Utilization of Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy and Rheology for Sludge Characterization and Monitoring

Operation of sludge treatment processes mainly relies on manual control, which is far from ideal. There is a need for new approaches to optimize the design and operation of sludge treatment processes and wastewater plants. This research aims to identify new tools and methods that can be used for in-line and real-time characterization and monitoring of sludge. Two methods that were examined in this thesis that have potential to be used as monitoring technologies were ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry and torque rheology. Effluent and filtrate absorbance measurements in the ultraviolet/visible range were successful in monitoring the progress of aerobic digestion. Torque rheology was not found to be sensitive enough for monitoring aerobic digestion of sludge. Torque rheology detected significant changes in anaerobically digested sludge when trivalent cations were added, but not when divalent cations were added.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Applied Science (M.App.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering, Environmental

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Smyth, Jordan

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2018 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2018-12942

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/40026