Development of Primary Sludge Control Technology Based on Solids Loading Rate in Sidestream MLE Process
Authors: Chang Shinyo , Shin Pung Shik , Park Hyeon , Jeong Yeon-Koo 
Published: January 2021

Objectives:By measuring the solids loading rate for the sidestream, it was intended to achieve increased treatment capacity and improved process performance by developing control technologies for primary sludge removal, recirculation, and input.Methods:The pilot plant was manufactured by the primary clarifier+MLE process similar to the full-scale plant and was configured to control the amount of sludge withdrawal based on the inflow solids loading rate. The state point analysis was used to determine removal underflow withdrawal rate and the total underflow withdrawal rate for the primary sludge. The operation was divided into manual withdrawal, automatic withdrawal, automatic withdrawal+recirculation, and automatic withdrawal + input methods. The performance evaluation items for primary sludge control technology were primary sludge concentration and SS removal efficiency for primary and secondary clarifiers. The improvement in the performance of the bioreactor by recirculation and input was judged through the removal efficiency of ammonium nitrogen, TIN (Total Inorganic Nitrogen) and phosphate phosphorus, SNR (Specific Nitrification Rate), and SDNR (Specific Denitrification Rate). The cause of the performance improvement was analyzed by comparing the acetic acid concentration changed by recirculation and the microbial community characteristics.Results and Discussion:The average value of SS monitoring of the sidestream influent was 2.2 (0.7~6.3) g/L and the primary clarifier needed treatment in response to high concentration SS and fluctuations. It is judged that the state point analysis based on the actual settling rate can accurately suggest whether the stable operation of primary sludge removal, recirculation, and input is the possible and specific design and operation standards. The automatic withdrawal that controls the underflow withdrawal rate according to the change of the inflow solids loading rate could stably draw out the high-concentration sludge and maintain the SS removal efficiency. It is believed that stable operation is possible even in the sludge recirculation operation, and the treatment capacity of the primary clarifier can be increased more than two times in a full-scale plant. By recirculation of the primary sludge, the TIN removal efficiency in the bioreactor was improved by 24.2~52.3%, and the phosphate phosphorus removal efficiency was improved by up to 20.1%. The TIN removal efficiency in the bioreactor was improved by 32.6% by the input of primary sludge. VFAs (Volatile Fatty Acids) including acetic acid was produced and the removal efficiency was improved because it was in contact with primary sludge by recirculation and the ratio of major fermentation microorganisms was present at 2.0%. It is determined that 26.4% of the main species of microorganisms treated with nitrogen and phosphorus exist in the sidestream inflow and the removal efficiency was improved by supplying microorganisms through the input of primary sludge.Conclusions:Technology that controls primary sludge removal, recirculation, and input by measuring the solids loading rate for the sidestream is believed to increase the treatment capacity of the primary clarifier and improve the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of the bioreactor.