Water Res. Vol. 18, No. 12, pp. 1493-1500, 1984 0043-1354/84 $3.00+ 0.

00
Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved Copyright © 1984 Pergamon Press Ltd

SINGLE SLUDGE NITROGEN REMOVAL IN AN

OXIDATION DITCH
YERACHMIEL ARGAMAN
Department of Civil Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

(Received June 1983)

AImtrlct--Activated sludge systems of the oxidation ditch configuration are uniquely suitable for the
single-sludge nitrification and denitrification process. This is due to the high recycle flow generated by the
aeration system. Existing systems, originally designed for carbonaceous organic removal and nitrification,
can be modified to the complete nitrogen removal mode, through the control of oxygen supply. This paper
discusses the conditions required for such modification along with the necessary calculation procedures.
A case study of a full-scale industrial plant is presented. Calculations based on the principles outlined
herein illustrate the capability of the existing system to operate successfully under the single-sludge mode.
Actual data over a 15 months period support these results.

Key words--wastewater treatment, nitrogen removal, nitrification, denitrification, single-sludge, oxidation

ditch, case study

INTRODUCTION role of the two basins, i.e. anoxic or aerobic, alternate

The single-sludge system for biological removal of
nitrogen is based on alternating exposure of the
wastewater to aerobic and anoxic environments. Or-
ganic and ammonia nitrogen are converted to nitrates
through hydrolysis and nitrification in the aerobic
zone, and the nitrate is subsequently converted to
nitrogen gas by denitrification in the anoxic zone. A
basic feature of the single-sludge process is the utili-
zation of wastewater carbonaceous organics as the
hydrogen acceptor ("carbon source") in the
denitrification stage. This has the 2-fold advantage of
eliminating the need for an external carbon source,
and utilization of the nitrate as an oxygen substitute
thus reducing the energy requirements for the aerobic
degradation of organic matter. Under certain condi-
tions, i.e. with high ammonia and low buffer capacity
in the raw wastewater, pH adjustment chemicals may
also be saved by the retrieval in the denitrification
stage of part of the alkalinity destroyed in the
nitrification stage.
The single-sludge process can be accomplished in a
two-basin system where nitrified effluent is recycled
from the aerobic basin to a n anoxic basin for
denitrification. Recycle is the key element in such
systems since it is the only way internal carbon source
can be utilized for denitrification. Such systems were
described by Barnard (1974), Argaman (1981) and
Sutton et al. (1980, 1981). In this configuration part
of the energy saved by reduced aeration is lost in high
pumping rates for recycle or in mixing power within
the anoxic zone. To avoid these high pumping costs,
Henze Christensen (1975) has used a two basin
system operated in an alternating mode. The two-
basins were connected in series, the first being anoxic
and the second aerobic. The direction of flow and the
1493
thus simulating a recycle effect. Tholander (1977)
described the design of a full-scale plant using this
approach and presented data showing 90% removal
of nitrogen from a blend of domestic and industrial
wastewater.
The oxidation ditch is an alternative configuration
in which the single-sludge process can be accom-
plished taking full advantage of the aforementioned
energy saving. In this system both the recycle flow
and the mixing are obtained through the aeration
device, normally a brush type aerator.
Oxidation ditches have been used successfully in
Europe for over 50 years, and are gaining popularity
in the U.S. and other parts of the world. These
systems were used mainly for the treatment of
domestic and trade wastes from small and medium
sized communities. More recently they have been
used in larger installations. In most applications the
oxidation ditches were designed and operated as
totally aerobic basins for the oxidation of carbo-
naceous organics with or without nitrification.
Applegate et al. (1980) described a full-scale multi-
channel oxidation ditch system where up to 91% of
total nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater was
achieved. However, the author reported uniform DO
distributions within each channel and speculated that
denitrification occurred in the anoxic interior of
biological flocs. Use of the oxidation ditch type
activated sludge system for nitrogen removal through
the creation of aerobic and anoxic zones within the
channel was described by Matsche and Spatziemer
(1975) and by Matsche 0980).
The objective of this paper is to illustrate how an
oxidation ditch system, existing or new, can be
utilized for complete nitrogen removal with the added
benefits of a better effluent and cost saving.
1494 ~:[RACHMIEL ARGAMAN
PROCESS DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS
The oxidation ditch is an activated sludge biologi-
cal treatment process which can be operated at
standard rate or in the extended aeration mode, The
typical system consists of a closed loop channel as
shown in Fig. 1, or is shaped like a race track. The
wastewater is aerated using mechanical aerators
mounted across the channel. Horizontal brush, cage
or disc-type aerators are typically used. The aerator,
apart from transfering atmospheric oxygen to the
wastewater, provides mixing and circulation thus
maintaining the biomass in suspension. Mixed liquor
from the ditch is passed to a secondary clarifier of
conventional design. The clarifier's underflow is split
into two parts, one returned to the ditch the other
carrying the excess sludge. Unlike conventional com-
pletely mixed aeration basins the dissolved oxygen
(DO) concentration in the ditch is not uniform.
Normally the highest DO levels are found just below
the aerators, and the concentration drops gradually
as the liquid moves along the channel. The DO levels
depend on the oxygen transfer capability of the
aerators and the oxygen demand exerted by the
biochemical reaction. If the oxygen demand exceeds
the aerators maximum oxygen transfer capacity,
zones of anaerobic or anoxic conditions will develop.
Oxygen demand in an oxidation ditch consists of
that which is utilized for carbonaceous B a D removal
and, in many cases, for nitrification. Nitrification is
often required by regulatory agencies in order to
reduce toxicity and oxygen demand in receiving
waters. Yet in other instances nitrification occurs
unintentionally as the sysem is operated under low
organic loading for complete carbonaceous B a D
removal. If complete nitrogen removal is required by
regulatory agencies, nitrate removal must also be
provided. As will be shown subsequently, the ox-
idation ditch sysem is uniquely suitable lbr a com-
bined nitrification and denitrification process regard-
less of whether or not denitrification is required. As
long as nitrification occurs, it is advantageous to
operate the system for complete nitrogen removal.
This can be done at the original design phase or by
modifying the operation of an existing system.
The key to such operation is adjustment of the
aeration system so that one or more pairs of aerobic
and anoxic zones are created. In this paper, a single
Standby aerator
Influent /
end return sludge/f
D o probe
To clarifier
Fig. 1. Aeration basin at the Catania plant.
pair will be considered (as shown in Fig. I) although
the principles apply to any number of such pairs,
Process formulation and design procedures which,
with appropriate modifications, may be utilized for
such systems have been presented by Barnard (1974),
Argaman and Miller (1979) and Argaman t1981,
1982). In general, the system design and operation
must meet the following requirements:
(1) The solids retention time (SRT) must exceed the
minimum required for nitrification in the aerobic
zone.
(2) The anoxic zone must have adequate residence
time and biomass concentration to allow for
denitrification.
(3) The oxygen supply system must deliver ade-
quate oxygen for both the carbonaceous and nitrog-
enous demand, yet assuring the absence of oxygen in
the anoxic zone.
(4) The influent carbon/nitrogen ratio must be
within an appropriate range.
(5) Flow in the ditch must generate adequate
recycle rate.
(6) Appropriate environmental conditions, condu-
cive to nitrification and denitrification must exist in
the system.
These requirements will be discussed in more detail.
Solids retention time
In a single stage activated sludge system the min-
imum SRT required in order to avoid washout of
nitrifiers is given by
SRT~i. = / J I (1)
where:
SRT'min = minimum SRT required lbr
nitrification in a single stage activated
sludge (day)
fi = maximum growth rate of nitrifiers
(day 1).
In deriving equation (1), it was asssumed that the
nitrifier's actual specific growth rate is at its max-
imum value and that the decay rate approaches zero.
Since in reality neither of these assumptions is true,
it is common to apply a safety factor for selecting the
design SRT. This safety factor typically ranges from
2to3.
A e r o b i c zone
Operating
aerator
 Single sludge nitrogen removal in an oxidation ditch
The nitrifiers maximum growth rate is temperature
dependent and can be expressed by
fz (T) = ~ (To)exp[Os(T - T0)l (2)
where:
/~ (T) a n d / i (To) are the nitrifiers maximum growth
rates at temperatures T°C and
T0°C, respectively (day -1)
0N = temperature coefficient for
nitrifiers growth rate.
Values of /~ (T) vary over a wide range, mainly
because of variations in environmental factors. In the
absence of experimental data the value can be se-
lected from the reported range of 0.21-1.44 day -1 at
temperatures ranging from 8 to 25°C. (U.S. EPA,
1975). Reported values of 0N are less scattered and
vary from 0.069 to 0.116 (U.S. EPA, 1975).
In an aerobic/anoxic oxidation ditch nitrifying
microorganisms grow in the aerobic zone only. Hence
it can be shown that the minimum SRT required for
nitrification should be
(SRT)m,n = ~t-1 (SRT)~, (3)
where:
(SRT)min = minimum SRT required for nitrifi-
cation in an aerobic/anoxic system
(day)
ct = aerobic volume fraction
Since ~t is always less than 1.0 the minimum SRT
required for nitrification in an aerobic/anoxic system
is always higher than in a single stage activated sludge
system.
Under most circumstances encountered in practice
the concentration of carbonaceous organics in the
raw wastewater greatly exceeds that of nitrogenous
matter. Moreover, the cellular yield and growth rate
of heterotrophic microorganisms is considerably
higher than the corresponding values for the auto-
trophs. Thus the design and operation parameters
required for maintaining a desired SRT are con-
trolled by the heterotrophic biomass characteristics
and the carbonaceous organic removal kinetics.
Assuming that the rate of organic removal, micro-
organism decay and cellular yield are the same in
both the aerobic and anoxic zones, the hydraulic
residence time can be related to the SRT through
t = So(ak SRT - b SRT - 1)[kXv(1 + b SRT)] -1 (4)
where:
t = nominal hydraulic residence time (day)
So = influent concentration of BOD (mg 1-1)
a = sludge yield coefficient [(g VSS)(g BOD) -I]
k = organic removal rate coefficient (day -I)
b = endogenous decay rate coefficient (day -I)
Xv = active biomass concentration in the system
(mg 1-~).
The rate coefficient k depends on the nature of the
1495
organics and the environmental condition to which
the biomass is exposed. Values reported in the litera-
ture vary from less than 1.0 day -1 for poorly de-
gradable industrial wastes to over 20.0 day -1 for
highly degradable organics.
The reported values of a range from 0.4 to 0.7 (g
VSS) (g BOD) -l and b from 0.02 to 0.05 day -1.
Equation (4) is based on an apparent first order
reaction law as suggested by Adams et al. (1975). The
overall nominal hydraulic residence time required for
nitrification in an aerobic/anoxic system can be calcu-
lated from equation (4) using the design SRT, i.e.
(SRT)mi, multiplied by a safety factor.
The reaction rate coefficient k is also temperature
dependent. Thus:
k ( T ) = k(To)O r - ro (5)
where:
k ( T ) and k(To)are the rate coefficient at tem-
perature T and To, respectively
(day-~)
0 = temperature coefficient for carbo-
naceous organics removal rate.
Typical values of 0 range from 1.03 to 1.07.
Anoxic zone
The volume and biomass concentration in the
anoxic zone must be such that complete denitrific-
ation can be achieved. The rate of denitrification
depends primarily on the rate of organic removal
which, in turn, depends on the nature of the organics,
temperature and other environmental factors.
Although the exact expression for the
denitrification rate is given by a multi substrate
Monod equation, under many situations the concen-
trations of both nitrates and BOD in the anoxic zone
allow a zero order approximation (Beccari et al.,
1983). Thus, for adequate denitrification the biomass
concentration and the nominal hydraulic residence
time in the anoxic zone must satisfy the following
condition:
Xvto >1A N o k ~ I (6)
where:
tD = nominal hydraulic residence time in the
anoxic zone (day)
AN D = denitrified nitrogen concentration (rag 1-1)
kz~ = zero order denitrification rate coefficient,
[(rag NOa-N ) (rag VSS) -t day-I].
Reported values of ko, summarized by Eckenfelder
and Argaman (1978) range from 0.03 to 0.60 (mg
NO3-N) (mg VSS)- i day- 1. Values in the lower range
refer to endogenous denitrification with domestic
sewage whereas the high rates were derived from
denitrification systems using methanol or other
readily degradable carbon sources. The temperature
dependence of ko is similar to that of k, thus equation
(5) applies to the denitrification rate coefficient too.
1496 YERACHMIELARGAMAN
Oxygen requirements
In an aerobic/anoxic oxidation ditch oxygen is
consumed for the oxidation of carbonaceous organics
and ammonia as well as for microbial endogenous
respiration. Part of the oxygen requirement is sup-
plied by the denitrification reaction where nitrate
serves as the electron acceptor in place of molecular
oxygen. Thus the overall net oxygen requirement may
be expressed by
U =a'sr+a"Ar+b'X,.t -a"AN o (7)
where:
U = overall net oxygen requirements (mg 1- ~)
a ' = oxygen utilization coefficient for carbo-
naceous organic removal [(mg 02) (mg
BOD)- ']
a" = oxygen utilization coefficient for ammonia
removal [(mg 02) (mg NH3-N)-']
a " = oxygen equivalent of denitrified nitrate
nitrogen [(mg 02) (mg N O 3 - N ) - I ]
S t = BOD removal (nag 1-')
Ar = ammonia nitrogen nitrified (mg 1-j)
b ' = oxygen utilization coefficient in endo-
genous respiration [(g 02) (g VSS)-'
day '].
The values of a' normally ranges from 0.5 to 0.7 (g
O2) (g BOD)-' while b' varies between 0.024).05 (g
Oz) (g VSS)-' day-'. The oxygen required for the
oxidation of ammonia, a", is 4.2 (g O2) (g NH3-N) '
and the oxygen equivalent of nitrate, a", is 2.86 (g 02)
(g NO3-N)-'.
Nitrogen/carbon ratio
The interrelationship between carbonaceous and
nitrogenous removal reactions requires that the
influent nitrogen/carbon ratio be within a certain
range. This ratio is normally expressed in terms of
(influent NH3-N) (influent BOD)-~.
The lower limit of this ratio is derived from the
minimum nitrogen requirements for cell synthesis, in
a system where all nitrogen removal is through
assimilation. Since the net specific cellular yield and
thus the nitrogen requirements depend on the organic
loading rate the minimum ammonia/BOD ratio is not
a constant. Using a net yield coefficient range of
0.15--0.40 (g VSS) (g BOD) -~ and assuming 12~o
nitrogen in dry cells the minimum ammonia/BOD
ratio will range from 0.018 to 0.048 (g NH3-N ) (g
BOD)-'.
The upper limit of the ammonia/BOD ratio is
established by the need for a carbon source in the
denitrification reaction. In this reaction nitrate nitro-
gen is utilized as the electron acceptor in lieu of
molecular oxygen. Hence, like oxygen utilization in
aerobic systems, the nitrate requirements per unit of
BOD removed depend on the organic loading. Using
a typical range of net oxygen utilization between 2.0
and 2.5 (gO2) (g BOD) -I and taking the "oxygen
equivalent" of nitrate nitrogen as 2.86 (g 05) (g
NO3-N) -t the amount of BOD utilized for
denitrification ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 (g BOD) (g
NO3-N) -~. Thus, if all the influent BOD is removed
in the denitrification zone, and all inftuent ammonia
is denitrified, the upper limit of the ammonia/BOD
ratio would be 0.71-0.91 (g NH 3 N) (g BOD) ~. This
calculation overestimates the upper ammonia/BOD
limit since part of the BOD is certainly removed in
the aerobic zone. This error is partially offset by the
assumption that no nitrogen is consumed through
assimilation.
In summary it can be stated that for complete BOD
and nitrogen removal the influent ammonia/BOD
ratio must range approximately from a minimum of
0.018-0.048 to a maximum of 0.71-0.91 (g NH3-N)
(g BOD) i.
Flow in the ditch
For effective nitrogen removal in a single sludge
system, nitrified wastewater must be recycled to the
anoxic zone at an appropriate rate. It has been shown
that the overall recycle ratio is determined by the
desired effluent nitrate concentration as expressed by
the following approximation (Argaman, 1981):
A0
R = ~-- 1 (8)
where:
R = overall recycle ratio
A0 = influent ammonia (mg 1-~ as N)
N e = effluent nitrate (mg 1-~ as N).
In deriving this equation it was assumed that the
nitrification and denitrification reactions go to com-
pletion in the anoxic and aerobic zones, respectively.
The overall recycle flow is composed of the mixed
liquor recycle flow and the sludge recycle flow. The
latter rate depends on the settling characteristics of
the sludge and is usually varying from 30 to 100~ of
the through flow. The mixed liquor recycle flow is
considerably higher and constitutes the bulk of the
recycle flow. In an oxidation ditch this flow generally
originates from the same mechanism which provides
oxygen to the biological reaction. This flow must also
generate sufficiently high velocity in the ditch in order
to avoid settling of the biomass. The minimum flow
velocity required for the latter purpose is approx.
0.5 m s -t. The flow velocity can be estimated from the
following hydraulic relationship neglecting local
headlosses (Argaman and Spivak, 1974):
L~ = ( ~ p r 4 / 3 ) i / 3 ( p g V n 2 ) - i/3 (9)
where:
v= flow velocity in the channel (m s -~)
P = total power of aerators (W)
r = hydraulic radius of channel (m)
n = Manning's coefficient (s m--v3)
t/= efficiency
 Single sludge nitrogen removal in an oxidation ditch 1497

p = water density (kg m - a ) Table 1. Aeration system dimensions and capacity

g = acceleration of gravity (m s -2)
V -- volume of ditch (m3).
A major difficulty in using equation (9) arises in
estimating the efficiency of an aerator as a flow
generating device. Such data are scarce. In one study
using a cage rotor the efficiency ranged from 4 to 11%
at various rotational speeds and levels of sub-
mergence (Argaman and Spivak, 1974).
Environmental conditions
The physical and chemical conditions in all parts of
the oxidation ditch must be maintained in a range
which is conducive to microbial growth. Although
the optimal levels of some environmental parameters
for nitrification are not the same as for
denitrification, the system can be operated with both
zones functioning effectively. Temperatures in the
ditch should ideally be maintained above 10°C and
not over 35°C. The pH should be in the neutral range,
preferably between 6.5-7.5. Adjustment of pH may
sometimes be required. Particularly if high ammonia
and low alkalinity wastewaters are encountered. In-
hibitory compounds such as heavy metals, organic
toxicants or high salinity should be avoided.
CASE STUDY
Operation of an activated sludge system to achieve
complete nitrogen removal in accordance with the
principles discussed herein is described subsequently.
The system is located at the Cyanamid Italia S.p.A.
plant in Catania, Italy.
Description of facilities
Industrial wastewater at the Cyanamid plant orig-
inate from the production of antibiotic drugs of the
tetracycline group. These wastewater, containing car-
bonaceous BOD, organic nitrogen and ammonia, are
treated biologically in an activated sludge system.
The aeration basin (as shown in Fig. 1) is a closed-
loop channel equipped with two horizontally moun-
ted aerators. A summary of the main features and
dimensions of the system is presented in Table 1.
Aeration ditch
Effective length (m) 108
Width (m) 6.8
Depth (m) 3.0
Volume (m 3) 2200
Aerators
No. of aerators 2
Length (m) 6.0
Diameter (m) 1.0
Submersion (cm) 10-26
Rotation velocity (rpm) 72
Power consumption* (kW) 10.5-24.9
Standard oxygenation
capacity* (kg day - ~) 454-1123
*Varying with submergence; data from manu-
facturer's chart.
The system was used successfully in the past for
BOD removal and nitrification. Both aerators were
operated continuously maintaining high levels of DO
throughout the basin. Concern over the high nitrate
levels in the effluent prompted plant management in
mid 1979 to consider alternative modifications to
alleviate this problem. Analysis of the raw waste
composition and the system's capacity suggested that
the existing facility could achieve both nitrification
and denitrification with the added benefit of a saving
in energy by creating an anoxic zone in part of the
basin through the control of oxygen input. The
analysis indicated that under the conditions normally
encountered, a single aerator could supply the entire
oxygen demand while part of the BOD is utilized for
denitrification in the anoxic zone. Under very high
load conditions both aerators could be used creating
a pair of aerobic/anoxic zones. The alternative solu-
tion called for the construction of an additional basin
to be used as a separate denitrification stage down-
stream of the existing system with methanol as a
carbon source. The economic advantages of the
single-sludge solution in this case are obvious.
System operation and performance parameters
A summary of the operation and performance
parameters for the 15 months period starting October
1981 is presented in Table 2. These are monthly
average values for each of the 15 months except for

Table 2. Summary of average operation and performance parameters

Influent Effluent Aeration basin
BOD TKN BOD NH3-N NO~--N MLVSS Res. time Temp.
Month (mg l -t) (rag l -I) (mg l -I) (mg 1-1) (mg l -t) (mg 1 t) (day) (°C) pH
Oct. (1981) 970 370 < 10 <2 15.3 8125 3.85 25 7.2
Nov. 736 315 < 10 <2 14.9 9180 3.45 22 7.2
Dec. 557 327 < 10 <2 16.3 9180 3.81 20 7.3
Jan. (1982) 750 334 < 10 <2 9.7 8160 3.96 19 7.2
Feb. 625 200 < 10 <2 12.8 6930 4.07 17 7.0
March 712 342 < 10 <2 15.3 7800 4.29 19 7.2
April 566 270 < 10 <2 17.9 7995 4.27 22 6.8
May 398 228 < 10 <2 15.6 7345 4.46 25 6.8
June 488 253 < 10 <2 17.4 6820 4.10 29 7.0
July 140 125 < 10 <2 22.2 5700 4.42 28 7.2
Aug. 70 -- < I0 <2 -- 5310 8.00 26 7.5
Sept. 325 235 < 10 <2 19.6 5510 3.96 27 7.4
Oct. 490 280 < 10 <2 16.8 6696 3.34 25 7.2
Nov. 700 265 < 10 3.5 13.2 7458 3.67 23 7.0
Dec. 770 264 22 <2 17.1 7956 3.80 20 6.8
 1498 YERACHMIEL ARGAMAN

Table 3. Kinetic coefficients

Coefficient Units Range Selected value
a (g VSS) (g BOD) ' 0.4~0.7 0.5
" lg O,) (g BOD) ~ 0.5 0 7 0.6
a" (g 0 2) ( g N H ~ N) I 4.2 4.2
a"' (g 02) (g NO~ N ) ' 2.86 2.86
h day t 0 . 0 2 0.05 0.02
b' (g O2) (g VSS) ~ day t 0.02 0.05 0,05
k (20~C) day ~ < 1.0 >20.0 1.0
Ko (20"C) day ~ 0.03-6.0 0.10
n ~ m =~ 0.015 0.020 0.020
q "~i 4 . 0 I 1.0 4.0
0 ND* 1.03 1.07 1.035
0~ ND 0.069-0. l 16 0.11
,fi day ~ 0.21-1.44 0.25
*ND~non-dimensional.

August 82 when production dropped markedly due difference between influent TKN and effluent nitrate,
to summer vacation. The data of Table 2 indicate subtracting the nitrogen used for assimilation. The
almost complete removal of BOD and ammonia latter value was estimated at 2.5~ of the removed
nitrogen. Nitrates were reduced to less than 20 mg l- BOD. Excluding the month of July 82 the calculated
in all but one month (July 82). Examination of the anoxic residence time ranged from 0.77 to 1.32 day
daily data during the month of July 82 shows very with an average of 0.99 day. For the month of July
low influent BOD ( < 1 0 0 m g l -~) and very high 82 with its unusually low influent concentration, the
effluent nitrate ( > 60 mg 1- ~) towards the end of the required anoxic residence time was 0.44 day.
month. During this period the influent BOD was
below the carbon requirements for denitrification, Overall residence time
The required overall residence time was estimated
Comparison of actual and required values
using equations (1)-(4). A safety factor of 2.5 was
The observed values of various operation parame- applied in calculating the minimum required SRT to
ters were compared to those required according to the be substituted in equation (4). A trial and error
principles outlined in the preceding presentation. solution was used since the aerobic volume fraction,
Values of the various coefficients were selected from ~, must be specified in order to calculate SRTm~n in
the literature. Where a range of values is given in the equation (3). Hence a value of ~ was assumed, the
literature, the typical, or more conservative numbers overall residence time was calculated, and the re-
were selected, as shown in Table 3. suiting 7 was compared with the assumed one. This
sequence was repeated until the two values agreed to
Anoxic residence time within 10~°/o. The resulting values of ~ ranged from
The required residence time in the anoxic zone was 0.23 to 0.58 with an average of 0.39, again excluding
calculated using equation (6). Since the system was the month of July 82. The required overall residence
operated at very low organic loading it was assumed time is compared to the actual residence time in Fig.
that the fraction of the biomass is 0.3. Thus, only 30~ 2. As can be seen the actual residence time was always
of the MLVSS of Table 2 was substituted for Xv in considerably higher than the calculated minimum
equation (6). The value of ANo was calculated as the requirement.

5.0

Actual
o 4.0 r
"o
¢) ij .
E
~. 3.0
Minimum required ['equations(I)-(4)]

c
"~ 2 . 0
,\
1 , [___ J
o6 1.0

0
! I I I. I l I I I
I I I I I I
X Xl Xll I II III IV V Vl
VII VIII IX X Xl X l l
1981 1982 Month

Fig. 2. A c t u a l a n d r e q u i r e d o v e r a l l r e s i d e n c e t i m e .
 Single sludge nitrogen removal in an oxidation ditch 1499

1ZOO 1 assuming 80% mechanical efficiency, i.e. 8.4 and

I=., 1000
Available at maximum submergence
.~ 800
"~ 600
CL
g CONCLUSIONS
g 4oo
---~
Available at m i n i m u m
200
I I I I
X XI XII I II
1981
Fig. 3. Available and required oxygenation capacity.
Oxygenation capacity
Available and required oxygenation capacities are
compared in Fig. 3. The available capacity was
derived from the manufacturer's charts. It was as-
sumed that the average field capacity is 75~ of the
standard. Hence the values of Table 1 were multiplied
by 0.75 for these calculations. The data of Fig. 3
indicate that the available oxygenation capacity of a
single aerator exceeds the requirements during most
of the time. Occasionally, additional oxygenation
capacity is required which can readily be supplied by
the second aerator. Plant personnel reported the
average usage of the second aerator to be 2600 h yr
or approx. 30% of the time.
Influent composition
The actual influent TKN/BOD ratio is compared
to the required values in Fig. 4. The data indicate that
most of the time the actual ratio is well within the
required range. One exception is the month of July
1982, when the ratio was very near the maximum
range. As mentioned before, there was a shortage of
carbon source for denitrification during the latter
part of this month, resulting in poor denitrification.
Recycle ratio
Flow velocity in the ditch was calculated using
equation (9). The power input was taken from Table
1.Or-
.R 0.8
19.9kW for the minimum and maximum sub-
mergence, respectively. The calculated flow velocities
were 0.40 and 0.54ms -~ for the two extreme sub-
aria mergence values. These flow rates result in a recycle
ratio of over 1200 compared to the required range of
20--50.
Activated sludge systems of the oxidation ditch
submergence configuration are uniquely suitable for the single-
sludge nitrogen removal process. This is due to the
I I I I I I I [ I I I high recycle flow created by the aeration equipment.
III IV V Vl VII VIII IX X Xl Xll Existing systems, which were originally designed for
1982 Month
BOD removal and nitrification, can be readily
modified to the single-sludge nitrogen removal pro-
cess. This is achieved through the control of oxygen
supply, creating anoxic zones in parts of the aeration
basin. Certain conditions must be met with regard to
raw wastewater composition, oxygen supply, solids
retention time and flow in the ditch.
The full-scale plant described herein illustrates a
successful application of these principles. The calcu-
lations suggest that the system should be capable of
operating in the single-sludge nitrogen removal
mode. The performance data provide an experi-
mental confirmation thereof.
The plant was capable of complete BOD removal
and nitrification as evidenced by the very low concen-
trations of BOD and ammonia nitrogen in the
effluent. Due to denitrification in the anoxic zone
over 90% nitrogen removal was achieved. However,
the effluent nitrate nitrogen ranged from 10 to
20 mg 1-t. These results, as well as the calculations,
suggest that the system's anoxic capacity is the lim-
iting factor. This can be attributed to excess oxygen,
reduced rate of denitrification due to low BOD or a
combination of both.
Acknowledgement--The author wishes to thank Mr
Antonino Torre of Cyanamid Italia S.p.A. for supplying the
operation and performance data which were used in this
paper.
REFERENCES
A d a m s C. E. Jr, Eckenfelder W. W. Jr and Hovious J.
(1975) A kinetic model for design of completely mixed
activated sludge treating variable strength industrial
wastewater. Water Res. 9, 37-42.
Applegate S. C., Wilder B. and De Shaw J. R. 0980) Total
nitrogen removal in a multi-channel oxidation system. J.
Wat. Pollut. Control Fed. 52, 568-577.

0 0.6
m

Z
v o.4
h-
_fL LI_._ Argaman Y. (1981) Design and performance charts for
single sludge nitrogen removal systems. Water Res. 15,
841-847.
Argaman Y. (1982) Single sludge nitrogen removal from
industrial wastewater. Wat. Sci. Technol. 14, 7-20.
Argaman Y. and Miller E. (1979) Modelling recycled sys-
f~ tems for biological nitrification and denitrification. J.
_~ 0.2
E R a n g e of m i n i m u m ratio Wat. Pollut. Control Fed. 51, 749-758.
Argaman Y. and Spivak E. (1974) Engineering aspects of
eL~
X
. . . . . .
Xl xll I II
.
III IV
1 i i i
V V l V I I VIII I x
i i i
X Xl Xll
i wastewater treatment in aerated ring-shaped channels.
1981 1982 Month
Water Res. 8, 317-322.
Barnard J. L. (1974) Cut P and N without chemicals. Wat.
Fig. 4. Actual and required influent composition. Wastewat. Engng 11, 33-36, 41~14.
1500 YFRACHMIEL ARGAMAN
Beccari M., Passino R., Ramadori R. and Tandoi V. (1983)
Kinetics of dissimilatory nitrate and nitrite reduction in
suspended growth culture. J. Wat. Pollut. Control Fed. 55,
58-64.
Henze Christensen M. (1975) Denitrification of sewage by
alternating process operation. Prog. Wat. Technot. 7,
339-347.
Matsche N. F. (1980) Influencing parameters on the
nitrification---denitrification performance of a single stage
activated sludge plant. Prog. Wat. Technol. 12, 551-563.
Matsche N. F. and Spatziemer G. (1975) Austrian plant
knocks out nitrogen. Wat. Engng 12, 18-24.
Sutton P. M., Jank B. E. and Vachon D. (1980) Nutrient
removal in suspended growth systems without chemical
addition. J. War. PoUut. Control Fed. 52, 98- 109.
Sutton P. M., Bridle T. R., Bedford W. K. and Arnold J.
(1981t Nitrification and denitrification of an industrial
wastewater. J. Wat. Pollut. Control Fed. 53, 176 184.
Tholander B. (1977) An example of design of activated
sludge plants with denitrification. Prog. Wat. Technol. 8,
661-672.
U.S. EPA (1974) Process Design Manual ,[br Nitrogen
Removal, U.S. EPA, Office of Technology Transfer,
Washington, DC.