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Modeling active mass in aerobic sludge digestion.

R L Droste¹, W A Sanchez

¹Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9B4, Canada.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

|November 1, 1986

Summary

This study explored aerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge under different flow patterns and temperatures. Batch digestion showed better sludge stabilization than semicontinuous, with significant volatile solids solubilization observed.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Engineering
Biotechnology
Waste Management

Background:

Waste-activated sludge (WAS) requires efficient treatment to reduce volume and stabilize organic matter.
Aerobic digestion is a common biological process for WAS treatment.
Understanding the impact of operational parameters like flow pattern and temperature is crucial for optimizing digestion.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the aerobic digestion of WAS in lab-scale reactors.
To compare batch and semicontinuous flow patterns at different temperatures (10, 20, 30°C).
To examine the effect of volatile suspended solids (VSS) solubilization on kinetic coefficients and sludge stabilization.

Main Methods:

Lab-scale aerobic digestion reactors were operated under batch and semicontinuous modes.
Digestion was conducted at three controlled temperatures: 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C.
Key parameters monitored included volatile suspended solids (VSS) and kinetic coefficients.

Main Results:

Significant solubilization of VSS was observed during digestion.
Batch digestion resulted in greater sludge stabilization compared to semicontinuous flow.
Metabolic activity differed between the two flow patterns.
An Arrhenius-type relationship did not accurately describe rate constants in semicontinuous reactors.

Conclusions:

Flow pattern significantly influences aerobic digestion efficiency and sludge stabilization.
Batch digestion appears more effective for WAS stabilization under the tested conditions.
Temperature effects on kinetic coefficients require further investigation, particularly for semicontinuous systems.