The Role of Calcium Ion on Activated Sludge Biochemical and Physical Properties in Phosphorus Deficient Growth Medium


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: Ceren Aksu

Danışman: Faika Dilek Sanin

Özet:

Nutrients and cations have significant effect on activated sludge characteristics and therefore effect the efficiency of whole processes. To determine the properties in phosphorus deficient medium and the effect of calcium ions two reactor sets with two different phosphorus concentration (C/N/P=100/5/0.05 and C/N/P=100/5/1), three different concentrations of calcium (0.5, 5, 15 meq/L) were operated with 8 days of sludge residence time and an effective volume of 2 L. Results showed amount and composition of EPS was dependent on calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Except for the highest calcium concentration, increase in phosphorus concentration resulted in increase in total EPS production. Under phosphorus deficient conditions, calcium ions stimulated the production of carbohydrate type polymers and viscous bulking was observed. However, the increase in phosphorus concentration led to increase in protein type polymer production and bulking condition was cured. Addition of calcium ions increased conductivity in both cases, but increase in phosphorus concentration caused decrease in conductivity. Increase in phosphorus concentration had improved settleability, dewaterability and rheology of sludge. Moreover, effluent turbidity was decreased and COD removal efficiency was recorded as greater than 95 % for all calcium concentrations under phosphorus sufficient conditions. Microscopic analyses showed that under phosphorus deficient conditions flocs were weak, dispersed and nonresistant. Increase in phosphorus concentration resulted in improvement of floc structure. Same Enterobacter and Citrobacter species were identified at all calcium concentrations under phosphorus deficient conditions. Yet, under phosphorus sufficient conditions different species were identified in control reactor as compared to 5 meq/L and 15 meq/L concentrations.