This study analyzes the effect of inoculating membrane bioreactor (MBR) sludge in a parallel-operated overloaded conventional activated sludge (CAS) system. Modelling studies that showed the beneficial effect of this inoculation were confirmed though full scale tests. Total nitrogen (TN) removal in the CAS increased and higher nitrate formation rates were achieved. During MBR sludge inoculation, the TN removal in the CAS was proven to be dependent on MBR sludge loading. Special attention was given to the effect of inoculation on sludge quality. The MBR flocs, grown without selection pressure, were clearly distinct from the more compact flocs in the CAS system and also contained more filamentous bacteria. After inoculation the MBR flocs did not evolve into good-settling compact flocs, resulting in a decreasing sludge quality. During high flow conditions the effluent CAS contained more suspended solids. Sludge volume index, however, did not increase. Laboratory tests were held to determine the threshold volume of MBR sludge to be seeded into the CAS reactor. Above 16–30%, supernatant turbidity and scum formation increased markedly.
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Research Article|
July 01 2012
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) sludge inoculation in a hybrid process scheme concept to assist overloaded conventional activated sludge (CAS) process operations
A. Fenu;
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
E-mail: alessio.fenu@aquafin.be
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J. Roels;
J. Roels
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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S. Van Damme;
S. Van Damme
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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T. Wambecq;
T. Wambecq
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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M. Weemaes;
M. Weemaes
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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C. Thoeye;
C. Thoeye
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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G. De Gueldre;
G. De Gueldre
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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B. Van De Steene
B. Van De Steene
1Research and Product Development Department, Aquafin NV, Dijkstraat 8, Aartselaar 2630, Belgium
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Water Sci Technol (2012) 66 (2): 457–463.
Article history
Received:
November 28 2011
Accepted:
March 12 2012
Citation
A. Fenu, J. Roels, S. Van Damme, T. Wambecq, M. Weemaes, C. Thoeye, G. De Gueldre, B. Van De Steene; Membrane bioreactor (MBR) sludge inoculation in a hybrid process scheme concept to assist overloaded conventional activated sludge (CAS) process operations. Water Sci Technol 1 July 2012; 66 (2): 457–463. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.212
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