Phosphorus release in aerobic sludge digestion.

The objectives of this study are to examine the phosphorus release in aerobic sludge digestion and to better understand its governing mechanisms. In this study, phosphorus release was examined using the secondary sludge from both conventional and biological nutrient removal processes. The experiments were carried out at room temperature (22 +/- 2 degrees C), with or without automatic control of pH (4.

Monitoring aerobic sludge digestion by online scanning fluorometry.

With sludge samples from two wastewater treatment plants, batch experiments of aerobic sludge digestion were conducted under different dissolved oxygen (DO) and solids concentrations. A fluorometer capable of online excitation and emission scanning was used to monitor the digestion process. Three major fluorescence peaks were observed.

Aerobic sludge digestion under low dissolved oxygen concentrations.

Low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations occur commonly in aerobic digesters treating thickened sludge, with benefits of smaller digester size, much reduced aeration cost, and higher digestion temperature (especially important for plants in colder areas). The effects of low DO concentrations on digestion kinetics were studied using the sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants in Akron, Ohio, and Los Lunas, New Mexico. The experiments were conducted in both batch digestion and a mixed mode of continuous, fed-batch, and batch operations.