The Biology of the Activated Sludge Process
Description
A manual for linking operational changes to shifts in microbes and microbial populations
In The Biology of the Activated Sludge Process, experienced wastewater microbiologist, Michael Gerardi, delivers a hands-on, biological approach to the activated sludge process. The book offers a "natural" perspective, focusing on simplistic, reliable, and practical measures that professionals can use to quickly identify and correct operational problems in activated sludge processes (ASPs).
Gerardi covers the biochemical fundamentals of the ASP and in-plant techniques that enable operators to monitor and correct daily changes in operational conditions, sewer systems, and industrial discharges. He also explores the commonly overlooked distinction between sludge and solids and how this difference affects the day-to-day work of wastewater treatment plant operators.
Readers will also find:
- Examinations of significant organisms involved in treatment processes, their positive and negative roles, and operational conditions controlling their growth
- Detailed discussions of different types of BODs (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), such as particulate, colloidal, lipids, complex soluble, and simple soluble
- Explorations of problems that may be created by the addition of chemical compounds and how wastewater treatment success or failure is determined by biochemical reactions
- Effective and inexpensive tests and parameters useful for the identification and correction of common operational problems
This is an essential troubleshooting guide for wastewater operators to incorporate into their process control measures. The text is also useful for laboratory technicians at wastewater treatment plants and commercial laboratories, regulatory personnel who inspect wastewater treatment plants, and consulting engineers.
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Person
MICHAEL H. GERARDI is a wastewater microbiologist. He has operated activated sludge treatment processes and has 45 years of experience in wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. He has provided consulting and microscopy services for domestic, municipal, and industrial wastewater treatment plants throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. He has developed and taught wastewater biology classes for Penn State University to over 15,000 operators and authored 11 textbooks in wastewater biology.
Content
Preface ix
1 Introduction 1
Part I Bacteria and Archaea 13
2 Bacteria 15
3 Bacterial Growth and Bacterial Reproduction 33
4 Bacteria as MLVSS 43
5 Floc Formation 53
6 Significant Groups of Bacteria 59
7 Archaea 79
Part II Respiration and Fermentation 83
8 Carbon Capture and Energy Capture 85
9 Rise Times, Respiration, and Fermentation 93
10 Respiration, Fermentation, and Wastewater Treatment 103
11 Respiration and Fermentation: Degrading cBOD 109
12 Respiration: Degrading nBOD 123
13 The "Chlorine Sponge" 129
14 ORP: Monitoring Respiration and Fermentation 133
Part III Substrates and Nutrients 137
15 Substrates 139
16 Major Nutrients 151
17 Minor Nutrients 169
Part IV Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur 175
18 Tracking Nitrogen 177
19 Tracking Phosphorus 189
20 Tracking Sulfur 201
Part V Foam, Scum, and Fog 209
21 Foam and Scum Production 211
22 Fats, Oils, and Grease 223
Part VI Protozoa and Metazoa 229
23 The Microbiota 231
24 Protozoa 237
25 Changes in Dominant Protozoan Groups 243
26 Metazoa 255
Part VII Process Control Tables and Keys 265
27 Process Control Tables 267
28 Process Control Keys 273
References 281
Abbreviations and Acronyms 285
Glossary 287
Index 291
