GERMAN

ATV-DVWK RULES AND STANDARDS

STANDARD
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Dimensioning of Trickling Filters
and Rotating Biological Contactors

September 2001
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 GERMAN
ATV-DVWK RULES AND STANDARDS

STANDARD
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Dimensioning of Trickling Filters
and Rotating Biological Contactors

September 2001
ISBN 978-3-937758-36-7
Licensed copy for Shalhoub Wael EMCO Engineering / Download at 2011-05-12 by www.dwa.de

Publisher/Marketing:
Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V.
German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17 • 53773 Hennef • Germany
Tel.: +49 2242 872-333 • Fax: +49 2242 872-100
E-Mail: kundenzentrum@dwa.de • Internet: www.dwa.de
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

The German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste, DWA (former ATV-DVWK), is the spokesman
in Germany for all universal questions on water and is involved intensely with the development of reliable
and sustainable water management. As politically and economically independent organisation it operates
specifically in the areas of water management, wastewater, waste and soil protection.

In Europe the DWA is the association in this field with the greatest number of members and, due to its spe-
cialist competence it holds a special position with regard to standardisation, professional training and infor-
mation of the public. The ca. 14,000 members represent the experts and executive personnel from munici-
palities, universities, engineer offices, authorities and businesses.
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The emphasis of its activities is on the elaboration and updating of a common set of technical rules and
standards and with collaboration with the creation of technical standard specifications at the national and in-
ternational levels. To this belong not only the technical-scientific subjects but also economical and legal
demands of environmental protection and protection of bodies of waters.

Imprint
Translation:
Publisher and marketing:
Richard Brown, Wachtberg
DWA German Association for
Printing (English version):
Water, Wastewater and Waste
DWA
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17
D-53773 Hennef, Germany ISBN-13: 978-3-937758-36-4
Tel.: +49 2242 872-333 ISBN-10: 3-937758-36-4
Fax: +49 2242 872-100 The translation was sponsored by the
German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
E-Mail: kundenzentrum@dwa.de
Internet: www.dwa.de Printed on 100 % Recycling paper.

© DWA Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V., Hennef 2007
(German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste)

All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Standard may be reproduced in any form
- by photocopy, microfilm or any other process - or transferred into a language usable in machines, in particular data processing ma-
chines, without the written approval of the publisher.

2 September 2001
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

Foreword
The revision of ATV Standard ATV-A 135 (now ATV-DVWK-A 281) has become necessary as it no longer
corresponds with the status of technology.

Compared with the issue of ATV Standard ATV-A 135 dated March 1989 the following important amend-
ments have been made:

• Basic validity for trickling filters and rotating biological contactors without limitation of the capacity (pre-
viously ≥ 500 PT).

• Removal of the determination of loading principles; a separate ATV-DVWK standard for all types of
wastewater treatment processes is being prepared.

• The addition of a dimensioning approach for denitrification using trickling filters.

• Increase of tank surface area and reduction of tank depth of the secondary settling stage due to new tri-
als results.

The biological stage of wastewater treatment plants, employing trickling filters and rotating biological con-
tactors without sludge return feed, is dealt with in this Standard. The standard applies only for rotating bio-
logical contactors without artificial aeration for the supply of the biofilm with the required oxygen.

A detailed description of the theoretical basic elements and practical application of both the fixed bed proc-
esses is contained in the ATV Handbook „Biologische und weitergehende Abwasserreinigung“ [“Biological
and Advanced Wastewater Treatment”] and „Mechanische Abwasserreinigung“ [“Mechanical Wastewater
Treatment”]. The development of the trickling filter process and the rotating biological contactor as well as
the factors on their treatment efficiency are covered in advanced literature.
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As with all aerobic processes for biological wastewater treatment, the contact between biomass and
wastewater is to be established and the biomass is to be supplied with oxygen. With the trickling filter proc-
ess the wastewater is spray irrigated over the filter material so that, during the dripping process, the contact
between biomass and wastewater is established. In general, aeration is without application of further en-
ergy. With rotating biological contactors the partially submerged filter material is rotated about its longitudi-
nal axis with the application of energy. During the emergent phase of the material the biofilm can take up
oxygen from the surrounding air and in the submerged phase the pollutants from the wastewater.

The following are to be mentioned as favourable characteristics of trickling filters and rotating biological
contactors:

• in general they are simple and stable to operate.

• no activated sludge return is necessary.

• trickling filter and rotating biological contactor facilities enable the colonisation of micro-organisms
which have long generation times. Thus even compounds which are difficult to degrade can be elimi-
nated with little loading.

• in general the energy requirement is small.

September 2001 3
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

Authors
This standard has been prepared by the ATV-DVWK Working Group KA-6.3 “Trickling filters and contac-
tors”, within the ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-6 “Aerobic biological wastewater treatment proc-
esses”, and the ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-5 “Settling processes”.

The ATV-DVWK Working Group KA-6.3 “Trickling filters and biological contactors” has the following members:

Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Bever, Oberhausen (Chairman) Dr.-Ing. Georg Mehlhart, Darmstadt

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harro Bode, Essen Dr.-Ing. Manfred Roth, Stuttgart
Dr.-Ing. Bernd Dorias, Stuttgart Dr.-Ing. Sigurd Schlegel, Essen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Werner Gebert, Planegg Dipl.-Ing. Gert Schwentner, Sindelfingen
Dr.-Ing. Hans-Dieter Kruse, Bad Zwischenahn Dr.-Ing Gerald A. Steinmann, Weißenburg

The members of the ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-5 “Settling processes” are:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ernst Billmeier, München
Dipl.-Ing. Winfried Born, Kassel
Dr.-Ing. Andrea Deininger, Weyarn
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Grünebaum, Essen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. F. Wolfgang Günthert, Neubiberg
Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Kalbskopf, Dinslaken
Prof. Dr. Peter Krebs, Dresden
Dr.-Ing. Helmut Resch, Weissenburg (Chairman)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Rosenwinkel, Hannover
Dr.-Ing. Reinhold Rölle, Stuttgart
Dr.-Ing. Andreas Schulz, Essen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carl Franz Seyfried, Hannover
Dr.-Ing. Andreas Stein, Emsdetten

The ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-6 “Aerobic biological wastewater treatment processes” has the
following members:
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Dipl.-Ing. Reinhard Beer, Cottbus Dr. Dipl.-Biol. Hilde Lemmer, München

Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Bever, Oberhausen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harro Bode, Essen
Dr.-Ing. Reiner Boll, Hannover
Prof. Dr. Lothar Huber, Neubiberg
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. Rolf Kayser, Braunschweig
(Chairman)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karlheinz Krauth, Stuttgart
Dr. rer. nat. Joachim Richard Lemke, Leverkusen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Londong, Wuppertal
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Norbert Matsché, Wien/Österreich
Dipl.-Ing. Anton Peter-Fröhlich, Berlin
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Rosenwinkel, Hannover
Dipl.-Ing. Peter Schleypen, München
Dr.-Ing. Burkhard Teichgräber, Essen
Dipl.-Ing. Volker Ziess, Haan

4 September 2001
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

Contents
Foreword .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Authors ................................................................................................................................................... 4
List of tables ............................................................................................................................................ 5
User Notes................................................................................................................................................ 6
1 Area of Application .................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 Preamble .................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Objective .................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Scope ......................................................................................................................................... 7
2 Symbols .................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Basic Elements of Dimensioning ........................................................................................... 9
3.1 Loading with Wastewater ........................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Loading from Sludge Liquor and External Sludge ..................................................................... 10
4 Pre-treatment............................................................................................................................ 11
5 Trickling filters ......................................................................................................................... 12
5.1 Description of the Process ......................................................................................................... 12
5.1.1 General....................................................................................................................................... 12
5.1.2 Filter material ............................................................................................................................. 12
5.2 Dimensioning ............................................................................................................................. 13
5.2.1 General Details on Dimensioning .............................................................................................. 13
5.2.2 Wastewater Treatment without Nitrification ............................................................................... 14
5.2.3 Wastewater Treatment with Nitrification .................................................................................... 14
5.2.4 Wastewater Treatment with Nitrification and Denitrification ...................................................... 15
6 Rotating biological contactors ............................................................................................... 17
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6.1 Description of the Process ......................................................................................................... 17

6.1.1 General....................................................................................................................................... 17
6.1.2 Material and Types..................................................................................................................... 17
6.2 Dimensioning ............................................................................................................................. 18
6.2.1 General Details on Dimensioning .............................................................................................. 18
6.2.2 Wastewater Treatment without Nitrification ............................................................................... 19
6.2.3 Wastewater Treatment with Nitrification .................................................................................... 19
7 Phosphorus Removal .............................................................................................................. 20
8 Waste Sludge Production........................................................................................................ 20
9 Secondary Settling Tanks ....................................................................................................... 20
9.1 General....................................................................................................................................... 20
9.2 Dimensioning of the Secondary Settling Tank of Single-stage Trickling filters and Rotating
biological contactors................................................................................................................... 20
9.3 Notes on Tank Shape and Design ............................................................................................. 21
10 Costs and Environmental Effects........................................................................................... 22
11 Relevant Regulations, Directives and Standard Specifications ......................................... 22
Literature .................................................................................................................................................. 23

List of tables
Table 1: Inhabitant-specific loads in g/(I.d), which are undercut on 85 % of the days, without taking
into account the sludge liquor .................................................................................................... 10
Table 2: Recommended values for the dimensioning of the necessary denitrification volume VTF,D ...... 16

September 2001 5
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

User Notes
This Standard is the result of honorary, technical-scientific/economic collaboration which has been
achieved in accordance with the principles applicable therefore (statutes, rules of procedure of the ATV-
DVWK and the Standard ATV-DVWK-A 400). For this, according to precedents, there exists an actual
presumption that it is textually and technically correct and also generally recognised.

The application of this Standard is open to everyone. However, an obligation for application can arise
from legal or administrative regulations, a contract or other legal reason.

This Standard is an important, however, not the sole source of information for correct solutions. With its
application no one avoids responsibility for his own action or for the correct application in specific cases;
this applies in particular for the correct handling of the margins described in the Standard.

1 Area of Application It is pointed out that short-term ammonium dis-

charge peaks, in particular with combined waste-
water in plants with large preliminary settling
tanks, are unavoidable and more marked than
1.1 Preamble with activated sludge plants.

The treatment of the stormwater in the sewer

If commercial or industrial wastewater with high
network and of wastewater in the wastewater
fractions of slowly biodegradable and/or inert or-
treatment plant form one unit for the protection of
ganic substances is discharged, a higher residual
surface waters. For the dimensioning of the
COD than with domestic wastewater can arise.
wastewater treatment plant and the stormwater
The same applies for areas with low water con-
overflows the planning periods are to be matched
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sumption and low infiltration rate, as then the in-

to each other. The planning period should com-
ert COD concentration increases.
prise not more than 25 years.

In this Standard technical regulations are drawn

In the case of special conditions the dimensioning
can often be carried out more correctly with the
aid of trials and operating results of existing
plants. Under certain circumstances costs can be
saved through this. The trials plants for this are to
be established at least on a semi-industrial scale
and operated for not less than half a year under
practical operating conditions with the inclusion of
the cold season.
up for the dimensioning both for
• carbon removal as well as the nitrification and
denitrification using trickling filters as well as for
• carbon removal and nitrification using rotating
biological contactors.
In addition, information is given for phosphorus
removal.

1.2 Objective In accordance with the requirements under [Ger-

Using the dimensioning values recommended in
this standard for municipal wastewater one can
meet the achievable minimum effluent require-
ments which correspond with or undercut the re-
quirements of the German Wastewater Ordi-
nance dated 09.02.1999, Appendix 1, and the
associated sampling specifications.
man] water law, the structural and operating re-
quirements and the sensitivity of the surface wa-
ters the planning through parallel units, reserve
equipment etc. is to be oriented towards an ap-
propriately high operational safety.
A prerequisite for the secure function of the plant
planned in accordance with this standard, is that
sufficiently qualified, trained and permanently
technically supported operating personnel are

6 September 2001

employed and involved in the planning process,
comp. ATV Advisory Leaflet ATV-M 271 „Person-
albedarf für den Betrieb kommunaler Kläranla-
gen“ [Personnel requirement for the operation of
municipal wastewater treatment plants].
With the systems dealt with in this Standard one
is concerned with fixed bed reactors with very dif-
ferent types of construction and process technol-
ogy. Therefore, in this Standard, trickling filters
(Chapter 5) and rotating biological contactors
(Chapter 6) are dealt with separately. The sub-
jects “Basic elements of dimensioning” (Chapter
3), “Pre-treatment” (Chapter 4), “Phosphorus re-
moval” (Chapter 7), “Waste sludge production”
(Chapter 8) and “Secondary settling tanks”
(Chapter 9) are presented jointly.
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ATV-DVWK-A 281E
1.3 Scope
This Standard applies basically for the
dimensioning of single-stage trickling filter and
rotating biological contactors and for pre-anoxic
denitrification trickling filters. Some advice is
given for trickling filters and rotating biological
contactors in the second stage. Attention is
drawn to the ATV Report “Multi-stage biological
wastewater treatment plants” [3] [currently not
available in English] with regard to multi-stage
facilities. ATV-A 257E applies for wastewater
lagoons with intermediate trickling filters and
rotating biological contactors.
Due to the peculiarities of small wastewater treat-
ment plants attention is drawn to the ATV
Standard ATV-A 122E. For small scale wastewa-
ter treatment plants with a wastewater inflow up
to 8 m3/d, DIN 4261 applies. For hospital waste-
water treatment plants DIN 19250 is to be addi-
tionally taken into account. ATV Standard ATV-A
129 [currently not available in English] applies for
the disposal of wastewater from recreation and
tourist facilities.
The Standard applies for wastewater which
originates from households or from plants which
serve commercial or agricultural purposes inso-
far as the harmfulness of this wastewater can be
reduced by means of biological processes with
the same success as with wastewater from
households.
September 2001 7
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

2 Symbols
[Translator’s note: the symbols/indices below in English are in line with the general rules of ATV-DVWK
Standard A 198E. Where these differ from the original German the latter are shown in square brackets.]

Symbol Unit Designation

English German
a - - number of rotary distributor arms
2
ASST [ANB] m surface area of the secondary settling tank
ARC [ART] m2 theoretical surface area of the rotating biological contactor
(sum of the surfaces of the trickling material)
ARC,C [ART,C] m2 theoretical surface area of the rotating biological contactor for
carbon removal
ARC,N [ART,N] m2 theoretical area of surface the rotating biological contactor for
nitrification
ATF [ATK] m2 surface area of the trickling filter
BA,BOD [BA,BSB] g/(m2.d) BOD5 surface loading of the rotating biological contactor
BA,TKN g/(m2.d) TKN surface loading of the rotating biological contactor
Bd,BOD,InB [Bd,BSB,ZB] kg/d daily BOD5 load in the influent to the biological reactor
Bd,NO3,D kg/d daily nitrate-nitrogen load to be denitrified
Bd,N,WS [Bd,N,ÜS] kg/d daily load of nitrogen which is removed through the waste sludge
from the trickling filter or rotating biological contactor facility
Bd,TKN,InB [Bd,TKN,ZB] kg/d daily TKN load in the influent to the biological reactor
Bd,inorgN,ESST [Bd,anorgN,AN] kg/d daily load of inorganic nitrogen in the effluent of the secondary
settling stage
Bd,orgN,ESST [Bd,orgN,AN] kg/d daily load of organic nitrogen in the effluent of the second dary
settling stage
BR,BOD kg/(m3.d)
[BR,BSB] BOD5 volumetric loading of the trickling filter
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BR,TKN kg/(m3.d) TKN volumetric loading of the trickling filter

DSST [DNB] m diameter of the secondary settling tank
PTXXX I total number of inhabitants and population equivalents
[EWXXX] [E] referred to the parameter XXX, e.g. BOD5
hSST [hNB] m depth of the secondary settling tank
hTF [hTK] m height of the trickling filter filler material
n 1/h rotations per hour of the rotary distributor
qA,SST [qA,NB] m/h surface loading rate of the secondary settling tank
qA,TF [qA,TK] m/h surface overflow rate of the trickling filter
qWO [qÜ] m3/(m.h) weir overflow rate
QDW,d [Qd]* m3/d daily wastewater inflow with dry weather
Qww,n [Qm] m3/h dimensioning peak flow from combined or separate systems
QSST [QNB] m3/h dimensioning inflow of the secondary settling tank
QRF m3/h recirculation flow
QDW,2h [Qt] m3/h maximum dry weather flow rate as 2 hourly mean
QTF [QTK] m3/h influent to the trickling filter: QDW+QRF
RRww [RVm] - recirculation ratio QRF to Qww,h
RRDW [RVt] - recirculation ratio QRF to QDW,2h
FF [SK] mm/arm flushing force
tSST [tNB] h retention period in the secondary settling tank
VSST [VNB] m3 volume of the secondary settling tank
VTF [VTK] m3 volume of the trickling filter
VTF,C [VTK,C] m3 volume of the trickling filter for carbon removal
VTF,N [VTK,N] m3 volume of the trickling filter for nitrification
* Qd nach ATV-DVWK-A 198E = QT,d

8 September 2001
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

Symbol Unit Designation

English German
VTF,D [VTK,D] m3 volume of the trickling filter for denitrification
Pollution parameters and concentrations:
CXXX mg/l concentration of the parameter XXX, in the homogenised sample
SXXX mg/l concentration of the parameters XXX, in the filtered sample
(0.45 µm membrane filter)
XXXX mg/l concentration of the filter residue, XXXX = CXXX – SXXX

Indices for the location or purpose of the sampling (always last):

In [Z] sample from the influent to the wastewater treatment plant
InB [ZB] sample from the influent to biological reactor
EB [AB] sample from the effluent of biological ractor
ESST [AN] sample from the effluent of the secondary settling tank
WS [ÜS] sample from the waste sludge
RF sample from the recirculation flow
MV [ÜW] monitoring value [Authors’ afternote: here, effluent requirement with
defined sampling procedure]

Frequently used parameters:

CBOD,InB [CBSB,ZB] mg/l average BOD5 concentration with dry weather from daily inflow Qd
without recirculation flow in the influent to the biological reactor
CBOD,InB,RF [CBSB,ZB,RF] mg/l average BOD5 combined concentration with dry weather from daily
inflow QDW,d and recirculation flow at the rotary distributor
CN,InB [CN,ZB] mg/l concentration of the total nitrogen in the homogenised sample in the
influent to the biological reactor
SinorgN,MV [SanorgN,ÜW] mg/l monitoring value for inorganic nitrogen in the effluent sample as N
SNH4,ESST [SNH4,AN] mg/l concentration of the ammonium in the effluent sample as N
SNO3,ESST [SNO3,AN] mg/l concentration of the nitrate in the effluent sample as N
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SNO3,D mg/l concentration of nitrate-nitrogen to be denitrified as N

SorgN,ESST [SorgN,AN] mg/l concentration of the organic nitrogen in the effluent of the secondary
settling tank
XorgN,BM mg/l organic nitrogen incorporated in the biomass
XSS,ESST [XTS,AN] mg/l concentration of suspended solids in the effluent of the secondary
settling tank

3 Basic Elements of In principle it applies that the sewer system and

wastewater treatment plant are operated for the
Dimensioning same wastewater effluent and influent.

3.1 Loading with Wastewater
The BOD5 load (Bd,BOD,In in kg/d), undercut on 85 %
of the dry weather days in the influent to the
wastewater treatment plant plus a planned capac-
ity reserve, is to be used for the classification into
the Size Class in accordance with Appendix 1 of
the [German] Wastewater Ordinance and for the
determination of the dimensioning capacity of the
plant the assessment under water law. If the di-
mensioning capacity is determined based on the
number of connected inhabitants, the inhabitant-
specific BOD5 load for raw wastewater from Table 1
is to be used.
For dimensioning, the following important numeri-
cal values are required from the influent to the bio-
logical reactor, if applicable with the inclusion of
the return flows from sludge treatment (comp. 3.2):
• Relevant organic load (Bd,BOD) for the calcula-
tion of the required trickling filter volume or the
necessary surface area of rotating biological
contactors for wastewater treatment without
nitrification as well as for the determination of
the waste sludge production.
• Relevant organic load (Bd,BOD) and nitrogen load
(Bd,TKN) for the calculation of the necessary

September 2001 9
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E
trickling filter volume or the required surface
area of rotating biological contactors for waste-
water treatment with nitrification.
• Relevant concentration of nitrogen (CN) and
the associated concentration of organic matter
(CBOD) for the determination of the nitrate to be
denitrified with the dimensioning of trickling fil-
ters for denitrification.
• Relevant daily wastewater inflow Qd and maxi-
mum inflow with dry weather QDW for the
dimensioning of trickling filters.
• Maximum inflow with dry weather QDW,2h and
maximum dimensioning inflow Qww,h for the de-
sign of the secondary settling tank.
Daily loads can only be calculated on the basis of
volumetric- or flow-proportional 24 hour composite
samples and the related daily inflow. The relevant
loads are to be determined on the basis of meas-
urements on arbitrary days, i.e. with the inclusion
of wet weather days. Relevant are those loads
which are undercut on 85 % of the days. At least
40 load values are to be included for the determi-
nation of the values. The relevant concentrations
are to be determined using relevant loads and the
associated daily wastewater inflows.
If the daytime and weekly courses of the concen-
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trations and inflows of the wastewater deviate from
the variations with predominantly domestically pro-
duced wastewater, for example through the indus-
trial wastewater component, then this is to be
taken into account with the determination of the
dimensioning quantities.
Arrangements should be made to balance peaks if
the daily curves of the nitrogen loads show up in 2-
hourly atypically high loading peaks (greater than 2
times the daily average), whereby the loading from
sludge treatment must also be taken into account.
If the data are insufficient or the expense for investi-
gation, for example with small plants, are in no rela-
tion to the use, loads and concentrations can be de-
termined on the basis of connected inhabitants plus
industrial/commercial and other loads.
Details on the determination of relevant loads and
concentrations are to be found in the Standard
ATV-DVWK-A 198E “Dimensioning Principles for
Wastewater Facilities” [4].
10 September 2001
If the relevant loads have to be estimated based
on the connected inhabitants the values in Table 1
can be used. The estimation of the associated
wastewater inflow is to be undertaken in accor-
dance with the ATV-DVWK Standard [4]. Until this
standard is published determination of the waste-
water flow can be determined in accordance with
Standard ATV-A 131E (1991). [Translator’s note:
Standard ATV-DVWK-A 198 was published in April
2003 and was translated into English in 2004].
Table 1: Inhabitant-specific loads in g/(I.d),
which are undercut on 85 % of the
days, without taking into account the
sludge liquor
Parameter Raw Retention time in the
wastewater primary settling stage
with QDW
0.5 to 1.0 h 1.5 to 2.0 h
BOD5 60 45 40
TKN 11 10 10
P 1.8 1.6 1.6
Deliberate investigations of wastewater and de-
termination of loads over two to four weeks cannot,
as a rule, be used directly for dimensioning, as one
cannot be certain of having considered the rele-
vant period time. They are, however, practical for
the supplementing of the existing database. The
loading of internal return flows, for example from
sludge treatment should also be recorded within
the scope of such investigations.
3.2 Loading from Sludge Liquor and
External Sludge
Water from the thickening and dewatering of (an-
aerobic) digested sludge contains ammonium in
high concentrations. It can be assumed that 50 %
of the organic nitrogen introduced into the sludge
digester is released as ammonium nitrogen. If
sludge liquor is produced for a few hours daily
only, or on odd days weekly, an intermediate stor-
age for dosed input is necessary.
The return loading with phosphorus and organic
matter (BOD5 and COD) is, as a rule, small from
dewatering of digested sludge. Therefore a return
loading may not be added, for example, globally as
a percentage to all loads from the wastewater.
In sludge silos for aerobic stabilised sludge, as a
rule, more or less anaerobic processes occur. With
this, ammonium can be released and redissolution

of phosphorus is possible, if excess biological
phosphorus removal is applied. In order to mini-
mise impairment of the biological treatment
• sludge liquor should be drawn off regulary in
small quantities
• when dewatering the silo content filtrate or
centrate should be collected in silos of a simi-
lar size and be fed to the inlet over a long
period of time.
If external sludge (sludge from other wastewater
treatment plants, faecal sludge or similar) is dis-
charged, then an intermediate storage can be
sensibel in order to make a dosed input possible.
Further information on the determination of sludge
liquor quantities and characteristics are to be taken
from [7].
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ATV-DVWK-A 281E
4 Pre-treatment
The wastewater flowing into the trickling filters and
rotating biological contactors must be as free as
possible of disturbing substances and settleable
solids in order to avoid blockages. Therefore a pre-
treatment and primary settling of the inflowing
wastewater before the biological reactor is indis-
pensable. With denitrification trickling filters this is
particularly important as the removal of faults there
is very expensive. Normally primary settling tanks,
possibly also fine sieves, are employed for this.
Depending on the treatment requirements the pri-
mary settling tanks should be dimensioned differ-
ently. With pure carbon removal and nitrification
(without denitrification) the retention time with dry
weather flow QDW,2h should not be less than 1.5 to
2.0 hours. With pre-anoxic denitrification and a
lack of an organic carbon compound the retention
time can be reduced from 0.5 to 1.0 hours with dry
weather.
With high wet weather inflow peaks the primary
settling tanks should be so dimensioned for a re-
tention time shorter than 0.5 hours with wet
weather inflow Qww,h. This applies above all for
small wastewater treatment plants with a capacity
below 1,000 PT.
Sufficient sludge storage volume is also to be taken
into account with small plants. This can, for example,
be arranged as separate tanks or in an Imhoff tank
combined with the primary settling tank.
September 2001 11
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E
5 Trickling filters
5.1 Description of the Process
5.1.1 General
The treatment of wastewater in trickling filters as
fixed bed reactors is effected by micro-organisms,
which settle on the filter material as biofilm. In trick-
ling filters the treatment process proceeds from top
to bottom. In the various treatment zones there are
respectively biocoenoses of different composition
involved. Depending on the loading condition of
the trickling filter, the influence of nitrifying bacteria
is, for example, first completely effective if the deg-
radation of the organic loading is completed to a
large extent.
The following prerequisites are to be met for an
assured efficiency of the trickling filter:
• The filter material concerned must be flawless
in constitution and installation; filter materials
must correspond with DIN 19557.
• Attention is to be paid to an even, surface-
proportional distribution of the wastewater over
the trickling filter surface. The rotating distribu-
tor must be suitably designed for this. An as
even as possible complete wetting of the filter
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material surface with wastewater is to be en-
sured. Here a sufficient minimum surface load-
ing and fine distribution are significant.
• A sufficient flushing force for the removal of
waste sludge is to be ensured, i.e. for the re-
spective loading there is a minimum hydraulic
load which, if necessary, is to be ensured us-
ing return pumps.
• An unhindered percolation of the wastewater
through the filter material is absolutely to avoid.
• It is recommended not to install differently
structured material in a trickling filter. To se-
cure the removal of sludge a sufficient trans-
missibility is to be ensured in the vertical direc-
tion.
• The feed and return pumps are to be graded
according to the different inflows taking into
account the minimum surface loading rate. A
continuous feed is to be sought.
• The air access from outside to the hollow floor
of the trickling filter and into the filter material
(exception denitrification trickling filter) must be
12 September 2001
ensured via supply air openings. To avoid too
less temperatures in winter the air openings
should be constructed reducable.
• A too heavy cooling in locations with severe
winter climate is to be countered through insula-
tion of the walls, an enclosed construction and a
deviant return pump operation in comparison
with the warm season; the forced ventilation
recommended under circumstances in such a
case can, together with a treatment of exhaust
air, contribute to the prevention of odour nui-
sances with very highly loaded trickling filters.
Normally, a treatment of exhaust air can, how-
ever, be dispensed with as long as the trickling
filter is sufficiently ventilated and the filter mate-
rial in this way itself acts as a filter.
5.1.2 Filter material
Most important component of the trickling filter are
the filler materials used which can be roughly di-
vided into mineral material and material made from
plastic. With the selection of the filler material it is
to be ensured that the wastewater sprayed over
the trickling filter and, with aerobically operated
trickling filters, the air flowing through have overall
free access to the biofilm and that waste sludge
can be removed with the wastewater. A blockage
of the hollow spaces can thus limit the treatment
efficiency or even reduce it completely to zero.
DIN 19557 differentiates between the theoretical
surface, the effective surface (growth area) of the fil-
ter material and the biologically active surface of the
growth. The effective surface is the surface of the fil-
ter material wetted in operation. The theoretical sur-
face deviates from this. The ratio of effective surface
to theoretical surface is defined by the utilisation fac-
tor. There is no doubt that the biologically active sur-
face of the growth would represent the correct ref-
erence parameter for the description of the
metabolic efficiency. The biologically active surface
normally is not to be determined. The dimensioning
details for trickling filters in this standard therefore
essentially concern the volumetric loading.
Chunks of rock or slag sized from 40 mm to 80
mm, which are placed over the hollow base on a
supporting layer sized from 80 to 150 mm, serve
as mineral filler material for trickling filters. The re-
quirements on characteristics, testing and installa-
tion of the mineral filling are summarised in DIN
19557. The sizes 40 mm to 80 mm correspond
with specific theoretical surfaces of ca. 90 m2/m3

and a hollow space share of ca. 50 %. Under op-
erating conditions ca. 2/3 of this can be assumed
to be biologically active.
Plastic filter materials have very different struc-
tures. From this result in part considerable differ-
ences between the theoretical, the effective and
the biologically active surface. Suppliers of plastic
filler materials should therefore present retraceable
calculations for the theoretical surface.
So far as no reliable transferable experience is
available for the filler and for the characteristics of
the wastewater, trials should be carried out at least
on a semi-industrial scale.
5.2 Dimensioning
5.2.1 General Details
on Dimensioning
Dependent on the level of treatment sought the
BOD5 volumetric loading and, in the case of nitrifi-
cation, in addition the TKN volumetric loading in
kg/(m3 • d), are relevant for the dimensioning of the
trickling filter volume. The filler material planned for
the trickling filter contents, according to the permit-
ted volumetric loading, results as
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VTF,C = Bd,BOD,InB /BR,BOD [m3] (1)
In addition with nitrification:
VTF,N = Bd,TKN,InB/BR,TKN [m3] (2)
Thus the total volume is:
VTF = VTF,C + VTF,N [m3] (3)
As a rule the BOD5 concentration at the rotary dis-
tributor CBOD,InB,RF is to be set at less than 150 mg/l
by return pump operation. For this, as also for a
partial balance of large variations of the inflow, a
recirculation ratio RRDW ≤ 1 is sufficient with BOD5
concentrations in the influent ≤ 400 mg/l. The trick-
ling filter surface and the biological filler height re-
sult as:
ATF = QDW • (1+RRDW)/qA,TF [m2] (4)
hTF = VTF/ATF [m] (5)
Trickling filter filler heights of about 4 m for min-
eral filled trickling filters have proved their worth.
With the employment of plastic filler material with
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
a high vertical transmissibility a larger filler height
is recommended.
The surface loading rate qA,TF with mineral filled
trickling filters, related to QDW • (1+RRDW), should
be 0.4 m/h, with trickling filters with plastic filler ma-
terial at least 0.8 m/h. Smaller filler heights up to a
minimum of 2 m require a particularly even, finely
distributed filter dosing and careful selection of the
filler material, and enable a reduction of the sur-
face loading rate of up to 0.4 m/h. Plastic filler ma-
terial with good transverse distribution is to be
used with smaller filler heights.
In addition to the surface loading rate the design of
the rotary distributor also has an effect on the
flushing force FF. For this the following relationship
applies
FF = qA,TF • 1000/(a • n) [mm/arm] (6)
Values for FF of 4 to 8 mm have proved their worth
in order to ensure a satisfactory sludge removal.
The higher the trickling filter the stronger is the re-
quired flushing force in order to be able to prevent
blockages due to heavy growth in the upper part of
the trickling filter. Equally, for plastic filler materials
with increasing specific theoretical surface, in-
creasing values for FF are to be planned. Further-
more, if the talk is of surface loading rate, here a
loading rate by normally rotating rotary distributors
with a flushing force FF within this range is as-
sumed.
In practical dimensioning the following procedure
has proved its worth:
a) Determination of the necessary trickling filter
volume VTF in m3 in accordance with Sections
5.2.2 or 5.2.3 and 5.2.4 dependent on the
treatment target.
b) Calculation of the mean average concentration
at the rotary distributor without recirculation
flow CBOD,InB = Bd,BOD,InB • 1,000/Qd in mg/l.
c) Determination of the required recirculation ratio
for the achievement of the desired mean con-
centration CBOD,InB,RF at the rotary distributor
(CBOD,InB,RF ≤ 150 mg/l):
RRDW ≥ (CBOD,InB/CBOD,InB,RF) - 1
d) Determination of the maximum hydraulic filter
loading of the trickling filter from the maximum
inflow with dry weather to the trickling filter QDW
in m3/h and the recirculation ratio
September 2001 13
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E
QTF = QDW • (1 + RRDW) in m3/h.
e) Selection of a trickling filter filler height hTF
in m.
f) Determination of the required surface of the
trickling filter ATF = VTF / hTF in m2.
g) Examination of the surface loading rate of the
trickling filter with maximum inflow with dry
weather including recirculation flow
qA,TF = QDW • (1+ RR DW)/ATF in m/h. This surface
loading rate should be at least 0.4 to 0.8 m/h
whereby, with trickling filters filled with plastic
filler, the upper value is to be maintained. If the
given values are not met then the calculation is
to be repeated with modified height or modified
recirculation ratio.
h) Determination of the number of the rotary dis-
tributor arms and the rate of rotation under
consideration of the flushing force FF.
i) It is to be ensured that, during the night, a con-
tinuous operation of the rotary distributor is
guaranteed and the complete surface of the
trickling filter is evenly wetted.
5.2.2 Wastewater Treatment without
Nitrification
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For the dimensioning of mineral filled trickling fil-
ters and trickling filters with plastic filler material
with a specific theoretical surface of a minimum of
100 m2/m3 the following is recommended:
BOD5 volumetric loading BR,BOD ≤ 0.4 kg/(m3•d)
With trickling filters with plastic filler material with a
specific theoretical surface of more than 100 m2/m3
BOD5 volumetric loadings of more than 0.4
kg/(m3•d) are possible. These should, however, be
substantiated through trials (see Chapter 1.1) or
references. Specific theoretical surfaces of more
than 150 m2/m3 and BOD5 volumetric loading of
more than 0.6 kg/(m3•d) are not effective for further
improvement of performance. It is pointed out that,
blockages can already occur with specific theoreti-
cal surfaces of about 150 m2/m3.
With small wastewater treatment plants, due to
marked inflow or loading peaks, it is recommended
to reduce linearly the BOD5 volumetric loading
from 0.4 kg/(m3•d) to 0.2 kg/(m3•d) with capacities
between 1,000 and 50 PT.
14 September 2001
5.2.3 Wastewater Treatment with
Nitrification
With the dimensioning of trickling filters with nitrifi-
cation the volumetric content planned for the filter
material is determined separately for the carbon
removal and for the nitrogen oxidation.
For the dimensioning of mineral filled trickling fil-
ters and of trickling filters with plastic filler material
with a specific theoretical surface of a minimum of
100 m2/m3 the following is recommended:
For carbon removal:
BOD5 volumetric loading BR,BOD ≤ 0.4 kg/(m3•d)
For nitrification:
TKN volumetric loading BR,TKN ≤ 0.1 kg/(m3•d)
This value takes into account a nitrification already
started in the carbon removal zone. The permitted
volumetric loading BR,TKN for the dimensioning is
not identical with the volumetric efficiency of deg-
radation.
With trickling filters with plastic filler material, BOD5
volumetric loading of more than 0.4 kg/(m3•d) for
carbon removal and TKN volumetric loading of
more than 0.1 kg/(m3•d) for nitrification are possi-
ble. These should be substantiated through trials
(see Chapter 1.1) or references. Specific theoreti-
cal surfaces of more than 150 m2/m3 as well as
BOD5-volumetric loading of more than 0.6 kg/(m3•d)
and TKN volumetric loading of more than 0.15
kg/(m3•d) are not effective for further improvement of
performance.
With small wastewater treatment plants, due to
marked inflow or loading peaks, it is recommended
to reduce linearly the BOD5 volumetric loading from
0.4 kg/(m3•d) to 0.2 kg/(m3•d) and the TKN volumet-
ric loading from 0.1 kg/(m3•d) to 0.05 kg/(m3•d) with
capacities between 1,000 and 50 PT.
Note: If nitrification takes place in a second trick-
ling filter following extensive carbon removal in a
first stage with intermediate treatment, the follow-
ing loading values are recommended: TKN volu-
metric loading up to 0.1 kg/(m3•d) with mineral filled
trickling filters and up to 0.2 kg/(m3•d) with trickling
filters with plastic filler material. For this, plastic
filler material with a specific theoretical surface of
up to 200 m2/m3 can be employed. For reasons of

safety it is recommended that the nitrogen incorpo-
ration is not to be taken into account in the first
stage.
Note on alkalinity: the remaining alkalinity in the
effluent from nitrifying trickling filters should, if nec-
essary taking into account precipitants, not under-
cut 0.5 mmol/l, in order to exclude possible inhibi-
tion of the nitrification. This is to be ensured when
necessary through suitable measures. It is recom-
mended that such measures are first carried out
following presentation of pertinent operational ex-
perience.
5.2.4 Wastewater Treatment with Nitri-
fication and Denitrification
The following remarks apply both for mineral filled
trickling filters as well as trickling filters with plastic
filler material.
For procedural integration of denitrification with
trickling filter plants there are basically three possi-
bilities:
• simultaneous denitrification in the trickling filter
with recirculation of wastewater containing
nitrate
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• pre-anoxic denitrification in an anoxically oper-
ated
a) fixed bed reactor (e.g. trickling filter)
b) activated sludge tanks with intermediate
settling tanks
• post denitrification process with addition of ex-
ternal carbon sources in a
a) fixed bed reactor
b) activated sludge tank
Attention is also drawn for these process tech-
niques to two ATV Reports [neither available in
English]: „Umgestaltung zweistufiger biologischer
Kläranlagen zur Stickstoffelimination“ [“Conversion
of two-stage biological wastewater treatment
plants for phosphorus removal”] [5] and ATV Re-
port „Denitrifikation bei Tropfkörperanlagen“ [Deni-
trification with trickling filter facilities”] [6]. Below,
only pre-anoxic denitrification itself is covered in an
anoxically operated trickling filter.
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
To use existing trickling filters for targeted denitrifi-
cation normally only small conversion measures
and an appropriate operation are required.
Through the prevention of the inflow of air (cover-
ing of the trickling filter and prevention of the air in-
flow through the outlet and lower air openings,
usually already achievable through impounding of
the outlet channels around the trickling filter) it is
possible to set anoxic conditions on the inside of
trickling filters, if recirculated effluent containing ni-
trate of a downstream nitrifying treatment unit to-
gether with the mechanically treated wastewater is
applied to the trickling filter.
An impounding of the trickling filter filler material
involves the danger of blockage and would, in
most cases, lead to static problems; it therefore
should not take place. The partially treated effluent
from upstream denitrifying trickling filters is fed via
an intermediate settling tank or directly to a subse-
quent aerated nitrifying treatment unit. Normally
these are trickling filters or activated sludge plants.
The following dimensioning values are given for
denitrification in trickling filters:
• The achievable denitrification capacity is
dependent on the BOD5 volumetric loading and
can be determined using the values in Table 2.
With this, the BOD5 removal in addition to the
BOD5-loading is also dependent on whether
the effluent of the denitrification trickling filter
follows an intermediate settling tank.
• The daily average nitrate concentration to be
denitrified results as follows:
SNO3,D = CN,InB – SorgN,ESST – SNH4,ESST –SNO3,ESST – XorgN,BM
[mg/l] (7)
• As influent nitrogen concentration (CN,InB) the
relevant value determined for T = 12 °C is to
be applied. If, during the year, at times of
higher temperatures, higher CN,InB : CBOD,InB ra-
tios have been determined, in case several
load of cases are to be considered.
The influent nitrate concentrations (SNO3,InB) is, in
general, negligibly small. With greater infiltration
rates (groundwater containing nitrate) or with in-
flows from certain commercial and industrial plants,
it can be necessary to take account of SNO3,InB in
CN,InB.
September 2001 15
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E

At plants with anaerobic sludge digestion and me-
chanical dewatering at the site, the nitrogen of the
sludge liquor must be contained in the inflow con-
centration (CN,InB) if no separate sludge liquor
treatment takes place.
• The concentration of organic nitrogen in the
effluent can be set as SorgN,ESST = 2 mg/l. With
the inflow of certain commercial wastewater
the concentration can be higher. To be on the
safe side, the ammonium content in the efflu-
ent for dimensioning is, as a rule, assumed as
SNH4,ESST = 0. The nitrogen incorporated in the
biomass is taken into account simplified as
XorgN,BM = 0.03 • CBOD,InB.
• The relevant effluent concentration of nitrate is
to be applied as daily average. If, as in Ger-
many, the monitoring takes place by means of
random grab or 2 hour composite samples, a
significantly smaller concentration than the moni-
toring value [effluent requirement for inorganic
nitrogen (SinorgN,MV)] has to be selected. It is prac-
tical to set SNO3,ESST = 0.8 to 0.6 y SinorgN,MV,
whereby the smaller value applies for plants with
greater variations of the influent load.
• Surface loading rate qA,TF < 3 m/h.
cordance with Sections 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 for trickling
filters and in accordance with ATV-DVWK Stan-
dard ATV-DVWK-A 131E for activated sludge
plants.
With downstream trickling filters for nitrification the
internal recirculation should be taken directly from
the effluent of the trickling filter to relieve the hy-
draulic load the settling tank.
It can be an advantage to feed the internal recircu-
lation via the primary settling tank. With this, an
additional denitrification can be achieved, to a
lesser degree however and not capable of estima-
tion. The additional hydraulic loading of the primary
settling tank is to be taken into account here.
With downstream nitrifying activated sludge plants
the internal recirculation should, in general, be
taken from the effluent of the secondary settling
tank. This is to be taken into account with the di-
mensioning of the secondary settling tank. With the
application of a suitable filler material (plastic),
however, in principle an internal recirculation with
activated sludge is also capable of being carried
out after successfully executed pre-trials.

• Too high oxygen transfer in the trickling filter is With the design and with the operation of trickling
to be avoided; therefore the recirculation ratio filters for denitrification attention is to be paid that,
should always be optimised and RRDW = 3, re- following an opening of the trickling filter for the
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lated to QDW, should not be exceeded.
Table 2: Recommended values for the
dimensioning of the necessary
denitrification volume VTF,D
cleaning of the rotary distributor or similar, denitrifi-
cation is not possible or not possible to the full ex-
tent until the oxygen has again been fully depleted
following closure.

BOD5- Denitrifi- BOD5- BOD5-

volu- cation removal removal
metric capacity
loading
without with
intermediate intermediate
settling settling
kg/(m3.d) SNO3,D/CBOD,InB % %
0.2 0.14 60 80
0.6 0.10 45 65
1.0 0.08 40 60

The values of Table 2 are valid for ≥ 12 °C and a

nitrate concentration in the effluent of denitrification
trickling filters ≥ 2 mg/l N. Intermediate values are
to be interpolated.

The dimensioning of downstream treatment units

for nitrification and carbon oxidation can take place
taking into account previous treatment steps in ac-

16 September 2001
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E
7 Phosphorus Removal
With fixed bed systems the P-removal can be
achieved reliably only through chemical precipita-
tion. For this the addition of precipitating chemicals
in the effluent of reactors before the secondary set-
tling and/or preliminary precipitation is advisable. If
necessary the optimum dosing point is to be de-
termined through trials. With preliminary precipita-
tion an undersupply of the fixed bed biology with
phosphorus due to the precipitation is to be pre-
vented. ATV Standard ATV-A 202 [currently not
available in English] is to be observed.
Due to the slight sensitivity to low pH values,
measures to raise the alkalinity as a rule are not
necessary with trickling filters and rotating biologi-
cal contactors. In particular, with the application of
acidic precipitants, however, attention is to be paid
that a residual alkalinity is retained in the effluent
of the secondary settling tank. Possibly, the addi-
tion of alkaline precipitant or basic neutralisation
agent is necessary
8 Waste Sludge
Production
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The size of the possible range of variation with
waste sludge production is, based on biology, de-
pendent on the type of wastewater, the loading
and the hydraulic conditions. The biological waste
sludge production, related to the loading values
recommended here, in the absence of measured
results with eliminated BOD5 incl. stormwater
treatment, can be assumed to be 0.75 kg SS per
kg. The calculation of the precipitation sludge pro-
duced can take place in accordance with ATV
Standard ATV-A 202. A simultaneous sludge stabi-
lisation is not possible as primary and secondary
sludge is produced separately.
20 September 2001
9 Secondary Settling
Tanks
9.1 General
Secondary settling tanks of trickling filters and ro-
tating biological contactors have the task of sepa-
rating the waste sludge, removed from the biologi-
cal reactor with the treated wastewater, from the
wastewater. In comparison with activated sludge
plants the secondary settling tanks of trickling fil-
ters and rotating biological contactors are fed with
significantly smaller quantities of sludge with set-
tling characteristics which are normally without
problem. Sedimentation of the individual small par-
ticles here is of decisive significance for the reten-
tion performance.
Due to the small particle concentration, coagula-
tion and precipitation with mixed liquor suspended
solids contents of ca. 30 to 100 mg/l SS in the ef-
fluent of single-stage trickling filters and rotating
biological contactors have no relevant effect. They
are to be taken into account only with very exten-
sive requirements on solids removal.
Particle concentration and the coagulation effect
can be increased significantly through sludge re-
circulation or addition of precipitants in the influent
of the secondary settling setting tankstage or into
an upstream precipitation chamber.
Through this the retention of solids can be im-
proved (see also ATV Advisory Leaflet ATV-M 274
„Einsatz organischer Polymere in der Abwasserre-
inigung“ [“Application of Organic Polymers in
wastewater Treatment” - currently not available in
English]).
9.2 Dimensioning of the Secondary
Settling Tank of Single-stage
Trickling filters and Rotating
biological contactors
If trickling filters and rotating biological contactors
are employed with normal municipal conditions as
single-stage plants for biological pre-treatment or
nitrification, then the secondary settling tank can
be dimensioned simply according to pure hydraulic
aspects with the surface loading rate qA and flow
time tSST.

The surface loading rate of the secondary settling
tank is made up from the quotients of the maxi-
mum hourly inflow to the secondary settling tank
QSST including all return flows which flow into the
secondary settling tank, and the surface area of
the secondary settling tank ASST. The wet weather
case is also to be taken into account and, in most
cases, decisive for dimensioning.
Thus, with the surface loading rate
qA,SST ≤ QSST / ASST [m3/(m2•h) or m/h] (11)
the respectively greater value is to be applied for
QSST = QDW • (1+RRDW) or QSST = Qww,h • (1 + RRww)
Through the performance of the (trickling filter-) feed
pumps and an appropriate regulation (e.g. float
valve or recirculation pumps), it is to be ensured
that the recirculation ratio does not exceed the se-
lected dimensioning value.
With trickling filters or rotating biological contactors
the surface loading rate of the secondary settling
tank may not exceed 0.80 m/h if effluent limiting
values of SSe < 20 mg/l are to be maintained [2].
The required tank surface area results as
required ASST = QSST/max qA,SST[m ] 2
(12)
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The flow time can be defined as theoretical flow
time in the secondary settling tank as
tSST = VSST/QSST [h] (13)
It should not be less than 2.5 h.
The required tank volume thus results as
required VSST,nec = tSST • QSST [m3] (14)
The minimum depth of water hSST is 2.0 m (in circu-
lar tanks at 2/3 of the radius).
If flocculation is carried out through dosing of phos-
phate precipitants or polymers into the influent to
the secondary settling tank, the surface loading rate
can be increased to 1.00 m/h, if the secondary set-
tling tank maintains a minimum depth of water of
hSST ≥ 2.50 m (in circular tanks at 2/3 of the radius).
In the case of intermediate settling tanks or settling
tanks with a short retention time using downstream
ponds, surface loading rates of 1.5 to 2.0 m/h can
be selected with appropriately reduced flow times.
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
With constraints which lead to increased loading of
the trickling filter or rotating biological contactor
and unfavourable conditions for the settling proc-
ess in the secondary settling tank (e.g. preliminary
settling tanks with tSST < 0.75 h with Qww, higher
combined wastewater inflow greater than 2.2 • QDW,
small recirculation ratio with QDW), the permitted
surface loading rate of the secondary settling tank
should be reduced by up to 20 %.
With existing secondary settling tanks the dimen-
sioning values can be determined through full-
scale loading trials.
9.3 Notes on Tank Shape and Design
The structural aspects which effect the dimension-
ing or which are assumed for the dimensioning are
dealt with within the scope of this standard. Further
planning aspects of construction and design, for
example due to space and underground condi-
tions, progress of construction, safety or similar are
not listed here explicitly; for this see the ATV Man-
ual [2].
The tank shape is not decisive for the settling effi-
ciency and sludge collection in secondary settling
tanks after trickling filters and rotating biological
contactors. Even with vertical flow secondary set-
tling tanks no better effluent values can be
achieved than with horizontal flow secondary set-
tling tanks, so long as with these the minimum re-
tention time is maintained. The reason for this lies
in that, due to the small particle concentrations no
floc filter can be installed. With hopper-bottomed
tanks with steep slopes (at least 60°), however, no
mechanical sludge removal is necessary.
Compared with rectangular tanks circular tanks of-
fer the advantage of a smaller weir overflow rate
and are frequently somewhat more cost effective,
on the other hand, however, there is the greater
sensitivity to wind and the greater space require-
ment. As a continuous sludge recirculation is not
necessary with trickling filters and rotating biologi-
cal contactors, at most simple sludge scrapers sur-
fice even with rectangular tanks.
With rectangular tanks the ratio of the depth of the
tank to the length of the tank should be about 1:15
to 1:25. For the width of the tank values up to 7.0 m
have proved themselves in practice.
September 2001 21
 ATV-DVWK-A 281E
An as even as possible distribution of the inflow
over the cross-section of the flow is to be sought.
The weir overflow rate qWO must be smaller than
15 m3/(m • h).
As only the waste sludge is to be separated out in
the secondary settling stage tank trickling filters
and with rotating biological contactors, cloth filters
or microstrainers can be considered in place of the
secondary settling tanks. References and appro-
priate functional verifications are to be requested,
operating safety and maintenance expense are to
be observed.
So far as further treatment stages are added
downstream the employment of lamella separators
is also possible to reduce the space requirement, if
the increased maintenance expense is accepted.
With regard to the surface loading rate these are to
be dimensioned precisely as for secondary settling
tanks. For this see the ATV Manual [2].
10 Costs and Environ-
mental Effects
With this Standard planners and examiners receive
a differentiated working basis for the dimensioning
Licensed copy for Shalhoub Wael EMCO Engineering / Download at 2011-05-12 by www.dwa.de
of trickling filters and rotating biological contactors.
From this they can, from the process technical as-
pect, develop the most sustainable and most eco-
nomical solution with regards to the required envi-
ronmental protection.
The requirements on the quality of the water to be
discharged into surface waters are not established
in this Standard; they are either laid down or are
determined in the conversation of legal specifica-
tions. This Standard is aimed at a secure and eco-
nomical observance of these specifications.
22 September 2001
11 Relevant Regulations,
Directives and Stan-
dard Specifications
[Translator’s note: those references available in English are
shown as such. Otherwise a courtesy translation is provided in
square brackets.]
• Abwasserverordnung [(German) Wastewater
Ordinance]
Ordinance on the requirement on the discharge of
wastewater into surface waters (AbwV). Bundes-
gesetzblatt 1999, Part 1, No. 6 dated 18.02.1999
• ATV-DVWK Standards
ATV-A 122E: Principles for Dimensioning, Con-
struction and Operation of Small Sewage Treat-
ment Plants with Aerobic Biological Purification
Stage for Connection Values between 50 and
500 Inhabitants and Population Equivalents,
Issue 6/91
ATV-A 129: Abwasserbeseitigung aus Erholungs-
und Fremdenverkehrseinrichtungen [Wastewater
Disposal From Recreation and Tourist Facilities],
Issue 5/1979
ATV-DVWK-A 131E: Dimensioning of Single-Stage
Activated Sludge Plants, Issue 5/2000
ATV-A 257E: Principles for the Dimensioning of
Wastewater Lagoons and In-line Biological Fil-
ters or Biological Contactors, Issue 10/1989
ATV-A 202: Verfahren zur Elimination von Phos-
phor aus Abwasser [Processes for the Removal
of Phosphorus from Wastewater], Issue 10/1992
ATV-M 271: Personalbedarf für den Betrieb kom-
munaler Kläranlagen [Personnel Requirement for
the Operation of Municipal Sewage Treatment
Plants], Issue 9/1998
ATV-M 274: Einsatz organischer Polymere in der
Abwasserreinigung [Employment of Organic Poly-
mers in Wastewater Treatment], Issue 11/1999
• Standard specifications
EN 1085: Wastewater treatment - Vocabulary
DIN 4045: Wastewater engineering - Vocabulary
DIN 4261-2: Small sewage treatment plants –
Plants with sewage aeration; application, design;
construction and testing

DIN 18202: Tolerances in building construction –
Structures
DIN 19553: Kläranlagen – Tropfkörper mit
Drehsprenger, Hauptmaße [Wastewater treat-
ment plants – Trickling filters with rotary distribu-
tor – Main dimensions and equipment]
DIN 19557-1: Wastewater treatment plants – Min-
eral filter media for percolating filters – Require-
ments, testing, delivery, placing
DIN 19557-2: Kläranlagen – Füllstoffe aus Kunst-
stoff für Tropfkörper – Anforderungen, Prüfungen
[Wastewater treatment plants – plastic filter
materials for trickling filters – requirements, tests]
DIN 19558: Überfallwehr mit Tauchwand, getauchte
Ablaufrohre in Becken; Baugrundsätze, Haupt-
maße, Anwendungsbeispiele [Overflow weir with
scumboard, submerged outflow pipes in tanks;
construction principles, main dimensions,
examples of application]
DIN 19569-1: Principles for the design of struc-
tures and technical equipment for sewage treat-
ment plants; general principles
DIN 19569-2: Principles for the design of structures
and equipment – Specific principles for the
equipment for separating and thickening of solves
Licensed copy for Shalhoub Wael EMCO Engineering / Download at 2011-05-12 by www.dwa.de
DIN 19569-3: Baugrundsätze für Bauwerke und
technische Ausrüstung; Besondere Baugrund-
sätze für Einrichtungen zur aeroben biologischen
Abwasserreinigung [Principles for the design of
structures and technical equipment – Specific
principles for the equipment for aerobical biologi-
cal wastewater treatment]
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Literatur
[1] ATV (Publ.):
ATV-Handbuch „Biologische und weiterge-
hende Abwasserreinigung“ [ATV Manual “Bio-
logical and advanced wastewater treatment”].
4th Edition, Berlin: Ernst & Sohn, 1997
[2] ATV (Publ.):
ATV-Handbuch „Mechanische Abwasserreini-
gung [ATV Manual “Mechanical wastewater
treatment”] 4th Edition, Berlin: Ernst & Sohn,
1997
[3] ATV Report
„Mehrstufige biologische Kläranlagen“ [Multi-
stage biological wastewater treatment plants”].
Korrespondenz Abwasser 2/1989, p. 181-189
[4] Standard ATV-DVWK-A 198E: “Standardisa-
tion and Derivation of Dimensioning Values for
Wastewater facilities”
[5] ATV Report: „Umgestaltung zweistufiger biolo-
gischer Kläranlagen zur Stickstoffelimination“
[“Conversion of two-stage biological wastewa-
ter treatment plants for phosphorus removal”].
Korrespondenz Abwasser 1/1994, p. 95-100
[6] ATV Report
„Denitrifikation bei Tropfkörperanlagen“ [De-
nitrification with trickling filter facilities”]. Kor-
respondenz Abwasser 11/1994, p. 2077-2081
[7] ATV-DVWK Report
„Rückbelastung aus der Schlammbehandlung
– Menge und Beschaffenheit der Rückläufe“
[“Return loading from sludge treatment –
quantity and characteristics of the return
flows”]. KA-Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser, Abfall
8/2000, p. 1181-1187
September 2001 23