Characterisation of textile aerobic-activated sludge plant by conductivityand pH measurement

In this preliminary study, the over-all ionic activity and pH in the supern atant of the sludge were measured after successive sludge washing with a ra nge of aqueous buffers. As expected, considerable and varying degrees of io nic activity were observed at different pH values. Samples of effluent and effluent pins sludge at different points throughout the aerobic-treatment process in an industrial plant were collected. Condu ctivity and pH measurements were recorded on the samples, and possible reas ons for variations in both parameters are discussed. A cost-effective method of heavy-metal removal from the sludge prior to dis posal is considerered.