Temperature Response of Biological Phosphorus-Removing Activated Sludge

Abstract

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal is a two-step process. The sequence of anaerobic environment followed by aerobic environment is essential for selection of biological phosphorus-removing culture. Anaerobically, phosphorus is released; subsequently, in the aerobic period, it is biologically removed. An effort has been made to study both phosphorus release and uptake at 25°C and 10°C in sequencing batch reactors using synthetic wastewater. In anaerobic phase the maximum phosphate released was 327% at 25°C and 195% at 10°C. Despite differences in temperature and initial concentration of released phosphorus, the effluent phosphate concentration was found to be the same at both temperatures.