Research progress of the influence of extracellular polymeric substances on the flocculation properties of activated sludge

The effluent SS is greatly affected by the flocculation properties of activated sludge,while the extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) are the key element determining the activated sludge flocculation properties.The importance of EPS to the activated sludge flocculation properties is discussed based on the composition,chemical characteristics of EPS and the current flocculation theories.The influence of EPS composition to the activated sludge properties and the elements affecting the output and composition of EPS are systematically analyzed.Furthermore,the present research focus such as the relationship of loose bed EPS(LB-EPS) and tight bed EPS(TB-EPS) to the activated sludge flocculation properties are summarized,the application of EPS on the activated sludge flocculation is also presented.At last the prospect in this topic is proposed.