The three-dimensional pore structures in waste activated sludge floc were identified using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) images. The meshes of the three-dimensional porous configuration of a sludge floc were constructed from the CLSM series images (Fig. 1). The intrafloc flow field was simulated for the constructed floc model when it was subjected to a uniform flow field, based on which the Darcy's permeability was estimated. The permeability (k_DL) of original floc was estimated as 8x10^-12 m². Flocculated flocs had higher k_DL due to their large pore size, while the corresponding values of k_DL of the freeze/thawed flocs were lower. The calculated results indicate that a few large pores in the floc determine the permeability. The fractal dimension and compactness, however, are not correlated with the permeability of the flocs.

KEYWORDS: Structure, floc model; pore; CLSM; transport process