Foam Control in WWTP
What is the best chemical treatment to reduce foaming caused by filamentous bacteria in wastewater plants?
The process in the plant where I work is composed of classic primary sedimentation, denitrification before oxidation, secondary sedimentation and disinfection.
When the temperature of sewage inlet drops down to 15°C there is a gradual increase of foam growth in the oxidation.
The operating conditions in the anoxic selector are HRT=3.5-4 h without flow equalisation. At the moment we’re dosing AlCl3 to coagulate PO42- and reduce the foaming.
Please find the attached picture of bacteria viewed with a microscope.
What kind of chemical products should I use to eliminate or reduce the foaming?
In the area where I live and work we can’t use NaOCl.
Thanks and Best Regards,
Matteo