Discover the unique innovation of SLG® and how Orege implements it to optimize your processes
Clémentine Justier - Process and Application Director
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A biological wastewater treatment process where microorganisms consume organic pollutants in aerated tanks. The microbes form flocs that can settle in a secondary clarifier, allowing treated water to separate from biological solids. This process is widely used in municipal wastewater treatment plants.
The process of introducing air or oxygen into wastewater to support biological treatment. Oxygen allows aerobic microorganisms to break down organic matter and nutrients. Aeration is typically provided using diffusers or mechanical aerators.
A biological process in which microorganisms break down organic sludge in the absence of oxygen. The process stabilizes sludge, reduces solids volume, and produces biogas composed mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. This gas can often be captured and used for energy generation.
A treatment tank where biological processes occur in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic conditions support microorganisms that break down organic matter differently from aerobic systems. These tanks are often used in digestion or nutrient removal processes.
A reactor where microorganisms convert nitrate to nitrogen gas without dissolved oxygen present. Anoxic zones are commonly used in biological nutrient removal systems. They enable denitrification to occur.
A mechanical sludge dewatering device that compresses sludge between two moving belts. Pressure and gravity remove water from the sludge, producing a dewatered sludge cake. Belt presses are commonly used in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants.
Stabilized sewage sludge that has been treated to reduce pathogens and odors. After treatment, biosolids can be beneficially reused, often as fertilizers or soil conditioners. Strict regulations govern their treatment and land application.
A measure of the amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic matter in water over a specified period, usually five days. It is a key indicator of organic pollution in wastewater. High BOD levels indicate high concentrations of biodegradable material.
The percentage of dry solids contained in dewatered sludge cake. Higher cake solids indicate more efficient dewatering. This parameter directly affects transport and disposal costs.
A rotating machine that separates solids from liquids using centrifugal force. In wastewater treatment, centrifuges are used for sludge thickening and dewatering. High rotational speeds allow efficient separation even with fine particles.
A large settling tank designed to remove suspended solids from wastewater by gravity. Clarifiers are used in both primary and secondary treatment stages. The settled solids are collected as sludge while clarified water flows to the next treatment step.
A chemical treatment process where coagulants such as ferric chloride or alum neutralize electrical charges on particles. This destabilization allows particles to come together and form larger aggregates. Coagulation is often followed by flocculation.
A measure of the total amount of oxygen required to chemically oxidize organic and inorganic compounds in water. COD provides a faster estimate of pollution levels than BOD because it uses chemical reactions instead of biological processes. It is commonly used to monitor industrial wastewater.
A biological process where nitrate is converted into nitrogen gas under anoxic conditions. This gas is released harmlessly into the atmosphere. Denitrification helps remove excess nitrogen from wastewater.
Sludge that has undergone mechanical processes to remove a large portion of its water content. The resulting material is easier to transport and dispose of. Dewatered sludge is commonly handled as sludge cake.
The removal of water from sludge to reduce its volume and weight. Mechanical equipment such as centrifuges, screw presses, and filter presses are commonly used. Dewatering lowers transportation and disposal costs.
A treatment process where fine air bubbles attach to suspended solids, causing them to float to the surface. The floating sludge layer is then removed by skimming. DAF systems are widely used in industrial wastewater treatment and sludge thickening.
The fraction of sludge that remains after all water has been removed. It represents the actual mass of solids present in the sludge. Dry solids content is a key parameter for sludge treatment and disposal calculations.
Treated wastewater that exits a treatment plant or specific treatment process. Effluent must meet environmental discharge standards before being released to surface waters or reused. Its quality is monitored through parameters such as BOD, TSS, and nutrients.
The liquid that passes through a filter during sludge dewatering processes. Filtrate often contains fine particles and dissolved substances. It is typically returned to the treatment plant for further treatment.
A cluster of particles formed when suspended solids aggregate during coagulation and flocculation. Flocs are larger and heavier than individual particles, allowing them to settle or float for removal. Their formation is critical for effective clarification.
A gentle mixing process that encourages destabilized particles to collide and stick together. These larger aggregates, known as flocs, settle or float more easily during treatment. Flocculation improves solid-liquid separation efficiency.
A sludge concentration process where solids settle under gravity in a thickening tank. As solids accumulate at the bottom, the sludge becomes more concentrated. This process reduces the volume of sludge before further treatment.
A process that removes sand, gravel, and other heavy inorganic particles from wastewater. Grit chambers or vortex separators are commonly used. Removing grit prevents abrasion and sediment buildup in equipment.
The average time that wastewater remains in a treatment tank or reactor. HRT influences treatment efficiency by determining how long biological or chemical reactions can occur. It is calculated based on tank volume and flow rate.
An advanced treatment system combining biological treatment with membrane filtration. The membranes retain suspended solids while allowing treated water to pass through. MBR systems produce very high-quality effluent.
The concentration of suspended solids in the aeration basin of an activated sludge system. It includes microorganisms, organic matter, and inert particles. MLSS levels are monitored to maintain stable biological treatment performance.
A biological process where ammonia is oxidized into nitrite and nitrate by specialized bacteria. This process occurs under aerobic conditions in wastewater treatment systems. It is an important step in nitrogen removal.
Treatment processes designed to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. Excess nutrients can cause eutrophication in receiving waters. Biological and chemical methods are commonly used for nutrient removal.
The amount of organic matter entering a treatment process over time. It is usually expressed in terms of BOD or COD per day. Proper control of organic loading is important for maintaining process stability.
Treatment processes designed to reduce disease-causing microorganisms in sludge. Methods include digestion, composting, heat treatment, and lime stabilization. Pathogen reduction is required before beneficial reuse of biosolids.
The treated liquid that passes through a membrane in filtration systems such as membrane bioreactors. Permeate is usually very low in suspended solids. It may be discharged or reused depending on treatment goals.
A chemical additive used to enhance sludge thickening and dewatering. Polymers help bind fine particles together, forming stronger flocs that release water more easily. They are commonly used in centrifuges, filter presses, and DAF systems.
The amount of polymer required to effectively condition sludge for thickening or dewatering. Polymer demand depends on sludge characteristics and solids concentration. Optimizing polymer dosage improves performance and reduces chemical costs.
Sludge that settles during the primary clarification stage of wastewater treatment. It mainly consists of settleable organic and inorganic solids removed from raw wastewater. Primary sludge is typically thickened and digested before disposal.
Settled sludge from the secondary clarifier that is returned to the aeration tank. Recycling RAS maintains the necessary concentration of microorganisms for biological treatment. Proper RAS control is essential for stable process performance.
A preliminary treatment step where large debris is removed from incoming wastewater using mechanical screens. This protects downstream equipment from damage or clogging. Screenings are collected and disposed of separately.
Sludge composed mainly of microorganisms produced during biological treatment processes. It is often referred to as waste activated sludge. This sludge requires further treatment such as thickening and dewatering.
Another term for solids retention time in biological treatment systems. It represents how long microorganisms remain active in the process. Controlling sludge age helps maintain a balanced microbial population.
The solid material produced after mechanical sludge dewatering. It contains significantly less water than untreated sludge. Cake solids content is an important indicator of dewatering efficiency.
A biological process that stabilizes sludge by breaking down organic material. Digestion reduces odors, pathogens, and sludge volume. It may occur under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
A process that concentrates sludge by removing part of the water content. Thickening increases solids concentration before digestion or dewatering. Common methods include gravity thickening, flotation thickening, and mechanical thickening.
A measure of how well activated sludge settles in a clarifier. It represents the volume occupied by sludge after settling for 30 minutes. SVI helps operators evaluate sludge settling characteristics.
The average time that microorganisms remain in a biological treatment system. SRT influences microbial population and treatment efficiency. It is a critical parameter for activated sludge process control.
Sludge that has undergone a thickening process to increase its solids concentration. Thickening significantly reduces sludge volume. This makes downstream treatment and transport more efficient.
Equipment or a tank used to concentrate sludge by removing excess water. Thickeners reduce sludge volume before digestion or dewatering. Types include gravity thickeners, drum thickeners, and flotation thickeners.
The concentration of solid particles suspended in water that can be captured by filtration. TSS is a key water quality parameter used to evaluate treatment performance. High TSS levels can impact receiving water bodies.
The portion of sludge solids that represent organic matter and can be burned off at high temperatures. VS is commonly used to estimate the biodegradable fraction of sludge. Reductions in VS indicate successful sludge stabilization.
Excess microbial biomass removed from the activated sludge process. Removing WAS prevents excessive accumulation of solids in the system. It is typically sent for thickening and further sludge treatment.
A facility designed to remove contaminants from sewage and industrial wastewater. Treatment processes may include physical, chemical, and biological methods. The goal is to protect public health and the environment.