Aerobic Treatment Processes

Wastewater can also be treated through high-rated aerobic treatment

processes such as activated sludge plants, trickling filters, rotating discs, submerged

aerated filters or membrane bioreactor plants. In the activated sludge process, the organic

matter in wastewater will be digested by aerobic microorganisms. This will then produce

a liquid that is comparatively free from suspended solids and organic material (Technical

Learning College, 2018). The second one is the trickling filters which is an automation

that treats wastewater by removing organic matters existing on it. This treatment system

is also dependent on aerobic bacteria that are attached to a medium which are then

utilized by the system (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2000). Next is

the Rotating Biological Contractor which is a secondary treatment process that operates

biologically with the use of a rotating shaft surrounded by plastic media discs. In RBC

process, the microbial growth is passed through the wastewater. A slime layer is then

formed over the discs once the biological growth attaches to the media discs

(Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2016). The fourth one is the

biological aerated filters (BAFs) which are treatment units for wastewater that can provide

carbon oxidation, nitrification, and denitrification (Stensel et al., 1988; Pujol et al., 1994;

Rogalla et al., 1990; Peladan et al., 1996). High rate employs submerged media to

maintain biomass and filter suspended solids as they attach to the growth systems. In a

porous support media, the active biomass which is heavily populated will then become

attached and trapped. Because of the dense biomass and exclusion of a secondary

clarification, the process allows for a compact treatment. Lastly, the Membrane Bioreactor

(MBR) is an advanced technology for wastewater treatment that has been successfully
operated in an increasing locations around the world. With the stable increase in number

of operating MBR systems, its installations are also increasing in terms of scale. In the

past several years, MBR plants with a treatment capacity of around 5 to 10 ML/d have

been in operation and now there are under contract design capacities of about 45 ML/d.

Although these treatment processes have less space requirement as compared to

constructed wetlands, the latter is more favorable in terms of its vigorous operations. Also,

constructed wetlands do not produce secondary sludge whereas high-rate aerobic

treatment processes generate excess secondary sludge. This sludge needs to be

managed to avoid unregulated discharge in the environment leading to pollution and

potential health risks (Hoffmann et al, 2011).