Primary Methods for

Waste Water Treatment

CHAPTER 3:
Environmental Microbiology

© SHAHRUL ISMAIL, DESc.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT University College of Science and Technology Malaysia
Content
 Introduction
 Basic Characteristics of Raw Effluent
 Water Treatment Process
 Screening and grit removal
 Primary sedimentation (settling/clarification)
 Coagulation (Rapid mixing)
 Flocculation
 Secondary sedimentation
 Filtration
 Disinfection

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Introduction
Wastewater discharged from a textile wet processing plant contains
various types of impurities depending on the type of dyes, chemicals,
auxiliaries and process used. Some of these impurities are considered
toxic while some are not.

Off course the toxicity or harmfulness also depends on the amount

present in a certain amount of wastewater.

Therefore, the wastewater needs to be treated by Physical , Chemical

&Biological Methods.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Basic Characteristics of Raw Effluent

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Water Treatment – Process
Water Intake Pump House Screening

Coagulation Aeration Pre-Sedimentation

Flocculation Sedimentation Filtration

Distribution Disinfection

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

An overall View

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Screening

First unit operation

Screen is a device with openings generally of uniform size

Used to retain solids found in effluent

Principle role is to remove coarse materials that could

damage:
Subsequent Process Equipment
Reduce Process Effectiveness
Contaminate Waterways

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Classification of Screens
Screening

Coarse Screens(6 -50 mm) Micro Screens(<0.5um) Fine Screens(<6mm)

Hand Mechanically
Cleaned Cleaned Static Drum Step

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

A view of Screen

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Screening

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Grit Removal

• The purpose of grit removal is to remove the heavy inorganic

solids that could cause excessive mechanical wear. Grit is heavier
than inorganic solids and includes, sand,gravel, clay, egg shells,
coffee grounds, metal filings, seeds, and other similar materials.
• All the processes are based on the fact that grit is heavier than the
organic solids, which should be kept in suspension for treatment
in following processes. Grit removal may be accomplished in grit
chambers or by the centrifugal separation of sludge.
• Processes use gravity and velocity, aeration, or centrifugal force
to separate the solids from the wastewater.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Pre-Sedimentation
 Required if the raw water is too dirty.

 Store the raw water temporarily before proceed to the main process.

 Removes the particles that will settle out by gravity alone within
few hours.

 Sedimentation basin/clarifier – circular/rectangular tank holds water

for suspended solids settlement.

 Equipped with bottom scraper and hopper that removes collected

sludge.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
Aeration
Purpose :

 Eliminate unneeded dissolved gases

 Increase DO level in water (Oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and Mn2+ to Mn4+)

 Remove VOC(Hazardous for health e.g. benzine, xylene etc)

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Aeration – Types
Air
Multiplatform Aerator
Cascade Aerator
Aerated
Water
Platforms

Raw Water
Water Basin

Aerated Water

Perforated Pipe

Air Supply

Raw
Water
Throat
Venturi

Sludge
Raw Water Aerated Water

Venturi Aerator Draft Tube

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT
A view-Aeration

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Coagulation
1) Many of suspended water particles have a negative electrical charge.

2) Coagulation eliminates natural electrical charge so they attrack and stick to

each other.

3) Form particles large enough to be removed by the subsequent settling or

filtration process

How ?

- Coagulant chemicals are added to water, rapid mixing ; causing a reduction

of the forces tend to keep particles apart.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Factors Affecting Coagulation Process

 Chemical Coagulant Dosage

 pH Adjustment

 Turbidity

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Coagulation - Chemicals
Most commonly used coagulants :
Chemicals Description

Alum (Aluminium Sulphate) Often used in conjuction with cationic

polymers
Ferric Chloride May be more effective than alum in
some application
Ferric Sulphate Effective in some waters and more
economical in some location
Cationic Polymers Can be used alone as the primary
coagulant or in conjunction with
aluminium or iron coagulant

Others :

Sodium aluminate

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Flocculation

Operational Considerations
 Flocculation is the process whereby smaller particles (inorganic and
Flocculation requires careful attention to the mixing velocity and amount of mix energy.
organic), water-stable
To prevent the soil aggregates,
floc from tearing or flocs
apart or shearing, aggregate
the mixing velocitytoand
form larger
energy input
are usually (flocs)
particles in aasflowing
tapered off the size ofmedium.
the floc increases. Once flocs are torn apart, it is
difficult to get them to reform to their optimum size and strength. The amount of
operator control available in flocculation is highly dependent upon the type and design of
The formation of flocs is a complicated process that is driven by a
the equipment.
combination of mechanisms, physical (e.g., turbulence), chemical (e.g.,
ionic concentration), and biological (bacterial populations and
extracellular polymeric material).

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 Filtration

 Passage of water through a porous medium to remove

remaining flocs or suspended solids.
 Suspended matter and colloidal matter are removed.
 Chemical characteristic of water are changed.
 Number of bacteria materially reduced.
 Assist significantly by reducing the load on the
disinfections process, increasing disinfection efficiency.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

Cont..............

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

References

• www.Scribd.com
• Environmental Engineering: Water, Wastewater, Soil and Groundwater
Treatment and Remediation Sixth EditionEdited by Nelson L. Nemerow,
Franklin J. Agardy, Patrick Sullivan, and Joseph A. Salvato.
• A Guide to waste Water Treatment by Sugath.
• Waste Water Treatment Manual Environmental Protection Agency
Ardcavan, Wexford, Ireland.

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT

 THANK YOU FOR
PLEASANT HEARING..

Izan Jaafar, Engineering Science, FST, UMT