Size of biological flocs in activated sludge systems: Influence of hydrodynamic parameters at different scales

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2021-08, Vol.9 (4), p.105427, Article 105427
• Main Authors: Pechaud, Yoan, Pageot, Sylvain, Goubet, Anne, Duran Quintero, Camilo, Gillot, Sylvie, Fayolle, Yannick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aeration; Chemical and Process Engineering; Engineering Sciences; Floc size; Hydrodynamics; Life Sciences; Shear rate; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-3437; 2213-2929
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105427

In conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems and membrane bioreactors (MBR), aeration, mixing and filtration are affected by various properties of activated sludge (AS) and especially viscosity and morphological properties of flocs. The aim of the present study was to understand the relationship between hydrodynamic conditions and AS floc size properties. Floc size distribution (FSD) measurements were performed in four systems showing different hydrodynamics: (i) a standard stirred reactor (SR), (ii) a pilot bubble column (BC), (iii) a full-scale aeration zone equipped with fine bubble diffusers, (iv) a full-scale filtration zone equipped with coarse bubble diffusers. The measurements were carried out on-site, using the mixed liquor from a full-scale MBR. The FSD of the given activated sludge mainly depends on the average shear rate (γ̇) and on the circulation time in the SR. To a lesser extent, local properties, such as maximal shear rate, also influence the FSD. In the same way, the main operating parameter governing the FSD in the BC was γ̇. For a similar γ̇, the flocs were slightly larger in the BC than in the SR. In addition, in the full-scale systems, for a similar γ̇ estimated, the FSD characteristic diameters were lower in the filtration zone (with coarse bubbles) than in the aeration zone (with fine bubbles). The FSD in the aeration zone was well correlated with the FSD in the BC whereas the flocs were slightly smaller in the filtration zone than in the BC. [Display omitted] •We analyze the influence of local and global hydrodynamic conditions on FSD of AS.•The average shear rate (γ̇) and the circulation time mainly govern the FSD.•The local hydrodynamic properties also influence the FSD but less significantly.•In full scale reactors, the FSD depends mainly on γ̇ and on the bubble size.•For a given estimated γ̇ the FSD is slightly higher in the SR than in the BC.