Dewatering and coliform inactivation in biosolids using electrokinetic phenomena

Abstract

The feasibility of using electrokinetic processes for dewatering and fecal coliform (FC) inactivation was evaluated on a bench scale. Six electrokinetic cells were filled with biosolids from an attached growth biological wastewater treatment plant in Auteuil, Quebec. A conditioning liquid containing nitrate and ammonia was also added to two cells. Potential gradients of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 V/cm were applied to the cells. The highest total solids content (62% TS) was achieved in the cell with the highest applied voltage and in the presence of the conditioner. No fecal coliforms were observed in the cells with conditioner. The cells without the conditioner exhibited FC inactivation in the anode area and lack of inactivation in the cathode area. Key words: dewatering, biosolids, electrokinetics, electroosmose, pathogen inactivation, coliform.