scholarly journals Influent with Particulate Substrate, Clean, Innocuous and Sustainable Solution for Bulking Control and Mitigation in Activated Sludge Process

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 984
Author(s):  
Pedro Cisterna-Osorio ◽  
Claudia Calabran-Caceres ◽  
Giannina Tiznado-Bustamante ◽  
Nataly Bastias-Toro
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Active Sludge ◽  
Chemical Reagents

This research studies the incidence of the type of substrate, soluble or particulate, in the emergence, development, and inhibition of bulking in activated sludge systems. It was evaluated using the sludge volume index (SVI), mixing liquor-suspended solids (MLSS), microscopic analysis of biomass, and effluent suspended solids (ESS). In the first experiment, four sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were fed with soluble substrate at a fixed mass, while the mass of the particulate substrate varied, as those (saccharose mass/flour mass) ratios were 3:1, 3:2, 3:3 and 3:4., with a deficit ranging from 20 to 30% compared to the ratio recommended. The four SBRs have similar MLSS, IVL, and ESS. From day 30, with a deficit from 80 to 90%, the influents have ratios 1/1 and 1/2 until 48 days. The SBRs present IVL between 600 and 730 mL/g and ESS from 370 to 440 mg/L; unlike influents with ratios 1/3 and 1/4, they present IVL between 170 and 185 mL/g, and ESS from 260 to 270 mg/L. The favorable effect of particulate matter is categorical. In the second set of experiments, two SBRs were studied: SBR 1 fed with saccharose, and SBR 2 with flour; there is a lack of nutrients causing bulking in SBRs. Once the nutrient deficiency condition is changed in day 11 to excess, after 22 days, the SVI was 190 mL/g, ESS was 360 mg/L, and MLSS was 2000 mg/L for influents with saccharose; the influent with flour, with an SVI of 80 mL/g, ESS of 100 mg/L, and MLSS of 4000 mg/L, shows faster and more consistent recovery with the particulate substrate. Therefore, the proposal is to add particulate substrate-like flour to active sludge plants facing bulking. It is a clean, innocuous and sustainable alternative to processes that use chemical reagents.

Occurrence of Microthrix parvicella in sequencing batch reactors

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 1984-1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana Mallouhi ◽  
Ute Austermann-Haun
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Batch Reactor ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Microthrix Parvicella

Sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) are known for high process stability and usually have a good sludge volume index (SVI). Nevertheless, in many SBRs in Germany for municipal wastewater treatment, scum and foam problems can occur, and SVI can be larger than 200 mL/g. The microscopic investigations of the activated sludge from plants with nitrogen and phosphorus removal have shown that Microthrix parvicella is dominant in the activated sludge in most of them. Studies showed that the optimum growth of M. parvicella is performed at a high sludge age (>20 d) and low sludge load in the range of 0.05–0.2 kg of biochemical oxygen demand per kg of total suspended solids per day (kg BOD5/(TSS·d)). The investigations in 13 SBRs with simultaneous aerobic sludge stabilization (most of them are operated with a system called differential internal cycle strategy sequential batch reactor (DIC-SBR)) show that M. parvicella is able to grow in sludge loads less than 0.05 kg BOD5/(kg TSS·d) as well. To optimize the operation of those SBRs, long cycle times (8–12 h) and dosing of iron salts to eliminate long-chain fatty acids are both recommended. This leads to better SVI and keeps M. parvicella at a low frequency.

Effect of salinity on the activity, settling and microbial community of activated sludge in sequencing batch reactors treating synthetic saline wastewater

2008 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Wu ◽  
Y. Guan ◽  
X. Zhan
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Yield Coefficient ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Saline Wastewater ◽  
Sludge Flocs

The effects of salinity on the activity in nutrient removal, settling and microbial community of activated sludge in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) treating synthetic saline wastewater were investigated. Two SBRs, one treating synthetic saline wastewater (the N-Reactor, with NaCl addition) and the other treating fresh synthetic wastewater (the C-Reactor, without NaCl addition), were operated for 68 days. Three salinities (in terms of concentrations of NaCl)—10, 20 and 40 g NaCl/l—were examined. The microbial activity described with the specific glucose utilization rate, specific nitritation and nitratation rates, and specific phosphorus release and uptake rates, was inhibited in the N-Reactor, in comparison with that in the C-Reactor, except that the specific nitritation and nitratation rates were improved at the salinity of 10 g NaCl/l. The sludge yield coefficient decreased at salinities of 10 and 20 g NaCl/l but it rose at the salinity of 40 g NaCl/l. The settling of activated sludge flocs, in terms of the sludge volume index (SVI), was improved by adding NaCl. Particularly in the first 5 minutes during the SVI measurement, activated sludge flocs in the N-Reactor settled much faster than those in the C-Reactor. However, the effluent from the N-Reactor contained higher suspended solids than the effluent from the C-Reactor. The microbial diversity decreased with increasing the salinity, and the microbial community structure was greatly influenced by the salinity. Bacteriodetes and Actinobacteria were the dominant phylums detected with molecular fingerprinting techniques.

Wastewater fermentation and nutrient removal in sequencing batch reactors

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Germán Cuevas-Rodríguez ◽  
Óscar González-Barceló ◽  
Simón González-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Experimental Runs

This research project was conducted to analyze the performance of a SBR reactor when being fed with anaerobically fermented wastewater. Important was to determine the capacity of the system to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. Two SBR reactors, each one with a volume of 980 liters, were used: one used as fermenter and the other as activated sludge SBR. Using 8-hour cycles, the reactors were operated and studied during 269 days. The fermenter produced an effluent with an average value of 223±24 mg/l of volatile fatty acids. The activated sludge SBR was tested under 3 organic loading rates of 0.13, 0.25, and 0.35 kgCODtotal/kgTSS·d. For the three tested organic loading rates, PO4-P concentrations under 1.1 mg/l and COD between 37 and 38 mg/l were consistently achieved. Exceptionally high NH4-N influent values were measured during the time of the experimentation with the organic load of 0.25 kgCODtotal/kgTSS·d, not reaching in this case full nitrification. Denitrification was observed during the fill phase in every cycle. SVI values between 40 and 70 were determined during the experimental runs.

Study of factors affecting simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND)

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klangduen Pochana ◽  
Jürg Keller
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Physical Phenomenon ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Floc Size ◽  
Sludge Flocs ◽  
Activated Sludge Systems

Experiments have been performed to gain an understanding of the conditions and processes governing the occurrence of SND in activated sludge systems. Sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) have been operated under controlled conditions using the wastewater from the first anaerobic pond in an abattoir wastewater treatment plant. Under specific circumstances, up to 95% of total nitrogen removal through SND has been found in the system. Carbon source and oxygen concentrations were found to be important process parameters. The addition of acetate as an external carbon source resulted in a significant increase of SND activity in the system. Stepwise change of DO concentration has also been observed in this study. Experiments to determine the effect of the floc size on SND have been performed in order to test the hypothesis that SND is a physical phenomenon, governed by the diffusion of oxygen into the activated sludge flocs. Initial results support this hypothesis but further experimental confirmation is still required.

scholarly journals Contribution of prokaryotes and eukaryotes to CO2 emissions in the wastewater treatment process

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9325
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Jaromin-Gleń ◽  
Roman Babko ◽  
Tatiana Kuzmina ◽  
Yaroslav Danko ◽  
Grzegorz Łagód ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Greenhouse Effect ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Process ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
Quantitative Contribution

Reduction of the greenhouse effect is primarily associated with the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the gases that increases the greenhouse effect - it is responsible for about half of the greenhouse effect. Significant sources of CO2 are wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and waste management, with about 3% contribution to global emissions. CO2 is produced mainly in the aerobic stage of wastewater purification and is a consequence of activated sludge activity. Although the roles of activated sludge components in the purification process have been studied quite well, their quantitative contribution to CO2 emissions is still unknown. The emission of CO2 caused by prokaryotes and eukaryotes over the course of a year (taking into account subsequent seasons) in model sequencing batch reactors (SBR) is presented in this study. In this work, for the first time, we aimed to quantify this contribution of eukaryotic organisms to total CO2 emissions during the WWTP process. It is of the order of several or more ppm. The contribution of CO2 produced by different components of activated sludge in WWTPs can improve estimation of the emissions of GHGs in this area of human activity.

scholarly journals Seasonal Dynamics of the Activated Sludge Microbiome in Sequencing Batch Reactors, Assessed Using 16S rRNA Transcript Amplicon Sequencing

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Johnston ◽  
Sebastian Behrens
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Copy Numbers

ABSTRACT Activated sludge is comprised of diverse microorganisms which remediate wastewater. Previous research has characterized activated sludge using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, which can help to address questions on the relative abundance of microorganisms. In this study, we used 16S rRNA transcript sequencing in order to characterize “active” populations (via protein synthesis potential) and gain a deeper understanding of microbial activity patterns within activated sludge. Seasonal abundances of individual populations in activated sludge change over time, yet a persistent group of core microorganisms remains throughout the year which are traditionally classified on presence or absence without monitoring of their activity or growth. The goal of this study was to further our understanding of how the activated sludge microbiome changes between seasons with respect to population abundance, activity, and growth. Triplicate sequencing batch reactors were sampled at 10-min intervals throughout reaction cycles during all four seasons. We quantified the gene and transcript copy numbers of 16S rRNA amplicons using real-time PCR and sequenced the products to reveal community abundance and activity changes. We identified 108 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with stable abundance, activity, and growth throughout the year. Nonproliferating OTUs were commonly human health related, while OTUs that showed seasonal abundance changes have previously been identified as being associated with floc formation and bulking. We observed significant differences in 16S rRNA transcript copy numbers, particularly at lower temperatures in winter and spring. The study provides an analysis of the seasonal dynamics of microbial activity variations in activated sludge based on quantifying and sequencing 16S rRNA transcripts. IMPORTANCE Sequencing batch reactors are a common design for wastewater treatment plants, particularly in smaller municipalities, due to their low footprint and ease of operations. However, like for most treatment plants in temperate/continental climates, the microbial community involved in water treatment is highly seasonal and its biological processes can be sensitive to cold temperatures. The seasonality of these microbial communities has been explored primarily in conventional treatment plants and not in sequencing batch reactors. Furthermore, most studies often only address which organisms are present. However, the activated sludge microbial community is very diverse, and it is often hard to discern which organisms are active and which organisms are simply present. In this study, we applied additional sequencing techniques to also address the issues of which organisms are active and which organisms are growing. By addressing these issues, we gained new insights into seasonal microbial populations dynamics and activity patterns affecting wastewater treatment.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the accuracy of two simple methods for microscopic activated sludge analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 2104-2112
Author(s):  
Mateusz Sobczyk ◽  
Agnieszka Pajdak-Stós ◽  
Edyta Fiałkowska ◽  
Wioleta Kocerba-Soroka ◽  
Joanna Starzycka-Giża ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Sign Test ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Biological microscopic analysis is a popular method employed in wastewater treatment plants worldwide for evaluating activated sludge condition. However, many operators still have reservations regarding its reliability. In this study, we evaluated and compared two methods of microscopic sludge investigation: the sludge index (SI) and the Eikelboom–van Buijsen method (EB). We investigated 79 activated sludge samples from nine treatment plants located in southern Poland over a 1-year period. For each sample, sludge volume index values were calculated and compared with the results of evaluation made on the basis of microscopic analysis. Additionally, the effluent quality was analysed in 45 of 79 cases, including investigation of suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and total phosphorous. The sign test and Wilcoxon matched pairs test showed that a significant difference existed between the two investigated methods. General conclusions from both methods do not provide reliable information concerning nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The EB method had a tendency to be more conservative in its general conclusions than the SI method. Both are highly reliable for estimating activated sludge quality and solid separation properties.

Effect of salinity on removal performance and activated sludge characteristics in sequencing batch reactors

2018 ◽  
Vol 249 ◽  
pp. 890-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujuan Chen ◽  
Huijun He ◽  
Hongyu Liu ◽  
Huiru Li ◽  
Guangming Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Sludge Characteristics

Dynamic mathematical modelling of sequencing batch reactors with aerated and mixed filling period

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Novák ◽  
M. C. Goronszy ◽  
J. Wanner
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Batch Reactor ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Sludge Flocs ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Selection Of

Sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) can be successfully operated for both carbon and nutrient removal, including nitrogen and phosphorus. The major elements of design that accomplish population dynamics control to prevent filamentous sludge bulking, cycle time, oxygen supply, biological nitrification, denitrification, phosphorus removal and solids-liquid separation need to be set in such a way that sufficiently optimal conditions are provided to permit the reactions and processes to take place. SBR processing using cyclic activated sludge technology employs biological selectors in the inlet part of the SBR system and a minor sludge recycle stream to ensure influent wastewater is mixed with activated sludge flocs to create favourable conditions for kinetic and metabolic selection of microorganisms producing floccules. Reaction volume, in addition to the designated bottom water level volume, is variable through time fed-batch reactor mode of operation. A mathematical model that describes volume changes and simultaneously the biodegradation kinetics has been developed. The model describes theoretical behaviour of selected parameters of volume, suspended solids concentration, OUR, ammonia and nitrate nitrogen in the selector compartment and the main aerated basin in ideally mixed and filled reactors of the cyclic system during the phase of mixed-fill (selector) and aerated and non-aerated fill (main aeration reactor basin).

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