Autothermal thermophilic aerobic waste treatment systems: A state-of-the-art review

Thermophilic aerobic biological treatment systems have many advantages compared to conventional techniques for high-strength wastewaters, including faster biodegradation rates, greater overall process efficiencies, and low rates of residual biosolids production. High reactor temperatures, however, alter the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the treatment process, so that the enormous knowledge-base for conventional activated sludge operations no longer directly applies. Several of these unique operating conditions are discussed. Process kinetics are also examined, with a particular focus on the high rate of endogenous decay typically observed with thermophilic systems.