Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge Systems for upgrading Hydraulic Capacity and Settling Characteristics of Activated Sludge Processes

Abstract

In this research an experimental laboratory pilot plant was used to assess the ability of the integrated fixed film activated sludge (IFAS) process to upgrade the hydraulic capacity of the ordinary activated sludge units. The experimental plant consisted of three basins, which were designed to work simultaneously under the same operating conditions. The second and third basins were developed to work on the suggested process by adding a fixed media to these reactors in such way so that the specific area in the second basin was 18.72 m2/m3 and in the third 37.44 m2/m3. The experimental program was divided into five stages so that, the applied discharges in the second, third, fourth and fifth stages were 150%, 200%, 250% and 300% of the discharge in the first stage respectively. The result of the experimental work showed that the (IFAS) process can effectively upgrade the capacity and performance of the ordinary activated sludge process. In the second basin, the discharge was increased to about 125 % of its original value without reduction in the organic removal efficiency while, in the third basin the load increased to 150 % of its original value and also no reduction in the removal efficiency was observed. The settling characteristics of the activated sludge also improved and filamentous growth became very limited.