Performance of Aerobic Microbial Granules in Organic Carbon Removal as a Method in the Treatment of Biodegradable Wastewater

Abstract

Conventional biological wastewater treatment is effective in removing organic carbon but has weaknesses in need large area, long hydraulic retention time, produce excess sludge in activated sludge system and need post treatment for removing nutrient in the anaerobic system. Aerobic microbial granules is a biological method in wastewater treatment that potential to overcome the lack of conventional biological treatment. Aerobic granules were developed in SBR made of glass with an effective volume of 10 L. Acetate was used as a source of carbon with COD concentration 900-1200 mg/L. SBR was run in anaerobic and aerobic phase with a hydraulic retention time of 8,3 hours and an exchange ratio of 60%. Granules begin to be formed after 14 days operational period with SVI30 to SVI5 ratio reach on 0,97 and settling velocity 13,8 cm/minute. High performance in degrading organic carbon is shown by aerobic microbial granules system with removal efficiency reaches on 94-97%.

Keywords

• aerobic granules
• biodegradable wastewater
• organic carbon