WASTEWATER TREATMENT

WASTEWATER MICROBIOLOGY OVERVIEW

CLASIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS:

By kingdoms : animals, plants, protista, fungi, bacteria.

By energy and carbon source :

Carbon is the basic building block for cell synthesis

examples
Heterotrophic organic material as carbon source.
Autotrophic CO2 as carbon source
Energy for cell synthesis
Phototrophs Solar energy
Chemotrophs Organic or inorganic oxidation /
reduction

WASTE WATER MICROBIOLOGY

OVERVIEW(contd.)

By their relationship to oxygen

Obligate aerobes:

Must have oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor

Aerobic system
Obligate anaerobes:

Cannot survive in the presence of oxygen

Anaerobic system
Facultative anaerobes

Can grow in the absence and presence of oxygen

Anoxic

Facultative anaerobes (denitrifiers)

Utilizes nitrites (N02-) and nitrates (N03-) as terminal electron

acceptor

By their preferred temperature regime :

Psychrophiles <20C
Mesophiles > 25 to 40C
Thermophiles > 60C

BACTERIAL METABOLISM

DECOMPOSITION OF WASTE

The type of electron acceptor available for

catabolism determines the type of decomposition.
AEROBIC DECOMPOSITION :
Applied to large quantities of dilute wastewater
(BOD5<500mg/L).
Decomposition is rapid, efficient and low odour
potential
Molecular Oxygen (O2) is the terminal electron
acceptor for aerobic oxidation.
Large energy is released.
High growth rates.

DECOMPOSITION OF WASTE (contd.)

ANOXIC DECOMPOSITION :
Uses nitrogen e.g. N02- , N03- as terminal electron
acceptor in absence of molecular oxygen
Used to reduce nitrogen content of water to control
water pollution
ANAEROBIC DECOMPOSITION :
Molecular Oxygen and nitrate must be absent as
terminal electron acceptors
Decomposition is a two stage process

complex organics are fermented to low molecular

weight fatty acids (volatile acids)
Organic acids are converted to methane
Process is reduction with electron acceptance e . g
CO2 , SO4
Low energy is released
Cell production is low
Characterized by obnoxious odor.

DECOMPOSITION OF WASTE
(contd.)

BACTERIAL GROWTH REQUIREMENTS

Major requirements to be satisfied for bacterial growth :

A terminal electron acceptor
Macronutrients
Carbon to build cells
Nitrogen to build cells
Phosphorus to ATP (energy carrier) and DNA
Micronutrients
Trace metals
Vitamins required by some bacteria
Appropriate Environment

Moisture
Temperature
pH

BACTERIAL GROWTH IN MIXED

CULTURES

In wastewater treatment a mixture of species compete

and survive within the limits set by the environment
governed by the principles of synergy and symbiosis.
Pure cultures of microorganisms do not exist
Population dynamics is the description of the time
varying success of the various species in competition
with each other.
The dynamics of microbial population is governed by;
Competition for food
Predator prey relationship

BACTERIAL GROWTH IN MIXED

CULTURES (population dynamics)

Population dynamics in activated sludge process

(closed system)

BACTERIAL GROWTH IN MIXED

CULTURES (population dynamics) contd.

Population dynamics in activated sludge process (open

system)

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MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER
TREATMENT SYSTEMS

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MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER
TREATMENT UNITS

Pre- treatment : Bar rack , Grit chamber , equalization basin

Purpose : To provide protection to the wastewater treatment

plant (WWTP) equipment that follow.
Primary treatment : Pre treatment plus primary setting.

Main goal : To remove pollutants that will either settle or

floatable.

To remove about 60% suspended solids and 35% BOD in raw

sewage.
Secondary treatment :Primary treatment plus biological
treatment.

Major goal : Remove the soluble BOD that escapes primary

treatment processes and to provide additional removal of
suspended solids . These goals are achieved by using
biological processes.
Tertiary treatment :

Major goal : Removal of excess nitrogen , phosphorus , heavy

metals , pathogenic microorganisms.
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Process may involve physical e.g. filtration , chemical

treatment , biological land application etc.

MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT

IN MALAYSIA

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MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER
TREATMENT UNITS(contd.)

UNIT PROCESSES OF SECONDARY TREATMENT :

The major purpose of secondary treatment is :
To remove the soluble BOD5 that escapes
primary treatment .
Further removal of suspended solids.
Common approaches used are :
Trickling filters (TF)
Activated sludge (AS)
Oxidation ponds (Lagoons)
Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) a hybrid
of TF + AS.

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TRICKLING FILTER

Description :
Consist of a bed of coarse material e.g. stones , slats ,
plastic materials over which wastewater is applied
A microbial growth is established on the surface of the stone
or packing forming a fixed film.
The wastewater passes over the stationary fixed film
microbial population which utilizes the organic content for
growth and energy.
Excess growth of microorganisms wash from the media
surface and goes into the sedimentation basin known as
secondary clarifier or final clarifier
Disinfection is carried out in some cases after which the
effluent is discharged into water bodies.
Sludge accumulated in the final clarifier is taken out for
further treatment and disposal.
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TRICKLING FILTER (contd.)

Some portion of the effluent is returned into the trickling filter

known as Recirculation
The ratio of returned flow to incoming is called recirculation
ratio (Qr)
Some benefits of recirculation
To increase contact efficiency
To dampen variation in plant loadings
To increase the DO of the influent.
To improve distribution over the surface , thus reducing
the tendency to clog the pipes as well as reduce flies.
To prevent the biological slimes from drying out and
dying during low flows at night.
Two stage filters may be used to improve the
performance of filters. The second stage acts as a
polishing step for the effluent.
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TRICKLING FILTER (contd.)

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TRICKLING FILTER (contd.)

Two Stage Trickling Filter

Provides a means of improving the performance of
filters.
The second stage is a polishing step by providing
additional contact time between the waste and the
microorganisms
Both stages may have the same media or different
media.
Selection is based on desired treatment efficiencies and
an economic analysis of the alternatives.

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TRICKLING FILTER (contd.)

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ACTIVATED SLUDGE

Description :
Principle :
A mixture of wastewater and biological sludge
(microorganisms) is mixed and agitated and aerated.
Biological solids are separated from the treated wastewater
and aeration process.
Method :
Air is injected to mix with the wastewater and activated
sludge to supply oxygen needed by the organisms to break
down the organics.
The mixture of activated sludge and wastewater in the
aeration tank is known ass MIXED LIQUOR
The mixed liquor flows into the secondary clarifier where
the activated sludge settles out.
Most of the settled sludge is returned to the aeration tank.
This helps in maintaining a high population of microbes to
perform rapid breakdown of the organics.
The remaining activated sludge called waste activated 20
sludge (WAS) is sent for treatment and disposal.

ACTIVATED SLUDGE
Conventional Activated Sludge Treatment System

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS

Assumption made in the development of AS design

equations :
The influent and effluent biomass concentrations are
negligible compared to that in the reactor.
The influent food (So) is immediately diluted to the
reactor (homogeneously mixed)
All biochemical reactions occur in the CSTR.
Complete mixed activated sludge design principle
(CSTR)
It involves the mass balance application of the
kinetics equation of microbial growth

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Completely mixed Biological Reactor with Solids Recycle

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE TREATMENT

SYSTEMS (contd.)

Mass balance for biomass

Biomass accumulated = Influent Biomass- Biomass in effluent +
Biomass wasted
m SX

QX o V
k d X (Q Qw ) X e Qw X r
Ks S

Q = wastewater flow rate into aeration tank , m3/d

Xo = microorganism concentration (volatile suspended solids , VSS) entering
the aeration tank , mg/L
V = Volume of aeration tank , m3
m = maximum growth rate constant , d-1
S = soluble BOD5 in aeration tank and effluent , mg/L
X = microorganism concentration (mixed liquor volatile suspended solids
,MLVSS) in aeration tank mg/L
ks = half velocity constant = soluble BOD5 concentration at the maximum
growth rate ,mg/L
kd = decay rate of microorganisms d-1
Qw = flow rate of wasted activated sludge , m3/d
Xe = microorganism concentration (VSS) in effluent , mg/L
Xr = microorganism concentration (VSS) in wasted activated sludge , mg/L
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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)

Assumption that the influent and effluent biomass concentrations

are negligible compared to that in the reactor eliminates QXo and
(Q-Qw)Xe

SX

V m
k d X Qw X r
Ks S

re - arranging we have
m SX Qw X r

kd
Ks S
VX
The equation for mass balance for food (soluble BOD 5 ) is given by
m SX
(Q Qw ) S Qw S
QSo V
Y (K s S
where Y yield coefficien t
on rearrangin g we have,
m SX Q Y

(So S )
Ks S V X

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)
Equating the equal parameters we have,
Qw X r
QY

(So - S ) kd
VX
VX
The hydraulic detention time, of the reactor is given by,
V

Q
The mean cell residence time , c is given by,
VX

Qw X r
Allowing for losses of biomass in the effluent, we have
VX
c
Qw X r (Q Qw ) X e
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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)

IMPORTANT NOTES :
Once the mean cell residence Oc is selected the
concentration of soluble BOD5 ,S in the effluent is fixed :

K (1 k )
S
( k ) 1
s

The soluble BOD5, S , is only affected by the mean cellresidence time and the amount of BOD5 entering the
reactor.
To achieve a desired effluent quality both soluble and
insoluble fractions of BOD5must be considered.
To use equation some estimate of the BOD5 of the
suspended solids must be made first . This value is then
subtracted from the total allowable BOD5 to find the
allowable S ,
S = Total BOD5 allowed BOD5 in suspended solids
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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)

The concentration of microorganisms in the aeration tank is a function

of the mean cell-residence time, hydraulic detention time, and the
difference between the influent and effluent substrate concentrations :

Y (S S )
X
(1 k )
c

SLUDGE RETURN FLOW RATE (Qr)

QX Q X (Q Q ) X
Q
X X
'

'

'

Q = wastewater flow rate

Qr = return sludge flow rate m3/d

X=mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) gm/m3
Xrr = maximum return sludge concentration g/m3
Qw = sludge wasting flow rate
6

'

m3/d

10
mg/L
SVI
SVI sludge volume index
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X r'

DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)

Sludge Volume Index relationship with sludge return

concentration X

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)SVI & Qr

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE TREATMENT

SYSTEMS (contd.) SVI & Temperature

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DESIGN OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

TREATMENT SYSTEMS (contd.)

SLUDGE PRODUCTION

P Y Q( S S )(10 kg / g )
3

obs

Px = net waste activated sludge produced each day in terms of

VSS , kg/d
Yobs = observed yield , kg MLVSS/kgBOD5 removed

obs

1 k
d

Note: VSS is equal to 60 80 % MLVSS

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OXYGEN REQUIREMENTS

Mass of Oxygen required assuming the cell biochemical

oxidation reaction,

C5H7NO2 + 5O2

MO
2

5CO2 +2H2O + NH3 + energy

Q( S S )
10 1.42 P
f
o

f = conversion factor for converting BOD5 to ultimate BODL

Note :

Take account of the purity of Oxygen in air.

Take account of the Oxygen transfer efficiency
(dissolution of Oxygen) into the wastewater.

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Process Design Considerations

The SRT (c) selected for the design is a function of the degree of
treatment required.
A high SRT( or older sludge age) results in higher quantity of solids being
carried in the system and higher degree of treatment being achieved.
A long SRT also results in the production of less waste sludge.
Municipal wastewater generally contain sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus
to support biological growth.
Industrial wastes are generally deficient in nutrients and supplemental
nitrogen and phosphorus may be required.
The ratio of nitrogen to BOD5 should be 1:32
The ration of phosphorous to BOD5 should be 1:150
Toxic metals and organics should be removed during the pretreatment
program to avoid precipitation into the waste sludges leading to hazardous
waste generation.
Volatile organics may be stripped from solution into the atmosphere
creating an air pollution problem.
Surface skimming equipment should be installed in the secondary
treatment system to remove oil and grease.
Grease balls on the surface of the aeration tank cannot be degraded by
the microorganisms because it is not in the water to enable physical
contact to take place.
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Sludge problems

Bulking Sludge
This is sludge with poor settling characteristics and poor
compactability
Types of bulking sludge:
Caused by filamentous organisms
Water trapped in the bacterial floc causing reduction in
density of the agglomerate and resulting in poor settling.
Long slow moving collection system transport
Low availability of ammonia due to high organic loading
Low pH which favours acid-favouring fungi which tend to
predominate
Lack of micro-nutrients, which stimulates predomination of
the filamentous actinomycetes over the normal flocforming bacteria
Lack of nitrogen also favours slime-producing bacteria
which have low specific gravity.

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Sludge problems (contd.)

Rising Sludge
Sludge which floats to the surface after an apparently good
settling.
Results from denitrification i.e. reduction in nitrates and
nitrites to nitrogen gas in the sludge blanket(layer).
The gas is trapped in the sludge blanket causing globs of
sludge to rise to the surface to the effluent leading to water
pollution
Solution of rising sludge problem
Increasing the rate of return of sludge flow(Qr)
Increasing the speed of the sludge collecting mechanism
Decreasing the mean cell residence time
Decreasing the flow from the aeration tank to the clarifier/
settling tank
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ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Used to remove pollutants which escape secondary

treatment e.g nitrogen compounds , phosphorus
compounds , soluble CBOD , heavy metals etc.
Carried out to achieve high quality effluent which can
be used as a source of raw water for treatment to
potable levels (Class A water according to DOE
classification)

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ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT

(contd.)
TREATMENT PROCESSES

Filtration
Removes residual suspended solids , unsettled
microorganisms , residual BOD5.
Carbon Adsorption

Removal of refractory organics by using activated

carbon

Chemical Precipitation

Removal of phosphorus by using ferric chloride, lime

, alum.
Conversion of NH3 to NH4 by pH increase and to N2 by
air stripping
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ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT

(contd.)
TREATMENT PROCESSES (contd.)
Biological process

Nitrification /denitrification

Two stage process

Conversion of NH3, NH4 into N03 by nitrifying

bacteria

Anoxic denitrification by bacteria by converting

N03 to nitrogen gas N2

Land treatment

Application of effluents from secondary treatment on land

using water application methods employed in irrigation e.g
slow rate , overland flow , rapid infiltration
The wastewater and nutrients its contains is exploited as a
resource.
Land treatment of effluent provide moisture and nutrients
necessary for crop growth .This would be a valuable
resource in arid and semi arid areas of the world.
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Land treatment

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SLUDGE TREATMENT

Sources of sludge and characteristics

Grit : made up of sand , broken glass cloth etc collected in the
grit chamber.
These are non biodegradable so they are disposed off in a
sanitary landfill site.
Primary or raw sludge :
Sludge at the bottom of primary clarifiers.
Contains 3 to 3 % solids
Contains about 70% organic.
Rapidly turns anaerobic.
Secondary Sludge
Contains microorganisms and inert materials from
clarifiers.
Contains 0.5 to 2 % solids for WAS and 2 to 5% for TF.
Contains about 90% organic matter.
Tertiary Sludges :
Depends on the nature of the process i.e physical,
biological or chemical
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SLUDGE TREATMENT....

Thickening: Separating as much water as possible by

gravity or flotation
Stabilization: Converting organics solids to more inert form
for easy handling or for use as soil conditioners i.e.
digestion( biochemical oxidation processes).
Conditioning: Treating sludge with chemicals or heat so
that the water can be readily separated.
Dewatering: Separating water by subjecting the sludge to
vacuum, pressure or drying.
Reduction: Converting the solids to a stable form by wet
oxidation or incineration: Chemical oxidation processes
sludge volume decrease).
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SLUDGE TREATMENT...

UTILIZATION OF SLUDGE

Bioconversion into useful products e,g. composting ,

activated carbon , bio-fuels e.g. methane, biohydrogen bio-ethanol,
Chemical recovery e.g. lime recovery
Controlled crops : Using irrigation techniques.

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SLUDGE TREATMENT
& DISPOSAL PROCESSES

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Assignment on Activated Sludge (AS) Systems.

The town of Gatesville has been directed to upgrade its
primary WWTP to a secondary plant that can meet an effluent
standard of 30 mg/L BOD and 30 mg/L suspended solids (SS).
They have selected a completely mixed activated sludge
system. Assuming that the BOD of the estimated SS may be
estimated equal to 63% of the SS concentration, estimate the
required volume of the aeration tank. The following data are
available from the existing primary plant.
Existing plant effluent characteristics
Flow = 0.15 m3/s
BOD = 84 mg/L
Assume the following values for the growth constants:
Ks = 100 mg/L BOD; m = 2.5 day-1; kd = 0.050 day-1; Y =
0.50 mg VSS/ mg BOD removed; MLVSS = 2000 mg/L

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