Activated Sludge

WW Microbiology

Classification of microbes in activated

sludge

Microorganism Metabolism

Growth & composition

Microorganisms in Activated Sludge

Microorganisms in Activated Sludge

A healthy mixed liquor sample of

Other protozoa such as flagellates and

amoebae should be found in small to
scarce numbers.
It is important that these other organisms
be present with the ciliates in order to
provide a more stable environment.
For example, if an upset occurred that
affected the higher life form, such as the
DO dropping, a lower life form that can
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tolerate a low DO will survive.

activated sludge contains a

predominance of stalked ciliates with
moderate populations of other ciliates
such as crawlers (creepers) or free
swimming ciliates.
Supplementary reading on UR Courses
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Stragglers

Typical Microbes in AS

Good Settling Floc

Microbes for WWT

Pin Floc

Rotifers
Nematodes

Relative Predom
minance

Rotifers

text-p694

Stalked Ciliates

Free Swimming
Ciliates

Stalked Ciliates

Amoeba

Amoeba

Free Swimming
Ciliates

Free Swimming
Ciliates

Flagellates

Flagellates

Amoeba

Amoeba

SRT

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days

Our lab microbes

Hydraulic Retention Time ()

= V/Q
Solid Retention Time (SRT)
-Represents average period of time during
which sludge has remained in the system
=solids in the system/mass
y
of solids
removed per day (p590)
-Determined by
a) MLSS concentration
b) F/M ratio
c) Residual sludge
d) WW characteristics
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Stalked
Ciliates

Rotifer

Vorticella

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Classification of Microbes in AS

Filamentous bacteria

The practice of
eating the flesh
of your own kind

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Bacteria
Bacteria are microorganisms that
lack a nucleus and have a cell
wall composed of a protein-sugar
molecule

Small & relatively simple, singlecelled organisms

Genetic material not membranebound (prokaryotic)

Protozoan
Any of a large group of single-celled,
usually microscopic, eukaryotic
organisms, such as amoebas, ciliates,
flagellates, and sporozoans.
Metazoan-(zoology)
(
gy)
The multicellular animals that make up
the major portion of the animal kingdom;
cells are organized in layers or groups as
specialized tissues or organ systems

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Microorganism Metabolism

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Microorganism Metabolism
From Metcalf&Eddy

Classification according to their respiration

requirement
Table 7-6,
7 6 p563

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Microorganism Metabolism

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Microorganism Metabolism
Aerobic, autotrophic

Aerobic, heterotrophicp564

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What Are Differences?

Microorganism Metabolism
Anaerobic, heterotrophic

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Anaerobedoes not require oxygen for

growth. It could possibly react negatively
and may even die if oxygen is present.
(microorganisms live and grow in the
absence of molecular oxygen; some of
th
these
are kill
killed
d by
b oxygen.
Facultative anaerobecan grow without
oxygen presence but may utilize it if
oxygen is present
Aerotolerant anaerobe cannot use
oxygen for growth but tolerates its
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presence

Microbial Growth Requirements

C, N, P, S, K and others
Correct pH:
-Acidophiles: low pH (<5)
-Neutrophiles pH=6 to 8
-Alklophiles pH >8

Most bacteria cannot tolerate pH

level above 9.5 or below 4.0.

The optimum pH for bacteria

growth lies between 6.5 and 7.5.

Microbial Growth Requirements

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Correct Temperature
Different archaea are able to grow
at T=60 to 80 C, and extremely low
pH, and high salinity.

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Microbial Growth Requirements

Oxygen
Aerobes and facultative anaerobes
oxygen tolerated, all harmful forms
tolerated (superoxide free radicals,
hydrogen peroxide)
Aerotolerant anaerobesoxygen
tolerated, most harmful forms tolerated
Obligate anaerobesoxygen not
tolerated, harmful forms not neutralized:
simple oxygen, superoxide free radicals,
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hydrogen peroxide.

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Factors Affecting Microbial Activities

Microbial Growth Kinetics Terminology

Physical Factors: T, osmotic

pressure, molecular oxygen, water,
UV radiation
Chemical Factors: pH
pH, acid&base
acid&base,
oxidizing and reducing agents,
heavy metals and toxic compounds
Biological Factors: undesirable
microorganisms in the mixed
population

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Bacteria Growth Phases

Microbial Growth Kinetics

See p667

p566

Substrate-Soluble &
Biodegradable org. on
which an enzyme acts
Food for microbes
or biomass

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Biomass Measurement

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COD Chart

MLSS-Mixed liquor suspended solids

conc.used to measure total biomass
conc.
MLVSS-Mixed liquor volatile SS conc.
used to measure live biomass conc
conc.
Increase in biomass, measured by two
methods:
a) VSS generated-solid production (or
solid yield), or
b) Particulate COD=Total COD-soluble
COD
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sbCOD substrate, equivalent to BOD

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Mixed Liquor Solids Concentration

Biomass Yield

True yield
XT=X+Xi
B
Biomass
Y ld Y
Yield

XT= total MLVSS in the bioreactor

g biomass produced
g substrate utilized

X = biomass concentration
Xi= nbVSS
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Biomass Yield
Y relative to the electron donor used
Y vs. chemical reactions (such as NH4-N,
not total N, substrate-BOD or COD, VFAs)
True (synthesis) Y

Observed Y

Net biomass Y
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Biomass Yield-Textbook p587

XT=X+X
X+Xi
X=biomass
S=substrate

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Biomass Yield

True Yield Coefficients

Estimate Y and O2 requirements from

Stoichiometry
Estimate Y and O2 requirements based on bsCOD
and VSS, see example 7-1
a) COD (ultimate BOD)-organic matter,
VSS new cells
b) Use COD mass balance
balance, a balanced
stoichiometric reaction
c) COD of cell tissue=1.42g O2 /g cells, or
1.42 g O2 /g VSS, or
1.42COD/gVSScan be used directly, which is
the oxygen equivalent of the biomass or COD
equivalent biomass
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For the activated sludge process for the

removal of organic matter from
domestic wastewater
a) Y=0.3 to 0.6 mgVSS/mg bsCOD,
typical value Y=0.4
b) Y=0.4
Y 0 4 tto 0
0.8
8 mg VSS/
VSS/mg BOD
BOD,
typical value Y=0.6
Activated sludge nitrification at 20C
Yn=0.10 to 0.15 g VSS/g NH4-N
typical value Y=0.12
Y Observed (Yobs), depends on SRT
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Assignment 1
See Examples 7-1 and 7-5
Flowrate QM3/d
Solid loading g/d=Q*C

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