5-6 PRIMARY TREATMENT

With the screening completed and the grit removed, the wastewater still contains
light organic suspended solids, some of which can be removed from the sewage by
gravity in a sedimentation tank. These tanks can be round or rectangular. The mass
of settled solids is c alled raw sludge. The sludge is iemoved from the sedimentation
tank by mechanical scrapers and pumps (Figure 5-14). Floating materials, such as
grease and oil, rise to the surface ofthe sedimentation tank, where they are collected
by a surface skimming system and removed from the tank for further processing.
Primary sedimentation basins (primary tanks) are characterized by Type II
flocculant settling. The Stokes equation cannot be used because the flocculating par-
ticles are continually changing in size, shape, and, when water is entrapped in the
floc, specific gravity. There is no adequate mathematical relationship that can be
used to describe Type II settling. Laboratory tests with settling colunms arc used to
develop design data (see Chap. 3).
Rectangular tanks with common-wall construction are frequently chosen be-
cause they are advantageous for sites with space constraints. Typically, these tanks
 Discrete seltiing rcgion (type 1)

' Flocculant settling region (rype 2)

settling region kype 3)

Compression region

FIGURE 6.14
Schematic of setfljng regions for
activated sludge.
TABLE 6.8
Types of settling phenomena involved in wastewater trealment
Type of settling
phenomenon Desc.iption Appllcatlon/occurrgnc€
Discrete particle Refers to the sedimentation of Removes grit and sand padicles
(type 1) particles in a suspenslon of from wastewater
low solids concentration. Parlicles
settle as individual entities, and
lhere is no significant interaction
with nejghboring particles
Flocculant Relers to a rather dilute Removes a portion of the
{type 2) suspension of particles thal suspended solids in untr€ated
coalesce, or flocculate, during wastewator in primary settling
the sedimentation operation. By facilities, and in uppsr porlions of
coalescing, the particlGs increase secondary settling facilities, Also
in mass and settle at a iasler rate removes chemical floc in settling
tanks
Hindered, also Refers to suspefisions of Occurs in secondary senling
called zon€ intermediale concentration, in facilities used in conjunction
(type 3) which interparticle forces are with biological treatment facilities
sufficient to hinde. the setlling
of neighboring particles. The
particles lend lo remain in fixed
positions with respect to each
other, and the mass ol particles
settles as a unit. A solids-liquid
intertace develops at the top of
the settling mass
Compression Refers to settling in which Usually occurs in the lower layers
(type 4) the particles are ot such of a deep sludge mass, such as
concentration that a struclure in the bottom of deep secondary
is formed, and further settling settling facilities and in sludge-
can occur only by compression thickening facilities
of the structure. Compression
iakes place frorn the weight
of the panicbs, which are
conelantly being added to the
structure by sodimeniation trom
the supematant liquid
 Rectangular tanks with common-wall construction are frequently chosen be-
with space constraints. Typically, these tanks
cause they are aclvantageous for sites
 Drive SDrockets wrth Sh6ar
Prn Hrrhs nnd CluLches

Sluds€ +

50 x 150 mm Flights Spaced APp.oxinaiely PivotinS FliEht

3 m on CoDi€rs

SludSe

FIGIIRE 5.14
Primary settling tank.

range from 15 to 100 m in length and 3 to 24 m in width. Common length-to-width

ratios for the design of new facilities range from 3:l to 5:1. Existing plants have
length+o-width ratios ranging from 1.5:l to 15:1. The width is often controlled by
the availability of sludge collection equipment. Side water depths range from 2 to
5 m. Typically the depth is about 3.5 m.
Circular tanks have diameters from 3 to 90 m. Side water depths range from
2.4 to 5 m.
As in water treatment clarifier design, overflow rate is the controlling parame-
ter for the design of primary settling tanks. At average flow, overflow rates typically
range from 25 to 603/m2.d (or 25 to 60 m/d). When wasre-activated sludge is re-
tumed to the primary tank, a lower range of overflow rates is chosen (25 to 35 n/d).
Under peak flow conditions, overfow rates may be in the range of 80 to 120 fi/d.
Hydraulic detention time in the sedimentation basin ranges from 1.5 to
2.5 hours under average flow conditions. A 2.0-hour detention time is typical.
The Great Lakes-Upper Mississippi River Board of State Sanitary Engineers
(GLUMRB) recommends that weir loading (hydraulic flow over the effluent weir)
rates not exceed 120 m3/d of flow per m of weir length (m3/d . m) for plants with
average flows less than 0.04 m3/s. For larger flows, the recommended rate is 190
m3/d . m.l1 If the side water depths exceed 3.5 m, the weir loading rates have little
effect on performance.
Two different approaches have been used to place the weirs. Some designers
believe in the "long" approach and place the weirs to cover 33 to 50 percent of
the length of the tank. Those of the "short school" assume the weir length is less
important and place it across the width of the end of the tank as shown in Figure
5-14. The spacing may vary from 2.5 to 6 m between weirs.
As mentioned previously, approximately 50 to 60 percent of the raw sewage
suspended solids and as much as 30 to 35 percent of the raw sewage BOD5 may be
removed in the primary tank.

Example 5-4. Evaluate the following primary tank design with respect to detention
time, overflow mte, and weir loading.

Design data: Effective lrnerh weir

Flow : 0.150 rn3/s *-_- I

Influent SS : 28O m9ll,

Sludge concentration: 6.07o
Efficiency : 6070 -rK-\F+l Sludge Outlet
Inlet
Length : 40.0 m (effective) zone

width : 10.0 m
Liquid depth : 2.0 m
WeiI length : 75.0 m

The detenfion time is simply the volume of the tant divided by the flow:
v 40.0 x 10.0 x 2.0
o 0.rs0
: 5333.33 s or 1.5 h
This is a reasonable detention time.
The overflow rate is the flow divided by the surface area:

u': 0.150
+oox too
: 3.75 x 10 a rrls x 86,400 s/d : 32 rn/d
This is an acceptable overflow rate.
The weir loading is calculated in the same fashion:

lvl- : 0150
75.O
: 0.0020 m3/s .m x 86.400 s/d : l'72.8 ot 173 m3/d . m

This is an acceptable weir loading.

lmhoff Tank. The removal of settleable solids and the anaerobic digestion of these
solids in an Imhoff tank is similar to a septic tank The difference is that the Imhoff
tank (see Fig. l4-5) consists of a two-story tank in which sedimentation is accom-
plished in the upper compartment and digestion of the settled solids is accomplished
in the lower compartment. As shown in Fig. l4-5, solids pass through an opening in
the bottom of the settling chamber into the unheated lower compa.rtment for digestion.
Scum accumulates in the sedimentation compartment. Gas produced in the digestion
process in the lower compartment escapes through the vents, Because of the over-
hanging lip in the bottom of the sedimentation chamber, gases and gas-buoyed sludge
panicles dsing from the sludge layer in the bottom of the tank are not released to the
sedimentation compartment.
 r-l
zrlu
I r-.
,,.rti.. ,'!i'.
ti'.

Sludge ro drying beds

Sludqe wilhdrawalplpe

S€tlling

Dlgesiion

Sludge

FIGURE 1+5
Typical lmhotf tank for a smallcommunity: (a) plan view and (b) section through tank.
;: S:?T]C TANK SYSTEM
- ::::: :::r( i. a buried, watertight receptacle designed and constructed to
---:.: .i:.ii\\ ater from a home, to separate the solids from the liquid, to
: .:: iiirLited digestion of organic matter, to store solids, and to allow the
:.-,-.::t liquid to discharge for further treatment and disposal (Polprasert et. al.,
::l . Settleable solids and partially decomposed sludge settle to the bottom of
: .: :.:nk and -sradually build up. A scum of light-weight material including fats
=:i greases rises to the top. The partially treated effluent is allowed to flow
::iough an outlet structure just below the floating scum layer. This partially
;:iomposed liquid can be disposed of through soil absorption systems, soil
mounds, evaporation beds or anaerobic filters depending upon the site
conditions. The essential components of a septic tank system are shown in
Figure 9.13.

Processes in a septic tank

Although a septic tank is simply a sedimentation basin with no external or
intemal moving parts or added chemicals, the natural processes that take place
within the tank are complex, and interact with each other. The most important
processes that take place within the tank include separation of suspended solids,
digestion of sludge and scum, stabilization of the liquid, and growth of micro-
organr sms.

Separation of suspended solids is a mechanical process which results in the

formation of three distinct layers in the septic tank - a layer of sludge at the
bottom, a floating layer of scum on the top and a relatively clear layer of liquid
in the middle.

lnlet

Outlet baffle

: Outlot

Firsl compartment Compartment I

2/3 length f/3 length I

Figure 9.13 Components ofa septic iank system

Anaerobic bacteria degrade the organic matter in the sludge as well as in the
scum and as a result of this bacterial action, volatile acids ari formed at the first
instance and eventually are converted mostly to water, carbon dioxide and
m-ethane. The formation of gases in the sludge layer causes irregular floatation
of sludge flocs rhat resettle aiter the release of the gas at the surfaie.
Organic materials in the Iiquid are also stabilized by anaerobic bacteria, which
break down complex substances into simpler ones in a process similar to the one
that take place in the sludge layer.

A large
_variety of micro-organisms grow, reproduce and die during the
biodegradation processes that take place in the tank. Most of them are atlached
to organic matter and are separated out with the solids. Although there is an
overall reduction in the number of micro-organisms, a large number of bacteria,
viruses, protozoa and helminths survive the processes in the tank and remains
active in the effluent, the sludge and the scum.

Performance of a septic tank

The performance of a septic tank greatly depends on its design. A properly
designed septic tank performs efficiently in the removal of settletble mittei and
the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). However, the effluent from a septic
tank still contains high concentrations of BOD, pathogens, nitrogen and
phosphorous, which prohibits its discharge into any water course or on land
without further treatment.

Under normal design conditions, reduction in BOD of 25 - 50Vo and in

suspended solids (SS) of tp to 70Vc have been reported in literature. The high
reduction in BOD and SS can however, be obtained by prolonging the retention
time, which in most cases may not be practicable.

Apart from the retention time, the other factors which affect the performance of
the septic tank are:
o ambient lemperature;
. the nature of the influent wastewater;
. its organic content;
. the positions of the inlet and outlet devices in the tank.
The digestion of the sludge and scum depends on the microbial population and
the temperature. Sludge and scum decompose more slowly at lower
temperatures and are accelerated by an increase in temperature.
construction methods and materials
The most important aspect of septic tank construction is that the tank should be
installed on i level giade and it a depth that pro'rides. adequate gravity flow
-matches
irom the home and the invert elevation of the house sewer' The tank
-ihould be placed on [irm ground so that senling is minimum Tank
performance can be impaired lf e level position is not maintained because the
inlet and outlet structures will not function properly

Septic tanks must be watertight, structurally durable arrd stable' As a

coistruction material, reinforced concrete adequately meets these requirements'
Steel is another material that can be used for septic tanks but should be properly
coated for corrosion resistance. Plastic and fibreglass tanks can also be used'
These are verv lisht. easily transported, and resistant to corrosion and decay'
ihe walts of septii ranks should have a thickness of at least 80 to 100 mm and
can also be ma^tle of brickwork. The important thing is that the tank should be
made fully watertight.

The inlet and outlet pipes should be properly positioned and sealed with
concrete or other adhering materials.

Disposal ol septic tank effluents

As indicated earlier, the effluent from a septic tank is only partially treated and
still contains high concentration of micro-organisms, BOD,- phosphorous and
nitrogen, which ihould not be discharged directly into. a public water course or
on lird..Further treatment or other means of disposal are required Where site
conditions are suitable and do not pose any threat to groundwater quality, sub-
surface soil absorption is usually the best method for septic tank effluent
disposal.

The performance of the soil absorption systems depends on-.the ability of the
roil to accept liquid, absorb virusei, strain out bacteria and- filter the wastes. A
proper site evahiation requires accurate measurement of the soil.permeability,
-position
ih.'degree of slope, the of the water table and the soil- depth. The
follou ing general^ guidelines can be considered for selecting soil absorption
sites.

. S.-,il permeability should be moderate to rapid and the soil percolation rate
.l,uid eeneratly be 24 minutes per cm or less.
. Th3 gro"undwater level during thi wettest season should be al leasl 122 m (4
rr bilon the bottom of thelub-surface absorption field or soak pit.
o Impe,'.. ious lal'ers should be more than 1.22 m below the seepage bed or the
pir bom.'m.
. ihe site tbr an absorption field of a soak pit should not be within 15.24 m
(50 ft) oi a stream or other water body.
c A soil absorption slstem should never be installed in an area subject to
frequent flooding.
Three different types of sub-surface soil absorption systems are commonll
used: (a) absorption trenches, (b) absorption beds or seepage beds, and (c)
absorption pits or soakage pits. The use of these types depends on the suitability
of soil and other local conditions.

Absorption trenches: The effluent flows by gravity from the septic tank
through a closed pipe and a distribution box into perforated pipes in trenches as
shown in Figure 9.15. Usually the pipes consist of open-jointed drainage tiles of
l0 cm diameter laid on a I m depth of crushed rocks or gravel and soil.
Bacteria in the soil help purify the effluent.

The design of an absorption field can be done as follows:

L=NQ/(zDI) (e.20)

Where,
L = trench length (m)
N = number of users
O = wastewater flow (litres/capita,/day)
D = ellective depth of trench tm1 -
/ = design infiltration rate (litres/m'lday)
Future division box

Drainield lrenches

I
L rurure rEptac€ment
drainti€ld trenches

Figure 9.15 Sub-surface soil absorption trenches

Design infiltration rate for the septic tank is usually taken as 10 litres/m'/da1.
The soil absorption system clogs up periodically, therefore overloading the
system should be avoided in order to increase its operating life. Absorption
fields must be located away from wells, streams, buildings and other objects. It is
imperative that they be located downstream from utilized water sources.
 Seplic lank (with access pons and rise6)
used to rcmove scum and suspended
:\;- \
solids irom household wasiewater
rse. frgs 14 2 a o 14 3,
./
K",<
i, r*l
'l-\ '- D.sposallero no. z {op::-s
,o t'
)\ 'a
t
{ - ' '.
o ve.s.^ varve Lseo ro ane * 't
^n^,t -/
rom seotc lank to orspo<a,.ietds '.. ' 'a. '.
\. al a. a.
(.o,-.. ta
. , -. \ \
'.,
\. tt t'. ".
'o
Dspoqa tietd "o .-\\" '... '..
a.
^,
\
'. '. .,4 )
D,soosa, i€,o drahope rs used todrstibrte thc aqluent J ,
tom the seDtc Iank to sorlabsorpto- syster rusJalry I
re-ches lreo wi'h g avel. See r'9.1a 6q \r I

FIGURE 14-1
Conventional onsite system consistjng of a septic tank and a disposal field served by intermitten:
gravity flow.
 .----l r-- r i-i
I I r lt I
r__ _-r L__r L--1
Oistdbulion Box

'"qr
c-uel -.4i'Y:'l
t:.--t-t
-.t
EI

:t
,jl
!,,wrr_
Unlreated Buildi.g Paper
" Y:'f:J::i:

rNo]'E: Drai['r'i]€ raidnwil!iH:i

:tii:i
nray be used il desi.ed.)

Longiludinoj Seclion

FIGURE 5-8
Schematic layout of a septic tank and tile field.
 :..,:iRONMENTAL SANITATION

Scaka\vays: These are deep excavations usedfor sub-surface disposal of septic

:::.i :ftjuent. Absorption pits are recommended as an alternative when
-.5:.rrption fields/trenches are-not practicable and where the topsoil is.underlaid
.'irh porous soil or fine gravel. The capacity of an absorption pit can be
::mputed on the basis of percolation tests to be made at the disposal site.

Soakaways or soakage pits (Figute 9.16) are mostly used.in Bangladesh. The
septic ta;k effluent fl]ows throuEh pir walls made of open jointed bricks, into the
su'nounding soil- Typically, soika ays can be 2 to 3.5rn in diameter, and 3 to 6
^
m deep dEpendin! on ihe amount of wastewater flow and the infiltration
capacity of soil.

Evapotranspiration mounds: A mound system is a soi! absorption-system that

is eievated above the natural soil surface in a suitable fill material. The purpose
of the design is to overcome site restrictions that prohibit the use of
conventional sub-surface absorption systems. The design of a mound for a
particular site involves five steps: (a) siiing of the requ-ired base area, (b) sizing
bf the absorption trenches, (c) design of the distribution system, (d) final
dimensioning'of the mound, and (e) sizing of the dosing chamber'

Disposal to nearby sewer: When the soil is essentially impermeable and hence
the conventional sub-surface absorption system of septic tank effluent disposal
i. not oossible. then the tank shorlld be connected to e small-bore sewerage
.]stem for off-site disposal. However this is possible only when a newly laid
::rrer line passes nearby an existing septic tank.
Figure 9.16 TYPical soakage Pit