SETK 3413: POLLUTION CONTROL

WASTEWATER TREATMENT
EXERCISE 4
QUESTION 1

Two activated sludge aeration tanks at Turkey Run, Indiana, are operated in series. Each tank has the following
dimensions: 7.0 m wide by 30.0 m long by 4.3 m effective liquid depth. The plant operating
parameters are as follows:

Flow: 0.0796 m3/s

Soluble BOD5 after primary settling = 130 mg/L
MLVSS = 1500 mg/L
MLSS = 1.40 (MLVSS)
Settled sludge volume after 30 min = 230.0 mL/L
Aeration tank liquid temperature = 15 °C

Determine the following: hydraulic detention time (θ), F/M ratio (mg/mg.d), SVI (mL/g), maximum solids
concentration in the return sludge (mg/L). With the current operation, what will be the max MLSS concentration in
the bioreactor that can be achieved? How will the operation change if the aeration tanks are arranged in parallel
instead.
QUESTION 2

The 500-bed Kulai Hospital has a small activated sludge plant to treat its wastewater. The average daily hospital
discharge is 1500 L/day per bed of wastewater each day and the average soluble Biological Oxygen Demand
(sBOD) after primary settling is 500 mg/L. The aeration tank has effective liquid dimensions of 10.0 m wide by
10.0 m long by 4.5 m deep. The plant operating parameters are as follows:

Mixed liquor volatile suspended solid (MLVSS) = 2000 mg/L

Mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) = 1.2 (MLVSS)
Settled sludge volume after 30 minutes = 200 mL/L

Determine the following: aeration period, F/M ratio, and maximum solids concentration in the returned sludge.
QUESTION 3

(a) Sketch a complete process of wastewater treatment which includes pre-treatment, primary
treatment, secondary treatment (activated sludge), and solid handling (detailed process). Label
each the equipment involve, liquid and solid flow.

(b) The current design of treatment plant is having issue with COD concentration does not meet that
standard. Propose a solution and re-sketch your treatment plant by including your idea to solve this
issue.