POLLUTION REDUCTION AT WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES THROUGH THERMOPHILIC SLUDGE DIGESTION

Evaluation of an innovative thermophilic process of digestion of wastewater sludge, either anaerobically or aerobically, at high temperature (50-70°C) to turn Class-A digested biosolids as a valuable resource for land application. Discussion of the physical-chemical and operational parameters that affect the dewaterability properties (effect of sludge composition and process temperature). A slight increase of ammonia and phosphate concentration is produced but does not seem to impact dewaterability whereas cellular biopolymers (proteins and polysaccharides) have certainly a more significant role.