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Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you should be able to:

CE 4312- Water and

Wastewater Engineering

Understand the importance of water and wastewater

transfer and treatment.
Understand the principles of unit processes in water and
wastewater treatment including: physical, chemical, and
biological treatment principles and the impacts of water
pollutants on human health and the environment.

LECTURE 4- Wastewater Treatment

Ms. Nadeeka Miguntanna, Senior Lecturer,
Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna
[email protected]

Apply the fundamental principles of water and

wastewater treatment in designing water and wastewater
treatment schemes to remove pollutants.
1

Content

What we discussed So far?

Wastewater has many types of impurities like floating
and large suspended solids(paper, rags, plastics, grit),
dissolved solids( organic and inorganic);Dissolved gases(
hydrogen
sulfide,
methane
etc.)
and
microorganisms(pathogen, bacteria and viruses).

Wastewater collection and treatment

Introduction and Terminology
Wastewater flow rates

Wastewater on the other hand can have much higher

levels of impurities as discussed because of the human
organic waste added to water along with detergents,
pesticides, and microorganism.

Wastewater characteristics
Wastewater composition
Wastewater characterization studies
Primary and secondary treatment of wastewater
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But wastewater can be called as water of different form

if the concentration of impurities is reduced, it can have
applications similar to water.
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Where does it all go!

Wastewater
Its Journey to Treatment and Return to
the Environment

Where does the

water from the
washer go?

When you flush the

toilet where does
the contents go?

By gravity flow, the waste is on its way

to your local wastewater treatment plant!

Wastewater Treatment

Why treat wastewater?

General principles:
Biological treatment as main purification
process.
Replicate what nature does
Predominantly aerobic processes
Anaerobic processes for specific
treatment e.g. sludge

Causes a demand for dissolved oxygen (lower

DO levels of streams)
Adds nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) to
cause excessive growth
Increases suspended solids or sediments in
streams (turbidity increase)
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WW TreatmentTreatment- Objectives and regulations

 During the last century, objectives of wastewater
treatment were based on aesthetic and environmental
concern.
 The treatment of wastewater was undertaken mostly
to improve the quality of the surface waters.
 BOD, suspended solids and pathogenic organism
reduction were mainly considered factors.
 Since 1980, it was based on the health concerns (i.e.
toxic and potentially toxic chemicals released to the
environment). Removal of toxic and trace compounds
(ex: heavy metals) became important.
9
.

AIM OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT

In the present, it is taken into account the control

of toxic substances, nutrient removal, the control
of pathogenic organisms and removal of organic
and inorganic substances such as VOCs and total
dissolved solids as the objectives of the
wastewater treatment.

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The GOAL of Wastewater Treatment is:

Wastewater treatment facilities are designed to

speed up the natural purification process that
occurs in natural waters and to remove
contaminants in wastewater that might
otherwise interfere with the natural process in
the receiving waterbodies.

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To produce clean effluents and to protect

public health, natural resources and the
ambient environment.

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Key components of a Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater Treatment Plant Design

Preliminary design selection of suitable
sequence of processes to achieve desired
outcome.
Concept (Functional) design Estimation of
capacities for all units, hydraulic, organic and
solids loadings.
Detailed design Structural design of units,
channels etc.
Commissioning -not part of design but very
valuable lessons can be learnt by designers.

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Basic information:
Flow to the treatment plant
Individual constituent loads e.g. TSS, COD,
BOD5, ammonia, TKN, Total Phosphorus,
Orthophosphorus.
Minor constituents e.g. heavy metals,
pesticides residues.

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Existing flow records

Estimation based on per capita flow rates and contributing
population (EP)
Evaluation and selection of design flow rates-It involves the
development of average flow rates based on population
predictions, industrial flow contributions, and allowance for
infiltration/inflow.
The average flow rates are then multiplied by appropriate
peaking factors.

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Selection of Design Flowrates

Domestic: based on a flow per head. Varies between
countries
Industrial: Based on records of discharge consents
and of metered supplies
Infiltration/Exfiltration: based on a % of the domestic
flow
Peaking Factors: Depends on size of community

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Forecasting average flow rate Average flow rates need to be developed both for
the initial period of operation and for the future
(design) period.
Elements to be considered are:
The current base flows ( e.g. 40 L/capita .d for
commercial and small industrial flows, 40 L/capita . d
for infiltration)
Estimated future flows for residential, commercial,
institutional and industrial sources
Non-excessive infiltration/inflow.
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Example calculation based on per capita flow:

Community of 15,000 EP produces 150 L/EP.d
Estimate ADWF:
ADWF = 15,000(EP) x 150(L/EP.d) x 1(kL)/1000 (L)
= 2,250 kL/d

 Use analysis of wastewater and flow rate to calculate

mass load.
Example: Total N 50 mg/L, flow rate 6.5 ML/day.
Mass load = 50 x 10-6kg/L x 6.5 x 106L/d
= 325 kg/d

 Plant design will take account of historical flows and

loadings, but must also be able to deal with expansion.

 Estimate using per capita load and multiplying by EP.

Example: Per capita BOD5load is 55 g/EP.d and population
served is 28,000 EP
BOD5load = 55 (g/EP.d) x 28,000 (EP)
= 1,540,000 g/d
20
= 1,540 kg/d

 Plant must also be able to deal with a range of flow and

load conditions, plus peak upstream flow conditions (eg
storms)
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Selection of Design Mass Loadings

Average mass loadings for BOD and Suspended
Solids are commonly determined by Population
Equivalent (PE)
Design mass loadings are more complex and must
take account of seasonal, diurnal and industrial
load variations.

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WW treatment is carried out in tanks or basins of various types

and shapes under controlled conditions.
The biological or chemical reactions occur in reactors and the
resulting products of the reactions are separated typically in
settling basins.
The principal types of rectors used for WW treatment are:
Batch reactor
Plug-flow reactor
Complete-mix reactor (continuous flow stirred tank reactorCFSTR)
Complete-mix reactors in series
Arbitrary flow reactors
Packed-bed reactors
Fluidized-bed reactors
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Key Design Considerations

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Unit Operations and Unit Processes- Unit operations

involve contaminant removal by physical forces, while
unit processes involve biological and/or chemical
reactions.
Reactors- Refers to the vessel or contaminant structure
along with all its appurtenances in which the unit
operation or unit process takes place.
Although unit operations and processes are natural
phenomena, they may be initiated, enhanced or
otherwise controlled by altering the environment in the
reactor.
A Wasterwater treatment system- is composed of a
combination of unit operations and unit processes
designed to reduce certain constituents of wastewater to
an acceptable level.
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Only Physical Processes

Different treatment processes

Wastewater treatment is divided into three main
processes.
1. Physical processes: comprising screening or
straining, sedimentation, flocculation, filtration
and gas transfer.
2. Chemical treatment processes: using adsorption,
coagulation, ion exchange, precipitation.
3. Biological treatment processes: with dispersed
growth system (activated sludge, stabilization
ponds); fixed film reactors( biological filters such
as tricking filter)

Both Physical and Biological Processes

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All the three processes- Physical, Biological and Chemical Processes

Reactors- Vessels

Note: P-
 Physical Process
C-
 Chemical Process
B-
 Biological Process

Wastewater treatment process Chain

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Batch Reactor

Reactors- Vessels- The generic term to represent any natural

waterbody or artificial tank or enclosure that receives and discharge
water and with in which one or more biochemical transformations
occur such that the effluent liquid has characteristics that are
different from the influent.


Influent
(ex; Raw
Water)

REACTORVESSEL

Effluent

(ex; finished
drinking
water)






The reactants are input to the reactor at a desired conditions

and the reactions takes place over a specified period of time.
The flow is neither entering nor leaving the reactor.
The liquid contents are mixed completely.
The longer the reaction time, more complete the conversion.
Many chemical processes are batch produced.
Ex: BOD test is carried out in a bottle-batch reactor.

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Complete-mix (continuous-flow stirred tank)

(CSTR)

Plug flow, (tubular flow) Reactor



Complete mixing occurs when the particles entering tank are

dispersed immediately throughout the tank.

Complete-mixing can be accomplished in round or square

tanks if the contents of the tank are uniformly and
continuously redistributed.

Fluid particles pass through the tank and are discharged in the
same sequence in which they enter.
 The particles remain in the tank for a time equal to the
theoretical detention time.
 The reactors are long with a high length-width ratio in which
longitudinal dispersion is minimum or absent.


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Complete-mix reactor in series

Arbitrary flow reactor

Arbitrary flow is any degree of partial mixing
between plug-flow and complete mixing.

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The series of complete-mix reactors is used to model the flow

regime that exists between the hydraulic flow patterns
corresponding to the complete-mix and plug-flow reactors.

If there is infinite number of reactors in series, the plug-flow

regime prevails.

If there is one reactor, the complete-mix regime prevails.

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Application of mass balance analysis

Packed-bed reactor

Q, C0

Q, C

Container

V, C

To apply a mass-balance analysis to the liquid contents of the

complete-mix reactor above, it will be assumed that:



Reactors are filled with some type of packing medium, such

as rock, slag, ceramic or plastic.
With respect to flow, they can be completely filled
(anaerobic filter) of intermittently dosed (trickling filter).

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The volumetric flow rate into and out of the reactor is constant
The liquid within reactor is not subject to evaporate
The liquid within the container is mixed completely
A chemical reaction involving the reactant C is occurring within
the reactor
The reaction rate constant is first-order.
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Symbolic representation:
Mass Balance equation

Mass balance Equation

Rate of flow of
reactant into the
system boundary

Rate of flow of
reactant out of the
system boundary

Rate of
generation/utilization
of reactant within the
system boundary

Rate of
accumulation of
reactant within
the system
boundary

= + ()

= , 3

= , 3 1

OR
In Simply
InflowOutflow + Generation/utilization = Accumulation

= , 3 1
0 = , 3
= , 3
= , 1

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TYPE OF TREATMENT FOR WASTEWATER

AEROBIC
AEROBIC TREATMENT TAKES PLACE IN
PRESENCE OF AIR.
THE ORGANIC POLLUTANTS ARE
CONVERTED INTO CARBON DIOXIDE
AND WATER
THERE IS NO SMELL IN THE
SURROUNDING AREA
IT CONSUMES MORE ELECTRICAL
ENERGY.
THE SLUDGE PRODUCTION IS HIGH

Wastewater Treatment Plant

ANAEROBIC
ANAEROBIC TREATMENT TAKES
PLACE IN ABSENCE OF AIR.
THE ORGANIC POLLUTANTS ARE
CONVERTED BY ANAEROBIC
MICROORGANISMS TO A GAS
CONTAINING METHANE AND
CARBON DIOXIDE.
THERE IS SMELL ALL AROUND THE
PLANT
THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION IS
LOW
THE SLUDGE PRODUCTION IS LOW

Secondary
Treatment

Raw
wastewater
Screening

Primary
Sedimentation

Trickling
Filter
Secondary
Aeration
Sedimentatio
n
Anaerobic
Digestion

Disinfection

Treated
effluent

Land Disposal
Incineration
Composting

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Classification of treatment methods

Treatment processes have traditionally been classified
under a number of broad headings related generally to
effluent quality. These are:

Preliminary treatment (Pre- Treatment)

 Advanced treatment
 Tertiary treatment

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 Pre-Treatment is the First stage of the wastewater

treatment process.
 Selective removal of gross solids (screenings) and
larger inorganic particulate matter (grit) and
excessive amounts of oil and grease.
 The purposes of pre-treatment are:

Improves
performance
of
downstream
treatment processes.

To protect pumping equipment and the
subsequent treatment units.
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 There may be occasions when urban wastewater may

have a pH either too acidic or too alkaline for optimum
biological degradation and may thus need a pH
correction. This may be achieved by the addition of
sulphuric acid or lime solution.
 When the flow rate is inconsistent the flow is balanced
using balancing or equalization tank.
 This equalization tank may also may used to balance the
organic loading if that varies substantially.
 If wastewater is deficient in nutrients which is essential
for biological treatment, the nutrients may be added in
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the pre-treatment stage.

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Municipal
wastewater

Pre-Treatment
for
urban
wastewater is normally include
only physical processes, i.e. Flow
balancing, screening, grit removal
or oil scum removal.

 However, industrial influents may additionally require chemical

pre-treatment in the form of air stripping ( ammonia removal),
oxidation, reduction (air metal precipitation) and air floatation
(oil removal).

Screens

Grit
facilities

Preliminary
treatment

FOG
flotation
Balancing
pH, organic,
Nutrients,
flow
To
Primary treatment

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Industrial process
wastewater

Key devices use within the pre-treatment

system

Heavy
metals

Organic
chemicals

Ammonia
organics

Oxidation
reduction

Oxidation

Air
stripping

Precipitation
Adsorption
Filtration

Primary treatment

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 Racks and Screens

 Commiuniting devices (grinders, cutters and
shredders)
 Grit Chambers
 Flow measurement devices and regulators (flow
equalization)
 Flotation tanks
 Flow equalization tanks and
 Chlorination (if possible)
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Racks and Screens

General:
First unit operation in a wastewater treatment plant.
Screen is a device with openings.
Screening devices are designed to remove coarse solids
which include sticks, rags, boards, and other large objects
Screenings (or rag) is the material removed from screens
Produce foul odours if left open for long periods dues to
decomposition of organic matter.
Objectives:
Removal of coarse and fine objects, which may get entangled
in mechanical equipment e.g., grit chambers, sedimentation
tanks etc.
Protection of pump impellers.
Prevent clogging of valves and other apparatus in the
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ww treatment plant.

Step Screen 3 -6 mm spacing

Screening Equipment -Manually raked

Screen 10 30 mm bar spacing

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Rotating Drum Screen 3 -6 mm spacing

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Screens Contd:

Classification of screens:





Opening size (coarse, medium and fine)

Configuration (bar screens and mesh screens)
Method used to clean the entrapped materials (manually,
mechanically, raked or water jet cleaned)
Fixed or moving screen surface

 To protect pump valves and pipe lines.

 In a wastewater treatment unit, set before pumping or
when no pumping before settling or grit chamber.

Coarse Screens
Coarse screens are classified as either bar racks(trash
racks) or bar screens depending on the spacing between
the bars. Composed of vertical arrangement of equally
spaced parallel bars or rods designed to trap coarse debris.
Bar racks have clear spacing of 5.08 cm to 10. 16 cm and
bar screens have clear spacing of 0.64 cm to 5.08 cm.

57

Solids retained by the bars are usually removed by

manual raking in small plants, while mechanically
cleaned units are used in larger plants.

Fine Screens
Fine screens usually consist of woven-wire cloth
or perforated plates mounted on a rotating disk or
drum partially submerged in the flow or on a
travelling belt.
Fine Screens should be mechanically cleaned on a
continual basis.
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Manually cleaned devices should be readily

accessible for cleaning and where as mechanically
cleaned systems should be enclosed in suitable
housing.
 Screening devices are contained in rectangular
channels that flow from the collection system.
A straight channel section should be provided a few
meters ahead of the screen to ensure good
distribution of flow across the screen.
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Head Loss

Design of Screens
Velocity
Optimum velocity = 0.6 m/s (through the
screen opening)
Maximum velocity = 0.75-1.0 m/s (to prevent
entrapped materials being forced through the
bars.
Minimum velocity = 0.4 m/s to prevent
deposition of solids
Typical range
= 0.6 -1.0 m/s

(a) Head loss (hL) through bar racks as a function of:

approach velocity
velocity through the bars

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hL = head loss (m)

0.7 = an empirical discharge coefficient to
account for turbulence and eddy losses.
V = Velocity of flow through the openings of
the bar (m/s)
U = approach velocity in upstream channel
(m/s)
g = acceleration due to gravity (ms-2)

Note:
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(b) Hydraulic head loss (hL) through bar rack as a function of

Approach velocity
Bar type
Angle of inclination
Note: for clean screen only; cannot
be used for a clogged screen.
hL = head loss (m)
W = maximum width of the bar (m)
b = minimum aperture (clear spacing of bars) (m)
Va = velocity in the approach channel (m/s)
= angle of inclination of the bar to horizontal.
g= acceleration due to gravity (ms-2)
= bar shape factor (sharp edged rectangular bar type = 2.42;
circular = 1.79)
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Cleaning

( c ) Resistance in a clogged screen

Parameter

H0 = resistance for a clean screen

P0 = initial percentage open area
P= final percentage open area

Angle of inclination
Maximum head loss cm)

hL = 0.05-0.15 m for drinking water.

hL = 0.1-0.4 m for sewage (wastewater).

Head loss increases with the degree of clogging.

Racks should be cleaned when head loss is more than the
allowable value.

Manual

Mechanical

45 - 60

75 - 85

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The quantity of solids removed by screens depends

primarily on screen opening size. The quantity of
screenings removed from a typical urban wastewater
as a function of screen size is illustrated in the
following figure.

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67

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Strength and durability of materials

Clear screen area







Washing and Dewatering of Screenings

Factors affecting to the quantity of screenings generated at

wastewater treatment plants :
Bar Opening,
Type of Screen
Characteristics of Wastewater flow
Characteristics of Communities served
Type of Collection system
Roughly, 3.5 35 L of screenings is produced from 1000 m3
wastewater treated.
Screenings are normally 10-20% dry solids with bulk density of
69
640-1100 kg/m3.

 The screenings can be washed with recycled effluent

using sprays to break up larger organic matter. The
water drains back into the channel or is collected
externally and pumped back into the inlet works.

 Screened solids are coated with organic material of a

very objectionable nature and should be promptly
disposed off to prevent health hazard and nuisance
conditions.
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Common disposal practices of screened solids

 Disposal in a sanitary landfill under proper transportation
 Grinding and returning to wastewater

 The wet screenings are then dewatered and stored for

a short period on site prior to disposal.

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flow

 Incineration This method is not much acceptable in

most of the countries.There are a variety of reasons for
this, including concerns about emissions of toxic
chemicals and the cost and reliability of the emission
controls necessary to capture these.

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Comminutors

Example 1: Following data are given for a coarse bar rack:

Peak flow rate (Q) = 80 X 106 L/d
Coarse bar screen = 1 cm width; 5 cm clear spacing
Inclination angle = 60 to horizontal
Channel width = 0.75 m
Calculate;
Cross section area of the screen
Minimum height of the screen
Comment on the frequency of the cleaning

Can be used as an alternative to racks or screens

 Comminutors or shredders cut and grind up the
coarse solids in the wastewater to about 6-10 mm, so
that solids will not harm subsequent treatment
equipment.
 Comminutors consist of a fixed screen and a
moving cutter.

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GRIT REMOVAL
Grit is the heavy inorganic (mineral) matter in wastewater
such as sand, silt, gravel, cigarette filter tips, metal
fragments etc:
Sources of Grit;
Street washing
Domestic sewage (ashes and clinker, egg shells, bone
chips etc.)
Beach sand

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Grit is;
Usually abrasive
Causes accelerated wear on pumps, pipes and valves
and other equipment if not removed
Builds up in low velocity areas of channels
The density of grit is much greater than that of the
wastewater so there is always a tendency for grit to
settle
The inorganic content of grit is generally in the range 70
85%.
Moisture in the grit can range from 10 70%.
The quantity of grit removed can vary from 0.004 0.1
m3/ML wastewater depending on the nature of the grit
and type of removal device used. The condition of the
sewer system also contributes leaky sewers tend to
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carry higher levels of grit.

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Different types of grit chambers

Objective

Protect moving mechanical equipment from abrasion
and accompanying abnormal wear.

Reduce formation of heavy deposits in pipelines,
channels.

Reduce frequency of digester cleaning.
Theory
 Based on free settling of particles.
 Using Stokes formula (laminar flow)
 Here as the concentration of the grit particles are
relatively low, they behave as discrete particles (type 1
settling, no flocculation).

a) Constant velocity grit chambers (The horizontal

flow grit channel) longitudinal flow velocity is
controlled.
b) Aerated grit chambers helical rolling motion
induced.
c) Mechanically stirred tanks (circular grit
chambers).

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Horizontal Flow Grit Chamber Design Considerations

Constant Velocity Grit Chambers (channels)

Stokes law may be used for analysis and design of horizontal

flow grit chamber where the horizontal liquid velocity is
maintained at about 0.3 m/s.
Liquid velocity control is achieved by placing a specially
designed weir at the end of the tunnel (proportional weir at
the outlet of a rectangular grit chamber), by providing a
parabolic section for the grit chamber so that Q/A is
maintained as a constant or by providing multiple parallel
channels.

Comprises two essential components

a)The grit chamber, and
b)Velocity control device.
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Horizontal Flow Grit Chamber Design Considerations

Weir Sections

 Stokes Law for spherical particles:

( )

= ( /)
= (/ )
= (/ )
= (/ )
= ()
= (//)
=

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For particle diameter = 0.2 mm, by considering

s =2650 kg/m3 , =1.518 10-3 kg/s/m

=
=

( ) 2
18

9.81 (2650 1000) 0.00022

18 1.518 103
= 0.021 /

We should design the grit chamber only to settle grit not to

organic colloids
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Calculation of the transversal cross section area of the grit

chamber (W X H);

Differentiation between horizontal cross section

and transversal cross section

Transversal cross section

area = W X H

Horizontal cross section area = W X L

H
Q

Resultant velocity, Vn
W
L

3
) (

, =

( )

,
max
=

( 0.3 )

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Required length:
Considering discrete particle settling theory at maximum flow,

Calculation of the horizontal cross section area of the grit

chamber (W X L);

, =

At maximum flow,

=

) (

) (
3

,
max
=

( 0.021 )

hmax = maximum height of the G.C.

Vs = velocity of the sand/grit for diameter of 0.2 mm = 0.021
m/s (Stokes law)
L
= Length of the G.C.
Vh = Forward velocity (0.3 m/s)
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Typical design information-Horizontal Flow Grit Chamber

Aerated Grit Chambers

Detention time 45-90 s

Horizontal velocity 0.3 0.45 m/s
Settling velocity of grit 0.6-1.2 m/min
Length depend on height the grit should settle. A safety
factor of 1.5-2.0 should be provided for length.
In practice, to allow for inlet turbulence and variations in
settling velocity, the channel length is increased 20%
further.
L~ 14 h max; by adding a safety factor of 1.2 to 1.5 L > = 18 h max

Head loss in control 30-40% of depth grit is removed from

the tanks by scrapers, buckets etc.
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Design parameters for aerated grit chamber

Aerated Grit Chambers

The spiral roll of the aerated grit chamber liquid drives the grit into
a hopper which is located under the air diffuser assembly. The
shearing action of the air bubbles is supposed to strip the inert grit
of much of the organic material that may have adhered to its
surface.
Aerated grit chamber performance is a function of the roll velocity
and detention time.
The roll velocity is controlled by adjusting the air feed time.
Nominal values are 0.15 to 0.45 m3/ minute of air per meter of tank
length.
Liquid detention times are usually set to be about three minutes at
maximum flow.
Length to width ratios vary from 2.5 :1 to 5:1 with depths in the
order of 2 to 5 m.
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Item

Value
Range

Typical

Dimensions:
Depth, m

2:5

Length, m

7.5:20

Width, m

2.5:7.0

Width- Depth ratio

1:1 5:1

2:1

Detention time at peak

flow, min

2-5

Air supply,
m3/min .m of length

0.15-0.45

0.3

Grit and scum quantities:

Grit, m3/103 m3

0.004-0.200

0.015

Source: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. [5-36]

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Properties of grit removed:

Example 1: Design wastewater flows for a treatment plant

Heavy and inert grit

Retained decomposable organics
Unpleasant odors
Attracting flies and making place rather unsighting

are:

To facilitate grit in landfill or sludge drying beds, wash organic

matter content to less than 3 %.

Quantity of the grit removed:
Depends on the characteristics of the water and
wastewater source
Relatively less in water treatment
High amount during early wet weather conditions
(storm runoff carrying surface wash)

average flow = 10600 L/min

peak flow = 17070 L/min.
Estimate the tank volume and dimensions for a channel
type grit chamber.
Example 2: A channel type grit chamber is designed to

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remove particles with a diameter of 0.2 mm, specific gravity

of 2.65. Settling velocity for these particles has been found
to range from 0.016 to 0.022 m/s, depending on their
shape factor. A flow-through velocity of 0.3 m/s will be
maintained by a proportioning weir. Determine the channel
dimensions for a maximum wastewater flow of 10 000
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m3/d.

FLOTATION

FLOW BALANCING

 Flotation is the buoyancy unit process of separating

solids particles from liquid phase.
In urban wastewater solids are typically fats, oils and
greases (FOGs).
 In industrial plants the solids may be waste oil
products
 The milk producing industry usually has fats and
grease among its liquid phase.
The process of separation involves introducing air
bubbles at the bottom of the flotation tank. These air
bubbles attach themselves to the particulate matter and
rise to the surface due to its combined buoyancy. These
can be removed by skimming.
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To ensure constant delivery of wastewater use

a balance tank
Designed to equalise flow -6 hours retention at
ADWF often required
Tank must be mixed to prevent settlement of
grit and covered to prevent odour emissions
Almost always placed after inlet works
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 Primary treatment has traditionally implied a sedimentation

process to separate the readily settleable and floatable solids
from wastewater.
 The treatment unit used to settle raw wastewater is referred
to as the primary sedimentation tank (basin), primary tank
(basin) or primary clarifier.

Primary treatment

97

Primary treatment is the unit process where the wastewater

is allowed to settle for a period ( 2h) in a settling tank and so
produce somewhat clarified liquid effluent in one stream and
a liquid-solid sludge (called primary sludge) in a second
stream.
The objective is to produce a liquid effluent of suitably improved
quality for the next treatment stage (i.e secondary biological
treatment) and to achieve a solids separation resulting in a
primary sludge that can be conveniently treated and disposed98of.

The Benefits of primary treatment include:

Sedimentation tank

 Reduction in suspended solids

 Reduction in BOD5
 Reduction in the amount of waste activated sludge(WAS)
in the activated sludge plant
 Removal of floating material

The flotable
substances are
removed by a surface
skimmer device
The settled sludge is
removed by
mechanical scrapers or
pumped.

Effluent from
preliminary processes

The ss that are too light to

fall out in the grit chamber
will settle in the tank over
a few hours.

 Partial equalization of flow rates and organic load

99

Primary treatment is quiescent sedimentation with surface skimming

of floating matter and grease and bed level collection and removal of
100
settled sludge.

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12/5/2011

Types of sedimentation tanks

Location in Treatment Process

Typical sedimentation tanks:

(a)Rectangular horizontal flow tank;
(b)Circular, radial-flow tank;
(c) Hopper-bottomed, upward flow tank

101

102

Typical Circular Primary Settling Tank

Rectangular horizontal flow tank

Circular, radial-flow tank

Hopper-bottomed, upward flow tank

103

104

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12/5/2011

The tanks are sized so that retention time is about 2 h (range 20

mins to 3 h). In this quiescent period, the suspended particles
settle to the bottom as sludge and raked towards a central
hopper from where sludge is withdrawn.
The clarified water is discharged over a perimeter weir at the
surface of the tank, at a rate known as the Basin overflow rate
or Surface overflow rate (SOR). The units of SOR is m3/day/m2.
The last m2 is the plan area of the tank.

105

 The above may vary from hour to hour or from day to day. The flow rates may have
peaks several times the daily average and waste strength may vary accordingly.
 Recycle streams can come from several sources and in hugely varying waste
strengths.
 Septage for instance may have a BOD5 value 30 times greater than the municipal
raw wastewater.
 Supernatants from anaerobic digestion processes or filtrate backwashings may also
be very high in waste strength.
 As such, the performance of a primary clarification is not solely dependent on
influent flow variations. For instance, plants that may have been overdesigned for
flow may find that the retention time in the tank is not the 2 hours of the original
design but several times that.
 Excessive retention time leads to septicity as there is no mixing in primary
sedimentation. It is also possible that where the operation and maintenance of
primary tanks is poor (i.e. Long retention times and infrequent sludge removals)
the quality of clarified water is no improvement on the influent wastewater.
 However, with good performance management , removal rates of 50 to 70 percent
for suspended solids and 25 to 40 percent for BOD can be achieved. Figure shows
the
percentage
removal
rates
versus
surface
overflow
rates.

107

The design Criteria of Sedimentation

Tank









Key design parameters include

Basin overflow rate (Surface loading m3/day/m2)
Depth
Surface Geometry
Hydraulic retention time
Influent flow rate and their variation (daily variation)
Influent waste strength rates and its variation
Recycle influent streams:
 From activated sludge or septage
 Supernatants from sludge dewatering
 Washing from tertiary filter processes
106

Surface Overflow Rate and Percentage

Removal

108

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12/5/2011

Design criteria for primary sedimentation tank

Parameter
Detention time, h

A municipal WW-treatment plant processes an

average flow of 5000 m3/d. Design a primary clarifier to remove
approximately 60 % of the suspended solids at average flow.
Example :

Value
Range

Typical

1.5-2.5

2.0

Overflow rate, m3/m2.d

Average flow

30-50

40

Peak flow

80-120

100

Dimensions, m
Rectangular
Depth

3-4.9

4.3

Length

15-90

24-40

Width

3-24

4.9-9.8

Circular
Depth

3-4.9

4.3

Diameter

3.0-60

12-45

1/16-1/6

1/12

Bottom slope, mm/mm

109

110

Stages of Water Treatment

Primary
Contaminants (60% of solids and 35% of BOD removed)

Secondary treatment

Oil & Grease

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60% Removed
Pathogens
BOD 35% removed

Processes

Screens
Grit Settling
Scum Flotation
Primary Settling

111

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12/5/2011

Where we are now?

Stages (continued)
Secondary
Contaminants
BOD 90% Removed
TSS 90% Removed

Processes
Trickling Filter rotating disk
Activated Sludge Suspended and mixed
Oxidation ponds lagoons
(promote contact between microbes and contaminants)
114

Secondary process

air
diffuser
115

To tertiary
process

From primary
process

Secondary Treatment - Objectives

Aeration
and rapid
mixing

Settling
collects sludge
on bottom

116

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12/5/2011

Introduction
The effluent from the primary treatment is rich on highly
biodegradable organic portion of solids. i.e. BOD, COD ratio is very
high.
To meet the minimum effluent standards for discharge, the organic
fraction of both suspended and dissolved, must be significantly
reduced.
This organic matter removal is referred to as secondary treatment.
It may consist of physico-chemical processes or biological processes.

117

Quick Look

In biological treatment, microorganisms use the organics in

wastewater as a food supply and convert them into biological
cells, or biomass.
Because WW contains a wide variety of organics, a wide variety of
organisms, or a mixed culture, is required for complete treatment.
The newly created biomass must be removed from the
wastewater to complete the treatment process.
118

To reproduce and function properly must have

source of carbon, nutrients and energy for synthesis

Based
On

Organisms that require organic carbon as the carbon

source for the formation of Cell tissue Heterotrophs

Requirement

How they Grow?

What They Need?
What they Do?

Micro organisms

The group of bacteria involve in this treatment may be either

aerobic or anaerobic bacteria.

Microorganisms

Secondary
Treatment
Biological
Processes

As the treatment of sewage is basically with bacteria biological

treatment is widely used. It involves stabilization of sewage solids
by decomposing them into harmless inorganic solids.

Organism that derive sell carbon solely from carbon

dioxide - Autotrophs

Important to
Know

119

120

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12/5/2011

Microorganisms Contd:

Microorganisms Contd:
Heterotrophic organisms obtain energy for growth and
maintenance by breaking down an organic food supply
Autotrophic organisms are able to obtain energy
requirements either by:
 Oxidising inorganic ions, or
 By utilising sunlight

 An effective environmental control is necessary to optimize the

growth of micro-organisms.
 pH (4.0<pH<9.5, optimum= 6.5-7.5)- Low or high pH microbes
will not survive.
 The microbes withstand for both high and low temperature.
In terms of WW most of the microbes can withstand
temperature of 35-37 C.
 Requirements for microorganisms to reproduce and function
properly:

121

Microorganisms Contd:







A source of energy
Carbon for synthesis of new cellular materials
Inorganic elements (nutrients) such as N, P, K, Mg and Ca.
Organic nutrients
O2 addition/exclusion
122

Role of Microorganisms

 Microorganisms must be allowed to remain in the system

long enough so that reproduction takes place.
 Carbon and energy sources are referred as substrates (eg:
organic matter and CO2)

123

124

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12/5/2011

Cell (Microbes) Growth and Food Utilization

The relationship of cell growth and food utilization can be
illustrated by a simple batch reactor such as a stoppered bottle.
A given quantity of a food containing all the necessary nutrients is
placed in the bottle and inoculated with a mixed culture of
microorganisms.

Bacterial Biochemistry
Metabolism

Catabolism

Anabolism
All the biochemical processes by which
the bacterium synthesizes new cells.
The synthesize process is driven by the
energy that was stored in the energy
carrier

All the biochemical processes by

which a substrate is degraded to end
products with the release of energy.
bacteria

Organic matter + O2

CO2 + H 2O + NO3- + energy

Raw materials+ energy of catabolism bacteria

new bacteria cells

Stationary phase

Biomass

WW sewage

126

Lag Phase (segment 1)

The m/o must first become acclimated to their surrounding
environment and to the food provided.
The acclimation period (lag-phase) is represented by the segment 1.

Log growth phase (segment 2)
Once the growth has been initiated, it will proceed quite rapidly.

Endogeneous phase

Lag phase

Concentration mg/L

Lag Phase
Log growth phase
Stationary phase
Endogenous phase

Log growth phase

Biomass growth and food Utilization

Bacteria

If S is the concentration of soluble food (mg/L) and X is the

concentration of biomass (mg/L),the rate of utilization of food can
be represented by the curves of Figure.
125

There are four distinct

phases (segments) in this
curve

Batch
Reactor

Bacterial cells reproduce by binary fission; that is, cells divide into
segments that separate to become two new independent cells.
The regeneration time, or the time required for a cell to mature
and separate, depends on environmental factors and food supply.

Food

Since the maximum growth occurs at a logarithmic rate, the

segment 2 of the curve is called the log-growth phase.

Time
127

128

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12/5/2011

Stationary phase
Maximum growth cannot continue indefinitely. The food supply
may become limiting, environmental conditions may change.
Segment 3 of the curve, the stationery phase represents the time
during which the production of new cellular material is roughly
offset by death and endogenous respiration.

Endogenous phase
Although some reproduction continues beyond the stationary
phase, endogenous respiration and death predominate in segment 4
of the curve.
In this final phase, biomass slowly decreases, approaching
zero asymptotically after a very long time.

Now we are trying to put some equations for this growth curve.
There are several mathematical models to describe growth rate.
Based on Monods model
To describe the
behaviour of microbes
Logistic growth model

Lets go to the reactor.
t=0 , X=Xo , S=So
mg/l

mg/l

Micro organisms
present at that
time

Rate of
growth of
microbes
129

Specific growth rate

Units of is (time -1)

We can take from an empirically derived formula like this;

The specific growth rate is not a constant.

- specific growth rate depends on concentration of substrate.
So in other words,

.
+

Lets plot this.

Specific max
growth

Derive from emp: formulas

As S is increasing is reaching its max: max

rate
is independent on sub:
conn

Substrate concentration

= )(

When = max /2

for different S same

Also is a function of the environmental condition.

Lets assume we are not changing the env: condition.

S= 0

ks

Saturation substrate concentration

S Substrate con:
Actually this is (BOD)

When
S=0
=0 No change in growth rate.
As sub
also

33

12/5/2011

max :- Maximum specific growth rate constant

Lets simplify this formula

Lets see Case 1

Only one particular value for particular ww as well as particular group of microbes.

When S is unlimited (ie. Plenty of food is available.)

Ks - is the value of S when = max /2

ie. Very high S concentration

This is during the initial period of the batch reactor.

Saturation substrate concentration when = max /2

Ks is also a constant.

Growth rate
of microbes

very high

S is >>>> compared to ks

constant

Microbial
concentration

Substrate
Constant (saturation concentration
substrate conn)

.
=

= .

In this X is changing
and also - specific growth rate
is also changing.

So now we can solve this.

This Equation governs the growth of microbes & growth rate curve.

=0

=0

In this unlimited substrate

= 0 max
+ve

+ve

Case 2
With the food decreasing, i.e. when the food is
limited S is limited.

+ve

This equation describes exponential growth rate of microbes

(i.e. seg 2)
X

S <<< ks

Saturation constant
of substrate

Seg 2

In ww treatment particular in domestic ww, this scenario is there.

But in terms of industrial ww, when BOD is very very high

We get first scenario.

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12/5/2011

In case 2, food is exhausted, limited.

So here

S&X
As S

Now you know

.
+

.
.
+

kS

then X

so called dependant.

So we are deriving an expression for this.

=
Constant
Varies

Varies

dependant variables
microbe utilize substrate and increase X & S

()

Varies

Constant

What is the meaning of this.

When food is limited, growth rate is a function of substrate.
(Remember : When the food is not limited growth rate is not a function of substrate).

()

decreasing

Conn of microbes at t = t
Concentration of
microbes at t = t

0
=
0

Concentration of
substrate at t = 0

Concentration of
microbes at t = 0

Concentration of
substrate at t = t

Effect of endogenous metabolism

In any bacterial culture in wastewater treatment, all the
bacterial cells are not in the log-growth phase.
Decay of bacterial cell mass takes place because of several
reasons.
Therefore, the rate of growth (dX/dt, or rg) should be corrected
due to decay of bacterial cell mass.
This decay is defined as endogenous decay.

rd (endogenous decay rate) = -kdX

kd = endogenous decay coefficient, (time-1)

Yobs The term yield (Y) when considering endogenous decay is called Yobs
140

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12/5/2011

Biological Treatment Processes

Aerobic

Anaerobic

Biological treatment Biological treatment

in the presence of O2 occurs in the
absence of O2

Different biological treatment processes

Anoxic

Facultative

Biological treatment
occurs in the
presence of bound
O2

M/O can function

either in the
presence or absence
of O2

Suspended
Growth Process

There are two major types of aerobic biological treatments:

Suspended growth systems
Attached growth systems
Aerobic biological processes
Suspended growth systems

Attached growth systems

Attached
Growth Process

Activated
sludge
processes

Trickling
filter

Aerated
Lagoon

Rotating
biological
contactors

M/O responsible for conversion of the M/O are attached to some inert
organic matter or other constituents in medium such as rocks, specially
WW to gasses and cell tissues are designed ceramics or plastic materials
maintained in suspension within the
liquid

Bio tower

142

141

Suspended Growth Processes Contd:

Suspended Growth Processes

 Biological treatment process in which microorganisms responsible
for conversion of organic matter or other constituents to gases and
cell tissue maintained in suspension.
 Activated sludge process most commonly used suspended growth
process.

Plug flow aerated tank

Complete mix aeration

tank

Clarifier

Influent

Clarifier

Effluent
Influent

Return activated sludge

Sludge

Return activated sludge

Effluent

Sludge

 So named because it involved the production of an activated mass

of microorganisms capable of stabilising waste aerobically.

143

144

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12/5/2011

Activated Sludge Process- Basic

Activated Sludge Process- Basic

The activated sludge process is the most commonly used

suspended growth process in wastewater treatment
around the world. The process was developed by Arden,
Lockett and Fowler at the Davyhulme Sewage Works in
Manchester.
Settled wastewater is mixed with varying amounts of
concentrated underflow from secondary clarifier.
Mixture enters an aeration tank.
Organisms and wastewater are mixed together with a
large quantity of air.
Organisms oxidise a portion of waste organic matter to
CO2 and water to obtain energy and synthesise the other
portion into new microbial cells.
145

146

Common activated sludge systems

include:

Activated Sludge Process

Complete mix reactors

Plug flow reactors
Oxidation ditch
Sequencing batch reactors

Aeration Basin
Aeration system
Final sedimentation tank
Return activated sludge system
Waste activated sludge withdrawal system
147

148

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12/5/2011

Activated Sludge Process- Principals

Activated Sludge Principles

Wastewater is aerated in a tank

Biological waste treatment with ASP is typically accomplished using a flow

diagram such as that shown in the figure.

Bacteria are encouraged to grow by providing

Oxygen
Food (BOD)
Nutrients
Correct temperature
Time

Qw, X
Qe, Xe, S

Q, X0, S0

Qr, Xr, S
(a)

As bacteria consume BOD, they grow and multiply

Treated wastewater flows into secondary clarifier
Bacterial cells settle, removed from clarifier as sludge
Part of sludge is recycled back to activated sludge tank,
to maintain bacteria population
Remainder of sludge is wasted.

Qe, Xe, S

Q, X0, S0

Qr, Xr, S
(b)

Qw, Xr

Figure : Schematic diagram of ASP (a) with wasting from the aeration tank and
150
(b) with wasting from the sludge return line (recycle line)

The process of activated sludge systems involves the

following main Steps:

Activated Sludge (contd)

Basically retains the influent ww for number of hours (or

days) in well mixed/aerated environment.
Air or oxygen is introduced into the system to create an
aerobic environment that meet the needs of the biological
community and that keeps activated sludge properly mix.
Aeration system estimation of oxygen requirements,
selection of equipment for oxygen transfer. This should
ensure that adequate oxygen is fed into the tank and
appropriate mixing is take place. This system is called the
complete mix reactor or continuous flow stirred tank
reactor.
151

152

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12/5/2011

Aeration Tank (aerator) Contd:

Aeration Tank (aerator) Contd:

Endogenous respiration:

Organic waste is introduced into a reactor where an aerobic

bacterial culture is maintained in suspension.
The reactor contents are referred to as Mixed Liquor.
In the reactor, the bacterial culture carries out the
conversion in general accordance with the stoichiometry
shown below.

COHNS represents the organic matter in WW.

It can be seen that, if all of the cells can be oxidized completely,
the ultimate BOD of the cells is equal to 1.42 times the
concentration of cells.
The aerobic environment in the reactor is achieved by the use of
diffused or mechanical aeration, which also serves to maintain
the mixed liquor in a completely mixed regime.

Oxidation and synthesis:

153

2. Flow from Aeration Tank then entering to the Secondary

Sedimentation tank (SST, Secondary Clarifier)
Secondary Sedimentation Tank (SST)
Remove the flocculating material by gravity.
In this no growth of microbes, only settling.
Clarified Liquid effluent has no organic and inorganic suspended
solids, No dissolved solids.
Transfer for disinfection and releasing to the open water bodies.
Liquid-solid sludge- A fraction (about 20%) of the sludge is
returned to the aeration tank which is called as RETURNED
ACTIVATED SLUDGE (RAS). This is to maintain desired
concentration of biomass in the aeration tank.
In the clarifier, the excess biomass settles out as sludge and
about 80% of this removed for further treatment 155and
subsequent disposal.

After a specified period of time, the mixture of new cells and

old cells is passed into a settling tank, where the cells are
154
separated from the treated WW.

Condition inside the Aeration tank

With in the aeration tank the condition of solids is in Mixed
Liquor form : as ww contains living and dead microbes and
inert biodegradable and non-biodegradable suspended and
colloidal matter.
MLSS: Mixed liquor suspended solids This value is generally
of the order of 2000 to 4000 mg/L for a healthy microbial
suspension in the aeration tank. The MLSS of the RAS is of the
order of 10,000 to 20,000 mg/L. This is a measure of the
microbial population and essential to keep the MLSS in the
aeration base > 2000 mg/L, Otherwise, the microbial
population is not large enough to biodegrade the incoming
organics.
MLVSS : Mixed liquor volatile suspended solids : 80% of MLSS is
156
normally considered to be MLVSS.

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12/5/2011

The level at which the biological mass in the reactor

should be kept depends on the desired treatment
efficiency and other considerations related to growth
kinetics.

Process Design Parameters

Mean hydraulic detention time for the system -

Assumptions:
Contents of the reactor are completely mixed
Negligible M/Os present in the influent
Waste stabilization occurs only in the reactor by M/O

VT = Volume of the reactor + Volume of the settling tank

Q = Influent flow rate
Vr = Volume of the reactor
Vs = Volume the settling tank

157

Hydraulics retention Time (HRT) of

influent in the aeration basin -

158

Mean Cell Residence Time (c )

= )(

Also known as Sludge Age

Theoretical time a particle of activated sludge floc
remains in the bioreactor system
Ratio of the weight of suspended solids in the system
to the weight of solids removed daily from the
system.
It is one of the most important design parameters for
biological nutrient removal systems

units of time

) (
0 ) (
=

Note: in some books t and also used to

represent HRT.
159

160

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12/5/2011

Mean Cell Residence Time (c )

Activated Sludge Nomenclature

c = mass of organisms in the reactor/mass of organisms removed

from the system each day.

Qe, Xe, S

Q, So, Xo

Qr, Xr , S
Qw, Xr, S

Vr = Aeration tank volume, ML

Xr = Concentration of MLSS in flow to waste,

mg/L

X = MLSS concentration in bioreactor, mg/L

Qe = Treated wastewater flow, ML/day

Qw = Volumetric flow to waste, ML/day

Xe = Suspended solids conc. in treated

wastewater, mg/L

161

S stands for conc. of substrate (organic matter, waste, etc.) or BOD

X stands for conc. of microorganisms

162

DIAGRAM OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

Aeration Tank Empirical Design

Capacity determined on basis of empirical values of
food-to-microorganism ratio irrespective of hydraulic
regime;
3

) (

3
/=

3 ( 3 )

Qe

Note

163

Mass of BOD entering aeration chamber / day

Total mass of MLVSS under aeration

kg BOD / day
kg MLVSS

MLSS is simpler to measure than MLVSS and because the ratio of MLVSS
to MLSS tends to be relatively constant for a given system (75 80%) F/M is
164
often expressed in terms of MLSS concentration

41

12/5/2011

Aeration Tank Empirical Design

Food-to-Microorganism Ratio

In terms of normal design variables:

3
) (

3
/=

3 ( 3 )

Convenient measure of organic loading rate for most

practical systems.
Suspended growth systems organism concentration
measured as the Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
Concentration (MLSS), or its volatile fraction (MLVSS)
F/M ratio no longer as widely used in process design
as it is purely empirical.
Complex mathematical models have been developed
to better describe process behaviour

/=
/ =

0 0

0 = (
3
0 = (
)

= . . ,

= ) (
3

165

)
3
(

)
3

= )(

166

Aeration Tank Empirical Design

Aeration Tank - Volume

Problems with this method:

None of empirically based design factors provide
consistent basis for calculation of excess sludge
production or process oxygen requirements.
Do not enable calculation of equilibrium value of Mean
Cell Residence Time

Rearranging the equation gives:

0 0

0 0
=
(/)
/=

Values of F/M and X must be chosen according

to required effluent quality
167

168

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12/5/2011

Complete Mix Reactor- Advantages

Complete Mix Reactor

The complete mix reactors have uniform characteristics through out
the entire reactor.
They may be in circular or square in shape and rarely rectangular.
Aeration can be provided by surface aerators.
The effluent quality is the same as the ww quality in the basin.
The operating F/M ratio ranges from 0.04-0.07.
The volumetric loading is typically less than 1 kg BOD5/day/m3.
Dissolved Oxygen levels are maintained throughout at not less than
2 mg/L.
Generally the returned activated sludge(RAS) from the clarifier is fed
directly to the aeration basin where it is completely mix with the
existing contents.
A less desirable route for the RAS to join with the influent stream and
mix in the influent pipe before entry to the aeration basin.
169

Complete Mix Reactor Contd:

Ability to withstand shock loads.

Due to the low F/M ratio.
Good flexibility.
Therefore, able to utilize a wide range of loads.
to tertiary treatment
or surface discharge
clarifier

aeration basin
air or
oxygen
RAS

WAS

170

Typical Complete mix activated Sludge

system

The system consists of

 Influent stream
 Aeration basin
 Secondary clarifier
 Sludge waste
 Sludge return to aeration Basin

171

172

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12/5/2011

Complete Mix Reactor Contd:

Where
Q= flow rate, m3/d
S = Substrate food concentration , kg/m3 or mg/L
X = Biomass concentration (biological solids) mg/L
Aeration Tank Volume m3

Activated Sludge Equations

The following equations are derived from
conducting mass balances over:
The entire system
The aeration tank
The sedimentation tank

Any good book on wastewater engineering

will have the derivations if you are curious!

173

Using Mass Balance equation for the system (control volume

of aeration basin and clarifier which we learned in reactors we
can derive following formulas

Activated Sludge Wastewater

Treatment Plant
Influent Bar Rack/
Grit
Force
Screens
Tank
Main

Primary
Settling Tank

Activated Sludge
Aeration Basin

Diffusers
Screenings
Grit
Secondary
Settling Tank

Return Activated
Sludge (RAS)

For the exam you dont want to remember these formulas.

175
These will be given.

Primary
Sludge

Air or Oxygen
Waste Activated Sludge (WAS)
Cl2
Tertiary
Filtration
(Optional)

wastewater flow
residuals flow

to
receiving
stream

Chlorine Contact Basin

(optional)

176

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12/5/2011

Completely Mixed Activated Sludge (CMAS)

Conventional (plug flow)

Activated Sludge (CAS)

Primary effl.

RAS

Conventional Activated Sludge

plan view

to secondary clarifier

Example1
Example1 :Design a complete-mix ASP and secondary settling
facilities to treat 0.25 m3/s of settled WW with 250 mg/L of
BOD5. The effluent is to have 20 mg/L of BOD5 or less. Assume
that the temperature is 20 C and that the following conditions
are applicable:
Influent VSS to reactor are negligible.
Ratio of MLVSS to MLSS = 0.8.
Return sludge concentration = 10000 mg/L of SS.
MLVSS = = 3500 mg/L.
Design
= 10 d.
Hydraulic regime of reactor = complete mix.
Kinetic coefficients, Y = 0.65 lb cells/lb BOD5 utilized; kd = 0.06 d-1
It is estimated that the effluent will contain about 22 mg/L of biological
solids, of which 65 % is biodegradable.
BOD5 = 0.68 X BODL.
WW contains adequate nitrogen, phosphorus and other trace nutrients
for biological growth.

180

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12/5/2011

Example 2 : An organic waste having a soluble BOD5 of 250

mg/L is to be treated with a complete-mix ASP. The effluent
BOD5 is to be equal to or less than 20 mg/L. Assume that the
temperature is 20 C, the flow rate is 5.0 Mgal/d, and that the
following conditions are applicable.
Influent VSS to reactor are negligible.
Return sludge concentration = 10000 mg/L of suspended solids = 8000
mg/L VSS.
Mixed-liquor VSS (MLVSS) = 3500 mg/L = 0.8 X total MLSS.

= 10 d.
Hydraulic regime of reactor = complete mix.
Kinetic coefficients, Y = 0.65 lb cells/lb BOD5 utilized; kd = 0.06 d-1
It is estimated that the effluent will contain about 20 mg/L of biological
solids, of which 80 % is volatile and 65 % is biodegradable. Assume that
the biodegradable biological solids can be converted from ultimate BOD
demand to a BOD5 demand using the factor 0.68 ( e.g. BOD k value = 0.1
d-1, base 10).
Waste contains adequate nitrogen, phosphorus and other trace nutrients
for biological growth.
181

Attached Growth Processes Contd:

Trickling
filter
with
plastic
packing

Clarifier
Influent

Trickling filter
with rock
packing

Effluent

Recycle (optional)

Influent

Attached Growth Processes

Microorganisms responsible for treatment are attached to a
fixed medium.
Examples include
 Biological filters (Trickling filters)
 Rotating biological contactors
 Bio Tower

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Biological (Trickling) Filter

Location in treatment process

Clarifier
Effluent

Recycle (optional)
Sludge

Recycle

Sludge

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Biological Filter Contd:

Biological Filter Contd:

Consists of:
Wastewater distribution system
Suitable media ;

The trickling filter consists of a bed of highly permeable

medium to which M/Os are attached and through which WW is percolated
and trickled. The filter media commonly consist of rocks or various plastic
packing materials.

Under drains ; To collect the treated WW and any biological solids.

Effluent Channel
Secondary settling tank;

The collected liquid is then passed to a

settling tank where the solids are separated from the treated WW.

Operation:
Wastewater distributed
evenly over surface of
media.
Media acts surface on
which microorganisms
grow.
Organisms aerobically
decompose solids
producing more organisms
and stable wastes

Recirculation pumps and piping

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Biological Filter Contd:

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Biological Filter Contd:

Organisms either become part

of zoogleal slime or discharged
back into wastewater flowing
over media.
Wastewater flows through
media to the underdrain
system
Collected and carried to
settling tank

As wastewater flows through filter air also

flows through the filter.
O2 transferred from air to the wastewater and
slime to maintain aerobic conditions.
Periodically slime becomes too heavy and falls
off, commonly referred to as sloughing.

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Trickling filters are in combination with settling

tanks

Biological Trickling Filter

Settling tank
TF
Recirculation
of effluent

Anaerobic or endogenous
phase

Air space
CO2

Dissolved
organics

O2

Air

Aerobic , active phase

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Biological Filter - Construction

Sloughing

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Design Guide

Media 1.8 to 2.0 m deep inside circular

structure (or deeper)
Media 50 100 mm rock or other material
such plastic material (rock rare now)
Specific surface area 40 60 m3/m2 for
conventional filters and 80 120 m3/m2 for
plastic media

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Single pass

High rate
filtration
(plastic
media)

BOD Loading Hydraulic

(Kg/m3
Loading
media.d)
(m3/m2
media.d)
0.1 0.2
0.3 0.8

Up to 0.6

Up to 20

Sludge Yield
(kg/kg BOD)

0.4 0.6

0.8 1.0

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ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR

ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR

A rotating biological contactor consists of a series of

discs or media blocks mounted on a shaft which is
driven so that the media rotates at right angles to the
flow of sewage. The discs or media blocks are
normally made of plastic (polythene, PVC, expanded
polystyrene) and are contained in a trough or tank so
that about 40% of their area is immersed. The
biological growth that becomes attached to the
media assimilates the organic materials in the
wastewater. Aeration is provided by the rotating
action, which exposes the media to the air after
contacting them with the wastewater.

Bio Towers
Deep trickling filters.
Lightweight, modular media formed by welding corrugated and
flat polyvinyl chloride sheets together in alternating patterns
provide structural rigidity for vertical stacking without the
excessive weight that would result from stone or slag media.
Additionally, the porosity and regular shapes provided by this
medium overcome the head loss problem encountered in
randomly packed reactors.
Design of bio-towers is usually based on formulas developed for
trickling filters, with allowances made for medium
characteristics.
Formula proposed by Eckenfelder;
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Where:
Se = Effluent substrate concentration (mg/L)
Si = Influent substrate concentration (mg/L)
k = Treatability constant relating to the wastewater
and the medium characteristics, (min-1 )
D = Filter depth (m)
Q = Hydraulic loading rate (m3/m2.min)
n = Coefficient relating to the medium
characteristics(m)

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So far.............
Bio-tower
Primary clarifier
Pump

Influent

Secondary
clarifier
Effluent

Dosing tank
Alternate
Pump
recycle

Secondary
sludge

Effluent
recycle

Sludge
disposal

We know;
Organic matter Utilized by Microbes and
convert to CO2, H2O and remaining biomass.
So, in the aeration tank we get more biomass
or else solids getting convert to colloidal form
(i.e. Microbial cells).
Now we have to separate the solids.

Fig. Schematic diagram of a bio-tower

SECONDARY SEDIMENTATION TANK

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Secondary Sedimentation Tank -Design

Microbes can generate extra cellular polymers.
These can act like coagulants and allowing to
form flocks which is flocculating.
These flocks can easily settle in secondary
clarifier.
Design of secondary clarifier based on Zone
Settling and sludge thickening principal.
(Refer the additional note given on secondary
sedimentation tank design.)
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