Integrated and Industrialized Application of Intensive, Efficient, Low-Carbon Wastewater Treatment Fluidized Biofilm Technology

As a vital force underpinning ecological civilization and high-quality development, the eco-friendly industry is now facing an urgent need for transformation and upgrading. Emerging eco-friendly productivity is rapidly becoming the driving core propelling the industry forward. This section will focus on cutting-edge technologies, innovative equipment, new materials, and groundbreaking business models within the eco-environmental sector, showcasing and promoting outstanding achievements in scientific and technological innovation. We’ll also promptly announce awards recognizing advancements in environmental technology, providing comprehensive insights into practical industry tools, equipment, and exemplary projects. Ultimately, this initiative aims to inspire continuous innovation across the sector, accelerate the integration of digital, smart, and tech-driven solutions, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s broader green transformation of the economy and society.

As a vital force supporting ecological civilization and high-quality development, the eco-environmental industry is now facing an urgent need for transformation and upgrading. Emerging eco-friendly productivity is rapidly becoming the driving core behind the industry's forward momentum. This section will focus on cutting-edge technologies, innovative equipment, new materials, and groundbreaking business models within the eco-environmental sector, showcasing and promoting outstanding achievements in scientific and technological innovation. We’ll also promptly announce awards recognizing advancements in environmental technology, providing comprehensive insights into practical industry tools, equipment, and exemplary projects. Ultimately, we aim to inspire continuous innovation across the sector, accelerate the integration of digital, smart, and tech-driven solutions, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s broader green transformation of the economy and society.

　　Environmental Technology Advancement Award

　　Project Name: Integrated and Industrialized Application of Intensive, Efficient, Low-Carbon Wastewater Treatment Fluidized Biofilm Technology

　　Project Number: HJJS-2023-1-04

　　Award Category: First Prize

　　Completed by: Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao Sprun Water Treatment Co., Ltd., and Qingdao Municipal Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd.

　　Completed by: Bi Xuejun, Liu Li, Wu Di, Zhou Xiaolin, Zhou Jiazhong, Wang Xiaodong, Han Wenjie, Meng Tao, Yang Fei, Fan Xing, Yang Zhongqi
 

　　Project Overview

　　The technological achievement, "Integrated and Industrialized Application of Intensive, Efficient, Low-Carbon Wastewater Treatment Fluidized Biofilm Technology," was developed over more than a decade of rigorous research and engineering practice—supported by national key water projects and other major science and technology initiatives. Through groundbreaking theoretical insights, innovative methodologies, and targeted technological breakthroughs, this achievement has delivered systematic innovations in core technology systems, critical equipment, and advanced material approaches. As a result, it has shattered the international monopoly on key wastewater treatment technologies and successfully addressed numerous long-standing "bottleneck" challenges that have historically plagued conventional wastewater treatment methods.

　　In terms of innovation in core technology systems, we have pioneered and developed, both domestically and internationally, a fluidized biofilm-coupled magnetic coagulation technology for wastewater denitrification and dephosphorization tailored to stringent emission standards—achieving a 70% reduction in land use.

　　Innovatively proposed a targeted regulatory approach for obligate functional-zone microbial communities, along with a multi-stage, multi-segment fluidized biofilm-based efficient biological denitrification process. This breakthrough enabled the directed and highly effective enrichment of denitrification-related microbial populations, resulting in a system-wide denitrification volumetric loading capacity that was 100% to 200% higher than that achieved by conventional denitrification technologies.

　　Innovatively proposed is a multi-path denitrification method based on hydraulic shear—gradient oxygen limitation—layered distribution, integrating anaerobic ammonium oxidation, simultaneous nitrification and denitrification, and heterotrophic denitrification. Under the same treatment conditions, this approach reduces processing costs by more than 0.2 yuan per cubic meter compared to the MBR process, while also cutting down unit treatment energy consumption by 50%.

　　Innovatively proposed a highly efficient magnetic loading separation method based on the high dispersibility characteristics of detached biofilms, achieving over 50% improvement compared to existing magnetic separation technologies. In terms of critical technological equipment innovation, an innovative low-energy fluidization approach for biofilm carriers under high-density packing was introduced, reducing energy consumption by up to 75% relative to comparable domestic and international hybrid technologies.

　　Innovatively introducing the durable fluidized biofilm carrier interception technology, we have developed a non-stop water construction method and a structured, prefabricated interception technique. This approach significantly reduces wear on both the biofilm carriers and the interception screen equipment, while also enabling operations conducted with water present. As a result, renovation projects now see construction timelines shortened by more than 50%, and new projects can be completed in under 60 days.

　　Cutting-edge key equipment such as a magnetic separator specifically designed for high-magnetic-flux-strength magnetic powder recovery, along with a high-speed shear machine, achieves a magnetic powder recovery rate of over 99%—a 3%–5% improvement compared to traditional magnetic separation methods—and reduces equipment failure rates by 20%.

　　In terms of innovation in new materials methodologies: We have innovatively developed a method for characterizing biofilm carrier performance, established relevant industry standards, and proposed a design framework centered around surface loading and effective specific surface area.

　　Developed a fluidized biofilm carrier with an effective specific surface area exceeding 800 m²/m³, established an industrial-scale, fully automated production line capable of generating 240 million m² of product annually, and successfully enabled large-scale deployment with a processing capacity reaching 17 million m² per day.

　　Innovatively introducing a comprehensive control technology and algorithmic model based on "feedforward + modeling + feedback," we have developed an AI-based algorithm and optimization technique for full-process control, along with a dedicated cloud-platform system, significantly enhancing the level of automated operations.

　　This technological achievement has resulted in 18 authorized invention patents (including 1 international patent), 7 utility model patents, 2 design patents, 5 software copyrights, and the publication of 1 industry standard. Additionally, 23 papers have been published, including 8 indexed in SCI journals. The technology has been successfully applied to new, upgraded, and expanded projects such as municipal wastewater treatment, high-ammonia-nitrogen industrial water treatment, and low-concentration river water treatment. To date, 25 construction projects have been completed across provinces like Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, collectively processing up to 4.2 million tons of water per day. Over the past three years, these projects have generated total sales of 662 million yuan.
 

　　Acceptance Speech

　　China's ecological civilization development has entered a critical phase—marked by a strategic focus on carbon reduction, driving synergies between pollution and carbon emission cuts, accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of our economy and society, and achieving a qualitative leap in environmental quality improvement. To meet the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable development rooted in "resource conservation, efficient use, and low-carbon practices," developing intensive, efficient, green, and low-carbon wastewater treatment technologies has become both an urgent necessity and a new frontier—and a fresh pathway—for advancing wastewater management in the modern era. Over more than a decade of dedicated research and engineering practice, our project team has achieved groundbreaking system-level innovations across core technology systems, key equipment, and cutting-edge materials and methodologies. These breakthroughs have not only shattered international monopolies on critical wastewater treatment technologies but also resolved many longstanding bottlenecks that have long hindered conventional approaches. Importantly, these technological advancements align perfectly with the principles of green development: they enable "conservation and intensive land use" in wastewater treatment facilities, helping to alleviate the pressing urban land scarcity caused by rapid city expansion. Moreover, by enhancing the overall efficiency of wastewater treatment while simultaneously boosting pollution and carbon reduction efforts, this technology is set to elevate the standards of environmental infrastructure, spur industry-wide innovation, and propel the sector toward greener, lower-carbon, and higher-quality growth.