Articles
Saving Power Costs In The Activated Sludge Process
September 24, 2007
•Application Solution: Saving Power Costs In The Activated Sludge Process
Mike Rousey, Hach Company, Loveland, Colorado
Power consumption is one of the largest expenses in operating a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In the activated sludge process, power consumption can cost thousands of dollars.
Activated sludge process a balancing act
Solids present in the primary clarifier effluent are
particles too fine to "settle out." Yet,
Environmental Protection Agency regulations
require removal of these organic wastes to
prevent pollution that can cause disease, fish
kills, and algae blooms.
The activated sludge process removes these suspended particles by converting them to settleable solids. It uses a mixed culture of microorganisms including bacteria, protozoans, and rotifers to break down organic wastes into inorganic wastes. However, the WWTP activated sludge process speeds up this natural course by controlling the environment.
Aeration blowers supply oxygen critical to the survival of the bacteria in the activated sludge process. However, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels that are too high can result in pin flock in clarifiers, severe sludge bulking in some instances, and large amounts of wasted electricity. DO levels that are too low will not support the bacteria necessary to treat incoming wastes. Inadequate DO concentration, in effect, can result in the plant violating effluent limits established in its NPDES permit.
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SOURCE: Hach Company
