Aerobic granular biomass systems: a challenge for a better wastewater treatment and sludge management

Abstract

The present thesis is framed in the field of wastewater treatment by the application of the aerobic granular technology and the posterior treatment of the granular sludge generated by anaerobic digestion. The lower surface requirement and the lower sludge production of aerobic granular systems, in comparison with the conventional activated sludge ones, make it a suitable technology to treat industrial effluents. Therefore in this thesis the following aspects were studied: the treatment of an industrial effluent from a seafood plant to obtain aerobic granular biomass, the effect of residual levels of coagulant-flocculant reagents on the aerobic granular system, the cycle distribution on the performance of the granular reactors and the feasibility of the anaerobic digestion to treat the aerobic granular sludge generated.