ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on biosorption relative to floc-loading and biomass degradable fraction for a number of readily degradable carbohydrate wastewaters. Procedures which enable optimum biosorption, regeneration of biomass biosorptive capacity together with degradation kinetics, overall oxygen requirements, and sludge yield are described. Parameters which favour the selection of a non-filmentous biomass are presented. Batch sorption and related treatability studies enable fundamental process design parameters to be established without hindrance from sludge bulking conditions which are frequently generated in bench scale units where readily degradable carbohydrate wastes are concerned. The principal applications of the sorption phenomena to process design and operation has been in the control of filamentous sludge bulking. The degradable fraction of each sludge was determined through aerobic digestion for 28 days. A nutrient broth solution made up of concentrate, diluted with tap water, was used as substrate.
