Sludge conditioning using biogenic flocculant produced by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for enhancement in dewaterability

• A. ferrooxidans was used to produce a novel composite biogenic flocculant.
• Rapid bioacidification triggered improvement in sludge dewaterability.
• Sludge moisture content can be reduced to 70% after biogenic flocculant treatment.
• Biogenic flocculant reduced odor, improved the calorific value and effluent quality.

Biogenic flocculant produced by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was used for sludge conditioning to improve the dewaterability of anaerobically-digested sludge, and its efficiency was compared with commercial cationic polyacrylamide (PAM). Biogenic flocculant rapidly reduced the pH and increased the oxidation–reduction potential of sludge. Capillary suction time (CST) and specific resistant to filtration (SRF) of sludge was decreased by 74% and 89%, respectively, compared with control; and the reductions were 58% CST and 67% SRF higher when compared with commercial polymer. Biogenic treatment improved the sludge calorific value by 13%, and also reduced the unpleasant odor. The small-scale mechanical filter press study showed that the biogenic flocculant can reduce the moisture content of sludge to 70%, and improve the clarity of the filtrate in terms of removal of total suspended solids and total dissolved solids when compared with synthetic polymer treatment.