The impact of powdered keramsite on activated sludge and wastewater treatment in a sequencing batch reactor.

Abstract As the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment in activated sludge systems can be increased if powdered mineral materials are added, the work described here investigated the effect of powdered keramsite on activated sludge and wastewater treatment in a sequencing batch reactor on the laboratory scale. Specifically, experiments were carried out on two sequencing batch reactors, with the reference system being the classical SBR with conventional activated sludge, while the second system involved a K-SBR (Keramsite - Sequencing Batch Reactor) with powdered keramsite added with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of the activated sludge. The concentration of powdered keramsite in the latter reactor was maintained at 0.75 g/L. The results confirmed the greater efficiency of biological wastewater treatment processes where activated sludge was supported by the keramsite. Highlights • Powdered keramsite improves floc sedimentation in activated-sludge system. • Use of the powdered keramsite stimulates the growth of microorganisms in activated sludge. • Powdered keramsite facilitates biological wastewater treatment processes. • Keramsite serves to stabilise biological wastewater treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]