Activated Sludge: Non-filamentous Settleability Problems and Loss of Solids

October 27, 2022 
9 am – 1:30 pm

This class reviews commonly occurring operational conditions associated with poor settling of solids and loss of solids in secondary clarifiers and sequencing batch reactors that are not due to the undesired growth of filamentous organisms. Many of the conditions such as a nutrient deficiency are easily recognized, while some of the conditions such as floating sludge are not as easily recognized.

The class presents several operational conditions, and reviews each condition with respect to the following: 1) a description of the condition, 2) the operational factors that promote the condition, and 3) corrective measures to control and prevent the condition. For each condition, we will discuss the quantitative and qualitative values of the 30-minute settleability test and rise times after the test.

Operational conditions that are reviewed include: 1) clumping or denitrification in the secondary clarifier, 2) nutrient deficiency, 3) floating sludge, 4) slug discharge of soluble cBOD, 5) dispersion, 6) low dissolved oxygen concentration in the aeration tank, 7) high total dissolved solids (TDS), 8) shearing action, and 9) toxic shock. In addition, the impact upon the activated sludge process by critical temperature values and foam is presented.

Credit
4 TCH – Wastewater

Webinar
Registrants will receive the Zoom link by email the day before class. Please log in to Zoom at least 10 minutes before class starts. Click here for more information about Zoom trainings.

Proctors
Elijah Lemieux and Wayne Graham (VRWA)

Instructor 
Michael Gerardi (Michael Gerardi & Associates, LLC)