Improvement of sludge dewaterability and disintegration efficiency using electrolytic zero-valent iron activated peroxymonosulfate

Electrolysis zero-valent iron activated peroxymonosulfate (EZVI-PMS) was applied to enhance sludge dewaterability and disintegration performance. Sludge dewaterability was characterized by capillary suction time (CST), specific resistance to filtration (SRF), and disintegration performance was explored by measuring sludge DNA content, ammonia nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand (COD), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). EPS including soluble EPS (SB-EPS), loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS), tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) were analyzed by three dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission spectrum (3D-EEM) to confirm the proteins transformation tendency. DOC, protein and polysaccharide in EPSs were quantified to investigate the conditioning mechanism. The results showed that sludge CST and SRF were reduced significantly when the current was 0.2 A and PMS dosage was 130 mg/gDS with the reductions of 43.8% and 74.1%, respectively, and DNA was released from sludge cells to liquid phase. Mechanically, sludge TB-EPS converted to SB-EPS with DOC in TB-EPS decreasing from 367.0 mg/L to 210 mg/L, while DOC in SB-EPS increased from 44 mg/L to 167.4 mg/L. Besides, the changes of proteins and polysaccharides contents in SB-EPS and TB-EPS were similar to DOC, and protein in TB-EPS transformed to other protein-like or organic substances obviously.

Automated summary

The study utilized electrolysis zero-valent iron activated peroxymonosulfate (EZVI-PMS) to enhance sludge dewaterability and disintegration performance, revealing significant reduction in sludge CST and SRF, as well as DNA release from sludge cells. The transformation of EPS, protein, and polysaccharides in sludge was observed, indicating a conditioning mechanism where TB-EPS converted to SB-EPS with noticeable changes in DOC and protein content.