Waste Treatment Processes

(CHEM4015/CIVE4140)
Week 4
Design of Treatment Systems
Equalization basin

Lecturer Name: Dr Nitin Raut

Dr Amal Al Saadi
Prof Rajamohan Natarajan Academic
Year: 2023-2024
Principles
 Flow equalization simply is the damping of flow rate variation to
achieve a constant or nearly constant flow rate and can be applied in
number of different situation, depending on the characteristics of
collection system.
 In sewage treatment flow equalization (or flow rate equalization)
may be achieve either by the in line arrangement or off-line
arrangement

In-Line Equalization Basins

 This type of equalization basin receives the entire (variable)
wastewater flow and typically discharges at a constant flow rate
(flow equalization) or at a flow rate equal to the input flow rate
(concentration flow equalization)
 In the in-line arrangement it is possible to achieve considerable
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damping of constituent-concentration and flow rate.
Off-Line Equalization Basins
• This type of basin receives the overflow from a smaller inline basin
when the incoming flow rate exceeds the average flow rate, and
discharges to the flow when the incoming flow is below the average
flow rate
• In the off-line arrangement only the flow above the average daily flow
rate is diverted in to equalization basin.
• On the other hand in the off- line arrangement the amount of the
constituent concentration damping is considerably reduced, though
pumping requirements are minimized in this arrangement.

Offline equalization flow diagram

 Design
 Approach--plot cumulative inflow volume vs. time of day

Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. (2003). Wastewater engineering: treatment, disposal and reuse.4th edition, McGraw Hill, Inc., New York, NY
Steps

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Example 4-1 1/9
Xic

Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. (2003). Wastewater engineering: treatment, disposal and reuse.4th edition, McGraw Hill, Inc., New York, NY
Example 4-1 2/9

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Example 4-13/9

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Example 4.1

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Example
4-1

Output=constant= 1106 m3 per 1 hour period Xic Xoc

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Example 4.1 Xic Xoc

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Example 4-2
=

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Example 4.1

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Example 4-2

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Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. (2003). Wastewater engineering: treatment, disposal and reuse.4th edition, McGraw Hill, Inc., New York, NY
Rules of thumb (if don’t have specific info @ system, can use)
 -Equalization recommended for plants with max:min loading ratio> 4:1
-Mixing and aeration required (will discuss in more detail later)
 Mixing ~4-8 W/m3 of storage
 Aeration ~9-15 L air/m3 of storage-min
 State guidelines
- Consider use for all mechanical plants, esp. with peaking factor
(peak:avg) > 2:1 and w/out primary treatment; prior to secondary or
advanced treatment
- Design includes volume, mixing, air and pumping calculations
- Include provisions for draining

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 SEPTIC TANK Definition:
 A septic tank also known as a septic system is a small scale sewage
treatment system common in areas with no connection to main
sewerage pipes.
 Septic systems are a type of On-Site Sewage Facility
 The term "septic" refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that
develops in the tank and which decomposes or mineralizes the waste
discharged into the tank. Adding a supplemental bacterial agent to the
tank will accelerate the digestion of solids in the tank.

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Description:
 A septic tank generally consists of a tank of between 1,000 and 1,500
gallons which is connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end and
to a septic drain field at the other.
 Waste water flows from the house to the septic tank. The tank is
designed to retain wastewater and allow heavy solids to settle to the
bottom.
 These solids are partially decomposed by bacteria to form sludge.
 Grease and light particles float, forming a layer of scum on top of the
wastewater.
 Baffles installed at the inlet and outlet of the tank to help prevent scum
and solids from escaping.

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 Drainfield (Trench):
 A solid pipe leads from the septic tank to a distribution box where the
wastewater is channeled into one or more perforated pipes set in trenches
of gravel.
 The water slowly infiltrates (seeps) into the underlying soil.
 Dissolved wastes and bacteria in the water are trapped or adsorbed to soil
particles or decomposed by microorganisms.
 This process removes disease-causing organisms, organic matter, and
most nutrients (except nitrogen and some salts).
 The purified wastewater then either moves to the groundwater or
evaporates from the soil.
 Trench systems are the most
common type of system

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Seepage pit:
An alternative to the common drain field is the Seepage Pit
(Dry Well). In this type, liquid flows to a pre-cast tank with
sidewall holes, surrounded by gravel. Liquid seeps through
the holes or joints to the surrounding soil.

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Solids storage:
 the septic tank is designed with ample volume so that sludge and scum
can be stored in the tank for an extended period of time.
 A general one-half to two-thirds of the tank volume is reserved for
sludge and scum accumulation.
 A properly designed and used septic system should have the capacity to
store solids for about five years or more.
 actual storage time can only be determined by routine septic tank
inspections.
Cleaning of septic tank
 Septic tank should be periodically cleaned
 How often the septic tank has to be emptied depends on the volume of the
tank relative to the input of solids, the amount of indigestible solids and
the ambient temperature
 careful management many users can reduce emptying to every 3 to 5 20
years.
Potential problems
 Excessive dumping of cooking oils and grease can fill up the upper
portion of the septic tank and can cause the inlet drains to block.
 Flushing non-biodegradable hygiene rapidly fills or clog a septic tank
and these materials should not be disposed of in this way.
 The use of waste grinders for disposal of waste food will cause a rapid
overload of the system and early failure.
 Certain chemicals pesticides, herbicides, materials with high
concentrations of bleach or caustic soda or any other inorganic materials
such as paints, solvents etc. inhibit bacterial function.
Environmental issues
 a pungent and toxic gas.
 generate carbon dioxide and methane, both of which are known
greenhouse gases.
 the discharge from a septic tank into the environment can trigger prolific
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plant growth including algal blooms.
Example 4.2

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https://mafiadoc.com/chapter-one-wastewater-volumes-collection-and-_5bb4e4d9097c47c5618b46f4.html
References

1. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. (2003). Wastewater engineering:

treatment, disposal and reuse.4th edition, McGraw Hill, Inc.,
New York, NY
2. https://studylib.net/doc/5496826/wastewater-characterization

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