Feasibility study of mechanically disintegrated sludge and recycle in the activated-sludge process

The action mechanisms and performances of a combined system associating activated sludge and mechanical treatment (High Pressure Homogenizer) were evaluated for urban wastewater. Discontinuous experiments showed that the energy applied at the first pass was high enough to modify the sludge particulate fraction (high COD release) but without cell lysis. The applied shear forces led to a progressive cell break up (maximal COD release 90% total COD). Continuous experiments showed less than 20% reduction in sludge production (compared to a control run under the same loading conditions Y_TSS = 0.35 g TSS.g⁻¹COD_removed through the application of mechanical treatment (stress frequency = 0.2 d⁻¹). Recycling of mechanical treated sludge to the aeration tank induced a slight increase in effluent TSS, but the biological performance seemed to be maintained. Significant improvements in sludge settling characteristics were observed.