Capillary Suction Time Values Research Articles

Treatment of polluted river water using potential bioflocculant produced by Klebsiella pneumonia UKD24.

Chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) is a rapid wastewater treatment process involving treating wastewater with two chemical-aided processes, coagulation, and flocculation. In the present study, a natural extracellular polymeric substance flocculant (EPSBF) produced by Klebsiella pneumonia UKD24, a bacterium isolated from the sewage treatment plant, and a synthetic polyacrylamide anionic polymer flocculant (PAM) were evaluated to treat polluted river water. The synthetic PAM showed immediate turbidity reduction after agitation, while the EPSBF expressed a rapid decrease in optical density. After 20 min of the settling period, the EPSBF showed reduced rates of turbidity, optical density, and chemical oxygen demand at 74.14 ± 5.2%, 89.37 ± 0.76%, and 87.21 ± 0.73%, respectively, while PAM showed 67.08 ± 4%, 85.68 ± 2%, and 86.57 ± 2%, respectively. EPSBF treatment significantly improved the water quality parameters in terms of total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, conductivity, and oxidation-reduction potential than PAM treatment. However, the EPSBF has shown a more water-holding capacity and relatively weak flock formation, producing more sludge volume than PAM. Furthermore, though the sludge produced by the EPSBF treatment had a higher moisture content, it showed shorter capillary suction time (CST). In contrast, sludge formed in PAM treatment had lower moisture content, but it exhibited prolonged CST value indicating that PAM treatment sludge showed slow dewaterability.

Comprehensive effects of grain-size modification of electrolytic manganese residue on deep dehydration performance and microstructure of sludge

As the by-product accompanied by sewage treatment, sludge has complex composition and high moisture content, therefore, its reutilization and disposal are still a challenge. In this paper, five kinds of quartz sand conditioners with different particle sizes (denoted as QS1, QS2, QS3, QS4 and QS5, respectively) were used to explore the effect of particle size distribution of conditioners on sludge dewatering performance. The moisture content, capillary suction time (CST), time to filter (TTF), specific resistance of filtration (SRF), particle size distribution curve, pore distribution law, scanning electron microscopy, isothermal adsorption-desorption curve and extracellular polymeric substances distribution were employed to characterize the modified sludge and explore the improvement mechanism. The results show that the particle size distribution of the conditioner significantly affects the efficiency of sludge dewatering. The wt% of sludge regulated with QS1 (QS1-S) could be reduced to 52%, and its CST value, TTF value and SRF value is 57.93 s, 278 s and 1.84 × 108 s2 g−1, respectively. The conjecture about the effect of difference of particle size distribution on sludge dewatering performance was verified with the original Electrolytic Manganese Residue (EMR) and the grain-size modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue (EMR6). Compared with those of the EMR-conditioned sludge, the CST, TTF and SRF of EMR6-conditioned sludge was decreased by 8.7%, 22.3% and 11.2%, respectively. According to analysis of surface microstructure, the surface of the sludge cake modified with QS1 is rough and sparse with rich pore structure. Compared with those of the undisturbed sludge (A0), the pore volume and specific surface area of the sludge modified with QS1 was increased by 61.65% and 38.62%, respectively. After grain-size modification, the dehydration effect of EMR6 (D10 4.25 μm, D50 19.65 μm, D90 73.26 μm) was significantly enhanced, and the D10, D50 and D90 value was close to that of QS1. It can be concluded that the particle size of QS1 (D10 3.27 μm, D50 15.66 μm, and D90 62.23 μm) can improve the dewatering performance of sludge by shearing the sludge particles to change the original sludge particle size distribution and improving the blockage of sludge dewatering channels.

Enhancement of sludge dewaterability via the thermal hydrolysis anaerobic digestion mechanism based on moisture and organic matter interactions

It is known that sludge dewaterability improves during the thermal hydrolysis process (THP); however, the effect of thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion (THP-AD) on sludge dewaterability is unclear. Further, the difference between thermal hydrolysis as pre-treatment for anaerobic digestion (pre-THP-AD) and as post-treatment (post-THP-AD) is also unclear. Based on the evolution of the interaction between organic matter and moisture, the mechanism of pre-THP-AD and post-THP-AD improving the sludge dewaterability was explored. The capillary suction time values of pre-THP-AD and post-THP-AD increased by 58% and 59%, respectively, and the proportion of free moisture increased by 10.44% and 10.59%, respectively, compared with the conventional anaerobic digestion (CAD) process. The cell structure was destroyed and most organic matter was converted into dissolved form through THP, organic matter degraded during AD, the interaction between moisture and organic matter declined, and the mechanically bound moisture transformed into free moisture. Additionally, the intensity of hydrophilic functional groups, such as amide I decreased and amide II disappeared after (pre- and post-) THP-AD. The surface hydrophobicity of sludge samples was enhanced and sludge dewaterability improved. The mechanism of pre-/post-THP-AD enhanced sludge dewaterability based on the interaction between moisture and organic matter; additionally, this will provide a reference for optimised moisture-sludge separation processes and guidance for the optimisation of engineering operation parameters.

Role of extracellular polymeric substances in anaerobic granular sludge: Assessing dewaterability during Fe(II)-peroxydisulfate conditioning and granulation processes

In this study, Fe(II) activated peroxydisulfate (PDS) conditioning and sludge granulation were conducted to investigate the dewaterability of anaerobic granular sludge (AGS). After Fe(II)-PDS conditioning, the dewaterability of three AGS from different sources was enhanced. The specific resistance to filtration (SRF) reduction rates were achieved (98.30% ± 0.19%, 99.51% ± 0.17% and 96.47% ± 1.25%, respectively) under the optimal Fe(II) and PDS additions; And the optimal reductions of capillary suction time (CST) were 93.49% ± 2.49%, 95.33% ± 0.02% and 88.04% ± 2.95%, respectively. The mechanism of improving AGS dewaterability by Fe(II)-PDS conditioning was proposed. The radical SO4⋅−/OH⋅ destroyed the structure of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) layers and microbial cells, resulting in the bound water released from AGS. Thereafter, the generated Fe(III) facilitated the sludge re-flocculation and decreased the electrostatic repulsion. During a 132-day granulation, the CST value showed a positive correlation with protein (S-EPS), polysaccharide and zeta potential, and a negative correlation with protein (LB-EPS), protein (TB-EPS), particle size and VSS. Collectively, the protein was the primary component in AGS and showed a strong correlation with dewaterability. The variations of protein in TB-EPS during the conditioning and the granulation were consistent with the changes of sludge dewaterability.

Enhanced mechanical deep dewatering of dewatered sludge by a thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment: Effects of temperature and retention time

This study investigated effects of the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment on mechanical deep dewaterability of dewatered sludge to extend understanding of dewatering characteristics of thermally hydrolyzed sludge. Floc sizes of dewatered sludge were gradually reduced during the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment at 170 °C and 185 °C with increasing retention time whereas longer retention time (>60 min) increased floc sizes of thermally hydrolyzed sludges at 200 °C due to formation of undesired refractory organic materials (ROMs), which might hinder the disintegration of dewatered sludge flocs. Similar trends were found for thermal hydrolytic solubilization of dewatered sludge. This demonstrated that the efficiency of the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment at a higher temperature (200 °C) with longer retention time (≥60 min) could be strongly influenced by the formation of ROMs associated with changes of solid fractions and some free amino acids (i.e., β-aminobutyric acid, 4-hydroxyproline, and cysteine). Since the trade-off between the degradation of dewatered sludge and the formation of ROMs determined mechanical deep dewaterability of thermally hydrolyzed sludge, the lowest residual weight and moisture content were observed for thermally hydrolyzed sludges at 200 °C with retention time range of 60 min (residual weight = 0.165; moisture content = 55.38%) to 90 min (residual weight = 0.160; moisture content = 59.87%). These observations were intimately correlated to variations of extracellular polymeric substances during the thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment, but not in accordance with the change pattern of capillary suction time (CST) values. This is evident that the CST value was inadequate to estimate mechanical deep dewaterability of thermally hydrolyzed sludge.

Influence of Digested Sludge Conditioning on the Dewatering Processes and the Quality of Sludge Liquid

Abstract To increase the dewatering effect, sewage sludge should be properly prepared before dewatering. Sludge conditioning is a process whereby sludge solids are treated with chemicals or various other means to improve dewatering characteristics of the sludge by reducing the specific resistance and compressibility of the sludge. The aim of the research was to determine the possibility of increasing the efficiency of sewage sludge dewatering by applying chemical agents and ultrasonic field. Some parameters, such as suspension, chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus and ammonium nitrogen content in sludge supernatant, were also analysed. Digested sludge belonged to the group of hardly dewatered sludge, its capillary suction time (CST) was of high value (2639 s). The lowest CST value (88.5 s) was obtained for the unsonicated sludge prepared only with PIX 113 at a dose of 7.0 mg/g d.m. Both the dose and the type of chemicals used, as well as the time of sonication, had an impact on the changes occurring in sludge properties. The increase in mechanical dewatering efficiency was obtained by using a combination of methods applied for sludge preparation, where the sonication of sludge was used at the preliminary stage and followed by dosing chemical substances. This resulted in the reduction of sludge final hydration and changes of other parameters. In addition, combined action of PIX 113 and Zetag 8180 allowed to reduce the content of suspended solids and COD in sludge supernatant.

Effects of acid, acid-ZVI/PMS, Fe(II)/PMS and ZVI/PMS conditioning on the wastewater activated sludge (WAS) dewaterability and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)

The effects of four conditioning approaches: Acid, Acid-zero-valent iron (ZVI)/peroxydisulfate (PMS), Fe(II)/PMS and ZVI/PMS, on wastewater activated sludge (WAS) dewatering and organics distribution in supernatant and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) layers were investigated. The highest reduction in bound water and the most WAS destruction was achieved by Acid-ZVI/PMS, and the optimum conditions were pH 3, ZVI dosage 0.15 g/g dry solid (DS), oxone dosage 0.07 g/g DS and reaction time 10.6 min with the reductions in capillary suction time (CST) and water content (Wc) as 19.67% and 8.49%, respectively. Four conditioning approaches could result in TOC increase in EPS layers and supernatant, and protein (PN) content in tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS). After conditioning, organics in EPS layers could migrate to supernatant. Polysaccharide (PS) was easier to migrate to supernatant than PN. In addition, Acid, Acid-ZVI/PMS or Fe(II)/PMS conditioning promoted the release of some polysaccharides containing ring vibrations v PO, v C-O-C, v C-O-P functional groups from TB-EPS. ESR spectra proved that both radicals of SO4-· and ·OH contributed to dewatering and organics transformation and migration. CST value of WAS positively correlated with the ratios of PN/PS in LB-EPS and total EPS, while it negatively correlated with TOC, PN content and PS content in TB-EPS, as well as PS content in supernatant and LB-EPS. BWC negatively correlated to zeta potential and TOC value, PN content, and HA content in supernatant.

Effect of citric acid on extracellular polymeric substances disruption and cell lysis in the waste activated sludge by pH regulation

This paper investigated the effects of citric acid (CA) on extracellular polymer destruction and cell lysis in sludge at different initial pH by measuring capillary suction time (CST), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and intracellular bound water. The results indicated that under CA concentration at 0.05 g/g suspended solids (SS) and initial pH 4, the CST value decreased from 175.5 s to 112.3 s, slime extracellular polymeric substances (S-EPS) and loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) content respectively to increase from 4.92 to 41.43, 2.27 to 5.49 mg/g volatile suspended solids (Vss), while tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) content to decrease from 12.35 to 5.01 mg/g (Vss), which suggested CA could disrupt outer EPS effectively. Intracellular bound water content decreased from 1.23 g/g to 0.41 g/g dry solid (DS). As a result, CA could release intracellular bound water effectively, thereby improving sludge dewatering degree.

Anaerobically-digested sludge disintegration by transition metal ions-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS): Comparison between Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Mn2+

This study investigates anaerobically-digested sludge (ADS) disintegration by activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) with transition metal ions of Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+ (PMS-Me2+). The activating performances of Me2+ are quantitatively compared by capillary suction time (CST), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), bound water content (BWC), particle size distribution, and metal speciation. At Me2+ dose of 1.2 mmol/g VSS, PMS-Fe2+ and PMS-Cu2+ achieve the lowest normalized CST, i.e., CST/CST0, of 0.47, and the higher normalized CST values of 0.71 and 0.74 are observed for PMS-Mn2+ and PMS-Co2+, respectively. BWC shows little extent of decrease upon PMS-Me2+ oxidation, and the most significant decrease from 89.5% to 88.3% is observed for PMS-Mn2+. PMS-Co2+ contributes to the decrease of DOC in total EPS fractions (DOCtot) from 698.0 mg/L to 496.6 mg/L, whereas the increased DOCtot to 713.6, 734.4, and 755.0 mg/L is observed with the introduction of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+, respectively. Fe2+ tends to transform to Fe3+ and the coagulation effect increases the median particle diameter (D50) from 15.8 μm to 91.1 μm. Comparatively, much lower D50 values of below 20.0 μm are observed for other divalent ions. The European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction method is used to analyze the metal speciation in ADS sediment after PMS-Me2+ disintegration. The dominant species of Co and Mn are acid extractable fractions with the ratios of 91.0% and 87.3%, whereas the main Fe and Cu species are observed to be residual and oxidizable fractions. The pre-captured Me2+ ions with 50-days aging interestingly exhibit activating efficacy towards PMS, and CST values were observed to decrease by 11.5%, 30.5%, 11.8%, and 27.3% with the presence of pre-captured Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+ at 1.2 mmol/g VSS. This study proposes the potentially valuable strategy for the disintegration and dewatering of sludge with high contents of transition metal ions.

Impact of anaerobically digested biosolids characteristics and handling conditions on dewatering performance at multiple facilities.

Anaerobically digested biosolids (ABD) characteristics that affect dewatering were assessed at three water resource recovery facilities (WRRF) with different handling practices. Dewatering performance at the three sites corresponded to different levels ofsoluble chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia (NH4 -N), and mono- and divalent cation concentrationsin ADB. Capillary suction time (CST) and a modified centrifugal technique were used to determine optimum polymer doses and to assess the impact of handling conditions on dewatering performance. Both techniques indicated that polymer dosing between 15 and 20kg/dry tonne was optimal for all facilities and that biosolids mixing and pumping did not significantly impact dewaterability. The CST values of anaerobically digested biosolids decreased as temperature increased, but no significant difference was found for either temperature or location of dewatering facilities. Sludge viscosity and rheological properties that vary with temperature appeared to have influenced CST values. Modified centrifugal technique results indicated cake solids were not affected by polymer make-up water or ADB temperature when emulsion polymer was used. This study shows the value of laboratory testing of biosolids under controlled conditions to identify and correct potential problems in full-scale operations. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Capillary suction time and a modified centrifugal technique were used to assess the impact of different process-related and environmental factors on dewatering. Higher concentrations of soluble COD (potentiallyextracellular polymeric substances - EPS) and low calcium (Ca) in anaerobically digested biosolids align with reduced dewaterability. Cell disruption and break down of floc structures due to storage/mixing and pumping of biosolids did not appear to negatively impact dewatering. Modified centrifugal test results did not provide conclusive evidence of whether dewatering of anaerobically digested biosolids could be significantly impacted by temperature over the range 15-30°C, especially when emulsion polymer is used. This study shows the value of laboratory testing of biosolids under controlled conditions to identify potential problems in the full-scale operations.

An Experimental Approach To Assess the Dispersion of Shale in Fracturing Fluids

Summary We propose an experimental approach to evaluate how typical fluids influence shale dispersion. In this approach, finely ground shale is left to settle in the fracturing fluid, generating particle-size and concentration profiles within the settling column. Samples are taken at various settling times and depths and then analyzed with regard to turbidity and capillary-suction-time (CST) behavior. Particle-size-distribution (PSD) measurements are used to further substantiate analysis. Turbidity data indicate the volume of particles present, and PSD data indicate the sizes of these particles (or flocs). This approach was tested using ground shale, Eagle Ford brine (EFB), and three typical fluid additives. Without additives present, shale flocculation resulted in rapid particle settling, and samples taken from suspension gave low turbidity and CST values. With additives present, suspensions were better dispersed and hence tended to give higher CST values. Some additives hindered flocculation more effectively than others. The results suggest that low CST numbers might not always be desirable; additives that are good inhibitors might hinder flocculation of shale particulates and hence promote higher CST numbers. In this paper we discuss how our proposed experimental approach can give insights into the influence of additives on the degree and nature of shale dispersion.

Improving dewaterability and filterability of waste activated sludge by electrochemical Fenton pretreatment

The electrochemical Fenton (electro-Fenton) pretreatment was explored as an attractive dewatering method for excess sludge produced in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs). The effects of initial pH, applied current density, zero valent iron (ZVI) dosage, and H2O2 concentration on sludge dewaterability and filterability were demonstrated by measuring water content (WC) and capillary suction time (CST) of conditioned sludge, respectively. Using radical scavenging tests, the significantly reduced WC and CST values in the electro-Fenton pretreatment compared to unconditioned sludge were attributed to both surface-bound OH and aqueous OH responsible for attacking and degrading extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The component of tightly bound EPS (TB–EPS) was degraded to a greater extent as compared to soluble EPS (S–EPS) and loosely bound EPS (LB–EPS), resulting in the release of bound water to the aqueous phase. Protein and polysaccharide measurements in EPS fractions, together with FT–IR spectra, confirmed the preference of protein oxidation by OH. On the other hand, in the electro-Fenton process, ZVI was first electro-oxidized to Fe2+ for use in the Fenton reaction, then to Fe3+ that was subsequently reduced to Fe2+ under the applied electrical field, thereby leading to the cycle of iron (Fe2+ → Fe3+ → Fe2+). Moreover, ZVI/Fe3+ acted as scaffolds for agglomeration of flocs into large and compact particles for improved filterability. Results of this study could provide a basis to optimize the sludge dewatering process using the electro-Fenton pretreatment in MWTPs.

Combined use of inorganic coagulants and cationic polyacrylamide for enhancing dewaterability of sewage sludge

Coagulation or flocculation of waste sludge by coagulants or flocculants is often used alone or in hybrid conditioning with other preconditioning for sludge dewatering. However, combined conditioning with coagulants and flocculants for sludge dewatering is rarely reported. This work explored the combined use of inorganic coagulant (Fe3+ or polyaluminum chloride) and cationic polyacrylamide for sludge dewatering. The results showed the combined use of coagulant and flocculant could achieve the same or similar filterability of that with individual use of coagulant or flocculant based on capillary suction time value, while the dosage decreased by 56.55% for Fe3+ and 44.49% for cationic polyacrylamide, or 49.94% for polyaluminum chloride and 29.12% for cationic polyacrylamide. Moreover, a higher efficiency of water content reduction was obtained for sludge with the combined use of coagulant and flocculant. By studying the basic physicochemical properties and rheological profiles of the sludge system, the results indicated that the mechanism was a synergistic effect of coagulation and flocculation, including disintegration of microbial cells and agglomeration of sludge flocs, which efficiently reduced bound water, leading to the lowest apparent viscosity in the Non-linear regime. Accordingly, the lowest bound water content and best flowability were obtained for sludge with the combined use of coagulant and flocculant. These results suggested that the combined use of inorganic coagulants and cationic polyacrylamide is more favorable for improving sludge dewatering performance than with individual use of coagulant or flocculant.

Nanoscale Laponite as a Potential Shale Inhibitor in Water-Based Drilling Fluid for Stabilization of Wellbore Stability and Mechanism Study.

Shale hydration is the main reason causing wellbore instability in oil and gas drilling operations. In this study, nanoscale laponite as a shale inhibitor was employed to stabilize wellbores. The inhibition property of laponite suspensions was evaluated by an immersion experiment, linear swelling measurement, and a shale recovery test. Then the shale inhibition mechanism was studied by using capillary suction time (CST) measurement, a thixotropy study, plugging performance evaluation, and related theoretical analysis. Evaluation experiment results showed that laponite had a better inhibition property than widely used inhibitors of potassium chloride (KCl) and poly(ester amine) (PA). The mechanism study revealed that integration of several factors strengthened the inhibition property of laponite suspensions. Laponite nanoparticles could plug interlayer spaces of clays by electrostatic interaction to reduce water invasion; the "house of cards" structure of laponite suspensions enables large CST values and low free water contents; the excellent thixotropy of a laponite nanofluid could allow a nanofilm to form in order to reduce water invasion into the formation; the nanoscale laponite particles could substantially reduce the shale permeability and form less porous surfaces. Furthermore, laponite could considerably decrease the filtrate volume of the drilling fluid, while KCl and PA had negative influences on the properties of the drilling fluid. This approach described herein might provide an avenue to inhibit shale hydration.

Clogging vs. fouling in immersed membrane bioreactors

Whilst the fouling of MBR membrane surfaces has been very extensively explored by the academic community, there is an increasingly widespread recognition by practitioners of the issue of clogging of membrane channels with sludge solids, sometimes termed “sludging”. The study undertaken has quantified this phenomenon using a bespoke test cell allowing a flat sheet membrane channel to be viewed directly during operation and the accumulated solids determined by digital image processing. Sludging behaviour has then been correlated both with the sludge properties, from sludge samples taken from both an industrial and municipal MBR, and the permeability decline rate data.The work has revealed the expected trends in fouling propensity, as quantified by the exponent n of the Δp/Δt = m.exp(nJ) correlation from classical flux-step tests. With zero membrane aeration the industrial samples exhibited sludging, the filling of the complete thickness of the membrane channel with sludge solids, whereas for municipal sludge the solids formed a cake layer which did not fill the channel. In the absence of sludging the permeability decline followed the expected pattern of increasing at the elevated soluble COD and capillary suction time values of the industrial sludge, compared with municipal sludge at the same solids concentration range (8–12 g.L−1). However, there was no evident correlation between fouling (permeability decline without sludging) and sludging: incipient sludging did not appear to influence permeability, though can be assumed to negatively impact on long-term operation, or relate to the sCOD concentration. Sludging instead appeared to depend on the sludge physical properties, and primarily the viscosity: sludge samples at high viscosities were found to exhibit a different air-scour pattern to that at normal MLSS concentrations.Outcomes suggest that sludging is caused by rheological conditions promoting bubble coalescence and bubble stream constriction, reducing the exposure of the membrane surface to scouring air.

Impact of dosing order of the coagulant and flocculant on sludge dewatering performance during the conditioning process

The combined use of coagulant and flocculant can achieve excellent dewatering performance. In this study, we investigated the impact of dosing order of the coagulant and flocculant on sludge dewatering performance. The results showed that capillary suction time (CST) values during the coagulation-flocculation process decreased 20–25% compared to those during the flocculation-coagulation process using the same doses of additives. Moisture content of the sludge during the coagulation-flocculation process was lower. The dosing order of coagulants and flocculants during the conditioning process was clearly important for sludge dewatering, and the coagulant should be dosed before the flocculant. Furthermore, a mechanism for the different dewatering performance was proposed: larger agglomerated and destabilized colloid particles formed, and more bound water was released into the sludge bulk solution during the coagulation-flocculation process, compared with the flocculation-coagulation process, which resulted in better dewatering performance, as reflected in the CST value and moisture content of the sludge cake. These results enable a better understanding of combined conditioning with coagulants and flocculants on sludge dewatering.

Role of free nitrous acid in the pretreatment of waste activated sludge: Extracellular polymeric substances disruption or cells lysis?

Free nitrous acid (FNA) has positive effect on the solubilization of waste activated sludge (WAS), but the mechanism is uncertain. In this study, five different pretreatments were compared to elucidate the enhanced mechanism through the variation of sludge physicochemical properties, including capillary suction time (CST), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and bound water. The CST values showed a significant positive correlation with soluble protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) under different FNA concentration and contact time. After being pretreated, the CST values increased from 156.5 (raw sludge) to 335.4 (ultrasonic), 237.5 (FNA), 258.7 (ultrasonic/FNA) and 214.4 (ultrasonic (washed)/FNA), respectively. The soluble extracellular polymeric substances (S-EPS) and loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) increased for all pretreatment, but the tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) decreased. The sludge filterability was in connection with the existence of humic acid in LB-EPS. Contrary to other pretreatments, bound water decreased from 82% to 79% after FNA treatment. This study showed that FNA was very effective in disintegrating cell membrane, which was indicated by increasing percentage of DNA in solution, however, its role in disintegration of EPS fractions was limited.

Dewatering of saline sewage sludge using iron-oxidizing bacteria: Effect of substrate concentration

This study investigated the improvement in dewaterability of activated sludge (ACS) and anaerobically digested sludge (ADS) through bioacidification approach using iron-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. ACS and ADS were treated with A. ferrooxidans culture with addition of different concentrations of energy substrate, in terms of Fe2+:sludge solids ratio (0:1, 0.01:1, 0.05:1 and 0.1:1), and the dewaterability was assessed by determining the capillary suction time (CST), time to filter (TTF) and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) of the sludge. The results revealed that the levels of Fe2+ significantly influenced the sludge acidification (pH⩽3). The CST, TTF and SRF values rapidly decreased in treated sludge, indicating that dewaterability of the sludge was significantly (p<0.05) improved than untreated sludge. This investigation clearly demonstrates that A. ferrooxidans culture, as biogenic flocculant, can be potentially used for improving the sludge flocculation, stabilization and dewaterability.

Reversibility of the structure and dewaterability of anaerobic digested sludge

The reversibility of the structure and dewaterability of broken anaerobic digested sludge (ADS) is important to ensure the efficiency of sludge treatment or management processes. This study investigated the effect of continuous strong shear (CSS) and multipulse shear (MPS) on the zeta potential, size (median size, d50), mass fractal dimension (DF), and capillary suction time (CST) of ADS aggregates. Moreover, the self-regrowth (SR) of broken ADS aggregates during slow mixing was also analyzed. The results show that raw ADS with d50 of 56.5μm was insensitive to CSS–SR or MPS–SR, though the size slightly decreased after the breakage phase. For conditioned ADS with d50 larger than 600μm, the breakage in small-scale surface erosion changed to large-scale fragmentation as the CSS strength increased. In most cases, after CSS or MPS, the broken ADS had a relatively more compact structure than before and d50 is at least 200μm. The CST of the broken fragments from optimally dosed ADS increased, whereas that corresponding to overdosed ADS decreased. MPS treatment resulted in larger and more compact broken ADS fragments with a lower CST value than CSS. During the subsequent slow mixing, the broken ADS aggregates did not recover their charge, size, and dewaterability to the initial values before breakage. In addition, less than 15% self-regrowth in terms of percentage of the regrowth factor was observed in broken ADS after CSS at average velocity gradient no less than 1905.6sec−1.

Development and Implementation of a Novel Sulfur Removal Process from H2S Containing Wastewaters.

A novel process for removing sulfur from wastewater containing dissolved sulfide has been developed and implemented in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) process treating anaerobically pretreated industrial (pulp and paper) wastewater at the Gippsland Water Factory. Controlled oxygen addition to the first bioreactor zone (constituting 27.7% of the total bioreactor volume) to create oxygen-limiting conditions, followed by oxygen-sufficient conditions in the remaining zones of the bioreactor, provide the necessary conditions. Dissolved sulfide is oxidized to elemental sulfur in the first zone, and the accumulated sulfur is retained in the bioreactor mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the remaining zones. Accumulated sulfur is removed from the process in the waste activated sludge (WAS). Oxidation of dissolved sulfide to elemental sulfur reduces the associated process oxygen requirement by 75% compared to oxidation to sulfate. Microscopic examinations confirm that biological accumulation of elemental sulfur occurs. Process performance was analyzed during a nearly 2-year commissioning and optimization period. Addition of air in proportion to the process influent dissolved sulfide loading proved the most effective process control approach, followed by the maintenance of dissolved oxygen concentrations of 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L in the two downstream bioreactor zones. Sufficient oxygen is added for the stoichiometric conversion of dissolved sulfide to elemental sulfur. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal also occurred under these conditions, thereby simplifying supplemental phosphorus addition. These operating conditions also appear to lead to low and stable capillary suction time values for the MBR mixed liquor.