Net biomass production under complete solids retention in high organic load activated sludge process

The effect of complete solids retention on net biomass production, at a slaughterhouse's activated sludge wastewater treatment process, was studied for 425 days. The process reached equilibrium after 150 days. In equilibrium phase, and until the end of the study, relative constant MLVSS to MLSS ratio, low food to microorganisms ratio (F/M), low substrate utilization rate (SUR) and negligible observed sludge yield (Y obs) were measured. Y obs fluctuated between positive and negative values (± 0.03 gVSS gCOD(-1)), tending zero mean values, and leading to the conclusion that zero net sludge growth can be achieved. The high BOD ultimate/COD ratio and the zero sludge accumulation, leads to the conclusion that all fractions of organic matter, including cell debris, are biodegradable. The results were verified by comparing the measured Y obs values and those predicted using a conventional activated sludge model (ASM) and a modified ASM that incorporates the slow hydrolysis concept of the unbiodegradable compounds.