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Attachment performance between micro particles and different sized aerobic granular sludge - from outside to inside.
Zhaoxu Peng1, Yuemei Lin2, Mark C M van Loosdrecht2
1Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, Delft, South Holland 2628 CN, the Netherlands; School of Water Conservancy and Transportation Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Kexue Road 100, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) attachment of micro-particles is primarily influenced by surface roughness, not just surface area. Broken AGS outer layers are crucial for micro-particle adhesion, aiding new granule formation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is an emerging wastewater treatment technology.
- Domestic sewage contains significant particulate organic matter.
- Understanding micro-particle attachment to AGS is vital for optimizing treatment efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) size and surface properties on micro-particle attachment.
- To compare the attachment performance of intact AGS with broken AGS fragments.
- To elucidate the role of AGS surface structure and composition in micro-particle adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Investigated micro-particle attachment to different sized AGS (2.0-5.0 mm).
- Compared attachment of intact AGS with AGS fragments (cut into 2, 4, and 8 pieces).
- Utilized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and fluorescence staining to analyze AGS surface and internal structure.
Main Results:
- The 3.1-4.0 mm AGS exhibited the highest micro-particle attachment, followed by 2.5-3.1 mm AGS.
- Attachment was strongly correlated with surface roughness, attributed to amyloid-glucan-like structures, rather than specific surface area.
- Broken AGS fragments preferentially attached micro-particles to their outer layers, mirroring the initial granule's outer layer properties.
Conclusions:
- The surface roughness, driven by amyloid-glucan-like structures, is the key factor in micro-particle attachment to AGS.
- The outer layer of AGS, especially when fragmented, plays a critical role in initiating micro-particle adhesion.
- These findings emphasize the importance of AGS outer layer integrity and fragmentation in forming new granules and enhancing wastewater treatment.
