Impact of SRT and Carbon Sources on Particle Size Distribution and Reactor Performance in lntegrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) Reactor

Particle size distribution is an essential characteristic of the wastewater quality. Particle size of activated sludge flocs may affect key sludge handling processes including sedimentation, thickening, digestion, and dewatering. This study focuses on the impact of SRT and carbon sources on particle size distribution, sludge settleability, effluent turbidity, and removals of COD and NH4+-N in a lab-scale Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) reactor. Settling test, water quality analyses, and microscopic examination are applied to evaluate the impact of different SRTs. Operating at longer SRT produced better effluent quality in terms of effluent turbidity, COD and ammonia removals for the IFAS reactor. The impact of difference carbon sources (Glucose vs. Sodium Acetate) on particle size distribution and reactor performance was evaluated. Switching of carbon source from glucose to sodium acetate slightly increased the mean size of supernatant particles.