Imhoff Tank

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Imhoff Tank
Published on SSWM (http://www.sswm.info/)

Imhoff Tank
Compiled by:

Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of

Aquatic Science and Technology), Beat
Stauffer (seecon international gmbh) ,
Dorothee Spuhler (seecon international
gmbh)

The Imhoff tank is a primary treatment technology for raw wastewater,

designed for solid-liquid separation and digestion of the settled sludge. It
consists of a V-shaped settling compartment above a tapering sludge
digestion chamber with gas vents.[no-ecompendium] In the digestsion
chamber, the settled solids are anaerobically digested generating biogas. The gas is deflected by baffles to the
gas vent channels to prevent it from disturbing the settling process. Imhoff tanks are used by small communities
and due to the underground construction, land use is very limited. Investment costs are low and operation and
maintenance simple. But the treatment efficiency is low and a secondary treatment of the effluent is required.
Moreover, the tanks must be desludged regularly.[/no-ecompendium]
In

Out

Blackwater, Brownwater, Excreta, (Organic Solid Waste) Blackwater (settled), Faecal Sludge, (Biogas)
[no-ecompendium]

Introduction

Schematic of an imhoff tank. Source: TILLEY et al. (2014)

[/no-ecompendium]
The Imhoff tank [no-ecompendium](also known as Emscherbrunnen or Emscher Tank), which works similar to a
communal septic tank, [/no-ecompendium]is a robust and effective settler that causes a suspended solids
reduction of 50 to 70%, COD reduction of 25 to 50%, and leads to potentially good sludge stabilisation
depending on the design and conditions. [no-ecompendium]It is a compact and efficient system for

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pre-treatment of municipal wastewater. [/no-ecompendium]The settling compartment has a circular or

rectangular shape with V-shaped walls and a slot at the bottom, allowing solids to settle into the digestion
compartment, while preventing foul gas from rising up and disturbing the settling process. Gas produced in the
digestion chamber rises into the gas vents at the edge of the reactor. It transports sludge particles to the water
surface, creating a scum layer. The sludge accumulates in the sludge digestion chamber, and is compacted and
partially stabilised through anaerobic digestion.[no-ecompendium] The liquid fraction remains only some hours in
the tank, while the solids remain for several years in the digestion chamber. There is more biogas production
than in septic tanks, but unfortunately the organic load in communal wastewater is usually not high enough for
the economical collection and usage (or flaring) of biogas (HOFFMANN et al. 2011). The pre-treated wastewater
from the Imhoff tank requires a secondary treatment (e.g. leach field, soak pits, horizontal flow, vertical flow or
free-surface constructed wetlands). Also the faecal sludge needs to be correctly disposed and further treated
(e.g. small or large scale composting, settling - thickening ponds or drying beds). If the sludge is composted
either directly or after drying, it can be used as fertiliser to improve the soil quality (see also use of compost or
fertiliser from sludge).[/no-ecompendium]

Design Considerations
[no-ecompendium]The Imhoff tank is designed with three compartments (see picture below):
1. Upper compartment for sedimentation
2. Lower section for sludge digestion
3. Gas vent and scum section

The three sections of an Imhoff tank sedimentation (1), sludge digestion (2), gas vent and scum section (3). In this design, an outlet for
the sludge is added. Source: HOFFMANN et al. (2011)

Scum and gas vent chambers are located at the sides of the tank. It can be an open or covered tank (WSP 2007).
A covered tank avoids infiltration of precipitation and pollutants. However, it is always preferred to cover the
tank to prevent contact with people and animals (see also water sanitation and health or health risk
management). An outlet for desludging can be added.[/no-ecompendium]
The Imhoff tank is usually built underground with reinforced concrete. It can, however, also be built above
ground, which makes sludge removal easier due to gravity, although still requiring pumping up of the influent.
Small prefabricated Imhoff tanks are also available on the market. Hydraulic retention time is usually not more
than 2 to 4 h to preserve an aerobic effluent for further treatment or discharge (find other treatment
technologies here and also under http://ecompendium.sswm.info/sanitation-technologies). T-shaped pipes or
baffles are used at the inlet and the outlet to reduce velocity and prevent scum from leaving the system. The
total water depth in the tank from the bottom to the water surface may reach 7 to 9.5 m. The bottom of the
settling compartment is typically sloped 1.25 to 1.75 vertical to 1 horizontal and the slot opening can be 150 to
300 mm wide. The walls of the sludge digestion compartment should have an inclination of 45 or more. This
allows the sludge to slide down to the centre where it can be removed. Dimensioning of the anaerobic digestion
compartment depends mainly on sludge production per population equivalent, on the targeted degree of sludge
stabilisation (linked to the desludging frequency) and the temperature. The digestion chamber is usually
designed for 4 to 12 months sludge storage capacity to allow for sufficient anaerobic digestion. In colder
climates longer sludge retention time and, therefore, a greater volume is needed. For desludging, a pipe and
pump have to be installed or access provided for vacuum trucks and mobile pumps (see also motorised emptying
and transport). A bar screen or grit chamber (see pre-treatment technologies) is recommended before the Imhoff

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tank to prevent coarse material from disturbing the system.

[no-ecompendium]

Principal design and function of an Imhoff tank. Source: WSP (2007)

[/no-ecompendium]
[ecomp-appropriateness]

Health Aspects/Acceptance
As the effluent is almost odourless, it is a good option for primary treatment if subsequent treatment takes
place, e.g., in open ponds, constructed wetlands (see also vertical flow constructed wetland, horizontal flow
constructed wetland or free-water surface constructed wetland) or trickling filters. Greenhouse gases produced
in low quantities may, however, generate odours locally. Pathogen removal is low and all outputs should be
treated[no-ecompendium] before they are used e.g. for irrigation or as fertiliser. Although the removal of
pathogens is not high, the entire tank is usually below the surface so users do not come in contact with any of
the wastewater[/no-ecompendium]. Adequate protective clothing is necessary for workers who may get in
contact with the effluent, scum or sludge. [/no-ecompendium]A vacuum truck should be used to empty the
sludge, if there is no pumped outlet installed. Users should not attempt to empty the pit themselves except with
a manual technology like the gulper (see also motorised emptying and human-powered emptying). Users should
be careful when opening the tank because noxious and flammable gases may be released.[no-ecompendium]

Open Imhoff tank in Las Vegas, Honduras. Source: MIKELONIS (2008)

[/no-ecompendium]

Costs Considerations
Construction costs are slightly higher than the costs for a septic tank (SANIMAS 2005). Also the costs for
desludging (motorised or manual) must be considered. Moreover, it is a pre-treatment facility and in many cases
connected to further treatment installations (e.g. leach field, soak pits, horizontal flow, vertical flow or

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free-surface constructed wetlands).[/no-ecompendium]

Operation & Maintenance

Operation and maintenance [no-ecompendium](click here for further information on operation and maintenance)
[/no-ecompendium]are possible at low cost, if trained personnel are in charge. Flow paths have to be kept open
and cleaned out weekly, while scum in the settling compartment and the gas vents has to be removed daily if
necessary. [no-ecompendium]Regular cleaning of the sides of the settling chamber and slot by rake or squeegee
is very important. Another activity, which should be done twice a month is to reversing the flow (backwash) of
water to even up the solids in the digestion chamber (WSP 2007; SANIMAS 2005; SASSE 1998).
[/no-ecompendium]Stabilised sludge from the bottom of the digestion compartment should be removed
according to the design. [no-ecompendium]The sludge can be removed by pumping or hydraulic pressure pipes
right from the bottom or by a vacuum truck (see also motorised emptying). [/no-ecompendium]A minimum
clearance of 50 cm between the sludge blanket and the slot of the settling chamber has to be ensured at all
times.[no-ecompendium]

At a Glance
Settling of solids occurs in the upper compartment. Sludge falls through the slot to the
bottom of the settling compartment into the lower tank, where it is digested.
Imhoff tanks ar
Capacity/Adequacy
e used by small communities for primary treatment of grey- and blackwater.
Performance
Removes 25 to 50% of COD. Pathogen removal is low.
Costs
Construction costs are slightly higher than the costs of a septic tank.
Self-help
Requires expert design, but can be constructed with locally available material.
Compatibility
Should be checked for water tightness, scum and sludge levels regularly. Sludge needs to be
O&M
dug out every 1 to 5 years and discharged properly (e.g. in composting or drying bed).
Needs to be vented.
Reliable if amply designed and desludging carried out routinely. Imhoff tanks are resistant
Reliability
against shock loads.
Main strength
Simple to construct and to operate.
Main weakness
Effluent and sludge require further treatment.
Working Principle

[/no-ecompendium]

Applicability
Imhoff tanks are recommended for domestic or mixed wastewater flows between 50 and 20,000 population
equivalents. They are able to treat high organic loads and are resistant against organic shock loads. Space
requirements are low.[no-ecompendium] Normally, Imhoff tanks are used by small communities with raw
wastewater flows on the order of 950 m3/day (population about 8000 people or 1300 households) (WSP 2007).
[/no-ecompendium]
Imhoff tanks can be used in warm and cold climates[no-ecompendium] (wastewater temperatures below 15C or
above 2000 m altitude; minimum winter temperature is 8C, average for the year is 20C) (HOFFMANN et al.
2011)[/no-ecompendium]. As the tank is very high, it can be built underground if the groundwater table is low
and the location is not flood prone.[no-ecompendium] If constructed underground, land use is very limited and
Imhoff tanks can be constructed in both, rural or urban areas. Investment costs are low and operation and
maintenance simple.[/no-ecompendium]

Advantages
Solid-liquid separation and sludge stabilisation are combined in one single unit
Resistant against organic shock loads
Small space requirements
The effluent remains fresh (i.e., not septic)
Low operating costs

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Suitable for small settlements and house clusters

Standardised designs available
Simple operation and maintenance

Disadvantages
Very high (or deep) infrastructure; depth may be a problem in case of high groundwater table
Requires expert design and construction
Low reduction of pathogens
Requires desludging
Inefficient treatment option if not regularly desludged
Odour occurs from escaping gases
Effluent, sludge and scum require further treatment
Less simple than septic tank

References
ALEXANDRE, O.; BOUTIN, C.; DUCHENE, PH.; LAGRANGE, C.; LAKEL, A.; LIENARD, A.; ORDITZ, D. (1998): Filires d'Epuration Adaptes aux
Petites Collectivits . (= Document technique FNDAE, 22). Lyon: Centre National du Machinisme Agricole, du Genie Rural, des Eaux et des
Forets (CEMAGREF). URL [Accessed: 08.10.2013]. PDF
GUTTERER, B.; SASSE, L.; PANZERBIETER, T.; RECKERZGEL, T.; ULRICH, A. (Editor); REUTER, S. (Editor); GUTTERER, B. (Editor) (2009):
Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) and Sanitation in Developing Countries. Loughborough University (UK): Water
Engineering and Deveopment Centre (WEDC). URL [Accessed: 20.03.2014]. PDF
HERRERA, A. (2006): Rehabilitation of the Imhoff Tank Treatment Plant in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara Honduras, Central America. Master thesis.
Austin: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas.
HOFFMANN, H.; PLATZER, C.; WINKER, M.; MUENCH, E. von; GIZ (Editor) (2011): Technology Review of Constructed Wetlands. Subsurface Flow
Constructed Wetlands for Greywater and Domestic Wastewater Treatment. Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. URL [Accessed: 01.07.2013]. PDF
McLEAN, R.C. (2008): Honduras Wastewater Treatment: Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment and Sustainable Secondary Treatment
Technologies for Use with Imhoff Tanks. Pomona: California State Polytechnic University. URL [Accessed: 09.02.2011]. PDF
MIKELONIS, A. (2008): A Proposal to Implement a Circuit Rider Program in Honduras. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
URL [Accessed: 09.02.2011]. PDF
SANIMAS (Editor) (2005): Informed Choice Catalogue. pdf presentation. BORDA and USAID. PDF
SASSE, L. ; BORDA (Editor) (1998): DEWATS. Decentralised Wastewater Treatment in Developing Countries. Bremen: Bremen Overseas
Research and Development Association (BORDA). PDF
WSP (Editor) (2007): Philippines Sanitation Source Book and Decision Aid. pdf presentation. Washington: Water and Sanitation Program. PDF
TILLEY, E.; ULRICH, L.; LUETHI, C.; REYMOND, P.; ZURBRUEGG, C. (2014): Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. 2nd Revised
Edition. Duebendorf, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). URL [Accessed: 28.07.2014]. PDF

For further readings, case studies, awareness raising material, training material, important weblinks or the
related powerpoint presentation, see www.sswm.info/taxonomy/term/

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