The formation of aerobic granular sludge for the treatment of real landfill leachate using a granular sequencing batch reactor at a constant volume

Leachate generated in a landfill may not be treated by conventional biological treatment due to its nature and complexity. The process of forming aerobic granules in batch sequencing reactors having features such as; reducing the settling process time and saving energy consumption and high decomposition rate have been noticed by researchers. In the present study, the structure of sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) was evaluated for the formation of granules, which were subsequently utilized for the treatment of landfill leachate. The experiment was initiated by using the GSBR, containing 1200 ml with different apparatuses, to develop granular sludge, and synthetic wastewater was added to reinforcement. The selected parameters for the operational hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the wastewater (6-h cycles) included feeding, idle, aeration, settling, and discharge. Furthermore, the controlled conditions were the dissolved oxygen (DO) range of 2–2.2 mg/L, temperature range of 20–23℃, and pH of 7.5–8.3. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), and sludge volume index (SVI) daily were measured at the influent and effluent of GSBR reactor. The main properties of aerobic granular sludge were identified during the research procedures, and the remarkable settling and potent, high-density microbial structure of the granules were confirmed. The mean size of the formulated granules was estimated at 7.46 ± 1.8 mm, and the volume of the biomass also increased from approximately 1607 to 4137 mg/L through the granulation process. Moreover, 98% of the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) could be removed by the formulated granular sludge, and the final-stage organic loading rate was estimated at 5.65 COD/m³/day. According to the results, GSBRs could be employed for the formulation of aerobic granular sludge for the treatment of landfill leachate.