Minimization of activated sludge production by chemical uncoupler, 3,3’,4’,5 – terachlorosalicylanilide (TCS)

Abstract

Excess sludge production is a major challenge in the global wastewater treatment. Conventional methods of disposing excess sludge have been limited by the stringent environmental laws and social issues. Therefore, it compels researchers to provide sustainable solutions in reducing excess sludge production. Utilization of chemical uncoupler such as TCS is one of the innovative approaches to minimise excess sludge in modern wastewater treatment processes.

Batch tests were conducted to investigate the effect of TCS on excess sludge reduction. TCS functions were tested at both fixed biomass concentration with various TCS dosages as well as fixed TCS dosage with various biomass concentrations. This report will discuss on the influences of TCS at a fixed biomass concentration with different TCS dosages, ranging from 0 to 4 mg/L. The observations of biomass production, substrate removal, sludge settling properties, sludge morphology, sludge particle size and pH were studied in relation to the addition of various TCS concentrations.

Results proved that TCS is an effective chemical uncoupler in reducing sludge production. The sludge yield decreased significantly with increased TCS concentrations. However, some parameters such as the substrate degradation were negatively affected by the TCS dosage. In addition, future developments of the experiment on chemical uncoupler were elaborated at the end of the report.