Molecular Mechanism of Granulation. I: H+ TranslocationDehydration Theory

A new theory for the molecular mechanism of sludge granulation, namely proton translocation-dehydration theory, was proposed in this study. Based on the consideration of biological activity of the bacterial cells, the bacterial surface dehydration caused by proton translocating activity was suggested to initiate the sludge granulation. The overall granulation process in this new theory included four stages: dehydration of bacterial surfaces, embryonic granule formation, granule maturation, and postmaturation. Some phenomena involved in practical sludge granulation were adequately explained by this new theory.