Masters Theses
Abstract
"This study was conducted to determine the fate of chemically-precipitated phosphorus during the overall wastewater treatment process under actual field conditions. Specific objectives were: to evaluate the removal of phosphorus with alum and sodium aluminate in a pilot plant activated sludge system, to determine the fate of the precipitated phosphorus incorporated into the microbial floc when placed in an anaerobic environment, and to observe the effect of aluminum on the digestion process. Five 38-gpd continuous-flow activated sludge pilot plant units were operated at the Rolla Love Creek trickling filter plant and were fed with settled domestic sewage. The sludge from the pilot plants, mixed with an appropriate quantity of primary sludge from the plant, was used to maintain five 3-1 anaerobic digesters. The parameters employed during the aerobic studies were influent and effluent phosphorus and aluminum, total and volatile suspended solids, and chemical oxygen demand; and those used in the anaerobic studies were phosphorus and aluminum in the feed sludge, the supernatant and the digester sludge, volatile acids, and gas production. The addition of alum and sodium aluminate to the activated sludge aeration chamber effectively removed phosphorus from domestic wastewater without adversely affecting the efficiency of the process. The precipitated phosphorus was concentrated in the digester sludge and was not released to the supernatant during anaerobic digestion, and the high concentration of the aluminum ion in the digester sludge produced no detrimental effects. The chemical precipitation of phosphorus in the activated sludge aeration chamber and anaerobic digestion of the sludge produced were found to be a feasible and effective method of eliminating at least part of the phosphorus input to lakes and streams, and could be incorporated into existing or future treatment plants with little capital expense"--Abstract, page ii.
Advisor(s)
Grigoropoulos, Sotirios G.
Committee Member(s)
Jennett, J. Charles
Gale, Nord L.
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Civil Engineering
Sponsor(s)
United States. Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Publication Date
1970
Pagination
vi, 93 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 82-85).
Geographic Coverage
Missouri
Rights
© 1970 Douglas Wayne Max, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Subject Headings
Sewage -- Purification -- Anaerobic treatmentAnaerobic bacteria -- Missouri -- Case studiesSewage -- Purification -- Phosphate removal
Thesis Number
T 2463
Print OCLC #
6028018
Electronic OCLC #
864827611
Recommended Citation
Max, Douglas Wayne, "Fate and effects of chemically-precipitated phosphorus in anaerobic digestion" (1970). Masters Theses. 7147.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/7147