DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

COMPILATION OF ACTIVITIES:

MODULE 5
DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

A. Self-Assessment #7: Second the Ray

To check if you have understood the importance of the secondary treatment, project the
possible inefficiencies in the tertiary treatment if the wastewater skips secondary
treatment.

Secondary wastewater treatment focuses on removing suspended solids, colloidal

particles, and nutrients in wastewater by biological means. Microorganisms or the
addition of bacteria are used to remove the biodegradable organics in the wastewater
as they feed on them. These microorganisms will die eventually once the scarcity of food
escalated. If a wastewater treatment plant skips this step, it will cost the facility to use
more chemicals such as chemical coagulants to remove suspended solids and other
colloidal particles. Moreover, tertiary wastewater treatment is employed as a high-rate
secondary treatment. Therefore, the process would be ineffective when there are still
many pollutants, such as heavy metals and refractory organics, that need to be
removed.

B. Graded Assignment #7: By Your Mass

Choose two factors except for temperature and explain how they affect each stage of
the biomass curve.

1. pH

It was stated that microorganisms function well at near-neutral pH with a

tolerance range of pH 6 to 9. When the microorganisms are introduced in
wastewater at this range, they would be able to adjust quickly to this new
environment. Otherwise, they will have a hard time functioning because a higher
or lower pH from that range may affect the function of the metabolic enzymes.
Moreover, once the microorganisms have fully adjusted to their environment at a
pH range of 6 to 9, they will be able to perform well, and biological activity will
continue in the log-growth phase. As food becomes limiting, the microorganisms
will start to decrease, and when food scarcity gets worse, they will eventually die.
This happens in the stationary and endogenous phase, respectively. Generally, for
biological activity to occur and microorganisms to function best, the pH of bulk
water should be maintained in the acceptable range.

2. Dissolved oxygen

In the lag-phase, the bacteria added to wastewater are becoming

accustomed to their new environment. Thus, they will adjust to whatever condition
DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

of the wastewater to where they were introduced. Since they need oxygen to
survive, there should be an optimum amount of dissolved oxygen for the bacteria
to grow rapidly under the exponential phase. Most especially the aerobic
bacteria. They need at least 0.1-0.3 mg/L of dissolved oxygen for them to function
well. Once the rapid increase of microorganisms' population happens, they will
not just compete for food but also for oxygen. In the stationary phase, the growth
of bacteria is offset by the other bacteria's death due to the food and oxygen
competition. Eventually, the bacteria will die under the endogenous phase.
Generally, at least 2 mg/L of oxygen must be maintained in the bulk fluid for the
bacteria in the floc center to get 0.1- 0.3 mg/L of oxygen (The Wastewater
Treatment Process, n.d.).

C. Self-Assessment #8: Air Rate

To check if you have understood the different aeration diagrams above, explain in less
than two sentences why is there a need to have different ways of introducing air to the
aeration tank.

The different ways of introducing air in the tank have varying objectives. Generally,
these ways of introducing air are essential to promote microbial growth in
wastewater.

D. Graded Assignment #8: Filled Lament

In not more than three sentences explain how filamentous bulking and poor settling
affects the performance of the secondary treatment.

From here, we go back to the principal objectives of the secondary wastewater

treatment system. It primarily focuses on the removal of biodegradable organics,
suspended solids, and other colloidal particles. Now, when filamentous bulking, which
then causes poor settling, occurs, it will be difficult for the secondary treatment process
to reach its aim, and that's to settle the sludge and eventually remove it from the
wastewater.

E. Self-Assessment #9: LOGIC BEHIND

Determine if the following is possible and explain why.

1. MLVSS ≥ MLSS
Not possible. This is due to the fact that MLVSS is only a portion of MLSS. It
only means that MLVSS should have a lower value than MLSS.
2. CRT ≤ 1 day
Not possible. Cell residence time is a sensible biological activity that is
within the range of days to weeks. It should not fall below the minimum value as
it is highly dependent on the F/M ratio.
DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

3. Clarifier solids > both MLSS and RAS SS

Not possible. The amount of clarifying solid could be greater than MLSS but
not both MLSS and RAS SS. This is because clarifier solid is only 50% of the
sum of MLSS and RAS SS.

F. Graded Assignment #9: Day 33 Wrap Up

1. A two-meter belt press is being used to the water anaerobically digested sludge
(3.8% TS) at the rate of 75 gallons/min. It is operated 6.5 hours per day. The feed
sludge condition with a polymer solution and then fed to press. A 25 cubic yard
truck full (level road) of sludge cake (20.5% TS, Bulk density 65.8 pounds per cubic
feet) is hold away at the end of each day. Calculate the percent solids recovery.
DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

2. How many pounds of MLSS should be maintained in an aeration tank with a

volume of 0.306 MG receiving primary effluent BOD of 510 lbs/day? What will be
the MLVSS (mixed liquor volatile suspended solids) concentration in mg/L? The
desired F/M (food to microorganism ratio) is 0.42 and solids are 89% volatile.
DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

3. At an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant receiving 5.5 MGD the final
effluent suspended solids concentration averages 20.5 mg/L. What would the
calculated MCRT value be when the aeration basin carries 2120 mg/L MLSS and
wastes 0.0325 MGD. The waste activated sludge has a concentration of 7980
mg/L. The aeration tank has a volume of 2.5 MG and the secondary clarifier has
an operational value of 0.10 MG .
DE GUZMAN, MARRIANE CAMILLE J.

CHE 3131-3498

REFERENCES:

The Wastewater Treatment Process.(n.d). Retrieved from

http://www.iowaruralwater.org/tools_tips/toni_glymp/Bacteria-Protozoa.pdf