WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING 9

Wastewater Treatment Unit Processes

((Secondary
y Treatment, Biological
g Processes))

h Manuell B.Vergell
John
BS CE, MS
BS-CE, CE
MS-CE
Secondaryy Treatment
y Conventional WasteWater Treatment Process:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Conventional WasteWater Treatment Process:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Conventional WasteWater Treatment Process:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Conventional WasteWater Treatment Process:
Secondaryy Treatment
y The main purpose of secondaryy treatment (sometimes
referred to as biological treatment) is to provide BOD removal
beyond what is achievable by primary treatment.
treatment

y Three
Th commonly
ly approaches
pp h ffor SSecondary
d yT Treatment:
1
1. trickling filter (and its variation
variation, the RBC);
2 the activated sludge process;
2.
3 p
3. ponds
d (oxidation
( id ti pondsp d or llagoons).
g )

RBC Rotatingg Biological

g Contractor
Secondaryy Treatment
y Secondary treatment refers to those treatment processes that
use biological
g processes
p to convert dissolved,
d l d, suspended,
p d d, andd colloidal
ll d l
organic wastes to more stable solids that can either be removed by
settling or discharged to the environment without causing harm.

y Secondary treatment produces an effluent with not more

than
h 30 mg/L
g/L (BOD)
( ) andd 30 mg/L
g/L (TSS)
(TSS).
( )

y Most secondary
d y treatment processes:
p a)) decompose
p solids
aerobically,
bi lly b)) pproducing
d i g carbon
b didioxide,
id c)) stable
bl solids,
lid andd d))
more organisms.
organisms
Secondaryy Treatment
y Secondary treatment processes can be separated into two
l g categories:
large g i

a. Fixed film systems

y - are processes
p th
thatt use a bi
biological
l gi l
growth (biomass or slime) that is attached to some form of
media.
di Wastewater
W t t passes
p over or aroundd th
the media
di andd th
the
slime When the wastewater and slime are in contact,
slime. contact the
organisms
g i remove andd oxidize
idi th
the organic
g i solids.
lid

b
b. Suspended growth systems - processes that use a
biological growth that is mixed with the wastewater. Typical
suspended ggrowth systems consist of various modifications
of the activated sludge process.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Ponds can be used as the sole type
yp of treatment or theyy
can be used in conjunction with other forms of
wastewater treatment.
treatment

Types
Typ off pponds
d according
di g tto th
their
i llocation
ti andd th
the ttype
yp
wastes theyy receive:
receive
a. Raw
R sewage g stabilization
t bili ti ponds,
p d,
b. Oxidation
O d ponds,
d
c Polishing ponds.
c. ponds
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off Ponds
P d Based
B d on the
h Type
Typ off Processes
P
Occu g w
O
Occurring within
th tthe
he Ponds
o ds
a Aerobic Ponds,
a. Ponds
b Anaerobic
b. A bi ponds,
p d,
c Facultative ponds,
c. ponds
d Aerated
d. A t d ponds.
p d
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types of ponds according to their location and the type
wastes
astes the
theyy recei
receive:
e
a. Raw Sewage Stabilization Ponds:
It is the most common type of pond.
pond

With the exception of screening and shredding,

shredding this type of
ppondd receives
i no prior
p i treatment.

It is designed to provide a minimum of 45 d detention time and

to receive
ece e noo more
o e than
tha 30 lb of
of BOD/d/acre.
O /d/ac e.

Normal
N l operating
p g ddepth
p h off the
h pond
p d is
i 3 to 5 fft.
 Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off pponds
d according
di g to their
h i llocation
i andd the
h type
yp
wastes tthey
hey receive:
ece ve:
a Raw Sewage Stabilization Ponds:
a.
The
Th process
p occurring
i g iin th
the pond
p d
involves bacterial decomposing the
organics in the wastewater (aerobically
and anaerobically) and algae using the
products of the bacterial action to
produce oxygen (photosynthesis).
(photosynthesis)
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types of ponds according to their location and the type
wastes
astes the
theyy recei
receive:
e
a. Raw Sewage Stabilization Ponds:
Solids in the wastewater will settle to the bottom of the
p d
pond.

Bacteria
B t i andd other
th microorganisms
i g i use th
the organic
g i matter
tt as
a food source.
source

O
Organisms
ga s s aalso
lso use tthe
he so
solids
l ds that
that sett
settled
led out as ffood
ood
material.
material
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types of ponds according to their location and the type
wastes
astes the
theyy recei
receive:
e
a. Raw Sewage Stabilization Ponds:
Near the surface of the pond a population of green algae will
d l p that
develop h can use the h carbon
b ddioxided produced
p d d bbyy theh
bacterial population,
population nutrients
nutrients, and sunlight to produce more
algae
lg andd oxygen,
yg , which
h h is ddissolved
l d into the
h water.

Interms
I t off involving
i l i g biological
bi l gi l ttreatment,
t t a stabilization
t bili ti
pond treatment system is the simplest to operate and
maintain
i i
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off pponds
d according
di g to their
h i llocation
i andd the
h type
yp
wastes tthey
hey receive:
ece ve:
a Raw Sewage Stabilization Ponds:
a.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types of ponds according to their location and the type
wastes they receive:
b Oxidation Ponds:
b.
It is normally designed using the same criteria as the
stabilization
bl ppond,
d, receives flflows that
h hhave passed
p d through
h gh a
stabilization
t bili ti pondp d or primary
p i y settling
ttli g ttank.
k

This
Thi type
yp off pond
p d provides
p id biological
bi l gi l treatment,, additional
ddi i l
settling,
settling
g and some reduction in the number of fecal coliform
present.
present
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off pponds
d according
di g to their
h i llocation
i andd the
h type
yp
wastes tthey
hey receive:
ece ve:
b Oxidation Ponds:
b.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types of ponds according to their location and the type
wastes
astes the
theyy recei
receive:
e
c. Polishing Ponds:
It uses the same equipment as a stabilization pond
pond, receives
fl from
flow f an oxidation
d pond
p d or ffrom other
h secondary
d y
treatment systems.
systems

It remove additional BOD

BOD, solids and fecal coliform and some
nutrients.
ti t

They are designed to provide 1 to 3 d detention time and

normally operate at a depth of 5 to 10 ft.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off pponds
d according
di g to their
h i location
l i andd the
h type
yp
wastes
t th
theyy receive:
i
c. Polishing Ponds:
Excessive detention time or too shallow a depth will result in
algae growth
growth, which increases influent
influent, suspended solids
concentrations.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types
Typ off PPonds
d BBasedd on th
the T
Type
yp off PProcesses O
Occurring
i g
within
ithi th
the Ponds
P d
a. Aerobic
A b PPonds:
d
Which are not widely used
used, oxygen is present throughout the
pond. All biological activity is aerobic decomposition.

Shallow
Sh ll ponds,
p d less
l than
th 1 m in
i ddepth,
pth where
h dissolved
di l d
oxygen is maintained throughout the entire depth
depth, mainly by
the action of photosynthesis.
photosynthesis
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off Ponds
P d Based
B d on the
h Type
Typ off Processes
P
Occu g w
O
Occurring within
th tthe
he Ponds
o ds
a Aerobic Ponds:
a.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment ponds
Types of Ponds Based on the Type of Processes Occurring
within the Ponds
b Anaerobic Ponds:
b.
Are normally used to treat high strength industrial wastes.
wastes
No oxygen
yg is present
p in the
h ppondd andd allll bbiological
l g l activityy is
anaerobic
bi ddecomposition.
p iti

Deep
D p ponds
p d that
h receive
i hihigh
gh organic
g i lloadings
di g suchh that
h
anaerobic conditions pprevail
pre ail throughout
g the entire ppond
depth
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off Ponds
P d Based
B d on the
h Type
Typ off Processes
P
Occu g w
O
Occurring within
th tthe
he Ponds
o ds
b Anaerobic Ponds:
b.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off Ponds
P d Based
B d on the
h Type
Typ off Processes
P
Occu g w
O
Occurring within
th tthe
he Ponds
o ds
c Facultative Ponds:
c.
Is
I theh most common type yp pond
p d (based
(b
( d on processes
p
occurring).
i g)) Oxygen
O yg is i present
p iin the
h upper
pp portions
p i off
the
h pond
p d andd aerobic
b processes
p are occurring.
gNNo oxygen
yg
iss present
p ese t in the
the lower
lowe levels
levels of
of tthe
he po
pondd w
where
he e aanoxic
o c
andd anaerobic
b processes are occurring.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off Ponds
P d Based
B d on the
h Type
Typ off Processes
P
Occu g w
O
Occurring within
th tthehe Ponds
o ds
d Aerated Ponds:
d.
In
I the
h aeratedd pond,
p d, oxygen
yg isi provided
p id d through
h gh theh use
off mechanical
h i l or diffused
diff d air i systems.
y When
Wh aeration i iis
used,
d, the
h depth
d p h off the
h pond
p d andd the
h acceptable
p bl lloading
d g
levels may
levels ay increase.
c ease. Mechanical
echa cal or
o ddiffused
ffused ae
aeration
at o iss
often
f usedd to supplement
l naturall oxygen production
d or
to replace it.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Treatment p
ponds
Types
Typ off Ponds
P d Based
B d on the
h Type
Typ off Processes
P
Occu g w
O
Occurring within
th tthe
he Ponds
o ds
d Aerated Ponds:
d.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (Stabilization
( Ponds))
Determining
D g the
h pond
p d D
Determiningg Flow
Fl Rate
R in
A in acres:
Area A F per
Acre-Feet p Day:
Dy

Determining Flow Rate in

Determining
D t i i g PPondd Acre-Inches
Acre Inches per Day:
Vl
Volume in
i Acre
A FFeet:
t
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (Stabilization
( Ponds))
Determining
D g the
h pond
p d AArea in acres:

Example
E ample
p 11: A stabilization
stabili ation ppond has a volume
olume of 53.5
53 5 ac
ac-
ft. What
ft Wh t is
i the
th detention
d t ti time
ti in
i days
d y when
h the
th flow
fl iis
0 30 MGD?
0.30
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (Stabilization
( Ponds))
Hydraulic
Hyd l LLoading
d g in Inches
I h perp Day
D y (O
(Overflow
( flf R Rate):
)

Organic Loading:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Trickling Filters
It follows primary
p y treatment and includes a secondaryy
settling tank or clarifier

Trickling
T kl g ffilters
l are widely
d ly usedd ffor the
h treatment off
d
domestic
i andd iindustrial
d i l wastes.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Trickling
g Filters
The
Th process
p is
i a fixed
fi d fil
film biological
bi l gi l treatment method
h d
des g ed to remove
designed e ove BOD
O aandd suspe
suspended
ddedd so
solids.
l dds.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Trickling Filters
y Recirculation is used to reduce organic loading,
loading improve
sloughing, reduce odors, and reduce or eliminate filter fly or
pponding
di g pproblems.
bl

y The
h amount off recirculation
l is dependent
d p d on the
h design
d g off
the treatment
th t t t plant
pl t andd th
the operational
p ti l requirements
q i t off th
the
process.
process

y Recirculation flo
flow ma
mayy be eexpressed
pressed
p as a specific
p flow
flo rate
(i e 22.00 MGD)
(i.e., MGD).
Secondaryy Treatment
y Trickling Filters
How it works?
1. Th spaces
The p also
l allow
ll wastewater to trickle
kl ddown through,
h gh,
around and over the media.
around, media

2
2. A layer of biological slime that absorbs and consumes the
wastes trickling
i kli g through
h gh the h bed
b d covers the
h media
di material.
il

3
3. The organisms
g aerobically
aerobically decompose
p the solids and
produce more organisms and stable wastes that either
b
become part
p t off the
th slime
li or are discharged
di h g d back
b k into
i t the
th
wastewater flowing over the media.
media
Secondaryy Treatment
y Trickling Filters
How it works?
4
4. This slime consists mainly of bacteria,
bacteria but it may also
include algae,
algae protozoa,
protozoa worms,
worms snails,
snails fungi,
fungi and insect
llarvae.

5. The accumulating slime occasionally sloughs off

((sloughings)
l ghi g ) iindividual
di id l mediadi materials
i l andd iis collected
ll d at
the bottom of the filter,
filter along with the treated wastewater,
wastewater
and passed on to the secondary settling tank where it is
removed.
d
Secondaryy Treatment
y Trickling Filters
Filter
l Cl Classifications:
f
1
1. St d d rate
Standard t filter
filt has
h a hydraulic
hyd li loading
l di g off 25 tto 90
gal/d/ft 3 and a seasonal sloughing frequency. It does not employ
recirculation and typically has a 8085%
80 85% BOD removal rate and
80 to 885%
% TSS removall rate.

2
2. High rate filter has a hydraulic loading of 230 to 900
ggal/d/ft 3
l/d/f andd a continuous sloughing
l gh g ffrequency.
q y IIt always
l y
employs recirculation and typically has a 65 to 80% BOD
removall rate
t andd 65 tto 80% TSS removall rate.
t

3
3. Roughing filter - has a hydraulic loading of >900 gal/d/ft3
andd a continuous
ti sloughing
l ghi g frequency.
f y It does
d nott normally
lly
include
c u e recirculation
ec cu at o and
a typ
typically
ca y has
as a 40 to 65% BOD
O
removal rate and 40 to 65% TSS removal rate.
rate
 Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Calculations (Trickling
( g Filters))
Total
T l FlFlow: Example
E pl 22: The
Th trickling
i kli g fil
filter
i currently
is ly operating
p i g withi ha
recirculation
l
rate off 1.5. What
h is the
h totall
flow applied to the
filter when the influent flow
rate is 3.65
3 65 MGD?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Calculations (Trickling
( g Filters))
Hydraulic
Hyd l LLoading
d gR Rate:
Calculating the hydraulic loading rate is important in
accounting for both the primary effluent as well as the
recirculated trickling filter effluent.
effluent Both of these are
combined before beingg applied to the surface of the
filter The hydraulic
filter. y loadingg rate is calculated based on
th surface
the f area off th
the filt
filter.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Calculations (Trickling
( g Filters))
Hydraulic
Hyd l LLoading
d gR Rate:
Example 3: A trickling filter 90-ft
90 ft in diameter is
operated with a primary effluent of 0.488
0 488 MGD and a
recirculated effluent flow rate of 0.566
0 566 MGD
MGD. Calculate
the hydraulic
y loadingg rate on the filter in units gallons
g
pper dayy per
p square
q foot
foot.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Calculations (Trickling
( g Filters))
Organic
Og Loading
L d gR Rate:
Trickling filters are sometimes classified by the organic
loading rate applied
applied. The organic loading rate is
expressed as a certain amount of BOD applied to a
certain volume of media.
media
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Calculations (Trickling
( g Filters))
Organic
Og Loading
L d gR Rate:
Example 4: A trickling filter
filter, 50 ft in diameter,
diameter receives a
primary effluent flow rate of 00.445
445 MGD.
MGD Calculate the
organic loading rate in units of pounds of BOD applied per
d y pper 1,000
day , 3
f off media
ft d volume.
l . The
h primary
p y effluent
ffl
BOD concentration is 85 mg/L.g/L The
Th media
d depth
d p h is 9 ft.
f
Secondaryy Treatment
y Parameters need to Observed in Trickling
g Filters
Operation
1 Slime
1. Sli
2. Flow
3 Distributor
3.
4 Recirculation
4.
5. Media
M di
Secondaryy Treatment
y Typical
yp Problems in Trickling
g Filters Operation
p
1. PPonding
di g
2
2. Odors
3
3. High Clarifier Effluent Suspended Solids and BOD
4
4. Filt Flies
Filter Fli
5. Freezingg
Secondaryy Treatment
y Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)
The RBC is a fixed film biological treatment device; the basic
biological
g pprocess is similar to that occurringg in the tricklingg
filter.

Modular
M d l RBC units are pplaced
l d in series simply
ply bbecause a single
gl
contactor is not sufficient to achieve the desired level of
treatment;; the
h resulting
l g treatment achieved
h d exceeds d
conventional secondary treatment.
treatment

Each individual contactor is called a stage and the group is

kknown as a train.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)
Most RBC systems consist of two or more trains with three
or more stages
g in each.
each

The key advantage in using RBCs instead of trickling filters is

that
h RBCs
RBC are easier to operate
p under
d varying
y g load
l d conditions,
d , since
it is easier to keep the solid medium wet at all times.
times

The level of nitrification,

nitrification which can be achieved by a RBC
system,
yt is
i also
l significant.
ig ifi t

This is especially the case when multiple stages are

employed.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Rotating
g Biological
g Contactors ((RBC))
The
Th RBC normally
lly produces
p d a hi
high
gh quality
q li y BOD at 85 to
9 % aandd suspended
95%
95 suspe ded solids
sol ds 995%.
95%.

The
Th RBC treatment process
p mayy reduce
d (if( f designed
d g d ffor this
h
ppurpose)
p ) the
h nitrogen
g andd ammonia nitrogen.
g
Secondaryy Treatment
y Rotating
g Biological
g Contactors ((RBC))
Secondaryy Treatment
y Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)
How it Works?
1. An RBC consists off a series off closely
l ly spaced
p d (mounted
( d side
d
by side),
side) circular,
circular plastic (synthetic) disks that are typically
aabout
bout 3.5 m in diameter
d a ete and
a d attached
attached to a rotating
otat g
horizontal shaft.
shaft

2
2. Approximately 40% of each disk is submersed in a tank
containing
i i g the
h wastewater to bbe treated.
d

3
3. As th
A the RBC rotates,
t t the
th attached
tt h d biomass
bi film
fil (zoogleal
( gl l
slime) that grows on the surface of the disk moves into and
outt off th
the wastewater.
t t
Secondaryy Treatment
y Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)
How it Works?
4. While
h l submerged
b g d in the
h wastewater,, the
h microorganisms
g
absorb organics; while they are rotated out of the
wastewater,, tthey
wastewate hey aaree supp
supplied
l ed with
w th needed
eeded oxygen
o yge for
fo
aerobic decomposition.
decomposition

5
5. As the zoogleal slime reenters the wastewater,
wastewater excess solids
andd waste products
p d are stripped
ipp d off
ff the
h media
di as
sloughings.
sloughings

6
6. These sloughings are transported with the wastewater flow
t a settling
to ttli g tank
t k for
f removal.l
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (RBC)
( )
RBC:
RBC Soluble
S l bl BOD
BOD:
The K factor is used to approximate the BOD
(particulate BOD) contributed by the suspended matter.
matter
The K factor for domestic wastes normally ranges from
0 5 to 0.7.
0.5 07

P ti l t BOD
Particulate
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (RBC)
( )
RBC:
RBC Soluble
S l bl BOD
BOD:
Example 5: The suspended solids concentration of a
wastewater is 250 mg/L.
mg/L If the normal K value at the
plant is 00.6,
6 what is the estimated particulate BOD
concentration of the wastewater?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (RBC)
( )
RBC:
RBC Soluble
S l bl BOD
BOD:
Example 6: An RBC receives a flow of 2
2.22 MGD with a
BOD content of 170 mg/L and suspended solids
concentration of 140 mg/L
mg/L. If the K value is 0.7,
0 7 how
manyy pounds of soluble BOD enter the RBC daily? y
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (RBC)
( )
RBC:
RBC Organic
Og LLoading
d gR Rate:
y Example 7: An RBC has a total media surface area of
102,500
102 2
500 and receives a primary effluent flow rate of
ft
0 269 MGD
0.269 MGD. If the soluble BOD concentration of the
RBC influent is 159 mg/L
mg/L,
g what is the organic
g loadingg
rate in ppounds per 2
p 1000 ft ?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Process Control Calculations (RBC)
( )
RBC:
RBC Hydraulic
Hyd l LLoading
d gR Rate:
y Example 8: An RBC treats a primary effluent flow rate of
00.233
233 MGD
MGD. What is the hydraulic loading rate in
2
gal/d/ft if the media surface area is 96,600 2
96 600 ft ?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Parameters to be Observed in(RBC) Operations
1 Rotation
1.
2. Slime Color & Appearance

y Typical
Typi l Problems
P bl iin(RBC)
(RBC)
( ) Operations
Op ti
1 White
1. Whit Slime
Sli
2 Excessive Sloughing
2.
3 RBC Rotation
3.
4 Solids
4.
5 Shaft Bearings
5.
6. Drive Motor
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
Ponds,
Ponds trickling filters,
filters and RBCs is that they are
temperature sensitive and remove less BOD.

Trickling filters cost more to build than the activated sludge

systems
y that
h were llater ddeveloped.
l p d.

Activated sludge systems cost more to operate because of the

needd for
f energy
gy to run pumps
p p andd bl
blowers.

The basic components of an activated sludge sewage

ttreatment
t t system
y t iincludel d an aeration
i tankk andd a secondary
d y basin,
b i
settling basin
basin, or clarifier
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
g
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
How it Works?
1
1. Primary effluent is mixed with settled solids recycled from
the secondary clarifier and is then introduced into the
aeration tank.
k

2. Compressed air is injected continuously into the mixture

through
h gh pporous diff
diffusers located
l d at the
h bbottom off the
h tank,
k,
usually along one side.
side

3
3. Wastewater
W t t iis ffedd continuously
ti ly iinto
t an aerated
t d ttank,
k where
h
the microorganisms metabolize and biologically flocculate
the organics.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
How it Works?
4. Microorganisms (activated sludge) are settled from the
aerated
t d mixed
i d liliquor
q under
d quiescent
q i t conditions
diti iin th
the final
fi l
clarifier and are returned to the aeration tank.

5. LLeft
f uncontrolled,
ll d, the
h number
b off organisms
g would
ld
eventually become too great; therefore
therefore, some must
pperiodically
d lly bbe removedd (wasted).
( d)

6
6. A portion
p ti off the th concentrated
t t d solids
lid from
f th
the bbottom
tt off
the settling tank must be removed from the process (waste
activated
i d sludge).
l dg )
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
g
How
H itW
Works?
k
7 Clear supernatant from the final settling tank is the plant
7.
effluent.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Equipment
1. Aeration Tank - is designed to provide the detention time
(depends
p on the specific
p modification) ensure that the
activated sludge and the influent wastewater are thoroughly
mixed.
i dT Tankk ddesign
ig normallylly attempts
tt pt tto ensure no ddeadd
spots are created.
created

2. Aeration it can bbe mechanical

h l or ddiffused.
ff d
a. M h i l aeration
Mechanical i systems
y use agitators
gi or mixers
i to mix
i
air and mixed liquor.
liquor
b Diffused aeration systems use pressurized air released
b.
through
h gh diff
diffusers near the
h bottom
b off the
h tank.
k
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Equipment
3
3. Settling Tank it is designed to provide 2 to 4 h HDT.
HDT

4
4. Return Sludge it include pumps,
pumps a timer or variable speed
drive to regulate pump delivery and a flow measurement
d
device to determine
d actuall flflow rates..

5
5. Waste Sludge the withdrawal is accomplished by adjusting
valves
l on theh return system.
y Wh
When a separate
p system
y iis
used it includes ppumps,
pumps
p a timer or variable
ariable speed
p drive,
dri e and
a flow measurement device.
device
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Factors Affecting
Operation
1 Temperature
1.
2 Return Rates
2.
3 Amount
3. A t off O
Oxygen
yg A Available
il bl
4. Amount
A off O
Organic
g M
Matter A
Available
l bl
5 pH
5.
6 Waste Rates
6.
7 Aeration Time
7.
8 Wastewater
8. W Toxicity
T i iy
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
g Process: Formations
1. Transfer
T f - TheTh first
fi stepp is
i the
h transfer
f off food
f d from
f
wastewater to organism.
wastewate o ga s .

2 Conversion
2. C - Second
S d stepp iis the
h conversion
i off wastes to a
usable
bl fform.

3 Flocculation
3. Fl l i - Third
Thi d step
t p is
i the
th flocculation
fl l ti step.
t p
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Performance
Performance-Controlling
Controlling
F t
Factors
1
1. Aeration it to keep the activated sludge in suspension and
to satisfy
fy the
h organism
g oxygen
yg requirements.
q .

2
2. Alkalinity
Alk l y organic
g i nitrogen
i g andd ammonia i are bbeing
i g
converted to nitrate (nitrification),
(nitrification) sufficient alkalinity
must be
b available.
il bl

3
3. Nutrients
N t i t the
th microorganisms
i g i off th
the activated
ti t d sludge
l dg
process require nutrients (nitrogen
(nitrogen, phosphorus,
phosphorus iron,
iron and
other
th trace
t metals)
t l ) tto ffunction.
ti

4
4. pH - pH must be in range of 6.5
6 5 to 9.0.
90
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Performance
Performance-Controlling
Controlling
F t
Factors
5
5. Temperature as temperature decreases,
decreases activity of the
organisms
g willll also
l ddecrease..

6
6. TToxicityy sufficient
ffi i concentrations
i off elements
l or
compounds that enter a treatment plant that have the
ability
bili y to kill the
h microorganisms
i g i (the
( h activated
i d sludge)
l dg ) are
known as toxic waste (shock level).
level)

7
7. Hydraulic Loading it is the amount of flow entering the
t t
treatmentt process.
p
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge
g Process: Performance-Controlling
Performance Controlling
g
Factors
8 Organic
8. Og Loading
L d g it
i is
i the
h amount off organic
g i matter
entering
i g the
h treatment plant.
pl IIt iis usually
lly measuredd as
BOD.
BOD
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Process Control Parameters
1
1. Alkalinity insufficient alkalinity will reduce organism
activity and may result in low effluent pH and, in some
cases,, extremely
ly hi
high
gh chlorine
hl i ddemandd iin theh di
disinfection
i f i
process.
process

2
2. Dissolved
Di l dO Oxygen
yg the
th activated
ti t d sludge
l dg process
p iis an aerobic
bi
process that requires some DO be present at all times.
times

3
3. pH the ppH of the aeration basin will
pH ill normally
normally be in the
range of 6.5
6 5 to 9.0.
90
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Process Control Parameters
4
4. Mixedd Li
Mi Liquor
q SSuspended
p d d SSolids
lid (MLSS)
(MLSS), Mi
Mixedd Li
Liquor
q VVolatile
l il
S p d d Solids
Suspended S lid (MLVSS),
(MLVSS) andd Mixed
Mi d Liquor
Liq TTotalt l SSuspended
p dd
Solids (MLTSS) the MLSS or MLVSS can be used to
represent the activated sludge or microorganisms present
in the process.
process

5. Return Activated
R A d Sl
Sludge
dg RRate andd CConcentration maintaining
i i i ga
continuous
i return off activated
i d sludgel dg to the
h aeration
i tankk
or the
th process
p will
ill show
h a drastic
d ti ddecrease iin performance.
p f
Secondaryy Treatment
y Activated Sludge Process: Process Control Parameters
6. Waste Activated Sludge Flow Rate if the activated sludge is
allo ed to remain in the ssystem
allowed ystem too long
long,
g the pperformance
of the process will decrease.

7. TTemperature
p temperature
p d
directly
ly affects
ff the
h activityy off the
h
microorganisms It identifies the causes of significant
microorganisms.
changes
h g in organization
g populations
p p l or process
p
performance.
performance

8
8. Sludge Blanket Depth The separation of solids and liquid in
the
h secondary
d y clarifier
l ifi results l iin a bl
blanket
k off solids.
lid If solids
lid
are not removed from the clarifier at the same rate they
enter,, the
h bl
blanket
k willill iincrease iin ddepth.
ph
Secondaryy Treatment
y Parameters need to Observe in Sludge Processing
Op ti
Operation
For Influent and Aeration Tank:
1
1. Turbulence
2
2. Surface Foam and Scum (Fresh,
Fresh Crisp,
Crisp White Foam normal;
Thick,
Thi kG Greasy,
yD Darkk TTan FFoam overoxidize,
idi needd more wasting;
ti g
White Billowing Foam underoxidize, need less wasting)
3. Sludge
l dg Colorl andd Odor
d ((Chocolate Brown or Earthyy Odor
Normal; Light Tan or Borwn or no Odor presence of sand and
clay; Dark Brown or Earthy Odor high solids; Black Color or
Rotten Egg Odor septic conditions,
conditions low DO
concentrations)
4. Mixed d Liquor
q Color l - light
l gh chocolate
h l bbrown (normal)
( l)
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
FFor Final
F l Settling
S l g Tank
T k (Cl
(Clarrifier):
( f )
1
1. Sludge Bulking
2
2. Sl dg SSolids
Sludge lid W
Washout
h t
3
3. Clumping
4
4. Ashingg
5. Straggler
l Flocl
6
6. Pin Floc
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Settled
S l d SlSludge
dg VVolume:
l
SSV is the volume that a settled activated sludge occupies
after a specified time.
time
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Settled
S l d SlSludge
dg VVolume:
l
Example 9: Using the information provided in the table,
table
calculate the SSV30 and the % SSV60.
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge Processing: Calculations
Estimated
E ti t d Return
R t Rate:
Rt

Example 10: The influent flow rate is 4.2

4 2 MGD and the
current return activated sludge flow rate is 1.5
1 5 MGD
MGD.
The SSV60 is 38%.
38% Based upon this information what
should
h ld be
b the
h return sludge
l d rate in million
ll gallons
ll per
d y?
day?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Sludge
Sl dg VVolume
l IIndex:
d
SVI is a measure of the settling quality (a quality
indicator) of the activated sludge.
sludge

Example
E pl 11
11: The
Th SSV30 is
i 365 mL/L
L/L andd th
the MLSS is
i
2365 mg/L.
g/L Wh
Whatt iis th
the SVI?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Food
F d to Microogranisms
M g R (F
Ratio (F:M
( M Ratio):
R )

Example
E ample
p 12:
12 Given
Gi en the follo
following
ingg data
data, what
hat is the FF:M
M
ratio?
ti ?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge Processing: Calculations
Food
F d to
t Microogranisms
Mi g i Ratio R ti (F
(F:M
M Ratio):
R ti )
If the
th MLVSS concentration
t ti iis nott available,
il bl , it can bbe
calculated
l l t d if %VM off th
the MLSS iis kknown:

Example 13: The aeration tank contains 2985 mg/L of

MLSS. Laboratory tests indicate the MLSS is 66%
MLSS
volatile
l l matter. What
h is theh MLVSS SS concentration in the
h
aeration
i tank?
k?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge Processing: Calculations
Food
F d to
t Microogranisms
Mi g i Ratio R ti (F
(F:M
M Ratio):
R ti )
Required
R q i d MLVSS Quantity:
Q tity

Example
E pl 14
14: The
Th aeration
ti tank
t k influent
i fl t flflow iis 4.0
4 0 MGD,
MGD
and the influent COD is 145 mg/L.
mg/L
g The aeration tank
volume is 00.65
65 MG
MG. The desired F:M ratio is 00.33 lb
COD/lb MLVSS.
MLVSS
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Food
F d to Microogranisms
M g R (F
Ratio (F:M
( M Ratio):
R )
Required MLVSS Quantity:
Example
E pl 14
14: ((cont)
t )
11.How
How many pounds of MLVSS must be maintained in the
aeration tank to achieve the desired F:M ratio?
2 Wh
2. Whatt iis th
the required
q i d concentration
t ti off MLVSS iin th
the
aeration
ti ttank?k?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Food
F d to Microogranisms
M g R (F
Ratio (F:M
( M Ratio):
R )
Calculating Waste Rates Using F:M Ratio:

Example
E ample
p 15:
15 Given
Gi en the following
follo ingg information
information,
ddetermine
t i th the required
q i d waste t rate
t iin gallons
g ll perp minute
i t
t maintain
to i t i an FF:M
M ratio
ti off 00.17
17 lb COD/lb MLVSS:
MLVSS
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Food
F d to Microogranisms
M g R (F
Ratio (F:M
( M Ratio):
R )
Calculating Waste Rates Using F:M Ratio:
Example
E pl 15
15:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mean
M Cell
C ll R
Residence
d TTime (MCRT)
(MCRT):
( )
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mean
M Cell
C ll R
Residence
d TTime (MCRT)
(MCRT):
( )
Example 16: Given the following data
data, what is the
MCRT?
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mean
M Cell
C ll R
Residence
d TTime (MCRT)
(MCRT):
( )
Waste Quantities and Requirements:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mean
M Cell
C ll R
Residence
d TTime (MCRT)
(MCRT):
( )
Waste Quantities and Requirements:
Example
E pl 17
17: Given
Gi th the following
f ll i g ddata,
t , ddetermine
t i th the
waste rate to maintain
i i an MCRT off 8.6
8 6 d:
d
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mean
M Cell
C ll R
Residence
d TTime (MCRT)
(MCRT):
( )
Waste Rate in Million Gallons/Day
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mean
M Cell
C ll R
Residence
d TTime (MCRT)
(MCRT):
( )
Waste Rate in Million Gallons/Day:
Example
E pl 18
18: Gi
Given th
the ffollowing
ll i g ddata,
t , ddetermine
t i th the
required
q i d waste rate to maintain
i i an MCRT off 8.8
8 8 d:
d
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge Processing: Calculations
Mass
M BBalance:
l
S ttli g Tank
Settling T k a&
& Suspended
S p d d Solids:
S lid

Example 19: Given the following data, determine the

solids
l d mass bbalance
l ffor the
h settling
l g tank:
k
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mass
M BBalance:
l
Settling Tank a& Suspended Solids:
Example
E pl 19
19:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mass
M BBalance:
l
Mass Balance Calculations:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mass
M BBalance:
l
Mass Balance Calculations:
Example
E pl 20
20: Given
Gi th the following
f ll i g ddata,
t , ddetermine
t i th the
mass balance
bl off the
h bi
biological
l gi l process
p andd the
h
appropriate
pp p i waste rate to maintaini i current operating
p i g
conditions:
d
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mass
M BBalance:
l
Mass Balance Calculations:
Example
E pl 20
20:
Secondaryy Treatment
y Sludge
g Processing:
g Calculations
Mass
M BBalance:
l
Mass Balance Calculations:
Example
E pl 20
20: