Microbial evaluation of activated sludge and filamentous population at eight Czech nutrient removal activated sludge plants during year 2000

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 471-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Krhutková ◽  
I. Ruzicková ◽  
J. Wanner
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Filamentous Microorganisms ◽  
Microthrix Parvicella ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
The Relationship

The long-term project on the survey of filamentous microorganisms, which started in 1996, was finished in 2000 by the survey of eight Czech activated sludge plants with biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems. At all plants with enhanced biological nutrient removal, specific microbial population (mostly from the point of view of filaments occurrence), operational problems (presence of biological foaming, bulking) and plant operation were observed periodically and longer than 1 year. In our paper the relationship between the composition of activated sludge (especially filaments) consortia and modification of the process with nutrient removal is discussed. At the surveyed plants Type 0092 and Microthrix parvicella were identified as dominant Eikelboom filamentous types.

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.

Filamentous Bulking in Nutrient Removal Activated Sludge Systems

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiri Wanner ◽  
Petr Grau
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Anoxic Conditions ◽  
Filamentous Bulking ◽  
Filamentous Microorganisms ◽  
Substrate Hydrolysis ◽  
Activated Sludge Systems

Behaviour of filamentous microorganisms under anaerobic, anoxic, and oxic conditions has been reviewed from the point of view of filamentous bulking in nutrient removal activated sludge systems. It was concluded that the growth of most filamentous microorganisms is considerably suppressed under anaerobic and anoxic conditions and that the filamentous bulking in nutrient removal systems is chiefly caused by the growth of filamentous microorganisms in oxic zones. The role of particulate substrate hydrolysis was also discussed and the necessity of compartmentalization of oxic zones was shown.

Survey of filamentous populations in nutrient removal plants in four European countries

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dick H. Eikelboom ◽  
Andreas Andreadakis ◽  
Kjaer Andreasen
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Plug Flow ◽  
Phosphate Removal ◽  
Particulate Fraction ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
Filamentous Microorganisms ◽  
Short Period

A joint EU research project aimed at solving activated sludge bulking in nutrient removal plants was initiated in 1993. The project started with a survey of the size and composition of the filamentous population in nutrient removal plants in Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands. The results show that biological nutrient removal process conditions indeed favour filamentous microorganisms in their competition with floc forming organisms. An increase in the size of the filamentous population resulted in a deterioration of the settling properties of the biomass, except for plants with Bio-P removal conditions. It is assumed that in the latter case the dense clusters of Bio-P bacteria increase the weight of the flocs, and compensate for the effect of the larger number of filaments. Although exceptions frequently occur, the following sequence in decreasing filamentous organism population size was observed for the process conditions indicated: - completely mixed + simultaneous denitrification; - completely mixed + intermittent aeration/denitrification; - alternating anoxic/oxic process conditions, with an anaerobic tank for biological phosphate removal (Bio-Denipho); - alternating anoxic/oxic process conditions (Bio-Denitro); - predenitrification The surveys provided little information about the effect of nutrient removal in plants with plug flow aeration basins. Simultaneous precipitation with aluminium salts nearly always resulted in a low number of filaments and a good settling sludge. The size of the filamentous organism population showed a seasonal pattern with a maximum in winter/early spring and a minimum during summer (in Greece: during autumn). This seasonal variation is primarily caused by the effect of the season on the population sizes of M. parvicella, N. limicola and Type 0092. M. parvicella is by far the most important filamentous species in nutrient removal plants. In Denmark only, Type 0041 also frequently dominates the filamentous population, but seldom causes severe bulking. Considering their frequency of occurrence, approx. 10 other filamentous micro-organisms are of minor importance. Growth of some of these species, viz. those which use soluble substrate, can be prevented by the introduction of Bio-P process conditions. M. parvicella and Type 0041 (and probably also Actinomycetes and the Types 1851 and 0092) seem to compete for the same substrates i.e. the influent particulate fraction. Most of the differences in composition of the filamentous microorganism population can be explained by whether or not premixing of influent and recycled sludge is used. In general, premixing for a short period of time followed by anoxic conditions favours Type 0041. M. parvicella seems to proliferate if the particulate fraction is first hydrolysed or if it enters the plant via an oxic zone. It is concluded that bulking in nutrient removal plants is mainly caused by filamentous species requiring the particulate fraction for their growth.

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.

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.

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