ADDIS ABABA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Research Method Group Assignment 2

Group Members
Fistum Tigistu……………………ETS 0528/10
Habtamu Wondesen ……………..ETS 0581/10
Mikias Ibrie………………………ETS0840/10
Yabsra Kasahun …………………ETS 1226/10
Yonas Behayilu………………….ETS1291/10
Zerubabel Liranso………………..ETS 1336/10
Seid Alem………………………..ETS 1050/10

Submitted To: Mr. Arkebom Hailu

Submission date: 23/5/2021
 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT
PLANT IN CASE OF TULU DIMTU ,ADDIS ABABA

LITERATURE REVIEW

I. INTRODUCTION

One of the most pervasive problems afflicting people throughout the world is inadequate access to clean water
and sanitation. By the year 2050 it is anticipated that the Earth's population will exceed 9 billion. To meet the
basic needs of the population we need technology to deliver secure and safe sources of water for production of
food and energy. Communities across the world face water supply challenges due to increasing demand,
drought, depletion and contamination of groundwater, and dependence on single sources of supply. Water
reclamation, recycling, and reuse address these challenges by resolving water resource issues and creating new
sources of high-quality water supplies.

There exist a number of significant barriers and impediments to the widespread implementation of water reuse.
These include the need for innovative technologies, technology transfer, and novel applications; the need for
public education and increased public acceptance; lack of available funding for water reuse projects; and the
need for support by suitable legislations and regulations. One of the most challenging aspects of a sustainable
sewage treatment system design is the analysis and selection of the treatment processes and technologies
capable of meeting the requirements. The process is to be selected based on required quality of treated water.
Other than the cost of treatment, effluent quality, process complexity, process reliability, environmental issues
and land requirements should also be evaluated and weighted in selecting the suitable technology. This paper is
a compilation of the literature review conducted on various technologies of waste water treatment available
today, and describes the process of selection of suitable technology based on certain established criteria.

The degree of treatment provided to the wastewater will largely be based on the effluent standards prescribed by
the regulatory agencies when the treated effluent is to be discharged into a watercourse or land. If the effluent is
to be reused, the quality of the effluent required to support such reuse will indicate the degree of treatment
necessary. The complete treatment of wastewater is brought by a sequential combination of various physical
unit operations, and chemical and biological unit processes. The general yardstick of evaluating the
performance of sewage treatment plant is the degree of reduction of BOD, and suspended solids, which
constitute organic pollution. The performance efficiency of treatment plant depends not only on proper design
and construction but also on good operation and maintenance.
II. TECHNOLOGIES OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT

Waste water treatment is performed by adopting different processes. The processes have been classified
according to removal of various constituents from waste water. These involve removal of-organic and
inorganic, colloidal and suspended solids, dissolved organic constituents, dissolved inorganic constituents and
biological constituents.

A. Activated Sludge Process

Activated Sludge Process (ASP) is the most common suspended growth process used for waste water treatment.
In this process, waste water containing organic matter is aerated in an aeration basin in which micro-organisms
metabolize the suspended and soluble organic matter. Part of organic matter is synthesized into new cells and
part is oxidized to CO2 and water to derive energy. In activated sludge systems the new cells formed in the
reaction are removed from the liquid stream in the form of a flocculent sludge in settling tanks.

B. Moving Bed Bio Reactor

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor is an aerobic attached biological growth process. It does not require primary
clarifier and sludge recirculation. Raw sewage, after screening and degritting, is fed to the biological reactor. In
the reactor, floating plastic media is provided which remains in suspension. Biological mass is generated on the
surface of the media. Attached biological mass consumes organic matter for their metabolism. Excess biological
mass leaves the surface of media and it is settled in clarifier.

C. Sequencing Batch Reactor

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) is a fill and draw type activated sludge system. In this system waste water is
added to a single batch reactor, treated to remove undesirable components, and then discharged. The
conventional activated sludge system and SBR process are the same but the difference between the two
technologies is that the SBR performs equalization, biological treatment and secondary clarification in a single
tank using time-controlled sequence.
\
D. Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Nowadays, carbon emission and therefore carbon footprint of water utilities is an important issue. In this
respect, we should consider the opportunities to reduce carbon footprint for small and large wastewater
treatment plants. The use of anaerobic rather than aerobic treatment processes would achieve this aim because
no aeration is required and the generation of methane can be used within the plant. High-rate anaerobic
digesters receive great interests due to their high loading capacity and low sludge production.
III. METHODS FOR WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
PERFORMANCE TESTING

• Standard Methods ASTM 5210D Biochemical Oxygen Demand.

• Respirometric Method (Respirometric Oxygen Uptake).
• Standard Methods ASTM 2710B Oxygen-Consumption Rate.
• (Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate; Dissolved Oxygen Probe Method).
• Suspended Solids (Photometric Method).
• Microscopic Evaluation of Biomass (Higher Forms and Filaments).
• CONTRAL Biodegradation Kinetics.

IV. NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

THERMAL HYDROLYSIS
Thermal hydrolysis technology serves three purposes: wastewater treatment, the reduction of waste byproduct,
and the production of biogas. Traditional wastewater treatment plants must plan for dealing with large sums of
sludge produced during the industrial wastewater treatment process. Thermal hydrolysis plants, on the other
hand, do not define sludge as waste, but a valuable source of energy.

MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

Another technology that performs three functions simultaneously, microbial fuel cells (MFC) technology uses
bacteria to clean wastewater. Even more impressive is the fact that the byproduct of the bacteria’s consumption
of wastewater sludge is charged electrons that can be converted into electricity.

SOLAR PHOTOCATALYTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT

One of the biggest obstacles with respect to treating wastewater is deciding what to do with the sludge
produced. Solar photo catalytic wastewater treatment can reduce sludge amounts by over 80 percent compared
to traditional wastewater treatment systems.

Sludge, also known as “organic content,” is reduced dramatically by a photo catalytic system because of a
microbial decomposition – oxidation – process called “solar irradiation.” Solar irradiation is a synergetic effect
that, when combined with hydrogen peroxide, reduces the amount of carbon in the sludge – carbon being the
primary element in organic content.
V. MAJOR OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES FACING WWTP

Energy Consumption
Energy consumption is one of the largest expenses in operating a wastewater treatment plant.
Wastewater treatment is estimated to consume 2 - 3% of a developed nation’s electrical power, or
approximately 60 tWh (terawatt hours) per year. In municipal wastewater treatment, the largest
proportion of energy is used in biological treatment, generally in the range of 50 - 60% of plant usage.
What is the solution?
Changes in biological treatment processes have the potential to significantly reduce the energy demand at
a treatment plant. Some examples of solutions include; use of fine screens in primary treatment;
membrane technology for the aeration process; and direct treatment of high concentration return
streams.

Staff

What is the challenge?

Operators of wastewater treatment facilities must be adequately trained and certified individuals. They
are on call 24 hours a day and are responsible for overseeing everything from pipe leaks and valves to
electrical and instrumentation equipment. This work becomes especially demanding during changes in
influent and seasonal changes.
What is the solution?
While there will always be a need for the physical presence of staff to be responsible for the overseeing of
activities at treatment facilities, operator management can account for up to 30% of the operational costs
of a wastewater treatment plant. Emerging technologies driven by OPEX reduction are utilising the
benefits of automation which reduces the requirement of operator engagement.

Sludge Production

What is the challenge?

Sludge is the residue generated during physical, chemical and biological treatment. A major
environmental challenge for wastewater treatment is the disposal of excess sludge produced during the
process.
What is the solution?
Safe and long term solutions for the destination of sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants are a
vital element of a sustainable functioning facility. The recycling of sludge, containing useful organic
matter and nutrients in agriculture is considered as the best solution. Some more modern treatment
technologies are even able to reduce the burden of sludge by lowering its production.

Footprint

What is the challenge?

Activated sludge treatment has many challenges - one of the biggest being the footprint it demands.
Activated sludge plants are costly to construct and occupy substantial land areas. Primary and
Secondary processes rely upon vast tracts of land for large and costly settling tanks and aeration basins.
Due to populations constantly increasing, municipal wastewater treatment plants need to expand their
capabilities too!
What is the solution?
Advanced technologies that use smaller process basins by increasing the amount of biomass per unit
volume via the addition of media for biofilm attachment (such as IFAS and MABR) or increasing the
biomass concentration (such as MBR) are leading the way in reducing footprint. Smaller footprint means
land cost savings, but it also means reducing CAPEX (less concrete, steel, and equipment).