The Effect of Particle Composition on Microbial Hydrolysis in Activated Sludge
This research deals with the effect of particle composition on microbial hydrolysis in activated sludge. The particles being used to develop the experiment are carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Those particles will be compared with wastewater. The larger particles are converted into smaller particles by hydrolysis. When the hydrolysis process occurs, the demand for oxygen increases because microorganisms are feeding from the soluble substrate. This more readily degradable substrate could be used by the bacteria for food in nutrient removal processes as well. The purpose of this research is to examine which of the three types of organic particle will have the fastest hydrolysis process by measuring oxygen uptake rate (OUR). This research will help to find a particle composition of particulate organic matter already found in wastewater that can be consumed easily by bacteria and then could be used to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from water without the additional cost. As part of the results, proteins are degraded the fastest, followed by lipids, wastewater and carbohydrates. The composition of particles affects the hydrolysis process, because hydrolysis is faster in some types of particles than others. The particle size also affects hydrolysis because it changes depending if the particle is small or large particle. The small particles hydrolyzed faster than large particles.
School:
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
Department:
Civil Engineering
Research Advisor:
Eberhard Morgenroth
Department of Research Advisor:
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Year of Publication:
2006