Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Conversion of a Conventional Activated Sludge System into an Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal System for High Strength Waste Management

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal from wastewater by means of microorganisms found in activated sludge has for the past few years been the subject of much research and it is now commonly recognized that an activated sludge system must include alternating anaerobic-aerobic periods. The present article covers biochemical aspects of this phenomenon using a phosphorus removing biomass obtained in a laboratory-scale pilot with alternating phases and a synthetic substrate feed. The percentage of phosphorus obtained in the pilot sludge was four times greater than that of a conventional sludge plant. By exposing the same biomass to different conditions and using 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, we were able to accurately pin-point the various forms of phosphorus found within cells and follow their development during the course of alternating phases. The following results were obtained:the transformation of phosphorus in its inorganic to polyphosphate form depends on the medium's level of oxygenation,the presence of nitrates disturbs the anaerobic period but does not affect phosphorus uptake in the aerated period.Continuous nitrate addition alters biomass behaviour in the anaerobic phase, which loses the capacity to release phosphorus,copper at a concentration of over 1 mg Cu2+/1 inhibits phosphorus uptake in the aerated phase. Various microbiological analyses made on the pilot biomass isolated conventional bacteria found in activated sludge.

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Release of phosphorus from ash produced by incinerating waste activated sludge from enhanced biological phosphorus removal

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.1016/0273-1223(96)00530-6 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 34 (1-2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Phosphorus Removal ◽

Waste Activated Sludge ◽

Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽

Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽

Biological Phosphorus

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Design of nutrient removal activated sludge systems

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2003.0594 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 47 (11) ◽

pp. 115-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Manga ◽

J. Ferrer ◽

A. Seco ◽

F. Garcia-Usach

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

Nutrient Removal ◽

Phosphorus Removal ◽

Pilot Plant ◽

Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽

Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽

User Friendly ◽

Biological Phosphorus ◽

Activated Sludge Systems

A mechanistic mathematical model for nutrient and organic matter removal was used to describe the behavior of a nitrification denitrification enhanced biological phosphorus removal (NDEBPR) system. This model was implemented in a user-friendly software DESASS (design and simulation of activated sludge systems). A 484-L pilot plant was operated to verify the model results. The pilot plant was operated for three years over three different sludge ages. The validity of the model was confirmed with data from the pilot plant. Also, the utility of DESASS as a valuable tool for designing NDEBPR systems was confirmed.

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Full-Scale Cyclic Activated Sludge System Phosphorus Removal

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1992.0709 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 26 (9-11) ◽

pp. 2253-2256 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. C. Goronszy

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Phosphorus Removal ◽

Full Scale ◽

Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽

Fill Ratio ◽

Variable Volume ◽

Activated Sludge System ◽

Sludge Bulking ◽

Volume Mode ◽

Biological Phosphorus

The performance of three full-scale cyclic activated sludge facilities, operated for biological phosphorus removal is demonstrated. The facilities are operated without formal mixed anoxic or anaerobic sequences in a variable volume mode. The system is independent of fill-ratio operation for filamentous sludge bulking control.

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