• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.376-383
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to control sludge bulking and foaming problems at the biological nutrient removal processes. A sewage treatment plant(STP) had a severe sludge settling problem usually over 90% in 30 min settled sludge volume and 300 mL/g in SVI and also thick and heavy brown foam in the secondary clarifiers. Identification study shows that causative filament was Microthrix parvicella which has not been previously reported in Korea. According to the inspection of processes and other related parameters, excessive growth of this particular filament was associated with high SRT caused by lack of proper capacity in sludge treatment line. After providing an extension of the sludge treatment capability, the plant can decrease SRT by wasting more sludge from the processes and also decreasing SS concentration in recycled stream. Subsequently we were able to control growth of M. parvicella. The SVI value was reduced to half of those observed during the severe bulking, but also sludge blanket and its concentration in the clarifier became compact and dense. However, decrease in population of M. parvicella caused increase of total phosphorus concentration in the effluent.