Anaerobic Stabilization Research Articles

Latitudinal distribution of microbial communities in anaerobic biological stabilization ponds: effect of the mean annual temperature.

SummaryConsidering wide utilization and high methane fluxes from anaerobic biological stabilization ponds (ABSPs), understanding the methanogenesis in ABSPs is of fundamental importance. Here we investigated the variation and impact factors of methanogenesis in seven ABSPs that spanned from the north to the south of China. Results showed that methanogen abundance (7.7 × 109–8.7 × 1010 copies g−1 dry sediment) and methanogenic activities (2.2–21.2 μmol CH 4 g−1 dry sediment h−1) were considerable for all sediments. Statistical analysis demonstrated that compared with other factors (ammonium, pH, COD and TOC), mean annual temperature (MAT) showed the lowest P value and thus was the most important influencing factor for the methanogenic process. Besides, with the increasing MAT, methanogenic activity was enhanced mainly due to the shift of the dominant methanogenic pathway from acetoclastic (49.8–70.7%) in low MAT areas to hydrogenotrophic (42.0–54.6%) in high MAT areas. This shift of methanogenic pathway was also paralleled with changes in composition of bacterial communities. These results suggested that future global warming may reshape the composition of methanogen communities and lead to an increasing methane emission from ABSPs. Therefore, further research is urgently needed to globally estimate methane emissions from ABSPs and re‐examine the role of ABSPs in wastewater treatment.

Dynamics of changes in coplanar and indicator PCB in sewage sludge during mesophilic methane digestion

Research was conducted, which aim was to evaluate the influence of mesophilic methane digestion on degradation of coplanar and indicator PCB in sewage sludge, and on dynamics of changes of these congeners during the process. For the research, sewage sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant were used. Mesophilic digestion was conducted at the temperature of 36°C±1°C. The anaerobic stabilization processes of sewage sludge occurred correctly what was confirmed by appropriate values of pH, content of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ratio of VFA to alkalinity. Biodegradation of organic compounds in sewage sludge was confirmed by the decrease in total solids (by 26%) and volatile solids (by 36%). Up to the 3rd day of the digestion process no statistically significant differences in concentration of both coplanar and indicator PCB was observed. During the following days of the process, an increase in lower chlorinated PCB concentration was demonstrated and a decrease in concentration of higher chlorinated congeners (penta-, hexa-, and heptachlorobiphenyls). After the digestion, a decrease in higher chlorinated congener concentration was found. Significant degradation was demonstrated for coplanar PCB 169 (from 77.8 to 80.5%), and indicator PCB 180 (from 57.1 to 90.3%) and PCB 153 (from 60.4 to 79.2%).

The effect of ultrasonic disintegration process conditions on the physicochemical characteristics of excess sludge

Abstract Ultrasonic disintegration, as a method of sludge pre-treatment (before the stabilization process), causes changes in their physicochemical characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of ultrasonic disintegration conditions (sonication) on the changes in the physicochemical characteristics of sonicated sludge, i.e. an increase in the content of organic substances in the supernatant, sludge dewaterability and flocs structure. Thickened and non-thickened excess sludge from the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Gliwice was disintegrated. The process was conducted, using a high-power disintegrator equipped with a lenticular horn. In order to determine the most favorable conditions, the sewage sludge was sonicated at a wave frequency of f=25 kHz (as a function of time), with a different samples volume (V1=0.5 and V2=1 L) and emitter position of 1 and the 2.5 cm from the bottom of the chamber in which the process was conducted. The disintegration of sewage sludge was carried out with a specific energy density (EV) in the range from 10 to 30 kWh/m3. The evaluation of the disintegration effects was based on changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the sludge and/or supernatant at the end of the process, expressed by commonly used and author’s disintegration indicators. The best results were obtained for the sludge disintegrated with a volume of V2=1 L and the emitter position of 2.5 cm from the bottom of the chamber. The study confirms that in various operating conditions of ultrasonic disintegration, there is a possibility for obtaining different effects which may influence the course of anaerobic stabilization and quality of the final products of the process.

Anaerobic treatment to improve sludge recovery at a deinked fiber pulp and paper mill

Investigations were conducted to explore the use of anaerobic treatment options that may allow complete recovery of primary and waste activated sludge streams for incineration from a graphic paper mill with an integrated deinked pulp plant. The effective reduction of waste activated sludge quantity (55%–65%) was obtained by the anaerobic treatment of wastewater from the deinked pulp plant or by the anaerobic stabilization of the mill effluent from primary treatment, where chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 67.6% and 64.8%, and biogas potential of 440 and 496 m3/t CODremoved were achieved, respectively. The anaerobic treatment of wastewater and alkali hydrolysis of waste activated sludge decreased the dewatering properties of solids residue in treated effluent resulting in a negative impact on the sludge recovery energy balance. The addition of municipal wastewater to anaerobic treatment in the amount of 18 vol%, representing 10% of the total COD, increased the reduction of waste activated sludge to 78%, with a positive impact on the treatment costs and efficiency. Anaerobic treatment of the studied effluents may enable incineration of all mill sludge with a positive energy balance, a reduction of biological wastewater treatment operational cost by up to 83%, and mill conventional energy demands by up to 2.7%, resulting in total cost savings of up to EUR 5.2 (USD 5.60) per ton of paper.

Characterization and evaluation of treatability of wastewater generated in Khuzestan livestock slaughterhouses and assessing of their wastewater treatment systems

<div> <p>Slaughterhouse wastewaters are characterized by a high organic content, mainly composed of proteins and fats. Therefore, these wastewaters should be treated efficiently prior to discharge into receiving bodies to avoid severe environmental pollution. This work aimed to characterize slaughterhouse wastewater generated in one province of Iran (Khuzestan), evaluating various suitability of biological treatment, assessing wastewater treatment plants performance and feasibility of wastewater reuse. Composite samples were collected from input and output of wastewater treatment plant during 6 months (spring and summer) and were analyzed for TSS, turbidity, temperature, conductivity, pH, COD, BOD<sub>5</sub>, fat, total coliform and fecal coliform. Data analysis was done using Excel and SPSS software. The results showed that different quantities of wastewater were generated in any slaughterhouses of Ahvaz (120-600 l/d.sheep), Dezful (110-550 l/d.sheep), and Shushtar (139-694 l/d.sheep). Khuzestan slaughterhouses wastewater is classified by pollution severity as strong wastewater. The BOD<sub>5</sub>/COD ranges from 0.3 to 0.5, which indicates applicability of biological treatment. Wastewater treatment plant of Ahvaz with anaerobic stabilization ponds and extended aeration activated sludge process has the highest removal efficiencies of pollutants. The result also indicated reuse of slaughterhouses effluent was not acceptable due to not comply with the standards of Iran. Finally, if safe use or disposal of these effluents is desired, blood capture from raw wastewater for reducing the amounts of organic loading must be implemented. Also, use of an appropriate treatment plant is noted.</p> </div> <p> </p>

Flexible engineering designs for urban water management in Lusaka, Zambia.

Urban water systems are often designed using deterministic single values as design parameters. Subsequently the different design alternatives are compared using a discounted cash flow analysis that assumes that all parameters remain as-predicted for the entire project period. In reality the future is unknown and at best a possible range of values for design parameters can be estimated. A Monte Carlo simulation could then be used to calculate the expected Net Present Value of project alternatives, as well as so-called target curves (cumulative frequency distribution of possible Net Present Values). The same analysis could be done after flexibilities were incorporated in the design, either by using decision rules to decide about the moment of capacity increase, or by buying Real Options (in this case land) to cater for potential capacity increases in the future. This procedure was applied to a sanitation and wastewater treatment case in Lusaka, Zambia. It included various combinations of on-site anaerobic baffled reactors and off-site waste stabilisation ponds. For the case study, it was found that the expected net value of wastewater treatment systems can be increased by 35-60% by designing a small flexible system with Real Options, rather than a large inflexible system.

Stabilization of fine fraction from landfill mining in anaerobic and aerobic laboratory leach bed reactors

Fine fraction (FF, <20mm) from mined landfill was stabilized in four laboratory-scale leach bed reactors (LBR) over 180days. The aim was to study feasibility of biotechnological methods to treat FF and if further stabilization of FF is possible. Four different stabilization methods were compared and their effects upon quality of FF were evaluated. Also during the stabilization experiment, leachate quality as well as gas composition and quantity were analyzed. The methods studied included three anaerobic LBRs (one without water addition, one with water addition, and one with leachate recirculation) and one aerobic LBR (with water addition). During the experiment, the most methane was produced in anaerobic LBR without water addition (18.0LCH4/kgVS), while water addition and leachate recirculation depressed methane production slightly, to 16.1 and 16.4LCH4/kgVS, respectively. Organic matter was also removed via the leachate and was measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD). Calculated removal of organic matter in gas and leachate was highest in LBR with water addition (59gCOD/kgVS), compared with LBR without water addition or with leachate recirculation (51gCOD/kgVS). Concentrations of COD, ammonium nitrogen and anions in leachate decreased during the experiment, indicating washout mechanism caused by water additions. Aeration increased sulfate and nitrate concentrations in leachate due to oxidized sulfide and ammonium. Molecular weight distributions of leachates showed that all the size categories decreased, especially low molecular weight compounds, which were reduced the most. Aerobic stabilization resulted in the lowest final VS/TS (13.1%), lowest respiration activity (0.9–1.2mgO2/gTS), and lowest methane production after treatment (0.0–0.8LCH4/kgVS), with 29% of VS being removed from FF. Anaerobic stabilization methods also reduced organic matter by 9–20% compared with the initial amount. Stabilization reduced the quantity of soluble nitrogen in FF and did not alter concentration of soluble and insoluble phosphorus, and insoluble nitrogen. All four stabilization methods decreased organic matter and thus are possible stabilization methods for FF, but aerobic treatment was the most efficient in this study.

혐기소화액의 고온호기산화 공정 적용에 관한 연구

We studied the possibility on the application of the Thermophilic Aerobic Oxidation (TAO) process to anaerobic digestate stabilization. In treating digestate with TAO reactor the internal temperature of the reactor was increasing higher and <TEX>$51^{\circ}C$</TEX> and over was maintained after 6 days on. The physiochemical compositions of liquids increased from pH 8.1 to 9.8 and EC decreased from 29.8 to 12.0 mS/cm in treating process of digestate with TAO reactor. CODcr decreased from 22,654 to 18,843 mg/L, showed about 16.82% of remove efficiency. TN and <TEX>$NH_4-N$</TEX> decreased from 4,813 to 1,733 mg/L, from 3,815 to 812 mg/L respectively, which showed about 64.0% and 78.7% of removal efficiency respectively.

Impact of selected insecticides on the anaerobic stabilization of municipal sewage sludge

The aim of the studies was to indicate whether the insecticides have toxic impact on the course of the process of sewage sludge methane fermentation and their biochemical durability is. The research proved that representatives of insecticides from the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons and phosphoorganic compounds can be toxic to anaerobic biocenosis. The series of insecticide toxicity with respect to anaerobic biocenosis is the following: Chloroorganic compounds > phosphoorganic compounds. The compounds studied can be put into a series with respect to their toxicity as follows: metoxychlor > chlorfenvinphos > fenitrothion > malathion, and for commercial products as follows: Metox > Enolofos > Owadofos > Sadofos. Pesticides from the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons and phosphoorganic compounds can be biodegraded in anaerobic conditions. The degree of decomposition was as follows, for: metoxychlor 99.3–99.9%, chlorfenvinphos 38.1–97.6%, fenitrothion 75.3–99.9%, and malathion, 84.2–99.9%. The study confirms that pesticides (in particular doses), while having a toxic effect on anaerobic biocenosis, are at the same time biologically decomposed in the analyzed conditions of methane digestion. The research has also developed and supplemented the current knowledge on the changes of pesticides in the environment and provides a complete list of compounds toxic to methane fermentation biocenosis.

State of Biogas Production in the Slovak Republic

Anaerobic processes have been used in environmental technologies for nearly 150 years. The present paper deals with the use of anaerobic technologies in the Slovak Republic. The introduction briefly describes the past use of anaerobic processes in the world and in Slovakia. The conditions of anaerobic wastewater treatment and stabilization of sewage sludge in biogas plants and biogas production in landfills are discussed. Anaerobic sludge stabilization with biogas production can be found at 52 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), of which 22 have cogeneration units with the electrical output of 5.14 MW installed. Only one anaerobic industrial WWTP has a cogeneration installed, with the electrical output of 0.32 kW. Total installed electrical power of 111 biogas plants is 103 MW and the total installed electrical power of ten landfills is 2.24 MW. In the conclusion, further possibilities of the development of anaerobic technologies in Slovakia are presented.

BADANIA SYMULACYJNE PROCESU FERMENTACJI W UKŁADZIE KOMORY PSYCHROFILNEJ I KOMORY MEZOFILNEJ W ODNIESIENIU DO ILOŚCI WYTWARZANEGO BIOGAZU

The paper presents problems concerning the modelling of anaerobic sludge stabilization, with the additional substrate (waste transported, dairy butchery sewage) in psychrophilic fermentation conditions in the range 10–20 °C and mesophilic at 35 °C. Simulation test was conducted in the two digesters. Results of the study allowed to evaluate the effectiveness of conducting these processes in separate chambers, i.e. the psychrophilic and mesophilic chamber. During the simulations, terms of obtaining volatile fatty acids and biogas in conjunction with the operating conditions of the chambers indicated.

Wnt pathway activation increases hypoxia tolerance during development.

Adaptation to hypoxia, defined as a condition of inadequate oxygen supply, has enabled humans to successfully colonize high altitude regions. The mechanisms attempted by organisms to cope with short-term hypoxia include increased ATP production via anaerobic respiration and stabilization of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α). However, less is known about the means through which populations adapt to chronic hypoxia during the process of development within a life time or over generations. Here we show that signaling via the highly conserved Wnt pathway impacts the ability of Drosophila melanogaster to complete its life cycle under hypoxia. We identify this pathway through analyses of genome sequencing and gene expression of a Drosophila melanogaster population adapted over >180 generations to tolerate a concentration of 3.5–4% O2 in air. We then show that genetic activation of the Wnt canonical pathway leads to increased rates of adult eclosion in low O2. Our results indicate that a previously unsuspected major developmental pathway, Wnt, plays a significant role in hypoxia tolerance.

Effect of different pH-values on process parameters in two-phase anaerobic digestion of high-solid substrates

In many publications, primary fermentation is described as a limiting step in the anaerobic digestion of fibre-rich biomass [Eastman JA, Ferguson JF. Solubilization of particulacte carbon during the anaerobic digeston. J WPCF. 1981;53:352–366; Noike T, Endo G, Chang J, Yaguchi J, Matsumoto J. Characteristics of carbohydrate degradation and the rate-limiting step in anaerobic digestion. Biotechnol Bioeng. 1985;27:1482–1489; Arntz HJ, Stoppok E, Buchholz K. Anaerobic hydroysis of beet pulp-discontiniuous experiments. Biotechnol Lett. 1985;7:113–118]. The microorganisms of the primary fermentation process differ widely from the methanogenic microorganisms [Pohland FG, Ghosh S. Developments in anaerobic stabilization of organic wastes-the two-phase concept. Environ Lett. 1971;1:255–266]. To optimize the biogas process, a separation in two phases is suggested by many authors [Fox P, Pohland GK. Anaerobic treatment applications and fundamentals: substrate specificity during phase separation. Water Environ Res. 1994;66:716–724; Cohen A, Zoetemeyer RJ, van Deursen A, van Andel JG. Anaerobic digestion of glucose with separated acid production and methane formation. Water Res. 1979;13:571–580]. To carry out the examination, a two-phase laboratory-scale biogas plant was established, with a physical phase separation. In previous studies, the regulation of the pH-value during the acid formation was usually carried out by the addition of sodium hydroxide [Cohen A, Zoetemeyer RJ, van Deursen A, van Andel JG. Anaerobic digestion of glucose with separated acid production and methane formation. Water Res. 1979;13:571–580; Ueno Y, Tatara M, Fukui H, Makiuchi T, Goto M, Sode K. Production of hydrogen and methane from organic solid wastes by phase separation of anaerobic process. Bioresour Technol. 2007;98:1861–1865; Zoetemeyer RJ, van den Heuvel JC, Cohen A. pH influence on acidogenic dissimilation of glucose in an anaerobic digestor. Water Res. 1982;16:303–311]. A new technology without the use of additives was developed in which the pH-regulation is executed by the pH-dependent recycling of effluent from the anaerobic filter into the acidification reactor. During this investigation, the influence of the different target pH-values (5.5, 6.0, 7.0 and 7.5) on the degradation rate, the gas composition and the methane yield of the substrate maize silage was determined. With an increase in the target pH-value from 5.5 to 7.5, the acetic acid equivalent decreased by 88.1% and the chemical oxygen demand-concentration by 18.3% in the hydrolysate. In response, there was a 58% increase in the specific methane yield of the overall system. Contrary to earlier studies, a marked increase in biogas production and in substrate degradation was determined with increasing pH-values. However, these led to a successive approximation of a single-phase process. Based on these results, pH-values above 7.0 seem to be favourable for the digestion of fibre-rich substrates.

Gaseous fuels production from dried sewage sludge via air gasification.

Gasification is a perspective alternative method of dried sewage sludge thermal treatment. For the purpose of experimental investigations, a laboratory fixed-bed gasifier installation was designed and built. Two sewage sludge (SS) feedstocks, taken from two typical Polish wastewater treatment systems, were analysed: SS1, from a mechanical-biological wastewater treatment system with anaerobic stabilization (fermentation) and high temperature drying; and (SS2) from a mechanical-biological-chemical wastewater treatment system with fermentation and low temperature drying. The gasification results show that greater oxygen content in sewage sludge has a strong influence on the properties of the produced gas. Increasing the air flow caused a decrease in the heating value of the produced gas. Higher hydrogen content in the sewage sludge (from SS1) affected the produced gas composition, which was characterized by high concentrations of combustible components. In the case of the SS1 gasification, ash, charcoal, and tar were produced as byproducts. In the case of SS2 gasification, only ash and tar were produced. SS1 and solid byproducts from its gasification (ash and charcoal) were characterized by lower toxicity in comparison to SS2. However, in all analysed cases, tar samples were toxic.

Pharmaceutically active compounds in sludge stabilization treatments: Anaerobic and aerobic digestion, wastewater stabilization ponds and composting

Sewage sludge disposal onto lands has been stabilized previously but still many pollutants are not efficiently removed. Special interest has been focused on pharmaceutical compounds due to their potential ecotoxicological effects. Nowadays, there is scarce information about their occurrence in different sludge stabilization treatments. In this work, the occurrence of twenty-two pharmaceutically active compounds has been studied in sludge from four sludge stabilization treatments: anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, composting and lagooning. The types of sludge evaluated were primary, secondary, anaerobically-digested and dehydrated, composted, mixed, aerobically-digested and dehydrated and lagoon sludge. Nineteen of the twenty-two pharmaceutically active compounds monitored were detected in sewage sludge. The most contaminated samples were primary sludge, secondary sludge and mixed sludge (the average concentrations of studied compounds in these sludges were 179, 310 and 142μg/kgdm, respectively) while the mean concentrations found in the other types of sewage sludge were 70μg/kgdm (aerobically-digested sludge), 63μg/kgdm (lagoon sludge), 12μg/kgdm (composted sludge) and 8μg/kgdm (anaerobically-digested sludge). The antibiotics ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were found at the highest concentration levels in most of the analyzed sludge samples (up to 2660 and 4328μg/kgdm, respectively). Anaerobic-digestion treatment reduced more considerably the concentration of most of the studied compounds than aerobic-digestion (especially in the case of bezafibrate and fluoroquinolones) and more than anaerobic stabilization ponds (in the case of acetaminophen, atenolol, bezafibrate, carbamazepine, 17α-ethinylestradiol, naproxen and salicylic acid). Ecotoxicological risk assessment, of sludge application onto soils, has also been evaluated. Risk quotients, expressed as the ratio between the predicted environmental concentration and the predicted non-effect concentration, were lower than 1 for all the pharmaceutically active compounds so no significant risks are expected to occur due to the application of sewage sludge onto soils, except for 17α-ethinylestradiol when chronic toxicity was considered.

Advanced anaerobic processes to enhance waste activated sludge stabilization

The requirement for enhanced stabilization processes to obtain a more stable, pathogen-free sludge for agricultural use is an increasing challenge to comply with in the waste hierarchy. With this in mind, the Routes European project ('Novel processing routes for effective sewage sludge management') is addressed to assess innovative solutions with the aim of maximizing sludge quality and biological stability. In order to increase anaerobic stabilization performances, the sequential anerobic/aerobic process and the thermophilic digestion process, with or without integration of the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment, were investigated as regards the effect on sludge stabilization, dewaterability and digestion performances. Thermal pre-treatment improved anaerobic digestion in terms of volatile solids reduction and biogas production, but digestate dewaterability worsened. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) quantification showed an increase of methanogens consistent with the increase of biogas produced. The aerobic post-treatment after mesophilic digestion had a beneficial effect on dewaterability and stability of the digested sludge even if was with a reduction of the potential energy recovery.

Changes in selected dioxin-like PCB concentration and toxicity in anaerobically stabilized sewage sludge

The process of methane digestion was conducted in two parallel cultures with different sewage sludge. The digestion was conducted three times: the thermophilic one (37°C) for 14 d, the mesophilic one at temperature of 36°C for 15 d and the mesophilic one for 14 d, with a preceding five-d thermophilic hydrolysis. The content of three most detrimental dl-PCB with codes: 77 (3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl), 126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl), and 169 (3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl). Changes in toxicity, caused by the presence of coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in sewage sludge, during digestion were evaluated by means of TEQPCB equivalent. Research results showed that conducted anaerobic stabilization processes of sewage sludge proceeded correctly. It was demonstrated that methane digestion process contributes to some decrease in PCB concentration and in toxicity due to the presence of coplanar PCB in sewage sludge. Intensification of mesophilic digestion by means of thermophilic hydrolysis contributed to some decrease in dl-PCB concentration and toxicity equivalent. The highest reduction in sludge toxicity was obtained during thermophilic digestion. After the process, reduction in WHO98-TEQPCB equivalent value in sewage sludge by 98% on average was demonstrated.

Hybrid conditioning before anaerobic digestion for the improvement of sewage sludge dewatering

So far, the most common method of conditioning to increase the efficiency of sludge dewatering is by adding chemicals (polyelectrolytes). This method effectively increases dewatering, thus causing the possibility of getting into the environment of hazardous chemicals. The use of physical conditioning methods (thermal, ultrasonic field) or a combination one (so-called hybrid conditioning) is an alternative to chemical methods for sludge preparing. A preliminary modification of excess sludge before the fermentation process affects the stabilization process, thereby changing the parameters characterizing the efficiency of sewage sludge dewatering. The article presents a study determining the impact of pre-conditioning of excess sludge before anaerobic stabilization on the final efficiency of their dewatering. Sludge conditioning methods of thermal and ultrasonic pre-treatment and combination of these two methods (hybrid conditioning) were used. The ability of sludge dewatering was determined on the basis of the capillary suction time, the effectiveness of their compaction and microscopic observation of the structure.

Biological Composition of Sewage Sludge in the Aspect of Threats to the Natural Environment

One of the prerequisites for sustainable development is integrated waste management, including sewage sludge. Besides its good fertilization properties, sewage sludge, which is an inevitable by-product of sewage treatment, accumulates toxic chemical substances and dangerous pathogenic and toxicogenic organisms. Uncontrolled introduction of sewage sludge into soil might pose a serious threat to food chain and natural soil microfl ora. This in effect might disturb the ecological balance in a particular ecosystem. This study presents author's own investigations of the sanitary conditions of sewage sludge and the conditions after the processes of aerobic and anaerobic stabilization. The investigated sewage sludge originated from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The sewage sludge samples were transferred onto proliferation and diagnostic media. The results of the analysis obtained in this study confi rmed that sewage sludge is a material which is rich in microorganisms, including pathogenic bacterial species such as: Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Mycological tests demonstrated that sewage sludge is a material which is conducive to proliferation of yeast- -like and mould-like fungi, among which both pathogenic and toxinogenic species can be present. Quantitative analysis of the investigated sewage sludge demonstrated that the processes of stabilization reduce the content of microorganisms but they do not guarantee product safety in sanitary terms. A huge variability and variety of biological composition points to the need for further research in the fi eld of sanitary characteristics of sewage sludge and survival rate in microorganisms from different types of sewage sludge.

Bioengineering approach for sewage sludge degradation through aerobic thermophilic process

The aerobic thermophilic sewage sludge treatment process was studied at various bioreactor scales through modified bioengineering design approach. The effectiveness of the biological system was controlled by varying the process operating conditions of bioreactor to enhance microbial degradation efficiency. The inactivation of pathogen each promoted by increase of temperature, while the residual CFU was lowered by reducing the total solids content of sewage sludge. The optimum sludge degradation through aerobic thermophilic process occurred in temperature range of 58 - 62oC but temperature more than 60oC was suitable for hygienic inactivation. Dual digestion systems of an aerobic theromophilic treatment followed by anaerobic thermophilic stabilization stage shows greater treatment and efficiency in degrading the organic sludge constituting up to seventy per cent. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i2.17556 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 2, 159-163, 2013