What Is the Activated Sludge Process?
The activated sludge process is the most widely used biological wastewater treatment process in the developed world. Utilized in medium- to large-scale industrial plants, the activated sludge process introduces air into the tank/lagoon (via aeration blowers), which promotes microbial growth in the wastewater.
From there, flocculants (or suspended solids) are separated from the wastewater through sedimentation. Effluent (or the outflowing of water to a natural body of water from the wastewater treatment facility) enters the aeration tank or lane, and low pressure air is introduced through a grid of diffusers. Water usually passes through the process in a few hours, while the sludge retention rates vary from a few days in warmer climates to a few weeks in colder weather.
What is the activated sludge process used for?
Activated sludge process is one of the available treatment options in the secondary treatment stage of wastewater treatment. The purpose of activated sludge is to eliminate any dissolved organic matter after primary treatment takes place. In other words, it's used to eliminate the bacteria by bringing the bacteria into close contact with air and sludge.
Utilizing the bacteria that ingest organic matter as food and transform it into carbon dioxide, water and energy, the secondary treatment process is followed by a “secondary sedimentation” process that includes removing additional suspended solids.
Aeration technologies for Activated Sludge Process
Atlas Copco offers seven different blower and aeration technologies for wastewater and industrial applications. We fit the absolute best technology to you – no favoritism involved. Having a complete range means that the technology we select for you will be the most efficient product for your application over the cost of its lifetime, when you factor the cost of purchase, electricity usage, and service (downtime) costs. What’s more? We have the calculators to show you the complete payback analysis before you even part with one dollar.
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