THE CONCEPT OF PHOSPHORUS STORAGE CAPABILITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIGN OF SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED BIOLOGICAL UPTAKE OF PHOSPHATE

At steady state, the activated sludge process incorporating an anaerobic zone in the process train will have a fixed maximum phosphorus storage capability. The maximum phosphorus storage capability can be related to the maximum phosphorus content the process sludge can incorporate. Data are presented showing that, as long as the sludge phosphorus content value does not exceed the maximum phosphorus content value, the phosphorus removal efficiency of the enhanced biological phosphorus removal process will be independent of the influent phosphorus loading and steady state net sludge yield or mean cell residence time.