Impact of selective size distribution of influent suspended solids on downstream biological processes

Three lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were investigated to remove nitrogen from wastewater containing different particulate organic contents based on suspended solids (SS).

Degritted wastewater was fractionated by means of Salsnes filter (SF) of 150 μm to 18 μm sieve openings and GF/C Whatman filter of 1.2 μm as a primary treatment. There was no significant difference, with respect to SS, total COD (TCOD) and total nitrogen (TN) removals, in all SBRs.

However, the specific denitrification rates were reduced by 23% and 15% with the SBRs fed with GF/C filter 1.2 μm and SF 18 μm, respectively, when compared to the control reactor.

In addition, an increase of the overall sludge production of about 34% to 59 % was observed when using SF prior to biological process, and this sludge can be further used to produce biogas.

Contact author for copy:

Razafimanantsoa, Valeri A.; Ydstebø, Leif; Bilstad, Torleiv; Sahu, Ashish K. and Rusten, Bjorn: Impact of selective size distribution of influent suspended solids on downstream biological processes. Proceedings, A069.  IWA Conference on Pretreatment of Water and Wastewater “The status and progress on Water Pretreatment Technology”, Shanghai, China 18-21 May 2014.