4( ‫تجربة رقم‬

Determination of
SLUDGE VOLUME
INDEX (SVI)

‫ أيار‬02

: ‫بأشراف الدكتور‬

‫علي مندل‬

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 ‫أسماء الطالب‬

‫‪-1‬مرتضى رياض عبد الرزاق‬

‫‪-2‬منتظر عايد خلف‬
‫‪-3‬كاظم سالم‬
‫‪-4‬اكرم هاشم‬
‫‪-5‬شهد فرحان‬
‫‪-6‬احمد جعفر‬
‫‪-7‬مهند متعب‬
‫‪-8‬حيدر اياد‬
‫‪-9‬حسن خيكان‬
‫‪-10‬كرار شنيدخ‬
‫‪-11‬عماد عبد الرحيم‬

‫شعبة ‪ ---- B‬كروب ‪D‬‬

‫‪2‬‬
 Introduction

Sludge Volume Index, also known as SVI, describes

how well the sludge from the aeration tank settles
and compacts. The Sludge Volume Index (SVI) is
defined as the volume (in mL) occupied by 1 g of
sludge after 30 min settling in a 1 L unstirred
cylinder. Sludge volume index (SVI) is fairly easy
and quick to perform, and can be obtained using
data from laboratory tests and a simple math
formula. In order to calculate sludge volume index
(SVI), you will need two numbers. The first number
comes from a 30-minute settleability test, where 1
litre of the mixed liquor sample from the aeration
tank is poured into a container called a settle meter.
The sludge is allowed to settle for 30 minutes, and
the volume of the settled sludge is measured in
mL/L. The other number used in the sludge volume
index (SVI) calculation comes from a MLSS test. It
simply determines the total suspended solids
concentration (TSS) of the sample from the aeration
tank, in mg/L. Sludge volume index (SVI) is
calculated by dividing the settleability by the MLSS
concentration. The SVI is always expressed in mL/g.

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 The purpose of the experiment

It is an appropriate standard for the sedimentation

rate and quality of sludge that is formed in aeration
tanks and deposited in sedimentation tanks

Tools used in the experiment

1-Balance

2-Flask

3-Graduated Cylinder

4-Nomination Paper

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 Experimental procedure

1. Measure the concentration of the sludge sample

with a TSS test according to
Standard Methods (suspended solid experiment).

2. Fill a 1 L graduated cylinder with the sludge sample

and allow the sample to
settle.

3. After 30 min of settling, read the volume occupied

by the sludge from the
graduated cylinder (SV30 in mL/ L).

4. Calculate the SVI from below Equation, with TSS

being the measured
concentration of the sample in g/L.

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 Determination of MLSS
The calculation of the SVI requires the MLSS be
known. The procedure for the
determination of the MLSS is outlined in Standard
Method 2540 D (Suspended
Solids (SS) and as below:
1) A homogenised aeration basin sample is vacuum
filtered onto a preweighed filter paper
2) The filter paper is dried in an oven at 103-105o C
until a constant weight is
obtained.
3) The increase in weight of the filter paper is
representative of the MLSS

Why test SVI

The SVI number gives a more accurate picture of the
sludge’s characteristics than settleability or MLSS
alone. Imagine the volume, or space that 1 gram of
sludge can fit into. Think of the characteristics of that
gram of sludge, the density or fluffiness of it. If
filamentous bacteria are present in the sludge, that 1
gram of sludge would be light, fluffy and spread out.
Now imagine a gram of dense, somewhat granular
sludge, like mud. The same gram of sludge would take
up less space than the same gram of fluffy,
filamentous sludge. That’s what SVI helps describe.
Trending SVI can help indicate changes happening in
the activated sludge treatment plant, preventing
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settling problems before they occur. The best SVI for
each plant will be different and should be determined
when the facility is running at optimum and used as a
benchmark. Some general SVI guidelines are given
below:

I) SVI = 80 mL/g or less

An SVI of 80 or less usually indicates a sludge that is
dense and has rapid
settling characteristics.

II) SVI = 100 to 200 mL/g

Most activated sludge plants seem to produce a clear,
high-quality effluent with
an SVI in the range of 100 to 200 mL/g. The sludge
typically settles slower and
traps more particulate matter as it forms a uniform
blanket before settling.

III) SVI = 250 mL/g or higher

At this elevated SVI, the sludge settles very slowly and
compacts poorly in the
settleability test. The MLSS looks light and fluffy, not
very dense

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