Sewage /Wastewater Treatment

Purpose of Sewage Treatment

The raw sewage must be treated prior its disposal in water body
Degree of treatment depends upon following consideration

i)

Characteristics and quality of the sewage

ii) Quality of receiving water body

iii) Assimilative capacity of receiving water body to cope pollution

iv) Intended use of receiving water body

Purposes of Treatment
a) To stabilize the sewage without causing odour and nuisance
b) To protect public health
c) To avoid potential damages to quality of receiving water body
(Rivers, canals & Streams)
d) To protect the aquatic life from the potential threats

Steps in Sewage Treatment

Main steps in for sewage treatment
1.

Separation of Solids from liquids

2.

Treatment and disposal of liquid

3.

Treatment and disposal of solids

The layout of conventional wastewater

treatment is as follows:

1. Preliminary Treatment
Done through physical methods
(Remove coarse, suspended matter, floating materials and O&G)
Treatment units
a) Balancing /Equalization Tank
b) Screens
c) Cutting Screens or Comminutors
d) Grit Chambers
e) Skimming Tanks / Floatation
f) Evaporation

2. Primary Treatment

Done through mostly by physical methods

(Settle-able and Suspended Solids)
The units involved are
a) Sedimentation tank
b) Septic tank
c) Imhoff tank
3. Secondary Treatment
Done through biological processes
(remove organic solids)
a) Trickling Filters
b) Activated Sludge Process
c) Oxidation Ponds
4. Sludge Treatment and Disposal

a)
b)

Sludge Digestion
Sludge Drying

1. Preliminary Treatment
The process of removal of rags, pieces of wood, plastics, metals,
rubber or fragments of masonry is called preliminary treatment.
Necessary to remove otherwise - interfere the treatment processes
and may cause damage to the installed machinery e.g. pumps and
motors etc.
a) Equalization Tank
b) Screening
Types of screens
There are two types of screens
i) Bar Screen or Racks
These can be further of two types
a) Manually / Hand Cleaned (For small STP)
b) Mechanically Cleaned (For large STP
ii) Mesh Screen /Fine Screens

(Not for sewage but for industrial WW i.e for uniform particle sizes)
Contd..

Figure: A Typical view of Bar Rack Screen

Screening - Design Consideration

Parameter

Bar width(mm)

Types of Screen
Manually Cleaned Mech. Cleaned
6 15 mm
(1/4 5/8)

6 15 mm
(1/4 5/8)

Bar Spacing (mm)

25 -50
15 75
Approach Velocity (m/s)
0.3 0.6
0.6 1.0
Velocity should not be more than 1 m/Sec to avoid Excessive Head
Loss and should not less than 0.6 m/Sec to avoid Sedimentation in
Screen Chambers
Slope
<300
>750
Length
Approachable
Location
Before pumps
Before pumps
Number of Screens
02
02
Surface Area perpendicular to 2 times the area of
flow
sewer
Screened material (m3/m3 flow) 1.6x 10-6 1.5x10-6
Nature of Screened material
Contaminated
Disposal of Screened Material Landfill or Incineration

c) Comminutors
Instead of removing the large size particles, communitors reduce
them in size so that will not harm the equipment. The chopped or
ground solids are removed in the sedimentation process.
Provided with fixed screen and moving cutter.
Floating comminutors draw the flexible material through screen rather
than chopping them.
(nuisance in un-skimmed clarifiers, trickling filters and aeration basin).
For small plant single unit rated for peak flow may be used in parallel
with manually cleaned bar rack.
For larger plants multiple number of units are used with capacity so
that remaining units may handle the peak flow, with one or two out of
service.

Head loss depends upon the screen details and flow and ranges from
50 -100 mm

Figure: A Typical View of Comminutor

d) Grit Chambers

Grit Chambers are used to remove the inert inorganic particles (sand,
metal fragments and eggshells etc) from sewage having size 0.2mm or
larger and specific gravity equal or more than 2.65
Purposes
i.

To protect moving mechanical equipment from abrasion and

abnormal wear.

ii.

To avoid heavy deposition in pipelines, channels and conduits.

iii. To avoid frequent cleaning of digesters to remove excessive

deposition
Design Considerations
Parameters
Velocity (m/s)
Detention Time (Sec)
Length (m)
Cleaning Intervals (Weeks)
Velocity Control

Value
0.25 0.3
40 60
10 20
2
Through Proportional Flow Weir OR
Sutro Weir

Figure- A Schematic View of

e)

Skimming Tank

Used to remove O&G from wastewater

A basin with DT of about 10 minutes is satisfactory.
Includes aerating device which blows air (About 0.1 cubic
feet of air/gallon at a pressure ranging from 40 50 Psi.
Rising air coagulates the O&G and cause them to rise to
surface

Removed easily either manually or mechanically.

Skimming /Floatation Tank

Activation & Sedimentation Tank

2. Primary Treatment
Removal of settle-able suspended organic solids and floating
materials.
Also reduces the load on subsequent biological units.
Sometimes, addition of chemicals to assist in removal of
finally divided and colloidal solids, or to precipitate
phosphorous is carried out.
Sedimentation Tanks
Separation or removal of
wastewater by gravity.

suspended solids from

the

If the specific gravity of the SS is more than 1, it will settle with

certain velocity under gravity.

Water is allowed to remain in a basin or tank for certain time, the

SS settle and reach at the bottom of the tanks and thus the
wastewater will become clear

Principle of Sedimentation
Discrete Particle Settling
Refers to the settling. of particles in a suspension of low solid conc.
Particles settle as individual (no significant interaction)
It removes grit and sand particles form water.
Particles settles under Stokess law

Vs

g (ps p)d2
18

Where
Vs = terminal settling velocity (L/T)
ps = the mass density of particles (M/L3)

p
G

= The mass density of fluid (M/L3)

= Acceleration due to gravity (L/T2)
= Absolute viscosity of the liquid (M/LT)

The above equation can be written as

Vs
=
g (Gs 1)d2
18 v
Gs

Specific Gravity of the particles

Kinematic viscosity

The above law is applicable when RN < 1

Ideal Sedimentation Basins

Design of the Sedi. basin is based on concept of Ideal Sedi. Basins.
Assumptions

i)

Complete mixing and uniform suspension at the inlet zone.

ii) Uniform horizontal velocity in the settling zone.

iii)

No flocculation (Discrete free settling)

iv) Particles that reach at bottom are permanently removed.

Surface Overflow Rate (SOR)

Particle entering the basin will have a horizontal velocity equal to
the velocity of the fluid
V
w
h

=
=
=

Q/A
=
Width of tank &
depth of tank

Q/wh

The other velocity is settling velocity Vs of that particle defined by

Stokes law.
For removal of particle, Settling velocity (Vs) and horizontal
velocity (v) must be such that their resultant velocity ( V ),
must carry it to the bottom of the tank before outlet zone is
reached.
If the particle entering at the top of the basin (point a) is so
removed, all the particles with same velocity will also be removed.
Consider slope of the velocity vector from point a to f and
dimension of the basin itself. We can write

Vs
V
Or
Vs

Vs

h
L

=
=
=

Vh
L

As V =

Q/A

Q/WhL
Q/WL

SOR is numerically equal to the

flow divided by the plan area of the
basin.
It physically represents the settling
velocity of the slowest settling particles
which is 100% removed.
Particles having Vs >
entirely removed.

SOR will be

Detention Time
It is defined as the tank volume divided by the flow
Detention Time (DT)

V/Q

Sedimentation Tanks

Used to remove suspended particles upto 50 60%.

BOD removal in these tanks is associated with removal of
SS

BOD Removal ranges 25 40 %.

Types
Sedimentation tanks are of following types
i)
ii)
iii)

Rectangular Tanks
Circular Tanks
Square Tanks

Rectangular Tanks
Horizontal flow pattern. WW flows along the long axis.
Minimizes the effects of inlet and outlet disturbances.

Design basis
Sr.No.
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
viii)
vix)
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

Parameter
Design flow
Settling Velocity of Particles
Surface Overflow Rate(SOR)
Detention Time (DT)
Depth
Maximum Length
L : W (ratio)
Depth
Weir Loading
Sludge Accumulation
Secondary Sedimentation Tank
Design Flow
SOR
Detention Time (DT)
Depth

Value
Average Daily Flow
0.3 0.7 mm/s
25 40 m/day
1.5- 2.5 hour
2-5 m
30 m
4:1
25m
Not more than 120 m3/m.day
2.5 Kg wet solids / m3 flow
Average Daily Discharge
30-40 m/day
2 3 hours
2.5 5 m

Circular Tank
In circular Tank the flow may either at periphery or at the centre.
Ave. DT in peripheral feed basin is greater.

Diameter of 30 m is provided (generally).

Diameter more than 100 m is not recommended.
Square Basin
Square basin may be used in situations where land area is
limited.
The length of one side may be 21 m.

Problem:
Calculate the settling velocity of a sand particle of o.4
mm in size in water at 10 oC. Specific gravity of sand particle is 2.65. How
much surface area of an ideal settling tank will be required to remove
these particles? Dynamic viscosity of water is 1.31x10-2 poise. The
incoming flow is 28512 m3/day
D

S.G
Viscosity ()
Q
Vs
A
Vs

=
=
=
=
=
=

0.04 mm

0.004 cm

2.65
1.31x10-2 poise(gm/cm-sec)
28512 m3/day
?
?
g (Gs 1)d2
18v
/p
=
1.31x10-2 / 1
V(Kinematic visco) =
p = 1 gm/cm3
9.81(2.65-1)(0.004)2
Vs
=
= 1.098 x 10-3 m/sec
18x1.31x10-2
Now for 100% removal SOR should be equal to the settling velocity i.e.
SOR
=
Vs =
Q/wL
=
= 1.098 x 10-3
wL
Surface Area =
= 2852 / (1.098 x 10-3x24x60x60)
= 300.5 m2

Problem:
A sedimentation basin is 30 m long, 15 m wide and
4m deep and has an overflow rate of 24 m3/day-m2. What is
detention time?.
Solution
SOR = 24 m3/day-m2. DT = ?

L = 30m

W = 15m

H=4m

DT
V(vol)

V/Q
=

30 x 15 x 4 m3 1800 m3

Also
SOR

Q/WL

DT

V/Q

DT

4 hours

SOR x WL

= 24 x 15x30 m3/day

10800 m3/day

= 1800 / 10800 day

0.1667 day

Inlets and outlets

Careful design is important to assure reasonable
performance of ST.
Inlets
Advantages of proper design
It reduces the entrance velocity of effluent
It distributes the water though out the width and depth
of tank and
It mixes it with water already present in the tank to
prevent density currents.

Inlet structures

Outlets
In STs outlets consist of free-falling weirs.
Weir Loading Rates(WLR), specified in volume /unit
length per day, are limited to prevent high approach
velocities near outlets.
WLR calculate the length of the weir but not length over
which overflow occurs.
Outlets are placed as far as possible from the inlets i.e. at
the end of rectangular tanks and towards centre and
along the radii of peripherally fed tanks.
Weirs frequently consist of v-notches approximately 50
mm in depth and placed at 300 mm on centre.

Outlet structures

ii)

Septic Tanks

These are Primary Sediments basin

Provided in houses with water supply and too low housing density to
allow soakage pits
A minor degree of solid destruction may occur due to anaerobic
digestion. Units are ordinarily sized to provide detention time of 24 hours
at average daily flow.
Usually made of concrete but steel and fibreglass are used.
The effluent is offensive and potentially dangerous.
Effluent needs further treatment (additional process or soil disposal

Ave. BOD ranged from 120 270 mg/l & Ave. SS from 44 69 mg/l.
De-sludging is required after 1 to 3 years.
Two Compartment ST (Better performance in SS & Pathogen removal)
Septic tanks are more expensive than other on-site WWT system
Factors affecting Sustainability
These include
Low soil permeability,
high groundwater levels and
proximity of wells that supply drinking water.

Single Compartment Septic Tank

iii) Imhoff Tank

Used for separation and digestion of solids in single unit.
Mixing and heating in the digestion zone (in modern units).

widely used in the past, to provide primary treatment.

Old Imhoff tanks have been converted to other uses in recent
years.

Advantages of these units over septic tanks is questionable.

Secondary Treatment
Advanced WWT treatment process
Intends to remove constituents of WW which remain even
after primary treatment.
They employed for
i)

Soluble Organic matter (BOD)

ii)

Colloidal SS by improving sedimentation process

iii)

Removal of Phosphorous Nitrogen and Phenolic

compounds etc

Physical and Chemical processes

i) Coagulation or Chemical Precipitation

Industrial WW may contain very fine particles and heavy metals

May not settle in the reasonable time or stabilize by the Mic. Org.
Certain chemicals are added to WW to be treated
Objectives
a)
b)

To improve the performance of sedimentation tank

To improve the performance of filtration.

These chemicals are known as coagulants.

Precipitates are formed in WW, which catch the tiny particles and
ions of heavy metals.
PPts increase in size through process of agglomeration and thus
settle down in the sedimentation tanks.

Most Commonly used coagulant is Alum (Aluminium Sulphate), lime

Ferric chloride, Ferric Sulphate, Sodium Dichromate, Ferrous Sulphate
Determine Effective dose ( higher removal efficiency) through Jar test.
Addition of coagulants is followed by rapid mixing, flocculation and
final removal in sedimentation tank.

ii) Adjustment of pH
Adjustment of pH is important.
pH of WW effects the operation of WWTP e.g. Coagulation,
biological treatment.
The optimum pH values for various coagulants is as followings
Coagulant

Alum
Ferrous Sulphate
Ferric Chloride
Ferric Sulphate

Range of pH
4.0 7.0
3.5 and above
3.5 6.5 and above 8.5
3.5 7.0 and above 9.0

Removal efficiency of SS, Org. Material and Bacteria through

chemical process /treatment vary and given as below:
Suspended Solids (SS)
Organic Matter
Bacteria

80 90 %
50 - 55 %
80 90 %

iii) Neutralization
Acid or base is added to neutralize the effluent.
Micro. Orga. are sensitive towards the pH values of the
WW to be treated.
Necessary for successful performance of biological
units
Dose (acid or base) is determined in the laboratory.

Biological Treatment
Sec. Treatment is usually understood to employ biological
treatment process.

WW in addition to organic matter also contains large number of

Micro.Orgs. Able to stabilize the waste in the natural purification
process.
Micro.Orgs. remove soluble and colloidal organic matter from
the waste.
Process requires, large number of microorganisms in relatively
small tank/container to do job in reasonable time.

Basic principle of process is same but the techniques may vary

These processes are designed as
1.

Suspended Growth process

2.

Attached Growth process

1.

Suspended Growth Process

These processes maintain adequate biological mass in

suspension within the reactor by employing either natural
or mechanical mixing.
Generally the required volume is reduced by returning
bacteria form the secondary clarifiers (or sedimentation)
tank in order to maintain a high solid concentration.
The suspended growth processes include

i)

Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

ii)

Oxidation Ponds

iii)

Aerated Lagoons

iv)

Sludge Digestion Process

i)

Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

devised by Arden and Lockett in Manchester in 1914.

Activated sludge
A sludge flock (i.e. body of microorganisms gathered in a crowd)
Produced in raw /settled sewage by the growth of bacteria and other
organisms in the presence of DO and accumulated in sufficient conc.
by returning sludge flock previously formed.
Process Description
A mixture of sewage and activate sludge is agitated and aerated in
an Aeration Tank.
Bacteria in the activated sludge aerobically metabolize the Organic
Matter present in the influent.

Sedimentation in final clarifiers to separate sludge from the Mixed

Liquor (Mixture of sewage & activated sludge in aeration tank).
A portion of settled sludge is wasted or returned to the aeration tank
as needed. The treated effluent overflows from the final clarifier.
Contd..

Act.sludge Contd..

Modified Activated Sludge Process

A modified form of Conventional Activated Sludge Process.
Requires less aeration period and less population of microorganisms in
the tank.
Ultimately needs less power consumption .
BOD removal is 60 70 % as compare to 90 -95% removal in
conventional ASP.

Degree of treatment in ASP depends upon the settle- ability of sludge in

the final clarifier.
Growth of Filamentous Microorganisms
Offers hindrance in sedimentation
Contribute to BOD5 & SS
Sludge Bulking: Excessive carryover of floc, resulting in the Inefficient
Operation of final clarifier is referred as Sludge Bulking.

Advantages of Recirculation
These include:

Increase in biological solids in the system and continuous

seeding with re-circulated sloughed solids.
Maintenance of more uniform hydraulic and organic load,

Dilution of influent with better quality water and

Thinning of biological slime layer
Recirculation rates ranges from 50 100 % of the wastewater
with usual rates being 30 50 %
Recirculation may not exceed the efficiency in all circumstances
particularly with relatively dilute wastes.

Conditions Promoting Growth of Filamentous Organisms

Filamentous Organism ----- Sludge Bulking

Conditions Promoting Growth include:

a)

Insufficient Aeration
Causes Sludge floatation
Results in DO level less than 2 mg/l
Bacteria in the absence of O2 converts ammonium to nitrate and
finally into N2 gas.
Rising N2 gas causes floatation of Sludge

b)

Lack of Nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorous)

Problem may be corrected by providing lacking nutrients.
Guiding values of BOD and Nitrogen and Phosphorous are of
the order of 100:5:1

c)

Low values of pH

Low pH promotes fungal growth in the basin.

Adjust pH (Neutralize) to cover this problem

d)

Overloading
High F:M ratios __ growth of Filamentous Organism--- Sludge Bulking

Food to Microorganism Ratio (F:M)

Expressed in terms of Kg of BOD applied per day per Kg of

MLSS. If Q is the sewage flow in m3/day and it has a BOD
expressed in mg/l then
Food
=
( Q x BOD ) Kg BOD/day
1000
If V is volume of the aeration tank in cubic meter (m3) and it
has an MLSS concentration expressed in mg/l, then
Microorganism =

( V x MLSS )
1000

Kg MLSS

F:M

( Q x BOD )
( V x MLSS)

per day

=
=

As
F:M

Q/V

( BOD )
( t x MLSS)

Where t is aeration time in days

per day

Design Criterion ( conventional and modified ASP) are as followings:

Parameter
Aeration Period
Air Required
SS in MLSS
F:M

Value
4 8 hours
90 125 m3/kg of BOD5
1500 - 2000 2500 - 3000 mg/l
0.5 1.0 however 0.25 to 0.5 day-1 is usually
employed & gives sludge settling characteristics
25% - 100 % of sewage flow
2 mg/l
2 (as minimum)
35m
5:1

Return Sludge
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
No. of Aeration Tanks
Depth
L :W
Aeration Systems
a) Diffusers with pressure of 40 KPa
b) Surface Aerators
Qr/Q = Vs/(1000 Vs)
Where
Vs
Qr
Q

= Volume of Settled Sludge in ml

= Flow of Return Sludge
= Flow of Sewage

Diffuser System
Major characteristics are as followings

Diffusers size
Bubble Size
Distance b/w Diffusers
Location
Operation

150mm dia Ceramics Domes

2.0 2.5 mm
0.6 1.0 m
Bottom of the tank
Noiseless
Less formation of aerosols

Surface Aerators
Mechanical surface aerators in Aeration Tank
Spin partially in & partially out of the mixed liquor.
Thrown violently across the surface of the tank to adsorb O2.
These require less maintenance and
Provide visual evidence of break down.

Typical Views of Functioning of Diffusers

Measurement of Sludge Settle-ability

Sludge Volume Index (SVI)
It is the volume measured in milliliters (ml) occupied by
one (1) gram of settled suspended solids.
SVI indicates the sludge settling characteristics.

Determination of SVI

Draw sample of mixed liquor at the end of aeration tank

Measure the volume of the settled sludge (Vs) in a one
liter graduated measuring cylinder in 30 minutes.

Measure the Suspended Solid (SS) content in mg/l of the

mixed liquor samples which is called MLSS.
SVI

Value of SVI
< 50
40 100
>200

(Vs x 1000)
(ml/g)
MLSS
Sludge Characteristics
Thick and hard sludge difficult to pump
Good sludge
Sludge has bulking tendency ie. Poor settling
characteristics

Types of Activated Sludge Processes (ASP)

i) Conventional (Plug Flow)
This process consists of
A rectangular basin,
A clarifier, and

A solid return line from the bottom of the clarifier.

Exceed solids are usually wasted from the clarifier underflow.
Arrangement for Separate sludge wasting (possible &
preferred).
Mixing of return sludge with incoming waste.
Uniform Air supply (along the length of the basin through
porous diffusers.

 Disadvantages
F/M ratio varies as the wastewater travels in the tank.
Air is provided uniformly along the length of the basin
through porous diffusers.
Since there is high concentration of BOD as well as
microorganisms, the oxygen at inlet of the tank is consumed
rapidly due to raid exertion of BOD by microorganisms.
Therefore, oxygen demand may be difficult to meet at inlet.
Air supplied may become excess on the other end of tank.

ii) Tapered Aeration

High Conc. Of MO as well as BOD at inlet, hence rate of
oxidation in Conventional ASP is highest at inlet.
Utilization of O2 at inlet is more.
Utilization of Oxygen by mixed liquor in 6 hours aeration
time (based on various studies) is as following:
Time
Ist 2 hours
Next 2 hours
Next 2 hours

BOD Removal (%)

50
30
20

Therefore, maintaining aerobic condition throughout the tank

length by providing uniform air distribution, sometime
becomes difficult.

 Similar to the conventional activated sludge process.

Application of diffused air, at varying rate, along the length of
the tank i.e. air supply is gradually reduced along the length
of the basin.
Same volume of air is used but air is concentrated at the inlet
to cope the high demand of microorganism there.

iii) Step Aeration

Basic Idea - organism are unable to handle the full load if

all the sewage enters the aeration tank at a same point.
Increment of sewage are added along line of flow of the
aeration tank. Air supply is kept constant along the length of
the tank.
Air diffusers are equally spaced but incoming load (sewage)
is distributed or added in steps along the length of the basin
to have almost constant F:M ratio.

Step Aeration

iv) Completely Mixed Process

Contents of the aeration tank (i.e. Influent sewage and
return sludge) are completely mixed.

This complete mixing is done to achieve constant F:M

ratio though out the tank.
Diffusers or surface aerators are spaced equally in the
tank to result in uniform supply of oxygen.
This process is most widely used.

Advantages
This process can effectively handle Shock Loads ( i.e. Instant
variations in influent BOD, temperature, pH etc.)

v) Extended Aeration

same as complete mix, with just a longer aeration.

Advantage - long detention time in the aeration tank;
provides equalization to absorb sudden/temporary shock
loads. The purpose - to oxidize the sludge to decrease its
volume &
Consequently reduce the capacity (size) of the sludge digester.

Less sludge production because some of the bacteria are

digested in the aeration tank.
i.

Suitable for small sewage flows ( <1MGD or 0.04 m3/s)

ii. F:M ratio is ~ 0.05 to 0.1 per day

iii. Also used to treat industrial wastewater containing soluble
organics that need longer detention times.
iv. Aeration time varies from 24 hours to 36 hours
v. Primary treatment (sedimentation tank) is not provided.

Extended Aeration time

vi) High Rate Activated Sludge Process

Usually employed where high BOD and SS removals are
not required. Size of tank is reduced which increases F:M
ratio i.e.

F:M =

BOD/(MLSS x t)

Due to high F:M ratio, the biomass mostly remains in

suspension in the effluent, hence

Effluent quality is poor.

Operational Control of Activated Sludge Process

Basic parameters used are given as below:

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Maintain 1-3 mg/l DO in aeration basin
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
(MLSS)
70% of Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
Sludge Volume Index (SVI)
Microscopic examination of sludge to
check filamentous growth

Temperature
Colder water - longer treatment
times
Industrial discharges may increase
the temperature
Most MOs do best under
moderate temperatures (10-25C).
Aeration basin temperatures
should be routinely measured and
recorded.

Food : Microorganism (F:M)

Maintain F:M Ratio 0.5 1.0 however
Nitrogen Content
preferably 0.25 to 0.5 day-1
Phosphorus Content
Return Sludge
pH
range 6.0 to 9.0 Standard units
Ideal 6.8 to 7.4 Standard Unit

Disadvantages of ASP
Process and operation are extremely sensitive
/sophisticated
Successful operation requires skilled manpower or
workforce.
Sludge bulking problem is very common
High operating cost
Electric power is required for operations
Not suitable for developing countries facing shortage of
power, revenue and skilled manpower

Problem: The Mix Liquor Suspended Solids Concentration in

an aeration tank is 2400 mg/l. The volume of the sludge after
30 minutes settling in one liter cylinder is 220 ml. Calculate
Sludge Volume Index.
Sol.
MLSS 2400 mg/l
=
Vs
= 220 ml/l
SVI
=
?

SVI

= (Vs x 1000)
MLSS
= (Vs x 1000) /2400
=

(220 x 1000) / 2400 = 91.67

Prob: Design an Activated sludge process system for wastewater flow of 20,000
m3/day having BOD 200 mg/l and F/m ration as 0.4 and MLSS 2000 mg/l.
Sol
F/m = 0.4 day-1

Q = 20000 m3/day
T=?

Deten. Time t
F:M
==

( BOD )
( t x MLSS)
t
= 200 / (0.4 x 2000)
Volume
V
=txQ
Let No. units= 5
Vol.of each unit = 5000/5
Dimension
Depth of AT = 4 - 6 m
Area = 1000/5
L :W = 1:5
= 5WxW
L = 32 m

BOD= 200 mg/l MLSS=2000 mg/l

V = ?
Air Supply ?
= t = BOD/(MLSSxF/m)
=

0.25 days

= 5000 m3
= 1000 m3
=5m
=200 m2
L
= 200

= 5W

= 6.5 m

Air Supply

=
= 10m3 of air / m3 of sewage

Q = 20000 m3/day
Air Supply = 20,000 x 10
Air Supply per = 200000/5

= 20,0000 m3/day
= 40000 m3/day

tank
Return Sludge
Qr/Q = Vs / (1000-Vs)
Sludge volume = (Vs x1000) / MLSS
Index (SVI)
MLSS = 2000 mg/l

&

Assume SVI = 100

Vs = 200 m3
Qr = (Vs x Q) /(1000 Vs)

(200 x 4000) /(1000-200) =1000 m3/d

Problem:
Calculate MLSS concentration required to result in an
operating F/m ratio of 0.4 day-1 for the treatment of 15140 m3/day of
sewage with a BOD of 200 mg/l. Assume detention time in the aeration
tank as 6 hours. Also calculate the volume of the aeration tank.
Sol:
F/m= 0.4 day-1 Q = 15140 m3/day BO = 200 mg/l
MLSS
=?
V = ?
F:M=
( Q x BOD )
( V x MLSS)
DT
= V/Q
V
= DT x Q
= 6 x15140
24
= 3785 m3
F:M=
( Q x BOD )
( V x MLSS)
0.4
MLSS

= (15140 x 200)
3785 x MLSS
= 2000 mg/l

DT=6 hrs

Problem:
An Activated Sludge Process system aeration tank has
volume of 900 m3 treating a sewage flow of 4000 m3/d with BOD of 250
mg/l. It is desired to achieve a SVI of 80 mg/l by adopting a re-circulation
ratio (Qr /Q) of 0.25. Calculate F/M ratio at which it should be operated.

Sol:
F/m = ?
MLSS

Q = 4000 m3/day
=?
DT =V/Q
Qr/Q =
Vs =

Vs /(100-Vs)
0.25(1000-Vs)

BOD= 250 mg/l DT = ?

V = ?
= 900/4000 = 0.225 days
= 250- 0.25 Vs
= Vs

1.25Vs = 250
Vs = 200 m3
SVI
= (Vs x 1000) / MLSS
MLSS = = (200x1000)/80
= 3785 m3
F:M =
( BOD )
( DT x MLSS)
= (250)/(0.225 x 2500)

= 0.44 / day

= 2500 mg/l

Problem:
An ASP is to be designed to treat a sewage of 6
m3 / min with BOD of 200 mg/l using F/M ration 0.4 per day and
MLSS of 3000 mg/l. Calculate volume of aeration tank if SVI of
100 ml /l is maintained. How much sludge should be recirculated?
Sol:
F/m

= 0.4 Q = 6 m3/min
MLSS = 3000 mg/l

Qr/Q = ? DT = ?
=
( BOD )
F:M
( DT x MLSS)
DT =(200) / (DT x 3000)
V = Q x DT
SVI = (Vs x 1000) / MLSS
Vs = 300 m3
Qr/Q = Vs /(1000-Vs)
Qr = (Vs x Q) / ((1000-300)

= _ m3/day

BOD = 200 mg/l

SVI = 100 ml/l

= 0.16
= 6 x 230.4

= 2.5 m3 /min

= 230.4 min
= 1382.4 m3

Oxidation Ponds
Oxidation Pond is an open, flow through earthen basin
of controlled shape specially design and constructed to treat
sewage and bio-degradable industrial waste by natural
processes involving bacteria and in many instances algae.
Considered to be completely mixed biological reactors without
solids return.
Mixing by natural processes (wind, heat, fermentation).
Augmentation of mixing by mechanical or diffused aeration.
Also known as stabilization ponds or wastewater lagoons.
Controlled shape impart treatment by biological process.

Oxidation Ponds

 Advantages

Suitable - Small communities (Cheep land)

Capital cost is low
Min. mechanical equipment are required.
No imported parts / machinery is required
Easy to operate and maintain
Less O & M cost
No skilled manpower is required for O&M
Negligible odour problems

Disadvantages

Poor Fecal coliform removal

Needs final clarifiers
Sludge handling problems
Not suitable for extreme climate areas (MO are sensitive
towards extreme Temp. conditions i.e. cold & hot)

Maintenance of Ponds
General repair and maintenance
Increases the life of structural components
Side dressing
Maintains shape of ponds and side slopes etc
Periodic removal of vegetative growth
Which may otherwise reduce capacity of ponds and
treatment efficiency
Under severe conditions, may increase BOD of the effluent
Periodic de-sludging of ponds
Which may otherwise reduce capacity of ponds and treatment
efficiency

Mechanical Aeration (Surface)

Surface view

Bottom view

Aeration through Diffusers

Views
of WWTP
Faisalabad
ViewsofofComponents
Components
of WWTP
Faisalabad

Access Road

WW Dist. Channel

Screened Material

Collection Well

WW Dist.chamber

Oxidation Ponds

Chamber to
distribute treated
WW among Ponds

Maintenance of WWTP, Faisalabad

Non removal of dead vegetation & other
floating matter

Non removal of Vegetative Growth

Non removal of produced sludge

Disposal Channel of Treated WW

Final receiving water body

Pharang Drain, Faisalabad

Poor Maintenance of Structures

Collapsed Deteriorated Appurtenances

Collapsed & filled manholes

Production of Algal Blooms in Oxidation Ponds

Most probable cause?????

Detergents rich effluent

from Textile Sector in FSD

Classification of Oxidation Ponds

The oxidation ponds are classified on the basis of biological actions
that occur in these ponds.
Anaerobic Ponds
Aerobic Ponds

Anaerobic Ponds
Devoid of O2 throughout their depth except top thin layer
Depth ranges from 2-6 meters.
Useful to treat strong organic wastes or wastes having high conc. of SS.
Remove high vols. of Org. Matter in relatively short detention time.
(1-5 days).
Most of the SS along with worms, eggs and pathogenic bacteria settle to

Gases dispersed into atmosphere.

Floating material forms scum to which also absorbs the escaping gases.
A liquid DT 1-5 days is generally employed.

 Effluent of anaerobic ponds require treatment in facultative ponds

before disposal
The sludge accumulation rate is very slow and as such they require
de-sludging every three to five years.
BOD removal efficiency is better at higher temperature.
BOD removal efficiencies at 20 0C are :
Detention Time (days)

01

2.5

Removal Efficiency (%)

50

60

70

Design Criteria
These ponds are designed on the basis of detention of time and
volumetric loading.
For the design of ponds select a detention time and check for loading.
Then adopting suitable depth, calculate the a
Parameter
Detention Time
Volumetric loading

Value
1-5 days
100-300 gm / m3-day

Disadvantages of Anaerobic Ponds

Cause Odour Problems

Formation of H2S gas

H2S gas, in the presence of sulphate ions (SO4-2) in
concentration more than 100 mg/l causes odour.

Require Suitable Location

Ponds should be located at least 1 Km away from
residential areas to avoid nuisance.

Effluent needs further treatment

Effluent of these ponds needs further treatment in
other types of ponds before final disposal.

Design of ponds
Design of ponds - select a DT & check for loading.
Select suitable depth & calculate the area.
Problem:
Design an anaerobic pond treat a flow of
2000 m3/day of sewage with BOD of 600 mg/l.

Facultative Ponds
O2 persists throughout the liquid depth but absent near the
bottom of these ponds.

Deposition of Settle-able particles at bottom

OM in sludge layer undergoes anaerobic decomposition
Soluble and colloidal organics in the incoming wastes
decompose aerobically
Prolific (excessive/ plentiful) growth of algae (plants)
Production of O2 by algae through photosynthesis to
bacteria.
Bacteria breakdown of organic matter and release CO2
Algae utilize CO2 released by bacteria in breaking down
the organic components of the wastewater

Algae-Bacterial Symbiosis

 Design Criteria of facultative Ponds

Parameter

Value

Detention Time
Depth of water

20-40 days
1.5 2 meter

Treated sewage from facultative pond is expected to have a

BOD between 75 85 mg/l
These ponds require desludging every 10-15 years , thus

Pose minimum health risk to handler.

Maturation Ponds
Fully aerobic ponds (usually 1.5m deep)
Used as polishing stage after facultative ponds
Main /principle function - destruction of pathogens.
Further reduction in BOD is also achieved
Designed for removal of pathogens (Indicator -faecal coliforms)
Detention time of 7-14 days (depends upon nature of reuse of
treated effluent form system.
Treated sewage can possibly have an effluent with
BOD around 30 mg/l,

faecal coliform content > 1000 per 100 ml and

helminth count of less than 1 nematode egg per liter.

Aerobic Pond
O2 is present throughout the pond depth.
Aerobic decomposition of Organic matter.

Depth - maximum of two feet deep to permit sunlight

throughout the entire depth of the pond.
Sunlight supports growth of algae grow throughout depth.

O2 is given off by algae for living of aerobic microorganisms.

Aerobic ponds are not used in colder climates because they
will completely freeze in the winter
Diurnal Variations in Aerobic Ponds
Dissolved Oxygen level
(wind current, vertical mixing of O2 etc.)
pH value

Design Criteria of Aerobic Ponds

Parameters

Depth (m)
Retention time (day)
BOD5 loading( lb/acre day)
BOD5 removal(%)
Algae concentration(mg/l)

Values
0.15- 0.5
26
100-200
80-90
100-200

Effluent SS Conc.(mg/l)

150-350

Q-1

Q-2
Q-3
Q-4

Q-5

A rectangular sedimentation basin 24 feet long, 6 feet wide and 10

feet deep. The flow into the basin is 0.5 MGD. Is the SOR is within
the recommended limits.
A sedimentation basin has a recommended detention time of flow
is 0.7 MGD. What should be the volume of the tank in ft3.
A rectangular sedimentation basin has a volume of 19600 ft3.
What is depth of basin.
The volume of rectangular tank is 19,600 ft3. the depth is 12 feet.
The length of the tank is four times the width of tank. What is the
tanks width.
Design a circular settling tank unit for the primary treatment of
sewage at 13.5 million liters per day. The detention time is be
about 2 hours, and the surface loading rate is 45,000 liters per
square meter.

QA circular sewer is to carry 2.5 m3/min of sanitary sewage when

flowing full. Conditions are such that minimum allowable grade must be
adopted. Taking n=0.015 determine the commercial pipe size
QA 300 mm sewer is laid at minimum slope. What is maximum
population that can be served by the sewer if the average water
consumption is 300 lpcd.
QBOD remaining in a sewage sample after 3 days and 10 days is
150 and 30 mg/l respectively at 20 oC . Calculate 5 days BOD of the
sample at temperature of 24 oC
QBOD remaining in a sewage sample after 5 days and 10 days at
20 oC is 100 and 70 mg/l respectively. Calculate 7 days BOD of the sample
at temperature of 30 oC
QFind the diameter required for a single stage trickling filter to
yield an effluent BOD5 30 mg/l when treating settled sewage with BOD5 of
180 mg/l. The wastewater flow is 2500 m3/day and re-circulation ratio
rate is 7500 m3/day. Assume filter depth of 1.5 meter. What are the
hydraulic and organic loading rate for filter.
Q
An activated sludge process is to treat a domestic sewage flow of
6000 m3/day with BOD of 240 mg/l. The F.M ratio is to be maintained at
0.4 Kg BOD/Kg MLSS day. The sludge re-circulation ratio is 0.25 and it is
desired to achieve and SVI of 100. calculate the mixed liquir suspended
solids in aeration and the size of the aeration tank.

QDesign a system of anaerobic, facultative and maturation

ponds to be operated in series for the treatment of 1500 m3/day of
sewage slow with BOD 400 mg/l. Use volumetric loading of 300 g/m3day for anaerobic pond, organic loading of 200 Kg/hac-day for
facultative pond and detention time of 10 days for maturation pond.
What will be the percentage coliform removal if coliform decay rate is 2.6
per day.
Q- Calculate the volume of an aeration for the deign of an activated
sludge plant treating a sewage flow 3x104 m3/day. The BOD of raw
sewage is 240 mg/l.
It is desired to maintain and MLSS concentration of 2000 mg/l and F/M
ratio of 0.4 Kg BOD/Kg MLSS. day. How much sludge should be
returned to the process if the sludge Volume Index od 120 is desired.