Clarification of Biologically Treated Wastewater in a Clarifier with Suspended Sludge Layer

Abstract

The article presents the results of an experimental study on the clarification of biologically treated wastewater in a clarifier with a suspended sludge layer. The pilot plant was receiving effluent from trickling filters treating municipal wastewater. An experimental clarifier worked under steady-state conditions considering the influent characteristics and variable operating parameters in terms of flow velocities and height of the suspended layer. From the experimental dependences between different technological parameters it was found that the optimum range of the upward flow velocities providing a dynamic equilibrium of the suspended layer was 0.6–1.4 mm/s. Upward flow velocities below 0.5 mm/s can lead to sludge compaction at the bottom of the unit, while values greater than 1.8 mm/s may cause sludge washout. It was also found that higher suspended layer height values favor higher efficiency of the clarifier and can achieve suspended solids in the discharge of less than 5.0 mg/L; this height should be greater than 0.6 m Technological efficiency of the experimental clarifier was significantly higher than the conventional unit and was comparable with tertiary treatment technologies.