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Dynamics in Flocculation and Settling Properties Studied at a Full‐Scale Activated Sludge Plant
Author(s) -
Wilén BrittMarie,
Lumley Doug,
Mattsson Ann,
Mino Takashi
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143009x426004
Subject(s) - flocculation , settling , effluent , turbidity , activated sludge , environmental science , environmental engineering , compaction , sewage treatment , pulp and paper industry , ecology , geotechnical engineering , biology , geology , engineering
A comprehensive study of the dynamics in settling and flocculation properties at a full‐scale activated sludge treatment plant with secondary settlers operated at their maximum capacity is presented. An extensive set of process data was analyzed to assess physical parameters affecting the capacity and performance of the secondary settlers. There was a large variation in the settling and compaction properties, and they changed quickly, as a result of the short sludge age. Even though the flocculation properties changed throughout the year, they were generally improved during the summer, with lower values of effluent turbidity and effluent suspended solids concentration. The shear sensitivity, which is a measure of floc stability, was higher during the winter, when the water temperatures were lower. The sludge floc morphology had, in general, a different internal structure, with more round microbial colonies during the warmer summer months and a more net‐like open structure during the winter.