Effects of sludge retention time on oxic-settling-anoxic process performance: Biosolids reduction and dewatering properties

In this study, the effect of sludge retention time (SRT) on oxic-settling-anoxic (OSA) process was determined using a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) attached to external aerobic/anoxic reactors. The SRT of the external reactors was varied from 10 to 40 d. Increasing SRT from 10 to 20 d enhanced volatile solids destruction in the external anoxic reactor as evidenced by the release of nutrients, however, increasing the SRT to 40 d did not enhance volatile solids destruction further. Relatively short SRT (10-20 d) favoured the conversion of destroyed solids into inert products. The application of an intermediate SRT (20 d) of the external reactor showed the highest sludge reduction performance (>35%). Moreover, at the optimum SRT, OSA improved sludge dewaterability as demonstrated by lower capillary suction time and higher dewatered cake solids content.