Principle of Secondary Treatment

Purpose, Process, Payoff

Purpose
To build the knowledge of general wastewater secondary treatment
To have in-depth understanding on Activated Sludge Process

Process
During this program, you will learn:
COD/BOD/TOC concept and measurement
Terminology for secondary treatment
Purpose and types of secondary treatment
Activated Sludge Process
Basic WWT microbiology

Payoff
As a result of participating the secondary treatment course, you will:
Gain more knowledge in wastewater treatment
Understand the principle of secondary treatment, especially Activated
Sludge Process
COD, BOD&TOC
Concept and
Measurement
 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
COD is a measure of the oxygen equivalent of the organic matter
content of a sample that is susceptible to oxidation by a strong
chemical oxidant.

In-soluble

Soluble
Biodegradable

Non-biodegradable
 COD Test
The COD test uses a strong chemical oxidant (potassium dichromate),
acid, and heat to oxidize organic carbon to carbon dioxide and water.

The COD test measures

the amount of dichromate
(oxidant) consumed in the
breakdown of organic
matter.
 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Biochemical oxygen demand is the amount of dissolved oxygen
needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break
down organic material at certain temperature over a specific time
period.

Carbonaceous oxygen demand (CBOD, first stage)

Nitrogenous oxygen demand (second stage, generally begins after ~ 6
days )
 BOD5 Test
The BOD5 test measures the amount of oxygen consumed by
microorganisms from decomposition of organic matter under aerobic
conditions at 20C over a five-day period.

Accurate measurement of BOD requires an accurate

determination of DO.
It is optimum to start the BOD analysis immediately after sample
collection to minimize changes in bacterial concentration;
If the analysis cant begin in 2 hours of collection, the sample should
be stored chilled without freezing (maintain a temperature from 1 to
4C);
The maximum holding time of a sample to be analyzed for BOD is
24 hours. Do not freeze samples.
 COD vs. BOD
COD does not differentiate between biologically degradable and inert
organic matter, and it is a measure of the total quantity of oxygen
required to oxidize all organic materials into carbon dioxide and water.
The tests use different methods of oxidation:
BOD Microorganisms, 5-days
COD - Chemicals (potassium dichromate), 2-hours

COD measurements will always be higher than BOD measurements

 Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Total organic carbon is an indirect measure of organic molecules present in
water represented as carbon.

TOC = TC IC

TC: total carbon IC: inorganic carbon

TOC correlates very well with COD for a particular type of water.

Example:

COD = a*TOC + b
 TOC Test
Analytical technologies utilized to measure TOC share the objective of
completely oxidizing the organic molecules to CO2,
measuring the resultant CO2 levels, and
expressing this response as carbon concentration.

High temperature combustion/high temperature catalytic oxidation

Photo/photo-chemical/thermo-chemical/electrolytic oxidation

Advantages of TOC over COD testing:

Fast speed of analysis
- 10 minutes for lab systems
- continuous reading with on-line analyzers
Exact carbon measurement, not giving false positives or false negatives
as the COD test may
More precise
Lower cost per test
Less hazardous reagents
 BOD, COD and TOC
All are non-specific analyses used to characterize the organic strength of
a stream containing a mixture of compounds.

For a given system there may be correlations among the three tests, but
not necessarily.

BOD5 is generally the test of concern in regards to effluent impact on the

receiving stream.
 BOD/COD Ratio
The BOD/COD ratio gives an indication of the biodegradability of
wastewater.

BOD/COD > 0.5 can be cleaned well via biological treatment

BOD/COD < 0.25 the presence of large portions of hard-
biodegradable COD Industry BOD:COD
Basic Steel (coke) 0.15 - 0.20
Petroleum Refining 0.30 - 0.40
Chemical Process 0.20 - 0.50
Pulp 0.20 - 0.40
& Paper 0.35 - 0.50
Brewing 0.45 - 0.60
Food Processing 0.45 - 0.80
Textile 0.25 - 0.40
 Secondary
Treatment
Terminology
 Particle Size vs. Treatment

Supra Colloidal
Physical
Dissolved Colloidal Visible

Chemical
Silt Fine sand Coarse sand

Bacteria
Biological
Nutrients Organic debris
Viruses (food, human wastes)

0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10,000

Microns
(0.1 mm) (1 mm) (1 cm)
 Primary versus Secondary Treatment

Oils, greases and solids Soluble wastes in

in Primary Treatment Secondary Treatment

Are consumed by
bacteria as food

Producing more
Solids Settle Out bacteria
15
Principle of Secondary Treatment

Organics in water

Bacteria eat

Bacteria multiply

Removal of
(insoluble)
bacteria
 Basic Terminology
MLSS = Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
The concentration of total suspended solids in the aeration basin.
MLVSS = Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids
The volatile portion of the mixed liquor and more closely approximates
the biological component.
F/M ratio = Food to Microorganism ratio
# kgBOD/day
# kg MLSS in basin
MCRT = Mean Solid Retention Time
# Solid in inventory
# solid lost (TSS + WASS)
SV30 = 30 min sludge settling volume
SV30(%) x 1000
MLSS (g/L)

SVI = Sludge Volume Index

 Basic Terminology

HRT = Hydraulic Retention Time

DO = Dissolved Oxygen

RAS = Return Activated Sludge

WAS = Waste Activated Sludge

OUR = Oxygen Uptake Rate

= [(DO0.15 min. - DOn min.) (n-0.15)] x 60 (mg/L/hr)

SOUR = Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate

= OURmg/l/hr MLVSSgrams
 F/M Ratio = Organic Loading
F / M ratio = Food / Mass ratio

One of the most important operational parameter to determine if system is in

balance and properly operated

Organic loading (F/M) gives the amount of food per bacteria

For optimal operation and good floc formation:

F/M = 0.15 - 0.7 kg COD/kg MLVSS
F/M = 0.10 - 0.4 kg BOD/kg MLVSS
 F/M Ratio Calculation

F/M = Kg influent BOD / day

Kg of MLSS in aeration basin

Q (m 3/d) * BOD (g/l = kg/m3)

F/M = in in
Vaeration (m3) * MLSS (g/l = kg/m3)

Use reactor volume only of the aeration tank

(do not include anoxic compartment or clarifier)
 Sludge Age and Wasting Rate
The average time the sludge is in the system is called: MCRT =
Mean Cell Residence Time or Sludge Age or Sludge Retention
Time (SRT)
Controls the Sludge Quality, Settling and effluent quality
The solids lost each day should equal the solids generated by
biological reproduction

Methods of Sludge Wasting Control

Maintain Constant MLSS

Maintain Constant F/M ration

Maintain Constant Sludge age

 Sludge Age Calculation

* Solids Inventory = Kg of MLSS in aeration basin plus secondary clarifier

** Solids lost per day includes both, the Kg of MLSS lost in the effluent from
the secondary clarifier plus the solids wasted intentionally
 SVI
SVI is an objective, single number
SVI is based on thirty minute settling of 1 liter sludge
Indicates the behavior of activated sludge in the final clarifier
Settleometer curves provide SVI data and more

Settleometer Test Results:

Good settling
Poor settling, but clear supernatant
Good settling, but sludge rises in clarifier
Poor settling, with cloudy supernatant
Good settling, with small ash like particles floating
on clarifier
Good settling, but pin or straggler floc in
supernatant
 SVI Calculation
settled solids, ml/l (after 30 min)
SVI =
MLSS (g/L)

For optimal operation and good floc formation: SVI = 100

When SVI > 150 indicating problems
 Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT)
The Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) is the amount of time that
water will remain in the aeration basin (the amount of time a
bacteria can feed on the wastes)

aeration basin Q+R

influent Q

Q Q+R
effluent

RAS
WAS
 Sludge Age and Wasting Rate
The average time the sludge is in the system is called: MCRT = Mean Cell
Residence Time or Sludge Age or Sludge Retention Time (SRT)
Controls the Sludge Quality, Settling and effluent quality
The solids lost each day should equal the solids generated by biological
reproduction

Methods of Sludge Wasting Control

Maintain Constant MLSS

Maintain Constant F/M ration

Maintain Constant Sludge age

 Sludge Age Calculation

* Solids Inventory = Kg of MLSS in aeration basin plus secondary clarifier

** Solids lost per day includes both, the Kg of MLSS lost in the effluent from
the secondary clarifier plus the solids wasted intentionally
Secondary
Treatment
Systems
 Secondary Treatment Purposes

Secondary treatment processes in the overall waste treatment

system have three major purposes:

Biological oxidation of the soluble organic matter that remains

after primary treatment;

Absorption of the suspended solids carried over from primary

treatment as well as settling of the solids generated because of
the biological process;

Biological removal of certain nutrients like ammonia, nitrate and

phosphorus that are dissolved in the wastewater.
 Types of Secondary Treatment Systems

Anaerobic Secondary treatment is a biological

No oxygen and no nitrate source process relying on bacteria to
Converts COD to CH4 + CO2 perform the degradation of organic
Low biomass yield compounds. Different type of the
secondary systems promote
different types bacteria.
Anoxic
Low oxygen (DO < 0.5 ppm), combined oxygen such as nitrate and nitrite are supplied
Convert nitrate and nitrite to nitrogen gas
Need sources for organics

Aerobic
DO > 0.5 ppm
Bacteria use oxygen to convert COD to CO2 + H2O + New Biomass
Very common worldwide
Oxygen transfer is critical
 Anaerobic Treatment
Anaerobic:
COD CO2 + CH4 + Biomass
Absence of oxygen
Produces energy (methane)
Low biomass production
Granular sludge; easy settling
Small reactor volume & footprint
Anaerobic Treatment Equipment

Anaerobic Anaerobic Bio-Reactors

Digester
IC Reactor

UASB
 Aerobic Treatment
Aerobic: Sections for COD(removal) and Ammonia oxidation
Section with added oxygen (diffused air)
Biomass removes here includes the bulk of COD and:
Biomass converts (oxidize) Ammonia into Nitrate/Nitrite(NO3 / NO2)
- Known as NITRIFICATION
- This biochemical step uses high amounts of oxygen
- pH decreases significantly during nitrification: acid is bio- chemically produced!
Nitrified wastewater/biomass mixture is recycled to Anoxic tank in A/O system
 Aerobic Treatment

Aerobic Treatment Process

Poly- Fixed Film Systems

New Cells Storage saccharides
Trickling filter units
H2 O
Rotating biological contactors (RBC)
Cell CO2 Biofor (clay pellets)
Absorbed Organics
Cell Slime
Membrane layer Suspended Growth Systems
Activated sludge systems
O2
NH3-H, PO4 SBR (Sequential Bach Reactors)
Soluble Organics Stabilization ponds
Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
 Anoxic Treatment
Anoxic: Continuous re-circulating biomass/wastewater mixture
Section without added oxygen (diffused air)
NO3 & NO2 recycle stream from aeration basin serves as oxygen source
Biomass consumes/requires COD during this process
Stripped oxygen from NO3 & NO2 leads to N2 gas formation (DENITRIFICATION)
pH will show slight increase: alkalinity is bio-chemically produced!
 Combined Process A/O System

A/O - BOD/Nitrogen Removal Process

Internal recycle NO2-, NO3-

N2 NO2-,
NO3-

Anoxic Basin Aerobic Basin Effluent

Clarifier
NH4+, NH4+,
Denitrification BOD removal
BOD BOD Nitrification
BOD removal
RAS
WAS
Combined Process A/O System
 Combined Process A2/O System
A2/O - BOD/Nitrogen/Phosphorous Removal Process

One of the key operational parameters is SRT in the clarifier.

If SRT is too long, oxygen deficient conditions can be developed in the clarifier,
and some phosphorous can be released before the sludge is removed.
If SRT is too short, the settling rate is slow.
Activated Sludge
Process
 What Can Activated Sludge Do?

Activated sludge plants can perform 4 basic functions:

Degradation (oxidation) of carbonaceous wastes (COD removal)

Degradation (oxidation) of nitrogenous wastes
Removal of fine solids
Removal of low levels of heavy metals

These functions are achieved by micro-organisms.

Overall, the process is a 2-step process:

Step 1. Turn soluble pollutant molecule into bacteria cells
Step 2. Remove bacteria cells via solid/liquid separation
Activated Sludge Process
 Principle of Activated sludge Treatment

Poly-
New Cells Storage saccharides
H 2O
Cell CO2
Absorbed Organics
Cell Slime
Membrane layer

NH3-H, PO4
O2
Soluble Organics

NH3, PO4
Organic Carbon + O2 New Cells + CO2 + H2O
Aerobic Bacteria
 How it Works COD Degradation

For bacteria to make new bacteria, they need to have the chemical
building blocks available.

The most important building block is carbon, as this makes up

about 50% of the new cells mass.

Aerobic bacteria get their carbon from the organic waste that are in
the wastewater. Thus bacteria make new population by using the
pollutant molecule as a cell building block.

3-
 How it Works Nitrogenous Waste Removal

The bacterial cell is made up of organic and inorganic material.

Typically a bacterial cell is 85% organic (volatile) material.

Carbon makes up about 50% of the cell mass.

Nitrogen makes up around 5% of the cell mass.

Phosphorus makes up around 1% of the cell mass.

3-
 How it Works Fine Solids Removal

Most bacteria have a type of slime coating around them. T he fine

particle sticks to this slime layer.
 How it Works Heavy Metal Removal

Activated sludge removes heavy metals by allowing the heavy metal

to bridge two or more bacterial cells, and then are removed by
wasting sludge.
 How it Works Cant Consume
Complex Molecules
The bacteria can only consume a pollutant molecule if it is small
enough to enter inside the bacterial cell.

For this to occur, the molecule must be

Dissolved
Very simple in form. Large complex organic molecules cannot traverse
across the cell wall.
 How It Works 2 Criteria for Success

The activated sludge process must do two things to be effective:

Degrade waste products

Form a good floc so the biomass settles quickly (Liquid/Solid Separation)
 Activated Sludge System Sludge Production

Sludge production in an activated sludge system is expressed as the net effect

of two processes:
Synthesis of new organisms resulting from assimilation of organic matter
removed
Reduction of the mass organisms under aeration by the process of die-off and
oxidation over an extended period of time (endogenous respiration)

As a result, sludge production is mainly functions of total BOD treated in the

process and sludge retention time. Typically, 0.5~0.6 kg Sludge/kg of BOD.
 Conventional Activated Sludge System

Conventional activated sludge process consists of an aeration tank, a secondary

clarifier, a method of returning sludge to the aeration tank, and a means of
wasting excess sludge from the system.

During aeration absorption, flocculation, and oxidation of the organic matter take
place. The mixed liquor is settled in the secondary clarifier, and sludge is returned at
a rate of approximately 25-100% of the influent flow rate.
 Variations of Activated Sludge Process

Complete mix Oxidation ditch

Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) Membrane Bio Reactors (MBRs)

 Activated Sludge Process Control Concept
Each WWT plant will be operated within a range of process control parameters
based on the original design that will tend to keep the biological process in a
stead state condition.

Solids retention time (SRT), MCRT or sludge age

The activated sludge system can be controlled based on keeping the SRT
value at a level at which the plant achieves optimum effluent quality.
SRT too high scare food condition , pin floc high effluent turbidity
SRT too low young sludge, fluffy floc slow settling
Food-to-microorganisms (F/M)
The F/M along with MLVSS are important design criteria for sizing the
aeration basin and, along with sludge age, are important operational
criteria.
MLSS and MLVSS
Suspended solids level is directly related with sludge settling properties
and effluent quality.
Return activated sludge (RAS)
Adjustments in RAS flow rate is occasionally needed for proper operation.
 Activated Sludge System

Advantages:
Very good removal efficiency
Require limited space (HRT in 3 to 24 hour range)
Reliable operator control capability
Can handle shock loads
Can handle high loaded waste streams
Excellent solids removal capability

Disadvantages:
Requires highly trained operators
Requires substantial monitoring
Energy cost (aeration)
Microbiology
What is inside the sludge?

54
 Microorganisms in Biological Treatment

Biomass related to the oxygen source:

Anaerobic microorganisms
Does not use oxygen (O2 is toxic)
Facultative microorganisms(Anoxic section)
With/without O2. Can use chemical source of oxygen
like NO3 /NO2 or SO4
Aerobic microorganisms
Use oxygen

Microorganisms can switch based on the environment it is in.

 Microorganisms in Activated Sludge System

Mixed liquor (MLSS) consists of :

Viable bacteria - 10 - 15 %
Nonviable bacteria Floc forming bacteria
Filamentous bacteria
Dead cell matter
Exocellular material (polysaccharides)
Inorganic material
Higher life forms Indicator organisms
 Two Basic Types of Bacteria

Floc Forming Bacteria

Filament Forming Bacteria

 Floc Forming Bacteria
Floc forming bacteria: Healthy system allows solid-liquid separation

Develop as system matures and

stabilizes

Generate varying amounts of

polysaccharides to enhance floc
formation

In absence of turbulence
bacteria stick together to form
flocs which are heavy enough to
settle (depends on age etc.)

Settling rate should be slow to

entrap all particulate matter.
 Filamentous Bacteria

Filamentous bacteria: High numbers inhibit setting

Grow in strands, instead of forming

flocs
High surface area allows them to
compete effectively for limited
resources
In low numbers they are beneficial as
they help strengthen the floc structures
If overly abundant, filaments will bridge
among flocs and hinder sludge settling
( AKA filamentous bulking)
Generally an indicator of some type of
system deficiency or imbalance
Filamentous Bacteria

Causes of filamentous
bacteria overgrowth
Low DO
Low pH (<6.5)
F/M ratios
Nutrient Deficiency (P or N)
Septic wastewater/sulfides

60
 Free swimming Bacteria

Free swimming bacteria: Microbial shock response to high loading

of BOD or upset toxic shock

Positive aspects:
Degrade BOD
provide food source for
higher life forms

Negative aspects:
Cause TSS problems
Can increase demand for
polymer
 Higher Life Forms
Higher Life Forms: Indicator Organisms

Consist of more complex single-celled and

multi-celled organisms
Appearance of higher life forms can be viewed
as an evolutionary process as the system
matures and stabilizes
Increase flocculation of bacteria
Remove dispersed bacteria
The relative number of the different higher life
forms is an indication of process stability
Also, good indicators of adverse conditions,
such as low oxygen of toxicity
 Amoebae
Naked amoeba Testate amoebae
Flagellates
Free Swimming Ciliates

65
Stalked Ciliates

Colonial or Branched Single or solitary

Suctorians
 Rotifers

Digononta Class

Monogononta Class
Worms
Higher Life Forms - Indicator Organisms

F/M ratio decreases MCRT increases

 Quantifying Higher Life Forms

None 0
Few 1-5
Some 6-9
Common 10-49
Amoebae Flagellates Free Swimming Stalked Ciliates Rotifers Worms
Ciliates
Abundant Greater than 50
Organisms
10 Fields at 100X
Abundant (>5 per field)
Common (1-5 per field)
Some ( >5 ) x
Few (1-5) x x x
None x x

# of higher life forms 3 0 0 2 9 1

Comments:
Higher Life Forms - Indicator Organisms
 Bacterial Growth

An understanding of the growth pattern of bacteria is

important to the design and operation of an activated
sludge process.
Bacteria reproduce by fission (one cell splitting into two, two into four etc).
Biological Growth Curve
Biological Growth Curve
 Micro-life Forms and Biological Growth Curve
We can superimpose the expected life forms onto the biological growth
curve.
 Bacterial Requirements

Must be large in population.

The larger the population the more BOD that can be removed in
a given time.

Must be a very diverse population.

Since no one type of bacteria can degrade all kinds of wastes,
there needs to be many different kinds of bacteria to make sure
all the waste types are degraded.

The bacteria must be active and healthy.

No toxic or inhibitory condition can exist in the biomass.
Secondary Biological Treatment
 !

THANK YOU!
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