limit nitrate production Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 314 Issue Pages (up) 123711-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Implementation of mainstream partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) can lead to more sustainable and cost-effective sewage treatment. For mainstream PN/A reactor, an integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) was operated (26 °C). The effects of floccular aerobic sludge retention time (AerSRT_floc), a novel aeration strategy, and N-loading rate were tested to optimize the operational strategy. The best performance was observed with a low, but sufficient AerSRTfloc (~7d) and continuous aeration with two alternating dissolved oxygen setpoints: 10 min at 0.07–0.13 mg O2 L−1 and 5 min at 0.27–0.43 mg O2 L−1. Nitrogen removal rates were 122 ± 23 mg N L−1 d−1, and removal efficiencies 73 ± 13%. These conditions enabled flocs to act as nitrite sources while the carriers were nitrite sinks, with low abundance of nitrite oxidizing bacteria. The operational strategies in the source-sink framework can serve as a guideline for successful operation of mainstream PN/A reactors.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000558601200004 Publication Date 2020-06-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited 3 Open Access  
  Notes ; D.S. was supported by a Ph.D. grant from the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWTVlaanderen, SB-131769). M.V.T. was supported by a Ph.D. SB Fellowship from the Research Foundation -Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen, 1S03218N). ; Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2020 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:170054 Serial 6559  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Alloul, A.; Muys, M.; Hertoghs, N.; Kerckhof, F.-M.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Cocultivating aerobic heterotrophs and purple bacteria for microbial protein in sequential photo- and chemotrophic reactors Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 319 Issue Pages (up) 124192  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB) and purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) are typically explored as two separate types of microbial protein, yet their properties as respectively a bulk and added-value feed ingredient make them appealing for combined use. The feasibility of cocultivation in a sequential photo- and chemotrophic approach was investigated. First, mapping the chemotrophic growth kinetics for four Rhodobacter, Rhodopseudomonas and Rhodospirillum species on different carbon sources showed a preference for fructose (µmax 2.4–3.9 d−1 28 °C; protein 36–59%DW). Secondly, a continuous photobioreactor inoculated with Rhodobacter capsulatus (VFA as C-source) delivered the starter culture for an aerobic batch reactor (fructose as C-source). This two-stage system showed an improved nutritional quality compared to AHB production: higher protein content (45–71%DW), more attractive amino/fatty acid profile and contained up to 10% PNSB. The findings strengthen protein production with cocultures and might enable the implementation of the technology for resource recovery on streams such as wastewater.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000613136600013 Publication Date 2020-09-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:171766 Serial 7677  
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Author Spanoghe, J.; Vermeir, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Microbial food from light, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas : kinetic, stoichiometric and nutritional potential of three purple bacteria Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 337 Issue Pages (up) 125364  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The urgency for a protein transition towards more sustainable solutions is one of the major societal challenges. Microbial protein is one of the alternative routes, in which land- and fossil-free production should be targeted. The photohydrogenotrophic growth of purple bacteria, which builds on the H2– and CO2-economy, is unexplored for its microbial protein potential. The three tested species (Rhodobacter capsulatus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas palustris) obtained promising growth rates (2.3–2.7 d−1 at 28°C) and protein productivities (0.09–0.12 g protein L−1 d−1), rendering them likely faster and more productive than microalgae. The achieved protein yields (2.6–2.9 g protein g−1 H2) transcended the ones of aerobic hydrogen oxidizing bacteria. Furthermore, all species provided full dietary protein matches for humans and their fatty acid content was dominated by vaccenic acid (82–86%). Given its kinetic and nutritional performance we recommend to consider Rhodobacter capsulatus as a high-potential sustainable source of microbial food.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000694862500007 Publication Date 2021-06-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178752 Serial 8243  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Tendeloo, M.; Xie, Y.; Van Beeck, W.; Zhu, W.; Lebeer, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Oxygen control and stressor treatments for complete and long-term suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in biofilm-based partial nitritation/anammox Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Bioresource Technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 342 Issue Pages (up) 125996  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Mainstream nitrogen removal by partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) can realize energy and cost savings for sewage treatment. Selective suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) remains a key bottleneck for PN/A implementation. A rotating biological contactor was studied with an overhead cover and controlled air/N2 inflow to regulate oxygen availability at 20 °C. Biofilm exposure to dissolved oxygen concentrations < 0.51 ± 0.04 mg O2 L-1 when submerged in the water and < 1.41 ± 0.31 mg O2 L-1 when emerged in the headspace (estimated), resulted in complete and long-term NOB suppression with a low relative nitrate production ratio of 10 ± 4%. Additionally, weekly biofilm stressor treatments with free ammonia (FA) (29 ± 1 mg NH3-N L-1 for 3 h) could improve the NOB suppression while free nitrous acid treatments had insufficient effect. This study demonstrated the potential of managing NOB suppression in biofilm-based systems by oxygen control and recurrent FA exposure, opening opportunities for resource efficient nitrogen removal.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000704455300005 Publication Date 2021-09-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.651 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181301 Serial 8355  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Christiaens, M.E.R.; De Paepe, J.; Ilgrande, C.; De Vrieze, J.; Barys, J.; Teirlinck, P.; Meerbergen, K.; Lievens, B.; Boon, N.; Clauwaert, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Urine nitrification with a synthetic microbial community Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Systematic and applied microbiology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 42 Issue 6 Pages (up) Unsp 126021  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract During long-term extra-terrestrial missions, food is limited and waste is generated. By recycling valuable nutrients from this waste via regenerative life support systems, food can be produced in space. Astronauts' urine can, for instance, be nitrified by micro-organisms into a liquid nitrate fertilizer for plant growth in space. Due to stringent conditions in space, microbial communities need to be be defined (gnotobiotic); therefore, synthetic rather than mixed microbial communities are preferred. For urine nitrification, synthetic communities face challenges, such as from salinity, ureolysis, and organics. In this study, a synthetic microbial community containing an AOB (Nitrosomonas europaea), NOB (Nitrobacter winogradskyi), and three ureolytic heterotrophs (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acidovorax delafieldii, and Delftia acidovorans) was compiled and evaluated for these challenges. In reactor 1, salt adaptation of the ammonium-fed AOB and NOB co-culture was possible up to 45 mS cm(-1), which resembled undiluted nitrified urine, while maintaining a 44 +/- 10 mg NH4+-N L-1 d(-1) removal rate. In reactor 2, the nitrifiers and ureolytic heterotrophs were fed with urine and achieved a 15 +/- 6 mg NO3--N L-1 d(-1) production rate for 1% and 10% synthetic and fresh real urine, respectively. Batch activity tests with this community using fresh real urine even reached 29 +/- 3 mg N L-1 d(-1). Organics removal in the reactor (69 +/- 15%) should be optimized to generate a nitrate fertilizer for future space applications. (C) 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000494650600006 Publication Date 2019-09-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0723-2020; 1618-0984 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164650 Serial 8717  
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Author Vandekerckhove, T.G.L.; Boon, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Pioneering on single-sludge nitrification/denitrification at 50 °C Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Chemosphere Abbreviated Journal Chemosphere  
  Volume 252 Issue Pages (up) 126527-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Thermophilic nitrification has been proven in lab-scale bioreactors at 50 °C. The challenge is now to develop a solution for thermophilic nitrogen removal, integrating nitrification with denitrification and aerobic carbon removal. This pioneering study aimed at a single-sludge nitrification/denitrification process at 50 °C, through exposing nitrification in a step by step approach to anoxia and/or organics. Firstly, recurrent anoxia was tolerated by a nitrifying community during long-term membrane bioreactor (MBR) operation (85 days), with high ammonium oxidation efficiencies (>98%). Secondly, five organic carbon sources did not affect thermophilic ammonium and nitrite oxidation rates in three-day aerobic batch flask incubations. Moving to long-term tests with sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and MBR (>250 days), good nitrification performance was obtained at increasing COD/Ninfluent ratios (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3). Thirdly, combining nitrification, recurrent anoxia and presence of organic carbon resulted in a nitrogen removal efficiency of 92–100%, with a COD/Nremoved of 4.8 ± 0.6 and a nitrogen removal rate of 50 ± 14 mg N g−1 VSS d−1. Overall, this is the first proof of principle thermophilic nitrifiers can cope with redox fluctuations (aerobic/anoxic) and the aerobic or anoxic presence of organic carbon, can functionally co-exist with heterotrophs and that single-sludge nitrification/denitrification can be achieved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000534377000121 Publication Date 2020-03-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0045-6535; 1879-1298 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.8 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge (i) the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT Flanders) [grant number SB-141205] for funding Tom G.L. Vandekerckhove, (ii) Wouter Peleman and Zoe Pesonen for practical support during their master thesis, (iii) Jolien De Paepe for assisting in the reactor operation, and (iv) Jo De Vrieze and Tim Lacoere for their help with qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.8; 2020 IF: 4.208  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167324 Serial 6581  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Alloul, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Towards mainstream partial nitritation/anammox in four seasons : feasibility of bioaugmentation with stored summer sludge for winter anammox assistance Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 347 Issue Pages (up) 126619-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The strong effect of low temperatures on anammox challenges its mainstream application over the winter in temperate climates. Winter bioaugmentation with stored summer surplus sludge is a potential solution to guarantee sufficient nitrogen removal in winter. Firstly, the systems for which nitrogen removal deteriorated by the temperature decrease (25 °C → 20 °C) could be fully restored bioaugmenting with granules resp. flocs stored for 6 months at 118 resp. 220% of the initial biomass levels. Secondly, the reactivation of these stored sludges was tested in lower temperature systems (15.3 ± 0.4/10.4 ± 0.4 °C). Compared to the activity before storage, between 56% and 41% of the activity of granules was restored within one month, and 41%–32% for flocs. Additionally, 85–87% of granules and 50–53% of flocs were retained in the systems. After reactivation (15.3 ± 0.4/10.4 ± 0.4 °C), a more specialized community was formed (diversity decreased) with Candidatus Brocadia still dominant in terms of relative abundance. Capital and operating expenditures (CAPEX, OPEX) were negligible, representing only 0.19–0.36% of sewage treatment costs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000781730900001 Publication Date 2021-12-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185210 Serial 7220  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Blansaer, N.; Alloul, A.; Verstraete, W.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Smets, B.F. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Aggregation of purple bacteria in an upflow photobioreactor to facilitate solid/liquid separation : impact of organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time and water composition Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal Bioresource Technol  
  Volume 348 Issue Pages (up) 126806-126809  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) form an interesting group of microbes for resource recovery from wastewater. Solid/liquid separation is key for biomass and value-added products recovery, yet insights into PNSB aggregation are thus far limited. This study explored the effects of organic loading rate (OLR), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and water composition on the aggregation of Rhodobacter capsulatus in an anaerobic upflow photobioreactor. Between 2.0 and 14.6 gCOD/(L.d), the optimal OLR for aggregation was 6.1 gCOD/(L.d), resulting in a sedimentation flux of 5.9 kgTSS/(m2.h). With HRT tested between 0.04 and 1.00 d, disaggregation occurred at the relatively long HRT (1 d), possibly due to accumulation of thus far unidentified heat-labile metabolites. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen ratios (6–35 gCOD/gN) and the nitrogen source (ammonium vs. glutamate) also impacted aggregation, highlighting the importance of the type of wastewater and its pre-treatment. These novel insights to improve purple biomass separation pave the way for cost-efficient PNSB applications.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000800442200008 Publication Date 2022-02-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185843 Serial 7123  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Papini, G.; Muys, M.; Van Winckel, T.; Meerburg, F.A.; Van Beeck, W.; Vermeir, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Boosting aerobic microbial protein productivity and quality on brewery wastewater : impact of anaerobic acidification, high-rate process and biomass age Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 368 Issue Pages (up) 128285  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Consortia of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB) are appealing as sustainable alternative protein ingredient for aquaculture given their high nutritional qualities, and their production potential on feed-grade industrial wastewater. Today, the impacts of pre-treatment, bioprocess choice and key parameter settings on AHB productivity and nutritional properties are unknown. This study investigated for the first time AHB microbial protein production effects based on (i) raw vs anaerobically fermented brewery wastewater, (ii) high-rate activated sludge (HRAS) without vs with feast-famine conditions, and (iii) three short solid retention time (SRT): 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 d. High biomass (4.4–8.0 g TSS/L/d) and protein productivities (1.9–3.2 g protein/L/d) were obtained while achieving COD removal efficiencies up to 98 % at SRT 0.50 d. The AHB essential amino acid (EAA) profiles were above rainbow trout requirements, excluding the S-containing EAA, highlighting the AHB biomass replacement potential for unsustainable fishmeal in salmonid diets.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000902092100009 Publication Date 2022-11-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2023 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191780 Serial 7133  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Xie, Y.; Jia, M.; De Wilde, F.; Daeninck, K.; De Clippeleir, H.; Verstraete, W.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Feasibility of packed-bed trickling filters for partial nitritation/anammox : effects of carrier material, bottom ventilation openings, hydraulic loading rate and free ammonia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 373 Issue Pages (up) 128713-128719  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract This study pioneers the feasibility of cost-effective partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) in packed-bed trickling filters (TFs). Three parallel TFs tested different carrier materials, the presence or absence of bottom ventilation openings, hydraulic loading rates (HLR, 0.4–2.2 m3 m−2 h−1), and free ammonia (FA) levels on synthetic medium. The inexpensive Argex expanded clay was recommended due to the similar nitrogen removal rates as commercially used plastics. Top-only ventilation at an optimum HLR of 1.8 m3 m−2 h−1 could remove approximately 60% of the total nitrogen load (i.e., 300 mg N L-1 d−1, 30 °C) and achieve relatively low NO3–-N accumulation (13%). Likely FA levels of around 1.3–3.2 mg N L-1 suppressed nitratation. Most of the total nitrogen removal took place in the upper third of the reactor, where anammox activity was highest. Provided further optimizations, the results demonstrated TFs are suitable for low-energy shortcut nitrogen removal.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000945892500001 Publication Date 2023-02-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2023 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:193652 Serial 7306  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; Alloul, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Feasibility of a return-sludge nursery concept for mainstream anammox biostimulation : creating optimal conditions for anammox to recover and grow in a parallel tank Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 385 Issue Pages (up) 129359-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract To overcome limiting anammox activity under sewage treatment conditions, a return-sludge nursery concept is proposed. This concept involves blending sludge reject water treated with partial nitritation with mainstream effluent to increase the temperature, N levels, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the anammox nursery reactor, which sludge periodically passes through the return sludge line of the mainstream system. Various nursery frequencies were tested in two 2.5 L reactors, including 0.5-2 days of nursery treatment per 3.5-14 days of the total operation. Bioreactor experiments showed that nursery increased nitrogen removal rates during mainstream operation by 33-38%. The increased anammox activity can be partly (35-60%) explained by higher temperatures. Elevated EC, higher nitrogen concentrations, and a putative synergy and/or unknown factor were responsible for 15-16%, 12-14%, and 10-36%, respectively. A relatively stable microbial community was observed, dominated by a “Candidatus Brocadia” member. This new concept boosted activity and sludge growth, which may facilitate mainstream anammox implementations based on partial nitritation/anammox or partial nitrification/denitratation/anammox.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001031586400001 Publication Date 2023-06-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2023 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198259 Serial 8866  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, M.; De Paepe, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Comparison of typical nitrite oxidizing bacteria suppression strategies and the effect on nitrous oxide emissions in a biofilm reactor Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 387 Issue Pages (up) 129607-129609  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract In mainstream partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A), suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and mitigation of N2O emissions are two essential operational goals. The N2O emissions linked to three typical NOB suppression strategies were tested in a covered rotating biological contactor (RBC) biofilm system at 21 degrees C: (i) low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, and treatments with (ii) free ammonia (FA), and (iii) free nitrous acids (FNA). Low emerged DO levels effectively minimized NOB activity and decreased N2O emissions, but NOB adaptation appeared after 200 days of operation. Further NOB suppression was successfully achieved by periodic (3 h per week) treatments with FA (29.3 & PLUSMN; 2.6 mg NH3-N L-1) or FNA (3.1 & PLUSMN; 0.3 mg HNO2-N L-1). FA treatment, however, promoted N2O emissions, while FNA did not affect these. Hence, biofilm PN/A should be operated at relatively low DO levels with periodic FNA treatment to maximize nitrogen removal efficiency while avoiding high greenhouse gas emissions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001063180200001 Publication Date 2023-08-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 21.02.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2023 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199051 Serial 8843  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Alloul, A.; Moradvandi, A.; Puyol, D.; Molina, R.; Gardella, G.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; De Schutter, B.; Abraham, E.; Lindeboom, R.E.F.; Weissbrodt, D.G. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A novel mechanistic modelling approach for microbial selection dynamics : towards improved design and control of raceway reactors for purple bacteria Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Bioresource technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 390 Issue Pages (up) 129844-129849  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) show an underexplored potential for resource recovery from wastewater. Raceway reactors offer a more affordable full-scale solution on wastewater and enable useful additional aerobic processes. Current mathematical models of PPB systems provide useful mechanistic insights, but do not represent the full metabolic versatility of PPB and thus require further advancement to simulate the process for technology development and control. In this study, a new modelling approach for PPB that integrates the photoheterotrophic, and both anaerobic and aerobic chemoheterotrophic metabolic pathways through an empirical parallel metabolic growth constant was proposed. It aimed the modelling of microbial selection dynamics in competition with aerobic and anaerobic microbial community under different operational scenarios. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to identify the most influential parameters within the model and calibrate them based on experimental data. Process perturbation scenarios were simulated, which showed a good performance of the model.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001094606700001 Publication Date 2023-10-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-8524 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.4; 2023 IF: 5.651  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200035 Serial 8905  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Winckel, T.; Ngo, N.; Sturm, B.; Al-Omari, A.; Wett, B.; Bott, C.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; De Clippeleir, H. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Enhancing bioflocculation in high-rate activated sludge improves effluent quality yet increases sensitivity to surface overflow rate Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Chemosphere Abbreviated Journal Chemosphere  
  Volume 308 Issue 2 Pages (up) 136294-11  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract High-rate activated sludge (HRAS) relies on good bioflocculation and subsequent solid-liquid separation to maximize the capture of organics. However, full-scale applications often suffer from poor and unpredictable effluent suspended solids (ESS). While the biological aspects of bioflocculation are thoroughly investigated, the effects of fines (settling velocity < 0.6 m3/m2/h), shear and surface overflow rate (SOR) are unclear. This work tackled the impact of fines, shear, and SOR on the ESS in absence of settleable influent solids. This was assessed on a full-scale HRAS step-feed (SF) and pilot-scale HRAS contact-stabilization (CS) configuration using batch settling tests, controlled clarifier experiments, and continuous operation of reactors. Fines contributed up to 25% of the ESS in the full-scale SF configuration. ESS decreased up to 30 mg TSS/L when bioflocculation was enhanced with the CS configuration. The feast-famine regime applied in CS promoted the production of high-quality extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). However, this resulted in a narrow and unfavorable settling velocity distribution, with 50% ± 5% of the sludge mass settling between 0.6 and 1.5 m3/m2/h, thus increasing sensitivity towards SOR changes. A low shear environment (20 s−1) before the clarifier for at least one min was enough to ensure the best possible settling velocity distribution, regardless of prior shear conditions. Overall, this paper provides a more complete view on the drivers of ESS in HRAS systems, creating the foundation for the design of effective HRAS clarifiers. Tangible recommendations are given on how to manage fines and establish the optimal settling velocity of the sludge.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000863979600006 Publication Date 2022-09-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0045-6535; 1879-1298 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 8.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.8  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:190187 Serial 7154  
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Author Vingerhoets, R.; Spiller, M.; De Backer, J.; Adriaens, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Meers, E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Detailed nitrogen and phosphorus flow analysis, nutrient use efficiency and circularity in the agri-food system of a livestock-intensive region Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of cleaner production Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 410 Issue Pages (up) 137278-13  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract The agri-food value chain is a major cause of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emissions and associated environmental and health impacts. The EU's farm-to-fork strategy (F2F) demands an agri-food value chain approach to reduce nutrient emissions by 50% and fertilizer use by 20%. Substance flow analysis (SFA) is a method that can be applied to study complex systems such as the agri-food chain. A review of 60 SFA studies shows that they often lack detail by not sufficiently distinguishing between nodes, products and types of emissions. The present study aims to assess the added value of detail in SFAs and to illustrate that valuable indicators can be derived from detailed assessments. This aim will be attained by presenting a highly-detailed SFA for the livestock-intensive region of Flanders, Belgium. The SFA distinguishes 40 nodes and 1827 flows that are classified into eight different categories (e.g. by-products, point source emissions) following life cycle methods. Eight novel indicators were calculated, including indicators that assess the N and P recovery potential. Flanders has a low overall nutrient use efficiency (11% N, 18% P). About 55% of the N and 56% of the P embedded in recoverable streams are reused providing 35% and 37% of the total N and P input. Optimized nutrient recycling could replace 45% of N and 48% of P of the external nutrient input, exceeding the target set by the F2F strategy. Detailed accounting for N and P flows and nodes leads to the identification of more recoverable streams and larger N and P flows. More detailed flow accounting is a prerequisite for the quantification of technological intervention options. Future research should focus on including concentration and quality as a parameter in SFAs.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000991013600001 Publication Date 2023-04-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2023 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196227 Serial 7770  
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Author Muys, M.; Phukan, R.; Brader, G.; Samad, A.; Moretti, M.; Haiden, B.; Pluchon, S.; Roest, K.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Spiller, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A systematic comparison of commercially produced struvite : quantities, qualities and soil-maize phosphorus availability Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Science Of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal Sci Total Environ  
  Volume 756 Issue Pages (up) 143726-12  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Production of struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) from waste streams is increasingly implemented to recover phosphorus (P), which is listed as a critical raw material in the European Union (EU). To facilitate EU-wide trade of P-containing secondary raw materials such as struvite, the EU issued a revised fertilizer regulation in 2019. A comprehensive overview of the supply of struvite and its quality is presently missing. This study aimed: i) to determine the current EU struvite production volumes, ii) to evaluate all legislated physicochemical characteristics and pathogen content of European struvite against newly set regulatory limits, and iii) to compare not-regulated struvite characteristics. It is estimated that in 2020, between 990 and 1250 ton P are recovered as struvite in the EU. Struvite from 24 European production plants, accounting for 30% of the 80 struvite installations worldwide was sampled. Three samples failed the physicochemical legal limits; one had a P content of <7% and three exceeded the organic carbon content of 3% dry weight (DW). Mineralogical analysis revealed that six samples had a struvite content of 80–90% DW, and 13 samples a content of >90% DW. All samples showed a heavy metal content below the legal limits. Microbiological analyses indicated that struvite may exceed certain legal limits. Differences in morphology and particle size distribution were observed for struvite sourced from digestate (rod shaped; transparent; 82 mass% < 1 mm), dewatering liquor (spherical; opaque; 65 mass% 1–2 mm) and effluent from upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor processing potato wastewater (spherical; opaque; 51 mass% < 1 mm and 34 mass% > 2 mm). A uniform soil-plant P-availability pattern of 3.5–6.5 mg P/L soil/d over a 28 days sampling period was observed. No differences for plant biomass yield were observed. In conclusion, the results highlight the suitability of most struvite to enter the EU fertilizer market.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000603487500029 Publication Date 2020-11-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0048-9697; 1879-1026 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.9  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:173944 Serial 8638  
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Author Vingerhoets, R.; Brienza, C.; Sigurnjak, I.; Buysse, J.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Spiller, M.; Meers, E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Ammonia stripping and scrubbing followed by nitrification and denitrification saves costs for manure treatment based on a calibrated model approach Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 477 Issue Pages (up) 146984-14  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Resource-efficient nitrogen management is of high environmental and economic interest, and manure represents the major nutrient flow in livestock-intensive regions. Ammonia stripping/scrubbing (SS) is an appealing nitrogen recovery route from manure, yet its real-life implementation has been limited thus far. In nutrient surplus regions like Flanders, treatment of the liquid fraction (LF) of (co–)digested manure typically consists of nitrification/denitrification (NDN) removing most N as nitrogen gas. Integrating SS before NDN in existing plants would expand treatment capacity and recover N while maintaining low N effluent values, yet cost estimations of this novel approach after process optimisation are not yet available. A programming model was developed and calibrated to minimise the treatment costs of this approach and find the balance between N recovery versus N removal. Four crucial operational parameters (CO2 stripping time, NH3 stripping time, temperature and NaOH addition) were optimised for 18 scenarios which were different in terms of technical set-up, influent characteristics and scrubber acid. The model shows that SS before NDN can decrease the costs by 1 to 56% under optimal conditions compared to treatment with NDN only, with 1 to 8% reduction for the LF of manure (22–29% recovered of N treated), and 11 to 56% reduction for the LF of co-digested manure (42–67% recovered of N treated), primarily dependent on resource pricing. This study shows the power of modelling for minimum-cost design and operation of manure treatment yielding savings while producing useful N recovery products with SS followed by NDN.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001108935900001 Publication Date 2023-10-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200649 Serial 9003  
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Author Xie, Y.; Spiller, M.; Vlaeminck, S.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A bioreactor and nutrient balancing approach for the conversion of solid organic fertilizers to liquid nitrate-rich fertilizers : mineralization and nitrification performance complemented with economic aspects Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication The science of the total environment Abbreviated Journal Sci Total Environ  
  Volume 806 Issue Pages (up) 150415  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Due to the high water- and nutrient-use efficiency, hydroponic cultivation is increasingly vital in progressing to environment-friendly food production. To further alleviate the environmental impacts of synthetic fertilizer production, the use of recovered nutrients should be encouraged in horticulture and agriculture at large. Solid organic fertilizers can largely contribute to this, yet their physical and chemical nature impedes application in hydroponics. This study proposes a bioreactor for mineralization and nitrification followed by a supplementation step for limiting macronutrients to produce nitrate-based solutions from solid fertilizers, here based on a novel microbial fertilizer. Batch tests showed that aerobic conversions at 35 °C could realize a nitrate (NO₃−-N) production efficiency above 90% and a maximum rate of 59 mg N L−1 d−1. In the subsequent bioreactor test, nitrate production efficiencies were lower (44–51%), yet rates were higher (175–212 mg N L−1 d−1). Calcium and magnesium hydroxide were compared to control the bioreactor pH at 6.0 ± 0.2, while also providing macronutrients for plant production. A mass balance estimation to mimic the Hoagland nutrient solution showed that 92.7% of the NO₃−-N in the Ca(OH)₂ scenario could be organically sourced, while this was only 37.4% in the Mg(OH)₂ scenario. Besides, carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated in the bioreactor can be used for greenhouse carbon fertilization to save operational expenditure (OPEX). An estimation of the total OPEX showed that the production of a nutrient solution from solid organic fertilizers can be cost competitive compared to using commercially available liquid inorganic fertilizer solutions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000707640400021 Publication Date 2021-09-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.8  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181787 Serial 7132  
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