Experiences with sludge settleability in different process alternatives for nutrient removal

SVI and DSVI were measured three times at almost 100 Danish nutrient removal plants and the filamentous microorganisms were subsequently characterized in the laboratory. Information about the plant layout and the operation was collected by means of a questionnaire. In general, the sludge settleability index becomes worse by the introduction of nutrient removal. Among nutrient removal plants the best settling characteristics are found among plants with biological P removal and the poorest among the plants that perform simultaneous denitrification. When compared to iron products, aluminium products in some cases seem to reduce the filament number and improve the settling characteristics in plants that apply simultaneous precipitation for P removal. Selectors may have a positive effect on the filament number but the effect may not be enough to prevent bulking.