What Is the Activated Sludge Process?
The activated sludge process is the most widely used biological wastewater treatment process in the developed world. Utilized in medium- to large-scale industrial plants, the activated sludge process introduces air into the tank/lagoon (via aeration blowers), which promotes microbial growth in the wastewater.
From there, flocculants (or suspended solids) are separated from the wastewater through sedimentation. Effluent (or the outflowing of water to a natural body of water from the wastewater treatment facility) enters the aeration tank or lane, and low pressure air is introduced through a grid of diffusers. Water usually passes through the process in a few hours, while the sludge retention rates vary from a few days in warmer climates to a few weeks in colder weather.
What is the activated sludge process used for?
Activated sludge process is one of the available treatment options in the secondary treatment stage of wastewater treatment. The purpose of activated sludge is to eliminate any dissolved organic matter after primary treatment takes place. In other words, it's used to eliminate the bacteria by bringing the bacteria into close contact with air and sludge.
Utilizing the bacteria that ingest organic matter as food and transform it into carbon dioxide, water and energy, the secondary treatment process is followed by a “secondary sedimentation” process that includes removing additional suspended solids.
Aeration technologies for Activated Sludge Process
Atlas Copco offers seven different blower and aeration technologies for wastewater and industrial applications. We fit the absolute best technology to you – no favoritism involved. Having a complete range means that the technology we select for you will be the most efficient product for your application over the cost of its lifetime, when you factor the cost of purchase, electricity usage, and service (downtime) costs. What’s more? We have the calculators to show you the complete payback analysis before you even part with one dollar.
Atlas Copco innovates in all aspects of compressed air and gas production. Our promise to you is we do more. What does that mean? Simply, we go further and deeper in every aspect of our offering to you and that promise extends way beyond just products. With a presence across the entire United States, and over 350 technicians on the road every day, Atlas Copco specializes in finding ways to make your wastewater and industrial processes more efficient.
Additional Wastewater Treatment Applications
Membrane Bioreactors
Membrane bioreactors feature an ultrafine membrane filter installed at the discharge end of a standard aeration basin. Pumps installed on the membrane filters create a slight vacuum and pull the effluent through the membrane. The ultrafine holes in the membrane do not allow the biological microbes to pass through the membrane.
