• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.77-87
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• 1987

A series of bench scale activated sludge units were operated to find the causes of filamentous bulking(Schizothrix calcicola) at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. The results shows that the algal bulking problem is caused by the combination of fermented brewery waste and a low/high DO pattern in the aeration basin. The volatile fatty acids in the influent are not themselves the only cause of bulking but indicators of an unidentified substance that either suppresses zoogloeal growth or stimulates algal growth during low DO conditions, because the volatile fatty acids do not stimulate algal growth unless they are added to a sewage that already contains, some fermented brewery waste.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.331-338
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the membrane fouling and sludge characteristics in a pilot-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated under low temperature ($7^{\circ}C$). To elucidate the mechanisms of membrane fouling at low temperature, we studied the correlation between MBR performances and physicochemical properties of sludge including extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), relative hydrophobicity (RH) and floc size during long-term operation. The MBR was shown able to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD) stably and efficiently (>90 %) in the case of overgrowth of filamentous bacteria (bulking sludge) at low temperature. On the other hand, the occurrence of filamentous bulking greatly accelerated membrane fouling, as indicated by membrane filtration period of 14 days for filamentous bulking at $7^{\circ}C$, in comparison with that of 27 days for non-bulking sludge at $24^{\circ}C$ The overgrowth of filamentous bacteria resulting from low-temperature condition led to an increased release of EPS, higher RH, smaller floc size and lower fractal dimension of sludge. These factors accelerated the formation of compact cake layer on membrane surface in association with performance diminution in terms of increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP) of the membrane and thus the decrease in membrane permeability.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.506-511
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• 2004

Maintaining dissolved oxygen (DO) at sufficiently low concentration in the aeration tank at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is essential for reduction of the costs of operation and maintenance. On the other hand, the low DO level may result in adverse effect on the integrity of the activated sludge, A typical and disastrous outcome frequently experienced is the outgrowth of filamentous microorganisms, which is called as filamentous bulking, In addition to the traditional methods such as sludge settleability and microscopic observation of the culture, molecular techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by 16S rRNA sequencing were applied to identify filamentous bacteria present in bulking sludge under a condition of low DO concentration, Two morphologically distinct groups, presumably consisting of Sphaerofilus nafans, and Eikelboom Type 1701 or Type 1851, were identified through microscopic observation. They were further confirmed by subsequent 16S rRNA sequencing. Dominant filamentous bacteria identified by the molecular techniques were consisted of three major groups. Sequences of partial 16S rRNA cloned showed that the filamentous bulking organisms were closely related to Eikelboom Type 021N and Eikelboom Type 1701, and Sphaerotilus natans, respectively. Molecular methods were found to possess a strong potential of direct examination of the microbial community of an activated sludge system.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.1 s.88
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• pp.96-101
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• 2006

Chlorination inhibition on the organic removal activity of activated sludge microorganism was investigated in this study. It is well known that chlorination improves the settleability of filamentous bulking sludge through the selective impediment of filamentous microorganisms. However, it is based on the declination of effluent water quality after actual chlorination in dairy wastewater treatment plant. In case of the activated sludge which was exposed in the suggested concentration of chlorine $7.5\;mgCl_2/gVSS/day$ for the filamentous bulking control, decrease of organic uptake rate of $4.9\~24.0\%$, and dentrification rate of $24.8\~30.3\%$ ware shown in comparison to the control group which was not reacted with chlorine. As a result of comparing floc size of activated sludge microorganism, the average of floc diameter in the chlorine exposed group was $150\;{\mu}m$, which displays $25\%$ decrease compared with the control group.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2004

The change in filamentous bacteria appearance was observed by adjusting factors such as organic and nurient concentration of feed wastewater and the aeration rate in the reactor. In case that COD:N:P and DO were 100:10:1 and 6.1 m1/1 respectively, the mean SVI was 122 ml/g and the filaments were developed normally in flocs. For the low DO con- dition, however, the SVI averaged 186 ml/g and the appearance of outgrowing filaments were more frequent. When the high organic was supplied into the reactor, the average SVI was 274 ml/g and the distinct filamentous bulking was observed. Meanwhile when COD:N:P was maintained at 100: 1 :0.5, the SVI was as low as 87 ml/g and the appearance of filaments were minimal and the size of flocs was small comparing other experimental conditions. For normal, low aeration and high organic concentration, predominant filaments in the early stage of experiments were commonly Type 021N,S. natans which were usually found in low DO condition. However, Type 041, Type 1851, Type 0961 became predominant as experiments extended. Meanwhile, in low nutrient condition, Type 0675, Type 1851, and Type 0961 were observed. The filamentous bacteria appearance for SVI< 150(ml/g), Type 0041, Type 0961 (usually low organic in feed wastewater) were predominantly observed and SVI > 150(ml/g), S. natans and Type 021N(usually low DO in aeration basin) was predominant.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2007

Chlorine inhibition on the denitrifing activity of activated sludge treating dairy wastewater was investigated in this study. Filamentous bulking was caused artificially by a sudden load of feed and monitored by measuring sludge volume index. In cases of the activated sludge and bulking sludge which were contacted with chlorine as $7.5\;mgCl_2/gVSS/day$ for bulking control, the decreases of specific denitrification of $32.2{\sim}40.4%\;and\;43.5{\sim}46.5%$ were shown in comparison to the control group which was not reacted with chlorine, respectively. In continuous operation, it was observed that the removal efficiency of total nitrogen was more susceptible to chlorine than the removal efficiency of total phosphorus.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1101-1106
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• 2006

Many BNR (Biological Nutrient Removal) plants have experienced a bulking problem, mainly due to the growth of filamentous organisms, particularly during the winter months. This study investigated the problem of bulking due to the growth of M. parvicella both at a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant and a pilot scale plant located in the C city. The full-scale facility was operated at a flow rate of $51,000m^3/d$, an F/M (Food-to-Microorganism) ratio of 0.12 kgBOD/kgMLVSS/d and an SRT (Solids Retention Time) higher than 25 days, respectively. This plant experienced bulking and foaming problems at low temperatures below $15^{\circ}C$ since it was retrofitted with the BNR system in 2003. The pilot plant employed had an identical process configuration as the full scale one and used the same wastewater source. It was operated at a flow rate of $3.8m^3/d$, temperatures between 10 to $25^{\circ}C$ and SRTs between 10 and 25 days. At full scale, the M. parvicella growth and SVI (Sludge Volume Index) patterns were studied in conjunction with temperature variations. At pilot scale, DO and SRT variations were also explored, in addition to the filamentous bacteria growth and SVI patterns. During the full-scale investigation, over a 3 year period, it was noted that the SVI was maintained within acceptable operational values (i.e. under 160) during the summer months. Moreover settling in the secondary clarifiers was good and was not affected by the presence of M. parvicella. In contrast, at low mean temperatures during winter, the SVI increased to over 300. Overall, as the temperature decreased, the predominance of M. parvicella became apparent. According to this study, M. parvicella growth could be controlled and SVI could drop under 160 by a change in operational conditions which involved an increase in DO concentration between 2 and 4 mg/L and a decrease in SRT to less than 20 days.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.365-371
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• 1995

Filamentous bacteria and other large microorganisms, which are useful indicators of bulking and poeration, were identified by microscopic observation. Activated sludge samples were taken from the aeration basin of 5 municipal wasterwater plants and 6 industrial ones. Among the filamentous bacteria founds, Microthrix parvicella was most frequently present, followed by type 0041, type 1701 and Nocardia. This frequency of occurrence was similar to those reorted in USA and the Neterland. The morphology of filamentous bacteria observed were generally identical with those previously reported. except type 1701 which had slender filament diameter. Among protozoa, Vorticella was most frequently present, followed by Aspidisca, Opercularia and Difflugia. Philodina was the only metazoa observed. Both filamentous bacteria and protozoa would be useful indicator organisms. The potential for these organisms as indicators were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.340-344
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• 2008

Electro-flotation (EF) was applied to a sequencing batch reactor process (SBR) in order to enhance solids-liquid separation. Solids-liquid separation was good enough in the SBR coupled with EF (EF-SBR) and it was possible to maintain the concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) high in the EF-SBR. Under moderate organic loading condition (COD loading rate: 6 g/day), control SBR (C-SBR) showed similar treatment efficiencies with the EF-SBR. Under high organic loading condition (COD loading rate: 9.6 g/day), the solids-liquid separation in the C-SBR was deteriorated due to proliferation of filamentous bulking organisms at high F/M ratio. However, the EF-SBR was operated stably and with the high MLSS concentration (above 4,000 mg/L) regardless of the organic loading conditions during overall operating period leading to the satisfactory effluent quality. Gas production rate of the electrodes was gradually decreased because of anodic corrosion and scale build-up at the surface of cathode. However it could be partially overcome by use of corrosion-proof electrode material (SUS-316 L) and by periodic current switching between the electrodes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3341-3352
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• 2011

In this study, characteristics of wastewater treatment of sewage intermittently mixed with industrial wastewater is examined by investigating the operational status of each unit operation and measuring water quality. The bioreactor operating condition was measured for MLSS concentration 2,000~3,000 mg/L, HRT 5.3~16.3 hour, SRT 2.8~66.6 day, and SVI frequently showed the value above 200 which was higher than the optimal range of 50~150. It is thought that the sludge is not in suitable condition for sedimentation caused by the incoming industrial wastewater. When industrial wastewater is come into the system, MLDO inside of bioreactor rapidly increased, rate of nitrification is steeply decreased, and Pin floc. is spilled in the secondary clarifier. In the observance of microorganism showed that various bacterial floc. and ciliata were found as well as actinomycetes and filamentous bacteria(Sphaeotilus) which is known to cause bulking. Efficiency of each unit operation was fairly good in average. However, efficiency of the bioreactor treatment showed high fluctuation by unstable operating condition by intermittently incoming industrial wastewater.