Microbiological Stabilization of Sludge by Aerobic Digestion and Storage
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 119, Issue 3
Abstract
A study is conducted to evaluate the pathogen and indicator bacterial reductions in the sludges of two wastewater‐treatment plants. These plants are extended‐aeration and oxidation‐ditch‐type plants that have no aerobic or anaerobic digestion facilities following the secondary treatment except for sludge‐storage facilities. Sludge samples are taken from various locations throughout the plant. Sludge samples from these two plants are also collected to run laboratory investigations to determine the sludge pathogen and bacterial reductions in aerobic digestion and in storage. Fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus, and Salmonella are measured on all sludge samples. Total suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, pH, and temperature are also measured. These plants are meeting the proposed EPA's class B pathogen reduction criteria, a two‐order reduction. The improved pathogen reduction is related to the design conditions of the plant, large sludge age, and long detention times. Laboratory aeration and storage studies indicate further pathogen‐indicator organisms reduction of at least one order.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Buhr, H. O., and Andrews, J. F. (1977). “The thermophilic anaerobic digestion process.” Water Res., London, England, 11(2), 129–143.
2.
Cooke, W., and Kabler, P. (1978). “Insulation of potentially pathogenic fungi from polluted water and sewage.” Public Health Report, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 70(7), 689–694.
3.
Counts, C. A., and Shuckrow, A. J. (1974). Lime stabilized sludge, its stability and effect on agricultural land. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
4.
Farrell, J. B., Salotto, B. V., and Venosa, A. D. (1990). “Reduction in bacterial densities of wastewater solids by three secondary treatment processes.” WPCF Res. J. Water Poll. Control Fed., 62(2), 177–184.
5.
Farrell, J. B., Smith, J. E., and Hathaway, S. W. (1974). “Lime stabilization of primary sludges.” J. Water Pollution Control Federation, 46(1), 113–122.
6.
Federal Register. (1989). Feb. 6.
7.
Jaworski, N. et al. (1963). “Aerobic sludge digestion.” Advances in Biological Waste Treatment, McMillan Co., New York, N.Y.
8.
Kabrick, R. M., Jewell, W. J., Salotto, B. V., and Berman, D. (1979). “Inactivation of virus, pathogenic bacteria and parasites in autoheated aerobic thermophilic digestion of sewage sludges.” Proc., 34th Industrial Waste Conf., Purdue University, 771–789.
9.
Kampelmacher, E. H., and Van Noorle Jensen, L. M. (1972). “Reduction of bacteria in sludge treatment.” J. Water Pollution Control Federation, 44(2), 309–313.
10.
Kuchenrither, R. D., and Benefield, L. D. (1983). “Mortality patterns of indicator organisms during aerobic digestion.” J. Water Pollution Control Federation, 55(1), 76–80.
11.
Lodderhose, J. R. (1982). “The stabilization of wastewater treatment sludges,” MS thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.
12.
McKinney, R. E., Langley, H. E., and Tomlinson, H. D. (1958). “Survival of Salmonella typhosa during anaerobic digestion.” Sewage and Industrial Wastes, 30(12), 1469–1477.
13.
Moore, B. F., Sagik, B. P., and Sorbers, C. A. (1976). “An assessment of potential health risks associated with land disposal of residual sludge.” Proc., Third Nat. Conf. on Sludge Mgmt., Disposal and Utilization, Information Transfer Inc., 108–112.
14.
Novak, J. T., Eichelberger, M. P., Banerji, S. K., and Yuan, J. (1984). “Stabilization of sludge from an oxidation ditch.” J. Water Pollution Control Federation, 56(8), 950–954.
15.
Pahren, H. R., Lucas, J. B., Ryan, J. A., and Dotson, G. K. (1979). “Health risks associated with land application of municipal sludge.” J. Water Pollution Control Federation, 51(11), 2588–2601.
16.
Pederson, D. C. (1980). Density levels of pathogenic organisms in municipal wastewater sludge—A literature review. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
17.
“Process design manual for sludge treatment and disposal.” (1979). EPA 621/1‐79‐011, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
18.
Sampling procedures and protocols for the national sewage sludge survey. (1988). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
19.
Sarai, M., Olivieri, V., Cox, L., Sykora, J. L., and Gavagahn, P. (1989). “Relationship between levels of selected indicator and pathogenic microorganisms in sewage and sludge samples from three sewage treatment plants.” Proc., AWWA/WPCF Joint Residuals Mgmt. Conf., American Water Works Association.
20.
Smith, J. E., Young, K. W., and Dean, R. B. (1975). “Biological oxidation and disinfection of sludge.” Water Res., 9, 17.
21.
Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. (1985). 16th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.
22.
“Standards for the disposal of sewage sludge proposed rules.” (1989). Federal Register, 54(23), 5746–5902.
23.
Stern, G., and Ferrell, J. B. (1977). “Sludge disinfection techniques.” Proc., Nat. Conf. on Composting of Municipal Residues and Sludges, Information Transfer Inc., 142.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 119 • Issue 3 • May 1993
Pages: 493 - 505
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 12, 1991
Published online: May 1, 1993
Published in print: May 1993
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.