674 Chapter 7 Fundamentals of Biological Treatment

Considering the production of free estrogen by deconjugation and removal of estrogen in

waste solids by adsorption, the following steady state equations apply.

(7-161)

(7-162)

where E,, = influent estrogen concentration, ng/m'

E, = influent conjugated estrogen concentration, ng/m'

3
E, = reactor soluble conjugated estrogen concentration, ng/m

T/c = fraction of mixed liquor solids that are estrogen-deconjugating bacteria

K, = first order deconjugation coefficient, m/g·d

K,, = liquid-solids partition coefficients for estrogen L/kg

~ee = liquid-sol ids partition coefficients for conjugated estrogen, L/kg

X, = mixed liquor suspended solids concentration, g/m'

Q = daily influent flowrate, m/d

Q, = daily waste sludge flowrate, m/d

Until research finds a biomarker to identify the estrogen degrading- and estrogen

deconjugating-bacteria, the kinetic values are normalized to the total mixed liquor concen­

tration. First order degradation rate coefficients for EE2, range from 5-20L/g M L SS ·d . E l

and E2 degradation rates are about 5 times faster (Gaulke et al., 2009).

7-17 BIOLOGICAL REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS

Metal removal in biological treatment processes is mainly by adsorption and com p le x ation

of the metals with the microorganisms. In addition, processes that result in transformations

and precipitation of metals are p ossib l e , M icroorganisms combine with metals and adsorb

t h em to cell surfaces because of interactions between the metal ions and the negatively

charged microbial surfaces, M eta l s may a l so be comp l e x ed by carboxyl g ro u ps fou n d in

microbial polysaccharides and other p o l ymers or absorbed by protein materials in the

b io l ogical cell. The removal of metals in biological processes has been found to fit adsorp­

tion characteristics as defined by the Freundlich isot h erm model (see Sec. 1 1 -7 in

Ch a p. 1 1 ) (Mullen et al., 1 9 8 9 ; Kun z et al., 1976). A signifi c ant amount of soluble metal

removal has been observed in biological processes, with remo v als ranging from 50 to

98 percent depending on the initia l metal concentration, the bio l ogica l reactor solids con ­

centrations, and system SRT. In anaerobic processes the reduction of sulfate to hydrogen

sulfide can promote the precipitation of metal sul fi des . A classic example is the addition

of ferric or fer ro us chloride to anaerobic digesters to remove su l fide to x icity by the forma­

tion of iron sul fi de precipitates. The precipitation of heavy meta l s by h ydrogen sulfide is

dis c ussed in Sec. 6-5 in Ch a p. 6 .

PROBLEMS AND DISCUSSION TOPICS

7-1 Prepare a recipe for an inorganic medium to be used in a laboratory chemostat to grow 500,

1000, or 1200 mg VSS/d (value to be selected by instructor) of bacteria biomass, assuming

that the chemical formula for the biomass can be described as C,H,NO,. Determine the
 Problems and Discussion Topics 675

concentration of essential inorganic compounds as reported i n Table 7-3 for a feed rate of

I L/d. Assume that phosphorus is added as KH,PO,, sulfur as Na,SO,, nitrogen as NH,CI,

and other cations added are associated with chloride.

7-2 Protein is a major component of bacterial enzymes. List the key cell components involved

and the major steps that lead to protein production.

7-3 From the literature (e.g., J. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.) identify the key physiological, meta­

bolic characteristics, and phylogenetic classification of a bacteria that may have a role in

biological wastewater treatment or toxic degradation. Cite a m i n i m u m of 3 references.

7-4 From the literature, describe an application using molecular biology (e.g., molecular probes

or other methods) techniques that can be related to biological wastewater treatment. Cite a

minimum of 3 references.

7-5 A 1-L sample contains 22, 26, or 32 g (value to be selected by instructor) of casein

(CH,ON). If 18 g of bacterial cell tissue (C,H,NO,) is synthesized per 50 g of casein

consumed, determine the amount of oxygen required to complete the oxidation of casein to

end products and cell tissue. The end products of the oxidation are carbon dioxide (CO,),

ammonia (NH,), and water. Assume that the nitrogen not incorporated in cell-tissue produc­

tion will be converted to a m m o n i a .

7-6 A complete-mix suspended growth reactor, without a clarifier and recycle, is used to treat a

wastewater flow containing only soluble organic substances. The influent BOD and COD

are as follows:

Wastewater

Influent Unit 2 3

BOD mg/L 200 180 220

COD mg/L 450 450 480

If the effluent dissolved BOD concentration is 2.5 mg/L, and the effluent volatile suspended

solids concentration is 100 mg/L, determine (wastewater to be selected by the instructor):

(a) the observed yield in terms of g YSS/g BOD, g VSS/g COD, and g TSS/g BOD, (b) the

effluent total sCOD concentration including nonbiodegradable dissolved COD, and (c) the

fraction of the influent BOD that is oxidized to CO, and H,O. Assume the biodegradable

COD/BOD ratio is 1 . 6 and 1 . 4 2 g O, eq/g biomass.

7-7 An aerobic complete-mix reactor (no recycle) with a volume of I 000 L receives a 500 Lid

wastewater flow and has an effluent soluble COD concentration of 1 0 mg/L. For one of the

wastewaters with the characteristics given below (to be selected by instructor), determine

(a) the r value for the reactor in days, (b) the oxygen used per day i n (g/d), (e) the effluent

volatile suspended solids concentration (assume biomass oxygen equivalent of 1.42 g 0 / g

YSS), and (d) the observed yield i n g YSS/g bsCOD removed.

Wastewater

Item Unit 2 3

Influent sCOD mg/L 1000 1800 600

Reactor oxygen uptake rate mg/L·h 10 15 8

7-8 U s i n g the half-reaction free energy values given in Table 7-6, c a l c u l a t e and compare the

biomass yields (g VSS/g COD,.) for the degradation of m e t h a n o l , carbohydrate mixture,

or ethanol (constituent to be selected by instructor) with oxygen and nitrate as the elec­

tron acceptors. A s s u m e ammonia is a v a i l a b l e for cell synthesis needs and 1.42 g O, eq/g

biomass.
676 Chapter 7 Fundamentals of Biological Treatment

7-9 Using the half-reaction free energy values given in Table 7-6, calculate and compare the

biomass yields (g VSS/g COD,.) for the degradation of methanol, or ethanol (constituent to

be selected by instructor) with nitrate and nitrite as the electron acceptors. Assume ammonia

is available for cell synthesis needs and 1.42 g O, eq/g biomass. Using the results, compare

the amount of methanol (or ethanol) needed for denitrification of NO,-N versus NO,-N in g

COD/g N.

7-10 Nitrate and sulfate are both available in an anaerobic laboratory chemostat with both nitrate­

reducing and sulfate-reducing bacteria present. The chemostat is fed continuously a solution

containing the electron acceptors in equal amounts, glucose, and a nutrient media. Which

biological populations w i ll remain after long-term operation? Explain.

7-11 For Example 7--3, use the half reactions to write a balanced equation of acetate oxidation by

methanogenic bacteria.

7-12 For the synthesis yield values given in Table 7-7 for organic compound degradation, what

are the respective f, and f, values?

7-13 Compare the end products of organic compound degradation under the following conditions,

and discuss how the bacterial synthesis yields are affected by them: aerobic (oxygen as

acceptor), fermentation (organic compound as electron acceptor), and methanogenesis (CO,

as electron acceptor).

7-14 If bacterial cells are of the coccus type with a diameter of 1 . 0 , 1 . 3 , or 1 . 5 µ,m and are 80 percent

water with 90 percent of the dry weight as organic, determine (cell diameter to be selected by

the instructor): (a) the volume and organic mass of one cell and (b) the number of cells present

in one liter of a biomass suspension with a concentration of JOO mg VSS/L.

7-15 For aerobic bacteria with an assumed generation time of 20, 30, or 60 min (time to be

selected by instructor), how many bacteria would be present after 1 2 h, if20 cells are present

at time zero? Using the bacteria volume and mass from Problem 7 -- 1 3 for a 1-µ,m diameter

bacteria, what would be the dry weight of the bacteria after 1 2 h in mg volatile suspended

solids?

7-16 Consider a batch reaction with nitrifying bacteria in a chemostat. The initial concentra­

tion of nitrifying bacteria is 1 0 mg/L, and the initial substrate concentration is 50 mg

NH,-NIL. The NH,-N is oxidized to NO,-N, and the cell yield is 0 . 1 2 g VSS/g NH,-N

oxidized. The chemostat DO concentration is maintained at 3 . 0 mg/L. Other kinetic coef­

ficients related to substrate utilization and growth are one of the following to be selected

by instructor:

Wastewater

Coefficient Unit 2 3

[aosx
g VSS/g VSS·d 0.60 0.75 0.60

K, mg/L 0.50 0.50 0.75

K. mg/L 0.50 0.50 0.50

b g VSS/g VSS·d 0.08 0.08 0.04

What is the NH,-N and biomass concentration at 0.50 d?

Plot the substrate and biomass concentration versus time up through 23 h. (Hint: one solu­

tion approach is to use a spreadsheet to solve for the biomass and substrate concentration at

small time increments. Use time increments of 0.25 h).

 Problems and Discussion Topics 677

7-17 Curves A and B represent the Monod kinetics for two different bacteria capable of degrading

the same substrate. You are to operate a laboratory continuous flow CMAS reactor without

recycle that is inoculated with bacteria A and B . In the first experiment (I) a high SRT is

used ( I O d or greater) and in the second (II) a very low SRT is used (about 1.1 d). Which

bacteria w i l l be dominant in experiments I and II? E x p l a i n why.

0.8

P 0.6
A
&
= 0.4

0.2

Substrate concentration, S, mg/L

7-18 A complete-mix aerobic reactor without solids recycle is used to treat a wastewater contain­

ing 100 mg/L phenol (C,H,O) at 20°C. Using the following kinetic coefficients (coefficient

set 1 , 2, or 3 to be selected by instructor) determine (a) the minimal hydraulic retention time

t i n days at which the biomass can be washed out faster than they can grow, (b) the m i n i m u m

value at I 0°C, assuming the temperature-activity coefficient 0 is 1 . 0 7 fo r k and 1 . 0 4 for b,

(c) the effluent phenol and biomass concentration at a T value of 4.0 d at 20°C, and (d) the

amount of oxygen required in kg/d for a r value of 4.0 d assuming a flowrate of 100 m/d.

Plot the phenol and biomass concentration and the amount of oxygen required versus T in

days, for r from 3.3 to 1 5 d at 20°C.

Wastewater

Coefficient Unit 2 3

k g phenol/g VSS·d 0.90 0.80 0.90

K, mg phenol/L 0.20 0.15 0.18

y g VSS/ g phenol 0.45 0.45 0.40

b g VSS/g VSS·d 0 . 10 0.08 0.06

7-19 Laboratory test reactors have been operated at different SRT values at steady state to obtain

biological kinetic coefficients for a wastewater with soluble constituents only. The reactors

are complete-mix and aerated with clarifiers and solids recycle. The r value in all cases is

0 . 1 6 7 d and the SRT values were varied for the five tests. The influent and effluent soluble

COD and reactor MLVSS concentrations are summarized as follows:

Test no. SRT, d S, mg COD/L S, mg COD/L X, mg VSS/L

1 3.1 400 10.0 3950

2 2.1 400 14.3 2865

3 1.6 400 2 1. 0 2100

4 0.8 400 49.5 1050

5 0.6 400 1 0 1. 6 660

From these results determine the values for the biokinetic coefficients, k, K,, p, Y, and b.

(Note: calculate the solids production at each SRT.)

678 Chapter 7 Fundamentals of Biological Treatment

7-20 The following data were obtained using four bench-scale continuous-flow activated sludge

units to treat a food-processing waste. Using these data, determine Y and b.

Parameter

Unit X , g MLVSS/L r% g MIVSS/L-d U, g BOD/g MIVSS·d

18.81 0.88 0.17

2 7.35 1 . 1 9 0.4l

3 7.65 1.42 0.40

4 2.89 1.56 1.09

7-21 Using the data given below for three different complete-mix activated sludge reactors, deter­

mine (reactor to be selected by instructor): (a) the system SRT, (b) how much oxygen is

required in kg/d if the effluent soluble COD concentration = 5 mg/L, and (c) the oxygen

uptake rate, expressed in mg/L·h, at steady state in the aeration tank. Assume 1 .4 2 g COD/g

vss.

Reactor

Unit l 2 3
Item

Aeration tank MLVSS mg/L 3000 3000 3000

Aeration tank volume m? 1000 1000 1000

3
Influent flowrate m /d 5000 5000 5000

3
Waste sludge flowrate m /d 59 45 65

Waste sludge VSS concentration mg/L 8000 8000 8000

Influent soluble COD concentration mg/L 400 400 400

7-22 A complete-mix activated sludge process with secondary clarification and sludge recycle is

used to treat a dairy wastewater at a tlowrate of I000 m/d with a degradable influent COD of

3000 mg/L and BOD of 1875 mg/L. The MLSS concentration is 2800, 3300, or 3500 mg/L

(MLSS value to be selected by instructor), MLYSS/MLSS ratio is 0.80, effluent TSS concen­

tration is 20 mg/L, t is 24 h, recycle MLSS concentration is 10,000 mg/L, and waste s l udge

flowrate fr om the recycle l ine is 85.5 m'/d. Using the given infor m ation, determine (a) the

sys tem SRT, the /

F M ratio in g B OD/g ML YSS · d, and the volumetric B OD loading rate kg/
(

3
m · d ), (b) the observed yield in terms of g TSS/g B OD and g TSS/g COD, and (c) the sy nthe­

sis yield, ass uming that b = 0 . 1 0 g VSS/g VSS·d and.f, = 0.15 g VSS/g VSS.

7-23 A conventional activated sludge plant is operated at SRT values of 8, 10, or 12 d ( value to be

selected by inst ru ctor) . The reactor volume is 8000 m' and the MLSS concentrat i on is

3000 mg/L. Determine (a) the sludge p roduction rate, (b) the sludge wasting flowrate when

wasting from the reactor, and (c) the sludge wasting flowrate when wasting from the recycle

line. A ssume that the concentration of suspended solids in the recycle is e q ual to I 0,000 mg/L.

and the solids loss in the secondary clarifier e ffl uent is m ino r and can be neglected.

7-24 A complete -m ix activated sludge process with a arifier and

cl sl u dge recycle receives an

influent wastewater flow rate of 2000 m/d and infl u ent particulate concentration of 4 00, 500,

or 6 00 mg V SS/L ( value to be selected by inst ru ctor ) that is entirel y biodegrada b le. T he

volume of the activated sludge reactor is 500 m'. The bio k inetic coe ffi cients for p ar ticulate

degradation (Eq . 7-20) are k, = .

2 2 g YSS/g biomass · d and K, = 0 .15 g VSS/g biomass.

The yield and endogenous decay coefficients are 0. 5 0 g biomass/g Y SS and 0. lO g YSS/g

VSS·d, respectively. U sing the given infor m ation: (a) develop a ste a dy - state mass balance

for partic u late removal in the activated sludge system, (b) develop e q uations for the aeration
 Problems and Discussion Topics 679

tank particulate and biomass concentrations as a function of SRT (assume that the effluent

contains no degradable particulates, particulates only leave the system v i a the waste sludge,

and soluble COD is negligible), (c) determine the biomass and particulate concentrations in

the aeration tank at SRT values of 3, 5, and 10 d, and (d) determine the percent removal of

particulates t
a 3, 5, and I O d.

7-25 A completely mixed activated sludge process is operated at a 10.5-d SRT, 12°C temperature,

and a 3500 mg/L MLSS concentration to produce an effluent NH,-N concentration of 1 . 0

mg/L. The average sludge production rate is 753 kg TSS/d, and the oxygen consumption rate

is 1225 kg/d i n c l u d i n g that for nitrification. The system aeration rate (air supply) is con­

trolled to maintain a DO concentration at 1.0 mg/L in the aeration basin. If the oxygen

demand increases, the aeration blower a i r output is automatically increased to maintain a

DO of 1 . 0 mg/L. The plant operator is t h i n ki n g about tinkering with the SRT and asks you

what changes would be expected if the SRT is increased to 1 5 d. Indicate if values for the

following parameters w i ll increase (I), decrease (D) or remain the same (S) and give reasons

for your selection.

a. Sludge production rate, kg/d

b. Oxygen consumption rate, kg O/d

c. Effluent s ol uble biodegradable COD concentration, mg/L

d. Aeration tank MLSS concentration, mg/L

e. Effluent NH,-N concentration, mg/L

f. Effluent NO,-N concentration, mg/L

7-26 The following sets of kinetic coefficients (to be selected by instructor) are given for the

treatment of a m u n i c i p a l wastewater with an influent degradable COD of 300 mg/L and

influent nb YSS concentration of I 00 mg/L. Using these data and assuming the effluent

degradable COD concentration is negligible compared to the amount of COD removed,

prepare plots of (a) the observed y i e l d (as g VSS/g COD) removed as a function of SRT and

(b) the g oxygen used/g COD removed as a function of SRT. On the plot i n part (a) also

show the fraction of the y i e l d from cell debris and influent nbYSS.

Coefficient set

2 3
Coefficient Unit

y g VSS/g COD 0.40 0.40 0.35

b g VSS/g VS5·d 0 . 1 0 0.08 0 . 1 2

t g VSS/g VSS 0 . 1 0 0 . 1 5 0 . 1 5

7-27 Design a complete-mix activated sludge process with recycle to treat an industrial wastewa­

ter with one of the following characteristics (to be selected by instructor) at peak month

conditions.

Wastewater

1 2 3
Item Unit

Flowrate m?/d 4000 4300 4000

BOD mg/L 800 600 1000

nbVS mg/L 200 200 200

TKN mg/L 30 30 40

Total phosphorus mg/L 8 8 6

Temperature ·C 1 5 1 5 1 5
680 Chapter 7 Fundamentals of Biological Treatment

The relevant biokinetic coefficients and operating conditions are

Y = 0.45 g VSS/g COD SRT = 10d

b = 0 . 10 g VSS/g V S S · d Return sludge = 8000 mg TSS/L

µ,,,, = 2.5 g VSS/g V S S · d Aeration tank MLSS = 2500 mg/L

K, = 20 mg COD/L Clarifier effluent TSS = 1 5 mg/L

f, = 0 . 1 0 g VSS/g VSS

bCOD = 1.6 (BOD)

Using the given information and biokinetic coefficients, determine (a) the aeration tank

volume (m), the amount of waste solids produced/d (kg/d), the oxygen requirement

(kg/d), the aeration tank oxygen uptake rate (mg/L·h), the effluent soluble BOD

concentration, the return sludge recycle ratio for the fo l l o w i n g design conditions, and

the MLVSS to MLSS ratio, and (b) whether supplemental nitrogen or phosphorus is

required and, if so, how much i n mg/L? A s s u m e the biomass contains 1 2 percent nitro­

gen and 2 percent phosphorus on a volatile suspended s o l i d s b a s i s . Assume no nitrifica­

tion occurs.

7-28 For the same industrial wastewater application given in Problem 7-27, powdered activated

carbon (PAC) is added to the influent at a dose of 50 mg/L to sorb potential toxic sub­

stances. The SRT is still held at 10 d. Determine the MLSS concentration, the MLVSS/

MLSS ratio, and the total daily sludge production in kg TSS/d with the PAC addition.

7-29 A complete-mix activated sludge system receives wastewater with one of the following

characteristics (wastewater to be selected by instructor):

Wastewater

Unit 1 2 3
Item

3
Flowrate m /d 6000 6000 6000

Biodegradable BOD mg/L 300 400 500

Influent nbVSS mg/L 100 100 150

The relevant design criteria are

Flowrate = 6000 m/d

Biodegradable COD = 300 mg/L

Influent nbVSS = 100 mg/L

The following biokinetic coefficients can be assumed:

Y = 0.40 g VSS/g COD

b = 0 . 10 g VSS/g V S S · d

f, = 0 . 1 0 g VSS/g VSS

µ,,,, = 5.0 g VSS/g VSS·d

K , = 20 mg COD/L

If the system aeration oxygen transfer capacity is 52 kg O,/h, what maximum SRT can

be used so that the oxygen requirements can be met by the existing oxygen transfer

capacity?

7-30 The kinetics for substrate utilization can be described by a first-order relationship (Eq. 7-18)

( r, = kSX). (a) Using the given first-order kinetic relationship instead of the Michaelis­

Menten relationship for substrate utilization, derive a steady-state relationship that can be

used to calculate the effluent soluble substrate concentration from a complete-mix sus­

pended growth reactor. Verify that Eq. (7-42) can be used to determine the biomass (X)

concentration. (b) For the following reactor conditions and biokinetic information, determine
 Problems and Discussion Topics 681

the SRT needed to provide an effluent soluble substrate concentration of 1.0 mg/L, and the

biomass concentration.

S, = 500 mg/L COD

n=0.25 d

Y = 0.50 g VSS/g COD removed

b = 0.06, 0. IO, or 0 . 1 2 g VSS/g V S S · d (to be selected by instructor)

r , = -kSX, where k = 0.504 g/g·d

7-31 An aerobic digester receives thickened waste activated sludge and holds it for a number of

days for further aeration and solids destruction by endogenous decay of the biomass. The

biomass concentration entering the digester is defined as X, and is 24 g VSS/L. The influ­

ent flow also contains 6 g/L of inert nonbiodegradable VSS (X,,) for a total influent VSS

concentration of 30 g/L. The digester biomass VSS concentration is X, and the inert YSS

concentration is X, The digester volume is V, and the hydraulic retention time (V/@) is

20 d. A membrane is installed in the digester, and digester liquid is drawn through the

membrane to provide solids thickening within the digester. The membrane effluent l i q u i d

flow is defined as Q, and its VSS concentration zero. The biomass VSS endogenous decay

rate is given as r = bX, where: r = the rate of biomass solids destruction (g VSS/L·d,

and b = specific biomass endogenous decay rate, (g VSS/g V S S · d ) . Values for b and f =

0 . 1 0 g/g·d and 0 . 10 gig

a. Write the mass balance equation for X and give equation to solve for X at steady state

conditions.

b. Write the mass balance equation for X,.0 and give equation to solve for X, at steady state

conditions.

c. Write an equation defining the SRT in terms of the reactor volume (V), biomass concen­

tration (X), and waste solids flowrate.

d. What is the value for X, X,,, SRT and percent reduction of influent biomass and influent

total V S S , if the membrane liquid removal rate is equal to 50 percent of Q (Q, = 0.50Q)

7-32 Consider a biofilm treating a liquid stream containing acetate and dissolved oxygen with a

stagnant liquid layer above the biofilm. (a) Using the stoichiometric relationship developed

for the biological degradation of acetate in Example 7-4, determine the maximum acetate

concentration in the bulk liquid that can be satisfied before the aerobic degradation in the

biofilm is limited by the surface flux rate of oxygen, where the bulk l i q u i d DO concentration

is 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 mg/L (DO value to be selected by instructor). (b) Compare these results to

the results of NH,-N oxidation in Example 7-7. Why is the bulk liquid NH,-N concentration

so much lower at a DO concentration of 2.0 mg/L?

Given:

Acetate diffusivity coefficient = 0 . 9 cm/d

Oxygen diffusivity coefficient = 2.6 cm/d

7-33 An activated sludge system treating domestic wastewater is operated at a solids retention

time of 10 d with a mixed-liquor temperature of l8°C. For many weeks nitrification has

occurred, with an effluent NH,-N concentration reported at less than 1 . 0 mg/L. After some

time, the nitrification performance declines with effluent NH,-N concentrations exceeding

IO mg/L. As the city engineer you are requested to investigate the cause of the decline in

performance and to make recommendations for actions that will get the discharge quality

back in compliance. Describe possible causes for the decline in nitrification efficiency and

how you would evaluate the problem.

682 Chapter 7 Fundamentals of Biological Treatment

7-34 Using the data in Table 7 -- 1 3 , what SRT is needed to achieve a steady state effluent NH,-N

concentration of 1 . 0 mg/L for an aerobic suspended growth nitrifying system at 20°C and

for an anamrnox suspended growth system at 30°C? Assume the aerobic system is not lim­

ited by dissolved oxygen and the anammox system is not limited by nitrite.

7-35 Using the half-reactions from Table 7-6 calculate the oxygen equivalent of nitrite (g Oifg

NO,-N), for biological reaction with nitrite as the electron acceptor instead of oxygen.

7-36 An anoxic suspended growth reactor is operated at an SRT of 5 . 0 d treating clarifier effluent

from an activated sludge nitrification process. Acetate is added as the electron donor. Given

the following coefficients for acetate under nitrate reduction conditions, determine (a) How

much acetate is needed, in kg/d, to remove the influent NO,-N concentration of 40.5, 20.5

or 30.5 g/m' (to be selected by instructor) in a treatment flowrate of 4000 m/d, (b) The

biomass production rate in kg/d.

The reactor effluent acetate concentration at the 5.0-d SRT is 2 mg/L. The effluent NO,-N

is 0.50 mg/L. The nitrogen for biomass growth is from the influent NO,-N.

Y = 0.3 g VSS/g COD removed

b = 0.08 g VSS/g V S S · d

Nitrogen for biomass growth= 0 . 1 2 g N/g biomass VSS

Ignore the biomass debris production (f, = 0). What is the COD of acetate? i.e. g COD/g

acetate. Provide a mass balance and steady state expression for the reactor acetate COD,

biomass, and NO,-N concentration.

7-37 Two complete-mix suspended growth laboratory reactors with sludge recycle fed the same

synthetic wastewater are operated in parallel at the same aerobic SRT. One reactor has an

anaerobic/aerobic sequence to promote enhanced biological phosphorus removal, and the

other is operated only with the aerobic portion. The influent flow contains 100, 200, or

300 mg/L acetate (to be selected by instructor). The phosphorus and volatile fraction con­

tents of the two mixed liquors are as follows: The lower VSS/TSS ratio for the biological

phosphorus removal reactor accounts for both polyphosphate and associated cations in the

storage products.

Reactor g P/g VSS g VSS/g TSS

Aerobic only 0.015 0.85

EBPR 0.250 0.65

Using the following operating conditions and coefficients, how much phosphorus is removed

from the influent for each system in mg/L, and what are the aerobic reactor MLVSS and

MLSS concentrations? (Note: for this problem the coefficients are assumed equal for both

types of organisms, but in practice they may be different.)

Y = 0.40 g VSS/g COD

b = 0. l O g VSS/g V S S · d

SRT = 5 d

7 = 3 h

f,=0.10g VSS/g VSS

7-38 A laboratory reactor is to be operated to study operating conditions that affect biological

phosphorus removal. The influent phosphorus concentration will be 1 0 , 20, or 30 mg/L (as

selected by instructor). What m i n i m u m concentrations of magnesium, potassium, and cal­

cium should be in the influent liquid?

7-39 For the enhanced biological phosphorus removal process shown in Figure 7--23, indicate the

effect of the changes listed below (one at a time from a base case design) on the effluent
 Problems and Discussion Topics 683

soluble phosphorus concentration. W i ll it increase (D), decrease (D) or remain the same (S)?

Give a reason for each selection. Note the base case is operated at a low SRT with no nitri­

fication but sufficient for PAO growth.

a. The total system SRT is increased and nitrification occurs.

b. The fraction of rbCOD in the influent biodegradable COD increases from 20 percent of

bCOD to 35 percent of bCOD.

c. It is summer and the activated sludge temperature is 25°C and the pH drops from 7 . 5 to

6.8 because the city budget for purchasing alkalinity was depleted due to an unexpected

increase in alkalinity costs.

d. The aeration tank DO concentration drops long term from a normal level of 2.0 mg/L to

between 0.30 and 0.50 mg/L due to an equipment failure.

7-40 An anaerobic treatment process is used to treat a flowrate of 500 m/d with an influent

soluble COD concentration of 2000, 5000, or 9000 mg/L (value to be selected by instructor).

The net biomass yield is 0.04 g YSS/g COD removed and 95 percent soluble COD removal

occurs at a temperature of 30°C. Assuming the gas contains 65 percent methane, calculate

the total gas flow in m/d. What is the energy value of the gas produced in kJ/d? (The heat

value of methane is 5 0 . 1 kJ/g at 30°C.)

7-41 A professor c l a i m s that the effect of processing food waste in an anaerobic digester and

using the methane for fuel has a lower greenhouse gas effect than if the food waste is com­

posted and used for a beneficial use for application on agriculture land. Do you agree or

disagree? Explain the basis for your position.

7-42 Based on a review of the literature (cite a minimum of two references) explain the impor­

tance of the syntrophic relationship between methanogens and acid fermenters in an anaero­

bic process. What is the effect (increase, decrease, or remain the same) on the gas production

rate, percent methane in the gas, volatile fatty acid concentration, and pH if an upset occurs

to create an imbalance between fermenters and methanogens?

7-43 Modify Eqs. (7-156), (7-157), and ( 7 -- 1 5 8 ) based on usin g first-order kinetics for the sub­

strate removal rate versus the Monad growth kinetic model, w h e r e : r , = kSX. The first-order

model is often used to describe the biodegradation kinetics of a number of priority

pollutants.

7-44 Assume a complete-mix reactor is to be used to treat a wastewater containing a priority pol­

lutant with the fo ll o w i n g characteristics and other easily degradable organic compounds.

The priority pollutant is not very volatile so that losses due to stripping can be ignored.

Usi ng the following information determine (a) the fate of the compound in terms of biodeg­

radation losses, and removal in the system effluent and waste sludge, and (b) the values

computed in part (a) if the value for p, is 3 times higher.

Design data and coefficients:

System SRT (to be selected by instructor) 5, 10, or J 5 d

Reactor MLVSS = 2000 mg/L

Reactor T = 0.25 d

Compound characteristics and biokinetic coefficients:

Influent concentration = 5 . 0 mg/L

K, = 1 5 X 10 ' m ' l g

, = 2. 0 g V S S / g V S S · d

K s = 0.4 g/m'

Y = 0.6 g VSS/g compound

b = 0.08 g VSS/g Y S S · d