Short term effects of dissolved oxygen concentration on the turbidity of the supernatant of activated sludge

Abstract

Short term effects of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on the supernatant turbidity of activated sludge were studied in batch reactors, continuous reactors and in a full scale plant. Adsorption of colloidal material onto activated sludge was studied in batch reactors. The adsorption capacity of colloidal material, expressed as removal of turbidity, was larger in aerobic than in anaerobic conditions. The difference in adsorption capacity between high (≥5 mg/l) and low (<0.5 mg/l) DO concentrations was small. Experiments were made in pilot scale completely mixed reactors where the oxygen supply was turned off during different periods of length (1-4 hours). The turbidity increased directly when the anaerobic period started and decreased when the aerobic period started. Similar results were obtained when the influent was turned off. A few full scale experiments were carried out. The aerators were adjusted to change the DO concentration along the aeration tank (plug flow) for periods of 3-6 hours. Low DO concentrations by the end of the aeration tank produced a turbidity increase of the effluent, while low DO concentrations in the first half of the aeration tank did not affect the turbidity to a large extent.