Settleability Problems and Loss of Solids in the Activated Sludge Process

The activated sludge process is the most versatile, commonly usedwastewater treatment system in North America
however, manyactivated sludge processes frequently experience operationalproblems related to poor compaction or settleability of secondarysolids and loss of secondary solids from the clarifier. Eschewingthe technical jargon and copious chemical equations found in themajority of wastewater studies, Settleability Problems andLoss of Solids in the Activated Sludge Process speaksdirectly to plant operators, showing them how to identify and solvecommon problems and achieve maximum efficiency.

Michael H. Gerardi's hands-on guide addresses the mostcommon plant operational problems, such as increased costs, loss oftreatment efficiency, and permit violations. Using numerous tablesand illustrations, Settleability Problems provides microscopic andanalytical techniques for troubleshooting and identifying theconditions responsible for settleability problems and loss ofsolids. It includes pictures of wet mounts and smears of acceptableand unacceptable microscopic conditions of the activated sludge andpresents corrective measures for operational problems. Chaptersinclude:

• Undesired Filamentous Growth
• Nutrient-Deficient Floc Particles
• Denitrification
• Slug Discharge of Soluble cBOD
• Viscous Bulking or Zoogloeal Growth
• Production and Accumulation of Foam and Scum

Volume II in the series, Settleability Problems will prove to beof unparalleled value to wastewater treatment plant operators aswell as students of wastewater microbiology.