The bioaugmentation of sequencing batch reactor sludges for biological phosphorus removal

The development of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) through the bioaugmentation of a conventional activated sludge was studied. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the phosphorus removal capability of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) when started with conventional activated sludge and augmented with a pure culture of Acinetobacter lwoffii. The effect of the addition of the pure culture on the reactor start up time, the settling properties of the sludge and on COD and nitrogen removal was also investigated. The effect of the removal of up to 70% of the bioaugmented biomass and its substitution with unconditioned sludge from a conventional sewage treatment plant was determined. This study has demonstrated that bioaugmentation can convert a conventional sewage works activated sludge to an EBPR sludge in 14 days. The sludge produced shows resilience to influent phosphate fluctuations, low D.O. and biomass replacement. The COD and nitrogen removal capabilities of the sludge and its settling properties are not affected by the addition of the pure culture.