WASTEWATER TREATMENT DESIGN

ROSLINDA SESWOYA, PhD

 3.1 Types of wastewater

Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by

anthropogenic influence

Domestic Wastewater comes from residential area, commercial outlets,

institutional facilities & recreational facilities. It
contains decomposable organic matter and
pathogenic agents
Industrial wastewater
Industry processes generate a wide variety of
wastewater pollutants. It contains toxic agents
ranging from metal salts to complex synthetic
organic chemicals, in which specific toxic and
hazardous compound may exist.

2
 Wastewater Contaminants

Contaminant Impact
Suspended Solids Cause sludge deposits and anaerobic
conditions in the environment
Biodegradable organics Cause anaerobic conditions in the
environment
Pathogens Transmit disease
Heavy metals Toxicity to biota and humans
Refractory organics Toxicity to biota and humans
Dissolved solids Interfere with reuse
Nutrients Cause eutrophication

3
 Malaysia: Where sewage goes?

4
IWK Sustainability Report 2012-2013 4
Malaysia :Sewage Treatment Process at the STPs

Network Pump Stations (NPSs) pump sewage from low lying areas so it can flow to the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).

IWK Sustainability Report 2012-2013

 Malaysia :Typical Sewage Treatment Flow Process

IWK Sustainability Report 2010.

6
IWK STP BUNUS- sewage and sludge treatment.

7
3.2 Effluent Discharge Standard

Effluent

8
 Industrial Plant

Standard A Standard A

Raw water intake

Industrial Plant
Residential Area
Standard B

Water treatment plant

Standard B

Standard B
Residential Area

Treated effluent discharge standard ( ) 9

Extracted from Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009 (PU(A) 432)

10
Extracted from Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009 (PU(A) 432)

11
 3.3 Hydraulic Load (Peak Flow)

Based on MS 1228:1991 (Malaysian Standard : Code of Practice for Design

and Installation of Sewerage Systems),

Peak flow factor = 4.7 x p -0.11

where p = equivalent population, in thousand

The peak flow is required in the design of sewerage,

pumping stations and components of the treatment plant

12
 Table 1: Equivalent Population (PE) (MS 1228:1991)
No Type of premise/establishment Population equivalent
( recommended)
1 Residential 5 per unit *

2 Commercial ( includes entertainment/recreational 3 per 100 m gross area

centres, restaurants, cafeteria, theatres)
3 School/educational institutions
- Day schools/ institutions 0.2 per school
- Fully residential 1 pers chool
- Partial residential 0.2 per student for
non-residential student and
1 per student for residential student
4 Hospitals 4 per bed

5 Hotels ( with dining and laundry facilities) 4 per room

6 Factories (excluding process waste) 0.3 per staff

7 Market (wet type) 3 per stall

8 Petro kiosks/service stations 18 per service bay

9 Bus terminal 4 per bus bay

* 1 peak flow is equivalent to 225 l/cap

113
 Table 1: Continued

No Type of premise/establishment Population equivalent

( recommended)
10 Taxi Terminal 4 per taxi bay
11 Mosque / Church / Temple 0.2 per person
12 Stadium 0.2 per person
13 Swimming Pool or Sports Complex 0.5 per person
14 Public Toilet 15 per toilet
15 0.2 per passenger/day
Airport
0.3 per employee
16 Laundry 10 per machine
17 Prison 1 per person
18 Golf Course 20 per hole

14
Example 1

Calculate the peak flow for a new development area consists of 150 unit
houses.

Solution

Population = 250 house x 5 PE/house = 1250 PE

Dry weather flow = 225 L/day/cap

Hydraulic flow = 1250 PE x 225 L/day/cap = 281250 L/day = 0.08 m3/s

Peak flow = Peak factor x hydraulic flow

= 4.7 x p -0.11 x 0.08 m3/s
= 4.7 x (1250/1000)-0.11 x 0.08 m3/s
= 4.59 x 0.08 m3/s
= 0.37 m3/s

15
 3.4 Organic Loading

Based on MS 1228: 1991, the process design of a new

domestic waste treatment plant shall be on the basis of

55 grams of BOD/cap/day
68 grams of BOD/cap/day

16
 3.5 Preliminary Treatment - (i) Bar Racks and Screen

The objective of screens is to

remove large floating material and
so protect downstream mechanical
equipment (pumps).

It is mechanically or manually
cleaned. Solid material stored in
hopper and sent to landfill.

17
VIDEO Wastewater screening operation

18
 Preliminary Treatment –(ii) Grit chamber

Grit is inorganic sand or gravel particles of size about 1 mm which are

washed into sewer collection systems from roads and pavements

Grit should be removed because its inclusion within the system can
abrade mechanical equipment and also because it can settle out in the
biological treatment plant, reducing its space efficiency.

The grit chamber is designed to remove discrete particles with diameters

of 0.2 mm and specific gravity of 2.65

Normally the Type 1 Sedimentation is applied to remove grit

19
According to According to MS 1228: 1991, there are 3 types of grit
removal system and comprise either the horizontal Constant Grit
Chamber, Aerated Grit Chamber and Detritor

1) The horizontal flow grit chamber

* flow through velocity should not exceed 0.23 m/sec
* surface loading rate should not exceed 1500 m3/d/m2

2) Aerated grit chamber

* Maximum detention time to be 3 min
* Air rates should be in the range of 4.5 to 12.5 liter/sec/m of tank
* Depth to width ratio of 1:2
* Length to depth ratio of 1: 2

Horizontal-flow grit chamber is applied commonly and comply to Type 1

Sedimentation

20
Example

Design a rectangular, horizontal grit removal facility to remove grit with a specific
gravity of 2.65 and a particle settling velocity which ranges between 0.016 to
0.022 m/sec. The horizontal velocity will be maintained at 0.3 m/sec by using a
proportional weir. Determine the channel dimensions for a maximum wastewater
flow of 0.37 m3/s.

Solution:
Settling velocity (Vs): assume 0.016 m/sec for the design
Detention time (tD): 60 sec

1) Depth of Flow (D),

Knowing tD = D/Vs
So,
60 sec = D/0.016 m/sec
D = 0.96 m
Provide 0.3 m free board and 0.25 m grit accumulation zone depth, hence
the total depth = 0.96 + 0.30 + 0.25 = 1.51 m

21
2) Length of Tank (L)

Knowing, L = tDVh

Where: Vh = horizontal flow velocity in the tank = 0.3 m/sec

Therefore , L = (60 sec)(0.3 m/sec) = 18 m

Provide 25 % additional length to accommodate inlet and outlet zones,
hence the length of the grit chamber = 18 X 1.25 = 2.25 m

3) Width of Tank (w)

Knowing A = Q/Vh

Where: A = cross sectional area of flow

Q = flowrate
Vh = horizontal flow velocity in the tank

Q = 0.37 m3/sec
A = (0.37 m3/sec)/(0.23 m/sec) = 1.61 m2
Then w = A/D = (1.61m2)/(0.96 m) = 1.68 m

22
 Preliminary Treatment- (iii) Equalization Tank

The wastewater produced often varies in overall wastewater flow rate

(e.g.: as a result of day vs. night production processes) as well as
concentration of pollutants (resulting from different types of operations
being carried out at different times).

The objectives of balancing are:

a) To equalize the flows to minimize flow surge
b) To equalize the organic loads to dampen fluctuations
c) To neutralize the pH variations to bring it to the range 6.5-8.5
d) To provide a continuous influent to the plant
e) To control of high toxicity loads.
f) To equalize the flow rate.
g) To balance the nutrient
h) To balance the pH

223
Example

Design the in-line storage volume required to equalize the flowrate by

using the following data.
Time period Average flowrate during Time period Average flowrate during
the period (L / s) the period (L / s)

24 - 01 275 12 - 13 425

01 - 02 221 13 - 14 405

02 - 03 164 14 - 15 385

03 - 04 130 15 - 16 351

04 - 05 105 16 - 17 326

05 - 06 99 17 - 18 326

06 - 07 119 18 - 19 328

07 - 08 204 19 - 20 365

08 - 09 354 20 - 21 399

09 - 10 411 21 - 22 399

10 - 11 425 22 - 23 379

11 - 12 430 23 - 24 345
24
Solution (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Cumulative Cumulative
Influent volume Effluent volume Cumulative
Time period influent volume effluent volume
(m3) (m3) difference (m3)
Provide (m3) (m3)
24 - 01 990.0 1,105.5 990.0 1,105.5 - 115.5
and 01 - 02 795.6 1,105.5 1,785.6 2,211.0 - 425.4
Complete 02 - 03 590.4 1,105.5 2,376.0 3,316.5 - 940.5
03 - 04 468.0 1,105.5 2,844.0 4,422.0 - 1,578.0
the 04 - 05 378.0 1,105.5 3,222.0 5,527.5 - 2,305.5
table 05 - 06 356.4 1,105.5 3,578.4 6,633.0 - 3,054.6
06 - 07 428.4 1,105.5 4,006.8 7,738.5 - 3,731.7
07 - 08 734.4 1,105.5 4,741.2 8,844.0 - 4,102.8
08 - 09 1,274.4 1,105.5 6,015.6 9,949.5 - 3,933.9
09 - 10 1,479.6 1,105.5 7,495.2 11,055.0 - 3,559.8
10 - 11 1,530.0 1,105.5 9,025.2 12,160.5 - 3,135.3
11 - 12 1,548.0 1,105.5 10,573.2 13,266.0 - 2,692.8
12 - 13 1,530.0 1,105.5 12,103.2 14,371.5 - 2,268.3
13 - 14 1,458.0 1,105.5 13,561.2 15,477.0 - 1,915.8
14 - 15 1,386.0 1,105.5 14,947.2 16,582.5 - 1,635.3
15 - 16 1,263.6 1,105.5 16,210.8 17,688.0 - 1,477.2
16 - 17 1,173.6 1,105.5 17,384.4 18,793.5 - 1,409.1
17 - 18 1,173.6 1,105.5 18,558.0 19,899.0 - 1,341.0
18 - 19 1,180.8 1,105.5 19,738.8 21,004.5 - 1,265.7
19 - 20 1,314.0 1,105.5 21,052.8 22,110.0 - 1,057.2
20 - 21 1,436.4 1,105.5 22,489.2 23,215.5 - 726.3
21 - 22 1,436.4 1,105.5 23,925.6 24,321.0 - 395.4
22 - 23 1,364.4 1,105.5 25,290.0 25,426.5 - 136.5
23 - 24 1,242.0 1,105.5 26,532.0 26,532.0 0.0
Total 26,532.0 26,532.0 - - -

25
Solution

Step - 1 : Calculation of wastewater volumes entering the equalization tank

during the each time period (column 2 in table given below)

Example
Refer to time period 24 - 01
The wastewater volume = (275 L / s) (3,600 s / h) (10-3 m3 / L)
= 990.0 m3 / h

Repeat to all time period

Step - 2 : Calculation of wastewater volumes pumping out from the equalization

tank (column 3 in table given below)
Total wastewater volume entering to the equalization tank is 26,532.0 m3 during
24 h period

Wastewater volume should be pumped out from the equalization tank must be
equal to this amount during 24 h period
Wastewater volume should be pumped out from the equalization tank during the
each time period = (26,532.0 m3) / 24 = 1,105.5 m3

26
Solution

Step - 3 : Calculation of the cumulative influent volumes

(column 4 in table given below)

Refer to the time period 01 - 02 : 990.0 m3 + 795.6 m3 = 1,785.6 m3

Step - 4 : Calculation of the cumulative effluent volumes

(column 5 in table given below)

Refer to the time period 01 - 02 : 1,105.5 m3 + 1,105.5 m3 = 2,211.0 m3

Step - 5 : Calculation of the cumulative differences

(column 6 in table given below)

Refer to the time period 24 - 01 : 990.0 m3 - 1,105.5 m3 = - 115.5 m3

27
Solution

Step - 6 : Calculation of the equalization tank volume

Equalization tank volume = Absolute value of the smallest negative difference

+ The largest positive difference
VEqualization = abs(- 4,102.8 m3) + none = 4,102.8 m3

Step - 7 : Dimensioning of the equalization tank

Equalization tank volume determined from the calculations given in the table
shown above, should be increased at least 10 % as a safety factor

VEqualization = (1.1) (4,102.8 m3) = 4,513.1 m3

Assume L = 2 W, and L = 50.00 m

Therefore, h = 3.65 m and W = 25.00 m

Equalization tank dimension = L x W x h = 50.00 m x 25.00 m x 3.65 m

28
VIDEO Wastewater Treatment : Preliminary Treatment

29
 3.6 Primary treatment

 Unit process where the wastewater is allowed to settle for a period in a

settling/sedimentation tank or clarifier

 produce somewhat clarified liquid effluent in one stream and a liquid –

solid sludge (the settled solids called primary sludge/raw sludge) in a
second stream.

 The tank is either rectangular or circular in shape. Typically the circular

tank is used.

300
Rectangular primary tank

311
Circular primary tank

322
VIDEO Wastewater Treatment : Primary Treatment

33
The objectives of primary treatment are:

a) To produce a liquid effluent of suitably improved quality for the next

treatment stage and
b) To achieve a solids separation resulting in a primary sludge that can
be conveniently treated and disposed of.

The benefits of primary treatment include:

a) Reduction of suspended solids

b) Reduction in BOD5
c) Reduction in the amount of waste activated sludge (WAS) in the
activated sludge plant
d) Removal of floating material
e) Partial equalization of flow rates and organic load.

344
Example

Design the rectangular primary tank to treat sewage with peak flow of 12.6
MLD. The weir of 70 m length is to be included. The raw sewage has an
average of 230 mg/L BOD5 and 260 mg/L of suspended solids. By assuming
the primary treatment removes 40% of the BOD5 and 60% of the suspended
solid of the raw sewage, calculate the BOD5 and SS concentration in the
primary tank effluent. Also determine the mass of primary sludge produced per
day in term of dry mass and wet mass assuming a sludge concentration of
6% solids and a specific gravity of 1.03.

Solution

From MS 1228: 1991

Surface loading rate = not more than 60 m3 /day/m2
Depth of rectangular tank = 2.5 -3.0 m
Width : depth ratio = 1:1 to 2.5 : 1
Length : width ratio =  3:1
Detention time = 90 - 150 min (1.5 – 2.5 hours)
Weir loading rate = 150 - 180 m3/day/m

355
1) The surface area of the tank = 12 600 m3/d / 60 m3/d = 210 m2

2) Assume the depth of rectangular tank = 2.5 m and width = 5.0 m.

then the width to depth to ratio is 5.0 : 2.5 = 2:1 (Ok !),

therefore the length = 210 m2/ 3 m = 70 m

then the length : width ratio = 70 : 5 = 14 :1  3: 1 (Ok !)

3) Volume of the tank = 70 m (L) x 5.0 m ( W) x 2.5 m ( d) = 875 m3,

Therefore the detention time = Volume / flow rate

= 875 m3 /12600 m3/day
= 0.07 day
= 1.7 hour = 100 min (Ok !)

4) Weir loading = flowrate / weir length

= 12600 m3/day / 70 m
= 180 m3/day/m (Ok !)

366
5) Primary tank effluent

BOD5 primary effluent = (1 -0.40) 230 mg/L = 138 mg/L

SS primary effluent = ( 1-0.60) 260 mg/L = 104 mg/L

6) The production of dry solid and wet mass in the primary tank would be

SS dry mass = Flowrate x removed SS (in mg/L)

= 12600 m3/d x (260 -104) mg/L
= 12600 m3/d x 156 mg/L
= 1.97 kg/d

SS wet mass = 1.97 kg/d / 0.06 = 32.83 kg/d

Then , the flow of the sludge , Q sludge = 32.83 kg/d / 1.03 kg/L
= 31.9 L/d

377
Example

Evaluate the following primary tank design with respect to detention time,
overflow rate and weir loading. Given,
Flow = 0.150 m3/s Length = 40.0 m
Width = 7.5 m Weir length = 75.0 m
Depth = 3.0 m

Solution
Length, width and depth were given. Meaning that the primary tank is the rectangular
tank

Check the,
Length to width ratio, 40 m : 7.5 m = 5.3 : 1 > 3 : 1 (ok!)
as required by MS 1228: 1991 (ok),

Width to depth ratio, 7.5 m : 3 m = 2.5 : 1 (ok!)

as required by MS 1228: 1991 (ok), the ratio
could be higher up to 2.5 :1

388
 V
i) The detention time, : 
Q
40.0 m x 7.5 m x 3.0 m

0.150 m3 /s
 6000s or 1.7h ( 102 min) Ok!
MS 1228 : 1991, retention time between 90 min to 150 min

0.150 m3 /s
ii) Overflow rate, Vo: 
40.0 m x 7.5 m
12960m3 /day

300m 2
 43.2 m 3 /day.m 2 MS1228:1991,Ok !

0.150 m3 /s
iii) The weir loading WL 
75.0 m
 0.0020 m3 /s.m x 86,400 s/day
 172.8 or 173 m3 /day.m
MS 1228 : 1991(ok! )

399
 3.7 Secondary treatment (biological process)

Provide BOD removal beyond what is achieved

in primary treatment
- removal of soluble BOD
- additional removal of suspended solids

Objective is to allow the BOD to be exerted in the treatment plant rather

than in the stream

Biological processes are the most important unit operations in wastewater

treatment. Because the success of biological processes depends on the
environment provided by treatment units, design engineers need a basic
understanding of factors affecting the growth of mixed cultures.

The stabilization of organic material (pollutant) is accomplished by

microbes which convert colloidal and dissolved organic matter into gases
and protoplasm.

40
 3.7.1 Role of microorganism

organic material + Microbes Gases + new cell

(colloidal & dissolved) (protoplasma)

major requirements for microbial growth is organic, will

a) A terminal electron acceptor be measured
b) Macronutrients: as BOD in the
i) Carbon to build cells
effluent.
ii) Nitrogen to build cells
iii) Phosporus for ATP (energy carrier) and DNA
c) Micronutrients has a specific gravity
i)Trace metals slightly greater than
ii) Vitamins (required for some bacteria water, it can be
d) Appropriate environment removed from the
i) Moisture treated liquid by
ii) Temperature gravity settling.
iii) pH

41
 How is this accomplished?
• Create a very rich
environment for
growth of a diverse
microbial community

42
Most Abundant Microbes in W/W
Aerobic treatment

Amoeba Rotifer

Ciliated Protozoa

Flagellated Protozoa

Filamentous
Vorticella 43
 3.7.2 Decomposition of organic waste

Decomposition is the process by which organic substances are

broken down into simpler organic matter.

It can accomplished is three ways

1) Aerobic
2) Anoxic
3) Anaerobic

42
Aerobic Decomposition
• Occurs in the presence of oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor

organic matter + O2  CO2 + H2O + newcell

Large production because large amount of energy released

• aerobic decomposition generates a large production of sludge (dead and living

cells).Therefore, it is suitable for low strength wastewater (ie < 500 mg/l BOD)
because decomposition is rapid, efficient and has a low odor potential.

• For high strength w/w (>1000 mg/l BOD), aerobic decomposition is not
suitable because of difficulty in supplying of enough oxygen and also because
of the amount of sludge produced.

445
44
Anoxic Decomposition (nitrate reduction)

• A biological process in which a certain group of microorganisms use

chemically combined oxygen such as that found in nitrate (NO-3).

 NO-3 is used as the terminal electron acceptor in the absence of molecular

oxygen. (Anoxic = absence of DO but presence in NO-3).

These organisms consume organic matter to support life functions. They

use organic matter, combined oxygen from nitrate, and nutrients to produce
nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, water and new cell materials

2NO-3 + 2H+  N2 + 2.5 O2 + H2O + new cell

45
 Anaerobic Decomposition (AnD)

When the NO2-3 are finished, strict anaerobic conditions occur

Here, sulfates are used and reduced to sulfides

Sulfate reduction bacteria

and CO2 is converted into methane (CH4) methanogenesis-

hydrogenotrophic methanogen

acetotrophic methanogen

46
Anaerobic digester 47
•The anaerobic decomposition of organic matter considered to be a three-step
process (figure):

1. Hydrolysis of waste.

2. Acidogenesis
(fermentation) and
acetogenesis –
Conversion of complex
organic compounds to
low-molecular fatty
acids (volatile acids).

3. Methanogenesis -
Conversion of
organic acids to
methane.
Processes in anaerobic degradation

48
Differences between aerobic and anaerobic
decomposition of wastewater

49
Figure 4. 16 Differences between aerobic and anaerobic decomposition
in terms of COD balance

50
 3.7.3 Microorganism growth

In biological/secondary treatment system, the microorganism are divided

into the followings:

1) Suspended growth- microorganisms and bacteria treating the wastes

are suspended in the wastewater being treated.

2) Attached growth- microorganisms and bacteria treating the wastes are

attached to the media in the reactor

51
 Suspended growth system

Stabilization Pond
Aerobic, anaerobic,
facultative, maturation
Activated Sludge
Extended aeration, conventional

52
 Suspended growth system

Aerated lagoon

Constructed wetland
 Attached growth system

Rotating biological contactor (RBS)

Trickling filter

54
3.8 Suspended growth : Activated sludge ( Aerobic)

55
 Activated Sludge
• Process in which a mixture of wastewater and
microorganisms (biological sludge) is agitated
and aerated (disperse growth)
• Leads to oxidation of dissolved organics
• After oxidation, separate sludge from
wastewater
• Induce microbial growth
– Need food, oxygen
– Want Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
(MLSS) of 3,000 to 6,000 mg/L 58
VIDEO Biological Treatment : Activated sludge

56
57
Example

A wastewater treatment plant to treat wastewater to meet effluent standard

of 25 mg/L BOD and 30 mg/L suspended solids. The treatment plant flow
rate is 0.029 m3/s. The effluent from the primary tank has BOD of 240 mg/L.
Using the following assumptions, estimate the required volume of the
aeration tank;

i. BOD of effluent suspended solids is 70% of the allowable suspended

solids concentration

Given:
a. Soluble BOD5 oncentration at one half the maximum growth rate,
Ks = 100 mg/L BOD
b. Decay rate of microbes, Kd = 0.025 /d,
c. max growth rate, µm = 10/d,
d. Yield coefficient, Y = 0.8 mg VSS/mg BOD5
e. Microorganism concentration of VSS conc. entering aeration tank,
MLVSS = 3000 mg/L

58
 70%

Effluent BOD5 Effluent SS

Initial pollutant concentration

Effluent BOD5 from primary tank

Sludge age
a measure of the length of time a particle of suspended
solids is retained in the activated sludge process, (d).

59
 Refer
module,
Eqn 4.24
Equals to t0,
hydraulic retention
time

Refer
module,
Eqn 4.19

60
Example
A conventional activated sludge plant without primary clarification operates under
the following conditions:

Design flow : 8100 m3/d

Influent BOD : 185 mg/L
Suspended Solids : 212 mg/L
Aeration basins : 4 units, 12 m square x 4.5 m deep
Mixed liquor Suspended solid : 2600 mg/L
Recirculation flow : 3800 m3/d
Waste sludge quantity : 150 m3/d
Suspended solids in waste sludge : 8600 mg/L
Effluent BOD : 15 mg/L
Suspended Solids : 15 mg/L
Calculate :
(a) Aeration period
(b) BOD loading
(c) Return activated sludge age
(d) F/M ratio
(e) suspended solids and BOD removal efficiencies
(f) Sludge age

61
Solution:

(a) Aeration period

Aeration basin volume = 4 units X ( 12m x 12m x 4.5m)

= 2592 m3
Aeration period, t = V/Q
= 2592 m3/ 8100 m3/d
= 7.7 hr

(b) BOD loading = (Q x Concentration BOD )/ Volume

= (8100 m3/d x 185 mg/L)/ 2592 m3
= 578 g/m3/day

(c) Return activated sludge = (Recirculation flow/Q) x 100

= (3800 m3/d/8100 m3/d) x 100
= 47 %

(d) F/M ratio = (Q x Concentration BOD )

Volume x Mixed liquor suspended solid
= (8100 m3/d x 185 mg/L)
(2592 m3 x 2600 mg/L)
= 0.22 g BOD/day
g MLSS
62
(e) Suspended solids removal = (212 – 15) x 100 = 93 %
212
BOD removal = 185 – 15 x 100 = 92 %
185

(f) Sludge age

SS in the effluent = Q x Concentration SS
= 8100 m3/d x 15 mg/l
=121 kg/d

SS in waste activated sludge = Qsludge x Concentration SS Sludge

=150 m3/d x 8600 mg/l
= 1290 kg/d

Sludge age = V x Mixed liquor suspended solid

Sludge age (c) = mean cell residence time (c) SS effluent + SS activated sludge
= solid retention time (SRT) = (2592 m3 x 2600 mg/l )
121 kg/d + 1290 kg/d
Longer sludge age (c) would resutt in bigger
tank and longer aeration time ( power
= 4.8 days
consumption)

666
Example
A sewage treatment plant generated 2000 m3/d of wastewater each day. The
average BOD5 of the raw wastewater after primary settling is 1500 mg/L. The
aeration tank has effective dimensions of 6.0 m wide by 10.0 m long by 6.0 m
deep. The activated sludge plant operating parameters are as follows;

(i) BOD5 after secondary settling = 95 mg/L

(ii) MLVSS = 2100 mg/L
(iii) MLVSS/MLSS = 0.75
(iv) Settled sludge volume after 30 minutes = 250 mg/L

Determine;
(i) BOD5 loading
(ii) The aeration period
(iii) The food to micro-organism ratio (F/M ratio)
(iv) The sludge volume index (SVI)
(v) The percentage of BOD5 removal

64
Solution:

i) BOD loading = Q (m3/d) x Concentration of BOD (mg/L)

Volume
= 2000 m3/day x 1500 mg/L
( 6 m x 10 m x 6 m)
= 8,333.33 g/m3.day = 8.33 kg/m3.day

ii) Aeration period = V/Q

= 360m3/ 2000 m3/d
= 0.18 day
= 4.32 hours

iii) F/M ratio = QS/VX = 2000 m3/day x 1100 mg/L

360 m3 x 2100 mg/L
= 2.9

65
Solution:

iv) SVI = Sludge volume x 1000 mg/g

MLSS

if MLSS = MLVSS/0.75 = 2100 mg/L /0.75 = 2800 mg/L then

SVI = 250 mg/L x 1000 mg/g = 89.3 mg/g SVI is used to control the rate of sludge
return to the reactor basin in activated
2800 mg/L sludge process

v) BOD removal = BOD in – BOD out x 100%

BOD in

= 1500 – 95 x 100%
1500

= 93.7 %

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 3.9 Suspended growth : Septic tank( Anaerobic)
• Septic tanks are commonly used for wastewater treatment for individual
households in low-density residential areas, for institutions such as schools and
hospitals, and for small housing estates
• Septic tanks have been used for anaerobic treatment of raw sewage

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 Household wastewater is retained for 1-3 day
 A thick crust of scum is formed (helps anaerobic condition)
 Sludge accumulates then desludging should be done to remove the sludge
 Desludging is done for every 1-5 years

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

The guiding principles in designing a septic tank are:

- to provide sufficient retention time for the sewage in the

tank to allow separation of solids and stabilization of
liquid;
- to provide stable quiescent hydraulic conditions for
efficient settlement and flotation of solids;
- to ensure that the tank is large enough to store
accumulated sludge and scum;
- to ensure that no blockages are likely to occur and that
there is adequate ventilation of gases.

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Retention time

A sewage retention time of 24 hours is assumed to be sufficient. In summary, if

the wastewater flowrate is Q m3 per day, it recommends that the retention time
should be T hours, as follows

If Q is less than 6 T = 24
If Q is between 6 and 14 T = 33-1.5 Q
If Q is greater than 14 T = 12

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Liquid retention volume

If the water supply per person is known, the sewage flow may be taken as 90%
of the water supply.

The minimum capacity required for 24 hours' liquid retention is:

A = P × q litres

where

A = required volume for 24 hours' liquid retention;

P = number of people served by the tank
q = sewage flow per person (litres per person per day). 90% of
the daily water consumption per person (Q). .

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Volume for sludge and scum storage

The volume required for the accumulation of sludge and scum is

B=P×N×F×S
where

B = the required sludge and scum storage capacity in litres;

N = the number of years between desludging (often 2-5 years; more
frequent desludging may be assumed where there is a cheap and
reliable emptying service);
F = a factor which relates the sludge digestion rate to temperature and the
desludging interval, as shown in Table A;
S = the rate of sludge and scum accumulation as shown in Table B

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Table A. Value of the sizing factor F in determining volume for sludge and
scum storage

Number of years Value of F

between
desludging
Ambient temperature
>20°C >10°C <10°C
throughout year throughout year during winter
1 1.3 1.5 2.5
2 1.0 1.15 1.5
3 1.0 1.0 1.27
4 1.0 1.0 1.15
5 1.0 1.0 1.06
6 or more 1.0 1.0 1.0

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Table B. Suggested maximum sludge accumulation rates

(litres per person per year)
Sludge accumulation rate

Wastes retained in water where degradable anal cleaning 40

materials are used

Wastes retained in water where non-degradable anal 60

cleaning materials are used

Waste retained in dry conditions where degradable anal 60

cleaning materials are used

Wastes retained in dry conditions where non-degradable 90

anal cleaning materials are used

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Total tank volume

The total capacity of the tank (C) is:

C = A + B ( litres)

In practice, there are limitations on the minimum size of tank that can be built

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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”
Shape and dimensions of septic tanks

A tank may be divided into two or more compartments by baffle walls. Most
settlement and digestion may occur in the first compartment with some
suspended materials carried forward to the second.

The following guidelines can be used to determine the internal dimensions of a

rectangular tank.

1. The depth of liquid from the tank floor to the outlet pipe invert should be not
less than 1.2 m; a depth of at least 1.5 m is preferable. In addition a clear space
of at least 300 mm should be left between the water level and the under-surface
of the cover slab.
2. The width should be at least 600 mm as this is the minimum space in which a
person can work when building or cleaning the tank. Some codes of practice
recommend that the length should be 2 or 3 times the width.
3. For a tank of width W, the length of the first compartment should be 2W and
the length of the second compartment should be W (figure below). In general, the
depth should be not greater than the total length.
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Based on “ A guide to the Development of on-site sanitation (WHO,1992)”

Septic Tank dimensions

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Example

Design a septic tank suitable for a household with up to eight

occupants in a low-density housing area in which the houses have full
plumbing, all household wastes go to the septic tank and the nominal
water supply is 200 L per person per day. Water is used for anal
cleaning and the ambient temperature is not less than 25°C for most of
the year. Assume period between desludgings is 3 years

Solution

1) Volume of liquid entering the tank each day

A=Pxq
= 8 person x ( 0.9 × 200 L/person)
= 8 × 180
= 1440 litres

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2) The volume of sludge and scum is given by

B=P×N×F×S
= 8 person × 3 × 1.0 × 40 L/person
= 960 litres

3) Total volume of tank

C= A+B
= 1440 + 960
= 2400 litres (2.4 m3)

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4) Tank dimension

Assume liquid depth = 1.5 m

Assume tank width is W m
Assume two compartments,
length of first = 2W
length of second = W

Volume of tank (V)

= 1.5 × (2W + W) × W
= 4.5 W2
Therefore:
Thus,
width of tank = 0.73 m
4.5 W2 = 2.4 m3 length of first compartment= 1.46 m
W = 0.73 m length of second compartment = 0.73 m

Depth of tank from floor to soffit of cover slab

= liquid depth + freeboard
= 1.5 + 0.3 = 1.8 m
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Example

Design a septic tank for a household having five occupants in a

medium-density housing area in which the houses have full
plumbing. The ambient temperature is more than 10°C throughout
the year. Assume period between desludgings is 3 years

Solution

1) Daily volume of liquid

A=P×q

If the WC has a 10-litre cistern and each person flushes it four times
a day, the sewage flow q = 4 × 10 = 40 litres per person per day,

Therefore, A = 5 × 40 = 200 litres.

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2) Volume for sludge and scum

B=P×N×F×S

Since N = 3 years, then F = 1.0;

only WC wastes go to septic tank, then S = 25 litres per person per year.

Then

B = 5 × 3 × 1.0 × 25
= 375 litres As this is less than the
minimum recommended
3) Total tank volume V volume of 1.0 m3, the
dimensions for the minimum
volume should be calculated.
=A+B
= 200 + 375
= 575 l (0.575 m3)

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4) Assume liquid depth = 1.5 m.
Assume tank width is W m.
Assume two compartments:

Length of first = 2W
Length of second = W

Volume of tank = 1.5 × (2W + W) × W

= 4.5 W2

If 4.5 W2= 1.0 m3, then W = 0.47 m

As this is less than the recommended minimum width of 0.6 m, assume W = 0.6 m.

Length of first compartment (2W) = 1.2 m which is larger than the

Length of second compartment (W) = 0.6 m required volume calculated in
stage 3. This is no
disadvantage; in practice the
Depth of tank from floor to soffit of cover slab minimum retention time will be
greater than 24 hours or the
= 1.5 m (liquid depth) + 0.3 m (freeboard) = 1.8 m tank will provide longer service
The tank volume (excluding freeboard) is: than three years before
requiring desludging.
= (1.2 + 0.6) × 0.6 × 1.5 = 1.62 m3

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3.10 Attached growth system: organic removal

Attachment of biofilm( slime) to support media 86

3.11 Attached growth :Rotating Biological
Contactor (RBC)

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In the RBC, the medium
moves the biofilm alternately
through water and air

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3.12 Attached growth :Trickling filter

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 Not a true filtering or sieving process
 Material only provided surface on which bacteria to
grow
 Can use plastic media
- Lighter, can get deeper beds ( up to 12 m)
- Reduced apace requirement
- Larger surface area for growth
- Greater void ratios ( better air flow)
- Less prone to plugging by accumulating slime

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Rotating distribution arm sprays primary effluent over circular bed of rock or other
coarse media. Air circulates in pores between rocks and “biofilm” develops on rocks
and micro-organisms degrade waste materials as they flow past. Organisms slough
off in clumps when film gets too thick

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Advantages
a) Small land area required
b) Can be operated at a range of organic and hydraulic
loading rates.

Disadvantages/limitations –
a) High capital costs and moderate operating costs
b) Requires expert design and construction.
c) Requires constant source of electricity and constant
wastewater flow.
d) Flies and odours are often problematic.
e) Not all parts and materials may be available locally.
f) Pre-treatment is required to prevent clogging.
g) Dosing system requires more complex engineering.

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 3.13 Sludge :By- product of WWTP

• The higher the degree of wastewater treatment, the

larger residue of sludge that must be handled.
• Wastes from screens and grit chamber Not true sludge,
not a fluid. It can be drained easily
and is relatively stable, it can be disposed of directly in a
municipal landfill
• To treat and dispose of the sludge produced from
wastewater plants in the most effective manner, it is
important t know the characteristics of the solid and
sludge that will be processed.

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VIDEO Sludge handling

56
 Sources of sludge

Primary Or Raw Sludge

• Sludge from bottom of the primary
clarifiers contains from 3- 8 % solid which
is approximately 70 % organic. This
sludge rapidly becomes anaerobic and is
highly odiferous.

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Secondary Sludge
• This sludge consists of microorganisms and inert
materials that have been wasted from the
secondary treatment processes.
• In some cases secondary sludge contains large
quantities of chemical precipitates because of
aeration tank is used as the reaction basin for
the addition of chemicals to remove phosphorus.

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Sludge Characteristic

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 Sludge Treatment
The basic processes for sludge treatment are as follows:

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 Sludge Treatment: Thickening

Flotation Gravity thickening

• Especially effective • Best with primary
on activated sludge sludge
• Increases solids • Increases solids
content from 0.5 - 1% content from 1-3% to 10%
to 3-6%

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 Sludge Treatment: Stabilization
Aerobic Digestion
• Extension of activated
sludge
• Accomplished by aeration
of sludge then followed by
sedimentation
• Supernatant goes back
to head of plant
(high in BOD, TKN, TP)
• Treated sludge is 3% solids
Anaerobic Digestion
• 2 stage: acid
Fermentation followed by
methane production
• Advantages:
 produce methane
 do not add oxygen
• As with aerobic digestion,
supernatant goes to
headworks
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108
 Sludge Treatment: Conditioning
Chemical Conditioning Heat Treatment

– Add lime, ferric – High temperatures (175-230oC)

chloride, or alum – High pressures
– Can also add (10 to 20 atmospheres)
polymers – Advantages
– Chemicals are • bound water is released and
added just prior • sludge is easily dewatered
to de-watering – Disadvantages
Stage • complex process
• highly concentrated liquid
stream

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 Sludge Treatment: De-watering
Sludge Drying Beds Filtration
Most popular method essentially • Apply
squeezing water between two vacuum to
moving filter belts pull out
water
• Force out
water by
• Simple
• Low
maintenance
• Effected by
climate

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 Sludge Treatment: Volume Reduction

Incineration
• Complete Wet Oxidation
evaporation • Treated sludge is wet
of water from sludge • Requires energy
• Requires fuel • Solid material is inert
• Solid material is inert • Exhaust air must be
• Exhaust air must be treated prior to discharge
treated prior to
discharge

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 Sludge Disposal

Method
– Land Spreading
• lawns, gardens
• agricultural land
• forest land
• golf courses and other public
recreational areas
– Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (Subtitle D)
– Utilization in other materials

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Malaysia :Sludge Treatment Process

IWK Sustainability Report 2012-2013

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