Wastewater treatment process and system

摘要

- A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid: solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The process may be configured to treat activated sludge produced by the aerobic treatment system and/or primary sludge removed from the wastewater upstream of the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system. Treatment of the sludge may occur in a sludge treatment unit in fluid communication with the aerobic treatment system. In particular embodiments the sludge treatment unit may consist of a high pressure nozzle or other apparatus or methods to cause lysis and liquefaction of cellular material present in the sludge.