scholarly journals The removal of N and P in aerobic and anoxic-aerobic digestion of waste activated sludge from biological nutrient removal systems

Water SA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Vogts ◽  
DS Ikumi ◽  
GA Ekama
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Aerobic Digestion

Two-stage thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge from a biological nutrient removal plant

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 149-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Watts ◽  
G. Hamilton ◽  
J. Keller
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Primary Sludge ◽  
Second Stage

A two-stage thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic digestion pilot-plant was operated solely on waste activated sludge (WAS) from a biological nutrient removal (BNR) plant. The first-stage thermophilic reactor (HRT 2 days) was operated at 47, 54 and 60 °C. The second-stage mesophilic digester (HRT 15 days) was held at a constant temperature of 36–37 °C. For comparison with a single-stage mesophilic process, the mesophilic digester was also operated separately with an HRT of 17 days and temperature of 36–37 °C. The results showed a truly thermophilic stage (60 °C) was essential to achieve good WAS degradation. The lower thermophilic temperatures examined did not offer advantages over single-stage mesophilic treatment in terms of COD and VS removal. At a thermophilic temperature of 60 °C, the plant achieved 35% VS reduction, representing a 46% increase compared to the single-stage mesophilic digester. This is a significant level of degradation which could make such a process viable in situations where there is no primary sludge generated. The fate of the biologically stored phosphorus in this BNR sludge was also investigated. Over 80% of the incoming phosphorus remained bound up with the solids and was not released into solution during the WAS digestion. Therefore only a small fraction of phosphorus would be recycled to the main treatment plant with the dewatering stream.

Stabilization of combined wastewater sludge: anaerobic processes

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Anderson ◽  
D. S. Mavinic ◽  
J. A. Oleszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Wastewater Sludge ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Metabolic Reaction ◽  
Mass Reduction

Pilot-scale research was conducted to quantify the effects of stabilizing combined wastewater sludges (primary and biological nutrient removal waste activated sludges), in a common high-rate, single-stage anaerobic digestion operation. Various ratios of primary to waste activated sludge were used, and digester operational efficiency was assessed on the basis of the amount and rate of volatile mass removal, biogas production, and digester supernatant quality. It was found that, depending on the sludge ratio, addition of the biological nutrient removal waste activated sludge decreased digester operational efficiency; for example, almost 20% less volatile mass reduction, up to 25% reduction in metabolic reaction rates, and reduced gas production rates of up to 40% were observed. This was attributed to the presence of the cell membrane encapsulating the fermentable substrates of waste activated sludge, making them less available in the digestion process. It was concluded that, unless some type of pretreatment operation is utilized to liberate these substrates, this type of commonly used codigestion system will be of less benefit to a wastewater treatment plant, especially the smaller facilities which will lose a ready source of power in the form of biogas production, and the full value of the waste activated sludge as a resource will not be realized. Key words: anaerobic sludge digestion, biogas production, biological nutrient removal, biosolids, combined sludge, fermentation, volatile mass reduction.

Settling Characteristics of Activated Sludge in Danish Treatment Plants with Biological Nutrient Removal

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Holm Kristensen ◽  
Per Elberg Jørgensen ◽  
Per Halkjær Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Sludge Volume Index ◽  
Filamentous Microorganisms ◽  
Best Parameter ◽  
One Year ◽  
Sludge Settling ◽  
Settling Characteristics

In 1989-91, a study was performed to investigate the settling characteristics of activated sludge in Danish treatment plants with biological nutrient removal. The study included three screening series on 38 treatment plants. Furthermore, the study included investigations during one year on seasonal variations in sludge settling characteristics at three treatment plants. The screening investigations were performed in November 1989 and May and September, 1990. Results showed that in the May-screening, 35-45% of the plants had a filament index of 2-2.5 or above, corresponding to a sludge volume index above 150 ml/g. When comparing data for diluted and non-diluted sludge volume indices, a SVI value of 150 ml/g seemed parallel to a DSVI of 110 ml/g. In the November- and September-screenings, some 30% of the plants had activated sludge showing a filament index in or above the critical area. Dominating filamentous microorganisms were found to be (in decreasing order): Microthrix parvicella, Type 0041, Type 021N, Type 0092, Type 0914, and Type 1851. A distinct variation over the year in sludge settling characteristics was found for the three plants. Sludge settling characteristics improved during summer, and deteriorated during winter. For activated sludge with a high content of filamentous microorganisms, the best parameter to follow the variations in sludge settling properties was the filament number. If the activated sludge concentration, the MLSS, varied significantly, the specific filament number was to be applied.

Difficulties and developments in biological nutrient removal technology and modelling

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Ekama ◽  
Mark C. Wentzel
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Filamentous Bulking ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Removal Technology ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Activated Sludge Systems ◽  
P Removal

Filamentous bulking and the long sludge age required for nitrification are two important factors that limit the wastewater treatment capacity of biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge systems. A growing body of observations from full-scale plants indicate support for the hypothesis that a significant stimulus for filamentous bulking in BNR systems in alternating anoxic-aerobic conditions with the presence of oxidized nitrogen at the transition from anoxic to aerobic. In the DEPHANOX system, nitrification takes place externally allowing sludge age and filamentous bulking to be reduced and increases treatment capacity. Anoxic P uptake is exploited in this system but it appears that this form of biological excess P removal (BEPR) is significantly reduced compared with aerobic P uptake in conventional BNR systems. Developments in the understanding of the BEPR processes of (i) phosphate accumulating organism (PAO) denitrification and anoxic P uptake, (ii) fermentation of influent readily biodegradable (RB)COD and (iii) anaerobic hydrolysis of slowly biodegradable (SB)COD are evaluated in relation to the IAWQ Activated Sludge Model (ASM) No.2. Recent developments in BEPR research do not yet allow a significant improvement to be made to ASM No. 2 that will increase its predictive power and reliability and therefore it remains essentially as a framework to guide further research.

Enhanced performance of short-time aerobic digestion for waste activated sludge under the presence of cocoamidopropyl betaine

2017 ◽  
Vol 320 ◽  
pp. 494-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Zhou ◽  
Jiao Zhang ◽  
Zhiqiang Zhang ◽  
Chen Zhou ◽  
YenJung Sean Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Aerobic Digestion ◽  
Short Time

Practical Experience with Biological Phosphorus Removal Plants in Johannesburg

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 233-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
A R Pitman ◽  
S L V Venter ◽  
H A Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Biological Phosphorus

This paper describes three years operating experience with two full-scale biological nutrient removal activated sludge plants. Factors affecting biological phosphorus removal are highlighted and possible process improvements suggested.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document