Sludge Bulking Reduction in SBR

Taxonomy

• Bioreactor
• Sludge Treatment
• Membrane Bioreactor Systems
• Sludge Management
• Waste Water Treatments
• Wastewater Treatment
• Bioreactors & Processes
• Sludge Treatment & Management

7 Answers

1. Sludge bulking occurs when the  sludge  fails to separate out in the sedimentation tanks. The main cause of  sludge bulking  is the growth of filamentous bacteria. Filamentous microorganisms grow in long strands that have much greater volume and surface area than conventional floc and are very slow to settle.

   To remove the above ..

   1.  Analyse the bacteria Generally Filamentous ​bacteria are ​the most common ​cause of sludge ​bulking. ​

    2.    Source of bacteria

    3.    Necessary ​dissolved ​oxygen (DO) ​concentration ​to prevent ​bulking 

   1. The F/M rate (​food to ​microorganism) ​is a control ​number for ​determining the ​proper number ​of microorganisms ​for the system.
   2. Chlorine and ​hydrogen ​peroxide can ​control the ​filaments

    Excessive ​filamentous ​development is ​often caused ​not only by ​environmental ​conditions but ​also by the ​influent itself ​which may ​contain food ​for bacteria. ​

   Microscopic ​examination ​determines ​which type of ​filamentous ​bacteria is ​present and ​determines the ​treatment that ​should be ​applied. ​

     

2. Hello Daphne, in addition to Jeremy's message a low F/M ratio could also be another cause. 

   Best regards,

   Thomas

3. It is absolutely critical that you first identify the cause of the bulking, then, and only then, can you set a course to address the problem.  Otherwise you (and us) are only guessing.

   Kind regards

   Tom Keenan

4. All of these answers may work.  Experience shows that SBR is more difficult to control than conventional aeration and settlement once it has got out of control.  It also depends on whether the tanks are open or enclosed.

5. Increase the wasting on the SBR, but following on from Jeremy look at what is causing the the bulking issue. 

   What kind of SBR unit are you running?

6. hi Daphne,    you should uses  biotube.   that problem will go away.  Ken Ravon can help you with that

7. Same way as any bulking problem. First identify the cause (usually assisted by doing some checks on dominant bacteria) - DO too low? Do too high? SRT too low? SRT too high? Nutrient limitations? Would you benefit from an anoxic fill? Aerobic fill?