Microcat-DF Reduces Foaming at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant

MICROCAT-DF from QM Environmental Services (Netherlands) was successfully used to reduce persistent foam caused by filament infestation in the aerated zone of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Foaming issues have plagued this municipal wastewater treatment plant for a long time. The submerged, fixed-film design of the activated sludge process appears to select for filament manifestation, with Nocardia sp being the most prevalent. The presence of these filaments often produces lots of foam. The foam was difficult to remove manually due to tank design issues. Prior methods to reduce foam were not effective.

MICROCAT-DF foam control was added to the influent going to the aerated zone of the activated sludge process at a maintenance dosage of 1-1,5 parts per million. Since adding MICROCAT-DF foam control to the aerated zone of the activated sludge process, foam has been greatly reduced from as high as 90 cm (overflowing the basins) to a thin film. Much less maintenance labour and mechanical interruption occurs due to the reduction in foam.