Biological Waste Treatment

Treatment Mode of Degree of Land Equipment Remarks

method operation treatment requirements
Aerated lagoons Completely mixed High in summer, Earth basin, (2.44- Pier-mounted or Solids separation
or facultative less in winter 4.88) m deep, floating surface in lagoon; periodic
continuous basins (8.55-17.1) aerators or dewatering and
m2/(m3/d) subsurface sludge removal
diffusers
Activated sludge Completely mixed >90% removal of Earth or concrete Diffused or Excess sludge
or plug flow; organics basin; (3.66-6.10) mechanical dewatered and
sludge recycle m deep; (0.561- aerators; clarifier disposed of
2.262) m3/(m3/d) for sludge
separation and
recycle
Trickling filter Continuous Intermediate or (5.52-34.4) Plastic packing Pretreatment
application; may high depending on m2/(1000 m3/d) (6.10-12.19) m before activated
employ effluent loading deep sludge plant
recycle
RBC Multistage Intermediate or Plastic disks Solids separation
continuous high required
Anaerobic Complete mix with Intermediate Gas collection
recycle; upflow or required;
downflow filter, pretreatment
fluidized bed; before activated
upflow sludge sludge plant
blanket
Adapted from Industrial Water Pollution Control (W.Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr, 3er Edition)