Effects of Low Frequency Ultrasonic Irradition on the Anaerobic Sludge Treatment Process

İkizoğlu B., Civelekoğlu G.

Uluborlu Mesleki Bilimler Dergisi, cilt.8, sa.1, ss.53-65, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 8 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Dergi Adı: Uluborlu Mesleki Bilimler Dergisi
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Index Copernicus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.53-65
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The management of waste activated sludge is one of the most challenges in the

operation of wastewater treatment plants. Consequently, the concept of sludge

minimization was studied extensively in recent years to solve the problem of

the large amount of sludge. Additionally,several conventional methods that

were used for the solution of the problem, some new techniques are also under

development. One of these techniques is ultrasound, which is defined as sound

waves produced in a wide frequency range over the range audible by humans.

In the literature, it was demonstrated that the efficiency of physical, chemical,

and biological processes of sewage treatment increases with the specific degree

of the frequency and dosage of ultrasound by the formation of small cavitation

bubbles. The study aimed to investigate changes in the physical properties of

waste active sludge and determine the anaerobic decomposition dynamics,

following the use of ultrasound irradiation treatment. pH, TS, TVS, DCOD,

DDCOD, rheological measurements were conducted for waste activated sludge

samples, which were exposed to ultrasonic intensity for different periods, to

determine the effectiveness of ultrasonic radiation. After the samples were

exposed to ultrasonic radiation, anaerobic batch reactors were operated at two

different temperatures, at 25 and 35 °C, for a period of 30 days. Biogas

production in reactors were measured every 24 hours on a regular basis. Finally,

pH, TS, TVS, DCOD were analyzed to determine the dynamics of the anaerobic

decomposition. The results demonstrated that DCOD and DDCOD increased

by 58% and 27%, while TS and TVS were decreased by 21 and 30%,

respectively as the ultrasonic power and time increased. As a result, removal of

TS, TVS and DCOD and the formation of biogas in the anaerobic reactors

increased with ultrasonic cavitation, depending on the reactor operating

conditions and the character of raw waste activated sludge.