cmutsvangwa: Wastewater Engineering, Dept.

of Civil & Water Engineering, NUST 11/10/2006

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REACTION TANKS ANC CONFIGURATION Reaction tanks

There are basically two types of tanks: plug flow complete mix reactor

Plug flow The channel is relatively long and narrow (Fig. 1) and there is little longitudinal mixing down the length of channel i.e. complete mix in the transverse plane and minimum mixing in the direction of flow.

Qin

Qe

Plug of mixed liquor Fig. 1: Plug flow reaction tank Equation of plug flow
Le = e kt LI

Where:

Le Li k t

=BOD of the treated effluent =BOD of incoming wastewater =BOD removal rate constant, days-1 =time days

Complete mix reactor A certain volume of wastewater from the inlet is immediately mixed and distributed evenly throughout the reactor. The tank is relatively short but wide to encourage the development of homogeneous content which will be completely mixed. Equation:
Le 1 = Li 1 + kt

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Chapter 15 Reaction tanks and configuration activated sludge treatment

cmutsvangwa: Wastewater Engineering, Dept. of Civil & Water Engineering, NUST 11/10/2006

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Oxygen demand and supply The oxygen demand of the mixed-liquor decline along the channel length as the process of stabilization progresses. In order to maintain process efficiency and to achieve the required level of oxygen, it is necessary to match the oxygen supply to the demand by: tappered aeration incremental feed contact Stabilisation Complete mix aeration As the contents of a complete mix tank are homogeneous, there is no dissolved oxygen variation along or across the tank and hence there is no need for either tappered aeration or incremental feed. Tappered aeration (conventional basin0 The aeration basins are long and narrow with air diffusers along the bottom for oxygenation and mixing along sided. The greatest aeration is at the head where the raw wastewater and return activated sludge are introduced i.e. according to the respiratory requirement of MLSS (Fig. 2).

Qi

Aeration tank (reactor)

Humus tank

Q e

Air Excess sludge RAS Fig. 2: Tappered aeration

Step aeration tank (incremental feeding) Air is provided uniformly and wastewater is introduced at intervals along the basin (Fig. 3). The wastewater is introduced incrementally to even up the constant supply of oxygen at several points along the length of tank. The return activated sludge is 2
Chapter 15 Reaction tanks and configuration activated sludge treatment

cmutsvangwa: Wastewater Engineering, Dept. of Civil & Water Engineering, NUST 11/10/2006

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still introduced into the reactor at the inlet end. The influent wastewater entering tank at each stage can be varied accordingly to changes in the organic or hydraulic loadings i.e., there is operational flexibility. The conditions in the tank approach a completely mixed system. Incremental feed of wastewater to even up the constant supply of oxygen

Qi

Aeration tank (reactor)

Humus Tank

Air Excess sludge RAS Fig. 3: Step aeration or incremental feed Contact Stabilisation Adsorption and oxidation is carried in separate tanks (Fig.4). The influent wastewater enters the contact tank and is mixed with the MLSS (concentration between 2000-3000mg/l) for approximately 0.5 to 1hr. The organic material present is adsorbed on to the activated sludge flocs. The mixed liquor is then settled in a humus tank. The settled sludge (4000 to 10 000mg) is pumped into an aeration tank, where it is aerated at a high rate for about 5 to 6 hours for the oxidation of the adsorbed material. 50% reduction in aeration tanks size costs reduction in aeration capacity tank less sludge produce (there is endogenous respiration) better quality sludge suitable to strong industrial wastes having a large proportion of biodegradable BOD present as colloidal suspended matter

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Chapter 15 Reaction tanks and configuration activated sludge treatment

cmutsvangwa: Wastewater Engineering, Dept. of Civil & Water Engineering, NUST 11/10/2006

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Qi Contact tank (reactor) MLSS 2000-3000mg/l Humus Tank

Qe

Air at high rate Excess sludge

4000-10000mg/l of RAS from humus tank into the stabilisation tank

Humus tank

Stabilisation tank

Qw Fig. 4: Contact Stabilisation tanks References 1. Ellis K., (1995), Unpublished Lecture Notes in Wastewater Engineering, Loughborough University, UK 2. Gray N., (1992), Biology of Wastewater, Oxford Science, UK 3. Metcalf and Eddy, (1991), Wastewater Engineering, Treatment, Disposal and Reuse, McGraw Hill, US 4. Casey T. J, Unit treatment processes in water and wastewater engineering 5. Droste R., (1997), Theory and Practice of Water and Wastewater Treatment, John Wiley, UK 6. Hammer M. J., (1986), Water and wastewater technology, Prentice Hall, USA 7. Schroeder E.D., (1971), Water and wastewater treatment, McGraw Hill, New York, USA 8. Peavy H. S., Rowe D. R., and Tchobanoglous G., (1985), Environmental Engineering, McGraw Hill, New York, USA 9. Tchobanoglous and Schroeder Water Quality 10. Gray N., (1992), Biology of Wastewater, Oxford Science, UK

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Chapter 15 Reaction tanks and configuration activated sludge treatment