Active Biomass Monitoring
VIT® ABM records the actual activity of the biomass in biological treatment stages and provides real-time information on the condition of the biology. The system makes loads, stress situations and changes in the active biomass recognizable at an early stage and thus supports stable, efficient and safe process management.
The system is based on 2nd generation ATP technology. It enables the separate recording of cellular (cATP), dissolved (dATP) and total ATP (tATP). These measured variables are used to form the following three meaningful indices, which quantitatively describe the behavior and vitality of the microorganisms.
Biomass Stress Index (BSI)
The Biomass Stress Index (BSI) shows how much stress the microorganisms in the activated sludge are under. It is calculated from the ratio of dissolved to total ATP and reacts sensitively to changes in the biological system. If the value increases, this indicates microbial stress - caused by toxic substances, oxygen deficiency or pH fluctuations, for example.
The BSI therefore acts as an early warning indicator for biological stress.
Active Biomass Ratio (ABR)
The Active Biomass Ratio (ABR) is defined as the proportion of living biomass in the total biomass, and is calculated using the formula ABR = AVSS / TSS. Here, AVSS stands for Active Volatile Suspended Solids, and TSS stands for Total Suspended Solids. A high ABR value indicates a productive and vital biological community, whereas a declining value suggests an increased proportion of inactive or dead biomass.
The ABR therefore serves as a measure of the efficiency of biomass utilization.
Active Volatile Suspended Solids (AVSS)
AVSS is a parameter derived from cellular ATP (cATP) that describes the actual active, living biomass in the activated sludge. It is based on the measurement of cATP. In contrast to MLSS or MLVSS, which do not allow any qualitative differentiation, AVSS reflects the actual biological activity.
In this way, the purification performance of the biology is realistically depicted.
Advantages and Operational Benefits
The active biomass is recorded quantitatively within a few minutes. This provides an up-to-date snapshot of the biological status, which allows immediate conclusions to be drawn about load, activity and process stability.
The Biomass Stress Index (BSI) reacts to stress caused by toxic substances, oxygen deficiency or pH fluctuations. Stress is recognized before it has an impact on the process.
The active biomass ratio (ABR) shows the proportion of functional biomass. It is used as a control variable to stabilize biological processes in a targeted manner and increase efficiency.
The AVSS value describes the actual active biomass within the dry sludge mass. It shows how much biology is really working in the system and thus enables the precise adjustment of key process parameters - aeration, nutrient dosing, sludge recirculation - to the actual biological activity.
The precise control of oxygen and nutrient supply based on real activity data reduces energy and chemical consumption. Early detection of biological loads prevents malfunctions, sludge discharges and plant downtimes. More stable processes extend the service life of the biomass and minimize the risk of contract or process violations. Experience shows energy savings of 5-10 % through optimized aeration and a significant reduction in resource consumption during regular operation.
Functional Principle of 2nd Generation ATP Technology
The 2nd Generation ATP technology enables the quantitative determination of active biomass in complex environmental samples such as activated sludge, process water or wastewater.
It is based on the biochemical measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - the universal energy source of all living cells.
ATP as a Measure of Biological Activity
Every living cell contains ATP in a defined concentration. If the cell is damaged or dies, ATP escapes into the surrounding medium where it is broken down by enzymes. The ATP contained in living, active cells is referred to as cellular ATP (cATP). The ATP that is released from damaged or dead cells is called dissolved ATP (dATP).
By recording cATP and dATP separately, the technology can distinguish between intact and stressed or dead biomass. The sum of both fractions gives the total ATP (tATP).
The ratio of these values provides precise information about the state of the microbial community.
Background: Added Value of VIT® ABM
In biological wastewater treatment, biomass is the central element of the entire process. Its activity determines purification performance, energy requirements and operational safety.
Nevertheless, it often remains a "black box".
This leads to process instability, increased energy consumption and risks for compliance with legal limits. What has been missing until now is the direct measurement of the active biomass - the living and active biology of the system. VIT® ABM makes it possible to measure precisely this value.
| Conventional measurement parameters such as MLSS or MLVSS only measure the dry mass - i.e. also dead, inert material. | |
| Biological disturbances are usually only recognized when there are already visible effects in the process. | |
| Causes such as toxic shock loads, pH shifts, oxygen deficiency or nutrient imbalances remain undetected for a long time. |
Comparison With Classic Parameters
| MLSS / MLVSS | VIT® ABM | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured variable | biomass quantity | biomass activity (active living biomass) | ||
| reaction time | hours to days | minutes | ||
| significance | quantitative, no activity information | quantitative and qualitative | ||
| process control | indirect | direct, activity-based | ||
| early detection of faults | limited | high, via BSI | ||
| energy optimization | only indirectly possible | through real activity data |
Integration with VIT® Analytics
VIT® ABM provides quantitative information on the overall activity of the biomass. The VIT® gene probe technology enables the identification and quantification of specific microorganisms - directly in the wastewater samples.
By coupling VIT® ABM and VIT® gene probe technology, both total activity and microbial composition can be recorded and correlated. Biology is not only measured, but understood - on a functional and taxonomic level. Both systems complement each other to form a powerful, integrated microbiological control tool for modern wastewater treatment plants.
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