Optimum operation of thermophilic aerobic digestion process for waste activated sludge minimization

To achieve optimum operation of a thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) process for waste activated sludge (WAS), TAD experiments using Bacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC 31197) were carried out to investigate the optimum concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO). TAD reactors were operated at DO concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ppm, and the results showed that the WAS could be successfully degraded by a TAD system operated with a DO concentration of 1 ppm and above. When the TAD system with an optimum additive (2 mM Ca ion), selected from a previous study, and I ppm DO concentration were combined with a thermal pretreatment (121degreesC, 10 min), the results exhibited upgraded total suspended solids and an enhanced protein degradation.