Simulation and Modeling of two Biological Treatment

systems for Municipal Wastewater in

City of Fairfield, Ohio
INTRODUCTION
TO
ENVIRONEMNTAL ENGINEERING
Submitted by:

FAEZEH DARVISH- 6746799

MONA EBRAHIMI- 6769160
YOGESH KUMAR- 6841791
Submitted to:

Dr. Maria Elektorowicz

Professor
BCEE
Concordia University

BUILDING, CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West. Montreal, Quebec
CANADA H3G 1MB

ABSTRACT
Waste water treatment plants are designed to serve specific functions during their design lives.
Their designated functions are dependent of many different criteria regarding the quality of
waste water. Knowledge of these criteria and their effects contribute in choosing the method and
the type of various components which will be incorporated in the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
With advancement of technology an engineer can compare various types of Waste Water
Treatment Plant with ease and can finalize best suited WWTP fulfilling all specific criteria.
The present project deals in design of a simulated wastewater treatment plant for the City
Fairfield using GPS-X software and comparing its service with the existing Wastewater
Treatment Facility located in the Great Miami River just south of Joyce Park. The Current
Facility serves domestic customers, Mercy Hospital of Fairfield, and a number of commercial
and industrial establishments in the City of Fairfield.The Current treatment plant treats
wastewater collected in over 175 miles of sewer pipe each day, protecting water quality and
preventing water pollution, discharging its effluent into the Great Miami River [1]. Currently the
city is using Activated sludge system to treat its municipal wastewater. This report investigates
two alternative biological treatment options, a rotating biological contactor (RBC) and MBR, and
assesses their capability to remove nutrients and total suspended solid from their incoming
wastewater.

CONTENTS
ABSTRACT

LIST OF CONTENT

ii

LIST OF FIGURES

iii

LIST OF TABLES

iv

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................1
1.1 GENERAL.......................................................................................................................................1
1.1.1 Primary Treatment................................................................................................................................................1
1.1.2 Secondary treatment..................................................................................................................................................1
1.1.3 Tertiary or Advanced Wastewater Treatment............................................................................................................2

1.2 ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR.....................................................................................2

1.3 MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR (MBR)...........................................................................................5
1.4 OBJECTIVE....................................................................................................................................6
1.5 SCOPE OF WORK.........................................................................................................................6
1.6 METHEDOLOGY...........................................................................................................................6
1.7 OUTLINE........................................................................................................................................6
DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA........................................................................................................8
2.1 FAIRFIELD, OHIO, USA...............................................................................................................8
2.2 POPULATION GROWTH...........................................................................................................9
2.3 FLOW RATE CALCULATION....................................................................................................9
2.4 STANDARD LEVELS AND WASTE WATER CHARACTERISTICS...........................................9
2.4.1 Effluent Standards.....................................................................................................................................................9
2.4.2 Final Influent Characterization................................................................................................................................10

MODELING......................................................................................................................................12
3.1 GPS-X........................................................................................................................................12
3.2 COMPONEMT IN GPS-X.............................................................................................................13
3.2.1 Influent....................................................................................................................................................................13
3.2.2 Grit Chamber...........................................................................................................................................................13
3.2.3 Rectangular Primary Clarifier.................................................................................................................................14
3.2.4 RBC Tank................................................................................................................................................................14
3.2.5 MBR Tank...............................................................................................................................................................15
3.2.6 Secondary Clarifier..................................................................................................................................................15
3.2.7 Disinfection.............................................................................................................................................................16
3.2.8 Effluent/Discharge

ii

.........................................................................................................................................................................................16
3.2.9 Sludge Thickening...................................................................................................................................................16
3.2.10 Dewatering Tank...................................................................................................................................................17

RESULTS.........................................................................................................................................18
4.1 WASTE WATER TREATMENT USING MBR...............................................................................18
4.2 WASTE WATER TREATMENT USING RBC................................................................................19
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................21
REFRENCES...................................................................................................................................23

iii

LIST OF FIGURES
CHAPTER 1
Figure 1.1: Rotating Biological Contactor
Figure 1.2: Membrane Bioreactor
CHAPTER 2
Figure 2.1:-City of Fairfield (Google Maps)
Figure 2.2:-Fairfield waste water treatment plant (Google Maps))
CHAPTER 3
Figure 3.1:-MBR Layout (GPS-X)
Figure 3.2:-RBC Layout (GPS-X)
Figure 3.3:- Influence (GPS-X)
Figure 3.4 (a):-Characteristic Input in GPS-X
Figure 3.4 (b):-Flow Input in GPS-X
Figure 3.5:- Grit Chamber (GPS-X)
Figure 3.6:- Rectangular Primary Clarifier (GPS-X)
Figure 3.7:- RCB Tank (GPS-X)
Figure 3.8:- Secondary Clarifier (GPS-X)
Figure 3.9:- Disinfection (GPS-X)
Figure 3.10:- Effluent/Discharge (GPS-X)
Figure 3.11:- Sludge Thickness (GPS-X)
Figure 3.12:- Dewatering Tank (GPS-X)

CHAPTER 4
Figure 4.1:-Effluence Characteristics using MBR Method (GPS-X)
Figure 4.2:- Effluence Characteristics using RBC Method (GPS-X)

iv

LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Wastewater Standards
Table 2.2: Wastewater Parameters
Table 3.1: Thickening Techniques Used in Sludge Processes
Table 5.1: Effluent characteristic for MBR, RBC and Actual Data

INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL
A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) or wastewater treatment works is an industrial structure
designed to remove biological or chemical waste products from water, thereby permitting the
treated water to be used for other purposes. [8] The design of WWTP is dependent on the type of
waste product present in wastewater. Three basic units are present in a WWTP:

1.1.1 Primary Treatment

Removal of settle or float pollutant from the incoming wastewater is the main purpose of
primary treatment. To acquire an effective primary treatment it is necessary to remove large
objectives and inert dense material first, to protect WWTP equipment. Meeting the protection
goal requires several devices, which are provided before the primary treatment phase and known
as a pretreatment process. These devices include bar racks, grit chambers, and depending on flow
rate equalization basin. Furthermore, pretreatment phase is included in primary treatment phase.
Commonly about more than one-half of suspended solids and approximately 35 percent of BOD5
associated with solid materials will remove in primary treatment. In many cities earlier, primary
or physical treatment was the only treatment process. However, nowadays it is not sufficient by
itself and treatment has to be continued by secondary treatment. [9, 10]

1.1.2 Secondary treatment

The treated wastewater from primary treatment still contains suspended solids and other organics
and inorganics. The purpose of secondary or chemical-physical treatment is to remove soluble
BOD5 and suspended solids (more than 85%) to reach the acceptable level of treatment
standards. Additionally, in almost all municipal wastewater treatment biological process is used
especially when secondary treatment is occupied and the purpose is to speed up breaking down
the biodegradable organic pollutants in a short time. As large amount of organics, and organisms
are involved in wastewater, biological treatment is required for complete treatment. Biological

process in wastewater provides some reactions for microorganisms to use organics as a food
supply and transform them into biomass or biological cells. [9, 10]
Furthermore, activated sludge, trickling filters, and oxidation ponds (or lagoons) are the most
popular approaches to meet the basic needs of secondary treatment.
Although in most cases secondary treatment is the last treatment process of municipal
wastewater, but for other cases which secondary treatment is not sufficient and majority of
nitrogen, phosphorous, heavy metals, and also pathogenic bacteria and viruses will still remain in
the wastewater tertiary or advanced wastewater treatment is required. [9, 10]

1.1.3 Tertiary or Advanced Wastewater Treatment

In some cases, the effluent from secondary treatment contains nitrogen, phosphorous, heavy
metals, and bacteria and viruses in this situation secondary treatment is not enough and tertiary
or advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) is provided. Further removal of suspended solids and
nutrients are associated by AWT. The process may accomplished by filtration, biological, and
chemical treatment, which can remove almost 99% of BOD5, phosphorous, suspended solids,
and bacteria, and also 95% of nitrogen will be eliminated. However some organic compositions
are decomposed to the harmless carbon dioxide and water. [9, 10]
Dissolved solids transform to the suspended solids, and finally with other suspended solids in
wastewater removed as sludge. Likewise handling sludge is very important and exposure of
sludge should be in environmentally acceptable manner and safe, because approximately most of
the impurities in wastewater are removed as sludge. [9, 10]

1.2 ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR (RBC)

The Rotational Biological Contactor (RBC) reactor is a process that used for wastewater
treatment. Actually RBC is a part of secondary and/or advanced treatment. The RBC process
involves allowing the wastewater to come in contact with a biological medium in order to
remove pollutants in the wastewater before discharge of the treated wastewater to
the environment, usually a body of water (river, lake or ocean). [11]

A Rotating Biological Contactor involves a series of circular parallel disks installed on a rotating
shaft above the wastewater flow. Typically, RBC units are consisting in a tank or trough and
rotate at between 2 and 5 revolutions per minute (rpm). Discs are rotated in an angle of 90, so
the shaft is in a row with the flow of wastewater and approximately 40% of the disk area is
covered in the wastewater. [11, 12]
Microorganisms growing on the medium surface where wastewater biological degradation
occurs. Biological growth depends on the surface of the disc and forms of the layer. For
oxidation discs help wastewater to collision with the atmospheric air while they are rotating. The
rotation helps to remove excess solids. As the system includes different stages, we can introduce
a slower degraded material to a later stage. Rotating discs have plastics sheets with 2m-4m
diameters and a maximum thickness of 10mm. To meet the flow and treatment requirements
several modules may be organized to perform their actions in series or in parallel. The discs are
drowned in wastewater to almost 40% of their diameter. Therefore, close to 95% of the surface
area is alternately drowned in wastewater and then exposed to the atmosphere above the liquid.
Carbonaceous substrate is removed in the initial stage where carbon conversion is completed in a
series of modules. However the nitrification action is completed after stage 5. To obtain
nitrification of wastewater, in designing of RBC systems we will include a minimum of 4 or 5
modules in series.
We facilitate the degradation of pollutant in the Aeration process by a rotating action where the
media is exposed to the air after being contracted with the wastewater. The amount of media
surface area and the quality/volume of the inflowing wastewater determine the degree of
wastewater treatment. [9, 10, 11]

F 1.1:Rotatting Biologiccal Contactorr [17]

Fig

Advanttages of RBC process:

Short conttact periods are requireed because of

o the large active surfaace.

RBCs are ccapable of handling

h
a wide
w range of
o flows.

Sloughed bbiomass gennerally has good

g
settlinng characterristics and ccan easily be
b separatedd
from the waaste stream.

Short retenttion time.

Low powerr requiremennts.

Eliminationn of the channneling to which

w
conveentional perrcolators aree susceptiblle.

Low sludgee productionn and excelllent processs control. [12]

[

Disadvaantages of RBC
R
processs:

Lack of doccumented operating

o
exxperience

High capitaal cost

Sensitivity to temperatture [10]

1.3 ME
EMBRAN
NE BIORE
EACTOR (MBR)
(

In receent years, M
Membrane Bioreactorr (MBR) technology
t
has becom
me more popular
p
and
d
accepteed way for municipal
m
an
nd industriaal wastewatter treatmen
nt for plants with size up
u to 80,000
0
equivalent or 48 million
m
literss per day. [13, 14] Thee current MBR
M
markett has been estimated
e
to
o
value arround US$2216 million in 2006 and
d to rise to US$363
U
miillion by 2010. [13]
This tecchnology co
ombines bio
ological acttivated-sluddge and mem
mbrane filtrration and can
c be used
d
for man
ny types of wastewaterrs. [14] Thee municipal effluent, which
w
comess from MBR
R processess
has hig
gh quality and
a can bee discharged to coastaal, surface or brackishh waterway
ys or to bee
reclaim
med for urban
n irrigation. [13]

Fig 1.2: Membrane

M
B
Bioreactor [166]

Advanttages of MB
BR process::

High sludge age

Less space needed

Acceptablee quality of wastewater

w
with low co
oncentration
n of TSS, B
BOD, P, and
d bacteria

Operate at higher
h
volu
umetric load
ding rate whhich results in
i lower hyydraulic reteention timess

Easy retrofi
fit and upgraade of old WWTP
W
[13,14,15]

Disadvantages of MBR process:

Higher capital and operating cost

Higher energy cost

Low settling rate of sludge [15]

1.4 OBJECTIVE
1. To determine analytically the characteristics of wastewater subjected to rotating biological
contactor technique using GPS-X.
2. To determine analytically the characteristics of wastewater subjected to MBR technique
using GPS-X.
3. To assess the suitability of rotating biological contactor or MBR technique for WWTP in
City of Fairfield.

1.5 SCOPE OF WORK

The Chemical and Biological characteristics of the Waste Water of City of Fairfield will be
determined. The following techniques will be observed:
1. Rotating Biological Contactor
2. MBR

1.6 METHEDOLOGY
Two WWTP will be modeled in GPS-X. Technique of rotating biological contactor and MBR
will be used for treatment. The chemical and biological characteristics will be studied.

1.7 OUTLINE
Following the introduction to project in chapter 1, Chapter 2 will discuss the description of the
area i.e., City of Fairfield.

All the modeling procedure will be discussed in Chapter 3.

Results and discussion of the present study will be discussed in Chapter 4 and finally salient
conclusion of the present study is given in Chapter 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA

2.1 FAIRFIELD, OHIO, USA
Fairfield is a city in Butler and Hamilton counties in the U.S. state of Ohio, near Cincinnati.
Fairfield was incorporated in 1955. The population was 42,510 at the 2010 census. However, the
estimated population at 2012 is 42, 647 [2].

Fig 2.1 City of Fairfield (Google Maps)

Fig 2.2 Fairfield wastewater treatment plant (Google Maps)

The Great Miami River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 260 km long in
southwestern Ohio in the United States. The Great Miami flows through Dayton, Piqua, Troy,
Hamilton, and Sidney. The existing Wastewater Treatment Facility is located in the Great Miami

River just south of Joyce Park; The Facility serves domestic customers, Mercy Hospital of
Fairfield, and a number of commercial and industrial establishments in the City of Fairfield [1].

2.2 POPULATION GROWTH

As mentioned previously, the population of Fairfield has increased by population growth rate of
0.0015over 2010 to 2012.However accurate information with respect to immigration and
emigration was not available.
P=P0 ext
Where P is the population after time t, P0 is the initial population, x is population growth rate and
t is time in years.
P=42510 * e 0.0015*10 =43152
The population in 2020 is 43150 people and therefore the system flow rate will be designed with
the respect to the population of 43510.

2.3 FLOW RATE CALCULATION

Using the assumption for daily flow rate of 450l/day. Person, the design flow rate will be
calculated
450

43152

1
1000

19419

2.4 STANDARD LEVELS AND WASTE WATER CHARACTERISTICS

2.4.1 Effluent Standards

There are organizations that regulate the condition on which the wastewater is discharged into
the natural recourses. Each country has their own regulations. This project focuses on the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) since the city in which the
wastewater treatment plant is going to design is Fairfield, Ohio, USA. According to EPA

regulations, treated wastewater effluent can be discharged into surface water if the values of
specific indicators are less than that are presented in table 1, which indicates effluent
requirements for direct discharge in Miami River [1].

PARAMETERS

UNIT

WWTP INFLUENT

Dissolved Oxygen summer

mg/L

6 min

Dissolved Oxygen winter

mg/L

6 min

Oil & Grease

mg/L

10 max

Ammonia N summer

mg/L

Ammonia N winter

mg/L

CBOD5 summer

mg/L

10

CBOD5 winter

mg/L

10

pH

6.5-9

TSS

mg/L

34

Table 2.1 wastewater standards

2.4.2 Final Influent Characterization

The average flow rate of influent wastewater for the mathematical model is 19419 m3/d and the
characteristics of wastewater parameters required by GPS-X is shown in the following Table 2.2

PARAMETERS

UNIT

WWTP INFLUENT

Average Flow

m3/d

19419

TSS

mg/L

200

COD

mg/L

220

10

Ammonia N

mgN/L

TKN

mgN/L

11

TP

mgP/L

Soluble PO4-P

mgP/L

1.5

Table 2.2 Wastewater Parameters

11

MODELING

3.1 GPS-X

GPS-X software was used to model and simulate two different biological wastewater treatment
systems The systems were similar except for the secondary treatment step, one receiving the
RBC treatment and the other, MBR. The unit operations are described in the sequential order
they followed in the system models. Final layout of the systems can be viewed in the following
figures.

Fig 3.1 MBR Layout (GPS-X)

Fig 3.2 RBC Layout (GPS-X)

12

3.2 COMPONEMT IN GPS-X

3.2.1 Influent
Influence in GPS-X has been done using Influence Unit. In this unit all the influence
characteristics of Municipal Wastewater is input. Fig 3.3 and Fig 3.4 shows the unit used for
Influence in GPS-X and Input Influence Characteristic respectively.

Fig 3.3 Influence (GPS-X)

Fig 3.4(a) Characteristic Input in GPS-X

Fig 3.4(b) Flow Input in GPS-X

3.2.2 Grit Chamber

In order to remove as many type 1 settle able solids such as sand, grit, coffee grinds, and other
relatively heavy particulate matter with the specific gravities between 1.3 and 2.7, that may be
contained in municipal wastewater influent, a grit chamber was implemented prior all treatment
steps. The grit chamber is responsible for the removal of such matter in order to prevent damage
to pumps and pipes throughout the system. The chamber is cleaned mechanically by scrapers that
collect debris from the floor of the tank and can be aerated to prevent anaerobic situation and
H2S formation [4]. Unit used to model Grit Chamber in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.5.

13

Fig 3.4 Grit Chamber (GPS-X)

3.2.3 Rectangular Primary Clarifier

The primary treatment is a rectangular primary clarifier unit. The goal of primary treatment is to
remove solids through gravity settling. During the sedimentation, solids settle to the bottom of
the tank and they are collected as liquid-solid sludge in the bottom of the tank. The BOD and
phosphorus removed in this stage are primarily in the particulate phase, which is a part of TSS.
Any dissolved BOD, N or P will pass through primary clarifier and enter secondary treatment
[4]. Unit used to model Rectangular Primary Clarifier in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.5.

Fig 3.5 Rectangular Primary Clarifier (GPS-X)

3.2.4 RBC Tank

The first attempt at effective biological treatment was through the implementation of a rotating
biological contactor (RBC). Details of this system are mentioned in the previous section. The
system reduces nutrient content, remaining TSS, and creates microbial flocs that are flushed out
and settled in the secondary clarifier. Unit used to model RCB Tank in GPS-X is shown in Fig
3.6.

Fig 3.6 RCB Tank (GPS-X)

14

3.2.5 MBR Tank

The secondary treatment is a MBR unit. In the MBR, the mixed liquor in the aeration tank is
filtered through the membrane, separating the bio-solids from the effluent water. In the
submerged-membrane process, the same MBR in this project, a vacuum of less than 50 kPa is
applied to the membrane that filters the water through the membrane while leaving the bio-solids
in the aeration tank [1]. Unit used to model MBR Tank in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.7.

Fig 3.7 MBR Tank (GPS-X)

3.2.6 Secondary Clarifier

The primary function of a secondary clarifier is clarification, which is a solids-separation process
that results in the removal of biological floc from the liquid stream. During the subsequent
thickening process, sludge particles are conveyed to the bottom of the tank, resulting in a
concentrated underflow (RAS). In under loaded and critically loaded clarifiers, the RAS solids
concentration is a function of the recycle ratio. A secondary function is to store sludge during
peak flow periods. If the clarifier fails in either of these functions, the performance of the
biological process may be affected. As well, because of solids carryover, the effluent may not
meet specified discharge limits. [5]. Unit used to model MBR Tank in GPS-X is shown in Fig
3.8.

Fig 3.8 Secondary Clarifier (GPS-X)

15

3.2.7 Disinfection
Disinfection is a process to remove micro-organisms from Waste water. Methods commonly
used for disinfection are:

Chemical (chlorination, ozone)

Physical (UV radiation, microfiltration)

Biological (lagoons)

Unit used to model Disinfection in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.9.

Fig 3.9 Disinfection (GPS-X)

3.2.8 Effluent/Discharge
It is the header effluents pipethat discharge to the Miami River. All the result and output are
noted through the effluent. Unit used to model MBR Tank in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.10.

Fig 3.10 Effluent/Discharge (GPS-X)

3.2.9 Sludge Thickening

Thickening is a procedure used to increase the solids content of sludge by removing a portion of
the liquid fraction. Thickening is generally accomplished by physical means including cosettling, gravity settling, flotation, centrifugation, gravity belt, and rotary drum [6]. Most
common techniques of thickening in sludge processing are given in Table 3.1.

16

METHOD
Gravitational settling
Gravitational settling

SLUDGE TYPE
Raw primary
Raw primary and
W.A.S

Gravitational settling

W.A.S

Dissolved Ai Flotation
(DAF)
Dissolved Air Flotation
(DAF)
Basket centrifuge

Raw primary and

W.A.S
W.A.S
W.A.S

Solid-bowl centrifuge

W.A.S

Gravity belt filter

W.A.S

Rotary drum

W.A.S

FREQUENCY AND PERFORMANCE

Very good results.
Frequently used. Small facilities obtain 46% solids concentration. Not often used
in large facilities.
Not frequently used. Low solids
concentration (2-3%)
Not frequently used. Results seem to
gravitational settling
Frequently used. Good results obtained
(3.5-5% solids concentration)
Limited use. Good results obtained (810% solids concentration)
Usage is increasing. Good results
obtained (4-6% solids concentration)
Usage is increasing. Good results
obtained (3-6% solids
concentration)
Limited use. Good results obtained (5-9%
solids concentration)

Table 3.1 Thickening Techniques Used in Sludge Processes [7]

Unit used to model Sludge Thickening Tank in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.11

Fig 3.11 Sludge Thickness (GPS-X)

3.2.10 Dewatering Tank

Sludge is sent to dewatering tank for further volume reduction. The residue of sludge after
dewatering behaves as a solid and is trucked in most cases [6]. Unit used to model Dewatering
Tank in GPS-X is shown in Fig 3.12

Fig 3.12 Dewatering Tank (GPS-X)

17

RESULTS

4.1 WASTE WATER TREATMENT USING MBR

After the simulation of Waste Water treatment using MBR method following observation were
noted:

Fig 4.1 Effluence Characteristics using MBR Method (GPS-X)

From the above Fig, it can be observed that:

Minor decrease in value of Total suspended soil (in blue) in Effluence is observed form
3.77 mg/l to 3.678 mg/l in the initial 3 days. After 3 days the value remains constant at
3.678 mg/l.

18

Value of Total CBOD5 in Effluence is constant at 2.537 mg/l

A sharp decrease is observed in value of Total Phosphorous form 0.9124 mg/l to 0.7801
mg/l in the initial 0.05 days followed by increase to 0.8189 mg/l till the end of 3rd day.
The value is constant after 3rd day.

A similar effect in Total nitrogen is observed, a sharp decrease in value form 6.32 mg/l to
5.65 mg/l in initial 0.05 days followed by an increase to 5.801 mg/l till the end of 3rd day
and from there the value becoming constant afterwards.

4.2 WASTE WATER TREATMENT USING RBC

After the simulation of Waste Water treatment using RBC method following observation were
noted.

Fig 4.1 Effluence Characteristics using RBC Method (GPS-X)

19

From the above Fig, it can be observed that:

Value of Total suspended soil (in blue) in Effluence is observed to be 8.692 mg/l.

Value of Total CBOD5 in Effluence is constant at 9.095 mg/l

Value of Total Phosphorous in Effluence is observed to be 1.39 mg/l.

Value of Total Nitrogen in Effluence is observed to be 6.249 mg/l.

20

CONCLUSION

Following conclusion is made using above results and Table 5.1.

METHOD OF
TREATMENT

CHARACTERSTICS

AVERAGE
EFFLUENT
DATE (2012)

STANDARDS
(NDPES)

MRB
METHOD

RBC
METHOD

TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (mg/l)

3.678

8.692

3.833

34

TOTAL CBOD5 (mg/l)

2.537

9.095

4.2

10

TOTAL PHOSPHOROUS (mg/l)

0.8189

1.39

2.528

1*

TOTAL NITROGEN (mg/l)

5.801

6.249

10-15 *

Table 5.1 Effluent characteristics for MBR, RBC and Actual Data(* According to Class handout [15])

From the table above, it can be concluded that in Comparison of MBR method and RBC
method, MBR methods gives better result in effluent characteristics with drastic
difference is observed in TSS and TCBOD5, 3.675 mg/l and 2.537 mg/l for MBR and
8.692 mg/l and 9.092 mg/l for RBC. TP and TN is also less for MBR in comparison to
RBC. It can be concluded that MBR method is better in treatment of waste characteristic
when compared to RBC.

The values of TSS, TCBOD5, and TP are less in MBR method when compared to the
output characteristics of effluent for the real data of Fairfield City, Ohio. The difference
is less for TSS when comparing 3.678 mg/l in MBR method to 3.833 mg/l from actual
data. Value of TCBOD5 has almost halved to 2.537 mg/l in MBR in comparison to 4.2
mg/l. drastic decrease in TP is observed for MBR at 0.8189 mg/l in comparison to 2.528
mg/l. From this it can be concluded that MBR method will give better result than the
current method.

The values of TSS, TCBOD5 are more in RBC method when compared to the output
characteristics of effluent for the real data of Fairfield City, Ohio. TSS and TCBOD5 are
more than double for RBC at 8.692 mg/l and 9.095 mg/l when compared to 3.922 mg/l

21

and 4.2 mg/l respectively for Real data of 2012. Value of TP of 1.39 mg/l is less for RBC
with respect to 2.528 mg/l for Real data. From this it can be concluded hat RBC method
does not suit for Wastewater treatment in Fairfield City.

Comparing the effluent results with Standard values, MBR method effluent results are
below the standard value for all 4 parameters. Whereas for RBC, effluent result for TP is
higher than Standard at 1.39 mg/l compared to 1 mg/l respectively. Result of rest of the
parameters are lower than Standard. Same pattern as RBC is seen in Current WWTP with
TP above standard whereas rest others parameters are below standard.

22

REFRENCES

[1] http://www.fairfield-city.org/wastewater/index.cfm
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield, Ohio
[3] https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=FAIRFIELD+google+map&ie
[4] Environmental Engineering: Fundamentals, Sustainability, Design, James R. Mihelcic, Julie B.
Zimmerman, 2010 John Wiley and Sons
[5] Clarifier design (2nd Edition), McGraw-Hill, Manual of Practice No. FD-8, Water Environmental
Federation (WEF)
[6] Wastewater Engineering, Treatment, Disposal and Reuse, Metcalf and Eddy, 1997.. McGraw Hill,
New York.
[7] http://mimoza.marmara.edu.tr/~orhan.gokyay/enve425/ch3.pdf
[8] Water Treatment Plant. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Treatment_Plants.
[9] Introduction to Environmental Engineering, 2008, Mackenzie L. Davis, David A. Cornwell, 4th
edition, McGraw Hill, NY, USA.
[10]Environmental Engineering, 1985, Howard S. Peavy, Donald R. Rowe, George Tchobanoglous.
McGraw-Hill, New York.
[11]Rotational Biological Contactor. Wikipedia.
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[12] Cooke R.L. Lesson 16: Rotating Biological Contactors.
http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env110/lesson16.htm.
[13] Membrane Bioreactor. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membrane_bioreactor. Accessed
Nov. 20, 2013.
[14] Radjenovi, J., Matoi, M., Mijatovi, I., Petrovi, M., & Barcel, D. (2008). Membrane
bioreactor (MBR) as an advanced wastewater treatment technology. In D. Barcel, & M. Petrovi
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[15] Electorowicz Maria, Lecture 10, Introduction to Environmental Engineering, Concordia University.
Nov 5th 2013.
[16] https://www.google.ca/search?q=membrane+bioreactor&espv
[17] https://www.google.ca/search?q=ROTATING+BIOLOGICAL+CONTACTOR&espv

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