Which treatment process is primarily used to achieve maximum sludge reduction?

Aerobic digestion is the treatment process that primarily focuses on maximizing sludge reduction. This method involves the biological decomposition of organic matter in the presence of oxygen. During aerobic digestion, microorganisms consume the organic materials present in the sludge, breaking them down into simpler compounds and ultimately resulting in a significant reduction in the volume of sludge.

The process not only reduces the mass of sludge but also stabilizes it, making it safer for disposal or use as a fertilizer. Additionally, by using aerobic conditions, the process can effectively minimize odors and produce a more benign end product. This makes aerobic digestion highly effective for long-term sludge management and reduction in wastewater treatment facilities.

In contrast, clarification mainly serves to separate solids from liquids and does not focus on reducing sludge mass; activated carbon adsorption is used for removing pollutants from water rather than sludge reduction; and filtration is a physical separation method that does not specifically aim at reducing sludge but rather at purifying water.