What is COD and BOD in chemistry?

BOD is similar in function to chemical oxygen demand (COD), in that both measure the
amount of organic compounds in water. However, COD is less specific, since it
measures everything that can be chemically oxidized, rather than just levels of
biodegradable organic matter.

What is sludge volume index SVI?

The sludge volume index (SVI) is the volume in milliliters occupied by 1 g of a
suspension after 30 min settling. SVI typically is used to monitor settling characteristics
of activated sludge and other biological suspensions.

What is bulking of sludge?

Sludge bulking occurs when the sludge fails to separate out in the sedimentation
tanks. The main cause of sludge bulking is the growth of filamentous bacteria.
Filamentous microorganisms grow in long strands that have much greater volume and
surface area than conventional floc and are very slow to settle.

What is SRT wastewater?

The Solids Retention Time (SRT) is the average time the activated-sludge solids are in
the system. The SRT is an important design and operating parameter for the activated-
sludge process and is usually expressed in days.

What is rising sludge?

Rising sludge occurs in the secondary clarifiers of activated sludge plants when
the sludge settles to the bottom of the clarifier, is compacted, and then starts to rise to
the surface, usually as a result of denitrification, or anaerobic biological activity that
produces carbon dioxide or methane.

Details on Food to Microorganism Ratio F/M. Activated Sludge Systems. The F/M ratio is a
process control number that helps you to determine the proper number ofmicroorganisms for
your system. To do this calculation, you will need the following information: Influent Flow into
your activated sludge system (Flow MGD)

1. Technical & Commercial Proposal: Page 8: Please mention the mixed liquor suspended solids
(MLSS) concentration PRWS: MLSS 4500 mg/l – MLVSS 3375 mg/l. and the solid retention time
(SRT) 88 days – extended aeration and food to microorganism ratio (F/M) for this plant 0.08
kgBOD/kgMLSS/d – pag.8 of technical & commercial proposal.
 Consultant Response: Are you sure that MLVSS/MLSS ratio of 0.75 is achievable with
such low biodegradable COD (45% as mentioned in below point). This would be ideal if
may be achieved. Please give a reference that 88 days SRT falls under extended
aeration.
PRWS: MLVSS/MLSS is a design based parameters used to calculate the required specific
oxygen consumption by the biomass. Even though the ratio could be different, the
automated system (DO sensor + inverter) will ensure the right amount of oxygen. In
addition to this, in more than 70 running ETP we have on average this MLVSS/MLSS
ratio. In textile treatment the extended aeration is a different concept than sewage
treatment. In sewage treatment extended aeration have and SRT of 30 days + aerobic
sludge stabilization. In textile, the sludge line has only the thickener, so that the
mineralization takes part in the oxidation tank.
Metcalf&Eddy (2003): Wastewater engineering treatment and reuse. Fourth edition.
Mc Graw Hill. ISBN 0-07-041878-0
Consultant Response: Ok, it will be further discussed in meeting & technical
presentation.
PRWS: Ok, we are always available to schedule a skype call.
The solution provided is purely biological based on aerobic system. This system is suitable for
textile wastewater treatment. However, there are many clarifications that are required from
your side to ensure that the plant once installed, would give the desired results as per our
requirements.

Major Comments:
1. Process Flow Diagram (PFD): Please mention on PFD the four important conventional
parameters expected outlet values (i.e. values of COD, BOD, TSS and colour removal at
each step; after primary clarifier, after aeration tank, after secondary clarifier).
PRWS:After preliminary and primary treatment, BOD and COD are reduced up to 20%
while TSS up to 60%. After aeration tank and clarifier the parameters are exactly the
same, described in pag.6 of Technical and commercial proposal.
2. Process Flow Diagram (PFD): In case of peak hourly flow, what would be the efficiency
of the primary clarifier? Please mention what is the peak hourly flow factor assumed by
the contractor for design.? PRWS: Primary clarifier is designed to cope with a peak flow
factor of 2. Total flow 180 m3/h.
3. Process Flow Diagram (PFD): With very low influent values of TKN and TP; it would be
appropriate to provide dosing systems for the nutrients in the equalization tank or
distributor tank. PRWS:As per our experience of over 70 ETP for textile factories, during
the start-up period, bacteria get used to the high COD/N – COD/P ratio. The low values
of TKN and TP can be enough for biomass metabolisms. We have never dosed nutrient
in our ETP.
4. Technical & Commercial Proposal: Page 6: An inlet raw water temperature value of 35-
45 C is assumed by the designer and on next page, it is claimed that maximum
acceptable value for operation of oxidation tank is 40 C. No optional cooling tower is
proposed by the designer. Please consider worst case scenario of Lahore air
temperature in summers (around 45-47 C). So, please recheck and clearly mention that
if cooling tower would be required or not. PRWS: CT could be required if water
temperature would be higher than 40°C every time. In this case CT is not required.
5. Technical & Commercial Proposal: Page 8: Please mention the mixed liquor suspended
solids (MLSS) concentration PRWS: MLSS 4500 mg/l – MLVSS 3375 mg/l. and the solid
retention time (SRT) 88 days – extended aeration and food to microorganism ratio (F/M)
for this plant 0.08 kgBOD/kgMLSS/d – pag.8 of technical & commercial proposal.
6. Technical & Commercial Proposal: Page 8: Please mention would it be a plug flow
system or completely mixed system PRWS: CSTR system. What is the rationale to select
48 hrs HRT in the oxidation tank? PRWS: inlet COD load is 2700 kg/d. 45% of inlet COD is
soluble COD (sCOD), 55% of inlet COD is particulate COD (pCOD) and only the 50% of the
pCOD is bpCOD (biodegradable particulate COD). Inlet disc filtration can take out up to
25% of pCOD. Please explain what percentage COD, BOD and color removal would be
there between 30th to 48th hour. PRWS: Inlet and outlet parameter are listed in page 6
and 7 of the technical & commercial proposal.no difference on colour removal. Aeration
process can absorb, in the biomass flocs, and not remove up to 10-15% of the incoming
colour and depending on the type of colour.
7. Technical & Commercial Proposal: Page 14: The FMM configuration for using same
blowers for aeration tank and equalization tank is questionable. How will we ensure
complete mixing in the storage/equalization tank during the time aeration would be
going on in aeration tankPRWS: no mixing in storage tank when blowers are providing
air to the oxidation tank. By the way, the logic control is based on several levels of
control and one of that is the maximum time to provide air and the minimum time
without air. Since there will be anyways timed aeration and mixing in storage thanks to
the logic control, everything is studied to precent undesired situation in aeration tank
such us sedimentation or complete absence of oxygen; we provide the optimal
minimum time with and without aeration in storage tank. It may cause short-circuiting
of raw wastewater through the equalization tank to aeration tank PRWS: no . Also, with
a long HRT of 14 hrs partial aeration may generate putrescible conditions in the
equalization tank PRWS:is not sewage wastewater. Organic matter cannot generate
putrescible condition if bacteria are not present. Please re-check and discuss with client.
8. Layout: Filter press is not shown on the layout. In our view it is mandatory to provide
filter press, otherwise the sludge volume would be too high to dispose. PRWS: we will
include the FP in the layout
9. Chemical consumption: Decolorant: What is this chemical?PRWS: Decolour chemical
agent. Is it allowed to be used in the WWTPs as per Manufacturing Restricted
Substances List (MRSL) of Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) guidelines?
PRWS: absolutely yes. What color removal efficiency we can achieve without using the
decolorant and what with it.PRWS: already answered.
10. In our opinion it is advisable to provide multimedia filter after the secondary clarifier.
Because it would be very difficult to get 90% color removal by the aeration tank only
PRWS: impossible, not very difficult. Addition of decolorant is addition of another
chemical in the existing chemicals. Moreover, the multimedia filter can assist in
removing TSS and remaining COD from the effluent. PRWS: the ETP is designed to
ensure the required outlet parameter. No further treatments are needed to achieve
the foundation parameters of ZDHC guidelines.

Minor Comments:

1. Process Flow Diagram (PFD): Show acid/alkali dosing system in the neutralization tank
in PFD. Like shown over sludge thickener. We will proceed accodingly
2. Process Flow Diagram (PFD): Why VENTURI flow meters are provided at the inlet and
outlet. Why not the electromagnetic flow meters as provided on the flow from
neutralization tank and return sludge line? PRWS: since in Pakistan is noty mandatory
inlet and outlet flow meters. We can also use only biological feeding and return sludge
electromagnetic flowmeter
3. Equipment List: Page 2: Please provide the hydraulic profile of the plant to assess
whether the provided Heads of pumps are ok or not. PRWS: pump head is designed
according to the assumed tank level. Hydraulic profile can be provided only after
measuring the zero point on field and having the final approved layout and especially
after the project has officially started
4. Equipment List: Page 3: With 0.1 mm spacing it is inappropriate to term it
Microfiltration screen. PRWS: right.
5. Layout: Give emergency exit stairs on the back of laboratory and chemical room. PRWS:
we will proceed accordingly.
6. Layout: All civil tanks and walkways must have a preventive railing of 4 ft height. PRWS:
we will proceed accordingly
7. Layout: Screened material storage bins/trolleys and their removal/change route is not
clear on the layout. PRWS: we will proceed accordingly.