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Improvements on activated sludge settling and flocculation using biomass-based fly ash as activator
Xiaoqian Chen1,2,3, Fangong Kong1, Yingjuan Fu1
1State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, China.
Scientific Reports
|October 12, 2019
Summary
Biomass fly ash improves wastewater treatment by enhancing activated sludge settling and flocculation. This is due to released cations and extracellular polymeric substances, impacting effluent quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Pulping industry byproducts, biomass fly ash and wastewater, present disposal challenges.
- Biomass fly ash is being explored as a valuable adsorbent for wastewater treatment.
- Activated sludge properties, crucial for wastewater treatment, are influenced by various factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of biomass fly ash on activated sludge settling and flocculation.
- To determine the relationship between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and sludge properties.
- To assess the role of different EPS fractions (loosely bound and tightly bound) in sludge performance.
Main Methods:
- Activated sludge was mixed with biomass fly ash, and zeta potential was measured.
- Sludge settling, flocculation affinity, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content were analyzed.
- Protein/polysaccharide (PN/PS) ratios of EPS were determined.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine sludge floc structure.
Main Results:
- Fly ash addition increased sludge zeta potential due to released cationic ions, improving settling and flocculation.
- A strong positive correlation was found between loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and effluent suspended solids (ESS).
- LB-EPS negatively impacted bioflocculation, effluent clarification, and sludge settling, while tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) showed less correlation.
Conclusions:
- Biomass fly ash effectively enhances activated sludge performance in wastewater treatment.
- LB-EPS content is a critical factor influencing effluent quality and sludge settling.
- Understanding EPS composition and properties is key to optimizing wastewater treatment processes.
