Journal of Water Process Engineering

Aims

The Journal of Water Process Engineering (JWPE) aspires to be the leading international platform for the dissemination of high-impact research on sustainable engineering solutions for water and wastewater treatment processes. It publishes rigorously peer-reviewed articles from researchers and practitioners actively engaged in the development and discovery of cost-effective technologies and engineering strategies in water and wastewater treatment. JWPE is fully aligned with and committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation."

Scope

Water process engineering involves the understanding and application of fundamental scientific principles to transform raw or wastewater sources into valuable products that benefit society while operating across laboratory, pilot, or full industrial scales. These valuable products include clean water, energy, and various resources. JWPE focuses on the design, operation, control, modelling, optimization, and intensification of processes relevant to water and wastewater treatment.

Research that emphasizes the engineered applications and practices of water and wastewater treatment processes, as opposed to studies focused primarily on fundamental scientific principles or materials development, is particularly valued. JWPE encourages submissions of high-quality research articles and state-of-the-art reviews from both academic and industrial researchers and technologists. Given that water processing largely involves the efficient removal and detoxification of contaminants in various forms (soluble, colloidal, or suspended; inorganic or organic; degradable or refractory), applicable technologies can generally be classified into the main categories of chemical conversion, physical separation, and biological degradation. These processes are conducted within various reactors and systems, which must be carefully designed, optimized, operated and controlled, making these aspects another integral part of water process engineering.

In addition, the development of water technologies and systems is increasingly integrated with sensing and monitoring tools, which should also be addressed within the scope of JWPE. As global challenges such as the energy/resource crisis and climate change become more pressing, the concept of “wastewater as a resource” has gained widespread recognition, and maximizing resource recovery is now a critical objective in water processing.

Based on these considerations, JWPE welcomes submissions in the following areas of interest:

Chemical and Catalytic Conversion Processes

This category encompasses processes for converting dissolved refractory contaminants and toxicants into mineralized and/or non-toxic substances through chemical and catalytic mechanisms:

• Advanced oxidation using novel oxidizing agents

• Photocatalysis employing innovative catalysts and light sources

• Electrochemical-driven processes (e.g., electrocatalysis, electrooxidation, electro-crystallization)

• Catalytic and non-catalytic processes associated with acoustic, cavitation, microwave, and plasma applications

• Water disinfection using novel disinfectants and methods

• Chemical digestion and precipitation

• Other emerging technologies and processes for chemical/catalytic conversion

Separation and Extraction Processes

This category focuses on the physical and physicochemical separation/extraction of soluble, colloidal, and suspended contaminants from water and wastewater:

• Coagulation using novel coagulants/flocculants and methods

• Enhancement of physical separation processes (e.g., sedimentation, flotation, media filtration, centrifugation, decantation)

• Membrane filtration processes, including pressure-driven and osmotically-driven membranes

• Membrane reactors/contactors (e.g., membrane bioreactor, reactors/contactors using photocatalytic or electrocatalytic membranes, and membrane distillation)

• Adsorption and ion exchange

• Thermal extraction/distillation for volatile substances extraction

• Other emerging technologies and processes for separation and extraction

Biological and Ecological Processes

This category addresses processes for the removal of biodegradable contaminants via biological and ecological methods:

• Enhancement of conventional biological processes (e.g., aerobic and anaerobic bioreactions, biofiltration)

• Biological processes for enhanced nutrient removal

• Anaerobic digestion for sludge disposal

• Application of novel biotechnologies (e.g., microbial, fungal, molecular genetics) in water processing

• Constructed wetlands for water treatment

• Bioremediation for water environmental restoration

• Enhancement of ecological functions for water quality improvement

• Other emerging biological/ecological technologies and process hybridization

Process Automation, Modelling, and Optimization

• Advanced process automation and control systems

• Integration of robotics and automated systems with water systems

• Modelling and optimisation of water processes and water systems

• Application of machine learning and advanced algorithms for process control & optimisation

• Greenhouse gas emissions modelling and control in water processes

• Novel methods for industrial benchmarking and reporting in water systems

• Energetics and life cycle assessments for water processes

• Water-energy nexus: optimisation of coupled water and energy systems

• Net zero: new technologies, management strategies and policies

Sensing, Monitoring and Emerging Technologies

• Sensing technologies for detecting chemical and biological contaminants in water systems

• Novel sensing and analytical technologies for emerging contaminants (e.g., microplastics, pharmaceuticals, PFAS)

• Novel technologies and approaches for water process monitoring

• Edge computing and IoT-enabled water monitoring systems

• Development and application of digital twins for water systems

• Data-driven predictive maintenance and fault detection in water processing

• AI-powered tools for real-time water quality prediction and decision-making

• Water system digitization, big data analytics, and informatics

• Disruptive technologies for water systems monitoring and management

Processes for Resource Recovery and Valorisation

This category covers novel processes and technologies aimed at enhancing resource recovery and valorisation from domestic and industrial wastewater:

• Energy recovery and production from wastewater

• Resource recovery/extraction from wastewater

• Optimized sludge management for improved energy/resource recovery

• Valorisation of products recovered from industrial wastewater

• Atmospheric water generation and harvesting

• Technological schemes (including case studies) for decarbonization in wastewater treatment

• Other emerging technologies for resource recovery and valorisation from wastewater

Authors are encouraged to select the most appropriate category from the six areas listed above for their submissions to JWPE, based on the primary focus of their study. In cases where the research involves hybrid technologies, authors should identify the category that best aligns with the ultimate objective of the study.

Submissions related to the development and application of novel materials for water and wastewater treatment, particularly those focused on enhancing the removal of refractory pollutants and improving energy or resource recovery for large-scale or community-scale applications, are highly encouraged. Additionally, studies on emerging technologies in water process engineering that do not fall directly under the existing categories are welcome. However, authors should be mindful of specific exclusions, such as studies on desalination through thermal or membrane processes, which are not within the scope of JWPE.

The journal also seeks submissions that address process engineering aspects of water sustainability, with a particular emphasis on water reclamation, reuse, and recycling, as well as energy and resource recovery from alternative sources. Studies focusing on fit-for-purpose treatment processes and technologies that aim to reduce energy and chemical consumption, minimize environmental and carbon footprints, and maximize social benefits are especially encouraged. JWPE periodically publishes “Virtual Special Issues” that explore emerging research areas. Authors should watch for "Calls for Papers" related to these hot topics. Potential contributors may contact the VSI Editor for information on the relevance of their proposed topic and check the VSI page for information.

Please note that JWPE does not accept submissions based on fundamental batch studies that lack a focus on engineering applications. Common examples of unacceptable submissions include batch/static adsorption studies of model contaminants without dynamic flow studies, batch photodegradation studies involving photocatalysts modified for visible light operation without engineering application, microbiological studies without a strong connection to biological processing, and membrane fabrication research without practical application. Submissions must also include robust statistical data analysis and benchmarking of data against controls and relevant literature, as well as a thorough and ethical data analysis framework.