05-BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT (Activated Sludge)

A.) Microbial Growth Curve

The growth curve shown is typical of a closed, batch system for a single type of micro-
organism (i.e. pure culture). Wastewater treatment plant has a diverse assortment
of microbes, but this model is a useful place to start).
a.) Lag phase – the microorganism are adjusting to the environment and the substrate
(food) during this phase. They have limited growth and use little of the substrate.
b.) Exponential growth phase– once the microorganism had adjusted, they undergo
rapid exponential growth, but this phase cannot continue indefinitely. If it did, a
single bacterial cell weighing about 10-12 gram and doubling every 20 minutes could
produce a population weighing about 4000x the weight of earth in 48 hrs.
c.) Stationary phase – byproduct and waste accumulat-ion, restriction of substrate or
nutrient levels limits the population size that can be supported (K). During this period
little or no growth occurs, and there is no net increase or decrease in cell number.
d.) Death or endogenous phase – eventually due to increase in byproducts, wastes, and
or lack of substrates and nutrients, death becomes greater than the growth rate and the
microbial population declines.
B.) The Monod equation
For the large numbers and mixed cultures of organism in wastewater it is convenient to
measure biomass rather than number of organism. This is done by measuring suspended
solids or volatile suspended solids, VSS (those that burn at 550 +/- 50oC). When the WW
contains soluble organic matter only, the VSS is reasonably representative. The presence
of non-soluble organic matter ( which is often the case in WW) confuses theissue. Correct-
ions have to be made.
The exponential bacterial growth rate (refer to the above growth curve)is defined as:
equation (1) where: rg= biomass growth rate, (mg/li.day)
m= specific growth rate, (1/day)
X = biomass concentration, (mg/li)

for a batch reactor: equation (2)

Because of the difficulty of direct measurement of m in mixed cultures, Jacques Monod

developed a model equation which assumes that the rate of food use (and therefore the
rate of biomass production), is limited by the rate of food consumption that is in shortest
supply relative to what is needed. The Monod equation is:
where: mm= maximum specific growth rate, (1/day)
equation (3) S = concentration of limiting food in solution, (mg/li.)
KS = half-saturation constant
= concentration of limiting food when m = 0.5mm,
The relationship of the growth rate constant m and the limiting food concentration S is a
hyperbolic curve as shown (the saturation constant Ks is the food concentration when the
growth rate m is (1/2)of the maximum growth rate,mm.
 The Monod equation assumed only the growth rate of the microorganism and had
not taken into account the natural die-off. To take into account the death or decay
of the microbial mass, the equation (3) above is expanded to:
where:
equation (4) kd = endogenous decay
rate, (1/day)
If all the food in the system were converted to biomass, the rate of food use would equal
the rate of of biomass production but because of inefficiency, the rate of food use will be
greater than the biomass production (or the rate of biomass produced is always less than
the food consumed), hence: where:
Y = yield cofficient, ie. fraction of food
equations (5) converted to biomass.

C.) Completely-Mixed Activated Sludge Process

The activated sludge process is a suspended growth aerobic process of WW treatment
There are many variations to the activated sludge process since its inception in 1914 by
Ardern & Lockett. For the development of the basic design equations a completely-mixed
system is used here. Equations (4) and (5) above are fundamental in the development of the
design equation. The basis is the mass balance diagram inside the dotted boundary shown:

At steady-state:
Biomass in influent + biomass accumulated = biomass in influent + biomass wasted equation (6)

Biomass accumulation (biomass inside the aeration tank) = aeration tank vol.) (equation 4),hence:

equation (7)

Equation (6) can then be written as:

equation (8)

3
where: Q = wastewater flowrate to the the aeration tank, (m /day)
Xo= microorganism concentration, volatile suspended solids or VSS of the WW entering
the aeration tank, (mg/li)
V = vol.of aerarion tank, (m3)
mm= maximum specific growth rate, (1/day)
S = soluble BOD5in aeration atnk and effluent, (mg/li)
X = microorganism concentration in the aerartion tank, Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended
Solids or MLVSS, (mg/li)
KS = half-saturation constant = soluble BOD5 when m = 0.5mm
kd = endogenous microorganism decay rate, (1/day)
KS = half-saturation constant
Qw = flowrate of liquid containing microorganism to be wasted, (m3/day)
Xe = microorganism concentration (VSS) in effluent from the secondary clarifier, (mg/li)
Xr = microorganism concentration (VSS) in sludge being wasted, (mg/li)

At steady-state:
 Food in influent - food consumed =
food in effluent + food in WAS (wasted activated sludge) equation (9)
Food consumed in the aeration tank) = aeration tank vol.)[equation (5)], hence:

equation (10)

Equation (9) can then be written as:

equation (11)

where: Y = yield cofficient, ie. fraction of food

converted to biomass.
To develop a working design equations, the following assumptions are made:
1.) the influent & effluent biomass concentration, Xo & Xe are negligible compared to that in
the aeration tank, hence Xo & Xe~ zero.
2.) Perfect mixing, hence So is immediately diluted to the reaction tank concentration S.
3.) Excess microorganism (wasted activated sludge) are removed from system at rate = Q w
and microorganism concentration = Xr
4.) All reactions occur in the aeration tank.

With the first assumption, equation (8) is simplified to:

equation (12)

For convenience, equation (11) maybe rearranged in terms of Monod equation:

equation (13)

For convenience, equation (12) maybe rearranged in terms of Monod equation:

equation (14)

Note that the left terms of equations (13) & (14) are the same. Their right terms then can be equated
and simplified:

equation (15)

The two parts of these equations have physical significance in the design of a completely-mixed
activated system. The inverse of Q/V is the hydraulic detention time, q of the aerator

equation (16)

The inverse of the left side of equation (15) is the mean cell-residence time, qc of the aerator. The
mean cell residence time is also called solids retention time (SRT), or sludge age.

equation (17)

The mean cell residence time however must be modified if the effluent biomass concentration is
not negligible (as in most cases in WW treatment). The modified mean cell residence time which
accounts for biomass losses in the effluent is as follows:
equation (18)

Once the mean cell residence time, qc is selected, the concentration S of the soluble BOD5 is fixed.

equation (19)

TypicalValues of Growth Constant

for Domestic Wastewater
Values
Parameters Basis Range Typical
Ks mg/li BOD5 25-100 60
kd 1/day 0.025-0.075 0.06
 mm 1/day 2 - 10 5
Y mg VSS/mg BOD5 0.4 - 0.8 0.6

It is very important to emphasize the following:

> the concentration of the soluble BOD5 leaving the system (S) is affected only by the mean cell
residence time, qc and not by the amount of BOD5 entering the system.
> S is the soluble BOD5, and not the total BOD5. Some of the fraction of the suspended solids do
not settle in the clarifier and go with the effluent to the receiving water bodies and contributes
to the BOD5 of the effluent discharges. To achieve the desired effluent quality, both the soluble
and the insoluble fractions of the BOD5 must be considered.
Thus using equation (18) to achieve the desired effluent quality (S) by solving for qc requires
that some estimate of the BOD5 of the suspended solids be made first then subtract this from the
total allowable BOD5 in the effluent to find the allowable (S).

equation (20)

The concentration of microorganism can be derived from equation (15):

equation (21)

Example problem 1:
An activated sludge WWTP that can meet an effluent standard of 30 mg/li BOD5 and 30 mg/li suspended
solids is to be built based on the following data:
3
* influent wastewater: Q = 12960 m /day, influent So= 84 mg BOD5/li,
* the suspended solids of the effluent of the secondary clarifier has BOD5 assumed at 63% of its conc.
The following growth constant values are to be used: Ks= 100 mg/li BOD5, mm= 2.5/day, kd= 0.05/day,
Y = 0.50 mg VSS/mg BOD5 removed, MLVSS = 2000 mg/li
Determine the aeration tank volume.

Solution:
allowable S is calculated using equation(19): S = total BOD5 allowed - BOD5of thesuspended solids
S = 30 - (0.63)(30) = 11.1mg/li
the mean cell residence time,qc(or SRT or sludge age) can be calculated using equation 19:
11.1 = (100)(1 + 0.05*qc)/[(qc)(2.5 - 0.05)-1]
qc(or SRT)= 5 days

The hydraulic detention time, q is calculated using equation (20)

2000 = (5)(0.5)(84 - 11.1)/[q(1 +0.05)(5)]

q= 0.073 days = 1.8 hr
The aerator volume is estimated using equation (16)

V = (1.8)(12960/24) = 972 m3

'=========================================================================================
D.) Food-to-Microorganism Ratio (F/M ratio)
A parameter used in regulating the performance of the activated sludge process is the food-to
microorganism ratio, defined as:
units: (mg BOD5/day)/(mg MLVSS) = mg/mg.day equation (22)

The F/M ratio is controlled by wasting part of the microbial mass thereby reducing the MLVSS
* High rate of wasting causes high F/M ratio, and yields organism that are saturated with food.
This results however to poor efficiency of treatment.
* Low wasting rate cause low F/M ratio which yields organism that are starved, resulting to a
more complete degradation of waste.
* Long qc (low F/M ratio) are not always used because of certain trade-offs that must be considered.
Long SRT means higher O2 requirement thus higher power cost. Too long SRT may cause
problem of poor sludge "seattleability" in clarifier. Waste however are more completely
 degraded to final end product and less of waste are converted to microbial cells when micro-
organism are starved at low F/M, producing less sludge to handle.
* Both F/M and the the cell detention time are controlled by wasting of organism hence are
interrelated. High F/M ratio corresponds to shortqc (or SRT), and low F/M ratio to long qc.
* Values of F/M ratio range typically from 0.1 - 1.0 mg/mg.day

Example problem 2:
Calculate the F/M ratio in example 1. Calculation is done using equation (22).

= (0.15)(60)(60)(24)(84)/(972)(2000) = 0.56 mg BOD5/mg MVLSS.day or =12960*84/97

this well within the range of 0.1 - 1.0 mg/mg.day
'=========================================================================================

E.) Sludge Return

The purpose of the sludge return is to maintain a sufficient concentration of activated sludge in
aeration tank.
If the effluent suspended solids (Xe) are negligible:
At steady-state condition: accumulation = inflow - outflow
* note: X' and X'rcontains both
3
where: Q = wastewater flowrate, m /day volatile and non-volatile
Qr= return sludge flowrate, m3/day fractions, hence they differ
X' = mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), g/m3 from X and Xrby a constant
3
X'r= maximum return sludge concentration, g/m factor.
3
Qw= sludge wasting flowrate (m /day)

equation (23) <---- if negligible suspended solids in effluent

If the effluent suspended solids (Xe) are significant:

equation (24) <---- if significant suspended

solids in effluent

Example problem 3:
Estimate the return sludge pumping rate of example problem 1, using the following
3
additional data: * Flow = 0.15 m /s
* MLVSS (X) = 2000 mg/li
* MLSS (X') = 1.43(MLVSS)
* Return sludge concentration (X'r) = 10,000 mg/li
* Effluent suspended solids (X'e) = assumed negligible

Solution:
The return sludge pumping rate, Qrcan be estimated using equation (23) since Xeis negligible.
equation (23) <---- if negligible suspended solids in effluent

Estimate first the amount of wasted sludge, Qwusing equation (17):

Xris the microorganism concentration (VLVSS) in the wasted sludge.

As noted earlier, Xrdiffers from X'rby a constant factor which in this
case is given as MLSS/MLVSS = 1.43, hence can be estimated:
Xr= X'r/1.43 = 10000/1.43 = 6993 mg/li SRT had been calculated earlier (in problem1) = 5 days
3
Qw= (972)(2000)/[(5)(6993) = 55.6 m /day

Q = (0.150 m3/s)(86400s/day) = (12960 m3/day,

X' is estimated in the same manner (MVSS/MLVSS = 1.43) = 1.43(MLVSS) = 1.43(2000) = 2860
the return sludge microorganism concentration (1 mg/li = 1 g/m3) = 10000g/m3
Return sludge, Qr= [(12960)(2860) - (55.6)(10000)]/(10000 - 2860) = 5133 m3/day
'=============================================================================================

F.) Sludge production

 The amount of sludge wasted each day is the difference between the amount of increase in sludge
mass and the suspended solids(SS) lost in the effluent
Mass to be wasted = (increase in MLSS) - (SS) equation (25)
The net activated sludge produced each day is determined by:
equation (26) and equation (27)

where: Px= net waste activated sludge produced each day in terms of VSS (in kg/day)
Yobs= observed yield (in kg MLVSS/kg BOD5removed)

The increase in the MLSS maybe estimated by assuming that VSS is some fraction of MLSS.
It is generally assumed that VSS is 60-80% of MLVSS. Thus the increase of MLSS in equation (27)
may be estimated by dividing Px by a factor of 0.6 - 0.8 (or multipying by 1.25 - 1.667). The mass
of suspended solids lost in the effluent is the product of of (Q - Qw) and the suspended solids
concentration (Xe)
Example problem 4:
Estimate the mass of sludge to be wasted each day in example problem 1.
Solution: Y = range is 0.4-0.8, typical = 0.6
Using equation (26): in the example, 0.5 is used
Yobs= (0.50 kg VSS/kg BOD5 removed)/[1+ (0.05/day)(5 days)] = 0.4 kg VSS/kg BOD5 removed
Using equation (27):

-3
Px = (0.4)(12960)(84-11.1)(10 ) = 377.9 kg VSS/day
The total mass includes inert materials. Using the relationship between MLSS and MVLSS in example
problem 3:

Increase in MLSS = (1.43)(377.9) = 540.4 kg/day

The mass of solids (both volatile and inerts) lost in effluent = (Q - Qw)(Xe), assuming that Xe = 30 mg/li
-3
(Q - Qw)(Xe) = (12960 - 55.6)(30)(10 ) = 387.13
Using equation (25):
Mass to be wasted = (increase in MLSS) - (SS) = 540.4 - 387.13 = 153.27 kg/day (calculation as dry)
'=============================================================================================

G.) Oxygen Demand

An estimate of the oxygen required maybe made from the BOD5of the waste and the amount
of activated sludge wasted each day. If it is assumed that all the BOD5 is converted to end products
the total oxygen demand can be computed by converting all of the BOD5 to BODL. Because a portion of
the waste in converted to new cells that are wasted, the BODL of the wasted cells must be subtracted
from the total oxygen demand. An approximation of the oxygen demand of the wasted cells maybe
made by assuming cell oxidation can be described by the following reaction:
C5H7NO2+ 5O2<----> 5CO2+ 2H2O + NH3+ energy cells
The ratio of gram molecular weights is: oxygen/cells = 5(32)/113 = 1.42
Thus the oxygen demand of the waste activated sludge maybe estimated as 1.42(P x)
The mass of oxygen required maybe estimated as:

equation (28)

3
where: Q = wastewater flow rate (m /day)
So= influent soluble BOD5(mg/li)
S = effluent soluble BOD5(mg/li)
f = conversion factor for converting BOD5 to BODL
Px=waste activated sludge produced
The volume of air supply must take into account the % that is oxygen and the transfer
efficiency that of the dissolution of of oxygen into the wastewater.

Example problem 4
Estimate the volume of air to be supplied to the WWTP in example problem 1. Assume BOD 5is 68% of the
ultimate BOD and that the oxygen transfer efficiency is 8%.
Using equation (28)
 MO2= [(12960)(84 - 11.1)(10-3)/0.68] - 1.42(377.9) = 852.8 kg/day
Air vol. required = 852.8/(1.185)(0.232)(0.08) = 38774 m 3/day
*note: at STP air density = 1.185 kg/m3, and by mass contains 23.2 % O2
'==========================================================================================
or =12960*84/972/2000 = 0.56 mg BOD5/mg MVLSS