Preparation and characterization of a novel multi-component composite biological filler

Abstract

A novel multi-component biological filler, consisting of residual activated sludge, clay, humus, silicon compounds, fly ash, and humic acid organic fertilizer, is described here. The aim of the study was to enhance and improve the activity of activated sludge in a biological wastewater treatment process. Following the addition of the filler to a sequencing batch reactor, significant effects on sludge settling properties, sludge yield, sludge dewatering performance, and sludge odor were observed. To further optimize the components of the novel multi-component composite bioactive filler and to improve the activity of the sludge, its composition and microstructure were studied. The biological filler was characterized by different techniques, i.e. field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Through measurements of the composition of organic matter and humus, it was found that the content of each component remained unchanged over a six-month period. The FESEM results showed that the surface of the filler was rough and porous, while the EDS results revealed that the main elements in the filler were O, Si, and C, and the FTIR results indicated that the main functional groups of the absorption peak were –COOH, , SiO_2, and –C=O. The elements contained within these functional groups (O, Si, and C) were the same as those identified by the EDS.

Keywords:

• Multi-component composite
• Sludge settling
• Sludge yield
• Sludge dewatering performance
• Organic matter
• Humus
• Components

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Water Pollution Control and Management Technology Major Project of China (Grant Number: 2012ZX07201-001), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number: 51478206).