Treatment of septage using single and two stage activated sludge batch reactors systems

Abstract

The cyclic or sequencing batch activated sludge process was applied for the treatment of septage originating from cesspools serving non-sewered areas. Single and two stage systems were investigated In bench scale units. The single stage aerated system was capable in removing practically all the biodegradable COD and producing a well stabilised excess sludge with excellent settling and thickening characteristics. With respect to nitrogen the average removal rate was to the order of 70%, but the performance was unstable due to periodic strong inhibition of the nitrification process. Subsequent treatment in a second stage aerated unit improved nitrification but did not result in higher nitrogen removal rates due to the increased concentrations of oxidised nitrogen. An anoxic second stage post denitrification unit resulted in an overall nitrogen removal of 88%, through a substantial reduction of nitrates. Further improvement of the system, with nitrogen removal of about 95% and average effluent nitrogen concentrations lower than 10 mg.l−1, can be achieved by adoption of a two stage system consisting of a first aerated stage unit, followed by a second stage unit with alternating aerated and anoxic cycles and addition of external carbon during the anoxic cycle.