Methods:

1. Enhanced Microbial Activity and Energy Conservation through Pneumatic Mixing in Sludge Systems Course bubble diffusers Sampling tracks TotalMix Approximately 40-psig air pressure is introduced Air is introduced through TotalMix without TM with TM • Variables: • Frequency • Pressure • Period of pressured air delivery Sampling Tracks Sampling points Sabine Sibler Civil and Environmental Engineering 418 Durham Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 G. D. Boardman – Civil & Envr. Engr. J.T. Novak – Civil & Envr. Engr. R. E. Locklair – Locklair Engineering B. L. Helms – BLH Consultants • Methods: • TotalMixsystem with and without regular aeration was/is evaluated using various criteria: • oxygen transfer microbial activity • chemical parameters reduction in class B biosolids costs • physical parameters reduction in sludge odors • Standard diffusers and TotalMix devices were uniformly distributed: • Set-up: • Background: • Aerated treatment systems are important for sludge management • Expensive because oxygen is only marginally soluble in water • Standard low pressure diffusers provide marginal mixing and minimum retention time for fine or coarse bubbles • Application of a newly patented pneumatic mixing system, TotalMix • TotalMix is designed to optimize the performance of standard low pressure air diffusers in two types of aerated systems (activated sludge and aerobic sludge digestion) Results: The first experiments were conducted in a 100,000 gallon tank. The results have been very encouraging and indicated that mixing and indicated that mixing and oxygen transfer can be enhanced without increasing the amount of diffused air. TotalMixopen and assembled without TM with TM • Objectives: • TotalMix is designed • to optimize the performance of standard low pressure air diffusers in two types of aerated systems (activated sludge and aerobic sludge digestion), and • to decrease overall energy consumption. • The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the TotalMix – System. For further tests and optimization of the TotalMixoperating parameters, the system has now been installed in a smaller tank (4500 gallon). There, we will be working with sludges at different concentrations, and rigorously contrasting the transfer of oxygen and energy requirements of standard diffused aeration versus diffused aeration plus the TotalMix System Data were obtained at several sampling points (width/depth) throughout the tank (symmetry was assumed)