Effects of Temperature and F/M ratio

On the Settling Characteristics of Activated Sludge

S. M. Al-RAWI Dr. Waleed M. Sh. Alabdraba

Assistant Professor Lecturer
Center for Environmental Researches Environmental Dept.
Mosul University College of Engineering
Tikrit University

ABSTRACT
The paper focused on the sludge characteristics taken from secondary
sedimentation tank in a laboratory bench scale pilot plant working under
extended aeration activated sludge system (EAAS). The results showed
that 80 % of activated sludge index (SVI) values appeared to lie within
the well –characteristics sludge. SVI was also shown to be highly affected
by food microorganism ( F/M) ratio.
Tests were conducted under different temperatures ( 20C, 25C, and
30C) to show the effects on settling velocity . Correlation of solid particle
concentrations in aeration tanks to maximum flux was also investigated.

Keywords: sludge settling, activated sludge, settling velocity

INTRODUCTION and LITERATURE REVIEW

One of the operating problems that often encountered in waste
treatment plants is the loss of suspended solids in the final effluent. Such
solids represent the major part of the biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD). Many reasons stay behind this disturbance. Failure of secondary
settling tank due to surpassing settling velocity by overflow rate is a good
example. Another reason is the occurrence of sludge bulking. The latter
does occur because of lack of nutrients or oxygen deficiency. This
stimulates filamentous growth of microorganisms. Bulking may also
 occur as temperature increases or the predominance of anaerobic
conditions in the secondary settling tank.
Operating conditions have important effects on sludge thickening.
This fact has been tackled by many researches. In his study to show the
effect of operating conditions on thickening characteristics, Munsin and
Grady(1) found that the value of parameters (vo) and (k) in adopted
Vesilind equation ranged from ( 0.48 – 0.152 m/min) and 10x10-4 –
3.4x10-4)respectively. James and Alonzo(2) estimated the zone settling
velocity in extended aeration activated sludge (EAAS) plants as
equivalent to 0.07 m/min and that sludge volume index(SVI) amounted to
100ml/ gm.
This paper aims to:
1. Investigate the effect of food- microorganism ratio(F/M) on the
value of sludge volume index(SVI)
2. Study the reflection of temperature upon zone settling velocity in
the secondary settling tank and
3. Predict the relation of solid flux to suspended solids in the aeration
Tank.

MATERIALS & METHODS

(3) Pilot plants operating under EAAS system were used. grey
wastewater was treated in such units. Each unit consisted of two parts: the
first one was for aeration and mixing having a total volume of 7.66 liters.
The other part is for settling 2.45 liters in volume. Each pilot plant was
immersed into a water bath to control its temperature.
The pilot plant temperatures were 20C, 25C, and 30C respectively.
After acclimation, the units were fed by grey wastewater with retention
time of 24 hours. Being at steady state, the measurements and laboratory
tests were done.
 Tests such as sludge volume index SVI, mixed liquor suspended
solids MLSS, and biochemical oxygen demand BOD were conducted as
(3)
outlined in the standard methods . For zone settling velocity
measurements cylinders with inside diameter of 76mm and depth of 36
cms were used.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Fig(1) indicates that more than 80% of SVI values lie in the range of
76-120.This highly indicate the well settling characteristics of the sludge.
Guides for classification of sludge are listed in table ( 1 ).

Table (1) :Classification of sludge in terms of SVI(4)

SVI Settling characteristics
Less than 40 Excellent
40-75 Good
76-120 Fair
121-200 Poor
More than 200 Very poor, bulking

Knowledge of SVI is an essential feature of good process control.

There is a critical value below which the volume of settled sludge in the
final tank will exceed the return sludge rate. Around 20 % of SVI
measurements show this disturbance. This indicates that settling is
hindered by the presence of filamentous growth causing excessive
bridging and matting of flocs. The sludge becomes fluffy and
consequently the resulting mixed liquor does not settle well.
The latter indicates the occurrence of bulking. Such findings agree
with Hartly finding ( 5) that such values represent a barrier differentiating
ordinary and bulking sludge.
 This disorder can also be corrected by improving the treatment
environment with the addition of nutrients and/or correcting the dissolved
Oxygen (D.O) levels in aeration tank (6)
However it is observed that in case of sludge bulking, the solid
particles concentrate in secondary clarifier effluent are less than those at
ordinary conditions.
It is also noted that SVI is affected by F/M. Table (2) shows some
obtained values of SVI at different F/M ratios. SVI decreases as F/M
increases up to certain limit after which both parameter directly
proportional to each other.
Minimum SVI values are obtained when F/M equals to 0.387
(7)
mgBOD/day/mg MLSS.day. Pipe suggests that the lowest SVI value
does occur at F/M ranging from 0.22-0.48. This holds valid in this study.
Table (2): selected SVI Values at various F/M
SVI F/M SVI F/M
242 0.04 54 0.64
230 0.06 54 0.64
160 0.08 50 0.6
123 0.2 130 0.92
132 0.21 190 1.12
85 0.26 48 0.387
52 0.32 124 0.92
50 0.48 78 0.21
50 0.6 154 0.18

It is stated earlier that this study was conducted at temperatures of

20, 25 and 30C.Zone settling velocity (ZSV) is a function of initial solid
concentration in the test cylinder (fig2,a,b, and c). ZSV is determined
from the steady state period of each experiment as follows:
 A tangent to the segment vertical line is extended to intersect the X-
axis ( time coordinate) at specific point. Let the distance from origin to
the mentioned point is equivalent to (Q). The initial height of sludge in
the cylinder is almost constant and equal to 36.5 cm (0.365 m). Dividing
0.365 by (Q) gives ZSV. The findings of zone settling velocity at these
temperatures from fig (2) for various MLSS concentrations are shown in
fig (3, a , b, and c).
The intersection of line with y-axis gives a parameter (vo) equivalent
to initial settling velocity at studied temperatures. This is estimated and
found to be 0.069, 0.066 and 0.059. at 20, 25, and 30C respectively.
Fig (4) depicts the relation between (vo) and temperature .Apparently
one can find that (vo) values decrease with temperature increase. This is
attributed to the fact that water dissolved oxygen decreases with
temperature rise. Besides, increase of temperature may enhance chain
cracking. Consequently, gases are produced that help float of sludge.
This will encourage filamentous growth and thus a shifting towards
anaerobic conditions. Consequently bulking takes place occupying large
surface area and thus decreasing settling velocity. This agrees with the
finding of Winkler (8 )
Fig (5) shows a plot of temperature against another parameter (k)
where the values of k decrease with temperature rise. Parameter k is
determined from estimating the slope of lines and multiplying the result
by 2.3025.
Later on the equation of Viesiland is applied as follows (9).
V= vo e-ks
Where V= settling velocity (m/min)
k and vo are parameters and
s = solid concentration (MLSS)
 A plot relating solid particle concentration versus log zone settling is
made according to above equation (fig 6) at each temperature. Here the
velocity decreases with an increase of solid particles. This is attributed to
the occurrence of hindered settling.
Fig (7) represents the relation between solid flux and solid particles
concentration at various temperatures. Here also it appear that solid flux
increase is taking place with an increase MLSS of 6000 mg/l. Later on a
decrease does occur. This highly stresses that the optimum operation
conditions for second settling tanks working under extended aeration
activated sludge plants.

CONCLUSIONS
1. Values of vo and k parameters differ with values of sludge
concentrations and also varies with temperature change.
2. Secondary settling tanks can operate efficiently when solid flux
amounted to 160 g/m2.min. against MLSS of 6000 mg/l.
3. The values of SVI are greatly influenced by F/M. However, more
than 80% of SVI values lie within the well characteristics sludge.
4. Temperature affect settling velocity and may create anaerobic

conditions.

5.Solid flux increases up to 160 g/m2.min. after which it decreases.

REFERENCES
1. Munsin T and C.P.Grady “Effects of activated sludge operational
conditions on sludge thickening characteristics” jour. WPCF, Vol. 54(7),
pp.1112-1117, 1982.
2. James J. Biosogni and Alonzo W. Lawrence“Relationships between
biological solids retention time and settling characteristics of activated
sludge”, jour. Water Research, Vol. 5, pp. 753-763, 1971.
3. WPCF, AWWA, and APHA “Standard methods for the examination of
water and wastewater” 16th edition, 1985.
4. Abdul-Majeed I” Environmental Engineering” ALShorook Press,
1996, Jordan (Arabic Text).
5. Hartly K.J “Operating the activated sludge process” 3rd edition, asking
and Davey Australia, 1988.
6. Guo.P.H “Evaluation of extended aeration activated sludge package
plants” jour. WPCF, Vol. 53(1), 33-44, 1981.
7. Pipes W.O “Bulking, deflocculating and pinpoint floc” Jour. WPCF,
1979, 51(1), 62-70.
8. Winkler M.A “Biological treatment of wastewater” Ellis Horwood ltd
UK, 1981.
9. Vesieland P.A “Theoretical considerations design of prototype
thickeners from batch settling tests” jour. Water & sewage works, Vol.
115: 302, 1968
Fig (1): Cumulative SVI Values
 MLSS=3720 (mg/l)
MLSS= 2840 (mg/l)
40 40

35

30 30
hight of sludge (cm)

hight of sludge (cm)

25

20
20

15
10
10

5
0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time (min)
Time (min)

MLSS=3000 (mg/l) MLSS=2160 mg/l

40
40
hight of sludge

35
hight of sludge (cm)

30 30
25
(cm)

20 20
15
10
10
0 5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Tim e (m in) Tim e (m in)

MLSS=2500 Mg/l

40
Hight of sludge

30
(cm)

20
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Tim e (m in)

Fig. (2a): Typical Thickening Curves for Activated Sludge at

Temperature of 20C
 MLSS=2920 mg/l MLSS=3000 mg/l

40 40
hight of sludge

hight of sludge (cm)

30 30
(cm)

20 20
10 10
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Tim e (m in) Tim e (m in)

MLSS=2900 mg/l MLSS=3100 mg/l

40 hight of sludge 40
hight of sludge (cm)

30 (cm) 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Tim e (m in)
Tim e (m in)

MLSS=2760 mg/l MLSS=3180 mg/l

40 40
hight of sludge
hight of sludge

30 30
(cm)
(cm)

20 20
10 10
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Tim e (m in) Tim e(m in)

Fig. (2b): Typical Thickening Curves for Activated Sludge at

Temperature of 25C
 MLSS=2560 mg/l MLSS=2360 mg/l
hight of sludge
40 40

hight of sludge (cm)

30 30
(cm)

20 20
10 10
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Tim e (m in) Tim e (m in)

MLSS=2680 mg/l MLSS=2400 mg/l

40
hight of sludge (cm)
40
hight of sludge (cm)

30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Tim e (m in) Tim e (m in)

MLSS=2000 mg/l MLSS=2200 mg/l

40 40
hight of sludge
hight of sludge

30 30
(cm)
(cm)

20 20

10 10

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Tim e (m in) Tim e (m in)

Fig. (2c): Typical Thickening Curves for Activated Sludge at

Temperature of 30C
 Temp.= 20c
1.32

-log (zone setlling

1.28

velocity)
1.24
1.2
1.16
1.12
1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
MLSS conc. (m g/l)

Temp.= 25c

1.26
-log(zone settling

1.24
velocity)

1.22
1.2
1.18
1.16
1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800
MLSS conc. (m g/l)

Temp. =30 c

1.26
-log (zone settling

1.25
velocity)

1.24
1.23
1.22
1.21
2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200
MLSS conc. (m g/l)

Fig (3): Typical Plots for Zone Settling Velocity at a:20C, b:25C,
and c:30C
 0.07
0.068
Vo (m/min) 0.066
0.064
0.062
0.06
0.058
16 20 24 28 32
Temp.(c)

Fig (4)Initial Settling Velocity at Different Temperatures

0.000165

0.0001575
K (l/mg)

0.00015

0.0001425

0.000135
16 20 24 28 32
Temp. (c)

Fig.(5): Values of Parameter K at Different Temperatures

 0.07 Temp. (20c)
Temp.(25c)
Temp.(30c)
Settling velocity (m/min)

0.055

0.04

0.025

0.01
0 2500 5000 7500 10000

MLSS conc. (mg/l)

Fig (6): Settling Velocity at Various MLSS Concentrations

Temp. (20c)
Solids flux (g/m2.min)

175 Temp. (25)

Temp.(30)

125

75

25
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

MLSS conc. (mg/l)

Fig (7): Relation of Solid Flux to Various MLSS Concentrations