Upgrading Conventional Activated Sludge System Using Bio-media: A Case Study of Zenin Wastewater Treatment Plant, Egypt

Abstract

This study investigated the ability to upgrade the biological treatment system in Zenin wastewater treatment plant, in Egypt. This investigation was conducted through the comparison of three different biological treatment systems: activated sludge process (AS), moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), and integrated fixed film activated sludge system (IFAS). Three pilot systems were established at Zenin wastewater treatment plant, to simulate AS, MBBR, and IFAS systems, to show the effect of various parameters on the removal efficiencies of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), total suspended solids (TSS), and ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄-N). Different values of hydraulic retention time, different amounts of returned sludge, and concentration of dissolved oxygen, were examined. The maximum removal efficiencies of BOD₅, TSS, and NH₄-N were 50%, 81.9%, and 82% in activated sludge system, respectively; 80%, 81.8%, and 99.3% in MBBR system, respectively; and 62.3%, 86.2%, and 76% in IFAS system, respectively.

Keywords: Attached growth; Hybrid growth; Sludge; Suspended growth; Wastewater

DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-1-05