Improved Sludge Dewaterability for Sequential Ozonation - Aerobic Treatment

Chemical treatment processes such as ozonation have mostly been considered as an efficient way for bio-solids minimization. The improvement of sludge dewatering was more a welcoming side-effect in these sequential processes. However, sometimes the loaded ozone dose to the sludge has a negative effect on dewaterability. This work address the most important issue found-the effect of ozone on sludge dewaterability in a single ozonation processes as well as in a sequential ozonation biological processes. It was found that the maximum sludge dewaterability was achieved with an ozone dose of 0.05 gO(3)/gTSS. This value was found to be less than the required ozone dosage that leads to sludge disintegration. However, it was observed that the sequential ozone and aerobic treatment allows further strong improvement of dewatering efficiencies.