Appropriate technologies for upgrading wastewater treatment plants: methods review and case studies in China

Abstract

Upgrading existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a more challenging task than constructing new plants. The aim is usually to overcome overloading and to reduce pollution concentrations in the effluent. There are various methods that can be used to upgrade WWTPs. This article reviews some of the methodologies, such as inserting new tanks as additional treatment steps and modifying the WWTP by introducing new technologies. A number of effective technologies are reviewed in terms of their basic concepts, operational conditions, and treatment performances. Examples of WWTPs in China that have been successfully upgraded using these technologies are also highlighted.

Keywords:

• Wastewater treatment plant
• upgrading
• effluent quality
• advanced treatment
• process modification

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the National Science and Technology Major Project (Grant No. 2016YFC0400800-04), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 2019B14114), the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University (Grant No. 2015002), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51408194), the Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province (Grant No. 162102310057), and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).