Research Article

Ultrasonic pre-treatment of biological sludge: consequences for disintegration, anaerobic biodegradability, and filterability

  1. G. Erden*,
  2. A. Filibeli

Article first published online: 6 NOV 2009

DOI: 10.1002/jctb.2298

Issue

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Volume 85, Issue 1, pages 145–150, January 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Erden, G. and Filibeli, A. (2010), Ultrasonic pre-treatment of biological sludge: consequences for disintegration, anaerobic biodegradability, and filterability. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 85: 145–150. doi: 10.1002/jctb.2298

Author Information

  1. Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Kaynaklar Campus, 35160, Buca-Izmir, Turkey

*Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Kaynaklar Campus, 35160, Buca-Izmir, Turkey.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 6 NOV 2009
  3. Manuscript Revised: 6 OCT 2009
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 6 OCT 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 25 AUG 2009

Funded by

  • The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). Grant Number: #105Y337

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Keywords:

  • anaerobic biodegradability;
  • biological sludge;
  • filterability;
  • floc disintegration

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Disintegration was developed as a pretreatment process for sludge to accelerate the digestion processes. Ultrasonic treatment may be a good alternative for sludge disintegration. In this study, different specific energy inputs ranged between 0 and 15 880 kJ kg−1 and very low ultrasonic densities ranged between 0.04 and 0.1 W mL−1 were applied to biological sludge for disintegration purposes. The potential for improving anaerobic digestion through ultrasonic pre-treatment and the effect of ultrasonic pre-treatment on the filterability characteristics of sludge were also investigated.

RESULTS: 9690 kJ kg−1 TS of supplied energy and very low power density of 0.09 Wm L−1 are efficient for floc disintegration. For 9690 kJ kg−1 TS, 44% higher methane production was achieved than with raw sludge as a result of biochemical methane potential assay. The supernatant characteristics of the sludge were also affected by the ultrasonic pre-treatment. For 9690 kJ kg−1 TS, the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the sludge supernatant increased by 340%, 860%, 716%, and 207.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic pre-treatment is an effective method for biological sludge disintegration even at very low ultrasonic density levels. It leads to increased anaerobic biodegradability but deteriorates the filterability characteristics of biological sludge. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

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