Pursuing Simple and Low-cost Operation for Sludge Reduction via a Self-Oxidized Reduction Process in a Field-Scale Sewage Treatment Plant

Abstract

Aims: A self-oxidized sludge reduction process was installed in a municipal sewage treatment plant at full scale in order to verify the efficiency of the process. Study Design: A full-scale (100 m3) self-oxidized sludge reduction tank was constructed in a municipal sewage treatment plant and was operated for collecting data. Place and Duration of Study: The sewage treatment plant was located in a city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan.  The field test was conducted from FY 2011 to 2015.  Methodology: By observing BOD, SS, and CODMN and controlling them to conform to industrial wastewater discharge standards, the cost reduction of waste sludge disposal resulting from sludge mass reduction via the self-oxidized process was evaluated.  Results: In this study, the operation cost for a local small government in charge of the plant was reduced by more than 50,000 USD per year. Conclusions: The self-oxidized method can be an alternative sludge reduction method.