A systematical review of blackwater treatment and resource recovery: Advance in technologies and applications

Blackwater is a major potential source of pollution for developing countries lacking sanitation facilities. The direct discharge of untreated blackwater will lead to the contamination of soil and water, resulting in safety problems with drinking water and food. Thus, high-efficiency and economic technologies are urgently required for the effective treatment of blackwater. Meanwhile, blackwater contains large amounts of nutrients, like N, P and K, which show great potential for resource recovery. However, the development and application of technologies are still rather limited, and the nutrient recovery efficiency is not satisfactory enough to achieve an optimal material cycle. Therefore, commonly used blackwater treatment technologies are summarized in this paper, including characteristics, principles, current research status, and application cases. In addition, the corresponding development prospects and recommendations are provided in this review, which aims to deliver useful and detailed references for future blackwater treatment. Considering water safety and resource utilization, it is imperative to prioritize the thorough treatment of micro-pollutants and pathogenic microorganisms. In order to optimize resource utilization, steps must be taken to recover high-value resources or products. Furthermore, there is a growing need for mobile, integrated equipment that can provide flexible treatment solutions for various types of blackwater.