Investigation of Magnesium Ions Effect on Sludge Properties in Phosphorus Deficient Bioreactors


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Çevre Mühendisliği Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2010

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: Eda Ünal

Danışman: Faika Dilek Sanin

Özet:

The activated sludge process efficiency depends on separation of microbial cells from treated wastewater. Separation can fail due to a number of problems. One of these problems is sludge bulking which is non-settling situation of biomass. Former studies showed that phosphorus deficiency caused filamentous sludge bulking with increasing magnesium ion concentrations. The main objectives of this study are to find out the effect of magnesium ions on sludge properties in phosphorus deficient medium and to determine if there is any bulking. Three different concentrations of magnesium (0.5, 5, 15 meq/L) were added to three bioreactors which contained phosphorus deficient medium. In first set C: N: P ratio was 100:5:0.05. In second set, C:N:P ratio was elevated to 100:5:1. At steady state, physical characteristics including sludge volume index (SVI), viscosity, turbidity and dewaterability were determined. Besides concentration of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as well as conductivity was measured. By using API kits, bacterial identification was achieved. In first set phosphorus deficiency and increasing magnesium ion concentration caused filamentous bulking. Carbohydrate content of extracellular polymeric substance significantly increased by magnesium addition. Dewaterability of the system got worse and viscosity decreased. Sludge Volume Index (SVI) indicated severe bulking at all magnesium concentrations. By using biochemical tests microorganisms dominant in the system were determined In second set, all of the parameters indicated healthy flocculation. By magnesium addition, EPSp and EPSc increased. Dewaterability and settleability, improved by the presence of phosphorus with close values measured at different magnesiuım concentrations. Nocardia related genera of Corynebacterium and Enteric microorganisms were identified.