Reduction of sludge by ozone treatment and production of carbon source for denitrification

The feasibility of ozone treatment of municipal sludge for sludge reduction and carbon source production has been investigated. Significant accumulation of solubilized organics and unsettlable micro-solids (UMS) was observed at relatively low ozone dosages while mineralization became dominant at higher dosages. Batch denitrification experiments showed that the solubilized organics and the UMS could be utilized as carbon sources for nitrogen removal. In terms of overall sludge reduction, 54% reduction of the total sludge mass could be achieved by ozone treatment at 0.2 g-O₃/g-MLSS.