A Test for Predicting Propensity of Activated Sludge to Acute Filamentous Bulking

Filamentous bulking is a solid-liquid separation problem well known to activated-sludge plant operators. The use of curative additives is a rather delicate solution and the tools developed to anticipate it seem limited. To complement existing sludge sedimentation monitoring tools, a new test to asse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water environment research 2001-03, Vol.73 (2), p.237-242
Main Authors: Séka, M. Arsène, Cabooter, Sofie, Verstraete, Willy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACTIVATED SLUDGE
ACUTE BULKING TEST
Applied sciences
Bacteria
Biological and medical sciences
Biological treatment of waters
Biotechnology
Chemical oxygen demand
Cytoskeleton
Drinking water
Environment and pollution
Exact sciences and technology
FILAMENTOUS BULKING
Flasks
Food industries
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General purification processes
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Particle Size
Pollution
Population Dynamics
Refuse Disposal
Research Notes
Sewage
Skim milk
Sludge
Sludge treatment
STABLE SLUDGE
SV30 RATIO
Textile industry
UNSTABLE SLUDGE
Wastewater treatment
Wastewaters
Water Movements
Water pollution
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Filamentous bulking is a solid-liquid separation problem well known to activated-sludge plant operators. The use of curative additives is a rather delicate solution and the tools developed to anticipate it seem limited. To complement existing sludge sedimentation monitoring tools, a new test to assess the propensity of activated sludge for filamentous bulking was developed. It consists of challenging the sludges by feeding them under conditions favoring filamentous bacteria for 24 hours. The effects of such an acute treatment on sludge settleability is subsequently assessed through a simple sludge volume (${\rm SV}_{30}$) measurement with reference to a control. The sludge can then be evaluated as prone to bulking (unstable sludge) or not (stable sludge). Such a test can be used to predict the occurrence of filamentous bulking in activated-sludge treatment plants. This so-called acute bulking test requires simple equipment and can be done by any wastewater treatment plant operator.
ISSN:1061-4303
1554-7531
DOI:10.2175/106143001X139227