[Electro-flotation using in solid-liquid separation of activated sludge].

The separation of suspended solids (SS) from activated sludge was carried out in an electro-flotation cell which has two sets of electrodes,three Ti/RuO2-IrO2-TiO2 anodes and three Ti screen cathodes. The effect of operating parameters on the performance of the electro-flotation system was examined. The parameters investigated were hydraulic retention time (HRT), current density, initial SS concentration and initial pH. The results show that electro-flotation cell is a unit of high performance in solid-liquid separation. HRT and current density are the main affecting factors. The removal ratio of SS increases with increment of HRT and current density; and it decreases with the increment of sludge loading. The pH value affects the size of tiny bubbles generated from water electrolysis and the character of sludge, but it has little effect on the removal of SS. The pH value is not need to be adjusted during the electro-flotation. Under the conditions with initial SS about 1 000 mg/L, HRT 20 min, a current density 5 mA/cm2 in contacting zone, a current density 2.5 mA/cm2 in separating zone, the removal ratio of SS can reach up to 97%, at this point, the electrolysis energy consumption is 0.4 - 0.5 (kW x h)/m3 wastewater. The water content of the sludge from electro-flotation is much lower than that from dissolved air flotation and secondary sedimentation tank, which has significant in the decrement and final disposal of the sludge.