Microbial Addition Technology for Enhanced Biological Wastewater Treatment

This research will be based at Cranfield as part of the Water-WISER Centre for Doctoral Training. Microbial addition technology, often termed bioaugmentation, is used to improve biological wastewater treatment through addition of micro-organisms that have been cultured externally. The technology has the potential to reduce the capital cost of wastewater treatment plants, both centralised and decentralised. In particular, this could make the cost of decentralised plants deployed in low- and middle-income countries more affordable to improve sanitation in local areas. Additionally, the technology can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from both aerobic and anaerobic processes used in such plants. The research will involve laboratory-based experiments investigating microbial growth and survival in aerobic and anaerobic bioprocesses relevant to wastewater treatment.

The successful candidate will be motivated to undertake practical investigations using the extensive laboratory and pilot facilities at Cranfield (https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/water-sciences-institute/facilities). The project is supported by a consortium of UK water utility companies. This PhD will be linked to two of Cranfield’s Communities of Practice: Sewage Works of the Future; and Water and Sanitation in Low Income Countries (https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/water-sciences-institute/cwsi-research-groups) .

Applicants should apply to the Water-WISER CDT at www.waterwisercdt.ac.uk stating their intention to apply for this project.

Find out more about the Water-WISER CDT here.