Proceedings of The International Conference on Advanced Research in Applied Science and Engineering
Year: 2019
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/raseconf.2019.07.361
Investigation of activated sludge in different wastewater treatment systems
Thembinkosi Terrence Mcineka
ABSTRACT:
The overall aim of this study was to investigate the activated sludge by using sludge activity (TTC) screening and microscopic method in determining the differences in the activated sludge of different wastewater treatment systems. The study presented the use of two methods to investigate the state of activated sludge in the wastewater. The first method was to use the Sludge activity (TTC) Screening method I to investigate the sludge activity respiration and the activity of the hydrogenase in the activated sludge. The method evaluated different setbacks and advantages that were incurred in the wastewater treatment plants. It encouraged the use of biological treatment of wastewater since it is the currently most used method in wastewater treatment systems worldwide. The biological wastewater treatment limited the naturally occurring bacteria in a very high concentration in the treatment works. Henceforth the need to understand the composition of activated sludge in the wastewater works remained vital and significant. The outcome of the microscopic investigation indicated that some samples did not meet the minimum acceptable sludge activity measurement range. It also indicated that Nocardia bacterial species were present in this system in large numbers, which indicated unfavorable conditions. This study emphasized the importance of biological treatment in wastewater treatment works.
Keywords: enzymatic activity; chemical treatment; anaerobic; aerobic; anoxic.