The role of EPS concentration in MBR foaming: analysis of a submerged pilot plant

Performance and economic evaluation of a pilot scale embedded ends-free membrane bioreactor (EEF-MBR)

In this work, an embedded ends-free membrane bioreactor (EEF-MBR) has been developed to overcome the fouling problem. The EEF-MBR unit has a novel configuration where a bed of granular activated carbon is placed in the bioreactor tank and fluidized by the aeration system. The performance of pilot-scale EEF-MBR was assessed based on flux and selectivity over 140 h. The permeate flux fluctuated between 2 and 10 L.m^-2.h^-1 under operating pressure of 0.07-0.2 bar when EEF-MBR was used to treat wastewater containing high organic matter. The COD removal efficiency was more than 99% after 1 h of operating time. Results from the pilot-scale performance were then used to design a large-scale EEF-MBR with 1200 m³.day^-1 capacity. Economic analysis showed that this new MBR configuration was cost-effective when the permeate flux was set at 10 L.m^-2.h^-1. The estimated additional cost for the large-scale wastewater treatment was about 0.25 US$.m^-3 with a payback period of 3 years. KEY POINTS: • Performance of new MBR configuration, EEF-MBR, was assessed in long term operation. • EEF-MBR shows high COD removal and relatively stable flux. • Cost estimation of large scale shows the cost effective EEF-MBR application.

Membrane Fouling Mitigation in MBR via the Feast–Famine Strategy to Enhance PHA Production by Activated Sludge

Fouling is considered one of the main drawbacks of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. Among the main fouling agents, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are considered one of the most impactful since they cause the decrease of sludge filterability and decline of membrane flux in the long term. The present study investigated a biological strategy to reduce the membrane-fouling tendency in MBR systems. This consisted of seeding the reactor with activated sludge enriched in microorganisms with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) storage ability and by imposing proper operating conditions to drive the carbon toward intracellular (PHA) rather than extracellular (EPS) accumulation. For that purpose, an MBR lab-scale plant was operated for 175 days, divided into four periods (1–4) according to different food to microorganisms’ ratios (F/M) (0.80 kg COD kg TSS⁻¹ d⁻¹ (Period 1), 0.13 kg COD kg TSS⁻¹ d⁻¹ (Period 2), 0.28 kg COD kg TSS⁻¹ d⁻¹ (Period 3), and 0.38 kg COD kg TSS⁻¹ d⁻¹ (Period 4)). The application of the feast/famine strategy favored the accumulation of intracellular polymers by bacteria. The increase of the PHA accumulation inside the cells corresponded to the decrease of EPS and an F/M of 0.40–0.50 kg COD kg TSS⁻¹ d⁻¹ was found as optimum to maximize the PHA production, while minimizing EPS. The lowest EPS content in the sludge (18% of total suspended solids) that corresponded to the maximum content of PHA (9.3%) was found in Period 4 and determined significant mitigation of the fouling rate, whose value was close to 0.10 × 10¹¹ m⁻¹ h⁻¹. Thus, by imposing proper operating conditions, it was possible to drive the organic matter toward PHA accumulation. Moreover, a lower EPS content corresponded to a decrease in the irreversible fouling mechanism, which would imply a lower frequency of the extraordinary cleaning operations. This study highlighted the possibility of obtaining a double benefit by applying an MBR system in the frame of wastewater valorization: minimizing the fouling tendency of the membrane and recovery precursors of bioplastics from wastewater in line with the circular economy model.

Candidatus Kaistella beijingensis sp. nov., Isolated from a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Is Involved in Sludge Foaming

Biological foaming (or biofoaming) is a frequently occurring problem in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and is attributed to the overwhelming growth of filamentous bulking and foaming bacteria (BFB). Biological foaming has been intensively investigated, with BFB like Microthrix and Skermania having been identified from WWTPs and implicated in foaming. Nevertheless, studies are still needed to improve our understanding of the microbial diversity of WWTP biofoams and how microbial activities contribute to foaming. In this study, sludge foaming at the Qinghe WWTP of China was monitored, and sludge foams were investigated using culture-dependent and culture-independent microbiological methods. The foam microbiomes exhibited high abundances of Skermania, Mycobacterium, Flavobacteriales, and Kaistella. A previously unknown bacterium, Candidatus Kaistella beijingensis, was cultivated from foams, its genome was sequenced, and it was phenotypically characterized. Ca. K. beijingensis exhibits hydrophobic cell surfaces, produces extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and metabolizes lipids. Ca. K. beijingensis abundances were proportional to EPS levels in foams. Several proteins encoded by the Ca. K. beijingensis genome were identified from EPS that was extracted from sludge foams. Ca. K. beijingensis populations accounted for 4 to 6% of the total bacterial populations in sludge foam samples within the Qinghe WWTP, although their abundances were higher in spring than in other seasons. Cooccurrence analysis indicated that Ca. K. beijingensis was not a core node among the WWTP community network, but its abundances were negatively correlated with those of the well-studied BFB Skermania piniformis among cross-season Qinghe WWTP communities. IMPORTANCE Biological foaming, also known as scumming, is a sludge separation problem that has become the subject of major concern for long-term stable activated sludge operation in decades. Biological foaming was considered induced by foaming bacteria. However, the occurrence and deterioration of foaming in many WWTPs are still not completely understood. Cultivation and characterization of the enriched bacteria in foaming are critical to understand their genetic, physiological, phylogenetic, and ecological traits, as well as to improve the understanding of their relationships with foaming and performance of WWTPs.

Identification of microorganisms responsible for foam formation in mesophilic anaerobic digesters treating surplus activated sludge

Foaming is a common operational problem in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems, where hydrophobic filamentous microorganisms are usually considered to be the major cause. However, little is known about the identity of foam-stabilising microorganisms in AD systems, and control measures are lacking. This study identified putative foam forming microorganisms in 13 full-scale mesophilic digesters located at 11 wastewater treatment plants in Denmark, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with species-level resolution and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for visualization. A foaming potential aeration test was applied to classify the digester sludges according to their foaming propensity. A high foaming potential for sludges was linked to the abundance of species from the genus Candidatus Microthrix, immigrating with the feed stream (surplus activated sludge), but also to several novel phylotypes potentially growing in the digester. These species were classified to the genera Ca. Brevefilum (Ca. B. fermentans) and Tetrasphaera (midas_s_5), the families ST-12K33 (midas_s_22), and Rikenellaceae (midas_s_141), and the archaeal genus Methanospirillum (midas_s_2576). Application of FISH showed that these potential foam-forming organisms all had a filamentous morphology. Additionally, it was shown that concentrations of ammonium and total nitrogen correlated strongly to the presence of foam-formers. This study provided new insight into the identity of putative foam-forming microorganisms in mesophilic AD systems, allowing for the subsequent surveillance of their abundances and studies of their ecology. Such information will importantly inform the development of control measures for these problematic microorganisms.

Evaluation of foaming potential for water treatment: limits and developments

The critical issue generated by foaming in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a problem that is currently very common and shared, but which to date is treated mainly only at the management level. In this work, an experimental study with foam tests on real and synthetic waters was conducted using a laboratory scale plant and foaming power indices were calculated. To date, the estimation of foaming potential is mainly based on these indices which give information only on height/volume of foams but not on the type of foams, in terms of consistency and therefore stability. Tests showed that foaming power indices were highly variable with the same water: it was not possible to identify a single foaming potential value for each water. Two models were proposed to estimate the percentage increase in height of chemical foams produced following the introduction of air below the surface of a liquid. In terms of determination coefficient, the results obtained from the complex model were better: R² was 0.82 for the simple linear model and 0.90 for the complex one. This approach has allowed to underline some critical aspects of foaming potential as it is determined today and the possible improvements applicable for a more objective evaluation.

Foams in Wastewater Treatment Plants: From Causes to Control Methods

The formation of persistent foams can be a critical problem in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as it could lead to a series of operational problems, especially the reduction of the overall system performance. To date, the effects of foaming in the WWTPs are a problem that is currently very common and shared, but which to date is treated mainly only at the management level and still too little studied through a globally shared scientific method: the complexity of the phenomenon and the systems have led to numerous partially contradictory descriptions and hypotheses over the years. The goal must be to suggest future research directions and indicate promising strategies to prevent or control the formation of foams in WWTPs. This study examines and investigates the problem of foams by a methodological approach of research through a review on the state of the art: the factors influencing the formation of foams are described first (such as surfactants and/or extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs)), then the known methods for the evaluation of foaming, both direct and indirect, are presented, with the aim of identifying the correct and best (from the management point of view) control and/or prevention strategies to be applied in the future in WWTPs.

Advanced treatment of sewage by membrane bioreactor associate with genetically engineered autotrophic nitrifying bacteria

This study introduced a process of MBR combing with genetically engineered bacteria of expressing nirs and ppk genes (GEB-Nirs/PPK) for advanced treatment of sewage in scenic area. An industrial scale application was staged anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion. Over more than 150 days of continuous operation, TMP in this system was less than 0.18 bar. With a membrane flux of 6.48 m³/h, TMP remained below 0.2 bar and effluent remained above 70 m³ during continuous operation. Average COD and BOD removals averaged 94.2% and 93.6%, and were obtained with average effluent COD and BOD below 10.4 mg/L and 4.2 mg/L, respectively. The TN and TP removals averaged 98.8% and 94.3%, and never higher than 3.2 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L, respectively, in the processing system. In conclusion, these results indicate that the process of MBR associate with genetically engineered autotrophic nitrifying bacteria is of high-efficiency for advanced treatment of sewage.

A Brief Review on the Resistance-in-Series Model in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs)

The cake layer deposited on the membrane modules of membrane bioreactors (MBRs), especially under a submerged configuration, represents a relevant and fundamental mechanism deeply influencing the development of membrane fouling. It negatively affects the total resistance to filtration, while exerting a positive effect as a "pre-filter" promoting the "dynamic membrane" that protects the physical membrane from internal fouling. These two opposite phenomena should be properly managed, where the submerged membranes are usually subjected to a periodical cake layer removal through ordinary (permeate backwashing and air scouring) and/or irregular cleaning actions (manual physical cleaning). In this context, the physical removal of the cake layer is needed to maintain the design filtration characteristics. Nevertheless, the proper evaluation of the effect of physical cleaning operations is still contradictory and under discussion, referring in particular to the correct evaluation of fouling mechanisms. The aim of the present work was to summarize the different aspects that influence the fouling investigations, based on simple models for the evaluation of the resistance to filtration due to the cake layer, through physical cleaning operations.

Intermolecular interactions of polysaccharides in membrane fouling during microfiltration

Membrane technology has been widely employed for seawater desalination, water and wastewater reclamation, while membrane fouling still remains as a major challenge. The polysaccharides in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have been recognized as an important foulant that causes serious membrane fouling, while the detailed structure of polysaccharides and the intermolecular interactions between them have not been adequately disclosed. In this study, two different polysaccharides and their mixtures were used to study the intermolecular cross-linking of polysaccharides as well as its effects on membrane fouling. Results demonstrated that the fouling propensities of distinct polysaccharides were completely different, which was attributed to the different intermolecular interactions lying in polysaccharides. The cross-linking among molecules of polysaccharide, regardless of the homogeneity, was found to form complex networks and determine the effective dimension of polysaccharides. Depending on the effective dimension of foulants, pore blocking and cake layer occurred subsequently during filtration processes. In light of this, it potentially gives new insights into the fouling behaviours by combining the structure-function knowledge of polysaccharides with their fouling propensity. In addition, transparent exopolymeric particles (TEP) measurement was found to provide an intuitionistic evaluation of the complex networks formed from polysaccharides, so that may act as a good indicator of fouling during membrane filtration.

Effects of bamboo charcoal on fouling and microbial diversity in a flat-sheet ceramic membrane bioreactor

Membrane fouling is a problem in full-scale membrane bioreactors. In this study, bamboo charcoal (BC) was evaluated for its efficacy in alleviating membrane fouling in flat-sheet membrane bioreactors treating municipal wastewater. The results showed that BC addition markedly improved treatment performance based on COD, NH₄⁺-N, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus levels. Adding BC slowed the increase in the trans-membrane pressure rate and resulted in lower levels of soluble microbial products and extracellular polymeric substances detected in the flat-sheet membrane bioreactor. BC has a porous structure, and a large quantity of biomass was detected using scanning electron microscopy. The microbial community analysis results indicated that BC increased the microbial diversity and Aminomonas, Anaerofustis, uncultured Anaerolineaceae, Anaerolinea, and Anaerotruncus were found in higher abundances in the reactor with BC. BC addition is an effective method for reducing membrane fouling, and can be applied to full-scale flat-sheet membrane bioreactors to improve their function.

Low energy single-staged anaerobic fluidized bed ceramic membrane bioreactor (AFCMBR) for wastewater treatment

An aluminum dioxide (Al₂O₃) ceramic membrane was used in a single-stage anaerobic fluidized bed ceramic membrane bioreactor (AFCMBR) for low-strength wastewater treatment. The AFCMBR was operated continuously for 395days at 25°C using a synthetic wastewater having a chemical oxygen demand (COD) averaging 260mg/L. A membrane net flux as high as 14.5-17L/m²h was achieved with only periodic maintenance cleaning, obtained by adding 25mg/L of sodium hypochlorite solution. No adverse effect of the maintenance cleaning on organic removal was observed. An average SCOD in the membrane permeate of 23mg/L was achieved with a 1h hydraulic retention time (HRT). Biosolids production averaged 0.014±0.007gVSS/gCOD removed. The estimated electrical energy required to operate the AFCMBR system was 0.039kWh/m³_, which is only about 17% of the electrical energy that could be generated with the methane produced.

Sewage sludge treatment in a thermophilic membrane reactor (TMR): factors affecting foam formation

Foam formation in the excess sludge treatment facilities of biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may represent a critical issue as it could lead to several operative problems and reduce the overall plant performance. This trouble also affects a novel technology recently proposed for sludge minimization, the thermophilic membrane reactor (TMR), operating with alternate aeration/non-aeration cycles. This technology, which has proven to be extremely resilient and suitable for treating industrial wastewater of different nature, demonstrated a high potential also as a solution for integrating existing WWTPs, aiming at the "zero sludge production." In this work, an experimental study was conducted with a TMR pilot plant (fed daily with thickened sewage sludge) by adjusting the duration of aeration/non-aeration alternate cycles. Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) concentration (and its soluble and bound fractions) has been monitored along with foaming power indices. The results highlight that foaming can be correlated to the presence of soluble protein fraction of EPS. Moreover, EPS production seems to be reduced by increasing the duration of the non-aeration cycles: optimal operating conditions resulted 2 h of aeration followed by 6 h of non-aeration. These conditions allow to obtain an EPS concentration of 500 mg L^-1 with respect to 2300 mg L^-1 measured at the beginning of experimental work.

Effect of sludge characteristics on membrane fouling during start-up of a tertiary submerged membrane bioreactor

In membrane bioreactors applied to wastewater treatment, fouling is typically a complex function of sludge characteristics. A pilot-scale tertiary submerged membrane bioreactor (tMBR) was continuously operated for over 200 days to assess the effect of biomass physiological state and environmental stress on process performance. Sludge characteristics were evaluated in terms of suspended solid concentration (MLSS and MLVSS), apparent viscosity, bioflocculation state, filterability, bioactivity, biopolymeric clusters (BPCs) and soluble microbial products. During the initial period of the tMBR start-up, when MLSS was below 3000 mg/L, the biomass was found to be very sensitive to environmental stress by sudden oxygen increase or organic shock loading, resulting in temporary biomass deflocculation and BPC release, and consequently, severe induced membrane fouling. However, at higher MLSS values, low stable biomass growth (0.04 ± 0.002 kg MLVSS/kg COD) was measured, regardless of organic overloading shocks or feeding failures. This period was also characterised by low bioactivity, BPC content and membrane fouling. Statistical analysis showed that BPCs have an important role when compared with other sludge properties as indicators of its fouling potential.

Performance of membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems for the treatment of shipboard slops: Assessment of hydrocarbon biodegradation and biomass activity under salinity variation

In order to prevent hydrocarbon discharge at sea from ships, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) enacted the MARPOL 73/78 convention in which any oil and oil residue discharged in wastewater streams must contain less than 5 ppm hydrocarbons. Effective treatment of this petroleum-contaminated water is essential prior to its release into the environment, in order to prevent pollution problem for marine ecosystems as well as for human health. Therefore, two bench scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were investigated for hydrocarbon biodegradation. The two plants were initially fed with synthetic wastewater characterised by an increasing salinity, in order to enhance biomass acclimation to salinity. Subsequently, they were fed with a mixture of synthetic wastewater and real shipboard slops (with an increasing slops percentage up to 50% by volume). The results indicated a satisfactory biomass acclimation level in both plants with regards to salinity, providing significant removal efficiencies. The real slops exerted an inhibitory effect on the biomass, partially due to hydrocarbons as well as to other concomitant influences from other compounds contained in the real slops difficult to evaluate a priori. Nevertheless, a slight adaptation of the biomass to the new conditions was observed, with increasing removal efficiencies, despite the significant slops percentage.

Treatment of sewage sludge in a thermophilic membrane reactor (TMR) with alternate aeration cycles

The management of sewage sludge is becoming a more and more important issue, both at national and international level, in particular due to the uncertain recovery/disposal future options. Therefore, it is clear that the development of new technologies that can mitigate the problem at the source by reducing sludge production is necessary, such as the European Directive 2008/98/EC prescribes. This work shows the results obtained with a thermophilic membrane reactor, for processing a biological sludge derived from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that treats urban and industrial wastewater. Sewage sludge was treated in a thermophilic membrane reactor (TMR), at pilot-scale (1 m(3) volume), with alternate aeration cycles. The experimentation was divided into two phases: a "startup phase" during which, starting with a psychrophilic/mesophilic biomass, thermophilic conditions were progressively reached, while feeding a highly biodegradable substrate; the obtained thermophilic biomass was then used, in the "regime phase", to digest biological sludge which was fed to the plant. Good removal yields were observed: 64% and 57% for volatile solids (VS) and total COD (CODtot), respectively, with an average hydraulic retention time (HRT) equal to 20 d, an organic loading rate (OLR) of about 1.4-1.8 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) and aeration/non aeration cycles alternated every 4 h.

Effect of C/N shock variation on the performances of a moving bed membrane bioreactor

The effect of a sharp variation of C/N ratio in a moving bed membrane bioreactor (MB-MBR) pilot plant treating high strength wastewater has been investigated. The experimental campaign was divided into two periods, each characterized by a different C/N ratio (namely, 2.5 and 15, Period 1 and Period 2, respectively). The MB-MBR system was analyzed in terms of organic carbon removal, nitrification efficiency, biokinetic activity and fouling behavior. The results showed that the nitrification process was severely affected by lower C/N value and by high concentration of ammonia. It was noticed an extensive stress effect on the autotrophic bacteria. Furthermore, it was observed an increase of the resistance related to particle deposition into membrane pores, likely due to a worsening of the cake layer features, with a reduction of the "pre-filter" effect, also related to the increase of the total Extracellular Polymeric Substances production with the C/N ratio.

Effect of chemical and biological surfactants on activated sludge of MBR system: microscopic analysis and foam test

A bench-scale MBR unit was operated, under stressing condition, with the aim of stimulating the onset of foaming in the activated sludge. Possible synergies between synthetic surfactants in the wastewater and biological surfactants (Extra-Cellular Polymeric Substances, EPSs) were investigated by changing C/N ratio. The growth of filamentous bacteria was also discussed. The MBR unit provided satisfactory overall carbon removal overall efficiencies: in particular, synthetic surfactants were removed with efficiency higher than 90% and 95% for non-ionic and ionic surfactants, respectively. Lab investigation suggested also the importance to reduce synthetic surfactants presence entering into mixed liquor: otherwise, their presence can significantly worsen the natural foaming caused by biological surfactants (EPSs) produced by bacteria. Finally, a new analytic method based on "ink test" has been proposed as a useful tool to achieve a valuation of EPSs bound fraction.

Anaerobic treatment of low-strength wastewater: a comparison between single and staged anaerobic fluidized bed membrane bioreactors

Performance of a single anaerobic fluidized membrane bioreactor (AFMBR) was compared with that of a staged anaerobic fluidized membrane bioreactor system (SAF-MBR) that consisted of an anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactor (AFBR) followed by an AFMBR. Both systems were fed with an equal COD mixture (200mg/L) of acetate and propionate at 25°C. COD removals of 93-96% were obtained by both systems, independent of the hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 2-4h. Over more than 200d of continuous operation, trans-membrane pressure (TMP) in both systems was less than 0.2bar without significant membrane fouling as a result of the scouring of membrane surfaces by the moving granular activated carbon particles. Results of bulk liquid suspended solids, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and soluble microbial products (SMP) analyses also revealed no significant differences between the two systems, indicating the single AFMBR is an effective alternative to the SAF-MBR system.

Performance of a MBR pilot plant treating high strength wastewater subject to salinity increase: analysis of biomass activity and fouling behaviour

Membrane bioreactors produce high quality effluents that could be suitable for reuse. However, when treating high strength wastewater subject to a salinity increase, a modification of biomass characteristics may occur. This circumstance is of importance, since it can have a significant impact in terms of biokinetic as well as fouling behaviour. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of a pilot plant MBR, in terms of biomass activity and membrane fouling, fed with high strength synthetic wastewater, when subject to a salinity increase. With normal salinity, the pilot plant showed high removal efficiencies and high biomass respiratory activity. On the other hand, the salinity increase significantly affected the removal efficiency as well as the SMP production. Furthermore, the salinity increase showed a strong effect on biomass activity, reducing in particular the respiration rates of autotrophic populations.

The role of EPS in fouling and foaming phenomena for a membrane bioreactor

In contraposition to conventional activated sludge processes, the foaming phenomenon in membrane bioreactor (MBR) is still in its infancy. On the other hand, although several studies have been carried out for better understanding the fouling phenomenon in MBR there are still some gaps in the up-to-date knowledge. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) may have a primary role in fouling and foaming phenomena which in turn can be crucial for MBRs. The aim of this study is to detect a possible relationship that EPSs may have with fouling and foaming in an MBR for wastewater treatment. Foaming phenomenon is monitored by performing specific foam-tests: Foam Power, Scum Index, Foam Rating and filamentous abundance. Results show a high correlation between fouling vs EPS and foaming vs bound EPSs. A relationship between foaming and fouling was also found: in general, when foaming occurred the fouling rate decreases because the EPS bound remained trapped in the floating scum.

Foaming in membrane bioreactors: identification of the causes

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) represent by now a well established alternative for wastewater treatment. Their increasing development is undoubtedly related to the several advantages that such technology is able to guarantee. Nevertheless, this technology is not exempt from operational problems; among them the foaming still represents an "open challenge" of the MBR field, due to the high complexity of phenomenon. Unfortunately, very little work has been done on the foaming in MBRs and further studies are required. Actually, there is not a distinct difference between conventional activated system and MBR: the main difference is that the MBR plants can retain most Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPSs) in the bioreactor. For these reason, unlike conventional activated sludge systems, MBRs have experienced foaming in the absence of foam-forming micro-organisms. Nevertheless, the actual mechanisms of EPS production and the role of bacteria in producing foam in activated sludge in MBRs are still unclear. In this paper, the authors investigated the roles of EPS and foam-forming filamentous bacteria by analyzing samples from different pilot plants using MBRs. In particular, in order to define the macroscopic features and the role of EPS and filamentous bacteria, a Modified Scum Index (MSI) test was applied and proposed. Based on the MSI and the foam power test, the causes of biological foaming were identified in terms of the potential for foaming, the quality and the quantity of the foam. The results indicated that the MBR foaming was influenced significantly by the concentration of bound EPSs in the sludge. In addition, the quantity and stability of MBR scum increased when both bound EPSs and foam-forming filamentous bacteria were present in the activated sludge.

Impact of oxygen cut off and starvation conditions on biological activity and physico-chemical properties of activated sludge

Physico-chemical and biological parameters were monitored both throughout different oxygen cut off and starvation (OCS) times (6 h-72 h) and after the restoration of normal operational conditions. Sludge apparent viscosity and soluble extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) characteristics were measured to determine the activated sludge (AS) properties. Oxygen transfer, biological activity with specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) measurements during endogenous/exogenous conditions (without any external substrate/with external substrate consumption) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were measured to assess the AS performances. During the different stress times, AS deflocculated as a decrease of apparent viscosity was observed and microorganisms biodegraded the released EPS to survive. After aeration return, and under endogenous conditions, size exclusion chromatographic fingerprints of soluble EPS were modified and macromolecules probably of type humic-like substances appeared in significant quantities. These new macromolecules presumably acted as biosurfactants. Consequently, the liquid surface tension, as well as the oxygen transfer rate (OTR), decreased. Under exogenous conditions, high biological activity (SOUR = 11.8 +/- 2.1 mg(O2 x g(MLVSS)(-1) x h(-1)) compensated the decrease of oxygen transfer. Finally, AS biomass maintained a constant COD degradation rate (15.7 +/- 1.9 mg(O2) x g(MLVSS)(-1) x h(-1)) before and after the disturbances for all times tested. This work demonstrates that AS microorganisms can counteract concomitant oxygen and nutrients shortage when the duration of such a condition does not exceed 72 h. Dissociation of endogenous/exogenous conditions appears to offer an ideal laboratory model to study EPS and biomass activity effects on oxygen transfer.