The performance of EF (electroflotation) on the thickening of activated sludge were investigated using laboratory scale batch flotation reactor. In this paper, the effects of parameters such as electrode material, NaCl dosage, initial sludge concentration and electrode distance were examined. The results showed that the performance for sludge thickening of the five electrodes lay in: Pt/Ti > Ru/Ti > Ir/Ti > Ti mesh > Ti plate. The more NaCl dosage was high, the more sludge was thickened and the shorter thickening time was obtained. However, considering the final thickening time and sludge concentration, optimum NaCl dosage was 0.5 g/L. Thickening time and sludge concentration was not affected by electrode distance. In DAF (dissolved air flotation) system, optimum recycle ratio was 40% and thickening performance was lower than that of the EF.

A laboratory experiment was performed to investigate nitrogen removal by the soil column. The addition of 20% waste oyster shell to the soil accelerated nitrification in soil column. The NO3--N concentration in the effluent decreased with the decrease of HRT(Hydraulic Retention Time). When methanol and glucose added as carbon sources, the average removal rates of T-N(Total Nitrogen) were 82% and 77.9%, respectively. The NO3--N removal by methanol supplementation in soil column can likely be attributed to denitrification. In continuous removal of nitrogen using the soil column, the COD(Chemical Oxygen Demand) and NH4+-N removed simultaneously in organic matter decomposing column. The greater part of NH4+-N was nitrified by the percolated through nitrification column, and the little NH4+-N was found in the effluent. The T-N of 87.4% removed at HRT of 36 hrs in denitrfication column. Because of nitrified effluents from nitrification column are low in carbonaceous matter, an external source of carbon is required.

This study estimated response of water quality and pollutant behavior according to the discharge and reuse of treated wastewater by three-dimensional eco-hydrodynamic model, and suggest plan that water quality management and environmental restoration in the coastal area including urban stream of Yeosu, Korea. Dispersions of low-saline water and COD by treated wastewater loads (design facility capacity, about 110,000 m3/d) were very limited in near of effluent site. Nutrients, however, increase compared to the other water quality factors, especially total nitrogen was very sensitive to input loads. When reuse some of treated wastewater to Yeondeung stream, nitrogen was big influence on estuarine water quality. Although current characteristics of treated wastewater such as discharge and water quality were negligible to the change of marine environment, effluent concentration of COD, TN and TP, especially 40% of TN, are reduced within the allowable pollutant loads for satisfy environmental capacity and recommended water quality criteria. Also, controls of input point/non-point sources to Yeondeung stream and base concentration of pollutants in coastal sea itself are very necessary.

The objectives of this study have been carried out to investigate the solubilization of municipal sewage sludge by single and dual frequency ultrasonic pretreatment, and the methane production characteristics of pretreated sewage sludge by specific methanogenic activity test for sewage sludge reduction. The waste activated sludge was collected from thickened tank of Suyoung sewage treatment plant in Busan city, and its concentration was adjusted to 1.0% total solids. Ultrasonic frequency was varied 15, 20, 15+20 kHz, and acoustic density was used a maximum 176W/L. The dual frequency ultrasonic pretreatment was found to be more effective than single frequency ultrasonic in the solubilization rate and methane production. The SCODCr/TCODCr rate were 15.2%, 13.9%, 17.0% with single frequency of 15 kHz, 20 kHz, dual frequency of 15+20 kHz, respectively. The application of dual frequency ultrasound for sewage sludge pretreatment can be interest for sewage treatment plants having problems in sludge treatment and disposal.