Dynamics and species composition of biocoenosis in immobilized sludge under brush filtering

Abstract

The kinetics of the species composition of immobilised sludge under brush filtering is studied. The experiment was conducted using a multistage method of calculating a calibrated drop. The situation of a long-term stop and emptying of a bioreactor containing brush filtering with immobilised sludge at a humidity level of 92% was simulated. The application of a bioreactor with sludge adapted to wastewater allows a required degree of purification to be achieved faster than when imported non-adapted sludge is used. The experiment was carried out using a physical model of such a bioreactor, representing a transverse vertical section of an industrial aerotank-bioreactor. According to the obtained results, immobilised sludge exposed to atmospheric air and fixed on a synthetic filtering loses moisture; however, the viability of the biocoenosis of the wet part of the filters lasts for more than ten days. The kinetic dependence of the species composition of the biocoenosis of immobilised sludge on its functional state has been obtained. It is shown that a bioreactor should be started no later than ~8 days after its loading, while transferring the immobilised sludge to a free-floating form by means of its air-mechanical or water-to-air regeneration.