Performance of Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) under Variable Organic Load

Abstract

In this research, a pilot plant was constructed and operated using the Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) to study its performance for municipal wastewater treatment. The experimental work was conducted at Zenien WWTP under variable organic loads. The system was operated under ambient temperature between 16 and 28 °C. The media used in the pilot plant was of the type (FAB) with a specific surface area of 400 m 2 /m 3 and occupied 50% of the reactor's volume. The solid retention time (SRT) was 15 days during the start-up stage, then reduced to 10 days for the rest of the experiments, pH was (6.2 -7.8), the flow rate was (3.61 L/hr), hydraulic retention time (HRT) was around 6 hrs over the whole experiment. The pilot plant was operated in stages each with a different organic load and lasted for about 60 days. The pilot plant proved its efficiency in wastewater treatment using IFAS system. Under low organic load, the BOD, COD and TSS removal reached 90%, 88% and 94.6% respectively. Under medium organic load, the BOD, COD and TSS removal reached 93%, 87%, and 87.8%, respectively.