International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 SJIF (2020): 7.803 Volume 10 Issue 7, July 2021 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Estimation of Biomass Composition and Biological Sludge Production in SBR Plants of India Ghazal Srivastava 1 , Absar Ahmad Kazmi 2 1 Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India Corresponding Author: ghazalsrivastava1247[at]gmail.com 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India absar.kazmi[at]ce.iitr.ac.in Abstract: This study focuses on estimating biological sludge production in the Sequencing batch reactors (SBR) based wastewater treatment plants of India. It includes the different criteria for analyzing the specific sludge production in nine pre-anoxic selectors attached SBRs of India. The parameters generally vary with the geographical distribution of WWTPs (including living standard of the nearby population, its size, and working background), and also system's Solids Retention Times (SRT) play a significant role. The plants could perform biological nutrient removal (BNR), along with organic matter and suspended solids removal by satisfying the new NGT standards for COD, BOD, and TSS exceptionally. Biomass composition of the sludge in the treatment plants presented that the highest heterotrophic biomass and inert fraction were observed in the Varanasi SBR, 34%, and 58%, respectively. However, the range of heterotrophic biomass, cell debris, nitrifying biomass, non-biodegradable VSS, and Inert fractions were found 20-34%, 2-3%, 1-2%, 3- 45%, and 28-58%, respectively in all the treatment plants. Wastewater characterization was also performed and showed that rbCOD/ COD range in the treatment plants varied from 8-32%. The readily biodegradable portion of COD is effective in denitrification and phosphorus release mechanisms of BNR processes of the pre-anoxic selector attached SBR plants. Keywords: Endogenous decay, Inert, readily biodegradable COD, Sequencing batch reactor, Sludge 1. Introduction Sludge handling and maintenance are becoming major issues in dealing with wastewater treatment plant management. The high cost for treatment and disposal of excess sludge has increased up to 50-60% of the total operation costs [18], and this often results in improper disposal of sludge. Still, it has been observed as an ignored or disregarded issue in these treatment plants. A comprehensive investigation program is required to maintain the sludge production record based on the critical control design parameters of influent wastewater. Sludge handling and maintenance are becoming major issues in dealing with wastewater treatment plant management. There is also inadequate information regarding daily sludge production in the WWTPs; neither the wastage is recorded systematically, nor it is to be provided by the operators of these plants (if recorded), as it is generally conducted manually. The economy is the most crucial driver for the development and operation of WWTPs (Wastewater Treatment Plants) [1, 12]. In the case of a highly populated country, China, to achieve minimal unit sludge production, it can be concluded that membrane bioreactor can be the best candidate (0.390 kg/m3). And if we are looking for small- and large-scale WWTPs (<5 x 10 4 m3/day and 10–20 x 10 4 m3/day) biological filters are a good option, whereas sequencing batch reactor is suitable for medium-scale and super large- scale WWTPs (5–10 x 10 4 m3/day and >20 x 10 4 m3/ day) and oxidation ditch is not appropriate for large scale WWTP [7, 8, 15]. A definite positive correlation between COD reduction and sludge production was also observed in the study of China. In rapidly populated country India also, the case might be the same in terms of sludge generation and treatment efficiencies from different technologies applied for wastewater treatment [18]. It is also fundamental to implement new technologies to minimize sludge production as much as achievable. Some technologies have been developed, including metabolic uncouplers addition, sonication–cryptic growth [21], sludge predation [13], and other derivative technologies [17]. For the treatment plants, it was observed that the use of extended biological processes (i.e., constructed wetlands, extended aeration systems) produces lesser sludge as compared to WWTPs that opt for traditional ASPs or use physicochemical methods for phosphorus removal [14]. Systematic treatment and disposal of the excess sludge generated from these treatment plants are very essential. Agricultural use of raw sludge or other composting practices is encouraged by national authorities as to the best way for recycling, while incineration is considered the worst [16, 20]. Compost is an excellent soil conditioner as it includes major plant nutrients, i.e., TN, TP, and TK, plant micronutrients, i.e., Cu, Fe, and Zn, and organic matter which develop soil properties by ascending soil aeration and water holding potential [3, 5, 6]. The different processes for sludge treatment are: 1) Sludge Pasteurization, 2) Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion, 3) Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion, 4) Composting (Windrows or Aerated Piles), 5) Lime Stabilization of Liquid Sludge, 6) Liquid Storage and 7) Dewatering and Storage by using any of these technologies that are Centrifuge, Belt Press, Screw Press, Filter Press or Sludge Drying Beds [1,4]. The objectives of the study: 1) To estimate sludge production (as per daily) from full- scale municipal wastewater treatment plants based on various technologies established across India, running Paper ID: SR21701090908 DOI: 10.21275/SR21701090908 318