The research status of several technologies capable of integrating wastewater treatment with carbon capture

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China

^* Corresponding author: sssssszhu@tongji.edu.cn

Abstract

Since the Paris Agreement was proposed, many industries need to make efforts to save energy and reduce emissions. It is understood that the sewage treatment industry accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and with the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization in some countries, the total sewage treatment capacity will further increase. This will also lead to a further increase in the industry's greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global climate change. Therefore, the sewage treatment industry needs to make technical changes, but under the premise of not affecting the effect and efficiency of sewage treatment. Under such basic requirements, technologies that combine sewage treatment with carbon capture have gradually emerged in recent years. This review selects 3 technologies, including microbial electrosynthesis (MES), constructed wetland and microalgae cultivation, with good development prospects in this area, then summarizes their carbon capture principles and capabilities, sewage treatment principles and capabilities, research status in recent years, and current problems, in order to provide some ideas for the carbon emission reduction plan of the sewage treatment industry.