Improvement of the thickening and dewatering characteristics of activated sludge by electroflotation (EF)

Water Sci Technol. 2005;52(10-11):219-26.

Abstract

The performances of electroflotation (EF) on the thickening of activated sludge were investigated using laboratory scale batch flotation reactors. Four activated sludges including bulking sludges were tested. After 30 minutes of EF operation, 57-84% of sludge volume reduction could be achieved by EF, while only about 1.5-14% could be obtained by gravity thickening for the same period. After thickening the effluent water quality in terms of TCOD, SS, and turbidity was improved by EF operation for all sludge samples. In addition, the EF thickened sludge showed much better dewaterability both in SRF and cake solid content. It is induced that the air bubbles entrapped in the thickened sludge play a key role in the observed dewaterbility improvement.

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Sewage / chemistry*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / instrumentation
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water Purification / instrumentation
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Sewage
  • Water