125

200

100
S (mg COD/L)
X (mg VSS/L)
Efficiency (percent)

150

75

100

50

50

25

0
0

0.5

1
Retention time, tR (days)

Lecture 17.xls 2/20/2006

1.5

Treatment efficiency (percent)

Substrate, S; Biomass, X (mg/L)

250

Zone Settling Velocity, ft/hr

EFFECT OF SOLIDS RETENTION TIME, c, ON THE SETTLING

PROPERTIES OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

20
2000 mg/L-MLSS

16

Stirred

12

Unstirred

8
4
0

10

12

14

Solids Retention Time (days)

Figure by MIT OCW.
Adapted from: WEF. Wastewater Treatment Plant Design. Alexandria, Virginia: Water Environment Federation, 2003.

TYPICAL OPERATING RANGE FOR ACTIVATED-SLUDGE SYSTEMS

Aeration Tank
MLSS Concentration, mg/L

6000
Suggested maximum

5000
4000

SVI = 50
SVI = 100
SVI = 150
SVI = 200
SVI = 400

3000
Common
operating range

2000
1000
0

1
2
Return Sludge Ratio, R:Q

Figure by MIT OCW.

Adapted from: WEF. Wastewater Treatment Plant Design. Alexandria, Virginia: Water Environment Federation, 2003.