Aerobic Granular Sludge has recently received growing attention by researchers and technology developers, worldwide. Laboratory studies and preliminary field test led to the conclusion that granular activated sludge can be readily established and profitably used in activated sludge plants, provided "correct" process conditions are chosen. But what makes process conditions "correct"? And what makes granules different from activated sludge flocs? Answers to these questions are offered in Aerobic Granular Sludge. Major topics covered in this book include: - Reasons and mechanisms of aerobic granule formation - Structure of the microbial population of aerobic granules - Role, composition and physical properties of EPS - Diffusion limitation and microbial activity within granules - Physico-chemical characteristics - Operation and application of granule reactors - Scale-up aspects of granular sludge reactors, and case studies Aerobic Granular Sludge provides up-to-date information about a rapidly emerging new technology of biological treatment.

A new development for the treatment of domestic wastewater is a technology based on aerobic granular sludge. Granular sludge can be developed under specific process conditions and, because of its unique properties, high volumetric loading rates of aeration tanks can be applied. Thanks to excellent settling properties, the separation of treated wastewater and granular sludge can take place at high hydraulic loading rates. Depending on the process configuration chosen, good effluent quality can be obtained, complying with stringent effluent requirements regarding nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be expected in the future. In this way, aerobic granular sludge has the potential to contribute significantly to wastewater treatment management.This report describes the results of research carried out at the Technical University of Delft.IWA Publishing Water and Wastewater Practitioner Series: STOWA Report