Impact of Rapid pH Changes on Activated Sludge Process
Applied Sciences 2022
Kristīna Kokina, Linda Mežule, Kamila Gruškeviča, Romāns Neilands, Ksenija Golovko, Tālis Juhna

The inhibition effect of rapid variations of pH in wastewater on activated sludge was investigated in laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The toxic influence of pH 6.5 and 8.5 was examined. The experiment with pH 8.5 was preferable to formation of high FA concentration and showed a low risk of inhibition of second step nitrification (conversion of nitrites to nitrates). However, the reactor at pH 6.5 showed inhibition of first-step nitrification (conversion of ammonia to nitrites) caused by FNA formation. High ammonia levels caused a decrease in the overall microfauna population, whereas low–enhanced gymnamoebae, Zoogloea, and Chilodonella sp. population increased after 72 h of inhibition. Destructive acidic pH influence caused sludge washout from the reactor and, therefore, higher organic load on ASP and intensive sludge foam due to Zoogloea higher population.


Keywords
activated sludge process; wastewater treatment; inhibiting action; sequencing batch reactors; sludge microfauna population
DOI
10.3390/app12115754
Hyperlink
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/11/5754

Kokina, K., Mežule, L., Gruškeviča, K., Neilands, R., Golovko, K., Juhna, T. Impact of Rapid pH Changes on Activated Sludge Process. Applied Sciences, 2022, Vol. 12, No. 11, Article number 5754. ISSN 2076-3417. Pieejams: doi:10.3390/app12115754

Publication language
English (en)
The Scientific Library of the Riga Technical University.
E-mail: uzzinas@rtu.lv; Phone: +371 28399196