Chapter 14

Aerobic Digestion
14.1 Existing Conditions
The aerobic sludge holding/storage tanks or digesters store sludge wasted from the bottom of the
primary and secondary clarifiers. The digesters also provide stabilization of the waste sludge, reducing
the volatile suspended solids and pathogen levels. The greater the digester capacity the more stable the
biosolids fed to the downstream dewatering and drying processes will be. Digester capacity generally
depends on the level of thickening achieved. Clarified liquid can be decanted from a digester tank as
supernatant to allow for solids thickening and to increase solids storage time. Supernatant removal is
provided by telescopic valves. Supernatant from each draw-off discharges into Manhole 101 and from
there to the plant drain pump station before it is returned to the primary clarifier distribution box. After
digestion, the sludge is dewatered in the belt filter presses (BFPs).
There are a total of five sludge storage tanks at the Salisbury WWTP. Tanks 1 through 3 are circular and
they used to be part of an older anaerobic digestion system originally installed in the 1950s. Tank 4 is
rectangular and was constructed as part of the BNR/ENR expansion. Also as part of the BNR/ENR
expansion, Tank 3 was divided into two sections, of which, according to record drawing and O&M manual
information, Tank 3A was designed to receive secondary sludge and Tank 3B a mixture of primary and
secondary sludge. Tank 3B is currently the only tank that can feed the BFPs. It must be noted here that
the existing SCADA system has these two tank names reversed. Plant operators currently use the SCADA
naming convention. Sludge from every tank has to be transferred by pumping to Tank 3B and from there
to the BFPs for dewatering. Dimensions and volumes of the sludge storage tanks are provided in Table
14-1. The approximate effective volume of Tanks 3A and 3B is 294,000 and 92,000 gallons,
respectively.
The original design called for three tanks to be used for secondary sludge storage (Tanks 2, 3A, and 4)
and Tank 1 for primary sludge storage. In general, it is very difficult to keep primary sludge aerobic.
Primary sludge requires a significant air supply to remain mixed and aerobic and that was witnessed
during our November 20, 2009 site visit, when intermittent aeration of primary sludge created odors and
a layer of floating material on top of Tank 1. The sooner primary sludge turns aerobic the better in terms
of reducing odors and stabilizing the sludge prior to dewatering and drying. Mixing of primary with
secondary sludge, though it does not solve the nuisance issues associated with aerating raw sludge, is
preferred over aerating pure primary sludge. Currently, secondary sludge is pumped to Tank 2 where it
overflows through the supernatant draw-off system into the drainage system, then to the plant drain
pump station and from there be diverted to the primary clarifier splitter box for co-settling and cothickening with the primary sludge in the primary clarifiers. This arrangement is necessary because the
ability to return secondary sludge directly to the head of the plant was eliminated in the BNR/ENR
upgrade. Given this mode of operation, Tanks 1, 3A, and 4 theoretically receive and store co-settled
primary and secondary sludge collected from the underflow of the primary clarifiers.

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Table 14-1. Aerated Sludge Holding Tanks

Tank 1 - Digester Tank (1958)

Value

Inside Diameter (ft)

55

Side Wall Depth (ft)

22

Side Water Depth (ft)

20.5

Center Depth (ft)

Center Water Depth (ft)
Approximate Effective Volume (gal)

Tanks 2 and 3 - Digester Tanks (1952)

29
27.5
400,000

Value

Inside Diameter (ft)

60

Side Wall Depth (ft)

18

Side Water Depth (ft)

16.5

Center Depth (ft)

Center Water Depth (ft)
Approximate Effective Volume per Tank (gal)

Tank 4
Approximate Effective Volume (gal)
Total Approximate Effective Volume (gal)

25
23.5
400,000

Value
250,000
1,450,000

The sludge holding tanks are mixed by a coarse bubble aeration system using positive displacement
blowers (Table 14-2). Non-condensable off-gas from the dryer is also bubbled into Tanks 1 and 2 as a
means to mitigate any odors. The total sludge holding volume is 1,450,000 gallons and the four
available blowers were sized to deliver a maximum of 1650 scfm each or 6,600 scfm combined. This
corresponds to 6,226 lb of oxygen per day per blower or 24,905 lb of oxygen per day in total, under
standard conditions and assuming a 15% standard oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE used by Sanitaire).
The air supply to the aerobic digesters is properly sized as documented by the following calculation
checks that show that all three aerobic digestion aeration sizing criteria are satisfied:
1. The supplied air divided by the total sludge volume equals 34 scfm/1,000 cf, which exceeds the
minimum of 30 cfm per 1,000 cf of sludge volume recommended in the 10-state standards (2004)
and in the 1978 MDE guidelines. Individually, considering the largest tank (400,000 gallons) with its
dedicated blower aerating it, the mixing input is approximately 31 scfm/1,000 cf of sludge volume,
which is still over the minimum recommended guideline.
2. Air demand is dictated by the biological oxygen demand (BOD) in primary sludge, which is 1.6 to 1.9
lb of oxygen per lb of BOD destroyed for mixed sludges (Metcalf & Eddy, 2003, p. 1538). The average
BOD loading in the raw influent at 8.5 MGD plant flows was estimated at 20,600 lb/d. This means
that there is sufficient air in the aerated sludge holding tanks to theoretically destroy the entire BOD
loading resulting from a primary clarification process that removes more than 63% of the BOD found
in its influent (24,900/1.9/ 20,600).
3. The mass rate ratio of oxygen provided (24,900 lb/d) to VS after decant (15,200 lb/d) equates to
approximately 1.6 lb of oxygen per lb of cell tissue (VS). The standard minimum oxygen demand for
biological stabilization reported in WEFs MOP-8 (p. 25-158) is 2.0 parts of oxygen per part of organic
cell mass destroyed. To that, another 1.6 to 1.9 parts for a total of 3.6 to 3.9 parts of oxygen per part
of volatile solids destroyed have to be added to account for primary solids addition. This suggests
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that, in theory, there is enough oxygen to destroy approximately 41 44 % of the VS that remain in
the tanks after decant. If the VS content of the raw sludge before decant (25,500 x 70% = 17,850
lb/d) is used instead, the supplied oxygen drops to 1.4 lb per lb of cell tissue and the theoretical VS
destruction drops to a range of 36 39 %. Aerobic digestion is not sized for complete oxidation and a
38% VS reduction is often a satisfactory minimum. Based on the above this criterion is also met by
the existing aeration system. However performance of the system will be limited by the time the
constituents are exposed to the air supplied or, in other words, by its SRT. Its is expected that, in the
future, as plant flows and sludge production rates increase, the plant will not be able to stabilize the
sludge well in winter.
Table 14-2. Aerated Sludge Holding Equipment
Transfer and BFP Feed Pumps
Manufacturer

Value
Seepex

Units

Range

BN

Model/Size

130

Pressure

Units

6L

Conveying Capacity (Min, Nominal, Max)

150, 337, 400

gpm

Pump Speed

78, 176, 209

rpm

30

HP

Motor
Blowers
Manufacturer
Units
Model/Size

United Blower
4
RAM 616

Load

110P

Capacity

1650

scfm

Motor

125

HP

14.2 Corrective Action Plan

Several different alternatives were discussed in the June 2010 CAP, including optimizing the existing
process or resorting back to anaerobic digestion for sludge stabilization. Because the capital costs to
convert the stabilization process from aerobic back to anaerobic are significant and fixing the liquid
treatment process train is currently a priority, this upgrade will only include limited modifications to the
existing system to optimize the aerobic digestion process, minimize odors, and produce a more stable
feedstock to the downstream sludge drying process. This will be accomplished by creating two trains of
two tanks connected in series and covering the first tanks of each train to control the odors from the
fresh raw sludge. Foul air will be diverted to a new odor control system. A sludge grinder will be installed
upstream of the pumps that currently feed the BFPs.

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14.3 Basis of Design

As part of the proposed upgrades, Tank 1 will be connected with Tank 4 and Tank 2 with Tank 3A via
gravity lines as shown in Figures 14-1 and 14-2. Tanks 1 and 2, the first tanks of each train, will be
covered with flat aluminum covers to contain the malodors emitted by the fresh raw sludge they will be
receiving. The off-gas from both tanks will be diverted to a new odor control system consisting of a
biotrickling filter followed by a biofilter as shown in Figures 14-1 and 14-3. The odor control system will
be sized to handle 6400 scfm air flow received from both Tanks 1 and 2 combined. A breakout of the
total air flow is as follows: (1) 1650 scfm of maximum process air per tank, (2) 1300 scfm of leakage per
tank (0.5 scfm per sf of cover) and (3) 500 scfm of condenser gas flow from the dryer, divided by two for
each tank.
When a train is ready to be dewatered, each tank will be pumped to Tank 3B one at a time and from
there to the BFPs as currently performed. Provisions to transfer sludge from any tank to Tank 3B by
pumping will remain unchanged. Sludge pumping and dewatering should be protected as follows. As part
of this project, comminutors at the raw influent PSs will be installed to protect the downstream raw
influent pumps. Comminutors will be grinding rags and debris, part of which will then flow through the
screens into the plant. The potential therefore exists for small pieces of rags that escape preliminary
treatment to re-agglomerate somewhere downstream and create operational problems with piping and
valves, especially in the solids treatment train. A grinder, typically installed upstream of sludge pumps
and expensive process equipment, would regrind any re-agglomerated rags that would otherwise create
issues. A grinder is proposed at the common 6-inch suction manifold upstream of the progressing cavity
pumps that feed the BFPs. That way both feed pumps, the mixing valves, and the BFPs will be protected.
As part of this project, all four aerobic digestion tanks should become available to store and aerate
sludge. This will require discontinuing the use of Tank 2 as secondary sludge drain and making the
appropriate piping modifications to be able to pump WAS back to the primary clarifier (PC) splitter box for
co-settling with the primary sludge (PS) in the PCs. As an alternate option, if WAS is to be mixed with PS
in the pipe feeding the aerobic digesters, WAS pumping should be sized appropriately not to be
negatively affected by the PS pumping using progressing cavity pumps. Ideally, positive displacement
pumps should be used for WAS pumping as currently done for PS pumping. The benefit of sending WAS
back to the primary clarifiers is the theoretical pre-thickening of the sludge mixture accomplished at the
primary clarifiers resulting in a reduced number of decants needed at the downstream aerobic digesters.
However, it is still unclear whether the primary clarifiers can thicken the sludge to a 1.5% to 2% solids
content range that is needed for an efficient dewatering operation without raising the sludge blankets to
excessively high levels.
We also propose to install rotary drum thickeners (RDTs) to provide an alternative method of thickening
the WAS that will prevent impacts to the operation of the primary clarifiers. During high flow events,
sludge bulking events, or warm summer weather, it may be beneficial to thicken the WAS using the RDTs
rather than co-thickening in the primary clarifiers. The RDTs will be mounted on the roof of the digester
complex and discharge into the top of the first aerobic digester in each train. Each RDT will be sized to
handle a flow of 250-275 gprm to allow both WAS or MLSS to be pumped to them for thickening.
The targeted thickened secondary sludge concentration should be approximately 3.0 percent in solids.
Thickened secondary sludge will directly discharge into Tank 1 or 2 where it will be mixed with primary
sludge. To avoid oxygen transfer limitations and autothermal thermophilic digestion, the mixture of
primary and thickened secondary sludge should not exceed 2.5 3.0 percent in solids. Salisbury WWTP
used to operate rotary drum thickeners ahead of an anaerobic digestion process and operators are
familiar with this process.

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Table 14-3 summarizes the expected performance of the aerobic digestion process considering the
available capacity of the existing tanks as well as current and projected raw sludge production rates. Our
assumption of a design raw solids production equal to 3,000 pounds per million gallons of plant flow is
based on historical data (see CAP) and simulation modeling.
Table 14-3. Mass Balances Across Aerobic Digestion as a Function of Plant Flow and Liquid Treatment Alternative
Current Fixed Film

Current
Suspended Growth

Design
Suspended Growth

Units

5.5

5.5

8.5

MGD

BC assumes a sludge production of

1,000

3,000

3,000

Total solids based on design flow

5,500

16,500

25,500

lb/d

Available solids after decant

4,700

14,000

21,700

lb/d

Volatile solids

3,300

9,800

15,100

lb/d

VSD destroyed

1,300

1,500

1,500

lb/d

Digested solids

3,400

12,600

20,200

lb/d

Solids in decant

825

2,475

3,825

lb/d

Primary sludge

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

Thickened/Digested solids

1.7%

1.7%

1.7%

% Solids capture from decant

85%

85%

85%

% VS

70%

70%

70%

% VSD

40%

15%

10%

Raw sludge flowrate - average

51,000

152,000

235,000

gpd

Digested solids flowrate after decant

24,000

89,000

142,000

gpd

Decant flowrate

27,000

64,000

93,000

gpd

42

42

42

days

61.1

16.4

10.2

days

997,000

3,718,000

5,985,000

gallons

Digestion volume available

1,450,000

1,450,000

1,450,000

gallons

Digestion volume missing

NA

2,268,000

4,535,000

gallons

Digestion volume missing

NA

303,000

606,000

ft3

Parameter
Plant flow (MGD)

Detention time in digestion for Class B

Detention time available
Digestion volume needed for Class B

Table 14-3 shows results based on a 1.3% solids concentration in the raw sludge and further thickening
through decanting at the aerobic digesters to achieve a 1.7% solids concentration in the sludge, which is
the minimum sludge thickness needed for an efficient operation of the downstream belt filter press
dewatering. The ratio of raw primary to secondary sludge fed to the aerobic digesters is expected to be
approximately 70%:30% by weight. This means that the raw sludge breakout will be 18,000 lb/d primary
and 8,000 lb/d secondary solids. Even if primary and secondary sludge were conveyed to the solids
treatment train separately, the dry solids quantities reported would remain approximately the same.
However, the overall thickness of the raw sludge will reduce significantly, mainly due to the thinness of
the secondary sludge, resulting in a corresponding increase in sludge volume that will have to be

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addressed by more aggressive decanting at the aerobic digesters. In that case, the ratio of raw primary
to secondary sludge fed to the aerobic digesters is expected to be approximately 40%:60% by volume.
Assuming that all four main tanks are available to receive sludge and the necessary decanting is
performed, the process SRT will be as high as 61 days under current plant flows and treatment
conditions. Under current flows, but utilizing a suspended growth biological treatment process the
anticipated SRT will drop to approximately 16 days. Under design flow conditions of 8.5 MGD, a 10-day
SRT is expected. As a result of the varying SRT, the expected VSD will decrease from the current 40% of
a fixed film system to the future 10% of a suspended growth system at design flows.
It must be noted here that, with the existing infrastructure, all four tanks available, and under current
sludge production rates, there is sufficient tank capacity to meet Class B stabilization standards by
following a batch and rotational operation of the aerobic digestion tanks. Class B standards could be met
without any significant testing required, if the digestion SRT is greater than 42 days. The protocol to
accomplish this was originally presented in Appendix F of the June 2010 CAP. Until the proposed
modifications are complete, following the proposed protocol of CAPs Appendix F will allow the operators
to produce a stable feedstock for the downstream BFPs and dryer; regardless whether the necessary
documentation is submitted to the State to formally produce Class B liquid sludge. Once the biological
process is converted to suspended growth, the existing capacity will be sufficient to meet quality criteria
for drying only, but not Class B standards. According to Fenton, the manufacturer of a candidate
replacement sludge dryer, SRTs of less than 16 days will usually produce biosolids of poorer quality.
Also, according to the 1978 MDE Design Guidelines for Sewerage Facilities, a minimum 15-day
detention time is required for mesophilic aerobic digestion. As future flows increase, the minimum 15day SRT will not be met and the process will become just sludge holding rather than digestion.
Incorporating the 100,000-gallon equalization basin located adjacent to Tank 4 and further thickening to
2.5% solids, either by persistent decanting or by other means, will allow meeting an SRT of almost 16
days at 8.5 MGD. Proposed construction to incorporate the EQ Tank into Tank 4 is shown in Figure 14-4.
Proposed construction will include saw cutting (top and bottom) the common wall of the two tanks to
create the interconnect and adding a dropleg connected to a coarse bubble diffuser grid that will also be
supplied by the dedicated Sludge Storage Blower 4 located inside the room adjacent to Tank 4. The
existing Sludge Storage Blower 4 was originally oversized given the air demand of Tank 4 and has
sufficient capacity to supply air to Tank 4 and the new segment that is proposed to be incorporated into
Tank 4. The existing sludge discharge piping into Tank 4 shall be relocated to the new section added, so
that sludge is forced to flow from the new section to the old before it is decanted or transferred to Tank
3B.

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14.4 Process Control Description

The June 2010 CAP included three standard operating procedures (SOPs) that were developed to allow
maximizing the sludge holding time for sludge stabilization in the existing aerobic digesters prior to
dewatering and drying. The three SOPs were develop to address (1) immediate needs at current flows
with only three tanks available, (2) intermediate-term needs assuming minor piping modifications with all
four tanks available, and (3) long-term needs with all four tanks available.
Of the three, the long-term alternative will be the basis of this design and will include a system where the
first two tanks (Tanks 1 and 2) will be continuously mixed and covered for odor control while the last
tanks (Tanks 4 and 3A) in the series will be uncovered and allowed to be decanted for partial thickening
as shown in the overall flow diagram for solids of Figure 14-1. Figure 14-2 depicts a more detailed
process flow diagram with the proposed piping modifications noted to accomplish conversion of the
existing system to a two train system. The 8 decant pipeline of the first tank will be connected with the
feed pipeline of the second tank with the necessary valves added. The telescoping valve at each first
tank will always be at its lowest, completely open position or removed altogether so simultaneous
decanting of both tanks in series will be accomplished by exercising the telescoping valve of the second
tank. The range of operation of the existing telescoping valves is 3.5 feet.
Table 14-4 shows the sequence of operation (approximate timing and status of tanks) for a couple of
digestion cycles under the proposed operational mode at sludge production rates corresponding to a 4stage Bardenpho system at 5.5 MGD plant flows. Starting with Tanks 1 and 4 empty (Train A) and ready
to be filled and Tanks 2 and 3A full (Train B) and ready to be dewatered, each train will undergo a 16-day
cycle that will include the following sub-cycles:
1. Five days to completely fill the empty tanks of Train A (Tanks 1 and 4).
2. Three days to go through the necessary number of decants and refills to thicken the sludge from
1.3% to 1.7% solid.
3. Five days will be allowed for the thickened sludge to be aerated without any inputs or outputs.
4. Three days to dewater the two main tanks in series. The content of both main tanks will be
transferred to Tank 3B by pumping. This will be accomplished by exercising the appropriate valves in
the suction side of the operating pump to achieve simultaneous withdrawal of both tanks.
This schedule assumes the following operating flowrates:

Raw sludge feed = 106 gpm (continuous)

Sludge transfer to Tank 3B = 200 gpm (maximum individual pump rate = 400 gpm)
Decant = 240 gpm (8 pipe flowing full with a velocity of 1.5 fps to MH 101)
Dewatering flowrate = 160 gpm based on design (maximum individual feed pump and maximum
theoretical BFP flowrate = 400 gpm)

If any of these rates change, the proposed schedule should be modified accordingly.

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Table 14-4. Sequence of Operation for Aerobic Digestion

Tanks 1+4

Tanks 2+3A

Volume

650,000

694,000

Gallons

Fill Time

4.3

4.6

Days

Decant Vol. Needed

346,000

370,000

Gallons

One Decant Vol.

116,000

124,000

Gallons

Time For All Decants

1.0

1.1

Days

Fill Time to Replace All Decants

2.3

2.4

Days

Total Fill/Decant Time

3.3

3.5

Days

Total Transfer/Dewater Time

2.8

3.0

Days

Total In/Out Time

10.4

11.1

Days

STATUS

STATUS

EMPTY

FULL

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

STATUS

STATUS

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

FILL/DECANT

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

DEWATER

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

10

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

11

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

12

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

13

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

14

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

15

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

16

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

17

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

18

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

19

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

20

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

21

FILL/AIR

HOLD/AIR

22

FILL/DECANT

DEWATER

23

FILL/DECANT

DEWATER

24

FILL/DECANT

DEWATER

Times of Decanting Needed

DAY

DAY

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Table 14-4. Sequence of Operation for Aerobic Digestion

DAY

STATUS

STATUS

25

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

26

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

27

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

28

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

29

HOLD/AIR

FILL/AIR

30

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

31

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

32

DEWATER

FILL/DECANT

The above schedule is conservative in that it does not include any potential use of the volume available
from Tank 3B, or potential merging of the Recycle EQ tank with Tank 4. Tank 3B could be used in
conjunction with the main tanks that are being filled to increase the overall storage capacity. Once the
main tanks are full and have been decanted the number of times needed to reach the target sludge
thickness, some of their content could be transferred to fill Tank 3B completely. The volume transferred
to Tank 3B will have to be replaced with an equal volume of fresh, raw sludge. At this point, the two main
tanks of a train and Tank 3B are completely full and ready for further decanting as needed. Tank 3B has
an approximate volume of 92,000 gallons, provides the feedstock to the BFPs and will be occupied
during a dewatering sub-cycle. Because of that, its filling should be timed appropriately, so it is empty
when it needs to be filled. Because all this may sound cumbersome to accomplish, the active volume of
Tank 3B was not taken into consideration while developing Table 14-4.
Aeration should stay on in the tanks that are on hold and in the tanks that are being filled. Decanting
should occur for the first time once a tank is almost full and after its contents are left sitting without air
for about an hour. To facilitate operations, during the time that a tank is sitting without air prior to
decanting and during decanting, the fill function should be continued uninterrupted. Approximately three
full decants are required per tank in order to obtain high enough solids concentration in the sludge to
meet the consistency required to feed the BFPs. All three decants/refills should take place continuously
so thickened sludge remains aerated afterwards for the longest amount of time possible prior to being
transferred to Tank 3B for dewatering. Dewatering should take place continuously for as many shifts
needed until the subject tanks and tank 3B are empty. During the transfer function, aeration should
generally be on in both the main tanks and Tank 3B.
Our estimates indicate that 50 to 60 % (53% for calculation purposes) of the original raw sludge volume
of a series of tanks should be decanted. This means that from the combined volume of 650,000 gallons
of Tanks 1 and 4 for example, approximately 346,000 gallons will have to be eventually decanted. One
full decant of both tanks is equal to 116,000 gallons, so Tanks 1 and 4 should be decanted a minimum
of three times without accounting for the dilution from the raw sludge entering the system at the same
time. The same number of decants applies for Tanks 2 and 3A, whereas Tank 3B will typically need to be
decanted a minimum of five times, if it were to be part of the active digestion volume.

14.4.1 Process Control Parameters

The important process control parameters that will affect the use of the aerobic digestion system are:

solids retention time

dissolved oxygen concentration (DO)

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alkalinity and pH
tank mixing
formation and removal of supernatant
Solids Retention Time Solids retention time represents the most critical variable in process control.
To maximize the benefits of aerobic digestion, the retention time should be as long as possible and the
digesters should be operated in batch mode. The equation for calculating solids residence time (in days)
in each digester is essentially
n = mass of solids in the digester/ mass flow rate of solids leaving
If the digesters are operated without thickening (decanting), the retention time is calculated as
n = VCv/ qCq,
where V is the reactor volume, q is the flow rate leaving the digester, Cv is the concentration of solids in
the reactor, and Cq is the concentration of solids in the exiting sewage sludge.
If the digesters are operated with decanting
n = VCv/ pCp,
where p is the flow rate of processed sludge leaving the entire system and Cp is the concentration of
solids in the processed sludge. For completely mixed reactors, it is often assumed that Cv = Cp.
Aeration Control Blowers should run continuously unless foaming occurs, the tanks are prepared for
decanting, or the volume of sludge is less than 1/3 of the total tank volume (approximately 6 feet of side
water depth), upon which time they should run intermittently. A reminder that the lowest blower speed
setting should be used unless operators see a need for more air, which is usually the case with full tanks
or thick sludges. More air will be provided by increasing the blower speed.
Dissolved Oxygen The DO concentration of each tank should be maintained between 1.0 and 2.0
mg/l. These DO levels are required to keep the sludge fresh and minimize odor problems.
Alkalinity and pH Aeration provides the oxygen needed for the oxidation of VS. VS oxidation leads to
the formation of nitrate ions and to the consumption of calcium carbonate (alkalinity). Over-aeration will
lead to complete nitrification and loss of alkalinity. This is experienced when the sludge pH starts drifting
to erratic values beyond the typical 6.5 to 8.0 range; most probably towards lower than 6.5 values. If
alkalinity is lost, lime or other alkalinity agent should be added and aeration air should be reduced. New
piping will be installed from one of the Thioguard feed system to the digester complex to allow alkalinity
to be added, if required.
Tank Mixing Tank mixing is important both from the standpoint of odor control and also the
performance of the sludge dewatering. Tank mixing is a secondary effect of an aeration system, but it
becomes the limiting criterion in sludge aeration applications like this. Good tank mixing will minimize
the formation of anaerobic pockets within the tanks and consequently minimize the production of odors.
Mixing also distributes the solids throughout the tank volume and produces a homogeneous and
consistent sludge mixture. Consistent solids loading is an important characteristic affecting the
performance of the downstream sludge dewatering system.
Supernatant Formation and Removal To maximize the residence time and minimize the solids to be
dewatered, tanks should have any excess supernatant removed. Frequent removal of supernatant can
reduce sludge volumes by 50 percent or more. This will not only increase the storage capacity of the
tank, but will also minimize the volume of sludge that needs to be dewatered and the amount of polymer
needed for dewatering. Removing supernatant from the tank can thereby increase the solids
concentration in the cake, reduce the volume of sludge that needs to be transported for final disposal,
and generally reduce operating costs.
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The basic procedure to remove supernatant is to first shut off the blowers for about one (1) hour,
allowing the solids to settle in the tank. The discharge valve for decanting is then gradually opened to
skim the clarified liquid. It is important to carefully monitor this operation to not allow supernatant high
in suspended solids to be returned to the head of the plant. As soon as the decanting operation is
complete, the blowers should be restarted to minimize odors by minimizing the time the sludge spends
under anoxic/anaerobic conditions.
Transfer to Other Digesters Tanks 1 and 2 will be interconnected with Tanks 4 and 3A, respectively, by
modifying the supernatant draw-off piping located above the mid-level of the first tanks. When Tank 3B is
dewatered and the contents of the train that is full need to be transferred to Tank 3B to continue the
dewatering, sludge withdrawal from the bottom of the second tank will only draw the content of the first
tank up to the level where the supernatant draw off piping starts. From there on, the sludge remaining in
the first tank will also have to be pumped to Tank 3B utilizing the suction piping at the bottom of the
tank that will have to be connected to the suction of a transfer pump. For this, the appropriate valves
will have to be exercised to allow pumping of sludge from the first tank of a train to Tank 3B, which could
happen concurrently with the transfer of the content of a second tank.

14.4.2 Process Monitoring

Table 14-5 summarizes the recommended parameters that are important for the control of the aerobic
digestion process. It is noted that it is important to allow processes to stabilize prior to obtaining the first
set of samples.
Table 14-5. Sampling Summary for Monitoring Aerobic Digestion Operations
Sample Description

Frequency

Parameters Recommended for Process Operations

Primary Sludge

Daily

Flow, %TS, %VS, pH, temperature

Secondary Sludge

Daily

Flow, %TS, %VS, pH, temperature

Digested Sludge to BFPs

Daily

Flow, %TS, %VS, DO, alkalinity, pH

Digester Supernatant

Monthly

TkN, NH4, NO3, TP

Digester Supernatant

Daily

TSS, pH, temperature

Other important procedures for process monitoring are as follows:

Monitor DO and adjust blower speed to maintain DO levels between 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L.
Monitor alkalinity and pH to ensure that no excessive loss of alkalinity occurs. Measured pH values
should range between 6.5 and 8.0 standard units.

When withdrawing supernatant, carefully monitor suspended solids content of the liquid.
The sludge level in the digester should be checked daily.
Below is a recommended routine operating checklist for the aerobic digesters:
1. Inspect the operation of the aeration system.
2. Check the inlet and outlet valves to be sure they are in the proper positions.
3. Check the DO content of each tank each day. Several locations within the tank should be
tested.
4. Sample the supernatant daily or monthly as appropriate.

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14.4.3 Startup/Shutdown Procedures

Tank Startup (1) Check the blower for proper setting; (2) set the local switch to the AUTO position; (3)
set the H-O-A switch on the main control panel in the AUTO position for the blower; (4) check the
diffuser system for proper operation by observing the bubbling pattern on the surface of the tank when
the sludge level is relatively low.
Tanks Shutdown (1) Close all inlet/outlet valves; (2) set motor control H-O-A switch in the OFF
position
Decanting (1) Set the blower switch in the OFF position; (2) allow the tank to settle long enough for a
good quality supernatant to form; (3) exercise (lower) supernatant control valve; (4) inspect the
supernatant quality; (5) adjust the control valve if necessary; (6) reset all valves to their original positions
after removing the desired amount of supernatant; (7) turn blower back on.

14.5 Relation to Other Unit Processes

Performance of the aerobic digestion process affects the performance of the downstream heat drying
process and the quality of the final biosolids. Most sludge drying facilities operate a stabilization process
upstream of the dryer, the majority of which are typically digestion. A few dryer facilities operate an
extended secondary process to reduce volatile solids in the sludge. Historically, a few plants did attempt
to dry raw sludge, but failure of those operations for product stability and odor reasons resulted in their
adding an upstream stabilization process. Without testing, it is difficult to predict what level of volatile
solids reduction is required to produce good quality biosolids. Generally, an SRT of over 15 days should
be the minimum target for good quality dried biosolids and the existing infrastructure will allow meeting
that goal up to current plant flows of 5.5 MGD assuming a suspended growth activated sludge liquid
treatment system. Pilot testing of the proposed replacement sludge dryer indicated that, under existing
conditions, a good quality end product is achievable. At a minimum, the proposed modifications to the
existing infrastructure and to the operational procedures should be performed. Replacement of the dryer
with a more proven and reliable unit will avoid fires and explosions regardless of the performance of the
upstream aerobic digestion, even at shorter SRTs. Shorter than 15-day SRTs are likely to result in a more
odorous end product once the dried material gets wet again.
Also, performance of the thickening process through supernatant removal from the aerated tanks affects
the efficiency of the downstream dewatering process and, to a lesser extent, the liquid process due to
the solids returned back to the head of the plant for reprocessing. Typically, the sludge fed to the BFPs
should have a minimum solids content of 1.7% in order to avoid excessive polymer dosing and
production of wet cake. Thickening at the primary clarifiers may not be enough to accomplish this, so
thickening may need to be supplemented with supernatant removal at the aerobic digesters as
recommended. In addition, Salisbury is currently installing a ne water pocket decanting system on the
sludge feed lines to the BFPs.

14.6 MDE Guidelines

According to MDE as part of a sewage sludge utilization (SSU) permit application for distribution of
treated sewage sludge by a process to significantly reduce pathogens (PSRP, a.k.a. Class B) and
subsequent land application in Maryland, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) owner/operator must
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the sewage sludge treatment process meets the
performance standards contained in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04.06.08 or the
federal regulations under 40 CFR Part 503 for (1) Pathogen Control and (2) Vector Attraction Reduction.
Compliance with the two types of requirements must be demonstrated separately and examples include
the following:

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Pathogen Control: The aerobic digestion process is conducted by agitating the sewage sludge
with air or oxygen to maintain aerobic conditions for a specific MCRT at a specific temperature.
Values for the MCRT and temperature must be between 40 days at 20C (68F) and 60 days at
15C (59F), with a volatile solids reduction of at least 38 percent.
Note: Although not explicitly listed in the information posted by MDE for a SSU permit application,
under the federal regulations 40 CFR Part 503, an alternate way to demonstrate the pathogen
control requirement includes demonstrating that seven samples of treated residuals contain fecal
coliform densities of less than or equal to 2,000,000 CFU or MPN per gram total solids.
Vector Attraction Reduction: For aerobically digested sewage sludge, vector attraction reduction
is demonstrated either (i) when the percent volatile solids reduction during sewage sludge
treatment equals or exceeds 38%, or (ii) when the specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) at 20C
(68F) is less than or equal to 1.5 mg of oxygen per hour per gram of total solids, or (iii) when
additional volatile solids reduction during bench-scale aerobic batch digestion for 30 additional
days at 20C (68F) is less than 15%.
Upon approval of the treated sewage sludge for land application, the WWTP must also comply with
Maryland specific requirements regarding annual reporting and associated fees. The WWTP is also held
liable to keep track and accurate records of the generated and utilized sewage sludge.
First, as demonstrated in Table 14-3, under current flow and treatment conditions, the time and
temperature requirement of 60 days at 15C (59F) is met and it is a matter of minor piping
modifications to demonstrate that the aerobic digesters produce Class B liquid sludge. Further
expanding on the MCRT and temperature requirement, USEPA also states that for staged operation
using two stages of approximately equal volume, the time required may be reduced to 70 percent of the
time required for single-stage aerobic digestion in a continuously mixed reactor. The same reduction is
recommended for batch operation or for more than two stages in series. Thus, the time required would
be reduced from 60 days to 42 days at 15C (59F). These reduced times are also more than sufficient
to achieve adequate vector attraction reduction. Once such performance is demonstrated, the process
would have to be operated at time-temperature conditions that match the conditions of the tests.
Under the proposed suspended growth biological treatment process the existing aerobic digestion
infrastructure will only allow to partially stabilize the sludge to produce dried biosolids of acceptable
handling quality. The plant will rely on the heat drying process to reduce pathogen and vector attraction
and meet Class AA or EQ standards.

14.7 Constructability
The proposed modifications as part of this upgrade include adding piping and valves to interconnect the
supernatant line of Tank 1 with the feed line of Tank 4 and the supernatant line of Tank 2 with the feed
line of Tank 3A. Even though the proposed pipeline runs are relatively short and of small diameter (8
inches, the digestion headhouse is congested with piping and the tie-ins will be challenging to
accomplish. Because the available record drawings for this area are not accurate, it is proposed during
design to survey the existing piping using three-dimensional scanning technology (LIDAR). The proposed
tie-ins will then be presented on three-dimension drawings. Piping modifications should be performed
first to the tanks consisting of one train, before the same is performed to the tanks of the other train, to
allow uninterrupted operation of the sludge storage and digestion process.
Installation of the aluminum covers on Tanks 1 and 2 and ductwork to a new package odor control
system should not present any problem to construct. If the telescoping valves are removed from the first
tanks there is no other equipment other than the air piping in and out that needs to penetrate the
proposed covers. The proposed slab for the odor control system will be constructed either between
Tanks 1 and 2 and the road to the north or in the area northwest of Tank 1. The only foreseeable issue
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may be related to the available area and the footprint occupied by the proposed odor control system. In
case that the two proposed locations cannot accommodate the proposed odor control system, the
system should be installed in the unoccupied area west of the solids handling building.
Extending the secondary sludge force main back to the primary clarifier distribution box to be able to
collect co-settled sludge from the underflow of the primary clarifiers can be done on a dry pipe by
exercising the appropriate isolation valves in the yard north of the old thickener and PC2 structures. The
proposed 8SSL pipeline should be tied into the 8PSL force main that already discharges into the PC
distribution box.
If it is elected to send secondary sludge straight to the aerobic digesters, provisions for mixing of
secondary sludge with primary sludge in the pipe are available since the primary and secondary sludge
force mains are already interconnected near the sludge tanks. It is a matter of opening and closing the
appropriate valves to be able to mix the two sludges together and divert them to the appropriate tank.
Even though transfer pumping to Tank 3B will not overlap between trains, to minimize the opening and
closing of valves, sludge transfer pump 3 will be dedicated to the western train (Train A) consisting of
Tanks 1 and 4, sludge transfer pump 1 or 2 will be dedicated to the eastern train (Train B) consisting of
Tanks 2 and 3A and the remaining sludge transfer pump will be standby.

14.8 Future Expansion Issues

The aerobic digestion process is generally not a sustainable process that would be recommended for
future expansions beyond 8.5 MGD plant flows. The only viable future expansion is to gain additional
digestion capacity without building any new tanks by separating the thickening process from the aerobic
digestion process. An RDT or a membrane thickening system could be utilized to thicken raw secondary
sludge before the sludge gets to the aerobic digesters. Upstream thickening will remove water and
reduce the overall volume of sludge needing treatment; hence increase the detention time and capacity
provided by the existing tanks.

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