Disinfection and solubilization of sewage sludge using the microwave enhanced advanced oxidation process

The microwave enhanced advanced oxidation process (MW/H2O2-AOP) was used to treat municipal sewage sludge for solids disintegration, nutrient solubilization, with an emphasis on pathogen destruction and regrowth. Pathogen reduction, in terms of fecal coliform concentrations were found below detection limit (1000 CFU/L) immediately after treatment when sludge was treated at 70 degrees C with more than 0.04% of H2O2 (w/w). Significant regrowth of fecal coliforms was observed for the treated samples after 72 h. However, no regrowth was observed for samples treated at 70 degrees C with 0.08% H2O2 or higher, suggesting a complete elimination of fecal coliforms. The range of hydrogen peroxide used did not have a significant effect on orthophosphate release regardless of temperature. Ammonia release at these low temperatures was found to be insignificant. The soluble chemical oxygen demand increased with an increase of hydrogen peroxide dosage at 70 degrees C. However, there was no clear trend of soluble chemical oxygen demand over varying hydrogen peroxide dosage at 55 degrees C. The MW/H2O2-AOP is a novel process for the pasteurization and stabilization of sewage sludge to meet and maintain Class A biosolids criteria. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.