This manual describes methods for diagnosing and rectifying activated sludge solids separation problems, which are one of the most common causes of permit violations in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. The book is written in an easy-to-understand format that will help you resolve real-life problems. Lab techniques, theoretical considerations, design and control methods, and case histories are provided. The clear discussions make it ideal not only for practitioners and consultants, but also for students and professors. Every environmental consulting company, wastewater treatment plant, laboratory, and university should have at least one copy of this hands-on practical manual.

The Activated Sludge (AS) Process is old technology but is still widely adopted worldwide for its convenience and simplicity: an impressive number (many hundred of thousands) of this kind of system are in operation. Occasionally, problems such as bulking and foaming occur, causing regulation violations and large investment is often required immediately to control them. For this reason, an intense research effort has been made during the last few decades to face these problems, and this report details the work undertaken by the IWA Specialist Group on Activated Sludge Population Dynamics. This Scientific and Technical Report describes the main reasons fslyuor the growth of the different filamentous microorganisms in activated sludge, and the biological molecular tools available today for the identification of the main biomass components. The wide range of experiences around the world is documented and the methods to avoid the proliferation of these organisms are presented and critically reviewed. Activated Sludge Separation Problems consists of seven chapters, presenting up-to-date technical and scientific aspects of these processes. Scientific and Technical Report No. 16

The most common activated sludge operating problems causing poor plant performance are related to solids separation. Especially common are bulking and foaming. Without a proper scientific foundation to support the efforts of wastewater treatment plant management, many attempts to thwart bulking and foaming have failed. Manual on the Causes and Control of Activated Sludge Bulking, Foaming and other Solids Separation Problems provides the critical scientific and practical underpinnings needed to understand and combat these problems. The third edition of this flagship text is a comprehensive, concise guide to the microbiological and technical aspects of controlling all types of solid separation problems. The scientific theory is applied to real-world scenarios, greatly increasing the number of real-world examples of successful control methods. New information is also included on filamentous organism growth and its application in the control of sludge bulking and foaming. Now plant operators, regulators and wastewater engineers have a complete guide for battling these formidable design and operating problems. Features of the Manual include: Discussion of the mechanisms of the bioflocculation involved in the formation of activated sludge flocs Many new case histories of the practical diagnosis and resolution of activated sludge solids separation problems Re-examination of the filament backbone concept of floc structure, with additional focus on strong flocs that are devoid of filamentous organisms Analysis of bulking and foaming caused by nocardioform organisms and Microthrix parvicella, with emphasis on their origins and control methods New photographs and descriptions of filamentous organisms responsible for bulking and foaming Results of recent studies of activated sludge and previously unknown microorganisms - and the potential use of molecular biological tools in diagnosing bulking and foaming problems.

Filamentous bulking and foaming are the most frequent operational problems in activated sludge plants. This recent book provides a comprehensive, concise guide to the microbiological and technical aspects of bulking and foaming control. The result of over 25 years of research, the book stresses practical control measures based on kinetic and me