Design of Facilities for Physical,

Chemical & Biological Treatment of

Waste Water

Bibhabasu Mohanty
Asst. Prof.
Dept. of civil Engineering
SALITER, Ahmedabad

Course Content
Design of racks, screens, grit
chamber, aeration units,
sedimentation tanks, activated
sludge and trickling filter processes,
rotating biological contactors, sludge
digesters and drying beds

SLUDGE TREATMENT

Introduction
Sludgerefers to the residual,semisolidmaterial left from
industrialwastewater,
orsewagetreatment processes.
Waste water sludge is the mixture of waste
water and settled solids.
Depending upon the source it may be
primary, secondary, excess activated
sludge.

Objectives
To reduce the volume of the material to be
handled by removal of liquid portion.
To decompose the organic matter and
inorganic compounds for reduction in the
total solids.

GOALS OF SLUDGE TREATMENT

Volume
reduction

Thickening
Dewatering

Elimination of
pathogenic germs

If used in agriculture as fertiliser or

compost

Stabilisation of
organic
substances

Gas production
Reduction of dry content
Improvement of dewatering
Reduction of odour

Recycling of
substances

Nutrients, fertiliser
Humus
Biogas

Sludge handling and disposal

includes: Collection of sludge
Transportation of sludge
Processing of sludge to convert it to a
form suitable for disposal
Final disposal of the sludge

Composition
Sludge from plain sedimentation tanksettable solids (raw sludge)
This gray in color contain garbage, fecal
solids, debris.
Bad odor.
From sec. settling tank following a trickling
filter consists of partially decomposed
organic matter.
Dark brown in color, less odor than raw
sludge.

Sludge types
Primary sludge
3 to 8 % solids
About 70% organic material

Sec. sludge
Wasted microbes and inert materials
90% organic material

Tertiary sludge
If sec. clarifier is used to remove
phosphate, this sludge contain chemical
precipitates.

Overview
Wastewater treatment

Process water

Primary, secondary, tertiary sludge

Thickening

Stabilisation

Biogas

Thickening

Agriculture

Dewatering
Drying
Incineration

Disposal site
Construction industry
Atmosphere

Thickening (volume reduction) by

Gravity
Gravity separation, similar to settling tank
Additional mechanic stirring to enhance flocculation
and extraction of water and gas
Supernatant is introduced to primary clarifier or if
floatables and grease contents are high to grid
chamber
Thickened sludge is withdrawn from hopper and
introduced to sludge treatment
For an efficient thickening process the development
of gas bubbles must be prevented

Gravity Thickener
Inflow

Scum scimmer

Sludge
liquor

Thickened sludge

Thickening by Flotation
Pre treatment: mostly chemical flocculation
Sludge is placed in contact with air-saturated
water
(full flow or recycle pressurization)
Air bubbles attach to solid particles
Floating Sludge bubble composite is collected
at the surface
Water is recovered under a scum baffle and
removed

Thickening by Flotation

Sludge stabilization (mass reduction)

Aerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion
Aerobic sludge digestion may be used
to treat only
Waste activated sludge
Mixtures of waste activated siudge and
primary siudge
Activated
sludge
treatment
plant
without primary settling

Advantages
Volatile solids reduction is equal that
obtained anaerobically
Lower BOD concentrations in supernatant
liquor
Production of an odorless, humus-like,
biologically stable end
Operation is relativeluy easy
Lower capital cost

Disadvantages
A high power cost is associated with
supplying the required O2
A digested sludge is produced with poor
mechanical dewatering characteristics
A useful by-product such as methane is
not recovered

Process design
Factors taht must be considered in designing
aerobic digesters include;
Solid reduction
Hydraulic retention time
Oxygen requirements
Energy requirements for mixing

environmental condition such as pH,

temperature.

Anaerobic digestion
Sludge held without aeration for 10-90
days
Process can be accelerated by heating to
35-40oC
These are called High Rate Digesters (1020 days)
Advantages
low solids production
useable methane gas produced
Disadvantages
high capital costs

Basic Components of
Anaerobic Digesters

Digester Gas

Digested
Sludge

Raw Sludge
Mixing

Heat
Exchanger Circulating
Pump

Anaerobic digestion process

Complex
Organics
Acid
producing
bacteria
(acidogens)

Organic
acids and
H2

CH4 and
CO2
Methane
producing
bacteria
(methanogenics)

Three Mechanisms Occurring:

Hydrolysis Process conversion of insoluble
high
molecular
compounds
(lignin,
carbohydrates, fats) to lower molecular
compounds
Acidogenesis Process conversion of soluble
lower molecular components of fatty
acids,
amino
acids
and
sugars
(monosaccharide) to lower molecular
intermediate products (volatile acids,
alcohol, ammonia, H2 and CO2)
Methanogenesis Process conversion of
volatile acids & intermediate products to

Steps in anaerobic (oxygen-free) digestion:

Hydrolysis
Particulate and complex organics
simple organics

Soluble

AcidogenesisShort organic
Soluble simple organics
acids
Short organic acids Methanogene
CH4 & CO2

sis

Conventional anaerobic digesterHigh rate anaerobic digester

Anaerobic Digester Design

Mean Cell Residence Time

Volumetric Loading Factor
Observed Volume Reduction
Loading Factors Based on Populations

Sludge dewatering
Dewatering aims to reduce the water
content further.
The sludge can then be handled like a
solid.
Dewatering can be done mechanically
using a filter press (employing pressure or
vacuum), or a centrifuge.
Also be done using drying beds.

Drying beds
Most popular methods.
A drying bed consists of a 30 cm bed of
sand with an under-drainage .
Sludge is applied on the sand bed and is
allowed to dry by evaporation and
drainage of excess water over a period of
several weeks depending on
climatic conditions.

 Bacterial decomposition of the sludge

takes place during the drying process
while moisture content is sufficiently high.
During the rainy season the process may
take a longer time to complete.

TRICKLING FILTER
PROCESSES

 Trickling filter is anattached growth

processi.e. process in which microorganisms
responsible for treatment are attached to an inert
packing material. Packing material used in
attached growth processes include rock, gravel,
slag, sand, redwood, and a wide range of plastic
and other synthetic materials.

Process Description
The wastewater in trickling filter is distributed
over the top area of a vessel containing nonsubmerged packing material.
Air circulation in the void space, by either
natural draft or blowers, provides
oxygen for the
microorganisms
growing as an attached
biofilm.

 The organic material present in the

wastewater metabolised by the biomass
attached to the medium.
The biological slime grows in thickness as the
organic matter abstracted from the flowing
wastewater is synthesized into new cellular
material.

Flow Diagram for Trickling

Filters
Recirculation= A portion of the TF effluent recycled through the filter
Recirculation ratio (R) = returned flow (Or)/ influent flow (Q)
Recycle

Or
Final
clarifier

Final
effluent

Influent

Primary
clarifier

Trickling
filter

Waste
sludge

Advantages
simplicity of operation
resistance to shock loads
low sludge yield
low power requirements

Disadvantages
relatively low BOD removal (85%)
high suspended solids in the effluent (20 -30
mg/L)
little operational control

Types of Filters
Trickling filters are classified as high rate or low
rate, based on the organic and hydraulic loading
applied to the unit.
S.No.

Design Feature

Low Rate Filter

High Rate Filter

1.

Hydraulic loading,
m3/m2.d

1-4

10 - 40

2.

Organic loading,kg
BOD / m3.d

0.08 - 0.32

0.32 - 1.0

3.

Depth, m.

1.8 - 3.0

0.9 - 2.5

0.5 - 3.0 (domestic

wastewater) up to 8
for strong industrial
wastewater.

4.

Recirculation ratio

 Hydraulic loading rate is the total flow

including recirculation applied on unit area
of the filter in a day.
Organic loading rate is the 5 day 20C
BOD, excluding the BOD of the recirculant,
applied per unit volume in a day.
Recirculation is generally not adopted in
low rate filters.
A well operated low rate trickling filter in
combination with secondary settling tank
may remove 75 to 90% BOD and suitable
for treatment of low to medium strength
domestic wastewaters.

 The high rate trickling filter, single stage

or two stage are recommended for
medium to relatively high strength
domestic and industrial wastewater.
The BOD removal efficiency is around 75
to 90%.
Single stage unit consists of a primary
settling tank, filter, secondary settling tank
and facilities for recirculation of the
effluent.
Two stage filters consist of two filters in
series with a primary settling tank, an
intermediate settling tank which may be
omitted in certain cases and a final

Process Design
Generally trickling filter design is based on
empirical relationships to find the required
filter volume for a designed degree of
wastewater treatment.
NRC equations commonly used.
NRC (National Research Council of USA)
equations give satisfactory values when there
is no re-circulation, the seasonal variations in
temperature are not large and fluctuations
with high organic loading.

 NRC equations:These equations are

applicable to both low rate and high rate
filters. The efficiency of single stage or
first stage of two stage filters, E2is given
by
E =100
2

1+0.44(F1.BOD/V1.Rf1)1/2
For the second stage filter, the efficiency
E3is E
given
by
=100
3

[(1+0.44)/(1- E2)]
(F2.BOD/V2.Rf2)1/2

where E2= % efficiency in BOD removal of single

stage or first stage of two-stage filter
E3=% efficiency of second stage filter
F1.BOD= BOD loading of settled raw sewage in single
stage of the two-stage filter in kg/d
F2.BOD=F1.BOD(1- E2)= BOD loading on second-stage
filter in kg/d
V1= volume of first stage filter, m3
Rf1= 1+R
(1+R/10)2
V2= volume of second stage filter, m R=recycle ratio
Rf1= Recirculation factor for first stage,F=recirculation
factor
3

R1= Recirculation ratio for first stage filter

Rf2= Recirculation factor for second stage,

R2= Recirculation ratio for second stage filter.

Q. Problem: Design a low rate filter to treat

6.0 Mld of sewage of BOD of 210 mg/l. The
final effluent should be 30 mg/l and
organic loading rate is 320 g/m3/d.
Solution: Assume 30% of BOD load removed in
primary sedimentation i.e., = 210 x 0.30 = 63
mg/l. Remaining BOD = 210 - 63 = 147 mg/l.
Percent of BOD removal required = (147-30) x
100/147 = 80%
BOD load applied to the filter = flow x conc. of
sewage (kg/d) = 6 x 106x 147/106= 882 kg/d
To find out filter volume, using NRC equation
E2=100
1+0.44(F1.BOD/V1.Rf1)1/2

 80 =100Rf1= 1, (no
recirculation)

1+0.44(882/V1)1/2
V1= 2704 m3
Depth of filter = 1.5 m, Filter area =
2704/1.5 = 1802.66 m2, and Diameter =
48 m
Hydraulic loading rate = 6 x 106/103x
1/1802.66 = 3.33m3/d/m2< 4 hence o.k.
Organic loading rate = 882 x 1000 / 2704
= 326.18 g/d/m3which is approx. equal to
320

ACTIVATED SLUDGE
PROCESSES

 The most common suspended growth

process used for municipal wastewater
treatment is the activated sludge process.

Activated sludge plant involves:

1.wastewater aeration in the presence of
a
microbial suspension,
2.solid-liquid separation following
aeration,
3.discharge of clarified effluent,
4.wasting of excess biomass, and
5.return of remaining biomass to the
aeration tank.

Process
The process involves air oroxygenbeing
introduced into a mixture of primary treated
or screened sewage or industrial wastewater
combined with organisms to develop a
biologicalfloc which reduces
theorganiccontent of thesewage.
The combination of wastewater and biological
mass is commonly known asmixed liquor.
In all activated sludge plants, once the
wastewater has received sufficient treatment,
excess mixed liquor is discharged into settling
tanks and the treated supernatantis run off
to undergo further treatment before

 Part of the settled material, thesludge, is

returned to the head of theaerationsystem
to re-seed the new wastewater entering the
tank.
This fraction of the floc is calledreturn
activated sludge(R.A.S.). Excess sludge is
calledsurplus activated sludge(S.A.S.)
orwaste activated sludge(W.A.S).
S.A.S is removed from the treatment process
to keep the ratio of biomass to food supplied
in the wastewater in balance.
S.A.S is stored in sludge tanks and is further
treated by digestion, either under anaerobic
or aerobic conditions prior to disposal.

Advantages
Diverse; can be used for one household up a
huge plant
Removes organics
Oxidation and Nitrification achieved
Biological nitrification without adding
chemicals
Biological Phosphorus removal
Solids/ Liquids separation
Stabilization of sludge
Capable of removing ~ 97% of suspended
solids
The most widely used wastewater treatment
process

Disadvantages
Does not remove color from industrial wastes
and may increase the color through formation
of highly colored intermediates through
oxidation
Does not remove nutrients, tertiary treatment
is necessary
Problem of getting well settled sludge
Recycle biomass keeps high biomass
concentration in aeration tanks

Types of Activated Sludge Processes

Plug Flow
wastewater is routed through a series of
channels constructed in the aeration basin.
Wastewater Flows to tank & is treated as it
winds its way through the tank.
As the wastewater goes through the system,
BOD and organics concentration are greatly
reduced.

 Variations to this method include:

adding return sludge and/or in decreasing
amounts at various locations along length of
the tank;
wastewater BOD is reduced as it passes
through tank,
air requirements and number of bacteria
required also decrease accordingly.

Complete Mix
wastewater may be immediately mixed
throughout the entire contents of the aeration
basin (mixed with oxygen and bacteria).
This is the most common method used today.
Since the wastewater is completely mixed
with bacteria and oxygen, the volatile
suspended solids concentration and oxygen
demand are the same throughout the tank.

Contact Stabilization
Microorganisms consume organics in the
contact tank.
Raw wastewater flows into the contact tank
where it is aerated and mixed with bacteria.
Soluble materials pass through bacterial cell
walls, while insoluble materials stick to the
outside.
Solids settle out later and are wasted from
the system or returned to a stabilization tank.
Microbes digest organics in the stabilization
tank, and are then recycled back to the
contact tank, because they need more food.

 Detention time is minimized, so the size of

the contact tank can be smaller.
Volume requirements for the stabilization tank
are also smaller because the basin receives
only concentrated return sludge, there is no
incoming raw wastewater.
Often no primary clarifier before the contact
tank due to the rapid uptake of soluble and
insoluble food.

Extended Aeration
Used to treat industrial wastewater containing
soluble organics that need longer detention
times.
This is the same as complete mix, with just a
longer aeration.
Advantage - long detention time in the
aeration tank; provides equalization to absorb
sudden/temporary shock loads.
Less sludge is generally produced because
some of the bacteria are digested in the
aeration tank.
One of the simpler modifications to operate.

Design Consideration
The quality or characteristics of raw waste
water to be treated.
The desired quality or characteristics of
effluent or treated waste water.
The type of reactor that will be used.
Volumetric and organic loading that will be
applied to the reactor.

 Amount of O2 required and the aeration

system will provide to supply O2 and to
support mixing.
The quantity of sludge that will be
generated and wasted for its further
management.
Besides these nutrient requirements of
microbes, environmental conditions under
which plant operated.

Design steps
The design computations require the
determination of:
Volume or dimensions of the aeration
tank
Amount of O2 required and power
needed for aeration
Quantity of sludge that will produced for
particular waste and treatment
conditions
Volume and dimensions of sec. settling

Design criteria
No of aeration tanks, N= min. 2 (small plants)
= 4 or more (large
plants)
Depth of waste water in tank= 3-4.5 m (usually)
= 4.5-7.5 m (diffuse
aeration)
= 1-6 m (surface
aeration)
Freeboard= 0.3-6 m (diffuse aeration)
= 1-1.5 m (surface aeration)
Rectangular aeration tank L:B= 5:1 and B:D=3:1
to 4:1 (depends on the aeration system)

 Air requirement:
I. 20-55 m3 of air/Kg of BOD removed for
diffuse aeration when F/M => 0.3
II. 70-115 m3 air/Kg of BOD removed for
diffuse aeration when F/M <= 0.3
. Power required for complete mixing : 1014 kW/1000 m3 of tank volume for
surface aeration system

ROTATING BIOLOGICAL
CONTRACTORS (RBC)

Rotating Biological
Contactors, commonly called
RBCs, are used in wastewater
treatment plants (WWTPs).
The primary function of these
bio-reactors at WWTPs is the
reduction of organic matter.

A fixed growth biological treatment

processes used to consume organic
matter (BOD) from wastewater.
Consists of 2-6 m diameter disks,
closely spaced on a rotating
horizontal axis.
Disks are covered with a biofilm.
The disks are only partially
submerged in wastewater.

 As the disk rotates the biofilm is exposed

to the wastewater only part of the time.
The rotation in and out of the wastewater
serves to vary the feeding cycle of the
bacteria and microorganisms that make up
the biofilm.
The shaft rotates about 1-10 rpm (slowly).

Advantages/Disadvantages
Advantages
Short contact periods
Handles a wide range
of flows
Easily separates
biomass from waste
stream
Low operating costs
Short retention time
Low sludge production
Excellent process
control

Disadvantages
Need for covering
units installed in cold
climate to protect
against freezing
Shaft bearings and
mechanical drive units
require frequent
maintenance

Flow Diagram of an RBC

Design Criteria
No of modules
= 4-5
Dia of flat discs
= 2-6 m
Thickness of flat disc
= up to 10 mm
Discs spacing
= 30-40 mm
Speed of rotating shaft = 1-10 rpm
Disc submergence
= 40% of dia
Thickness of bio-film
= 2-4 mm

 Organic loading
of

= 3-10 gm BOD/m2
disc

surface area
Hydraulic loading

= 0.02-0.16 m3/m2-d

Sludge production
= 0.5-0.8 Kg/Kg
BOD
removed
Hydraulic retention time = 0.5 -2.0 h

RACKS &
SCREENS...

screen is a device with openings for

removing bigger suspended or floating
matter in sewage which would
otherwise damage equipment or
interfere with satisfactory operation of
treatment units.

Figure Definition sketch for types of screens used in

wastewater treatment

Design Consideration
Velocity
Thevelocity of flow ahead of and through
the screen varies and affects its operation.
The lower the velocity through the screen,
the greater is the amount of screenings
that would be removed from sewage.
However, the lower the velocity, the
greater would be the amount of solids
deposited in the channel.

 Hence, the design velocity should be such

as to permit 100% removal of material of
certain size without undue depositions.
Velocities of0.6 to 1.2 mps through the
open area for the peak flowshave
been used satisfactorily.
Further, the velocity at low flows in the
approach channel shouldnot be less
than 0.3 mpsto avoid deposition of
solids.

Head loss
Head loss varies with the quantity and
nature of screenings allowed to
accumulate between cleanings.
Head loss through screens mainly depends
on:
Size and amount of solids in waste water
Clear openings between bar
Method of cleaning and its frequency
Velocity of flow through the screens

The head loss through clean flat bar

screens is calculated from the
following formula:
h = 0.0729 (V2- v2)
where, h = head loss in m
V = velocity through the screen
in mps
v = velocity before the screen in
mps

Another formula often used to determine the

head loss through a bar rack is Kirschmer's
equation:

h
4/3
=b(W/b)
hvsin
where h = head loss, m
b= bar shape factor (2.42qfor sharp edge
rectangular bar, 1.83 for rectangular bar with
semicircle upstream, 1.79 for circular bar and
1.67 for rectangular bar with both u/s and d/s
face as semicircular).
W = maximum width of bar u/s of flow, m
b = minimum clear spacing between bars, m
hv= velocity head of flow approaching rack, m
=v2/2g

The head loss through fine screen is

given by
h = (1/2g) (Q/CA)
where, h = head loss, m
Q = discharge, m3/s
C = coefficient of discharge (typical
value 0.6)
A = effective submerged open area,
m2

GRIT CHAMBER...

Grit chambers are basin to remove

the inorganic particles to prevent
damage to the pumps, and to
prevent their accumulation in
sludge digesters.

Types of Grit Chambers

Mechanically cleaned
Manually cleaned
Inmechanically cleanedgrit chamber,
scraper blades collect the grit settled on
the floor of the grit chamber.
The grit so collected is elevated to the
ground level by several mechanisms such
as bucket elevators, jet pump and air lift.
Manually cleanedgrit chambers should be
cleaned at least once a week.
The simplest method of cleaning is by
means of shovel.

Aerated Grit Chamber

An aerated grit chamber consists of a
standard spiral flow aeration tank provided
with air diffusion tubes placed on one side
of the tank.
The grit particles tend to settle down to
the bottom of the tank.
Settling rates dependant upon the particle
size and the bottom velocity of roll of the
spiral flow.

Design criteria
Recommended for horizontal flow and
aerated grit chamber.
Flow= maximum
Detention time= 30-90 s (usually 60 s)
Flow through velocity, vh= 0.2-0.4 m/s
(usually 0.3 m/s)
Settling velocity= 0.016-0.021 m/s for 0.2
mm dia particle
= 0.01-0.015 m/s for 0.15 mm
dia particles
Liquid depth= 1-1.5 m
Length= 3-25 m

Determination of settling velocity

Transition law:
The design of grit chamber is based on
removal of grit particles with minimum
size of 0.15 mm and therefore Stoke's law
is not applicable to determine the settling
velocity of grit particles for design
purposes. v2=4g( s

w)d
3
CDw

Where:
g= acceleration due to gravity (assume 9.81
m/s2)
w= density of water (1000 Kg/m3)
s= density of solid particles
(normally of specific gravity
2.65=2.65*1000=2650 Kg/m3)
d= dia of particles
CD= coefficient of drag force depends on
flow condition

AERATION UNITS...

 Unit process in which air and water are

brought into intimate contact.
The contact time and ratio of air to water
must be sufficient for exchange sufficient
oxygen.
Advantages
Providing O2 for purification and improving
overall quality.
CO2 reduction-reduces the corrosion.
Raising the pH.
VOC removal
Effective method for bacterial control

Methods of aeration
Diffused aeration
Spray aeration
Turbine aeration
Surface aeration

Diffused aeration
Providing maximum water surface per unit
volume of air.
Air bubbles brought with water in a mixing
or contact chamber.
A common way to aerate water is via
diffused air.
Air is pumped through some sort of
diffuser to generate small bubbles.

 Usually gas is injected into the bottom of

the aeration tank and is allowed to rise to
the surface in an open tank.
The rising bubbles transfer oxygen to the
water, as well as transport bottom water
to the surface.
The bubbles raising through water create
turbulence.
Untreated water is allowed to enter the
tank from top and exit from bottom.

Efficiency of diffused aeration can be

improved:
Fine bubbles (0.2 cm dia) as
compared to coarse bubble (2.5 cm
dia)
By increasing water depth (9-15 ft)
By improving the basin geometry
(width to depth ratio not exceed 2)
By increasing the retention time (1030 min)

Typical diffused aeration system looks like:

There are a large variety of diffuser types. For

example ceramic plates

These plates are arranged on manifolds at

the bottom of aeration tanks as shown here.

Other types of diffusers include coarse

aerators

Again, these diffusers would be arranged by

a manifold on the bottom of an aeration
tank.

To determine the oxygen transfer rate in

these diffused aeration systems, first define
the pressure difference from top to bottom
of the tank.
At the surface:

Psurface 14.7(1 0.032 Alt)

Alt

= altitude in thousands feet above

sea level
has units of psi
surface

62.4H
Pbottom Psurface
(psi)
144

H = depth of tank (depth of discharge point)

in feet.

Mechanical Aeration
Basically there are two types of
mechanical aeration.
Turbine Aeration:
In this system coarse bubbles are injected
into the bottom of the tank and then a
turbine shears the bubbles for better
oxygen transfer.
Efficiency of turbine aerators is generally
higher than diffused aeration.

Surface Aeration:
In this case a mixing device is used
to agitate the surface so that there is
increased interfacial area between
liquid and air.
There are many different proprietary
types of surface aerators .

Common surface aerators

Design consideration for mechanical

aerators is usually based on Eckenfelder and
Ford equation.

T 20
C w Cl

N N0

(1.02)
9.17

Notice that there is no depth

consideration for mechanical aeration.

Where as:
N = actual transfer rate (lb-O2/hr)
N0 = manufacturer specified transfer rate
( lb/hr) for clean water, 20oC, zero DO.
Cw = saturation value for oxygen for
wastewater under operating conditions.
9.17 = saturation DO for clean water,
20oC.
Cl = the design oxygen concentration in
the aeration basin.
T = Temp.
= oxygen transfer correction factor for

SEDIMENTATION
TANKS...

Solid liquid separation process in

which a suspension is separated into
two phases
Clarified supernatant leaving the top
of the sedimentation tank (overflow).
Concentrated sludge leaving the
bottom of the sedimentation tank
(underflow).

Purpose of Settling
To remove coarse dispersed phase.
To remove coagulated and
flocculated impurities.
To remove precipitated impurities
after chemical treatment.
To settle the sludge (biomass) after
activated sludge process / tricking
filters.

Principle of Settling
Suspended solids present in water having
specific gravity greater than that of water
tend to settle down by gravity as soon as
theturbulence is retarded by offering
storage.
Basin in which the flow is retarded is
calledsettling tank.
Theoretical average time for which the
water is detained in the settling tank is
called thedetention period.

Sedimentation Basins

Shapes
Circular, Rectangular, and square
Sizes
Circular 15 to 300 ft (diameter) and 6 to 16
ft
(depth)
Typical sizes are 35 to 150 ft (diameter)
and 10 to 14 ft (depth)
Square 35 to 200 ft (width) and 6 to 19 ft
(depth)
Rectangular ( depends on sludge removal
mechanism)
Freeboard 1 to 1.25 ft for circular and
square tanks

Types of Settling
Type I settling (free settling)
Type II settling (settling of
flocculated particles)
Type III settling (zone or hindered
settling)
Type IV settling (compression
settling)

Design parameters for settling tank

Types of settling

Primary settling only

Primary settling
followed by secondary
treatment
Primary settling with
activated sludge
return
Secondary settling for
trickling filters
Secondary settling for
activated sludge
(excluding extended

Overflow
Solids
Detent
Dept
rate
loading
ion
h
m3m2/day
kg/m2/day
time
Avera
Avera Pea
Peak
ge
ge
k
2.525-30 50-60
2.0-2.5
3.5
-

2.53.5

25-35 50-60

3.54.5

15-25 40-50

70120

190

2.51.5-2.0
3.5

15-35 40-50

70140

210

3.54.5

35-50

60120

Design Details
Detention period: for plain
sedimentation: 3 to 4 h, and for
coagulated sedimentation: 2 to 2.5 h.
Velocity of flow: Not greater than 30
cm/min (horizontal flow).
Tank dimensions: L:B = 3 to 5:1.
Generally L= 30 m (common)
maximum 100 m. Breadth= 6 m to
10 m. Circular: Diameter not greater
than 60 m. generally 20 to 40 m.

Depth 2.5 to 5.0 m (3 m).

Surface Overflow Rate: For plain
sedimentation 12000 to 18000
L/d/m2 tank area; for thoroughly
flocculated water 24000 to 30000
L/d/m2 tank area.
Slopes: Rectangular 1% towards inlet
and circular 8%.

Problem:
Design a rectangular sedimentation
tank to treat 2.4 million litres of raw
water per day. The detention period
may be assumed to be 3 hours.

Solution:Raw water flow per day is 2.4 x 106

L. Detention period is 3h.
Volume of tank = Flow x Detention period = 2.4
x 106x 3/24 = 300 m3
Assume depth of tank = 3.0 m.
Surface area = 300/3 = 100 m2
L/B = 3 (assumed). L = 3B.
3B2= 100 m2i.e. B = 5.8 m
L = 3B = 5.8 X 3 = 17.4 m
Hence surface loading (Overflow rate) =2.4 x
106=
100
24,000L/d/m2

Thanks for u r
patience