Este estudo visou avaliar as implicações do uso da lise celular sobre a produção de lodos e acumulação de nutrientes no efluente do sistema combinado de tratamento (anaeróbio/aeróbio) de despejo sintético simulando esgoto sanitário. O sistema operado era constituído de reator UASB (V = 10,5 l), reator aeróbio (V = 4,4 l) e sedimentador (V = 2,7 l), operando com tempo de detenção hidráulica de 8,0 h, 3,5 h e 2,7 h respectivamente. Durante a fase de controle, acompanhou-se as características de funcionamento do processo sem o emprego da lise celular no lodo de excesso e posteriormente fez-se uso de equipamento de ultra-som para promover a lise do lodo, com retorno posterior do lodo lisado à entrada do reator UASB. Verificou-se que a eficiência média global de remoção de DQO do sistema foi de 90% em ambas as fases considerando DQO efluente filtrada. A conversão de nitrogênio amoniacal a nitrato foi pequena no tanque de aeração e a remoção de fósforo foi insignificante no processo de tratamento, no entanto não ocorreu alteração na qualidade do efluente do sistema em função do retorno do material lisado. Na escala estudada foi freqüente o aparecimento de bulking (controlado pela aplicação de hipoclorito de sódio no sedimentador), fato esse que dificultou a operação do sistema de tratamento e interferiu na manutenção do tempo de retenção celular. Os resultados obtidos da simulação realizada por meio do software GPS-X 4.0, para reator em escala real empregando a lise celular, mostraram acréscimo na concentração de fósforo total no efluente de 30% após 5 anos de operação / The aim of this research is to value the use of cell lyses over the sludge production and effluent nutrient accumulation from a combined treatment system (anaerobic/aerobic) from a synthetic sanitary wastewater. The parts of this system where one UASB reactor (V = 10,5 l), one aeration tank (V = 4,4 l) and one sedimentation tank (V = 2,7 l), hydraulic detention times of 8,0 h, 3,5 h e 2,7 h, respectively. During the control period, the characteristics of the system working without the use of cell lyses were recorded. After this phase, ultrasound equipment was used to cause the sludge lyses and then the sludge was returned to the entrance of the UASB reactor. From these tests we could not observe changes in mean global DQO removal efficiency for the both phases and it was 90% considering filtrated effluent COD. Few ammonia-nitrogen changes into nitrate inside the aeration tank were observed. Phosphorus removal in the treatment system was insignificant, but we could notice no damage to the treatment system caused by the lyses material returned. In the reduced scale of the system bulking events were frequent. This was controlled with sodium hypochlorite at the sedimentation tank, but these events caused operation difficulties and had interfered on the cellular detention time maintenance. Results from a real scale simulation, using cell lyses, done with the GPS-X 4.0 software, show an increase in effluent total phosphorus equal to 30% after 5 years

Os principais objetivos deste trabalho foram analisar o desempenho de sistema combinado (escala piloto), constituído por reator anaeróbio de leito expandido (Ralex) seguido por sistema de lodos ativados, utilizado no tratamento de esgoto sanitário, correlacionar as características da microbiota do sistema de lodos ativados com os resultados físico-químicos e determinar a cinética de consumo de substrato no sistema de lodos ativados. O desempenho do sistema combinado quanto à remoção de DQO total e DQO filtrada foi de 82% e 80%, respectivamente. No sistema combinado, a remoção de nitrogênio total foi de 65% e a remoção de fósforo foi de 35%. A população de protozoários foi bem diversificada, sendo condizente com as características operacionais do sistema de lodos ativados. Arqueas metanogênicas foram capazes de sobreviver no tanque de aeração, porém em número reduzido. O modelo cinético que melhor representou a degradação de DQO filtrada, no sistema de lodos ativados, foi o de primeira ordem com residual. A constante aparente específica média foi de 0,05L/gSSV.dia. Nas condições estudadas, não ficou evidenciado o efeito da temperatura na cinética, provavelmente devido à resistência de transferência de massa. / The major objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the performance of a combined system (pilot scale) treating wastewater, composed by an expanded bed anaerobic reactor and an activated sludge system; (ii) to correlate microorganisms characteristics of the activated sludge system with the physical-chemical results; and (iii) to determinate the substrate consumption kinetics of the activated sludge system. The performance of the combined system in terms of total and filtrated COD was 82% and 80% respectively. Total nitrogen removal was 65% and total phosphorous removal was 35%, in the combined system. Protozoa populations were well diversified, according to operational characteristics of activated sludge. Methanogenics archeas survived into aeration tank, but in a reduced number. First order with residual kinetic model represented the filtered COD degradation, in the activated sludge system. The mean apparent specific constant was 0,05L/gVSS.day. In this study, the effect of temperature on kinetics was not evident, probably due to mass transfer resistance.

Recentemente foi desenvolvido na Europa o processo conhecido por Nitrificação e Desnitrificação Simultânea (NDS), em que o lodo ativado opera com tempo de retenção de sólidos suficientemente altos para que a nitrificação ocorra mesmo com baixa concentração de oxigênio dissolvido nos tanques de aeração, situação em que é possível a manutenção de condições anóxicas no interior dos flocos e a ocorrência da desnitrificação. Em países de clima tropical, muitas estações de tratamento de esgoto foram construídas ou estão sendo projetadas para operarem sob as condições da variante do processo de lodo ativado conhecida por aeração prolongada, reconhecidamente eficiente na remoção de matéria orgânica e na nitrificação do esgoto. Tais estações podem ser adaptadas para estas novas condições, de forma a se obter o benefício técnico da desnitrificação e o ganho econômico relativo à redução no consumo de energia elétrica para aeração. Este estudo avaliou as condições de remoção de nitrogênio via NDS em um sistema de lodo ativado com aeração prolongada alimentada em fluxo contínuo com diferentes idades do lodo 40, 30 e 20 dias, tratando esgoto sanitário. O processo de tratamento permaneceu estável durante todo o período de observação. Os resultados experimentais demonstram que é possível manter baixas concentrações de OD no tanque de aeração em uma faixa relativamente estreita (0,3-0,8 mg.L-1), e, consequentemente desenvolver os processos de nitrificação e desnitrificação sob as mesmas condições (NDS) com alta eficiência e estabilidade. A remoção de DQO e DBO foi acima de 90 por cento . Os valores de crescimento específico máximo (m20) das bactérias autotróficas nitritantes e nitratantes, resultaram muito próximos aos descritos na literatura, sendo para a idade do lodo de 20 dias os valores de 0,68 d-1 para as bactérias nitritantes e de 0,62 d-1 para as bactérias nitratantes. Os valores das taxas de utilização máxima de amônia foram maiores do que as obtidas com o nitrito e, pode-se observar que o acúmulo de nitrato devido à diminuição da amônia foi mais rápido do que o com nitrito. Desse modo, conclui-se que a nitrificação foi governada pelas bactérias autotróficas nitritantes. A taxa de utilização de nitrato foi maior tendo como substrato material rapidamente biodegradável. Confirmando que a disponibilidade de carbono tem papel fundamental nas taxas de desnitrificação no processo de NDS / It was developed in Europe the process known as Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification (SND) in activated sludge that operates with a SRT, high enough for nitrification to occur, even with low concentration of dissolved oxygen in the aeration tanks. Such situation in the tanks is possible to maintain anoxic conditions inside the flocs and to have the occurrence of denitrification. In countries with tropical climate, many sewage treatment plants have been built or are being designed to operate under the conditions of the variant of the activated sludge process known as extended aeration, admittedly effective in removing organic matter and nitrification of the sewage. Such plants may be adapted to these new conditions in order to obtain the technical benefit of denitrification and economic gain on the reduction in energy consumption for aeration. This study aimed at assessing the conditions of nitrogen removal by SND in a system of extended aeration activated sludge in a continuous flow, with different SRT of 40, 30 and 20 days, treating sewage. The process of treatment remained stable throughout the observation period. The experimental results show that it is possible to maintain low DO concentrations in the aeration tank in a relatively narrow range (0.3 to 0.8 mg.L-1), and hence develop the processes of nitrification and denitrification under the same conditions (NDS) with high efficiency and stability. The BOD and COD removal was above 90 per cent . The values of maximum specific growth (m20) of bacteria autotrophic nitrites and nitrates, are the result very similar to those described in the literature, for the sludge age of 20 days the values of 0.68 d-1 for nitrites bacterium and 0,62 d-1 for nitrates bacterium. The values of the maximum utilization rates of ammonia were higher than those obtained with the nitrite and can be observed that the accumulation of nitrate of ammonia due to the decrease was faster than with nitrite. This way, it was concluded that nitrification was ruled by autotrophic nitrites. The utilization rate of nitrate was higher as substrate material readily biodegradable. Confirming that the availability of carbon performs a fundamental role in the denitrification rates in the process of SND

Le but principal de cette étude était d'évaluer et de mieux comprendre l'impact de la vitesse superficielle de gaz et des propriétés de boues activées (BA), sur leur comportement rhéologique et le transfert de l'oxygène dans des bioréacteurs.Tout d'abord, la rhéologie des BA a été évaluée à l'aide d'un rhéomètre tubulaire, conçu et construit dans ce travail. Des mesures rhéologiques ont été effectuées avec des BA provenant de cinq stations d'épuration (STEP) et avec des concentrations en MES comprises entre 2.3 et 10.2 g L-1. Selon ces résultats, la rhéologie des BA est significativement déterminée par la concentration en matière en suspension (MES) mais d'autres caractéristiques liées à leur origine, tel que la taille, la cohésion et la densité du floc, peuvent aussi influencer la viscosité apparente des boues. Basé sur les rheogrames expérimentaux, le modèle rhéologique issu de cette étude est comparé à des modèles rhéologiques existants.Deuxièmement, le transfert d'oxygène a été évalué dans une colonne à bulles (Hc=4.4 m, Dc=0.29m) installée dans deux STEP: une installation classique et un bioréacteur à membrane. La colonne, alternativement équipée d'un diffuseur fines ou grosses bulles (FB, GB), a été alimentée en continu avec des BA extraites du réacteur d'aération, ou de la boucle de recirculation ou du réacteur membranaire. Pour des MES comprises entre 3.0 et 10.4 g L-1, le coefficient kLa a étéplus faible dans les BA que dans l'eau propre et encore réduit avec une augmentation des MES. Cette diminution est en partie attribuable à la réduction observée de la rétention de gaz (εG), associée à une augmentation de la viscosité apparente des boues, celle-ci entrainant une réduction de l'aire interfaciale spécifique (a) due à la coalescence de bulles et à la formation de bulles plus grosses. Aussi, la concentration des tensioactifs non ioniques, a montré un effetnégatif sur le coefficient kLa lors des tests d'oxygénation effectués en aération FB et faibles concentrations en MES. Cet impact n'a pas été observé dans des conditions d'aération GB, ce qui a été expliqué par le taux de renouvellement d’interface plus élevé généré par ces dernières. Enfin, le taux de cisaillement moyen exercé par l'essaim de bulles dans la colonne pendant les tests d’oxygénation a été théoriquement évalué compte tenu des conditions d’opération. Par lasuite, des corrélations empiriques ont été construites en utilisant des nombres adimensionnels et expriment le coefficient kLa en fonction de la vitesse superficielle de gaz et la viscosité apparente, tout en considérant sa dépendance du taux de cisaillement. Enfin, le facteur alpha est défini comme une loi de puissance décroissante en fonction de la viscosité apparente, pour des systèmes à faible chargé. / The main purpose of this study was to evaluate and better understand the impact of superficial gas velocity and activated sludge properties,on activated sludge rheology and oxygen transfer in bioreactors. First of all, activated sludge rheology was evaluated using a tubular rheometer, designed and constructed in this work. Rheological measurements were performed with activated sludge from five different wastewater treatment plants and with MLSS concentrations between 2.3 and 10.2 g L-1. Results showed that although the sludge rheology is significantly defined by the MLSS concentration, other sludge characteristics related to the sludge orign, such as such as floc size, floc cohesiveness and floc density also influence the sludge apparent viscosity. Existing rheological models were evaluated on the set of obtained experimental flow curves. Besides, the oxygen transfer is evaluated in a bubble column (Hc=4.4, Dc=0.29 m) installed in two different wastewater treatment plants: a conventional activated sludge plant (CAS) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR). The column, alternatively equipped with a fine or a coarse bubble diffuser (FB, CB), was continuously fed with activated sludge extracted either from the aeration tank, the recirculation loop or the membrane reactor. With MLSS concentrations from 3.0 to 10.4 g L-1, the kkllaa coefficient was lower in activated sludge than in clean water and still reduced with an increase of the MLSS concentration. This reduction is partially attributed to the observed reduction of gas holdup (εεɢɢ), associated with an increase in the sludge apparent viscosity (µµαααααα), which leads to a reduction of the specific interfacial area (αα) due to bubble coalescence and the formation of larger bubbles. Besides, the concentration of non-ionic surfactants, exhibited a negative effect on the κκιιαα coefficient for the oxygenation tests performed under FB aeration conditions and low MLSS concentration. This impact was not observed under CB aeration conditions, which was explained by the higher renewal rates generated by coarse bubbles. Finally, the mean shear rate exerted by the bubble swarm in the column during the oxygen transfer tests was theoretically evaluated considering the operating conditions. Subsequently, empirical correlations were constructed using dimensionless numbers and express the oxygen transfer coefficient as a function of the superficial gas velocity and the apparent viscosity, considering its shear rate dependence. Finally, alpha factor is defined as a power law decreasing function of the apparent viscosity, for low loaded activated sludge systems.

O presente trabalho avaliou a possibilidade de receber e tratar resíduo de tanques sépticos num sistema dimensionado para tratar esgoto doméstico. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o co-tratamento deste resíduo numa estação de tratamento de esgoto composta por processo de lodos ativados. Para a realização desta avaliação utilizou-se o modelo matemático ASM1 e o software WRc Stoat 5.0. O modelo ASM1 descreve a remoção de matéria orgânica carbonácea, a nitrificação e a desnitrificação. Para atender ao objetivo proposto, foram realizadas simulações de quatro grupo de cenários, sendo que em cada grupo a ETE operava com uma vazão fixa e foi alterada a parcela de resíduo de tanque séptico a ser tratada no sistema. Para a realização das simulações, previamente realizou-se a estruturação do modelo matemático ao sistema de tratamento selecionado, ajustes dos coeficientes estequiométricos e parâmetros cinéticos e determinaram-se as concentrações de entrada e o fracionamento da DQO e do nitrogênio para o esgoto bruto e para o resíduo de tanque séptico. As simulações geraram como resultado a possibilidade de, num sistema dimensionado para uma vazão média de 180 m3/h e operado com uma vazão de 45 m3/h de esgoto doméstico receber 4,3 m3/h de resíduo de tanque séptico sem comprometer os padrões de lançamento. Já, no caso da mesma ETE operando com 90 m3/h, 135 m3/h e 162 m3/h, as parcelas possíveis de serem recebidas de resíduo de tanque séptico e concomitantemente atendendo aos padrões de lançamento definidos na legislação foram 3,6 m3/h, 3,3 m3/h e 2,9 m3/h. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que é viável co-tratar resíduo de tanque séptico com o esgoto doméstico e ao mesmo tempo atender aos padrões de lançamento definidos na legislação, desde que respeitados os fatores limitantes e as cargas máximas. O recebimento e o tratamento do resíduo de tanque séptico em sistemas projetados para esgoto doméstico mostram-se como práticas que podem ser implantados na gestão dos sistemas de esgotamento sanitário. Esta aplicação poderia contribuir para ampliar a correta destinação dos esgotos e consequentemente com a melhoria dos índices de atendimento do esgotamento sanitário. / The present work evaluated the possibility of receiving and treating septic tank residue in a system designed to treat domestic sewage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the co-treatment of this residue in a sewage treatment plant with an activated sludge process. The ASM1 model and software WRc Stoat 5.0 were used to perform this evaluation. The ASM1 model describes the removal of carbonaceous organic matter, nitrification and denitrification processes. To attend the proposed objective, simulations of four scenarios group were realized and in each group the system operated with a fixed flow and was changed the portion of septic tank residue. Before running the simulations, the mathematical model was structured to the selected treatment system, adjustments of the stoichiometric coefficients and kinetic parameters and were determined the inputs and fractionations concentration of the COD and nitrogen for the sewage and the septic tank residue. The simulation results show that is possible, in a system designed for an average flow of 180 m3/h and underloaded with a domestic sewage flow of 45 m3/h to receive 4.3 m3/h of septic tank residue without compromising the standards. For systems operating at 90 m3/h, 135 m3/h and 162 m3/h, the possible parcels to be received from septic tank residue without compromising standards defined in the legislation were, respectively, 3.6 m3/h, 3.3 m3/h and 2.9 m3/h. The results allow the conclusion that it is feasible to co-treat septic tank residue with domestic sewage and at the same time respect the standards defined in the legislation, once the limiting flowrates and maximum loads are respected. The acceptance and treatment of septic tank residue in systems designed for domestic sewage are practices that can be implemented in the management of sanitary sewage systems. That can be enplaned to improve the management of sewage systems, therefore, expanding the correct destination of wastewater and consequently contribute to the improvement of sanitary sewage index.

O lixiviado de aterro sanitário é uma água residuária com elevada concentração de DQO, DBO, amônia, traços de metais pesados e substâncias orgânicas dificilmente biodegradáveis, tais como substâncias húmicas e celulósicas (lignina). Dada essas características, torna-se necessário que ele seja recolhido e devidamente tratado para evitar danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. Uma prática que tem sido adotada por alguns municípios brasileiros é o direcionamento do lixiviado para tratamento consorciado em estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETE). No entanto, são poucos os estudos que avaliam a eficácia desse procedimento. Um dos questionamentos sobre o tratamento biológico diz respeito à remoção do material orgânico dificilmente biodegradável, representado principalmente pelas substâncias húmicas e, dentro dessa classe, destaca-se a fração de ácidos húmicos no lixiviado. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a tratabilidade das soluções contendo lactose, lactose com ácidos húmicos, lactose com 2% em volume de lixiviado de aterro sanitário bruto e lactose com 2% em volume de lixiviado pré-tratado por \"air stripping\", quando submetidas ao tratamento biológico em reatores de lodos ativados em escala de bancada. Assim, buscou-se verificar se essa tecnologia de tratamento é capaz de estabilizar, ainda que parcialmente, compostos orgânicos de difícil biodegradação presentes no lixiviado. A quantificação das substâncias de difícil biodegradação antes e após o tratamento foi realizada pelo método tentativo do \"Equivalente em Ácidos Húmicos\" que se encontra em fase de estudo. Os resultados demonstraram que houve uma remoção parcial dessas substâncias. As análises de espectroscopia na região do infravermelho indicaram que não ocorreu a adsorção dos ácidos húmicos no lodo, o que pode ser uma evidencia de que a redução da concentração dessas substâncias é de fato devida ao seu consumo e não pela precipitação no lodo. Além disso, a adição de 2% em volume do lixiviado não ocasionou redução da população de microrganismos no sistema. / Leachate from sanitary landfills is a type of effluent with high concentrations of COD, BOD, ammonia, heavy metal traces and hardly biodegradable organic compounds such as humic and cellulosic substances (lignin). Thus this effluent needs to be collected and treated in order to prevent damages to the environment and to human health. A common practice in Brazilian cities is to destine the leachate to a sewage treatment plant (STP). However, there are few studies that assess the efficiency of this procedure. One of the questions regarding the biological treatment concerns its efficiency in removing hardly biodegradable organic compounds, represented in the most part by the humic substances, given the high levels of humic acid in the leachate. Within this context, the present study had the objective to verify the treatability of solutions containing lactose, lactose with humic acids, lactose with 2% (in volume) of untreated sanitary landfill leachate, and lactose with 2% of leachate pre-treated by air stripping, submitted to biological treatment in laboratory-scale activated sludge reactors. Thus this paper assessed if such treatment technology can stabilize, even if only partially, the hardly biodegradable organic compounds found in leachate. The quantification of these substances prior to and after treatment was made by using a tentative method called Humic Acids Equivalent, which is still in the phase of studies. The results show that there was a partial removal of these substances. The spectroscopy analyses on the infrared region indicated that there was no adsorption of humic acids onto the sludge, which evidences that the decrease in the levels of these substances was due to their consumption and not precipitation onto the sludge. Also, the addition of 2% of leachate did not reduce the population of microorganisms in the system.

No presente trabalho foi estudada a utilização do ozônio como auxiliar no pós-tratamento de reatores anaeróbios por reatores de lodos ativados. Foi estudada a influência da ozonização no aumento da biodegradabilidade da matéria orgânica recalcitrante de efluente anaeróbio antes de ser submetido ao tratamento aeróbio. A pesquisa foi dividida em três etapas. Na primeira e segunda etapas foram utilizados quatro amostras, uma bruta e três ozonizadas com dosagens de 5, 10 e 15 mg O3/L. As amostras da primeira e segunda etapa tiveram tempos de ozonização de 30 e 50 minutos, respectivamente. Os reatores de lodos ativados tiveram tempo de retenção celular de 10 dias e tempo de detenção hidráulica de 24 horas. Na terceira etapa foram utilizadas três amostras, uma bruta e duas ozonizadas cuja dosagem de ozônio foi de 15 mg/L, valor que obteve melhores resultados nas etapas anteriores. Os tempos de ozonização de cada amostra foram de 30 e 50 minutos. Nesta fase, o reator de lodos ativados teve tempo de retenção celular de 10 dias e tempo de detenção hidráulica de 12 horas. Entretanto, amostras ozonizadas submetidas a pós-tratamento em reator de lodos ativados, apresentaram aumento da biodegradabilidade quando expostas a maiores tempos de ozonização. A alimentação do reator de lodos ativados com amostras ozonizadas trouxe benefícios ao seu desempenho. / On this research was studied the utilization of ozone as auxiliary on the post-treatment of anaerobics reactors by activated sludges reactors. It was studied the influence of ozonization of anaerobic effluent before being submitted to an aerobic treatment on the increase of the biodegradability of recalcitrant organic matter. The research was divided in three stages. In the first and second stage was used four samples, one brute and three ozonizades with doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg O3/L. The samples used on first and second stages had being ozonization times of 30 and 50 minutes, respectively. The activated sludges reactors had time of cellular retention of 10 days and hydraulic time of detention of 24 hours. On the third stage were used three samples, one brute and two ozonizades whose doses of ozone was of 15 mg/L, this value achieved the best results in the previous stages. The ozonizations times of each sample were of 30 and 50 minutes. On this stage the activated sludges reactors had time of cellular retention of 10 days and hydraulic time of detention of 12 hours. It was observed that ozonizades samples submitted to post-treatment in activated sludges reactors presented increase of the biodegradability when exposed at largest times of ozonization. The feeding of activated sludges reactors with ozonizades samples benefit its perfomance.

Dans une problématique de réduction des volumes de déchet, l’électro-compression (ou électro-déshydratation) apparaît être une technique efficace pour éliminer une grande partie de l’eau des boues résiduaires urbaines. Cette thèse de doctorat présente différentes contributions à l’étude de ce procédé appliqué à ce type de boues. Un lien entre les données cinétiques et énergétiques est établi par une étude expérimentale à l’échelle du laboratoire. D’autre part, un nouveau modèle relativement simple est proposé pour l’étude et la simulation de l’électro-compression et permet de mettre en avant les phénomènes prépondérants. Enfin, un protocole d’analyse ionique des filtrats et des tranches de gâteaux de boue a permis une étude de la migration des espèces chimiques au cours de l’électro-déshydratation. / In the purpose to reduce waste amount, the electro-dewatering process is a promising technique to efficiently withdraw a large part of the water included in wastewater sludge. This PhD thesis contributes in various ways to the study of this technique. Lab-scale experiments showed correlations between dewatering kinetics and energy consumption of the process. Moreover, a new model, relatively simple, is proposed to study and simulate the process. This model highlights the main phenomena involved in the electro-dewatering. Finally, a study of the migration of chemical species during the dewatering process is carried out thanks to an analytical protocol measuring ions in filtrates and sludge slices.1

O Fenol e compostos fenolicos foram classificados como poluentes primarios pela Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA). Eles sao geralmente encontrados em efluentes industriais como: poupa e papel; madeireiras; plasticos e polimeros sinteticos; farmaceuticos, pesticidas, oleo e petroquimicas. Os tratamentos de agua convencionais tem mostrado ineficiencia em altas concentracoes de fenol. Este trabalho visa o tratamento de solucao aquosa de fenol via Processos Oxidativos Avancados (POAs) com o objetivo de aumentar a biodegradabilidade possibilitando a aplicacao de um processo convencional (lodos ativados) como pos-tratamento. O pre-tratamento e usado para modificar a estrutura do fenol levando-o a seus subprodutos como substancias aromaticas e acidos carboxilicos. Os experimentos mostraram a eficiencia do pre-tratamento atraves do parametro de biodegradabilidade (DBO5/DQO) apresentando 0,19 em 30 min de reacao foto- Fenton, com concentracao inicial de fenol de 1000 mg.L-1 de Carbono Organico Total (TOC), 1 mmol.L-1 de FeSO4 e 100 mmol.L-1 de H2O2, dosado durante 2 horas de reacao. Apos pre-tratada fotoquimicamente, esta mesma solucao foi utilizada como fonte de carbono em um sistema continuo de lodos ativados para remocao da materia organica residual, apresentando reducao de 92% do TOC inicial. Estes resultados evidenciam a eficiencia da integracao entre os processos foto-Fenton e lodo ativado no tratamento de efluentes contendo compostos recalcitrantes. / Phenol and phenolic compounds have been listed as priority-pollutants by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA). They are often found in industrial effluents such as from pulp and paper, timber, plastics and synthetic polymer, pharmaceutical, pesticide, oil and petrochemical industries. Most of the traditional wastewater treatments have shown inefficiency against high phenol concentrations. This work aims to treat phenol solution via Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP´s) to enhance medium biodegradability and using it as an effluent in a continuous activated sludge process. The purpose of the pre treatment is to modify the phenol structure leading it to its byproducts such as aromatics compounds and carboxylic acids. The experiments have shown the effectiveness of the pre-treatment by the biodegradability parameter BOD5/COD which was achieved 0,19 at 30 min of photo- Fenton reaction with a initial phenol concentration of 1000 mg.L-1 of TOC, 1 mmol.L-1 of FeSO4 and 100 mmol.L-1 of H2O2, added with a peristaltic pump along 2 hours of reaction. After the photochemical pre treatment, the same solution was used as a carbon source in a continuous activated sludge system for removing residual organic matter, with a reduction of 92% of the TOC initial. Those results have shown the efficiency when integrating photo-Fenton and activated sludge processes on the treatment of effluents containing recalcitrant organic compounds.

Parmi les différentes technologies pour produire un effluent conforme aux normes de rejet en vigueur, les Procédés par Boues Activées sont largement utilisés en tant que traitement biologique du fait de leur faible coût et de leur facilité d’implémentation. Ces procédés réalisent l’abattement des polluants en deux étapes : (1) la biodégradation par des microorganismes dans un bassin d’aération et (2) la séparation de la biomasse par décantation. Les paramètres opératoires peuvent agir sur l’efficacité du procédé, notamment en modifiant les propriétés des boues . L’objectif de ce travail est d’apporter un nouvel éclairage sur cette relation triangulaire en mettant en perspectives les propriétés de taille et de forme des flocs de boues et les performances du procédé de traitement. La première étape pour parvenir à cet objectif a consisté à développer une méthodologie de caractérisation des flocs de boues par analyse d’images à l’aide du microscope automatisé Morphologi G3 de Malvern Instruments. Le protocole de mesure proposé repose sur le choix de la cellule d’analyse, du facteur de dilution, du grossissement, du seuil de niveau de gris mis en œuvre pour la binarisation des images et du nombre total de particules analysées. Des boues provenant de plusieurs stations d’épuration ont été étudiées afin d’évaluer la robustesse de la méthodologie. Des différences en termes de propriétés de taille et forme - Diamètre équivalent (Deq), Circularité (C), Convexité (Cx), Solidité (S) et Rapport d’Aspect (RA) - entre les différentes boues sont clairement apparues. Le protocole de caractérisation de la morphologie étant établi et validé, deux campagnes expérimentales ont été mises en œuvre en utilisant un système à boues activées à l’échelle pilote alimenté par un effluent synthétique. Les descripteurs morphologiques ont été mesurés sur des échantillons d’environ 100 000 flocs permettant d’atteindre une statistique fiable aussi bien sur la taille que sur la forme des agrégats. La performance du procédé a été évaluée en suivant des indicateurs physicochimiques classiquement associés au traitement des eaux usées : Matières en Suspension (MES), Indice de Boue (IB), taux d’abattement de la Demande Chimique d’Oxygène (DCO) et de l’Azote (N). Cette stratégie a permis d’identifier des relations entre les performances d’épuration, la morphologie des agrégats et les paramètres opératoires. Pendant la première campagne, trois valeurs différentes de l’âge de boue ont été imposées : 15, 20 et 30 jours. Lors d’un changement d’âge de boue, la taille et la circularité des flocs biologiques augmentent temporairement avant de se stabiliser à nouveau à leurs valeurs initiales. Ainsi, en régime permanent, les distributions en taille et en circularité semblent indépendantes de l’âge de boue. Lors de la deuxième campagne, trois paramètres opératoires ont été modifiés : la charge organique, le taux de recirculation et le rapport DCO:N. Une charge organique élevée a provoqué une forte augmentation de la taille des flocs et une diminution de leur solidité. Ce résultat peut être expliqué par la croissance de bactéries filamenteuses qui impacte fortement la morphologie des flocs et la performance du procédé. L’augmentation du taux de recirculation et la diminution du rapport DCO:N ont, en outre, induit une légère réduction de la taille des flocs et une évolution peu significative des valeurs de circularité et convexité. L’analyse des distributions en 3 Dimensions couplant les données de taille et de forme s’est révélée un outil prometteur, permettant de proposer des mécanismes responsables de l’évolution des propriétés morphologiques des boues. Enfin, une autre approche a été développée sur la base de deux dimensions fractales reliant l’aire et le périmètre des flocs (Dpf) ou l’aire et la longueur maximale (D2). De brusques variations de Dpf et D2 ont été corrélées avec les phénomènes liés au développement de bactéries filamenteuses. / Among the different technologies dealing with the strict regulations concerning wastewater treatment, the Activated Sludge Process remains extensively applied as a biological treatment because of its low cost and its convenience of implementation. This straightforward technique achieves good levels of organic matter removal combining biodegradation in an aerated tank with solid-liquid separation through a subsequent clarifier. The impact of the operational parameters on process efficiency is presumably correlated to the sludge activity and hence to the flocs properties. In this context, the aim of this work is to bring new insights into this relationship in characterizing the size and the shape of sludge flocs and put the operating conditions and the process performance in perspective. To achieve this objective, a methodology was established first for the morphological characterization of sludge flocs by image analysis thanks to the automated microscope Morphologi G3 from Malvern Instruments Ltd. The steps involved in this methodology consisted in defining some analysis settings including the selection of the sample carrier, the dilution factor, the magnification, the threshold needed for the image binarization and the total number of analysed particles. Analyses were performed on various types of sludge allowing an evaluation of the methodology robustness. Differences clearly appeared in terms of size and shape properties – Circular Equivalent Diameter (CED), Circularity (C), Convexity (Cx), Solidity (S), and Aspect Ratio (AR) between the different types of sludge. The image analysis protocol having been established and validated, two experimental campaigns were run using a lab-scale activated sludge system fed with synthetic wastewater. The morphological descriptors were defined on the base of about 100,000 sludge flocs per sample allowing to reach reliable statistics for both size and shape properties. Process performance was assessed measuring physicochemical parameters commonly associated with wastewater treatment: Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Sludge Volume Index (SVI), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Nitrogen (N) removal. This strategy has mostly enabled to identify relationships between the treatment performance, the floc morphology and the operating conditions. During the first campaign, three values of solids retention time (SRT) were tested: 15, 20 and 30 days. Increasing the SRT, the size and the circularity of the flocs increased temporarily before recovering their initial values. Under steady state conditions, the size and circularity distributions seem thus to be independent of the SRT. In the second campaign, three operating conditions were modified in turn: the Organic Load Rate (OLR), the recycle rate and the COD:N ratio. A high OLR has promoted a strong increase of flocs size and the decrease of their solidity. This result can be explained by the development of filamentous bacteria that highly impacts the aggregates morphology and hence the process performance. An increase of the recycle rate or a decrease of the COD:N ratio induced a slight reduction of floc sizes and an insignificant evolution of circularity and convexity values. The analysis of the volume-based 3D-distributions crossing size and shape data appeared as a smart tool allowing to propose mechanisms responsible of the changes of the morphological properties of biological flocs. Finally, another approach was developed, based on the estimation of two 2D fractal dimensions linking the area and the perimeter of flocs (Dpf) or the area and the maximum length (D2). Sudden changes of Dpf and D2 were correlated to phenomena related to the presence of filamentous bacteria.