Impact of microwave disintegration on activated sludge

Microwave disintegration of activated sludge causes organic matter transfer from the solid phase to the liquid phase. This process results in an increase of the COD value in liquid by ca 614 mg O2/dm 3 and protein concentration by ca 340 mg/dm. Microwave radiation positively influences the sludge volume index (SVI) decrease from 195 to 54 cm/g. Our research confirmed that the application of an electromagnetic wave may become a new effective way of improving sewage treatment and processing sewage sludge.