A systematic investigation of peracetic acid oxidation and polymeric coagulants re-flocculation to enhance activated sludge dewatering: Multi-porous skeleton structures.

In this research, the effects of peracetic acid (PAA), polymeric flocculants, and their combined conditioning on improving the dewatering performance were comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that sludge cake moisture content, capillary suction time (CST), and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) were 70.6%, 48.1 s, and 3.42 × 1012 m/kg after adding 0.10 g/gMLSS PAA for 50 min, representing reductions of 12.60%, 40.32%, and 33.98%, respectively. Additionally, conditioning of sludge with polyferric sulfate (PFS), polyaluminum chloride (PAC), and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) enhanced sludge properties in the following order: CPAM > PAC > PFS. After the PAA oxidation and re-flocculation process, the optimal dosages of PFS, PAC, and CPAM were reduced to 1.5 g/L, 0.9 g/L, and 0.04 g/L, respectively. The sludge dewatering performance significantly improved, with sludge cake moisture content measuring 65.8%, 66.3%, and 61.7%, respectively. Moreover, the spatial multi-porous skeleton structures were formed via re-flocculation to improve the sludge dewatering. Furthermore, economic evaluation validated that the pre-oxidation and re-flocculation process could be considered an economically viable option. These research findings could serve as a valuable reference for practical engineering applications. [Display omitted] • The spatial multi-porous skeleton structures were formed via re-flocculation. • Sludge properties were improved by PAA oxidation and re-flocculation process. • PAA could effectively crack sludge cells and destroy sludge floc structure. • Polymeric flocculants could improve sludge properties in CPAM > PAC > PFS. • Protein substances in SEPS and LB-EPS were degraded by combined conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]