Bulking Sludge Treatment by Microscopic Observation and Mechanical Treatment

By the consideration of the microscopic picture of activated sludge samples it is possible to introduce a further biological parameter apart from the conventional physico-chemical parameters for the evaluation and control of biological stages of waste water treatment plants. It is reported that different parameters have certain influences on the activated sludge floc and on the developing biozenosis. An automatical image analysis of activated sludge floc pictures with the support of algorithms of the digital image processing would enable the introduction of a new sum parameter to support operation control of aeration tanks. By means of the microscopic image possible threatening operational disturbances can be discovered before this is possible with the conventional physico-chemical parameters. In particular, the early automatic recognition of first signs of bulking sludge and swimming sludge caused by the excessive growth of filamentous microorganisms represents an important instrument for the operation of the biological stage of waste water treatment plants. If the threatening extensive growth of filamentous microorganisms is promptly detected, it is e.g. possible to damage the filamentous micro organisms directly by the entry of mechanical energy.