Stable abnormal foam in activated sludge process produced by<i>rhodococcus</i>sp. with strong hydrophobic property

Abstract

Abstract The foam produced by Rhodococcus sp. in the aeration tanks of the activated sludge treatment plants was more stable than that formed by N. amarae. The stability was determined from the half time of foam decomposition. The stability depended upon the hydrophobicity characterized by the carbon numbers of mycolic acids. The Hydrophobic strengh of Rhodococcus sp. was higher than that of N. amarae. This was determined by using an index of log p = Po/ Pw, P and P are the partition coefficient of mycolic acid in solvent and water, respectively.