Effect of Uncoupling Oxidative Phosphorylation on the Economics of the Activated Sludge Process

Conventionally, activated sludge units are aerated continuously for the biological oxidation of organic carbon and ammonium. The respiration of the microflora which develops is tightly coupled to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) formation. (ATP is the energy currency of the cell, growth is proportional to the ATP formed). A management strategy is reported here which uses alternating periods of aeration and non-aeration (AAA process), then respiration is uncoupled from ATP formation and hence from cell growth. Less sludge is formed but the removal of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is no less efficient. In addition, ammonium is oxidized to nitrate during aeration and is then denitrified in the non-aerated period. Savings of 25% to 40% in aeration charges have been demonstrated. This entails no change in the physical design of the plant, no reductant is needed for denitrification, foam is reduced and the sludge settles well. The final effluent demands less chlorine and has a low nitrogen content. The control of the periods of air on/air off can be automated in response to the rate of uptake of dissolved oxygen (DO).