Activated Sludge Design

𝑘𝑔 𝑚3
𝐹 𝐵𝑂𝐷5 (𝑚3) 𝑥 𝑄 ( )
𝑑𝑎𝑦
=
𝑀 𝑘𝑔 𝑀𝐿𝑆𝑆
𝑋 ( 𝑚3 ) 𝑥 𝑉 (𝑚3)

F= food

M= microorganism, MLSS

Q= influent flow

X= reactor solids

V= reactor volume
𝐹 𝐵𝑂𝐷5
=
𝑀 𝑋𝑥𝑡

𝑉
t= hydraulic retention time= 𝑡 = 𝑄

Treatment F/M
Process
Kg BOD5/Kg MLSS/day

Extended 0.03 - 0.8

aeration

Conventional 0.8 - 2.0

High rate > 2.0

Design parameters for activated sludge processes

Process q c (d) q (h) F/M Qr/Q X (mg/L)

Conventional 5-15 4-8 0.2-0.4 0.25-5 1,500-3,000

Complete-mix 5-15 3-5 0.2-0.6 0.25-1 3,000-6,000

Step-aeration 5-15 3-5 0.2-0.4 0.25-0.75 2,000-3,500

Modified- 0.2-0.5 1.5-3 1.5-5.0 0.05-0.15 200 – 500

aeration

Contact- 5-15 0.5-1 0.2-0.6 0.25-1 1,000-3,000

stabilization 3-6 4,000-10,000

Extended- 20-30 18-36 0.05- 0.75-1.5 3,000-6,000

aeration 0.15

High-rate 5-10 0.5-2 0.4-1.5 1-5 4,000-10,000

aeration

Pure-oxygen 8-20 1-3 0.25-1.0 0.25-0.5 6,000-8,000

Operational characteristics of activated sludge processes

Process Flow model Aeration system BOD5 removal

efficiency (%)

Conventional Plug-flow Diffused air, mechanical aerators 85-95

Complete-mix Complete-mix Diffused air, mechanical aerators 85-95

Step-aeration Plug-flow Diffused air 85-95

Modified- Plug-flow Diffused air 60-75

aeration

Contact- Plug-flow Diffused air, mechanical aerators 80-90

stabilization

Extended- Complete-mix Diffused air, mechanical aerators 75-95

aeration

High-rate Complete-mix Diffused air, mechanical aerators 75-90

aeration

Pure-oxygen Complete-mix Mechanical aerators 85-95

 Design Example of Extended - Aeration Activated Sludge Process (Package
Plant)...
A prefabricated package plant is to be used to treat the wastewater from a resort area consisting of 550
individual family residences. The average occupancy has been estimated to be 2.9 persons per
residence. Use a flow of 230 L/person.day and a daily peaking factor of 2.5 for flow, BOD 5 and SS. Use
an hourly peaking factor of 4 for sizing the sedimentation facilities. Select the type of package plant and
size the principal components of the plant. Effluent BOD5 concentration of the process must be or lower
than 30 mg/L.
Solution...

1. The total number of person : (550 home)(2.9 person/home) = 1,595 person

2. The corresponding average flowrate : (1,595 person)(0.230 m 3/person.day) = 366.85 m3/day
3. The corresponding peak daily flowrate : (366.85 m 3/day)(2.5) = 917.13 m3/day
4. The average BOD5 load : (1,595 persons)(80 g BOD5/person.day) = 127,600 g BOD5/day
5. The corresponding BOD5 concentration : (127,600 g/day) / (366.85 m 3/day) = 348 g/m3 (mg/L)
6. The average SS load : (1,595 persons)(90 g SS/person.day) = 143,550 g SS/day
7. The corresponding SS concentration : (143,550 g/day) / (366.85 m 3/day) = 391 g/m3 (mg/L)
8. The peak daily BOD5 load : (127.60 kg BOD5/day)(2.5) = 319.00 kg BOD5/day
9. The peak daily SS load : (143.55 kg SS/day)(2.5) = 358.88 kg SS/day
10. An extended aeration activated sludge process package plant is selected
11. The aeration time : 1.0 day
12. The aeration tank volume : (366.85 m3/day)(1.0 day) = 366.85 m3
13. The oxygen transfer efficiency : 6 %
14. The specific weight of air : 1.26 kg/m3
15. The oxygen content : 23.2 %
16. The air requirement : (319.00 kg BOD5/day) / (1.26 kg/m3)(0.232)(0.06) = 18,187.83 m3/day
17. The peak hour factor for the settling tank : 4
18. The overflow rate for settling tank : 24 m3/m2.day
19. The surface area of settling tank : (366.85 m 3/day)(4) / 24 m3/m2.day = 61.14 m2
20. The hydraulic detention time for settling tank : 0.5 h
21. The volume of the settling tank : (366.85 m3/day)(4)(0.5 h) / 24 h/day = 30.57 m3