The dissolved air at the bottom layer of the deep aeration tank transforms into fine gas bubbles within the MLSS (Mixed Liquor Suspended Solid) floc when exposed to the atmosphere. MLSS floc flotation occurs when MLSS from the deep aeration tank enters the secondary clarifier for solid-liquid separation, as dissolved air becomes fine air within the MLSS floc. The floated MLSS floc causes a high SS (Suspended Solid) concentration in the secondary effluent. The fine air bubbles within the MLSS floc must be removed to achieve stable sedimentation in the secondary clarifier. Fine bubbles within the MLSS floc can be removed by air sparging. The settleability of MLSS was measured by sludge volume indexes (SVIs) after air sparging MLSS taken at the end of the deep aeration tank. MLSS settling tests were performed at MLSS heights of 200, 300, 400, and 500 mm, and compressed air was fed at the bottom of the settling column with air flow rates of 100, 300, and 500 ml/min at each MLSS height, respectively. Also, at each height and air flow rate, air was sparged for 3, 5, and 7 minutes, respectively. SVI was determined for each height, air flow rate, and sparging time, respectively. Experimental results showed that a 300 mm MLSS height, 300 ml/min air flow rate, and 3 minutes of sparging time were the least conditions to achieve less than 120 ml/g of SVI, which was the criterion for good MLSS settling in the secondary clarifier.
Wastewater management is increasingly emphasizing economic and environmental sustainability. Traditional methods in sewage treatment plants have significant implications for the environment and the economy due to power and chemical consumption, and sludge generation. To address these challenges, a study was conducted to develop the Intermittent Cycle Extended Aeration System (ICEAS). This approach was implemented as the primary technique in a full-scale wastewater treatment facility, utilizing key operational factors within the standard Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) process. The optimal operational approach, identified in this study, was put into practice at the research facility from January 2020 to December 2022. By implementing management strategies within the biological reactor, it was shown that maintaining and reducing chemical quantities, sludge generation, power consumption, and related costs could yield economic benefits. Moreover, adapting operations to influent characteristics and seasonal conditions allowed for efficient blower operation, reducing unnecessary electricity consumption and ensuring proper dissolved oxygen levels. Despite annual increases in influent flow rate and concentration, this study demonstrated the ability to maintain and reduce sludge production, electricity consumption, and chemical usage. Additionally, systematic responses to emergencies and abnormal situations significantly contributed to economic, technical, and environmental benefits.
농가에서 수거한 돈분뇨 고형물을 원료로 하여 퇴비단에 공기를 공급하는 송풍방법을 4 가지(T1, T2, T3, T4)로 구분하여 33일 동안 퇴비화 실험을 수행한 결과를 종합적으로 분석 한 결론은 다음과 같다. 1. 처리형태별 각 퇴비단의 온도변화를 측정한 결과, 송풍을 실시한 퇴비단 T1의 온도는 퇴비화 개시 직후부터 급격하게 상승하여 퇴비화 1일 이내에 65oC까지 상승하는 결과를 보였다. 또한 송풍 처리구간의 온도변화 곡선을 보면 공기 배출통 로를 설치한 처리구 T3, T4가 단순 송풍구 T2에 비해 퇴비단의 온도가 더 높게 나타났다. 2. 퇴비단의 pH는 전체 처리구 모두에서 퇴비화 초기 단계에서는 pH 수준이 약간 낮아지다가 퇴비화 기간이 경과함에 따라 다시 상승하는 추세를 보였다. 3. 실험기간이 경과함에 따라 각 처리구별 퇴비의 수분함량은 점차적으로 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 수분 감소 정도는 T1, T2, T3, T4 모두 다 비슷한 수준을 나타냈다. 4. 퇴비중의 VS 함량은 전체 처리구 모두에서 퇴비화 기간이 경과함에 따라 감소하는 경향을 보였다. VS 감소 정도는 T1과 T2에 비해 T3와 T4에서 상대적으로 더 높은 비율로 나타났으며 T1과 T2는 비슷한 경향을 나타냈다. 5. 퇴비화기간이 경과함에 따라 EC의 변화는 크게 나타나지는 않았으나 T4에서는 약간 감소하는 경향을 나타냈다. 6. 송풍조건에 따른 각 처리구별 종자발아 지수는 T2와 T3에 서 양호하게 나타났으며 T1과 T4는 상대적으로 더 낮게 나타 났다. 7. 송풍조건에 따른 각 처리구별 부숙도는 전체 처리구 모두에서 퇴비화 개시 후 9일 이후부터는 부숙이 완료된 것으로 나타났다. 부숙도는 T2와 T3에서 양호하게 나타났으며 T1과 T4는 상대적으로 더 늦게 부숙 상태에 도달하는 것으로 나타났으며 종자 발아지수를 기준으로 할 때는 T2와 T3 처리구가 양호한 결과를 보였다.
As aeration is an energy-intensive process, its control has become more important to save energy and to meet strict effluent limits. In this study, predictive aeration control based on the respirometric method has been applied to the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process. The variation of the respiration rate by nitrification was great and obvious, so it could be a very useful parameter for the predictive aeration control. The maximum respiration rate due to nitrification was about 60 mg O2/L‧h and the maximum specific nitrification rate was about 7.5 mg N/g MLVSS‧h. The aeration time of the following cycle of the SBR was daily adjusted in proportion to that which was previously determined based on the sudden decrease of respiration rate at the end of nitrification in the respirometer. The aeration time required for nitrification could be effectively predicted and it was closely related to influent nitrogen loadings. By the predictive aeration control the aerobic period of the SBR has been optimized, and energy saving and enhanced nitrogen removal could be obtained.
In order to determine the location of average concentration and distribution status of dissolved oxygen in the rectangular aeration tank of the sewage treatment plant was analyzed and the difference of dissolved oxygen concentration was remarkable at each location. Compared with the computational fluid dynamics analysis, it was found that the results were consistent with the measurement results by showing the difference of dissolved oxygen concentration between the locations. Based on the measured data, the representative location of dissolved oxygen in aeration tank was selected by using statistical analysis method and the representative location was expressed in three-dimensional coordinates(LWH : 25%, 50%, 33%) from flow direction and left wall. Also the difference between the dissolved oxygen concentration at the actual measurement location and the average concentration value of the entire aeration tank was founded, and the equations for calibrating the automatic measurement data considering the actual measurement location were calculated.
Recent focus on wastewater treatment includes energy-saving and renewable energy generation for energy-independence of water infrastructures. Aeration and pumping in biological wastewater removal processes account for nearly 30-60% of the total electricity cost in real wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the performance and microbial characteristics were investigated in sequencing batch reactor under typical oxygen and oxygen limited condition. Under typical DO (7.55±0.99 mg/L) and low DO (0.23±0.08 mg/L) conditions, COD removal was stable over 91 % during SBR operation. Ammonia removal efficiency was reduced from 95.6 % to 89.2 % when DO concentration was dropped sharply. Phosphorus removal efficiency also reached 77% at oxygen-limited condition. The results indicated that removal efficiency both ammonia and phosphorus was influenced by DO condition. Microbial analysis revealed that Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes at phylum level was dominant in typical DO and low DO conditions and DO concentration did not much affect phylum distribution. Population decrease of genera of nitrifying bacteria(Dokdonella) and Dechloromonas spp. affect removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus at low DO condition.
As the sequencing batch reactor process is a time-oriented system, it has advantages of the flexibility in operation for the biological nutrient removal. Because the sequencing batch reactor is operated in a batch system, respiration rate is more sensitive and obvious than in a continuous system. The variation of respiration rate in the process well represented the characteristics of biological reactions, especially nitrification. The respiration rate dropped rapidly and greatly with the completion of nitrification, and the maximum respiration rate of nitrification showed the activity of nitrifiers. This study suggested a strategy to control the aeration of the sequencing batch reactor based on respirometry. Aeration time of the optimal aerobic period required for nitrification was daily adjusted according to the dynamics of respiration rate. The aeration time was mainly correlated with influent nitrogen loadings. The anoxic period was extended through aeration control facilitating a longer endogenous denitrification reaction time. By respirometric aeration control in the sequencing batch reactor, energy saving and process performance improvement could be achieved.
하수처리장 반송슬러지를 채취하여 안정시킨 후 중공사막 모듈을 침지시키고 운전시간에 따른 막간차압(TMP)를 막 오염의 정도로 측정하였다. 사용한 분리막은 공칭 세공크기 0.4㎛인 P사의 중공사막이며 유효 막면적이 약 0.01m2 되도록 실험실적으로 모듈을 제작하였다. 기존 MBR공정에서 사용하는 운전 및 휴지 (F/R)방식과 동시에 자체적으로 개발한 사인파형 투과유속 연속운전(Sinusoidal flux continuous operation; SFCO)방법을 적용하였다. 운전변수으로는 Aeration 을 0, 100, 300 및 500 cc/min으로 변화시키면서 각 조건에 대한 막 오염 정도를 측정하였다.
MBR공정에서 물리적 세정방법인 공기폭기(Aeration)는 장기간 막성능을 유지시키기 위한 주요 핵심 방법으로, 기존의 연구들은 산기관의 성능을 극대화시켜 공기세정을 최적화시키려 하였다. 분리막의 효율적인 슬러지 탈리를 위해 폭기위 치⋅시간⋅균일 배출성 및 데드존(Dead Zone) 감소 등에 대한 다양한 연구들이 진행되어 왔으나, 이를 통한 더 이상의 성능향상은 기대하기 어려운 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 기존의 분리막 모듈을 개량하여 공기폭기의 효과를 극대화 하는 연구를 진행하였다. 선행연구로 진행된 Lab-scale실험을 기반으로, Pilot-scale 장치를 세팅하여 장기평가 및 분석 등을 진행하였다. 동일 site에서 개량모듈한 것과 그렇지 아니한 것에 대하여 비교분석하였다.
본 연구에서는 산기량의 변화에 따른 임계 투과유속을 투과유속단법으로 측정하였다. 유효 막 면적이 85 cm2이고 공칭 세공크기가 0.4 μm인 중공사형 막모듈을 MLSS 5,000 mg/L인 활성슬러지 수용액에 침지시켜 투과 실험하였다. 산기시 키지 않을 경우 임계 투과유속은 15.2 L/m2⋅h로 측정되었으나 산기량을 100에서 1,000 mL/min까지 증가시키면 임계 투과 유속이 20.6에서 32.5 L/m2⋅h까지 크게 상승하였다.
고농도의 MBR처리공정에서 물리적 세정방법인 공기폭기(Aeration)는 장기간 막성능을 유지시키는기 위한 주요 방법으로, 기존의 연구들은 산기관의 성능을 극대화시켜 공기세정을 최적화시키는 연구를 주로 하였다. 효율적인 슬러지 탈리를 위해 폭기위치⋅시간⋅균일 배출성 및 데드존(Dead Zone) 감소 등 다양한 연구들이 진행되어 왔으며, 이를 통한 더 이상의 성능향상은 기대하기 어려운 상황이다. 산기관 최적화 이외에 막성능을 장기간 유지하기 위해서는 막모듈 전체에 공기에 의한 슬러지 탈리가 일어나야 하며, 이는 모듈의 구조적인 문제를 개선함으로써 해결책을 찾을 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 기존의 분리막 모듈과 구조가 변경된 모듈의 오염(fouling)에 따른 분리막 성능을 비교하고자 한다.
30 LMH의 정유량 플럭스로 운전하는 MBR에서, 휴지 및 역세정에 따른 한외여과 분리막의 오염을 조사하였다. 또한, 연속적인 공기세정과 비교하여 분리막 여과저항을 최소화하기 위한 간헐적인 공기세정을 평가하였다. 여과 조건은 14.5분 여과와 0.5분의 휴지를 유지하였으며, 역세정 시간은 휴지 시간과 동일하게 운전하였다. 공기세정이 정지하는 동안에 분리막 표면의 겔층 위에 케잌이 빠르게 축척되었으며, 역세정으로 겔층과 케잌층의 복합층은 쉽게 제거되었다. 역세정 후에 공기세정이 정지하는 동안 분리막 표면에 케잌이 형성되어 공경 내부의 오염현상을 억제하였다. Pearson 상관성을 조사한 결과, 간헐적인 공기세정에서 공기 세정이 정지하는 시간과 분리막의 오염은 매우 연관성이 높다는 것을 알았다. 즉, 간헐적인 세정에서 공기세정이 정지하는 시간이 갈수록 오염억제에 효과적이었다.
침지식분리막 오염을 최소화하기 위한 두 가지 공기세정방식을 비교하였다. 연속적인 공기세정과 단계별 공기량을 증가시키는 방식을 연구하였다. 15분의 여과 중에 세정공기의 증가는 5분마다 단계별로 공기량을 증가시켜주었다. 모의 여과 원수에 분말활성탄을 10 g/L 이하 그리고 카올린은 20 g/L 이하로 준비하였으며, 플러스는 80 LMH로 하였다. 단계별 공기세정방식은 연속적인 공기세정 방식보다 분리막 오염억제에 효과적이었다. 추가적으로 주입된 응집제는 분리막 오염저감을 보다 향상시켰다. 연속적인 공기세정의 오염현상은 공경막힘과 분리막 표면에 지속적인 입자의 축적에 기인하였다.
저농도 합성폐수를 처리하는 membrane bioreactor (MBR) 시스템에서 공기폭기와 PET (polyethertaraphtalate) 입상메디아 혼합사용이 멤브레인 파울링과 처리효율에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. 일정한 공기폭기유량과 투과플럭스로 실험한 결과, PET 메디아를 첨가 시 메디아를 첨가하지 않은 경우보다 낮은 파울링 속도가 관찰되었다. MBR 반응기에서 입상 메디아에 의한 파울링 감소효과는 중공사막 모듈에 비해 평막 모듈이 더욱 효과적이었다. 공기폭기와 함께 멤브레인 표면을 따라 움직이는 입상 메디아의 접근성과 접촉성이 중공사막보다 효과적이었던 것으로 사료된다. MBR 적용에 있어 PET 메디아의 적용은 메디아를 적용하지 않았을 때와 비교 시 MBR 처리효율에 큰 영향을 주지 않았다.
So many drinking water treatment plants are under various difficulties by new reinforced effluent standards. Since the target turbidity, much higher than annual average, for designing sludge thickener have to be set to confront high turbidity season, the sludge at thickener should be put up for a long time during usual days. So the soluble manganese and chloroform may be formed under the anaerobic environment in the sludge thickener when the sludge retention time is longer with low turbidity. This phenomenon results in difficulties to keep regulatory level of the discharged effluent. For an effort to overcome the problems, a sludge aeration was successfully implemented into the thickening process. As a result, the final effluent quality and sludge volume were much improved; 41 % of manganese, 62 % of chloroform and 35 % of sludge volume. Additionally, effluent quality was improved ; 61 % of Manganese on aeration with pH control and we could make sure of stability effluent quality despite a long sludge retention time. We recommended the standard of installation sludge aeration equipment to nationally supply water treatment plant under effluent water quality problem ; Manganese, Chloroform, etc.
It is essential to decrease energy consumption and excess sludge to economically operate sewage treatment plant. This becomes more important along with a ban on sea dumping and exhaustion of resource. Therefore, many researchers have been study on energy consumption reduction and strategies for minimization of excess sludge production from the activated sludge process. The aeration cost account for a high proportion of maintenance cost because sufficient air is necessary to keep nitrifying bacteria activity of which the oxygen affinity is inferior to that of heterotrophic bacteria. Also, additional costs are incurred to stabilize excess sludge and decrease the volume of sludge. There were anoxic, aerobic, membrane, deairation and concentration zone in this MBR process. Continuous aeration was provided to prevent membrane fouling in membrane zone and intermittent aeration was provided in aerobic zone through ammonia sensor. So, there was the minimum oxygen to remove NH4-N below limited quantity that could be eliminated in membrane zone. As the result of this control, energy consumption of aeration system declined by between 10.4 % and 19.1 %. Besides, we could maintain high MLSS concentration in concentration zone and this induced the microorganisms to be in starved condition. Consequentially, the amount of excess sludge decrease by about 15 %.