Activated sludge is the most widely used biological wastewater treatment process globally to date, although its high energy demand makes it a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Over recent decades it has been constantly modified and retrofitted to treat ever higher loads or improve effluent standards which have often resulted in even greater carbon emissions. Conventional activated sludge treatment is at a crossroads where new sustainable solutions are required if we are to protect the quality of our rivers and meet net-zero carbon targets.
The book details current operation and design with special emphasis on the biological aspects of the process. From the microbial kinetics to the fascinating process of floc formation and development, the book explores the development of our understanding of the process looking at new sustainable designs, including biological nutrient removal and new aeration systems. Sludge separation problems and control options are explained, with a trouble-shooting guide to non-bulking problems. Environmental issues including noise, odor, aerosols, micro-plastics and nanoparticles are all reviewed, as is pathogen removal and the problem of antibiotic resistant genes and bacteria. The development of membrane bioreactors has increased process reliability and effluent quality, while integrated fixed-film activated sludge processes are more efficient and compact. The book concludes by exploring how activated sludge can become more sustainable, for example, by carbon harvesting and byproduct recovery.
This interdisciplinary book is essential reading for both engineers and scientists whether training at university or practitioners and consultants in the wastewater industry.
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Contents:
Introduction
Microbial Theory and Kinetics
Flocculation
Process Control
Factors Affecting Performance
Aeration Systems
Conventional Activated Sludge Processes
Extended Aeration
High-rate Activated Sludge Processes
The Membrane Bioreactor Process
Ecological Basis of Operation
Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoa
Rotifera and Other Metazoan
Nutrient Removal
Sludge Separation Problems
Controlling Bulking Problems
Trouble-shooting: Non-bulking Problems
Environmental Problems and Pathogen Removal
Activated Sludge and Sustainability
Readership: Environmental engineers and scientists at all levels who wish to find out more about biological wastewater treatment and activated sludge processes, how they work and are operated. Key Features:
Conventional activated sludge is a energy-intensive wastewater treatment process which often suffers from periods of poor performance due to sludge separation problems
It is constantly being modified and retrofitted in order to treat ever higher loads or improve effluent standards which often result in even greater carbon emissions
Also, the number of treatment plants reporting failures when raw or partially treated sewage is discharged into surface waters has never been so high
So conventional treatment of activated sludge is at a crossroads where new sustainable solutions are required if we are to protect the quality of our rivers, estuaries and seas and meet expected net-zero carbon targets
The book offers an in-depth study on the process of activated sludge, including its development, both in terms of design and operation
The book emphasizes the key role of the microbial community in process operation from floc formation and development to sludge separation problems, from the biological removal of nitrogen and phosphorus to carbon harvesting and byproduct recovery
The book investigates the key environmental issues of odour control,