Comparison of aerobic granulation in SBR and continuous-flow plants. (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jahn, L.; Svardal, K.; Krampe, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 231(2019)
• Page Start: 953
• Page End: 961
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: Aerobic granulation -- Continuous-flow -- SBR -- SVI; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.10.101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Up to now, aerobic granulation of activated sludge is only realised in SBRs, where the discontinuous feed and sedimentation allow the formation of dense granules with excellent settling properties. However, aerobic granulation in continuous-flow plants (CFP) is gaining more and more interest in order to exploit the advantages of these excellent sludge properties to construct compact and efficient WWTP. Within the scope of this project, a SBR and CFP were operated in parallel to investigate the aerobic granulation of activated sludge and to compare the biomass in terms of their structure and settling behavior. CFP operation included two experimental phases with different reactor designs. The use of synthetic wastewater during phase I led to a biomass with a SVI of 42 ml g −1, whereby the SVI declined only to 85 ml g −1 in the second phase and the use of municipal sewage. After the start-up period, microscopic images of the biomass from CFP comprised small compact granules with a high flocculent fraction. Particle size distribution for phase II confirm, that 72% of the particles had a size over 200 μm. A strong correlation was observed between the appearance of NOx -N in the first reactor and the SVI. The results illustrate, that the anaerobic conditions during feeding are essential to keep stable granules. Highlights: Aerobic granules cultivated in a SBR with sewage reached a SVI of 50–60 ml g -1 . Aerobic granulation in continuous-flow requires anaerobic feeding conditions. 72% of the granules from the CFP reached a characteristic particle size of 200 μm. SVI of the sludge from the CFP was reduced to 85 ml g -1 by the feed of sewage. An impact of the technical devices on the granules structure can not be excluded.