250 125

Substrate, S; Biomass, X (mg/L)

Treatment efficiency (percent)

200 100

S (mg COD/L)
150 X (mg VSS/L) 75
Efficiency (percent)

100 50

50 25

0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Retention time, tR (days)

Lecture 17.xls 2/20/2006

 EFFECT OF SOLIDS RETENTION TIME, c, ON THE SETTLING
PROPERTIES OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

20
Zone Settling Velocity, ft/hr

2000 mg/L-MLSS
16
Stirred
12 Unstirred

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Solids Retention Time (days)

Figure by MIT OCW.

Adapted from: WEF. Wastewater Treatment Plant Design. Alexandria, Virginia: Water Environment Federation, 2003.
 TYPICAL OPERATING RANGE FOR ACTIVATED-SLUDGE SYSTEMS

6000

Suggested maximum
5000
MLSS Concentration, mg/L

4000 SVI = 50
Aeration Tank

SVI = 100
3000 SVI = 150
Common SVI = 200
operating range SVI = 400
2000

1000

0 1 2 3
Return Sludge Ratio, R:Q

Figure by MIT OCW.

Adapted from: WEF. Wastewater Treatment Plant Design. Alexandria, Virginia: Water Environment Federation, 2003.