Proceedings

This paper highlights a new (patent applied for) process where the availability of ATP for biomass synthesis reactions and hence limits sludge growth.  A number of process formats can be established at a lower capital cost than the competing processes such as mycelian culture sludge oxidation, chemical sludge oxidation, thermal hydrolysis enzyme hydrolysis, digestion and wet air oxidation.

Using simple plant and equipment, aeration plant mixers and pumps along with Redox control the BIOCONTROL^TM  process can deliver major  (60%) reductions in sludge production compared to conventional plant and can be retrofitted to existing systems with little disruption.

The process uses a highly loaded aerobic reactor in conjunction with an anoxic reactor which destabilises the biological processes in the Krebs cycle by limiting the ability of oxygen  to regenerate hydrogen carriers. The destabilisation is achieved by the use of oxidation-reduction zones of different levels  to prevent oxygen playing it’s role  thus limiting ATP production.