Streamlining extracellular polymeric substance removal: Fuzzy multi-objective optimization of ultrasonic-Fenton treatment

Managing high water content sludge in wastewater treatment is crucial for sustainability. This involves a complex challenge of maximizing the removal of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS) while minimizing ultrasonic-Fenton process costs. This study introduces a novel approach to address these conflicting objectives by adopting fuzzy multi-objective optimization. This method reconciles the conflicting objectives by identifying the optimal conditions for ferrous ion (Fe${}^{2+}$) dosage, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) dosage, and ultrasonication time. The optimization model incorporates empirical equations that define the effects of Fenton’s reagent and ultrasonication on LB-EPS removal, as well as considerations for material and electricity usage costs and the cumulative uncertainties associated with experimental runs. To effectively capture the trade-offs between EPS removal and process costs, the $\varepsilon$ -constraint method was utilized to delineate the Pareto front. This approach significantly enhances LB-EPS removal from anaerobically digested sludge and establishes boundary limits within the Pareto front for practical application within the context of fuzzy optimization. The optimized solution derived from this innovative approach resulted in the conditions of 10 mM Fe${}^{2+}$ dosage, 100 mM H₂O₂ dosage, and 10 min of ultrasonication. This configuration achieves an impressive 60.7% $\pm$ 3.7% LB-EPS removal while maintaining a cost of 26.6 USD/L and ensuring 100% overall satisfaction. This research represents a significant advancement in sludge dewatering strategies. It underscores the pivotal role of innovative decision-making approaches in advancing the field of sludge dewatering methodologies for more sustainable wastewater treatment practices.