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ti + Technical Description With the advent of complete oxidation-type, activated-sludge systems, such as the Bio-Pure system, the rotifers have been the predominant animal form and can utilize larger fragments of activated sludge floc than can the protozoa. They can survive after all the free-swimming bacteria have been consumed by the protozoa. The dominance of rotifers indicates an extremely stable biological system. Activated sludge can be formed from wastes high in colloidal solids, such as domestic sewage,or from a completely soluble waste,such as industrial waste from the manufacture of synthetic chemicals.The formation of activated sludge is exactly the same in both extremes as long as the wastes are considered nutritionally stable, thereby containing all the elements necessary for normal bacteria growth. fl . Most domestic sewage contains sufficient microorganisms and nutrients to produce a quantity of activated sludge without seeding. The exception would be a treatment plant receiving high degrees of rainwater or other nonsewage-bearing waters. As fresh waste enters, the food-to-microorganism (F:M) ratio is very low. Microorganisms are in excess of food supply and are thus competitive for the food. As the bacteria begin to grow, the protozoa begin to grow. During this log growth rate, organic matter in the waste is removed at its Lmaximum rate with optimum conversion of organic matter, into new cells. The energy level is sufficiently high to keep microorganisms dispersed. It is impossible to get activated sludge to form as long as the microorganisms remain in the log phase. The high metabolic rate of the bacteria creates a constant need for additional oxygen. If aerobic conditions are not maintained by proper oxygen transfer, the rate of metabolism will not follow a log rate, but rather an arithmetical rate until;oxygen is no longer the limiting factor and the protozoa would then be adversely affected. The F:M ratio drops rapidly as the food is consumed and new cells are produced, consuming more of the nitrogen and phosphorous which is present in the wastewater. A point is reached where the food becomes the limiting factor in further growth. The bacteria and protozoa begin to decline.The cells begin to die and floc begins to form.In the turbulent aeration tank, the bacteria are constantly being brought into contact with each other; as long as they have sufficient energy, they split apart and continue theiir normal metabolic function.- :, As their energy content decreases, more and more bacteria lack the energy to overcome the forces of attraction between two colliding cells.The two cells then move as a unit and soon become three,then four, and so on, until a large floc colony,has formed.' :1 The food concentration continues to drop and microorganisms continue to increase, but at an ever- slowing rate. The minimum F:M ratio is reached at the end of the declining growth phase and nitrogenous substances begin to form. . ,j When the bacteria are unable to obtain sufficient energy from the little remaining food, they begin to metabolize food reserves within their own cells.Excess fats and carbohydrates are consumed first and the proteins last. As the energy level drops, floc colony formation increases rapidly. Free-swimming ciliated protozoa cannot find enough bacteria to stay.alive and they too begin to die. 3 6