Assignment-2.

(17bt050101)

Waste water management

(1)screening-
Wastewater Screening is the first unit operation in all wastewater treatment plants. Screen is the device
used to retain solids found in the influent wastewater to the treatment plant. The main purpose of
screening is to remove solid materials that could:

Cause damage to other process equipment.

Cause reduction in efficiency of the whole system

Contaminate waterways

The materials that are removed using screens are called screenings.

Classification of screens-

-Coarse screens

-Fine screens

-Microscreens

Coarse screens-

Coarse screens have a clear openings ranging from 6 to 150 mm (0.25 t0 6 in). Coarse screen consist of
parallel bars, rods or wires, wire mesh or a perforated plates with openings generally of circular or
rectangular shapes. So it is also call as “bar rack” and used to remove coarse solids such as rags and
large objects that may clog or cause damage to other appurtenances. Based on the Wastewater
Screening method used to clean them, coarse screens are classified into two:

-Hand cleaned screens

-Mechanically cleaned screens

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Hand cleaned screens
Hand cleaned coarse screens are used in small wastewater pumping stations. They are often used as
standby screens in bypass channel for service during high-flow periods or when mechanically cleaned
screens are under repair or when power failure occurs. When used the length of bar rack should be
limited to 3 m, which enables
convenient hand raking. The
screen channels should be
designed in such a way that to
prevent excessive
accumulation of grit and other
heavy metals. The channel
should have a straight approach
which should be perpendicular
to the bar screen to promote
uniform distribution of the solids throughout the flow and on the screen.

Mechanically cleaned screens-It is designed mainly to reduce the operating and maintenance problems
and to increase the efficiency of screening. Mechanically cleaned bar Wastewater Screens are classified
into four principal types:

Chain driven screens: this type of screens used a automatic chain to clean the screen. It is classified into
front and back chain driven screens on the basis of how the screen is raked from the upstream or in
downstream and whether the rakes return to the bottom of the bar screen from the front or back

Reciprocating rake (Climber screen): In this type of screen the rake moves to the base of the screen,
engages the bars and pulls the screenings in to the top of the screen where they removed. This screen
uses only one rake instead of multiple rakes that are
used in other type of screens. Due to this they have
limited capacity in handling heavy screening loads.

OCatenary screen: They have the rake which is held

against the rack by the weight of chain. They are
front cleaned, front return chain driven screen. If

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heavy objects become jammed in between the bars, the rakes will pass over them instead of further
jamming in it.

Continuous belt screen: It is a continuous, self cleaning screen that can remove fine and coarse solids. A
large number of rakes are attached to the drive chains. The number of screening elements generally
depends on the depth of the screen channel.

Fine screens-

In Wastewater Screening, Fine screens have clear

openings less than 6 mm. They consisted of
perforated plates, wire cloth, wedge wire
elements that have smaller openings. They are
also used to remove the fine solids present in the
primary effluent. Fine screens are classified as:

-static wedge wire screens

-rotary drum screens

-step type screens

Static wedge screens- They have a clear opening of 0.2

to 1.2 mm and designed for a rate of flow of 400 to
1200 L/m2 min of screen area. Large floor area
should require for installation of these screens and
these should be cleaned once or twice daily

Rotary drum screens- In this type the screening or straining medium is mounted on a cylinder that
rotates in the flow channel. The wastewater flows into either end of drum and flows out through the
screen outlet with the solids are being collected on this interior or into the top of the unit.

Step types screens-It consists of two step shaped

sets of thin vertical plates, one fixed and other one is
movable. The fixed and movable step plates

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alternate across the width of channel and together form a single screen face. The movable plate rotates
in a vertical motion. Through this the solids collected on the screen face is lifted up to the next fixed step
landing and transported to the top of the screen to discharge into outlet.

Microscreens-

They are rotating drum screens which have a variable low speed (upto 4 r/min), which is continuously
backwashed operating in gravity flow conditions. The filtering fabrics used should have a openings
ranges from 10 to 35µm and fitted on the periphery of the drum. The influent enters through drum lined
with fabric. The solids retained are collected through backwashing and transported for disposal.

(2)Grit chamber-
Grit chamber is a long narrow or circular tank in the primary sewage treatment plant that is designed to
reduce the velocity of the flow of sewage to eliminate the girt materials such as sand, ash and clinkers,
eggshells, bone chips and many inert materials inorganic in nature

Working Principle of Grit Chamber-

The grit chambers work as a sedimentation tank which is designed to separate the intended heavier
inorganic materials (specific gravity about 2.65) and to pass forward the lighter organic materials.
Differential sedimentation and differential scouring velocity are maintained in the chamber so that the
flow velocity should neither be too low as to cause the settling of lighter organic matter nor should it be
too high as not to cause the settlement of the silt and grit present in the sewage.

critical velocity of flow ‘vc‘ beyond which particles of a certain size and density once settled should
always be less than the scouring velocity of grit particles. The critical velocity of scour is given by
Schield’s formula-

V = 3 to 4.5 (g(Ss – 1)d)1/2

horizontal velocity of flow of 15 to 30 cm/sec is used

at peak flows. This same velocity is to be maintained
at all fluctuation of flow to ensure that only
organic solids and not the grit is scoured from the
bottom.

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Classification of grit Chamber-

-Horizontal grit Chamber

-Aerated grit Chamber

Horizontal grit Chamber

It is a narrow open channel of about 10-18

meters long and with a depth of 1 to 1.3 m. The
velocity in the grit chamber is maintained in such a way that the velocity will carry most organic
particles through the chamber and will tend to re-suspend any that settle, but will permit the settling of
heavier grit particles. So it is usually designed to maintain a velocity of 0.3 m/s. To maintain a fairly
constant velocity of flow, a control section is used. These control sections are classified as following:

Proportional flow weirs

Parshall flumes

Palmer-Bowlus flumes

Sutor weirs

Aerated grit chamber

Aerated grit chambers consist of a spiral flow

aeration tank enabled with air diffusion tubes placed
on one side of the tank. They control the separation
of inorganic and organic particles by producing a
rolling flow pattern. The heavier particles tend to
settle down to the flow due to their higher settling
velocities and lighter particles are carried with the
roll of spiral motion and eventually out of the
tank.Grit chambers are also classified on the basis of
mechanism of cleaning them. They are:

Mechanically cleaned grit chambers

Manually cleaned grit chambers

If the influent flow exceeds 10 MLD, mechanized grit removal units are usually used.

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Disposal of grit

Grit is usually washed after removing it from the chamber, unless it may contain considerable amount of
organic matter which causes unpleasant odor. It usually devoid of odor and resembles with sand and
gravel particles after washing them. They are mainly disposed of by dumping or by a sanitary landfill.
The method of disposal is selected on the basis of physical and chemical characteristics of grit, quality,
availability of land for disposal etc.

(3) Skimming tank-

Skimming tanks are used to remove floating substances like grease, oil, fats, soap, fruit skins etc. if these
are not removed, they can cause severe damages to several equipments in a wastewater treatment
plant. Skimming tanks used are generally rectangular or circular in shape having a detention time of 3-5
minutes.When the flow enters the skimming tank, these floating matters will rises and remains in the
surface of wastewater and subsequently removed. The clear wastewater is removed either through an
outlet places in the bottom of tank or through partitions given at the bottom sidewalls.

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(4) Primary sedimentation
tank-
The primary sedimentation
tanks are designed to
reduce the velocity of the
wastewater flow for organic
solids (called raw sludge) to settle. Scrapers present in the tank move continuously along the floor of the
tank to deposit the raw sludge in hoppers for removal. The scum which floats to the surface is directed
by water jets to the sludge sump. The raw sludge is then pumped to the sludge digesters for biological
treatment. Approximately 60% of suspended solids and 35% of BOD removal efficiency can be achieved
at this stage.

It is classified further into 2 types-

-Circular sedimentation tank

-Rectangular sedimentation tank

Circular sedimentation tank

Most common-have diameters from 3 to 60m (side water depth range from 3 to 5m)Careful design of
the inlet stilling well is needed to active a stable radial flow pattern without causing excessive
turbulence in the vicinity of the central sludge hoppe.The weir length aroid the perimeter of the tank is
usually sufficient to give a sates factory weir loading rate at maximum flow, but at low flows, very low
flow depths may result.To overcome the sensitivity of these tanks to slight errors in weir level and wind
effects, it is common to provide v-much wares.Sludge removal is effected by means of a rotary sludge
scrapper who moves the sludge into a central hopper, form which it is with drown.Scum removal is
carried out by surface skimming board attached to the sludge scrapper mechanism and positioned so
that scum is moved towards a collecting hopper at the surface.

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Rectangular sedimentation tank

Occupy less space than circular tanks.They can be economically built side-by-side with common
walls.Length ranges 15 to 100m an width from 3 to 24m (length/ width ratio 3:1 to 5:1)The maximum
forward velocity to avoid the risk of scouring settled sludge is 10 to 15 mm/s (06 to 09m/min or 2 to 3 ft/
min), indicating that the ratio of length to width l/w should referrals be about.The maximum weir
loading rate, to limit the influence of draw-down currents, is preferably about 300 m3/d-m, this figure is
sometime increased where the design flow is great then 3 ADWF.Inlets should be baffled to dissipate the
momentum of the incoming flow and to assist in establishing uniform forward flow.Sludge is removed
by scraping it into collecting hoppers at the inlet end of the tank.Some removal is essential in primary
sedimentation tanks because of the grease and other floating matter which is present in wastewater.
The sludge serapes can return along the length of the tank a the water surface. As they move towards
the outlet end of the bank, the flights then move the sum towards a skimmer located just upstream of
the effluent weirs.

(5) Secondary treatment-

Secondary treatment removes the soluble organic matter that escapes primary treatment. It also
removes more of the suspended solids. Removal is usually accomplished by biological processes in
which microbes consume the organic impurities as food, converting them into carbon dioxide, water,
and energy for their own growth and reproduction. The sewage treatment plant provides a suitable
environment, albeit of steel and concrete, for this natural biological process. Removal of soluble organic

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matter at the treatment plant helps to protect the dissolved oxygen balance of a receiving stream, river,
or lake.

Secondary treatment is done by 2 methods-

-Aerobic process

-Anarobic process

Aerobic secondary treatment

This process is done in presence of oxygen.Aerobic treatment is

typically applied to efficiently treat low strength wastewater (COD
<1000 mg/L) when the treatment requires the presence of oxygen.

There are three basic aerobic treatment methods: the trickling filter,
the activated sludge process, and the oxidation pond, less common
method is the rotating biological contacter and aerated lagoons.

The trickling filter

A trickling filter is simply a tank filled with a deep bed of stones. Settled sewage is sprayed continuously
over the top of the stones and trickles to the bottom, where it is collected for further treatment. As the
wastewater trickles down, bacteria gather and multiply on the stones. The steady flow of sewage over
these growths allows the microbes to absorb the dissolved organics, thus lowering the biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD) of the sewage. Air circulating upward through the spaces among the stones
provides sufficient oxygen for the metabolic processes.

tanks, called secondary clarifiers, follow the trickling filters. These clarifiers remove microbes that are
washed off the rocks by the flow of wastewater. Two or more trickling filters may be connected in series,
and sewage can be recirculated in order to increase treatment efficiency.

The activated sludge process

The activated sludge treatment system consists of an aeration tank followed by a secondary clarifier.
Settled sewage, mixed with fresh sludge that is recirculated from the secondary clarifier, is introduced
into the aeration tank. Compressed air is then injected into the mixture through porous diffusers located
at the bottom of the tank. As it bubbles to the surface, the diffused air provides oxygen and a rapid
mixing action. Air can also be added by the churning action of mechanical propeller-like mixers located
at the tank surface.Under such oxygenated conditions, microorganisms thrive, forming an active,
healthy suspension of biological solids—mostly bacteria—called activated sludge. About six hours of
detention is provided in the aeration tank. This gives the microbes enough time to absorb dissolved
organics from the sewage, reducing the BOD. The mixture then flows from the aeration tank into the
secondary clarifier, where activated sludge settles out by gravity. Clear water is skimmed from the

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surface of the clarifier, disinfected, and discharged as secondary effluent. The sludge is pumped out
from a hopper at the bottom of the tank. About 30 percent of the sludge is recirculated back into the
aeration tank, where it is mixed with the primary effluent. This recirculation is a key feature of the
activated sludge process. The recycled microbes are well acclimated to the sewage environment and
readily metabolize the organic materials in the primary effluent. The remaining 70 percent of the
secondary sludge must be treated and disposed of in an acceptable manner .Variations of the activated
sludge process include extended aeration, contact stabilization, and high-purity oxygen aeration.
Extended aeration and contact stabilization systems omit the primary settling step. They are efficient for
treating small sewage flows from motels, schools, and other relatively isolated wastewater sources.
Both of these treatments are usually provided in prefabricated steel tanks called package plants. Oxygen
aeration systems mix pure oxygen with
activated sludge. A richer concentration of
oxygen allows the aeration time to
be shortened from six to two hours,
reducing the required tank volume.

Oxidation Ponds-

Oxidation ponds, also called lagoons or stabilization ponds, are large, shallow ponds designed to treat
wastewater through the interaction of sunlight, bacteria, and algae. Algae grow using energy from the
sun and carbon dioxide and inorganic compounds released by bacteria in water. During the process of
photosynthesis, the algae release oxygen needed by aerobic bacteria. Mechanical aerators are
sometimes installed to supply yet more oxygen, thereby reducing the required size of the pond. Sludge
deposits in the pond must eventually be removed by dredging. Algae remaining in the pond effluent can
be removed by filtration or by a combination of chemical treatment and settling.

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The rotating Biological Contactor

In this treatment system a series of large plastic disks mounted on a horizontal shaft are partially
submerged in primary effluent. As the shaft rotates, the disks are exposed alternately to air and
wastewater, allowing a layer of bacteria to grow on the disks and to metabolize the organics in the
wastewater.

Aerated lagoons

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Aeration lagoons are profound (3–4 m) compared to oxidation ponds, where oxygen is provided by
aerators but not by the photosynthetic activity of algae as in the oxidation ponds. The aerators keep the
microbial biomass suspended and provide sufficient dissolved oxygen that allows maximal aerobic
activity. On the other hand, bubble aeration is commonly used where the bubbles are generated by
compressed air pumped through plastic tubing laid through the base of the lagoon. A predominately
bacterial biomass develops and, whereas there is neither sedimentation nor sludge return, this
procedure counts on adequate mixed liquor formed in the tank/lagoon. Therefore, the aeration lagoons
are suitable for strong but degradable wastewater such as wastewaters of food industries. The hydraulic
retention time (HRT) ranges from 3 to 8 days based on treatment level, strength, and temperature of
the influent. Generally, HRT of about 5 days at 20°C achieves 85% removal of BOD in household
wastewater. However, if the temperature falls by 10°C, then the BOD removal will decrease to 65%.

Anarobic secondary treatment

It is done in absence of air.anaerobic treatment is typically

applied to treat wastewater with higher organic loading (COD >4000 mg/L).Strong organic wastewaters
containing large amounts of biodegradable materials are discharged mainly by agricultural and food
processing industries. These wastewaters are difficult to be treated aerobically due to the troubles and
expenses of fulfillment of the elevated oxygen demand to preserve the aerobic conditions [1]. In
contrast, anaerobic degradation occurs in the absence of oxygen. Although the anaerobic treatment is
time-consuming, it has a multitude of advantages in treating strong organic wastewaters. These
advantages include elevated levels of purification, aptitude to handle high organic loads, generating
small amounts of sludges that are usually very stable, and production of methane (inert combustible
gas) as end-product.

Anarobic secondary treatment is done by following methods named

-UASB reactor,septic tank,imhoff tank

UASB Reactor

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Up flow anaerobic sludge blanket technology also known as UASB reactor is a form of anaerobic digester
which used in wastewater treatment. UASB reactor is a methane-producing digester, which uses an
anaerobicprocess and forming a blanket of granular sludge and is processed by the anaerobic
microorganisms.2

UASB reactor is based on the so-called three-phase separator, which enables the reactor to separate
gas, water and sludge mixtures under high turbulence conditions. This allows for compact, cheaper
designs.The reactor has multiple gas hoods for the separation of biogas. As a result the extremely large
gas/water interfaces greatly reduce turbulence, making relatively high loading rates of 10 – 15 kg/m3.d
possible. Separation in the UASB reactor requires only 1.0 meter of height, which prevents flotation
effects and, consequently, floating layers.Generally, during the treatment of UASB reactor, the substrate
passes through an expanded sludge bed which containing a high concentration of biomass first. After
that, the remaining part of substrate passes through a less dense biomass which named the sludge
blanket.The influent is pumped to the UASB reactor from bottom of it by Peristaltic pump. The influent
move upwards and get contact with the biomass in sludge bed, then continue to move upwards and the
rest substrates act with the biomass again in the sludge blanket which has a less concentration of
biomass compared with the sludge bed below.

the treated wastewater will be collected by the effluent collection system via number of launders
distributed over entire area discharging, to main launder provided at periphery of the reactor. And the
biogasesgenerated will be collected as the valuable fuel or for deposal.

Septic tank

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A septic tank is an underwater sedimentation tank used for wastewater treatment through the process
of biological decomposition and drainage.Septic tanks allow a safe disposal of wastewater and hence are
widely popular in areas that have a poor drainage system or are off the mains sewage network. They
work by collecting the excreta and wastewater in one big underground tank, they are predominantly
used in rural areas.

Wastewater flows
into the septic tank
where solids and liquids
separate. Partially decomposed solids settle to form sludge on the tank floor, and lighter materials such
as fat and grease form a floating layer of scum. Effluent, which may still contain small particles of solids,
flows out of the septic tank to a land-application disposal area. It filters through the soil, where it is
treated by bacterial action.

partially decomposed solids that settle on the bottom of the tank must be pumped out approximately
every 3–5 years, depending on use.The septic tank outlet should be below the level of the floating scum
layer so the amount of these solids that are dispersed onto the land is limited.

Septic tanks are generally gravity-fed. They must therefore be installed below the level of the house. If
this is not possible, waste must be pumped to the tank. Tanks may incorporate tees or baffles at the
inlet and outlet pipes to slow incoming wastewater and reduce sludge disturbance. Gas baffles may be
incorporated to deflect gas from escaping through the outlet.

Imhoff tank

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The Imhoff tank (also known as Emscherbrunnen or Emscher Tank), is designed for solid-liquid
separation in raw wastewater, and digestion of the settled sludge. The settling compartment has a
circular or rectangular shape with V-shaped walls and a slot at the bottom, allowing solids to settle into
the digestion compartment, while preventing foul gas from rising up and disturbing the settling process.
Gas produced in the digestion chamber rises into the gas vents at the edge of the reactor. It transports
sludge particles to the water surface, creating a scum layer. The sludge accumulates in the sludge
digestion chamber, and is compacted and partially stabilised through anaerobic digestion

Imhoff tanks are compact and efficient systems for the pre-treatment of municipal wastewater. They are
recommended for domestic or mixed wastewater flows between 50 and 20,000 population equivalents.
They are able to treat high organic loads and are resistant against organic shock loads. Space
requirements are low. Normally, Imhoff tanks are used by small communities with raw wastewater flows
on the order of 950 m3/day (population about 8,000 people or 1,300 households) (WSP 2007). Imhoff
tanks can be used in both warm and cold climates (HOFFMANN et al. 2011). As the tank is very high, it
can be built underground, if the groundwater table is low and the location is not flood prone. If
constructed underground, land use is very limited and Imhoff tanks can be constructed in both, rural or
urban areas. Investment costs are low and operation and maintenance simple; however, the tanks must
be desludged regularly. The pre-treated wastewater from the Imhoff tank requires secondary treatment

Imhoff tanks cause a suspended solids reduction of 50 to 70%, COD reduction of 25 to 50%, and leads to
potentially good sludge stabilisation – depending on the design and conditions; pathogen removal is
low.

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(6) Secondary sedimentation tank-
The secondary sedimentation tanks or settling basins or clarifiers allow the microorganisms and other
solids to settle after secondary or biological treatment. This sludge is pumped back into the inlet end of
the primary sedimentation tanks and settles with the raw sludge. At this stage the BOD may be reduced
to approximately 75 - 80% of the inffluent level and suspended solids are removed.

It is classified into 2-types

-rectangular sedimentation tank

-circular sedimentation tank

(7) Sludge treatment-

The residue that accumulates in sewage treatment plants is called sludge (or biosolids). Sewage sludge
is the solid, semisolid, or slurry residual material that is produced as a by-product of wastewater
treatment processes. This residue is commonly classified as primary and secondary sludge. Primary
sludge is generated from chemical precipitation, sedimentation, and other primary processes, whereas
secondary sludge is the activated waste biomass resulting from biological treatments.

Treatment of sewage sludge may include a combination of thickening, digestion tank, and dewatering
processes.

Thickening

Thickening is usually the first step in sludge treatment because it is impractical to handle thin sludge, a
slurry of solids suspended in water. Thickening is usually accomplished in a tank called a gravity
thickener. A thickener can reduce the total volume of sludge to less than half the original volume. An
alternative to gravity thickening is dissolved-air flotation. In this method, air bubbles carry the solids to
the surface, where a layer of thickened sludge forms.

Digestion tank

After amassing all the solids from the sewage sludge begins the sludge digestion process. This is a
biological process in which the organic solids present in the sludge are decomposed into stable
substances. This process also helps reduce the total mass of solids, while destroying any present
pathogens to enable easy dewatering. The sludge digestion process is a two-phase process. In the first
stage, the dry solid sludge is heated and mixed in a closed tank to enable anaerobic digestion by acid-
forming bacteria. These bacteria hydrolyze the large molecules of proteins and lipids present in the
sludge and break them down into smaller water-soluble molecules, which they then ferment into
various fatty acids. The sludge then flows into the second tank where it is converted by other bacteria

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to produce a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, after which the methane is collected and
reused to power the digestion tank and generate power (depending on the quantity retrieved).

Aerobic and conventional anaerobic digestion convert about half of the organic sludge solids to liquids
and gases. Thermal hydrolysis followed by anaerobic digestion can convert some 60 to 70 percent of the
solid matter to liquids and gases. Not only is the volume of solids produced smaller than in conventional
digestion, but the greater production of biogas can make some wastewater treatment plants self-
sufficient in energy.

Dewatering

After retrieving useful gases and other byproducts, the remaining sludge is then dewatered before final
disposal. In most cases, dewatered sludge usually contains a significant amount of water, as much as 70
percent, in spite of its solidified state. Therefore, it is important to dry and dewater the sludge
beforehand. While using sludge-drying beds is the most common way to carry out this process, it is
extremely time-consuming and may take weeks before the process is complete. In order to quicken
these processes, waste management plans are also employing solid-liquid separation devices to carry
out this process. In fact, centrifugation is slowly becoming one of the most preferred methods of
dewatering sludge. By passing the sludge through a centrifuge, it becomes easier to retrieve all the
water and enable easier handling of the solid waste in shorter durations at reduced costs. Other
alternatives include the rotary drum vacuum filter and the belt filter press.

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(8) Disposal of digested sludge-
The final destination of treated sewage sludge usually is the land. Dewatered sludge can be buried
underground in a sanitary landfill. It also may be spread on agricultural land in order to make use of its
value as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. Since sludge may contain toxic industrial chemicals, it is not
spread on land where crops are grown for human consumption.

Where a suitable site for land disposal is not available, as in urban areas, sludge may be incinerated.
Incineration completely evaporates the moisture and converts the organic solids into inert ash. The ash
must be disposed of, but the reduced volume makes disposal more economical. Air pollution control is a
very important consideration when sewage sludge is incinerated. Appropriate air-cleaning devices such
as scrubbers and filters must be used.Dumping sludge in the ocean, once an economical disposal
method for many coastal communities, is no longer considered a viable option. It is now prohibited in
the United States and many other coastal countries.

Reference:http://www.level.org.nz/water/wastewater/on-site-wastewater-treatment/septic-tanks/

https://www.intechopen.com/books/wastewater-treatment-engineering/biological-and-chemical-
wastewater-treatment-processes

https://www.britannica.com/technology/wastewater-treatment/Primary-treatment

nptel , encyclopedia and Google images

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