Comparison of ultrasound and UV technologies to control bulking and foaming in a wastewater treatment facility. A case study in an industrial park in Morelos, Mexico

Most wastewater treatment plants use activated sludge-based biological systems for this purpose. The latter must effectively remove organic matter and, at the same time, show good sedimentability. However, sometimes there is an excessive proliferation of certain bacteria, giving rise to filamentary swelling, compromising excellent sedimentability sludge. In sense, study’s objective was evaluate effect applying two different technologies, application low-frequency ultrasound and UV radiation. Some bench-scale experiments were performed using bulked sludge from secondary clarifier a facility in industrial park (CIVAC) Morelos, Mexico, affected by filamentous organisms. Results showed that two, four, 6 min, settleability mixed liquor suspended solids not improved; on other hand, cavitation caused demonstrated effective action against destruction 10 min condition significant decrease filament integrity microorganisms improvement sedimentation velocity volume index (SVI) values sludge, but enough satisfy national discharge regulations related total treated effluent. Molecular identification indicates presence genera Thauera Brevundimonas