What You Need To Know About Wastewater Aeration and How It Works

When wastewater is aerated enough, its organic matter reduces and a flocculant sludge (consisting of various microorganisms) is formed. A flocculant is defined as “a substance which promotes the clumping of particles, especially one used in treating waste water”

In order to improve the process, the flocculant-activated sludge is retained in the system as an inoculum, a substance used for inoculation.

Here is a more detailed phase-by-phase definition of this process for a better illustration:

Phase 1: The macromolecules are hydrolyzed or broken down into their monomer compounds. Phase 2: The small molecules produced in Phase 1 are then partially degraded, releasing 1/3rd of their total energy to the cell.

Phase 3: The catabolic route oxidizes the compounds, thus producing carbon dioxide and energy. The anabolic route, which requires energy, involves the synthesis of new cellular material.

Generally, the organisms in wastewater-activated sludge culture may be divided into four major classes.

Floc-forming organisms: These help separate the microbial sludge from the treated wastewater. Saprophytes: These are microorganisms that degrade the organic matter. Predators: The main predators are protozoa, which thrive on bacteria. Nuisance organisms: They interfere with the smooth functioning of the wastewater-activated sludge system when they come in large quantities.

The process of wastewater aeration exists to stabilize it, as wastewater contains numerous bacteria that can pose serious environmental and health hazards if haphazardly handled.

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