Wastewater Treatment and Design (3 Credit Hours)

Env-E-503

Dr.Amir Farooq

PhD. Environment Management

MSc. Environmental Engineering
BSc. Civil Engineering
 Course Objectives

To learn basic concepts of wastewater

engineering:
Origin of wastewater, quantities,
characteristics, carriage (collection),
treatment, disposal/reuse.
To design wastewater collection systems
To understand and design various
wastewater treatment processes.
 Wastewater Treatment And Design (3 Credit Hours)
Env-E-503

Sources, Sludge Treatment and

Characteristics, Disposal,

Flow Estimations, Plant Hydraulics, and

Design of Unit Wastewater Reuse.

Operations.
Principles of Biological
and Natural Treatment
Processes and Design.
Biological Reactors,
 REFERENCE BOOKS

1. Wastewater Engineering, Treatment, Disposal,

Reuse by Metcalf and Eddy, 4th Edition.
2. Introduction to Environmental Engineering by
Davis and Cornwell, 2nd Edition.
3. Water and Wastewater Engineering by Fair &
Geyer
4. Water and Wastewater Technology By Mask J.
Hammer
5. Wastewater Treatment Concept and design
Approach by G.L Karia and R.A.Christian
Effects of Wastewater Pollution
a) Surface Water Pollution

Effects of Water Pollution

Pollution of Water Bodies e.g:

Rivers e.g. River Ravi

Strom Water drains e.g. Hudiara Nullah

Canal e.g. Lahore Branch Canal, Multan

Branch Canal, B.S Link Canal
 26

Disposal of Industrial Wastewater in Canals (Multan)

Disposal of Industrial Wastewater Strom Water Drajns
Disposal of Domestic Sewage in Rivers
 Disposal of Industrial Effluent
into B.S. Link Canal

Disposal of Industrial Effluent

into B.S. Link Canal
Loss of Oxygen in Surface Water Reduction in Flow Carrying Capacity

Loss of Aquatic Life

 Loss of Fertility

Reduction in Crop Yield

Diseased Crops
b) Sub-Soil Water Pollution

Heavy metals in food chain

(e.g. Hg, Cd, Pb, Al etc.)
Increased rate of water borne diseases
Drinking Water contamination
(As & F)
 Effects of Arsenic Poisoning (Arsenicosis

Hyperkeratosis on the palm Melanosis on the

of hand neck and chest
 Fluoride Poisoning

Skeletal Fluorosis

Dental Fluorosis
Pathological Effects of Heavy Metals on Humans
METALS PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Mercury Abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, henolysis,
chest pain.
Lead Anemia, vomiting, loss of appetite, convulsions,
damage of brain, liver & kidney.
Arsenic Disturbed peripheral circulation, mental disturbance,
liver cirrhosis, hyper kurtosis, lung cancer, ulcers in
gastrointestinal tract, kidney damage.
Cadmium Diarrhea, growth retardation bone deformation,
kidney damage, testicular atrophy, anemia, injury of
central nervous system and liver, hypertension.
Copper Hyper tension, uremia, coma, sporadic fever
METALS PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Barium Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea,
paralysis, colic pain
Zinc Vomiting, renal damage, cramps

Selenium Damage of liver, kidney and spleen, fever,

nervousness, vomiting, low blood pressure,
blindness, and even death
Chromium Nephritis gastro intestinal ulceration,
(Hexavalent) diseases in central nervous system, cancer
Cobalt Diarrhea, low blood pressure, lung irrigation,
bone deformities, paralysis
Biological Characteristics of Wastewater and Effects

Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa
Algae
Fungi
Worms
 Tape Worm
One of the more well known parasites,
tapeworms are commonly found in
cats and dogs, but have been known
to make their home in humans as well.
Undercooked fish is one potential
cause of transmission. This parasite
feeds by attaching itself to the wall of
the intestine where it lives off
nutrients that the body absorbs.
Hook Worm
Hookworms are a particularly
nasty parasite that actually has
teeth, Infection can be caused by
consuming compromised fruit or
water, or by coming into contact
with soil or water where the
worms reside. This parasite lives
in the intestine, where it drinks
blood.
 Pinworm
The most common form
that can be found in the
human body. Pinworms
live inside the colon but
leave to lay their eggs on
the outside of the host's
body, typically at night in a
location the host will
reflexively scratch, thus
transporting the eggs to
infect a new person, or
reinfect the host.
Liver Fluke Worm Round Worm
Liver flukes make their Another common type of
home in the human body worm that can make its
where they attack the home in the human body is
liver and make holes. the roundworm. Infected
They can survive for soil or fruits are the main
decades. There is a wide method of transmission
variety of methods of to humans. Unlike most
becoming infected by a other worms, Roundworm
liver fluke, including eggs can find their way
eating contaminated from the intestines to
food, or drinking other organs where they
contaminated water can do major damage.
Round Worm Found Way to Eye
Human Botfly larvae
 SEWAGE FLOW / QUANTITY

Domestic and industrial sewage is derived from water

supply, so it has a relationship with amount of water
consumption.
It is generally reported that about 70-90% of the
total water supplied to a community becomes
wastewater.
Sometimes, illicit (illegal) drains and water use
from privately owned source produce quantities of
sewage larger than public water withdrawals.
 INFILTRATION: It is the water which enters the sewers form
ground through poor joints, cracked pipes, and the walls of the
manholes.

Infiltration is non-existent in dry weather but increases during

rainy seasons.

Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore uses following

infiltration rates for the design of sewer system

Sewer Dia (mm) Infiltration

225 600 5 % of Average Sewage flow
>600 10 % of Average Sewage flow

INFLOW: Inflow is the water which enters the sewers from

surface through perforated manhole covers, roof drains
connected to the sewers, and drains from the flooded cellars
etc.
Relation between Sewage Generation and Water Consumption

Associated with water supply to the city/community.

Following relation prevails among the water supply and sewage
generation.
Around 70 130 % of the water consumed
Higher percentage (130%) is
As industries (wet processes) rely on private water sources
but discharge their effluent into municipal sewer system.
Infiltration form poor joints and pipes laid under GWT.
Hence,
No fixed Relation between sewage production and water supply.
However generally it ranges from 70 90 % of the water
consumption.
After taking into consideration the rate of infiltration, the
average rate of sewage flow equals the average rate of water
consumption.
 VARIATIONS IN SEWAGE FLOW

Sewage flow rates vary by source and with time.

Since sewers must be able to accommodate the
MAXIMUM RATE OF FLOW, the variation in
sewage flow need to be studied.

Generally, Hermans Formula is used to estimate

the ratio of maximum to average flow.

Where;
P = Population in thousand.
M = Peak Factor
 VARIATIONS IN SEWAGE FLOW (Cont.)

WASA Lahore considers the following relationship for sewer design

 VARIATIONS IN SEWAGE FLOW (Cont.)

MINIMUM RATE OF SEWAGE FLOW:

Generally taken as 50 % of average sewage flow.

Minimum rates of flows are used in:
Design of sewage pumping station
To investigate the velocities in sewers during
low flow periods.
DESIGN PERIODS & USE OF SEWAGE FLOW DATA
i. Design of Sewer Systems:
Period of design is Indefinite as the system is
designed to care for the maximum development of
the area.
Qmax is used for design of sewers.
Qmin is used to check velocities during low flows

ii Design of Sewage Pumping Station:

Design period is usually 10 years.

Rates of flow required are:
average daily, peak and minimum flow rates,
including infiltration.
iii. Design of Sewage Treatment Plants:

Design period is usually 15 - 20 years.

Rates of flow required are:
average daily, and peak flow both including infiltration.

iv. Lateral and Submains

Lateral and Submains are designed on the basis of

1500 lpcd + normal infiltration

v. Main, trunk and Outfall Sewers

Main, Trunk and Outfall sewers are designed on the

basis of 950 lpcd + Normal Infiltration + Industrial Waste
(if in large amounts)
Q: Estimate the design flow for sanitary sewer serving 9000
people in an area of 2.4 Km2 with an average water
consumption of 500 lpcd. The sewer is to be designed for 30
years and the design population was estimated to be 2 times
the present population per Km2. Assume infiltration rate will be
10% of the average waste water flow. Add industrial allowance
at the rate of 3734 m3/km2/day.
Sol.
Population density = 9000/2.4 = 3750 persons/km2
Ultimate Popu. Density = 2x3750 = 7500 persons/Km2
after 30 yrs
Design Population = 2.4x7500 = 18000 persons
Ave.water Consumption = 500 lpcd
Domestic Sewage flow = 500 x 0.7 (70% is factor to convert
water consumption to
sewage flow)
Ave.daily Wastewater flow = 18000x350 = 6300000 liters per day
= 2.5 CFS
Peak factor for this flow = 3.1
Peak flow = 3.1x6300000 = 19530000 l/day
Infiltration 10% = 0.1x6300000 = 630000
Industrial wastewater flow = 3734x2.4 = 8961.6 m3/day
= 8961600 l/day
Design flow = 19530000 + 630000 +8961600
= 29121600 l/day = 29121.6 m3/day
 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

Also read it first __7-28__slides)

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
 Wastewater Treatment

Characteristics of Wastewater / Sewage

 Wastewater Treatment
Sewage Characteristics

Consists of 99.9 % of the water and

Remaining as solids (Organic or inorganic ), Have very significant effect
Characteristics are determined by various analysis / tests.
Only few are used.

a) Physical Characteristics
Solids Determination
Total Solids
TS = Suspended Solids (SS), Settle-able Solids and the Diss. Solids
Determine by evaporating a known volume or weight of sewage
sample and weighing the residue.
Expressed in mg/l.
Settle-able Solids help in selection of treatment process design and
operation.
Volatile Solids(VSS)

VS are ignitable at 550 0C and represent the amount of OM in WW.

Ignite the sample at about 550 0C.
Some of the solids will be evaporated.
VS = Original Weight - weight of residue (ash)
Non-VS / ash and are rough measure of the mineral content in WW.

Settle-able Solids (SS)

SS indicates the amount of sludge to be produced & Removed in PST.

Indicate the strength of sewage and amount of treatment required.
Also indicate the efficiency of wastewater treatment plant.
Both SS & Dissolved Solids determination require filtration of the
sample.
Odour

Fresh sewage has a slightly ---------oily odour, which does not have
objectionable smell.
Gives objectionable smell when the sewage become septic releases
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S).

Temperature

Temp. slightly more than the temperature of the water supplied

Generally the temperature of the sewage ranges between 10 12 0C.
Effect disposal of sewage will increase temp. of final receiving water
body and thus release its oxygen - will effect the aquatic life.

Colour
Fresh sewage has a grey colour
As sewage becomes septic the colour changes to
black.(Decomposition of OM)
b) Chemical Characteristics

Important for the control of processes of wastewater treatment plant

1. Inorganic chemicals.
2. Gases
3. Organic

1. Inorganic Chemicals
i. pH.
ii. Acidity,
iii. Alkalinity
iv. Chlorides,
v. Nitrogen and
vi. Sulfur
vii. heavy metals
i) pH
Indicates acidic or alkaline condition of water.
Expressed on a scale ranging from 0 to 14, Common logarithm of the
reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration.
Plays an important role in WWT & Operation of treatment plant.
ii) Acidity
Acidity of WW is a measure of its capacity to neutralise bases.
Acidity in water may be caused by the presence of uncombined carbon
dioxide, mineral acids and salts of strong acids and weak bases.
Acidity in WW may due to addition of industrial discharges
It is expressed as mg/l in terms of calcium carbonate.
iii) Alkalinity
Alkalinity is a measure of capacity WW to neutralise acids.
It is expressed as mg/l in terms of calcium carbonate. Forms include
(a) hydroxide alkalinity,
(b) carbonate alkalinity,
(c) hydroxide plus carbonate alkalinity,
(d) carbonate plus bicarbonate alkalinity, and
(e) bicarbonate alkalinity,
Alkalinity is an important parameter in evaluating the optimum
coagulant dosage.
Ordinary sewage is slightly alkaline.
Treatment of wastewater require alkaline conditions.
iv) Chlorides
Sources - Human and animal urine.
High concentrations indicate addition of industrial WW in the sewage.
v) Nitrogen
Nitrogen in wastewater may exist in five (05) forms
a) Ammonia Nitrogen (free ammonia due to decomposition of
organic matter.)
b) Ammonia Nitrogen (Albuminoid which is measure of
decomposable Proteins)
c) Organic Nitrogen
d) Nitrates
e) Nitrites
N & P (Nutrients) - essential to the growth of protista and plants.
Nitrogen data - evaluate biological treatability of WW.
To control algal growth in receiving waters,
Removal of N in wastewater prior to its discharge is desirable.
vi) Sulfur

Microorganisms reduced Sulfates under anaerobic condition to

sulfide.
Sulfides combine with hydrogen to form hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Accumulated H2S can be oxidized biologically to H2SO4 which
causes sewer corrosion

SO4 + Organic Matter Bacteria S-2 + H2O + O2

S-2 + 2H H2S
vii) Heavy Metals

Metals having specific gravity ___ time the water are called
heavy metals.
Major source - Industrial effluents
Heavy metals have adverse health effects on human and
animals.

2. Gases

Mainly include oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

Oxygen in WW is necessary for
aerobic conditions i.e. growth of microorganism to avoid
adverse effects on aquatic life.
Hydrogen gas in higher concentrations is lethal for life.
Whereas, H2S gas in sewers results in Crowning of
Sewers
c) Biological Characteristics

Bacteria Fungi
Viruses Algae
Protozoas Worms
Microorganisms

Bacterial counts in raw sewage may range from 500,000 / ml to

5,000,000 / ml.
Concerns in wastewater reuse of agricultural irrigation.
MOs may be pathogenic or non-pathogenic
They are measured with the help of indicator of group of organism E-
Coli
MOs are classified in relation to Oxygen (O2)
Aerobic Organisms (need O2)
Anaerobic Organism (dont need O2)
Facultative Organisms (can survive both in aerobic and anaerobic cond)
 For growth MOs needs
Source of carbon
Source of Energy
If the source of carbon is organic MOs are classified / called as
heterotrophic (used in ASP)
If the source of carbon if in-organic e.g. carbon dioxide MOs are
called Aurotrophic
If the source of energy is sunlight MOs are called phototrophs
If the source of energy is are chemicals chemo-synthetic
Algae are autotrophic and phototrophs
Chemical formula for MOs C5H7O2N
3. Organic Matter

Includes Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats.

Total quantity of OM is measured by
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and
Total Organic Carbon (TOC).

Measurement of Organic Contents

The method generally employed are as followings:

1) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)

2) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
3) Total Organic Carbon
1) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
Significance :

a) An indicator of organic pollution-ie.

(strength of the sewage & industrial wastewater)
a) Larger the BOD more oxygen demand of bacteria i.e. more the
depletion of O2 in receiving water body.
b) Used to design the WWTP
c) Determines It is used to determine the biological treatment
efficiency of WWTP.
d) Stream and effluent standards are generally based on BOD5
at 20 0C
Time for BOD Test
Nature of Chemical Reaction
Reaction Constant]
Determination of BOD

Methods used are as followings:

1) Director Method
2) Dilution methods

1) Direct Method

Used where BOD is less than 7 mg/l.

i) Take sample
ii) Aerate the sample so that sufficient sample should be available
at time of incubation
iii) Measure Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at Zero day
iv) Measure Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at 05 days.
v) The difference of these two readings is BOD of the sample and it
is reported in mg/l at 20 0C.
2) Dilution Method

Used for very polluted sample.

Polluted samples Large OM render sample O2 deficient in half
day. Dilution is done with specially prepared dilution water.
In toxic industrial samples, bacteria would have killed, therefore
seeding (addition of bacteria) 30 40 % of volatile solids.

BOD (mg/l) = [ ( DOsi DO sf ) (DOdi DO df ) ]

Dilution Factor
Where
DOsi and DOsf = Initial and final Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the diluted
sewage /sample
and
DOdi and DOdf = Initial and final Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the dilution
water.
(This amount is to be subtracted to account for the
amount of Oxygen consumed by seeds)
( DOdi - DOdf ) = 0 (if dilution water used is not seeded)
Example

If the 5 days BOD of the sewage is 154 mg/l, what would be

its 3 day BOD. Take K=0.1day-1
Sol.

T = 5 days
Lt = 154 mg/l
L = ?
K = 0.1 day-1
We have
Lt = L(1-e-Kt)
154 = L( 1-e-5x0.1)
L = 391 mg/l
Now for 3days BOD
Lt=3 = 391(1-e-3x0.1) = Lt=3 = 101 mg/l
2) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD):

It is defined as the amount of oxygen required to oxidize the

organic matter chemically by using a strong oxidizing agent
(K2Cr2O7) in an acidic medium (H2SO4).
COD > BOD because materials like fats and lignin are also
oxidized with the help of chemicals, which are otherwise
biodegrade slowly.
No clear co-relation exist between BOD and COD
Co-relation is possible at a particular treatment plant.

Advantages :

Rapid test - Requires 2 hours as compared to BOD5

BOD/COD ratio indicates the extent of biodegradability of WW
BOD/COD correlation may help in rapid assessment of BOD.
COD of a sample is always more than BOD
Measurement of COD

i. Acid oxidation with Potassium dichromate.

ii. A measured amount of Potassium dichromate and acidified
sample is boiled for two hours.
iii. Allow to cool the sample.
iv. Titrate sample with ferrous ammonium sulphate to determine
remaining dichromate.

3) Total Organic Carbon:

i. Indicates the TOC present in a wastewater sample.

ii. Rapid and accurate test
iii. Correlates moderately well with BOD.
iv. Involve high cost of analysis.
 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

Read it with slide Nos. 6 28 slides)

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
 Waste Treatment Methods

Means applied include

Physical,
Chemical or biological
Each Treatment unit perform specific functions
Only one or combination of treatment means are employed
Based on means used TMs are classified as
1. Unit Operation &
2. Unit processes
1. Unit Operation

Means of treatment in which physical forces predominates

Screening
Mixing
Flocculation
Sedimentation
Floatation
Elutriation
Vaccum Filtration
Heat transfer and drying

2. Unit processes

Means of treatment in which removal of contaminants takes

place by the addition of chemicals or by use of biological
mass or microbial activities. Further classified as
Chemical Unit processes
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 includes all previous
steps (Preliminary steps) and an addition of primary sedimentation
(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) Sludge Digestion
b) Sludge Drying
Difference Between Preliminary & Primary Treatment
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 (Used for collection of city wastewater for
pumping wastewater to higher level of treatment units
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 Types of Screen
Manually Cleaned Mech. Cleaned

Bar width(mm) 6 15 mm 6 15 mm
(1/4 5/8) (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 Value
Velocity (m/s) 0.25 0.3
Detention Time (Sec) 40 60
Length (m) 10 20
Cleaning Intervals (Weeks) 2
Velocity Control Through Proportional Flow Weir OR
Sutro Weir
Figure- A Schematic View of
Example
Assuming suitable design criteria, design a horizontal flow type
Grit chamber for a proposed sewage treatment plant expected to
treat 60,000 m3/day maximum flows. The estimated average and
minimum sewage flows are 45,000 m3/day and 15000 m3/day
respectively. The flow through velocity of 0.3 m/sec is to be
controlled by proportional weir.
Solution
Assume provision of two channels
Q 60000 m3/day / 2 30000 m3/day 0.35 m3/s
a) Calculate x-Sectional Area
Area Q/v = 0.35 / 0.3 = 1.16 m2
b) Calculate Length of Channel
Assume detention time of 60 sec moving with velocity of 0.3 m/s
for this flow in GC
L = Vxt (S= vt) = 0.3 x 60 = 18.0 m
Add 10 % additional length for inlet and outlet structures
L 18 = 1.8 = 19.8 m = 20 m
c) Calculate depth of channel
Assuming the width of each channel as 1.5 m
D= Area /width = 1.16 / 1.5 = 0.77 m = 0.8 m
Add 10 % additional length for inlet and outlet structures
D (total) Net depth + Free board + depth for grit collection
0.8 + 0.3 + 0.2 (assume) = 1.3 m
d) Calculate net Volume of capacity
V = LxB xD
18 x 1.5 x 0.8 = 21.6 m3
Check for Vol of tank
V = Q x t = 30000 x = 20.8 m3
60/(60x0600x24)
So provide 21.6 m3
Check for SLR
SLR = Q peak / As 30000 / (18 x 1.5) = 1111.11 m3 / m2-day
= 1112.0 m3 / m2-day
Check for vs
Vs = 0.012 m/s (slightly less but acceptable)
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

Includes all the units of preliminary treatment system with

addition of PST
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 suspended solids from the

wastewater by gravity.
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 p = The mass density of fluid (M/L3)
Vs = terminal settling velocity (L/T) G = Acceleration due to gravity (L/T2)
ps = the mass density of particles (M/L3) = 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
v = 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 = Q/A = Q/wh
w = Width of tank &
h = depth of tank
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 = h
V L
Or
Vs = Vh As V = Q/A
L
= Q/WhL
Vs = 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. Surface Area, m2
Particles having Vs > SOR will be Flow
entirely removed.
SLR also known as overflow rate
(OFR), is volume of wastewater (flow
rate) applied per unit surface area of Reactor
the treatment basin
Numerically SLR = Vs
Expressed in units of m3 / d / m2 SLR / SOR= Flow (m3/d) / Surface Area (m2)
 Flow and Flow through Velocity

Is the velocity with which the wastewater flows through a

treatment unit.
It can also be visualized by observing (float / stick / piece
of paper in a unit time.
Determine by noting the time taken by such particle to
travel specific distance
 Flow and Flow through Velocity

Example:
A floating stick travels a distance of 15 m in 30 seconds in a reactor
tank having 2.0 m width and 1.5 m depth. Determine the flow and
flow through velocity.
Solution:
Distance travelled, L = 15.0 m
Time taken, t = 30 s
As Flow through velocity, Vh = L/t (distance / time)
= 15/30 = 0.5 m/s
Flow of wastewater, Q = Ax x Vh (Area X Velocity)
= 2.0 (m) x 1.5 (m) x 0.5 (m)
= 1.5 m3/s
Example: Assuming the diameter of a clarifier to be 20 m and the
wastewater flow rate is 10.0 MLD. Calculate the detention time and
surface loading rate of the clarifier having a wastewater depth of 2.5.
Solution: The Surface area of the Clarifier is given by
2
As = 4
202
= = 314.16 2
4
Now, surface loading rate,

SLR =

3 3
1010 ( )
=
314.16 (2 )
(As 10 MLD = 10 * 103 m3/day, volume of the tank, V=Qxt

As, detention time, t =

Or t = (As V = As*D)

(314.16 (2 ) 2.5 ()
= 3
= 0.07854 day
10103 ( )
= 1.885 hours 1.9
Example
Assuming a hydraulic loading rate of 25.0 m3/m2-d, determine
the surface area and diameter of a basin treating 0.5 MLD flow of
wastewater.
Solution: wastewater flow, Q = 0.5 MLD
= 0.5 x 106 L/d
= 0.5 x 106 x 103 m3/d
= 500 m3/d

Now, surface area of the reactor, As =
3

m
5003 2/d
= m m
25 / d

420
As, Diameter of tank, D =

= 5.046 m
= 5.0 m (say)
 Detention Time

DT is the length of time a particles or unit volume of

wastewater remains in a reactor
An Important design parameter
Used to compute
volume &
sizing the treatment plant units
Also it is time taken by WW to fill up the empty tank up to
the outlet level
It is equal to the tank volume divided by the flow
Detention Time (DT) = V/Q
 Detention Time

Example:
A treatment unit is 1.5 m wide, 20 m long and has a wastewater depth
of 2.0 m in it. If the wastewater flow through the tank is 0.5 m3/s.
Calculate the detention time.

Solution:
Flow of wastewater, Q = 0.5 m3/s (given)
= 0.5 m3/s x 60 (s/min)
= 30 m3/min
The volume of treatment unit, V = 1.5 x 20 x 2.0
= 60 m3
As, Detention Time, t = V/Q and V = Q x t
= 60 (m3)/ 30 (m3/min)
=2.0 min
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) Rectangular Tanks
ii) Circular Tanks
iii) 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. Parameter Value
i) Design flow Average Daily Flow
ii) Settling Velocity of Particles 0.3 0.7 mm/s
iii) Surface Overflow Rate(SOR) 25 40 m/day
iv) Detention Time (DT) 1.5- 2.5 hour
v) Depth 2-5 m
vi) Maximum Length 30 m
vii) L : W (ratio) 4:1
viii) Depth 25m
viii) Weir Loading Not more than 120 m3/m.day
vix) Sludge Accumulation 2.5 Kg wet solids / m3 flow
Secondary Sedimentation Tank
i) Design Flow Average Daily Discharge
ii) SOR 30-40 m/day
iii) Detention Time (DT) 2 3 hours
iv) Depth 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: 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

L = 30m W = 15m H=4m SOR = 24 m3/day-m2. DT = ?

DT V/Q
V(vol) = 30 x 15 x 4 m3 1800 m3
Also
SOR = Q/WL
Q = SOR x WL = 24 x 15x30 m3/day 10800 m3/day
DT = V/Q = 1800 / 10800 day 0.1667 day
DT = 4 hours
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
 Weir Loading Rate, WLR

Also known as weir overflow rate and is defined as the

quantity of WW flowing over unit weir length in a day.
If value flow velocity of WW (going out the tank ) per unit
length of weir is more than flow in tank, it would tend to
drag the settling solids over the weir which will effect the
sedimentation process.

3
( )

Weir Overflow Rate = SLR =
()
Example:
A rectangular sedimentation tank has a length of 10.0 m and a width
of 5.0 m. For the flow of 1.0 MLD. Calculate the weir loading rate.
Solution:
Normally in a rectangular tank the wastewater flow is along the
length of the tank, so the weir overflow will be over the width of tank.
Thus, in this case, the weir length is 5.0 m.

Now, 1.0 MLD = 10*106 L/d

= 1.0 x103 m3/d
1 3 = 1000
1.0 103 3 /
Weir loading =
5.0

= 200.0 m3/m-d
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
 Organic Matter

Includes Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats.

Total quantity of OM is measured by
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and
Total Organic Carbon (TOC).

Measurement of Organic Contents

The method generally employed are as followings:

1) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)

2) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
3) Total Organic Carbon
1) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)

It is defined as the amount of oxygen required by the bacteria for

stabilizing the decomposable organic matter under aerobic condition.

Significance :

a) An indicator of organic pollution-ie.

(strength of the sewage & industrial wastewater)
a) Larger the BOD more oxygen demand of bacteria i.e. more the
depletion of O2 in receiving water body.
b) Used to design the WWTP
c) Determines It is used to determine the biological treatment efficiency
of WWTP.
d) Stream and effluent standards are generally based on BOD5 at 20 0C
Biological Oxidation of Organic Matter.

Monomolecular Reaction(i.e. First order Chemical Reaction).

A chemical reaction in which the rate of reaction is proportional

to the concentration of the reactants present
i.e.
dL/dt = -KL
where
L = Concentration of Organic Mater
K = Reaction Rate Constant

Lt t
= -K
dL/dt dt
L0 to

Where
Lt = Organic Matter remaining at time t ie. Remaining BOD at time t
Lo = Original Concentration of Organic matter i.e. Ultimate BOD
ln Lt / Lo = -Kt
Lt = Lo e kt ----------I
Let y be the concentration of OM (BOD) consumed upto time t
Then
y = Lo Lt
Putting from (i)
y = Lo - Lo e kt
y = Lo (1- e kt) ie
BOD Consumed = Ultimate BOD ( 1- e kt)
Also
t = Time in days
K = BOD reaction rate constant and
K = Its value for domestic sewage is 0.23 per day at 20 0C

However, value of reaction rate constant depends upon the temperature by

following relation

KT = K20 (1.047) T-20

Determination of BOD

Methods used are as followings:

1) Director Method
2) Dilution methods

1) Direct Method

Used where BOD is less than 7 mg/l.

i) Take sample
ii) Aerate the sample so that sufficient sample should be available
at time of incubation
iii) Measure Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at Zero day
iv) Measure Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at 05 days.
v) The difference of these two readings is BOD of the sample and it
is reported in mg/l at 20 0C.
2) Dilution Method

Used for very polluted sample.

Polluted samples Large OM render sample O2 deficient in half
day. Dilution is done with specially prepared dilution water.
In toxic industrial samples, bacteria would have killed, therefore
seeding (addition of bacteria) 30 40 % of volatile solids.

BOD (mg/l) = [ ( DOsi DO sf ) (DOdi DO df ) ]

Dilution Factor
Where
DOsi and DOsf = Initial and final Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the diluted
sewage /sample
and
DOdi and DOdf = Initial and final Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the dilution
water.
(This amount is to be subtracted to account for the
amount of Oxygen consumed by seeds)
( DOdi - DOdf ) = 0 (if dilution water used is not seeded)
Example

If the 5 days BOD of the sewage is 154 mg/l, what would be

its 3 day BOD. Take K=0.1day-1
Sol.

T = 5 days
Lt = 154 mg/l
L = ?
K = 0.1 day-1
We have
Lt = L(1-e-Kt)
154 = L( 1-e-5x0.1)
L = 391 mg/l
Now for 3days BOD
Lt=3 = 391(1-e-3x0.1) = Lt=3 = 101 mg/l
2) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD):

It is defined as the amount of oxygen required to oxidize the

organic matter chemically by using a strong oxidizing agent
(K2Cr2O7) in an acidic medium (H2SO4).
COD > BOD because materials like fats and lignin are also
oxidized with the help of chemicals, which are otherwise
biodegrade slowly.
No clear co-relation exist between BOD and COD
Co-relation is possible at a particular treatment plant.

Advantages :

Rapid test - Requires 2 hours as compared to BOD5

BOD/COD ratio indicates the extent of biodegradability of WW
BOD/COD correlation may help in rapid assessment of BOD.
COD of a sample is always more than BOD
Measurement of COD

i. Acid oxidation with Potassium dichromate.

ii. A measured amount of Potassium dichromate and acidified
sample is boiled for two hours.
iii. Allow to cool the sample.
iv. Titrate sample with ferrous ammonium sulphate to determine
remaining dichromate.

3) Total Organic Carbon:

i. Indicates the TOC present in a wastewater sample.

ii. Rapid and accurate test
iii. Correlates moderately well with BOD.
iv. Involve high cost of analysis.
Example

The 5-days BOD of the sewage is 276 mg/l. The ultimate BOD
of the sewage is reported to be 380 mg/l. At what rate the
sewage sample was oxidized

Sol.
T = 5 days
Lt = 276 mg/l
L = 380 mg/l
K = ?
We have
Lt = L(1-e-Kt)
276 = 380( 1-e-5K)
0.726 = ( 1-e-5K) = e-5K = 0.274
Log10 0.274 = -5K K = 0.112 day-1
Example

If the 5 days BOD of the sewage is 154 mg/l, what would be its 3 day BOD. Take
K=0.1day-1

Sol.

T = 5 days
Lt = 154 mg/l
L = ?
K = 0.1 day-1
We have
Lt = L(1-e-Kt)
156 = L( 1-e-5x0.1)
L = 225 mg/l
Now for 3days BOD
Lt=3 = 225(1-e-3x0.1) = Lt=3 = 112 mg/l