The excess sludge sample used in this study was no-stabilized
excess sludge dewatered by belt press (the moisture content of
85.60%; the dry base volatiles, fixed carbon and ash content of
62.52%, 8.92% and 28.56%, respectively). It was collected from
a wastewater treatment plant in Dalian, China. The wastewater
treatment plant has a capacity of wastewater treatment
of 80,000 m3 d1 and is equipped with anoxic - oxic process.
The generated excess sludge is thickened in the gravitational
sludge thickener and is dewatered further with a belt press.
The collected excess sludge sample was kept in refrigerated
plastic bags at 4 C. The experiments with the excess sludge
sample were accomplished within three weeks.