Section One
BIOLOGICAL:
AEROBIC THERMOPHILIC SYSTEMS
1    DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
FOR THERMOPHILIC AEROBIC REACTORS
TREATING HIGH STRENGTH WASTES AND SLUDGES
Alan F. Rozich
Rozich Technologies, Inc.
Exton, Pennsylvania
Richard J. Colvin
ERM
Exton, Pennsylvania
ABSTRACT
Thermophilic aerobic treatment systems offer unique advantages for treatment of high strength
waste streams and for sludge reduction. These systems combine the best features of aerobic systems which have rapid biodegradation kinetics and anaerobic systems which have low cell
yields. Application of these systems can result in substantial economic benefit and cost savings
by reducing off-site disposal costs for many industrial facilities. This chapter will overview modified thermophilic aerobic systems, discuss various applications, and review case histories. The
focus of the chapter will be on design and operational considerations for these systems. These
considerations include reactor engineering, process kinetics, and essential ancillary support
equipment considerations.
INTRODUCTION
The dual requirements of environmental compliance and cost reduction are prompting environmental and operations managers to consider new approaches for waste treatment. Residuals
which are generated as a result of waste treatment activities are often a major consideration when
implementing treatment of target streams. For example, when treating organic waste streams, the
ultimate disposal of sludges can frequently represent the largest operational expense. Future liability considerations and the current regulatory climate often make the selection of treatment
processes "end-product driven." Owners and operators must carefully evaluate potential treatment processes in order to ensure that a residual by-product will not be produced that will have
substantive cost or regulatory implications or both.
The purpose of this paper is to present the conceptual and operational application of an innovative biological treatment process for treating high strength hazardous organic wastes, sludges,
and difficult-to-degrade waste streams. Thermophilic aerobic biological treatment technology offers an attractive, economical alternative to conventional aerobic and anaerobic treatment
processes. These aerobic biological processes function at temperatures from 110°F to 160°F. Proprietary versions of this technology can minimize or virtually eliminate the production of organic
residuals requiring off-site disposal. This offers an extremely attractive and cost-effective alternative to incinerating a number of organic waste streams. This paper will present an overview of
waste treatment technology, an overview of engineering thermophilic aerobic biological treatment, a discussion of characteristics of treatment situations which would suggest the application
of thermophilic aerobic treatment systems, and case histories involving full-scale applications of
52nd Purdue Industrial Waste Conference Proceedings. 1997, Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan 48118. Printed in
U.S.A.