A practical, hands-on guide to using the microscope to analyze activated sludge in wastewater treatment The microscope provides the wastewater treatment plant operator with a special tool for process control and troubleshooting of the activated sludge process. The operator can "read" the organisms and use them as "bioindicators" to determine if operational conditions are acceptable or not acceptable. Written for plant operators and technicians and avoiding unnecessary technical jargon, Microscopic Examination of the Activated Sludge Process explores and explains: Microscopy, including microscopic measurements and techniques Directions for preparing and applying microbiological stains and immobilizing agents and techniques for preparing wet mounts and smears How to identify various types of organisms, including: floc particles and foam; protozoa; rotifers; worms and worm-like organisms; crustaceans; filamentous organisms; and algae and fungi The collection, evaluation, and presentation of observations This straightforward guide includes figures, tables, worksheets, photomicrographs, and black-and-white drawings of many living, microscopic components of the activated sludge process. It equips plant operators and technicians to monitor, regulate, and troubleshoot the treatment processes and also serves as a valuable resource for research professionals and sanitary engineers in wastewater treatment.

Certain types of waste are plagued by filamentous bacteria. Rountine monitoring of the activates sludge floc can observe the build up of such bacteria which can indicate the onset of bulking or foaming, and can suggest control strategies to minimise the impact of such an incident. Microscopic examination of the sludge is a valuable tool for efficient water plant operation, and most plants have microscopes for this purpose. Most plant operators, however, do not have the biological background to use this facility to its full potential. If a few basic rules are followed, a lot of valuable information can be quickly obtained. This handbook shows how to carry out a monitoring programme, interpret the results, and take necessary steps to minimise the impact of a bulking incident.

This title is only available as a free copy to download from the WaterWiki. To download your free copy of the eBook, click here. The manual can be used independantly but when used in combination with the CD-ROM, it makes a unique tool for process operators to diagnose and solve operational problems. It is also a valuable educational and training package for universities and post experience courses. Click here for more details about the CD-ROM Process stability and final effluent quality largely depend upon the composition of the biomass in an activated sludge plant. Operational problems such as bulking and scum formation occur when the wrong micro-organisms are dominating the sludge population. Microscopic sludge investigation is therefore essential for process control and stable plant operation. The manual outlines the theoretical framework, extensively illustrated with full-colour micrographs. Contents Microscopy Microscopic sludge investigation Characteristics of activated sludge flocs Filamentous micro-organisms Protozoa and metazoa Conclusions of microscopic sludge investigation The activated sludge process Operational problems Bulking sludge Scum formation

Activated Sludge Separation Problems: Theory, Control Measures, Practical Experiences, Second Edition, describes the most common activated sludge separation problems and explains the main reasons for the growth of the different filamentous microorganisms in activated sludge. The book summarizes the identification techniques for important groups of activated sludge microorganisms both based on conventional microscopic analysis and using the biological molecular tools available today (FISH and PCR). This new edition, with 70% new and updated material, also provides explanation of basic activated sludge process principles and of parameters necessary for process control and operation. The theory of secondary clarifies is described to the extent necessary for understanding the construction and operation of secondary clarifiers. The activated sludge reactor and secondary clarifies are treated as one system and the interactions are explained. The wide range of experiences around the world is documented and the methods to avoid the proliferation of these organisms are presented and critically reviewed. Activated Sludge Separation Problems consists of six chapters, presenting up-to-date technical and scientific aspects of these processes. The new edition also features an extended list of literature references for further reading. The book will be a valuable help for students of environmental engineering, wastewater specialists, plant operators and designers of activated sludge plants. It is also useful for specialists in wastewater operation laboratories, especially for those studying activated sludge separation properties.