E C O LO GIC AL C H E M IS T R Y AN D E N GIN E E R IN G S

Vol. 16, No. 3 2009

Klaudiusz GRŐBEL*1, Alicja MACHNICKA* and Jan SUSCHKA*

SCUM HYDRODYNAMIC DISINTEGRATION

FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT EFFICIENCY UPGRADING

INTENSYFIKACJA OCZYSZCZANIA ŚCIEKÓW

Z WYKORZYSTANIEM HYDRODYNAMICZNEJ DEZINTEGRACJI PIANY

Abstract: The aim of wastewater treatment is mineralization of organic matter and release nutrients removal.
Hydrodynamic disintegration process facility biodegradation of organic matter included in scum biomass of
activated sludge. Hydrodynamic disintegration results in destruction and disruption of the scum
microorganisms as well as increase concentration of organic matter (including proteins and carbohydrates) - in
liquid. In order to have a quantitative measure of the effects of disintegration a coefficient defined as a Degree
of Disintegration (DDM) was introduced. The degree of cell disruption can be measured using biochemical
parameters like the COD or proteins release. Hydrodynamic disintegration can activate the biological
hydrolysis process and therefore, significantly increase the biogas production in anaerobic stabilization. The
additional positive effect improving efficiency of wastewater treatment and capability to developing of
undesirable foam is the disintegration and then inputs to systems in internal or external recirculation with
a part of surplus activated sludge from secondary setting tank.
Keywords: hydrodynamic disintegration, scum, biogas, anaerobic stabilization

Filamentous microorganisms are normally a component of the activated sludge

microflora but they are responsible for scum formation and activated sludge bulking [1].
Foaming is a common problem encountered in many wastewater treatment plants
worldwide, especially in those designed for carbon and nutrients removal [2-7]. The
formed scum can cover the entire surface or at last the surface of the anaerobic
dephosphatation stage and anoxic denitrification stage. Also settling tanks can be
partially or totally covered with the scum. The scum (foam) is considered to be
a burden because of the fact that it is difficult to be removed. Also, the foam eventually
affects adversely the process of anaerobic sludge digestion. Consequently, many
investigators, and treatment plant operators, have given attention to control the foam
forming process.

*
University of Bielsko-Biala, Faculty of Materials and Environment Sciences, Institute of Environmental and
Protection Engineering, ul. Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała
1
Corresponding Author: kgrubel@ath.bielsko.pl
360 Klaudiusz Grőbel, Alicja Machnicka and Jan Suschka

Through scum disintegration the structure of the scum is changed, bacteria cells are
opened and the cell content is released. The dissolved components are readily degradable
in a digestion process. Basically, the disintegration process is accomplished by the
application of physical or chemical methods to break down cell walls. Thus, cell walls
are fragmented and intracellular compounds are released. The product can be utilized
both as a substrate in aerobic and anaerobic biological processes. Positive effects were
shown for thermal pretreatment [8-10], addition of enzymes [11, 12], ozonation [13, 14],
chemical solubilization by acidification [15, 16] or alkaline hydrolysis [17], mechanical
disintegration [18-20] and ultrasonic [21-24]. The inclusion of disintegration technology
into the sludge treatment process leads to reduced sludge quantities and markedly
improved sludge quality.
In this investigation hydrodynamic cavitation was used to scum disintegrations.
Disintegrated by hydrodynamic cavitation has a positive effect on the degree and rate of
sludge anaerobic digestion. Hydrodynamic cavitation results in formation of cavities
(bubbles) filled with a vapour-gas mixture inside the flowing liquid, or at the boundary
of constriction devices due to rapid local pressure drop. Subsequently, the pressure
recovers down the constriction (valve or nozzle) and causes cavities to collapse. The
collapse of cavitation bubbles is defined as implosion and the forces associated with
results in mechanical and physico-chemical effects. The physical effects include the
production of shear forces and shock waves, whereas the chemical effects result into the
generation of radicals eg formation of reactive hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals
which recombine to form hydrogen peroxide [25-27].
Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge can be improved by introducing
a disintegration of scum as a pretreatment process. The disintegration brings a deeper
degradation of organic matter and less amount of output sludge for disposal, a higher
production of biogas and consequently energy yield [28].
The new concept of scum hydrodynamic disintegration described in this paper is
based on the own-constructed cavitation nozzle. The main aim of the article was to
describe the effect of hydrodynamic cavitation on organic matter release and biogas
production. These processes caused intensification of wastewater treatment.

Experimental methods
Foam samples were taken from an EBNR full scale municipal sewage treatment
plant. Mechanical disintegration was executed with a pressure pump (12 bar), which
scum, from a 25 dm3 container, through a 1.2 mm nozzle (Fig. 1). Disintegration was
carried out for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
COD value was determined for samples before and after each time of disintegration
according to Polska Norma PN-ISO 6060:2006. Procedure given by Lowry was used for
protein determination, whereas the Anthrone method has a high specificity for
carbohydrates. Both methods were according to Gerhardt [29].
Samples of raw activated sludge and with a part of disintegrated scum taken direct
from the full scale treatment plant have been digested in 25 dm3 glass reactors at constant
temperature of 33±2oC. The disintegrated scum constituted 20, 30 and 40% in volume.
During 22 days of digestion the amount of produced biogas was daily monitored.
 Scum hydrodynamic disintegration for waste water treatment efficiency upgrading 361

scum

recirculation

chamber

nozzle

pressure pump

Fig. 1. Scheme of installation to scum disintegrations

Results and discussion

Organic matter release
Release of organic matter expressed as an increase in soluble COD value is
considered as a tool for measurement of bacteria destruction effects.

Fig. 2. Increase of COD in the scum supernatant after hydrodynamic treatment

362 Klaudiusz Grőbel, Alicja Machnicka and Jan Suschka

According to the methodology used, the process of hydrodynamic disintegration was

carried out for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. Already 30 min of mechanical scum
microorganisms disintegration resulted in COD increase in the filtrate (filter paper) of
609 mg·dm–3 (from 57 to 666 mg·dm–3) (Fig. 2).

Degree of disintegration
For a quantitative measurement of the effects of disintegration - a coefficient defined
as a Degree of Disintegration (DD) was introduced. In this case, the degree of sludge
disintegration was determined according to that given by Müller [18] - reading as
follows:
DDM = [(COD1 – COD2) / (COD3 – COD2)] · 100% (1)
where: DDM - degree of disintegration, COD1 is the COD of the liquide phase of the
disintegrated sample, COD2 is the COD of the original sample, and COD3 is the value
after chemical disintegration.
In accordance with equation (1) - an increase of degree of disintegration was
noticed. The results are presented in Figure 3.

Fig. 3. Change of DDM with time of disintegration

Within the range of explored time, between 15 min and 60 min, the degree of
disintegration increased most rapidly in the first 30 min. The achieved degree of scum
disintegration was about 47%. The efficiency of scum disintegration increased further for
prolonged time (Fig. 3).

Release of proteins and carbohydrates

Increase of the DDM was attributed to break-up of microbial cells leading to the
release of intracellular materials. Moreover, destruction microorganisms of scum in the
 Scum hydrodynamic disintegration for waste water treatment efficiency upgrading 363

process of hydrodynamic disintegration resulted in protein and carbohydrate release into

the aqueous phase (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. Release of proteins and carbohydrates with increase of degree of scum disintegration

As shown in Figure 4, the predominant component released to the liquid was

protein. The release of protein was the fastest during the first 30 min (DDM was 47%). In
this case, concentration of protein increase to 250 mg·dm–3, and then became slower with
the increase of disintegration time. It was observed that carbohydrate concentration
increased as the time of disintegration increased. As in the case of protein, the
concentration of carbohydrate increased in the first 30 min of disintegration. However,
the carbohydrates release was lower.
On basis of obtained results - it was affirmed that amount of proteins released in the
process of disintegration can be adopted as a suitable parameter for assessing the rate of
disintegration.
As in the case of released organic matter - expressed as COD value, an attempt was
made to determinate the degree of disintegration based on the recorded changes in
protein concentration. In this method, the degree of disintegration is based on the protein
concentration in the liquid phase of the sludge of the original and disintegrated sample.
The sludge sample after chemical disintegration was used as a blank sample. Chemical
protein release was achieved by means of NaOH. The degree of activated sludge
disintegration was calculated as follows (2) and shows in Figure 5:
DDP = (P1 – P2 / P3 – P2) · 100(%) (2)
where: DDP - degree of disintegration, P1 is the concentration of protein in the liquid
phase of the disintegrated sample, P2 is the concentration of protein in the original
sample, and P3 is the value after chemical disintegration. Chemical disintegration of
sample was carried out according to determination of total protein concentration given by
Gerhardt [29].
364 Klaudiusz Grőbel, Alicja Machnicka and Jan Suschka

Fig. 5. Change of DDP with time of disintegration

Practical implementation
Hydrodynamic disintegration accelerates the biological degradation of sludge. The
released cell liquid contains components, which can be easily assimilated. The released
organic substances (expressed here as COD or as protein and carbohydrate
concentration) as the effect of scum disintegration, leads to a substantial increase of
biogas production in the process of anaerobic sludge digestion (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6. Production of biogas

 Scum hydrodynamic disintegration for waste water treatment efficiency upgrading 365

Significantly higher amounts of biogas were produced in the fermenters fed with
disintegrated scum. The production of biogas increased in samples with addition scum
after 30 minutes hydrodynamic disintegration, as compared with sample of activated
sludge. The organic matter transferred by hydrodynamic treatment from the scum solids
into the liquid phase was readily biodegradable. The break-up of cells walls of the
bacteria limits the degradation process. By applying hydrodynamic disruption, the lysis
of cells occurs in minutes rather than days. The intracellular and extracellular
components are set free and are immediately available for biological degradation which
leads to an acceleration of the anaerobic process.

Conclusions
1. The hydrodynamic disintegration of scum destroys and disrupts the scum
microorganisms. As a result of disintegration, organic matter was transferred from
the sludge solids into the liquid phase (expressed as COD). A higher increase of
COD was observed after 30 minutes. The value of COD increase in the filtrate (filter
paper) of 609 mg·dm–3 (from 57 to 666 mg·dm–3).
2. The degree of disintegration increased most rapidly in the first 30 min. The achieved
degree scum disintegration was about 47%.
3. As a result of scum disintegration, organic matter was transferred from the scum
solids into the liquid phase (expressed as COD). The disruption of cell
microorganisms structure leads to an increase of polymers: proteins and
carbohydrates. As a result, hydrodynamic disintegration causes an enhance
biodegradability.
4. Addition of disintegrated scum to the fermentation process caused increase in biogas
production. Significantly higher production of biogas was observed in the fermenters
fed with disrupted of microorganisms scum in comparing with the fermenter fed with
raw activated sludge after 22 days anaerobic process. The production of biogas
increase with addition of scum disintegrated.

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INTENSYFIKACJA OCZYSZCZANIA ŚCIEKÓW Z WYKORZYSTANIEM

HYDRODYNAMICZNEJ DEZINTEGRACJI PIANY
Instytut Ochrony i InŜynierii Środowiska, Wydział Nauk o Materiałach i Środowisku
Akademia Techniczno-Humanistyczna

Abstrakt: Podstawowym celem oczyszczania ścieków jest mineralizacja związków organicznych i usuwanie
substancji biogennych. Jedną z moŜliwości ułatwienia biodegradacji substratów organicznych obecnych
w biomasie piany osadu czynnego jest proces hydrodynamicznej kawitacji. Hydrodynamiczna dezintegracja
piany powstającej w komorach osadu czynnego skutkuje rozdrobnieniem i destrukcją struktury
mikroorganizmów, a tym samym wzrostem stęŜenia materii organicznej - w tym białek i polisacharydów -
 Scum hydrodynamic disintegration for waste water treatment efficiency upgrading 367

w cieczy. Określenie skuteczności i ilości uwolnionej substancji organicznej w procesie dezintegracji moŜna
wyrazić za pomocą tzw. stopnia dezintegracji określanego na podstawie zmian wartości ChZT (DDM) lub
stęŜenia uwolnionych białek (DDP). Hydrodynamiczna dezintegracja mikroorganizmów umoŜliwia proces
biologicznej hydrolizy, przez co znacząco wpływa na wzrost produkcji biogazu w procesie fermentacji.
Dodatkowym pozytywnym efektem poprawiającym skuteczność oczyszczania ścieków i moŜliwość
zagospodarowania niepoŜądanej piany jest jej dezintegracja, a następnie wprowadzenia do systemy
oczyszczania ścieków w procesie recyrkulacji wewnętrznej lub zewnętrznej wraz z częścią osadu z osadnika
wtórnego.

Słowa kluczowe: hydrodynamiczna dezintegracja, piana, biogaz, beztlenowa stabilizacja