FEASABILITY STUDY OF MECHANICALLY DISINTEGRATED SLUDGE AND RECYCLE IN THE ACTIVATED-SLUDGE PROCESS

The action mechanisms and performances of a combined system associating activated sludge and mechanical treatment( High Pressure Homogeneizer) were evaluated for urban wastewater. Continuous experiments showed less than 20% reduction in sludge production through the application of mechanical treatment. Recycling of mechanical treated sludge to the aeration tank induced a slight increase in effluent TSS, but the biological performance seemed to be maintained. Significant improvements in sludge settling characteristics were observed.