This research was conducted in order to gain reliable information of the effect of chili waste on a completely mixed activated sludge waste water treatment process.

The system used for the research was a bench scale model of a completely mixed activated sludge system. The system consisted of a primary clarifier, a completely mixed activated sludge unit, and a secondary clarifier. The activated sludge unit tested is rectangular with effluent flow over a single weir. Aeration and mixing were accomplished by compressed air injection.

The system performance was evaluated with sewage and chili waste influents while attempting to hold all other operation parameters constant. The mode of system evaluation was efficiency of COD removal by secondary treatment.

The data obtained from this research led to several conclusions. Chili waste is highly degradable by aerobic microorganisms and is at least as susceptible to treatment by activated sludge as sewage. A completely mixed activated sludge system suffers only a mild upset from shock loading with chili waste and has a quick recovery from the upset.

Based on the results of this research it was recommended that further research be done with process modifications made to give better control of operational parameters. It was recommended that a biological study be conducted to determine changes in predominance of species in an activated sludge with the change from sewage to chili waste process influent. It was also recommended that treatability of chili waste by anaerobic digestion be studied.

Project No. A-050-NMEX.