6 Biological Treatment

6 GENERA
RAL

GENE10. been seen that Bacteria and

10, it has bcen
other micro
complex organic materials into simple and organismsin the search for
Inhapter

fhni. b r e a k d o w n c o m

e also very rich in organic food for bacteria.more stable substances. The
ctive in
active in the sewage. therefore, large quantity of
rCmain

ht073 reatment of sewage with bacteria is also known as

of sewage
atnent. the .sewage
The
remains in aerobiC secondary treatment. In this
condition and the B.0.D. is satisfied
by filtration.
of sewage in aa body of water is
ofsewage
T h eI s c / h a r s
alsoa biological treatment process. But in this
nent is not so effective. Surface
biological treatmer
contact or interfacial forces come
treatment.
the biological
in
mopla
PRINCIPLE OF BIOL0GICAL TREATMENT
2
1 Chapter 10,it was stated that sewage can remain in aerobic or
anaerobic condition
an the availability or non-availability of oxygen. In aerobic condition the bacteria
and remain active, without causing any foul smell. On the other hand in
nsume Oxygen and.
COnsecandition foul smell is created, due to which only acrobic conditions are preferred.
anaerot

Nowfor the continuity of his condition, it is necessary that suitable circumstances should
bedeveloped
The first requirement is the availabilityoflarge porous surface containing large amount
efair in which the aerobic bacteria can grow and perform their functions. When sewage is
ESSed through such contact beds, the coarser particles of suspended matter are removed
h mechanical straining and the aerobic bacteria act on the sewage and stabilize it. Practically.
thas been observed that the major action takes place only at the surface, where a
fim of aerobic bacteria is formed. All the organic matters are first absorbed by this film
which is then acted upon by the bacteria. This bacterial film also contains algae. protozoa
and other organisms in addition to the aerobic bacteria.
When the sewage is passed through the beds, where aerobic action takes place, following
actions are done by the aerobic bacteria:
(a) The colloidal and dissolved putrescible organic matters present in the sewage
filters and within about one hour
absorbed within few minutes in the trickling
in the activated sludge process.
wlhich are necessary tor their
) The bacteria feed the organic matters so absorbed
life into stable inorganic forms by oxidising
C) The bacteria convert the organic matters
them.
etc. remain in the sewage. Thegases escape
4)Finally, nitrates, CO, and sulphates
in the atmosphere. treatment units are separated
in the biological
n e materials separated orprecipitated tanks contains colloidal, organic
in the sludge ofthese seltling
secondary settling
materirial and the
s
the B.O
tanks. The
is highly pulrescible
and is treated before final disposal.
and B.O.D. This sludgesettling tank is directly disposed of on land or in water
CoCourses Cnce from the secondary elements.
because it is free from all polluting
3 ASSIFICATIONOFSEWAGEFILTERS treatment of sewage is done by sewage
biological
works, the filters will be described and
filter Wage treatment chapter only sewage
sludge units. In this
Ctivated
heeact
activated sludge units in the next chapler.
 460 WATER SUPPLYAND
The filters which
SANITATARY
classified as NEfoER
mostly used in sewage treatment can be classic
are
)The lntermittent Sand Filters.
(i) The Contact Beds.
(i) The Trickling filters.
16.4 INTERMITTENT SAND FILTERS
These are the carly development of sewage
treatment units. Theose
construction to the slow-sand filter of water treatment. These
reqiire 1 are
which these are not commonly
employed in modern Sewage treatment wo
Fig. 16.1 shows an intermittent sand filter. It consists of layers of sands orks. Smilkr
size of 0.2 to 0.5 mm and of
uniformity cocfficient 2-5. If the soil itself is h with an ef e
an
need of providing extra sand. But if the soil is of other
variety, sandyt
specifications are laid in a depth of about 100-120 cm. To carry offthe eff
Sandy,ofof hee w
tthe abtoe
drainage pipes are laid in the bottom of the sand bed in 90 to 120 cm denthhehe opeijpe
pipes are surrounded with

keep and the sand out. In some cases whcn the soil
her drainaq
layers of coarse stone and gravel graded from oir
may reach the ground water table, and no elfluent mayitself-sandy,
the pereolo
reach the ine, s
The sewage is drainage ni
applied evenly on the
surface of the sand bed by influent waste
pipes.
water troughs as shown in a Under drain pipe to
Fig. 16.1. collect effluent
The distribution
trough has side
openings to distribute the sewage
uniformly. To prevent the scouring and
displacement of sand the distribution sSewage
ge
trough is kept on concrete apron or Distributor channel
----
protective stone. While applying the
sewage the flooding is done from 3 to 10
cm depth after an interval of 24
hours. Plan
The capacity of these filters is 0.8 x
to 1.1 x
10
10 litres/hectare per day. Distributor Sand bed
The effluent from the intermittent
sand filters is very clear and
contains
suspended solids less than 10
which is well nitrified and stable. ppm
The Gravel around the
effluent also has B.O.D. less than 5 under drain pipe
Fitluert
and is free from odours. ppm
Therefore, the Sectional elevation
plant works without creating any
nuisance at the site.
Fig. 16.1.
If thequantity of sewage is more 3 to 4 such beds canIntermittent
be
sand filter.
constructed in paralel. Fir
cleaning these filters, the sand from the top is
fresh clean sand. scraped from time to time and are refilled win
The following are the
advantages of intermittent sand filters:
() Operation is simple, only mechanical
The effluent is very clean and can be equipment is required for dosing
without any further treatment. directly disposed of in natural water cours
(iii) There is no trouble of odour and insects.
(iv) Smaller head is required.
(v) There is no secondary sludge, which is to
be disposed of except the ocE
sand scraping.
The following are the
disadvantages of intermittent sand filters.
( Their rate of loading is very small.
(i) They require large area and much ich
makes them uneconomical.
quantity of sand in their construction
(ii) They cannot treat large quantity of sewage, therefore cannot be
plants. employ
 TREATMENT

sOLOGICAL
and
The i n t e r m i t t e n t s a n d
filters are most
ound
s u r ah e r
a n df a c t o r i c s , w h e r e it is not possible to suitable for
hospitals, institutions, small
dispose of the
461

rface.
effluent of septic towns
CONTACT BEDS tanks on the
time contact beds Dosing
ancien syphon
In
verypopular
in the treatment
were t now a days these are
ol
s e w a g e .b u t ,

used. These are

Draining and dosing
commonly
Syphon Draining
in struction to the syphon
nterimitient sand fi Iters, the only
s m

being in the filtering

Primarybed
media consists Secondary
di The filtering bed
n102.5
o f2
cm size broken stone Fig. 16.2. Contact
last. The depth f the filtering media
or
brck
is between beds.
pallast
mly applied
over the hole surface of the 90-150 cm. The sewage is
and is llected
collected at the
t bottom by means of filtering media, by means of
troughs
16.2 illustrates the
e
a
essential of system of underdrain distribution
Fig double-contact beds with pipes.
Siphons.
dosing and draining
oneration of the contact beds includes the following:
)FilFilling. In this «operation the sewage is
asssible by means of osing siphon. The applied on the surface of contact beds as
quickly
above the surface of contact beds. The filling may take one ishour
sewage allowed
or so.to be filled 5-10 cm
this
Contact. Inti
operation, the dosing is stopped and the applied
e in contact for about an hour with the bacterial film sewage is allowed
covering the filter medium. Within
Hictime the soluble contents or sewage are absorbed by the organic film and are stabilized.
Gi Emptying. The contact beds are then slowly emptied and drained. So that the
hcorhed soluble contents of the sewage are not washed out with the sewage. which is
being drained.
(iv) Resting. After emptying, the contact beds are allowed to remain at rest for 5-6
hours. With in this period the atmospheric air enters in the voids of the contact media and
makes it ready for taking another sewage load. By supplying oxygen to the aerobic bacteria.
whichoxidize the organic matter present in the sewage which is transferred by sewage on the
surface ofthe filtering media.
The complete cycle of operation takes8-12 hours. As thesecontact beds are intermittent
n action, therefore more numbers of units are constructed in parallel and the sewage is
3pplied in turn to each unit. For this purpose continuous supervision Is required.
odourless. These beds remove
Ihe effluent obtained from these beds is also clear and
The rate of loading is very low 4500 to
OUto 90% suspended solids and 60 to 75% B.0.D.
media continuously go on reducing due
D00r/hectare/day. The voids inside the filtering the filtering media is taken out, washed.
to acu them. After 4-5 years
ddried andlation ofthe solids in the under drain pipes are also washed and cleaned after 3-4
again. Similarly
Years. These are also not common
thesedays
also
in their operation. The
intermittent a
continuous

Generally, the contac beds are by blowing air intothe wasteaerobicwater tlowing through
beds is possible and in sufficient
m in
Contact water and slime surtace
the on the surface.
sufficient
ient quantity to keep
qua accumulation ofsolids
ntensity to tear away
way ageing
slime
omestic sewage and industrial
16.6 TRICKLING FILTERS ofdom
treatment

are used for the complete

Trickling filters are
for the
biological
are used biolog
alogical processes. These
ilter for strong wastes prior to
strong was

astes, which are amenable to a and as roughing tilter

shock loads and provide
Treat ment or
activa sludgeOderately
strong
possess a
unique capacity
to handle
wastes
handle

units. They superviston.

ndable SC
minimum
Ormance
with
 WATER SUPPLY AND SANITAR.
462

The trickling filter is always

in the sewage may not clogg
of the filter. The
sedimentation so th.
preceded by primary sedimentatio that the ser NGNEE
anks shoul
Solids is always followed by a
scum. The trickling filter
Skimmers to remove the effluent, the settleable organic solids
producedSen
from the filter devices forthe a thene titra,
tO remove to provide skimming
Process. It is always
advantageous in se etti
both to oxidise and bioflocculate the organic materialthrough ge
also. They reduction in B.O.D. effected he ilter and the
serve
is assessed on the total reckoned after the
ementofand t
erticiency is
Since the effluent quality
Subsequent settling tank.
bioflocculated solids. slime consis.
the filter media biological
a
the trickles through normally in tw of
As sewage
bacteria and other biota builds up around
the media
use. Organic material in the
surtaces,

sewage is absorbed on eksp iaerohe

making filter ready for io
where they are partly degraded by
the biota thus increasing the weight
slime Iashic ologa
slime,
of the slime. Eventually, there is scouring
a of the slime and a freshis
called egi ickhes
the media. This phenomenon of scouring ot the slime the
grown on
Filter sloughing helps ventilation by keeping
filtermh
unloading of the filter.
it active for the efficient functio edia open
also continuously reviews the biota, maintaining be given depends on the organic loadi8of
filter. The degree of filter sloughing to Details of Iricklng Filter have and
hydraulic loading which will influence its scour.
in Fig. 16.3. shown
16.7 TYPES OF TRICKLING FILTERS
The trickling filters are classified as low rate and high rate trickling filter dena-

organic and hydraulic loadings

the
over them, as follows: depending on
Type offilter Hydraulic loading Organic loading as RoD
e'ldm? mg/d/m
Low rate trickling filters Ito 4 80 to 320
10 to 30 500 to 100
High rate trickling filters
(including recirculation) (excluding recirculation)

Laterals Section
Slab
Pheripheral main
T oS.S.T
collecting channel

Gate JLDistribution ,Intluentpipe

valve Outlet arms
Drain pipe chamber

Multimedia
Semicircular
laterals

Bottom slabs
converting lateral
chambers

Plan
Fig. 16.3. Tvoical Detail of Trickling Filter.
 GICAL TREATMENT

thehydraulic loading is the total

f i l t e s

463
t r i c k i n g

unit area oft

fthe flow
of sewage,
filter in a day, while
In
the
l a t i o n
a p p l i e d

luding the B.O.D. cluding the

oftherecirula organic
including
TBOD. , a day excluding B.O.D.
B.O
of the recirculant, loading
ganicloadingraterate is
is the
the 55-
recirculation isnot adopted in low rate applied per unit volume in a
generaly
recir 8 to 3.0 m. They require filters. Media depths for low
Dge Tnsts, However, they are larger media
easy in operationvolumes
and
than high rate filters
w plant
uent and preferred
preferredwhen
are
capacities are smaller in give consistently good
the case of institutions.
to low rate filters
Incomparisonto
c
in high rate filters, a part of the settled or filter
the fitter.
fite Recirculation has the effluent
ntact with thebiological slime moreadvantage of bringing the organic matter
d through
conta
than once, thus
mthe
the e
Was/e

filers.Due to
n

higher hydraulic loading, there are less chances increasing the efficiency
ribution of
distribution of corganic load over the filter of filter clogging and
surface. It also helps to
dampen the
amis
unitorm

strength and the flow of sewage

applied on the filter. Recirculation
on
am0.5 to 3 and the values exceeding 3are considered ratios
I S u a l l yT r a n g e

sewage but the ratios of

domestic
to be
8 and above have uneconomical in
been used with industrial
HasIs.

0e filters
Tiwostagefilt consist of two filters in series with a
ng tank whichmay be omitted in certain cases andprimary
a final settling
setlingtank, intermediate
tank.anRecirculation
provided for each stage.
jacilities are
168 CONSTRUCTION FEATURES OF TRICKLING FILTERS
168
Fig 16.4 shows the section through a
Rotatingarm
rickling filter. It essentially consists of a spraying the
msonry or R.C.C. tank which is circular or sewage
Ectangular in plan. Coarse aggregate of G.
impervious nature is filled in this tank which Vww7
Inlet
x5s 2s filtering media. The under-drainage
ssiem is provided in the bed to collect the Aggregate Effluent
efluent. Fig. 16(a) shows the under-drainage Qutlet
system provided in the trickling filters. Fig. 16.4. Trickling filter.
The contact media. The most common filter media oftrick ling filters i. crushed rock.
bt large gravel anthracite coal, blast furmace slag, broken bricks, clinker, cinder ceramic and
her such materials can also be used. Whatsoever type of media may be used. it must be
wEather-resistant and strong enough. Before filling the media, it must be washed with water
dried to remove the dirts and other impurities. The size ofthe media should be between
Umm to 80 mm. The surface area decreases with the increase in size, but it offers less
ES Slance to the flow of sewage during sprinklin8

T
0001
16,.4(a) Under drainage blocks used
in trickling filters.
treZe of the aggregate should be kept same from top to bottom. But the larger size
the film ofsolids deposited at the surface
ay hmay be kept in the bottom side so that should be done carefully and it
MOuldasly washed. The bottom material of aggregate the underdrains.
nand packed upto a height of about 25 cm above
 WATER SUPPLY AND SANITARY
464
ENGIN
Filter depth. Experimentally, it has been observed that the concentration oe of ren
impurities in sewage decreases as it
of work of removing impurities decreases.
passes downward in the filters. Therefr
To avoid this reduction in the effersne
shallow and recirculate
the effluent throuVenege.
e amoum mai ng
eness of the
Tlter, it is better to make the filtervaries from 1.0 to 1.8 metres in high rate fiter the Filter.
high rate filters, the depth oftank
and in
rate filters from 2.0 to 3.0 metres.
media are worked at the same time ons ow
The active surfaces ofthe filtering the
present in the various stages of the purification.
The under-drainage system oftrickling filters impurivtes
Under-drainage system.
shaped half round channels, castblocks.
or
during its construct Thes
in the concrete floor
ofv. consists of
drains are covered by the concrete types of concrete blocks are esh
Few
100 to I in 50 during itewn in
16.4. The remaining floor is given a slope ofabout in
I
the treated sewage. The compresseci
towards the drains, for the collection of

Thethrough
passed these under-drainage lines.
under-drainage system should be self-cleaning and easily accese:
also
cleaning. This under-drainage system should also be made open to the atmosohe
air at eni
velocitv
rica
during
fixed at some places for supplying the compressed a
60 cmlsec.
pipesVentilation. Ifthe filter has been properly designed, sufficient natural ventila
are

be there causing the increase ofefficiency of the filter. This natural ventilation ieo n i
the difference in temperature in the air and the sewage. With the increase in therced
more quantity of air is required. At the temperature difference of about 6°c. dose
displaced at a rate of0.3 r'/m/sec, of the filters bed surface. When the temperatireheg e
is less than 1.9°C, there is no movement or displacement of the air. The air
depends on the rate of application ofsewage on the filter and its strength. Usiale requirema
temperature difference is sufficient to supply the required quantity of air in the Seu
The inlet openings to underdrains should have a combined, unsubmerged areae
15% or more ofthe surface area, for the free passage to the air. The channels oftheunder
should also be designed not to flow more than half full. rdrains
forced ventilation is provid
at the rate of 0.3
If the
m/m /sec. The underdrainage system must be air-tight and the eflue
channel should be provided with trap.
Distribution System. The sewage can be sprayed the surface of the
from fixedor moving sprays. In the fixed
on trickling fite
sprays, the sewage is sprinkled through stationan
nozzles. Now a days the fixed sprays are not used and
only moving sprays are used
Revolving distributors have four or two horizontal arms of the pipe having perforations or
holes. These arms rotate about a central hollow shaft. The
25 cms. above the rotating arms usually remain l5n
top surface of the contact media, due to which the
aerated during its distribution on the sewage gets fiuly
filtering
electric motor or the back reaction on the
media. The distribution arms are rotated by the
arms by the sprayed
units and 1/3 to 1/2 R.P.M. for sewage, at 2 RP.M. for smal
large units.The head of 30 to 80 cm of sewage water is
to rotate the
arms, if they have to work on the
counter reaction of spray only.
requira
Sometimes travelling distributors used
for spraying the sewage on
are
filters. These units consist of
perforated horizontal through or pipe supported fromthe trck
bridging rectangular trickling beds. These trusses can
the a
on
opposite filter walls. But these types of be moved to and fro on tne
practice. travelling distributors are not commony
16.9 TRICKLING FILTER OPERATION
The sewage is LOADINvGAND
given primary treatment before filter.lnte
trickling filier the sewage trickles over the passing through the Ate
getting trickled over the filering media, filtering media by means ot movthrough
aroughthe
contact media. While sewage starts percolating
colloidal organic matters are precipitated and
downwaalyed a
moving down it is acted upon by the bacterias.
fom Tnecteria
flocculated by the action of theb ths a
a
gelatinous layer at the surface or
of the contact media. The aerobic eatp a eatup
baci
 GCAL TREATMENT
n O H A LT R
465
dOxidize it and convert it to sulphate, phosphates, nitrates etc. With the
the
o u sl a y e r

c become thicker and heavier and move towards the bottom of the
C l 7 m o u ss l i n
rlatinon
out with the etfluent and settles in the secondary settling tank.
pass

and
1nicr

atc filters the sewage loading is done betwcen 11,500 to 33,500 n'
i n g

I n
nor to 3120
t h e
2 0kkgm of B.O.D. per 100 sq.m of the contact media. Some hydraulic
amd
20 or flushing the filter bed and for preventing its clogging due to
maintaincd

the trickling filters should not exceed the

load in
The
ptherwsc
iologica.

ficicncy offthose filters shall be

h ec f l i c .
permissible limits.
reduced and efiluent will get deteriorated.
thedieatcs that the efficiency goes on reducing with the increase of the load, as
h i sd n c c t l y Vi n d i

haW2nFig.
1.1 6.
16.5.
100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20 0 3500 7000 10.500 14.000 17,500

Daily loading intensity kgm. B.D.O.
pe equivalent heatacre meter Ya/yf
Eia, 16.5. Showing B.0.D. load and the efficiency of the trickling filter.
The normal trickling filter removes 90% B.O.D., the effluent is well nitrified and quite
Grhle. The sludge from the secondary setling tanks is thick (moisture content 95%) which
kheavy and easily digestible. The filter is very strong and durable and can take any
itermitent shock loads and it cannot cause any detrimental effect on it. This filter is very
Suitable for medium towns and cities.
16.10 HIGH RATE FILTERS
The normal rate trickling filter have high efriciency in removing B.0. D. and other organic
matters. The effluent coming out of the filter is highly stabilized and the slope formed is
easily digestible. The main drawback ofthe normal trickling filters is their high initial cost.
equireinent of large area for construction and large quantity offiltering media. To overcome
the above drawbacks the experiments were carried out by increasing the rate of sewage flow
tirough the filters and the following observations were made:
9 When the rate of sewage flow is increased, the thickness ofthe gelatinous film is
reduced and the materials deposited in the filtering media are continuously washed
away with the effluent.
) I t was observed that thinner gelatinous film is more efficient and supplies more
Continuous food to the aerobic bacteria.
) The precipitation and biological coagulation ofthe dissolved and colloidal matters
in normal rate filters
more less of the same degree as
S or
A s the time available in the contact period ror the bacteria to act upon the sewage
organiC matter takes place.
CSS. less oxidation ofthesettling tanks IS increused, because the efficiency of
The load on the secondary rate trickling filters and
filter is less as compared with normal
igh rate trickling
organic material reaches the secondary
arge quantity of unloaded putrescible
Settling tank.
 SUPPLY AND SANITARY
SANITARY EN
ENC
466
The quality of sludge produced
WATER

is not so easily
sludge
digestible as
o b t a i n e d is in between
the
e
ENGIN
sludgeEERNG
ENGINEEERING
of lowof
ne.
ne quality
(vi) of
rate trickling
filter. The quality filter sludge.
low rate trickling the rate
times
activated sludge and increased 3-4 ofaapplicati,
ac
is
ofsewage
When the rate of application efficiency is about
85% of B.O.D
(vin) the
trickling filter, in initial
in slow
The high
rate
rate trickling
filters are much economical
rate trickling filters.
ost (cost
(viii) etc.) than
normal of
construction and land to 1000 cu.m Der
rate trickling be950
filters can
of 3,35.000 100 sq.m
The B.O.D. loading in high
increased
filter can
be
the contact media. The

hectare. It should not

hydraulic load ofthe
be kept less than
mm./day/hectare of the contact
45,000 cu. u.facesm.ldaylfor
/

ofthe gelatinous film. filters are very com

proper flushing rate trickling
nonn now
above advantages, the high for no ;
Due to thhe the slow rate trickling filters
days. Following
modifications are done over getting beter
results in high rate filters. to 120 cm, forbetter.
media is reduced to 170
(a) The depth ofthe filtering eration fo
high
rate biological activity.
of increased and their slopes are made moore steeper
The size of the underdrains
are
(6)
(b)
for quick collection of effluent. to 2 R.P.M. for supplvino
rotating arms is increased
(c) The speed of the
high rate.
sewage a
tanks is increased for collecting moro
The size of the secondary settling
(d) of sewageand flocculant solids coming with the effluent ofthe trickling filter. quantity
u n c T R I C K I TNG FTL TERS
 over the filter.
er media
is again sprinkled
1 6 . 1 3 R E C I R C U L A T I O N

effluent
filter the
rate trickling
In high
known as recirculation. Recirculation

Trickling
Primary
settling tank
filter
Influent

Primary and
Secondary
recirculated Secondary -Effluent
trickling settling
studge tank
filter

Recirculation

Secondary
Primary Trickling settling Effluent
Sewag
Influent
settling tank filter tank

Sludge(primary) Sludge(secondary)

Secondary
Influent
Primary Trickling settling Eftluent
settling tank filter
tank

Recirculation

Fig. 16.6. Common methods of recirculation of sewage in

trickling filters.
Fig. 16.6 illustrates the line diagrams ofsome ofthe common methods ofrecirculation
sewage effluent.
The following are the advantages of recirculation:
() The period for which the filter remains out of order is reduced to a minimum
adjusting the recirculation to influent flow.
(i) The thickness of organism film is decreased by forced film sloughing.
() The raw sewage is freshened and foul odour is
(v) The applied sewage is seeded with active prevented from it. filuet
due to which the efficiency of filter isorganisms and enzymes or
()The lower portion of increased.
overall efficiency. the filter media becomes more effective, InecreasingB
16.14 RECIRCULATION FACTOR
Recirculation ratio is the ratio of wage.I
capacity of the pumps doing the recirculated flow to the total flow of
rawin
load on the trickling filters is recirculation of sewage is determined with this. u
also determined this.
Recirculating pumps capacity (Influentby =

Hydraulic load on Sewage Flow)» (Recirculation Ratio)

Trickling filters=(Influent Sewage)
Recircula
circulationRal

x
(1 +
 1 unit of 45 m. dia. and I.0 m say)
adopt
depth for 2nd stage
4
refore
BIOFILTERS trickling filter.
two-stage treatment. It is
also called
Previously, sit nothing but two high rate trickling filter
mecicdn Setion.
Thus

has been such that the

lation. In recirculation the
effluent is
efficiency of the filtration is
again allowed to pass in the
a s c db yr e c i r c u

yrecin bior
butin biofilters
the effluent is
mrcasc
filter, passed in the another
t one. In the biofilter units the
same
trickling filter,
in
seres,
to the first
in the economy in construction.
depths of tanks are reduced to connected
1.2 to 0.9
resulting
me
nly are
a r e tthe advantages of biofilters:

The folo
following
more flexibility operation. When concentrated
is m o r e flexi
There
in
( filters are joined in seres and when
sewage is to be treated,
light sewage is to be treated they may
work in parallel.
(i) By sting the quantity of sewage and effluent entering the tanks, they can be
uniformly loaded.
) As the depths of the tanks have been reduced, they are economical.
a(v) The size of the filters is reduced due to two units in place of one.
Ifahigh capacity or rougning nirer is Tollowedbyan intermediate setling tank. a normai

flter and a final settling tank, very good results will be obtained. The B..D. load on the
hing filters can be increased upto 74,000 kgm/hectare metre/day. The load on the
filters can be between 2200 to 3000 kgm/hectare metre/day.
trickling
nor
16.16 HUMUS TANKS

These are also known as secondary settling tanks and are similar to sedimentation
anks. It has been observed that the effluent of trickling filters contains finely-divided
Due to the biological oxidation
suspended solids whose only character has been changed. settleable solids. The effluent
of these suspended solids, they are converted into easily
fom the trickling filter is passed through the humus tanks in which a detention period upto
2 hours is provided, due to which all the suspended matter settles in the bed and is removed.
Ihe capacity of these tanks in 30 to 50 cm'/mlday.
The weir loading in the humus tanks should be kept less than 225 cu.m./m of weir
of the tank should be
the recirculation of the effluent is to be done, the size
n. it time for the total combined flow of sewage
gned accordingly to provide adequate settling
and recirculated effluent.
TRICKLING FILTERS
4
COMPARISON OF LOW RATE AND HIGH RATE
and Low High Rate
able 16.4. Comparison between
comparison.
Filters Particular
Trickling
Low rate(Normal) High rate Trickling filter
Particular Compurisons Trickling Juters
Hiph rate Trickling filter than
Should not be more
Interval of dosingg Should not be more 15 seconds Continuous
than 5 minutes
Sloughing Intermittent
BetweenI,12,000to
Sewage hydraulic loading| t 45,000 cu.m.
About 45,000 cu.m./ 3.35,000cu.m/hectareday
Characteristics of final filter area | of tilter area
effluent hectarelday of Contains B.OD.>
Organic loading Contains B.0.D. s. 30 mg./itre, it is not
20 mg./litr, it is highly0
a) B.O.D. nitrate stage| fully
nitrified
nitrified into
(Cxpressed in surface area
(6) 2200 kg/m/hectare
m/day| >I\.00

(6) kg.m./hectare m/day

C B.O.D. in gm./B.O.D
240
Cu.m./day Highly oxidized
black 950
pressed in volume)
 474 WATER SUPPLY AND
SANITARY
ENG
6. Characteristics of
secondary sludge
colour having light fine
particles
Not fully oxidized
black colour NONEbro ERIN
System of Recirculation Usually not provided,
but can be provided if containing fine parti
Provided in all
the hydraulic load does
exceed the limits.
filters. highrirate
cles
8. Depth of contact machine| 1.8to2.4 m. 1.2 to 1.8 m.
Cost of operation More Small
Table 16.4 shows the main comparative difference between the low
ow rarate and high
trickling filters.
16.18 FILTER SITE TROUBLES AND REMEDIEs
rae
Following are the various types of troubles which occasionally occur at
occur at the
operation oftrickling filters site
(a) Odour Nuisance. It is used due to anaerobic decomposition, slud. and
undesirable growth. The odour nuisance can be elir
conditions responsible for it.
udging
eliminated by prever and
Following are the main remedies for the prevention of the odour nuisance
( The effluent obtained from the filter can be recirculated to continu
condition and prevent anaerobic condition.
(i) The upper portion of the sewage can be kept fresh by its chlorination
3eTotic
(ii) The sewage can be kept in aerobic condition by chlorinating it before .

(6)
settling treatment.
Ponding Nuisance. When all the voids of the trickling filters are fillede
primary
choking by heavy fungus or other suspended matters, the sewage cann
through the filter and accumulate at the surface in the shape ofa pond pass
ponding nuisance the sewage cannot pass through the filter and the tre Du
work is stopped. treainenm
Theponding nuisance can be prevented and removed by the following method
() By drying the filter media for 15 to 48 hours by exposing it to the sun and
the aggregate with steel bars. loseninn
(ii) By washing and flushing the filter media with high
simultaneously loosening the aggregate with steel bars. velocity
water jet an
(ii) By flooding the filter top with water and allowing to stand for 24
this hours. Within
period the impurities filled in the voids of the filter media
shall be wastei
down.
(iv) By applying heavy dose of chlorine or chlorinated lime
in the filter influent for 2-6 hours after upto a residual ofSppm
every 2-3 days. The chlorinated influent
should be recirculated for
(c)
opening the voids of the filter.
The fly Nuisance. This is the
plants. The operation of the trickling filters ismajor
trouble at the site of sewage treatmes
done at very low rate. Sniall
breed and are; developed at the sites. This
filter fly is also known as moth-hke tis
The ve?
small size can enter
through the window mesh or screens and enter Psychoda".
into the nose,
ears and eyes
of the people and animals, and causes great trouble to them. The lite mouu
fly is about 22 days at 15.5°C, but with the increase in or
its life is only 7 days. The filter temperature its life decreases. At
fly also interferes with the working of filter, as it
filter media and chokes it. In its larval
stage, it is found in gelatinous film
reacnes
Following are the main methods of coveringne
preventing
chlorinating the sewage, the chlorine will fly nuisance:
i) By adding insecticides such as D. T. in the kill all the larva and the Iy time0
time on the ground and on the site D. sewage and sprinkling it tro
of the treatment units.
(ii) Flooding of filter once a day within each
(iv) By sprinkling lime at the site and at all breeding cycle of the fly
possible places, where larva are
its