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Mechanical sludge disintegration: providing an alternative carbon source for nutrient removal
P Kampas1, S A Parsons, P Pearce
1School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
Environmental Technology
|May 16, 2007
Summary
Ultrasonic and mechanical disintegration technologies effectively release soluble carbon from surplus sludge, significantly enhancing biological nutrient removal (BNR) for nitrogen and phosphorus, comparable to acetate.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Efficient biological nutrient removal (BNR) in activated sludge systems relies on adequate soluble carbon supply.
- Surplus activated sludge (SAS) is often a waste product, but contains potential carbon sources.
- Enhancing BNR is crucial for effective wastewater treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of ultrasonic and mechanical disintegration on SAS.
- To assess the release of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) as carbon sources.
- To evaluate the impact of disintegrated SAS on nutrient removal (phosphorus and nitrogen) in BNR processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a laboratory sonicator (550W), a 3KW SONIX radial horn, and a paper industry deflaker to disintegrate SAS.
- Quantified SCOD and VFA release post-disintegration.
- Conducted 21 batch anaerobic laboratory tests to evaluate phosphorus and nitrogen removal using disintegrated SAS.
Main Results:
- Disintegration methods significantly increased SCOD release (up to 48-fold).
- VFA concentrations reached up to 530 mg/L.
- Observed up to 460% greater phosphate release and over 106% improvement in denitrification rates compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic and mechanical disintegration are effective in releasing soluble carbon from SAS.
- The released carbon enhances BNR processes, achieving nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies comparable to acetate.
- These technologies offer a promising approach to improve nutrient removal in wastewater treatment.
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