Settleability Problems and Loss of Solids in the Activated Sludge Process / Edition 1

by Michael H. Gerardi

Overview

The activated sludge process is the most versatile, commonly used wastewater treatment system in North America; however, many activated sludge processes frequently experience operational problems related to poor compaction or settleability of secondary solids and loss of secondary solids from the clarifier. Eschewing the technical jargon and copious chemical equations found in the majority of wastewater studies, Settleability Problems and Loss of Solids in the Activated Sludge Process speaks directly to plant operators, showing them how to identify and solve common problems and achieve maximum efficiency.

Michael H. Gerardi’s hands-on guide addresses the most common plant operational problems, such as increased costs, loss of treatment efficiency, and permit violations. Using numerous tables and illustrations, Settleability Problems provides microscopic and analytical techniques for troubleshooting and identifying the conditions responsible for settleability problems and loss of solids. It includes pictures of wet mounts and smears of acceptable and unacceptable microscopic conditions of the activated sludge and presents corrective measures for operational problems. Chapters include:

• Undesired Filamentous Growth
• Nutrient-Deficient Floc Particles
• Denitrification
• Slug Discharge of Soluble cBOD
• Viscous Bulking or Zoogloeal Growth
• Production and Accumulation of Foam and Scum

Volume II in the series, Settleability Problems will prove to be of unparalleled value to wastewater treatment plant operators as well as students of wastewater microbiology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471206941
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/08/2002
Series:	Wastewater Microbiology
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.05(w) x 10.12(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

MICHAEL H. GERARDI, MS, James Madison University, and currently a research project associate at The Pennsylvania State University, is responsible for the development and presentation of wastewater biology courses. Previous to this appointment, he served as a technical coordinator and manager for the Williamsport (Pennsylvania) Sanitary Authority, where he was responsible for the operational and administrative functions of two activated sludge plants.

Table of Contents

Preface.

PART I: OVERVIEW.

The Activated Sludge Process.

Floc Formation.

A Floc Formation Model.

Interruption of Floc Formation.

PART II: SETTLEABILITY PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF SOLIDS.

Introduction.

Undesired Filamentous Growth.

Nutrient-Deficient Floc Particles.

Denitrification.

Sheared Floc Particles.

Dispersed Floc Particles.

Heavy Metals and Congealed Floc Particles.

Low Dissolved Oxygen Concentration.

Young Sludge Age.

Floc Particles Lost Through Sludge Aging.

Slug Discharge of Soluble cBOD.

Viscous Bulking or Zoogloeal Growth.

Increase in Percent MLVSS.

Colloidal Floc Particles.

Temperature.

PART III: FOAM AND SCUM.

Production and Accumulation of Foam and Scum.

Identification of Foam.

Controlling Foam Production and Accumulation.

PART IV: SETTLEABILITY TESTING.

Settleability Testing and Settling Rate.

Settleability Testing: Microscopic Analyses.

Appendix I: F/M, HRT, MCRT, MLVSS, Sludge Age, SVI.

Appendix II: Microscopic Techniques.

References.

Abbreviations and Acronyms.

Chemical Compounds and Elements.

Glossary.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"...All in all it is an excellent example of applied and troubleshooting microbiology." (Microbiology Today, August 2003)

Editorial Reviews

The activated sludge process is a commonly used wastewater treatment system. Using plain language without technical jargon, this book speaks directly to plant operators, showing how to identify and solve common problems in activated sludge systems and achieve maximum efficiency. The guide addresses plant operational problems, such as increased costs, loss of treatment efficiency, and permit violations, and provides microscopic and analytical techniques for troubleshooting and identifying conditions responsible for settleability problems and loss of solids. There are numerous b&w micro images of wet mounts and smears of acceptable and unacceptable microscopic conditions of the activated sludge. Gerardi is a research project associate at The Pennsylvania State University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

"...All in all it is an excellent example of applied and troubleshooting microbiology." (Microbiology Today, August 2003)

From the Publisher