Bacterial Decomposition

any hydrolysis

Organic Nitrogen
(proteins; urea)

Nitrification

Ammonia Nitrogen

O2

Nitrate (NO-2)

Lysis and Autooxidation

Organic Nitrogen
(bacterial cells)

Nitrate (NO-3)

Organic Carbon

Nitrogen Gas (N2)

Denitrification

Assimilation

O2

Organic Nitrogen
(net growth)

Figure by MIT OCW.

Adapted from: G. Tchobanoglous, F. L. Burton, and H. D. Stensel. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment
and Reuse. 4th ed. Metcalf & Eddy Inc., New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2003, p. 617.

O2
Facultative bacteria

Phosphorus removing bacteria

Carbon
storage

Energy

y
rg
ne PHB

PHB

Short-chain
fatty acids

on
Carb
ge
stora

P
CO2 + H2O

Fermentation Products

Cell wall
Soluble COD

Substrate

New cell production

ANAEROBIC

AEROBIC

Removal mechanisms for excess biological phosphorus (COD = chemical oxygen demand, PHB = poly--hydroxybutyrate).

Figure by MIT OCW.

Adapted from: Rittman, Bruce E., and Perry L. McCarty. Environmental Biotechnology: Principals
and Applications. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

15
50

Bacteria absorb BOD by

releasing phosphorus
ATP ADP + PO4 + energy

40

10
30

Influent ortho phosphorus

concentration

Soluble BOD

20
5

Soluble BOD, mg/L

Nominal ortho phosphorus concentration, mg/L as P

Ortho Phosphorus

Stored phosphorus in bacteria

is removed in waste sludge
Bacteria store phosphorus
during growth to compete
for BOD when they get
back to anaerobic zone

1
0

5
Anaerobic

First Anoxic

10
ADP + PO4

10

energy

ATP

15
Aerobic

0
20
Second Reaeration
Anoxic

Nominal Hydraulic Retention Time, Hours (Based on Influent Flow only)

Typical profile of soluble phosphorus concentrations in a biological nutrient removal process (ATP = adenosine
triphosphate, ADP = adenosine diphosphate).

Figure by MIT OCW.

Adapted from: Rittman, Bruce E., and Perry L. McCarty. Environmental Biotechnology: Principals
and Applications. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

Aerobic

CONCENTRATION

Anaerobic

Or

tho

ph

Sol

os

ph

oru

ubl

eB

OD

TIME
Fate of soluble BOD and phosphorus in nutrient removal reactor.
Figure by MIT OCW.
Adapted from: G. Tchobanoglous, F. L. Burton, and H. D. Stensel. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment
and Reuse. 4th ed. Metcalf & Eddy Inc., New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2003, p. 626.

Inorganic Chemicals Used Most Commonly for Coagulation and

Precipitation Processes in Wastewater Treatment

AVAILABILITY
Chemical
Alum

Formula

Molecular
Weight

Al2(SO4)3.18H2O#

666.5

Al2(SO4)3.14H2O#

Aluminum Chloride

AlCl3

Calcium Hydroxide
(lime)

Ca(OH)2

Ferric Chloride

Equivalent
Weight

594.4

Ferric Sulfate

Fe2(SO4)3

Ferrous Sulfate
(copperas)
Sodium Aluminate

Percent

Liquid

8.5 (Al2O3)

Lump

17 (Al2O3)

Liquid

8.5 (Al2O3)

Lump

17 (Al2O3)

133.3

44

Liquid

56.1 as CaO

40

Lump

162.2

FeCl3

114

Form

91

63-73 as CaO

Powder

85-99

Slurry

15-20

Liquid

20 (Fe)

Lump

20 (Fe)

400

51.5

Granular

18.5 (Fe)

FeSO4.7H2O

278.1

139

Granular

20 (Fe)

Na2Al2O4

163.9

100

Flake

# Number of bound water molecules will typically vary from 14 to 18

Figure by MIT OCW.
Adapted from : Metcalf, and Eddy. 2003

46 (Al2O3)

North Budapest Wastewater Treatment Plant

Comparison of Influent vs. Pre-aeration Raw Water
100
COD Influent Conc. = 515 mg/l
COD Pre-aeration Conc. = 594 mg/l

% COD Removal

80
60

Jar Test - Influent

Jar Test - Pre-aeration

40

Primary Effluent: Cin = 515 mg/l

20
0

Primary Effluent: Cin = 594 mg/l

0

20

40

60

80

100

Ferric Chloride Sulfate Concentration (mg/l)

(no polymer)
Topolcany Wastewater Treatment Plant
BOD and COD % Removal vs. Ferric Chloride Concentration
70
60

% Removal

50
BOD % Removal

40

COD % Removal

30
20
10
0

20

40

30

40

50

60

Ferric Chloride Concentration (mg/l)

(no polymer)
Figure by MIT OCW.
Adapted from: Murcott, and Hurleman. 1994, p. 24

Primary
Clarifier
Grit
chamber

a. Existing primary treatment plant

Low dose Cationic

Fe/Al
Polymer

Anionic
Polyme
r

High dose
Fe/Al

Optional
Mixer

Primary
Clarifier
Grit
chamber

Possibly
Anionic
Polymer

Primary
Clarifier

Grit
chamber

b. CEPT (left) and primary precipitation (right)

Fe/Al

Mixer

Primary
Clarifier

AST
Aeration

Secondary
Clarifier

Grit
chamber

c. Preprecipitation (or CEPT) followed by ASP

Carbon
source

Fe/Al

Mixer

Primary
Clarifier

AST
Aeration

Denitrification

Grit
chamber

d. Preprecipitation with ASP and postdenitrification

Multi-stage upgrading of an existing

primary treatment plant

Secondary
Clarifier

Without Chemical Addition

100
80
60
40
20

Suspended Solid Removal (%)

0
Ferric Chloride Addition
100
80
60
40
20
0
Ferric Chloride Plus Polymer Addition
100
80
60
40
20
0

50

100
Overflow Rate

150 cu m/sq.m/d

Overflow Rate Verses TSS Removal for Sarnia Treatment Plant

Figure by MIT OCW.