Conventional Wastewater Treatment Processes

Conventional Wastewater
Treatment Process & Operation
By
Engr. Jose G. Escote

Water Process Engineer
MacroAsia Properties Development Corporation
Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Title: Conventional Wastewater Treatment
Process & Operation
Course Outline:
• Introduction to Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
• Common Terminology in Wastewater
Treatment.
• Basic Wastewater Treatment Processes.
• Common Operations Trouble Shooting.
• Treatment Optimization Techniques.
• DENR Effluent Standard
• Water Quality Monitoring Logsheet
Objectives:
• To discuss different terminology use in

wastewater treatment.
• To describe basic wastewater treatment
processes.
• To identify problems encounter in the operation
and to know some of the basic trouble shooting
procedure.
• To be familiar with treatment optimization
techniques .
“ He who believes in Me, as the
Scripture said, ‘From his innermost
being will flow rivers of living water’”.
John 7:38

Introduction

Introduction
A sewage treatment plants(STP) require
good design engineering and stringent
monitoring to effectively work. There are
various methods to wastewater treatment
based on influent characteristics and
capacity, for the purpose of tailor fitting
requirement. This guidelines will focus
mainly on municipal/buildings scale were
treatment can be trimmed down, primarily
as aerobic (air injected) or anaerobic (free
flow without air introduction).
Introduction
Both aerobic and anaerobic systems require
bacteria culture to breakdown the waste coming in
into simple forms acceptable to the environment.
The use of aeration is preferred than anaerobic
systems as they have faster biological degradation
time which in turn reflects to lesser space needed
for tanks. A good example for anaerobic system is
a common septic tank wherein wastewater is
fermented to degrade the organic load of the
system. A sprinkled water pond is the simplest
example of an aerated system where water is
introduced to the atmosphere to increase
dissolved oxygen and take away foul smell.
Common Terminology in Wastewater Treatment
• Influent – Incoming wastewater going into a

treatment plant.
• Effluent – Treated wastewater flowing out from a

treatment process plant.
• Grit Chamber – A screening mechanism used

primarily to separate heavy, large solids (grit).
• Oil & Grease Separator – A chamber usually a
baffle, which separates the oil from water. The
clear water flows under the baffle and the oil is left
on top.
• Activated Sludge Process – A system where a

microorganisms/bacteria are cultured by
supplying air to set a condition where they can
grow at a faster rate and feed on the influent
wastewater nutrients. The digestion of wastewater
lowers the nutrient load down to designed, pass
governing water discharge standards.
• Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) – A type of

activated sludge process that is done in batches
instead of continuous flowing wastewater. Step by
step procedure stopping at each way.
• Aeration – Addition of air to the wastewater

stripping away foul odor and supplying oxygen for
the microbes living in the system.
• Dissolved Oxygen – Oxygen that is dissolved in

water.
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) – Amount of

dissolved oxygen that is required for aerobic
bacteria to breakdown organic matter in the
wastewater. As a standard test it is measured on
a five (5) day incubation period.

• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) – Amount of

dissolved oxygen needed to breakdown all
chemical pollutants in a wastewater system. For a
wastewater to be treated biologically BOD to COD
should be around 50%
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – Amount of solids
that is homogenized in a given sample of water.
Includes:
- Cations like Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, Ba+2, Sr+2, Fe+2,
- Anions like Cl-, SO4-2, HCO3-1, PO4-2, NO3-, F-, etc.
- Size: 0.001um
• Total Suspended Solids (TSS) – Measure of the
quantity of suspended solids present in the
wastewater.
Includes:
- Particulates that are suspended in water like Silt, clay,
sand, corrosion by-product (iron), loose scale or deposit,
slime, etc.
- Can be seen by naked eye.
• pH – A measure of the acidity and alkalinity of
water. This ranges from a value of 1-14 where 1 is
highly acidic, 14 is highly basic and 7 is neutral.
Biological wastewater systems discharge value is
usually 6-9.
Basic Wastewater Treatment Processes
 Anaerobic
 Aerobic
- Activated sludge process
Conventional, extended aeration, complete-mix,
RBC,SBR,MBBR,MBR
Modified Activated sludge
Microbes, Bio-augmentation, Bioremediation
Process
 Chemical
- Advance oxidation:
Ozone, UV, Ultra-sound, Peroxide, Fenton
Coagulation/flocculation (Precipitation)
Heavy metal precipitation
Anaerobic Chambers
Anaerobic process employs bacteria that does not
need air to survive, instead they directly utilize the
nutrients such as nitrates and carbon sources for food
going through a fermentation process and producing
organic acid and hydrocarbon by-products as a result of
making pathway aside normal oxygen use (aeration) and
carbon dioxide product same as human do in
respiration.
The common septic tank, which must be water tight,
is a classic example of an anaerobic system. Effluent
from anaerobic systems usually follows another step
before final discharge.
Anaerobic Chambers

Anaerobic Chambers

Conventional Activated Sludge

The most common treatment for sewage water is the
conventional activated sludge process. Though many
variations have been made such as extended aeration,
SBRs, oxygen introduction, complete mixing, rotary
biological reactor, trickling filters and so on, the concept
of introduction air/oxygen is still the same.
Activated sludge can be sub-divided as attached and
suspended growth where the first one utilizes a media
where bacteria can grow such as a mesh cloth or screen
while the latter suspends the bacteria on water with
mixing. Typical activated sludge can be seen on next
page.
Conventional Activated Sludge (with Anoxic Tank)

Conventional Activated Sludge (with Anoxic Tank)

Conventional Activated Sludge

Conventional Activated Sludge (Extended)

Influent Waste Chemicals Holding

(Wastewater) Tank (from Aircraft)
Wastewater Holding Tank
(from Aircraft)

Clarifier (Settling) Tank Sludge Drying Bed Chlorine Contact Tank
Aeration Tank Aerobic Sludge Digester

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)
A variation of the activated sludge process which is

very popular on building STPs and commercial
establishments due to the smaller space it requires
compare to Conventional Activated Sludge. Typically it
consists of only a grit chamber with oil and grease
separator, a tank with aeration provision and a discharge
tank. The aerated tank is used as the main reactor that
runs on a step sequence. Diagram on the next page
illustrate the process.



Advance Oxidation Process (AOP)
As a result of rapid urban development a boom in

commercial establishments arises and lesser space is
available for wastewater treatment. To juggle compliance
and business, new technologies were introduced as a
challenge to lesser STPs space and better effectiveness.
Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) was designed to
reduce involvement of biological process and lessen
space, a possibility realized by using oxidants such as
ozone to directly breakdown STP load which requires
bigger area if done by microorganism. An AOP System
can be seen on the next page.



Ozone usage in each of these stages of WWTP
 Ozone in the lift station is

used for deodorization.
Ozone at coarse filtration is used

for sludge reduction and micro
pollutant removal.
Ozone at fine filtration is used

for disinfection, decolourization,
and COD/BOD reduction.

Common Operations Trouble Shooting
Symptom
• High pH at final discharge effluent, pH more than
9. (discharge point after MMF or AC filters)
Causes and Remediation

• Overdose of chlorine (Adjust chlorine pump to
lower dosing at maintained disinfection rate of
0.5mg/L free chlorine or 1mg/L total using pool
chlorine tester).

Symptom
• High color and turbidity after filtered water effluent

• Dirty MMF and ACF (Backwash filter media).
• Low dosing on Chlorine (Adjust Chlorine to
disinfection level and oxidize colorants in water).
• Ozone generator shutdown (Turn “ON” Ozone
generator for further removal of color and
turbidity).
Symptom
• Heavy white foaming on aeration.

• High pH and detergents (monitor and control the
detergents that enters the system).
• Young sludge age, white cotton like foam.
(Reduce removal of sludge to age then longer.)

Symptom
• Oily dark foam on aeration.

• Old sludge age. (Increase removal of sludge at
tank to encourage new growth.)

Symptom
• Pin flocs (Fine small flocs)

• Over oxidized (Reduce air blower time or flow).

Symptom
• Straggler flocs (floating fluffy flocs), high
suspended solids.

• Young sludge age. (Reduce removal of sludge to
age then longer.)

Symptom
• Light brown sludge.

• Young sludge age. (Reduce removal of sludge to
age then longer.)

Symptom
• Dark brown to black sludge and foul water odor.
• Dead bacteria
- Antibacterial detergents, bleach, muriatic acid and or toilet
disinfectant entered the system.
- Insufficient aeration causing septic condition.
*antibacs on detergents contains chlorines, peroxides and
quats which kills the bacteria. Muriatic acid and “liquid sosa”
are hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide which rapidly
decreases or increases pH causing bacteria upset.
(De-sludge and add new brown healthy sludge from a good source,
add one to two pails and slowly allow the microorganisms to
recover and form brown healthy sludge, take about five (5) days.

Symptom
• High phosphate readings.

• Detergents and low SBR idle time. (Some
detergents still contains complex phosphates,
control the discharge to SBR. Idling creates an
anaerobic condition where excess
polyphosphates degrade, balance idling and
phosphates until a set point is possible.)

Symptom
• pH dropping below 6.

• Nitrification. (Occurs most on lower than normal
pH of water, but if happens adjust pH with lime
until it reached pH 7 to 8.)
• Aeration not working. (Anaerobic condition starts
and organic acid is produced. Normally occurs
together with blackened sludge and foul smell.
Check bubblers and air flow.)
Symptom
• High Coliform at discharge point.

• Low disinfection. (Disinfect piping on routine, and
maintain prescribed chlorine dosing and ozone
charging.)

Treatment Optimization Techniques
• Check pH, COD, TSS and color of influent,

aeration and water before and after filter (check
difference for reduction efficiency).
• On aeration phase monitor the condition of the

color. Brown coloration means the age is just right
and BOD/COD reduction is good. Light brown
means young sludge and blackish sludge is
already old. Adjust aeration time 30 minutes to 1
hour until brown coloration is achieved. Excessive
aeration will add energy cost while low aeration
causes failed COD/BOD readings at effluent.

• Check sludge quality, total settling should be

accomplished within 30-40 minutes. A good
number of sludge is around 20% of water volume
or depending on COD quality at effluent. Co-
relate sludge quantity and COD at effluent.
• At the decanted water tank, maintain 0.5mg/L free
chlorine or 1mg/L Total chlorine (For pool tester)
for a certain period of time every batch. Check
chlorine levels, as high levels interfere with COD
testing when it degrades to chlorides and also
increase the said.

• Check MMF and ACF on a routine schedule. A

higher than normal TSS after filter than incoming
on it reflect a dirty media. Perform backwash
regularly.

• Check free or Total chlorine before and after

filtration. Free chlorine must be reduced after
ACF, a constant reading of chlorine in and out of
ACF for a long time after backwashes indicate an
exhausted media and replacement is needed.
Color must be reduced also after MMF and ACF
filtration.
• Maintain Ozone setting to oxidize remaining
bacteria, color and odor after treating water.

DENR EFFLUENT STANDARD



SAMPLE MONITORING LOGSHEET

SAMPLE MONITORING LOGSHEET

SOME OTHER TOPICS
 Basic Water Chemistry & Chemical Reactions
 Wastewater Treatment Using Advanced

Oxidation Process (AOP)
 Water Treatment By Direct Pumping Process
 WRS Reverse Osmosis Process & Maintenance

(Water Purification System)
 Water Filtration Process, Operation &

Maintenance (Potable Water)

“I will never fail you. I will never
abandon you.”
Hebrews 13:5

“ Thank You”

Conventional Wastewater Treatment Processes

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Conventional Wastewater

Treatment Process & Operation

Engr. Jose G. Escote

MacroAsia Properties Development Corporation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

• To discuss different terminology use in

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

• Influent – Incoming wastewater going into a

• Effluent – Treated wastewater flowing out from a

• Grit Chamber – A screening mechanism used

• Activated Sludge Process – A system where a

• Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) – A type of

• Aeration – Addition of air to the wastewater

• Dissolved Oxygen – Oxygen that is dissolved in

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) – Amount of

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) – Amount of

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Conventional Activated Sludge

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Conventional Activated Sludge

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Conventional Activated Sludge (Extended)

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Conventional Activated Sludge (Extended)

Influent Waste Chemicals Holding

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Conventional Activated Sludge (Extended)

Clarifier (Settling) Tank Sludge Drying Bed Chlorine Contact Tank

Aeration Tank Aerobic Sludge Digester

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)

A variation of the activated sludge process which is

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Advance Oxidation Process (AOP)

As a result of rapid urban development a boom in

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

 Ozone in the lift station is

Ozone at coarse filtration is used

Ozone at fine filtration is used

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Causes and Remediation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Causes and Remediation

Causes and Remediation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Causes and Remediation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Causes and Remediation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Causes and Remediation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote

Causes and Remediation

Presented By : Engr. Jose G. Escote