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 treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.

主权项

1. A process for degrading sludge produced by treatment of wastewater comprising:
(a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of said wastewater; (b) treating a supply of said sludge by rupturing 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 said treated sludge to said aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading particulate solids present in said supply of said treated sludge in said aerobic treatment system by co-digestion with said wastewater,wherein said volume of said sludge subjected to said treating is selected to achieve an approximate balance between the net mass of solids produced by treatment of said wastewater in said aerobic treatment system and the net mass of solids removed by said process, thereby substantially avoiding the requirement for dewatering or disposal of said sludge produced by said aerobic treatment system.