AERATED LAGOON

DESIGN PROBLEM

414,085.67 kg of wastewater from trickling filter needs to be biologically treated to

reduce the BOD, COD, and TSS parameters down so standard levels. Thus, an equipment for
biological treatment is required.

DESIGN DESCRIPTION
The aerated lagoon is used to reduce the organic matter content of distillery
wastewater through aerated activity of microorganisms which convert it to cell tissues or
gases. A typical open aerated lagoon consists of aeration system, pump and pump control
system, and the lagoon. The lagoon is usually constructed on earthen or concrete materials.

DESIGN SELECTION
Biological process can be done in several ways. The most economical and efficient is
the aerated suspended-growth process which suspends the activated sludge throughout
the wastewater. There is also no medium needed which makes maintenance of the
equipment easier as compared to aerated attached-growth process. The modified process
employed is the complete mix activated sludge process which is suitable for the treatment
of influent with high BOD content. This is to allow intimate contact between the
wastewater and the activated sludge and provide optimum conditions of oxygen supply
and mixing intensity to allow the activated sludge to stabilize the biodegradable matter in
the wastewater.

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 65

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
DESIGN PARTS AND FUNCTION

Parts Functions

Inlet Pipe The inlet pipe brings the black liquor wastewater to aeration tank.

Baffle Wall The baffle wall does not let the incoming wastewater go across the tank
toward the outlet pipe. The wall forces the mix toward the bottom of the
tank and thus ensuring maximum retention.

Outlet Launder The outlet launder collects the wastewater and delivers it to the outlet
pipe. It should be located farthest from the inlet pipe to minimize short
circuiting of flow from inlet to outlet of the tank.

Outlet Pipe The outlet pipe takes the wastewater to the final clarifier.

Bubble Diffusers The bubble diffusers are rigid pipes with long slots, which are covered with
rubber membranes. The compressed air is released throughout the length
of the diffusers, through minute holes punched in the rubber membrane.

Header Pipe The header pipe supplies the compressed air in the diffusers.

Recirculated Sludge The recirculated sludge pipeline brings bacteria floc back to the aeration
Pipeline tank. It is always located very close to the inlet so that the raw wastewater
and bacteria get mixed thoroughly.

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 66

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
DATA AND ASSUMPTIONS
1. The wastewater from trickling filter is 414,085.67 kg
2. The BOD of the influent wastewater is 840 mg/L.
3. The COD of the influent wastewater is 940.50 mg/L.
4. The total suspended solid of the influent wastewater is 2880 mg/L
5. The volumetric flowrate of influent is 414.08567 cu.m/d
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
1. A safety factor of 20% with a filling capacity of 80% is typically used in designing
aerated lagoons. (Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers, 4 th Edition by
Peters and Timmerhaus, Table 6, p. 37)
2. The lagoon has a rectangular shape and is constructed using a concrete material.
(Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Processes by Ralho, p. 160)
3. The typical efficiency of the aerated lagoon for the removal of Biochemical Oxygen
Demand is 85% (Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf/Eddy. 4 th
Ed, p 818).
4. The typical efficiency of the aerated lagoon for the removal of Chemical Oxygen
Demand is 80% (Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf/Eddy. 4 th
Ed, p 818).
5. The typical efficiency of the aerated lagoon for the removal of Total Suspended Solids is 85%
(Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf/Eddy. 4th Ed, p 818).
6. The typical surface loading rate ranges from 4 to 10 cu.m/sq.m-d. The lowest surface loading
rate (4 m3/m2-d) is applied in the design. (Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Processes
by Ralho, p. 161)
7. Oxygen requirement is 1.05 multiplied by the amount of BOD removed (Wastewater
Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf/Eddy. 4 th Ed, p 845)
8. Decolorization efficiency is 96% in aerobic treatment (Pant, 2006)

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 67

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
1. Characteristics of Effluent
a. BOD
b. COD
c. TSS
d. Color
2. Volumetric Flowrate of Effluent
3. Detention Time
4. Capacity
5. Surface Area
6. Activated Sludge Reactor Dimensions
7. Oxygen Requirement
8. Power Requirement

DESIGN CALCULATIONS
1. Characteristics of Effluent
The characteristics of the effluent are determined by the efficiency of removal.
a. BOD
Lagoon 1:

Lagoon 2:

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 68

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
b. COD
Lagoon 1:

Lagoon 2:

c. TSS
Lagoon 1:

Lagoon 2:

d. Color
Lagoon 1:

Lagoon 2:

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 69

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
2. Volumetric Flowrate of Effluent

( )( )( )

( )( )( )

( )( )

( )( )( )

( )( )( )

Accounting for 20% safety factor and 80% filling capacity:

( )

3. Detention Time

/lagoon
Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 70
Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
4. Capacity
The capacity of the lagoon can be calculated using the volumetric flow rate per day and
the detention time.

5. Surface Area
The surface area of the activated-sludge reactor can be calculated using the volumetric flow rate
of the influent and the surface loading rate.

6. Activated-Sludge Reactor Dimensions

The height can be computed by dividing the volume by the surface area.

According to Maine Lagoon Systems, lagoons’ length should not exceed three times their
width, thus,

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 71

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
7. Oxygen Requirement
The required oxygen is calculated as,

Calculating for the air required,

8. Power Requirement
The power requirement of the blowers that will supply the air to the diffusers can be
calculated using the equation provided in Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and
Reuse, Metcalf/Eddy. 3rd Ed, p. 565:

*( ) +

Where P is the power is hP

W is the weight of flow of air in lb/s P1 is the absolute inlet pressure in psi
R is the gas constant = 53.3 ft*lb/lb air*R P2 is the absolute outlet pressure in psi
T is the temperature in R n = 0.0283 for air
e is efficiency, (usual range for compressor is 0.7 to 0.9)

( )( )( )( )
*( ) +

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 72

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM
DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

AERATED LAGOON
OPERATING DATA
Mode of Operation Continuous
Number of Units 2
Function To reduce BOD, COD and TSS prior to discharge to
Compound Raw Influent
receiving body Treated Effluent
Volume 414.09 412.22
Feed BOD
(m(mg/L)
3/d) 840 18.9
COD (mg/L) 940.50 37.62
TSS (mg/L) 2880 86.4
Color (TCU) 750 1.2
TECHNICAL DATA
Detention Time 1.23 days
Capacity 510 m3
Surface Area 127.33 sq. m.
Height 4.00 m
Length 96 m
Width 32 m
Surface Loading Rate 4 m3/m2-d
Air Requirement 1692.35 kg Air/d
Power Requirement 23.5 hP
Materials of Construction Concrete
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
Supplier Energreen Technology Inc.
Supplier Address Ortigas Center, Pasig Philippines
Cost Php 399,280 ($8,000)
Expected Useful Life 15 years

Development of Wastewater Treatment Design for Distillery Industry: 36

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.
AMANO | DIONISIO | MENDOZA | REDUBLO | SIM