A comparative study between mechanical, thermal and oxidative disintegration techniques of waste activated sludge

The release performances of an organic and mineral activated sludge matrix were studied for a wide range of disintegration treatments like mechanical, thermal, thermal-chemical and oxidative disintegration techniques. The maximal COD release was 35% of total COD after 24 hours contact time at 95°C. A limiting value of 60% COD release was obtained for 500 and 700 bars after 10 passes. Concerning the oxidative disintegration techniques (O3 and H₂O₂), a limiting value of around 60-65% of TOC release was observed. Therefore, it was hypothesised that thermal and mechanical treatments allow mainly for breaking apart the micro-organisms while the oxidative treatment destroys the sludge flocs and disrupts the micro-organisms. A release effect of the mineral fraction is observed only oxidative disintegration techniques.