Abstract
Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) technology becomes a very competitive method to activated sludge system. Its main advantages include: high energy efficiency and low investment costs. Despite this fact, intensive research on biogranulation optimization are still carried out, both at laboratory and technical scale. In order to intensify the AGS technology, new methods of biogranulation and ways of improving the stability of aerobic granules are sought. So far, several studies have been conducted in this area, with using among others: chemical coagulants, dosage fragments of granules and powdered materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of powdered keramsite on the feasibility of rapid aerobic granulation in a GSBR reactor with a minimum-optimum organic loading rate (OLR). The research presents an effective way of cultivating stable aerobic granules in a Granular Sequencing Batch Reactor (GSBR) under specific technological parameters.
Highlights
In order to intensify the Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) technology, new methods of biogranulation and ways to improve the stability of aerobic granules are sought
During the adaptation period of the system, the concentration of MLSS in the reactors decreased by 46% and 43%, whereas the concentration of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) decreased by 44.5% and 22%
In the context of the challenges which the wastewater treatment technology based on granular sludge has to face, it is appropriate to take further actions in order to evaluate the effectiveness of supporting the aerobic granular sludge technology by powdered materials
Summary
In order to intensify the AGS technology, new methods of biogranulation and ways to improve the stability of aerobic granules are sought. In the aerobic granular sludge technology, powdered materials are the microcarrier of biomass which forms a granule [7]. The use of those materials allow to shorten the granulation time of activated sludge, because they act as a nucleus which induces the aggregation of microorganisms [4]. Powdered materials contribute to an increase in the collision and friction with aggregates of microorganisms. This can play an important role in the formation of the granules surface [4]. Divalent cations contained in powdered materials can participate in forming the matrix of aerobic granules [15]
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