THE SLUDGE VOLUME INDEX
A variety of settling indexes is used in the worldwide practice.
The diluted SVI (DSVI) analysis
(Jenkins, et al, 1993; Koopman and Cadee, 1983)
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This analysis is conducted by first diluting the sludge sample with process effluent until the settled volume after 30 minutes (SV30) is 250 ml/l or less. The SVI analysis is thus typically conducted on the diluted sample. |
The stirred specific volume index at 3.5 g/L (SSV13.5) analysis
(Jenkins, et al., 1993; White, 1975; White, 1976)
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This analysis is conducted at an MLSS concentration of 3.5 g/l, and slow stirring is used to minimize wall effects on the settled sludge volume. |
The stirred specific volume index at the aeration basin MLSS
(Wahlberg and Keinath 1988)
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This analysis is conducted at the aeration basin MLSS and slow stirring is used to minimize wall effects on the settled sludge volume. |
Both the DSVI and SSVI3.5 analyses were developed to eliminate the recognized effect of MLSS concentration on the measured result as obtained with the conventional SVI analysis (Dick and Vesilind, 1969). Both provide a more accurate characterization of settling characteristics than the SVI test, though SSVI3.5 has shown superior predictive capability.
CORRELATIONS
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Though correlation of DSVI and SSVI3.5 to SVI can be found, the spread along the regression lines is high. Thus it is meaningless to measure the conventional SVI, convert the values to DSVI or SSVI3.5 and use the converted values for process calculations (the solids flux curve, sludge blanket etc.). |
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Correlation between SSVI3.5 and DSVI is reasonably good and can be used for process calculations. |
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Effluent TSS from three large treatment plants with clarifiers from 44 to 52 m diameter, all clarifiers designed by AquaNova International (see also the photopage).
Final effluent quality depends mainly on the flow and on SVI. Prague (Praha) typically suffers by high SVI in winter.
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