Integrating novel (thermophilic aerobic membrane reactor-TAMR) and conventional (conventional activated sludge-CAS) biological processes for the treatment of high strength aqueous wastes. (May 2018) - Collivignarelli, Maria Cristina
Highlights: Synergy of thermophilic membrane reactor and mesophilic process were investigated. High COD removal yields from combination of thermophilic and mesophilic processes. Ammonification under thermophilic condition was compensated by mesophilic treatment. Low specific sludge production of combined treatments was observed. Phosphorus precipitation in form of salts under thermophilic conditions. Abstract: A combination of thermophilic aerobic membrane reactor (TAMR) and conventional activated sludge (CAS) was studied by means of two pilot plants at semi-industrial scale in order to simulate the new configuration adopted in a full-scale facility for the treatment of high strength aqueous wastes. Aqueous wastes with high contents of organic pollutants were treated by means of the TAMR technology, progressively increasing the organic load (3–12 kgCOD m −3 d −1 ). A mixture of municipal wastewater and thermophilic permeate was fed to the CAS plant. The main results are the following: achievement of a high COD removal yield by both the TAMR (78%) and the CAS (85%) plants; ammonification of the organic nitrogen under thermophilic conditions and subsequent mesophilic nitrification; capacity of the downstream mesophilic process to complete the degradation of the organic matter partially obtained by the TAMR process and precipitation of phosphorus as vivianite and carbonatehydroxylapatite in the TAMR plant.