The effects of pH on aerobic sludge digestion

Batch studies to determine the effects of pH on aerobic digestion of waste activated sludge were performed using a detention time of at least 20 days. Total and volatile solids reductions were not affected over a pH range from 3.5 to 9.5. Somewhat greater solids reductions were realized when pH was held constant rather than allowed to vary as occurs with normal aerobic digestion. High reductions in mixed liquor BOD were consistent among digesters over the pH range investigated, however, sludge digested 23 days at pH 9.5 developed a putrescible odor when aeration was discontinued for 24 hours. Cellular carbohydrate and cellular protein accumulated during digestion, but no distinct relation to pH 1 evel was obvious although cellular carbohydrate showed a slightly greater accumulation with lower pH. Striking improvement in the settleability, drainability and filterability of sludge digested at pH 3.5 occurred. This effect was attributed to the development of an - overwhelming protozoan population which caused observed improvement in the flocculation characteristics of the sludge.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sanitary Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Sanitary Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1970

Author dc:creator

• Moore, Herbert Randolph

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/70545

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/70545