Continuous flow reactors for cultivating aerobic granular sludge: configuration innovation, principle and research prospect

Efficient start-up, cultivation and maintenance of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in continuous flow reactors (CFRs) is critical for its full-scale application in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The successful implementation of AGS under continuous flow condition depends on the configuration of CFR that provides the selective pressures and hydraulic shear force (HSF) to sludge required for rapid granulation. Important progress has been witnessed with respect to CFR configurations in recent decades for in-situ granulation of aerobic sludge. This review summarized the difficulties of granulation during continuous flow, as well as the reactor configuration, granulation mechanism and the AGS characteristics, along with the future research prospects. It is of significance to promote the innovation of continuous flow configuration in order to realize the AGS application in mainstream WWTPs in the future. (c) 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Automated summary

This review highlights the importance of efficient start-up, cultivation, and maintenance of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in continuous flow reactors for its full-scale application in wastewater treatment plants. Significant progress has been made in recent decades in the configuration of CFR for in-situ granulation of aerobic sludge. The innovation of continuous flow configuration is essential for the future application of AGS in mainstream WWTPs.