Wartsila 2020 Sewage Teatment Plant Training

SUPPER TRIDENT PLANT - TRAINING
HOW TO OPERATE STP AND MAINTAIN GOOD BIOLOGY
PRESENTED BY : GAVIN MCGIRR

SERVICE MANAGER WARTSILA UK (W&W)
1 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

TRAINING OVERVIEW
ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, THE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE AN

UNDERSTANDING OF:
 Waste water generated on board vessels
 General understanding on regulations
 Biological treatment process
 STP installation & operational design requirements
 Understanding the operation & & maintenance requirements of STP
 Operational training & trouble shooting

BLACK WATER (BW)
Black Water – Waste stream
 Any waste from a toilet or urinal (Human waste)

 All waste water from a medical facility / sick bay (all wastewater classed as BW)
 Spaces containing living animals / cargo
 Any other waste stream when mixed with BW as above)
Low volume
 70 litre per head / day on gravity

 25 litre per head / day on vacuum
Higher strength
 49g BOD/ Head per day

GREY WATER (GW)
Grey Water Waste Stream
 Ships Accommodation – showers, wash basins etc

 Galley wash water (after passing through a suitable grease separator)
 Laundry
Strength & Volume will vary
• Accommodation GW = Volume : 100-200 l - per person / per day
• Galley GW = Volume : 60-90 l - per person / per day
• Laundry water = Volume : 30-50 l - per person / per day

STP FEED / FLOW PROFILES & LOADING
Flow Profiles - Average / mean flow volume
 The design basis for the plant is the average daily flow.
Peak Flow
 The flow through the units will vary over a 24hr period, especially when the STP is
processing both BW & GW, Typically peaks will occur at: STP should be sized to deal
with peak flows.
1. Before & After meal times

2. Change of shifts / watch (Shower / sink usage of GW)
3. Galley operating times

WASTE WATER MARITIME LEGISLATION & REGULATION
Regulation & Legislation

The discharge consents for waste water come under the MARPOL annex IV
internationally but there are also various local legislations which may be stricter in certain
aspects.
 Captured waters (ports and estuaries / Baltic Sea)

 Shallow waters - Caspian sea
 Sensitive waters - Alaska
Typical application bounders of legislation:
 Within port.
 Within 3 miles of shore.
 Within 12 miles of shore.
 Within x distance of nearest bather.
 Within x distance of reef/Island etc.

REGULATION VARIANTS AND STRUCTURES
Regulation structure
The below shows some of the key applicable legislation sited: but is not exhaustive.
 IMO/MARPOL
 Alaskan standards
 HELCOM (Baltic Standard)
 Great Barrier Reef Standards
 Caspian Sea standards
 Canadian Standards
 NATO NIAG
 EPA 1 mile 6 knots
 DADE COUNTY CODE (Florida)
 USCG 33 CFR 159
 Zero discharge

WASTEWATER LEGISLATION STANDARDS

STP TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFICATION
Summary – Type Approval Certification
 Whist each sea going vessel must have a suitable / certified STP installed, the actual execution
& policing of the legislation in general is not so structured or strict in most areas, but is heavily
policed in certain sensitive areas, such as Alaska etc.
 Wartsila STP are manufactured under ‘Lloyds Type Approval Certification’ to treat the
wastewater to meet the present legislation under Marpol annex, being MEPC 227 (64) –
excluding paragraph 4
 This means that the STP model of same design was fully tested under Type Approval
conditions and sampled 20 times over 11 days. Which means your STP is certified to operate
under this approval for life, unless the design is changed, then the certification will become
invalid.
 Any series of sample results or abnormal sample results will NOT mean the STP is operating
outside The Type Approval cortication and it does NOT mean the STP is outside legislation. It
just means that when the STP was spot sampled the samlle is classed as that, a spot sample!

BIOLOGICAL PROCESS
The Wartsila STP uses the Aerobic biological process to break-down and digest waste matter.
The biological process uses a self-seeded culture of bacteria & micro-organisms to break down and
digest organic matter (the older the sludge age the more diverse the organisms become)
There are other alternative process such as, Chemical treatment & advanced oxidation processes,
however, the aeration biological process is simpler, robust & environmental friendlier.
In order to keep the biology (Biomass) healthy and strong, it needs to be fed air, hence the term
aerobic biological process. The supply of aeration is critical to the process.
Changes in biological process happen over time, nothing happens quickly or suddenly, uless air
stopped or biology poisoned, then a sudden change can be expected. Biology does not like sudden
change or shocks!
(If you throw a bucket of cold water on a dog you will get a bad reaction. It’s the same if you throw a
bucket of bleach down a toilet)

BIOLOGICAL AEROBIC PROCESS
Excess air
CO 2 & Water vapour
Black Water
(Grey water)
100% Treatment Clean Water
System 99.5%
Air
Sludge
0.5%

AEROBIC PROCESS
Biological Aeration Systems have some basic needs
 Food = Organic loading (waste)

 Air (aeration – Dissolved Oxygen DO)
 When sufficiently aerated the smell from the STP will change from a raw sewage smell to an
earthy compost like aroma, meaning the biomass is healthy.

AERATION OF BIOMASS
Aeration to the raw effluent (BW & GW) as it enters the STP is provided by aerators
installed in the aeration chamber of the unit, also known as the 1st stage, being the first
stage of the process.

BIOLOGICAL PROCESS
Sludge Age
Younger sludge’s are simpler comprising of fast growing

micro organisms and are focussed and efficient at
consuming organic waste. They produce more biomass per
Kg of food and consume less aeration.
Older sludge’s are a more complex mixture of lower life

forms, may of which pre-date the above younger / simpler
life forms and are less focussed on consuming organic
waste. They produce less biomass per Kg or food and
consume more aeration.
It is useful to look at the above in comparison to people.
 Young & strong – given right volume of food = efficient

 Old & weak – given too much / too little food = inefficient

BIOLOGICAL PROCESS
Summary
 Aeration biological process use micro organisms to break down and digest organic waste
 These systems require air and food to sustain growth
 Lack of air / food to the system will disrupt biological process.
 No aeration or aggressive cleaning chemicals will kill the biomass (will become Anaerobic)
 The digestion of organic waste will produce some sludge. Older sludge is a problem.
 Sludge volume and age is controlled by De-Sludging operations
 A healthy biomass and strong process will not have an offensive smell
 An unhealthy or dead biomass will stink of a foul smell and produce H2S gas.
 H2S gas is very dangerous and can kill so it must be avoided at all cost

WARTSILA SEWAGE TREATMENT - STP
In general there are two variants (models sold for STP)

 STP units = mainly for new Build Vessels or vessels where access is available
 RT units = Modular design that can be split in to modules where accesses is challenging
 Either can be fed by Gravity or vacuum system (vacuum system needs dilution water)

STP DESIGN PRINCIPLE
STP Functional design and operating principle is the same regardless of the model.
1st stage of the process – Biological aeration process

Air is fed to the biomass, the biomass consumes the organic waste in the aeration
chamber.
2nd stage - Settling

Waste water transfers to settling tank / hopper where there is no aeration so the processed
water settles / separates. Sludge sinks to the bottom and cleaner / clearer processed water
to the upper section of hopper / settling tank.
3rd stage – Chlorination

Waste water passes (spills over) the weir from the hopper to the 3rd stage where it is treated
with hypochlorite solution to kill any coliforms. It is important that the loading is not
excessive as the STP is a flow through unit, so it is important that sufficient ‘Retention time’
is achieved for the hypochlorite to work. Once the float switch reaches HL the discharge
pump discharges OB as the bisulphate dosing is activated at the same time to neutralise
the hypochlorite.
AERATION CHAMBER – 1ST STAGE
1st Stage - Aeration Chamber

AERATION
Biological Aeration Process

SETTLING TANK / HOPPER – 2ND STAGE
2nd Stage – Settling Tank
 No aeration so the sludge settles – sinks and clearer process water rises.
 Some activated sludge is returned to 1st stage to re-seed the incoming sewage (RAS)

CHORINATION CHAMBER – 3RD STAGE
3rd Stage – Disinfection / Chlorination

CHLORINE NEUTRALISATION
Bi-sulphate dosing and Discharge

DE SLUDING
De-Sludging – Removal / control of sludge volume or TSS (Suspended solids)

SUMMARY – STP OPERATION
STP General Operation
 There is no need to seed the tank, the biological process will start naturally.
 It takes about 10-12 days to have a strong biomass / biological process
 The RAS Returned activated solids should be set at a steady pulse / min flow
 Aeration must be constant and good air supply
 Aeration diffusers MUST be in good clear condition (renewed annually)
 Aeration air flow in manifold should show 0.2 – 0.3 bar on press gauge
 Dosing pumps must be checked and be set to give correct dosing volumes
 De-sludging is critical to STP performance (see next slides)
 Max allowable back press in tank = 13mm water Colum and vent should be clear
 There should be no foul smells and only an earthy organic small
 Non-biofriendly or aggressive cleaning solutions should be used – they will poison
Biomass

DESLUDGING / CONTROLLING SOLIDS
De-sluding made simple
There is a lot of advise and data on desluding for waste water systems to manage the
solids and keep a healthy, but in reality, it depends on the ewaste streams and organic
loadings.
Therefore, it is a good ‘Rule of thumb’ to follow the below steps.
1. Every week take a litre sample from 1st stage in plastic bottle / jar (blowers running)
2. Let it settle for 30-40 mins
3. When settled sludge is seen to reach around 50-60% then time to desludge as a rule
4. Desuldge approx. 15-20% of the aeration chamber
5. Desludge 70-80% of the settling tank
6. Put the unit back to service

CONTROLLING TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS)
Please note- where STP are taking both BW & GW the solids may not build up as quickly
as when just taking BW
Never fully empty and pump out ALL the biomass unless carrying out tank inspection
annual maintenance.

ROUTINE MONITORING PROPOSAL
Daily
Check Air Pressure & aeration

Check sludge return (RAS)
Weekly
Replenish chemical dosing tanks as an when needed

Check coarse screen for blockages
Check suspended solids in aeration tank – desludge as required
Monthly
Make sure desluding and control of TSS is in order and correct

Clean course screen with hose and remove any debris
Change blower duty – standby blower

PLANNED MAINTENANCE
6 Monthly
 Replace compressor air filters
Annually
 Drain / Flush STP and inspect. Carry out remedial coating repair if needed
 Renew aeration diffuser
 Carry out full service on blowers
 Service pumps and other where required
Please note; Before entering the STP for annual inspection and service is very important
that it is fully flushed clean with FW / vented and certified gas free

OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
Note – The Wartsila STP is a simple & robust equipment which is in general very reliable,
however things can go wrong, and effect the effluent quality. The following is a guide to
support customers how to investigate and resolve such issues. Some of which are listed
below
Summary
 Mechanical & Electrical issues – detailed in the O&M instruction book

 Poor Biology
 Noxious / foul smells
 Poor effluent quality
 Hydraulic overloading
 Bulked sludge
 Rising sludge
 Foaming

POOR BIOLOGY
Poor Biology - Low Dissolved oxygen (DO) = High Biological demand (BOD)
 Bad smells
 Grey or Black colour biomass rether than brown colour
Normally caused by
 Blocked vents (high back pressure)
 Dirty / poor performing air filters / Poorly maintained blowers
 Blocked / old diffusers
Organic Overloading
Low DO levels
Bad smells
High effluent COD levels
Normally caused by
Low solids in reactor tank, feding more than recommended

BIOMASS COLOUR CHART
8
Hamworthy - Biomass Colour Reference Chart
7
Colours in the range 3 to 6 indicate a healthy biomass at a range
of concentrations in the STP. 3 would represent a low solids in the
6 STP and 6 a high solids in the STP.
Colours in the range 5 to 6 would be normal for STP operation

5
and indicate a healthy and well operated STP.
4 Colour 7 represents a blackening of the bio solids in the reactor

and may also be associated with an off smell (see section 2). This
3
may be due to a number of problems as discussed later.

BIOMASS COLOUR CHART
Colour 8 represents a severe blackening of the solids and is

Hamworthy - Biomass Colour Reference Chart
7
likely to be associated with a very off smell (see smell chart).
6
Colour 2 may be an indication of problems but is also likely to be
due to a very low level of solids in the reactor due to over
5 desludging. It may be associated with a slightly raw smell
indicating a high level of black or grey water.
4
Colour 1 either indicates there is little or no biomass present or
the biomass is very sick indeed. The latter may be due to toxic
3 substances in the reactor or in some cases due to extremes of
operating conditions.
2

BIOMASS SMELL CHART
Smell is very offensive (rotten eggs), It is diificult

6 to keep the sample under the nose and the smell Smell Chart
may be detected from a distance.
Smell is strong and not pleasant to keep sniffing.
5 It is likley the operator will respond by taking the
There should not be bad smells from the STP
sample away from his nose. the smell should be earthy like compost.
Smell is slightly off but does no make the
4 operator react by removing nose from sample.
Smell will be earthy and inoffensive  Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

3  Low dissolved oxygen (DO)
 Blowers switched off
Smells slightly of raw sewage smell is not
2 offensive but is no longer predominantly of  Poor aeration
Biomass
 System overloaded
Smells strongly of raw sewage
1  Biomass poisoned by strong detergent

GOOD BIOLOGY – HAPPY BUGS
STP is an equipment with a living organism (biomass) inside!

It is critical for good operation to keep the biology (Bugs) happy by giving
them plenty or air and enough food (but not too much)
HAPPY BUGS

RISING SLUDGE – DE-NITRIFICATION
Rising Sludge
Appears as large floating lumps on the top of the settling tank, minute gas bubbles can be
seen, when very bad a think floating hard crust can form on top of settling tank.
The cause is gas bubbling through de-nitrification in the settling tank which has no
aeration and if effectively a dead zone.
If seen the following actions should be carried out
 Break up the crust manually and with hose

 Drain and desludge the whole content of settling tank - fill with clean water
 Once the STP is back in normal service adjust / increase the RAS return rate

SLUDGE CARRY OVER
Sludge Blanket in 3rd stage
The STP is a flow through unit, if there is a sludge blanket forming in the settling tank or a
particularly high peak flow rate period, solids can be pushed through the weir to the 3rd
stage. There may be some sludge floc visible.
This is sometimes seen when both BW & GW are processed by the STP as there can be
periods of higher GW influent at peak loadings.
If seen the following actions should be carried out
 it is recommended to hose out and clean the 3rd stage to remove settled sludge floc.
 Disinfect the inside of the tank to remove any trace of biological growth / sludger flocs

BULKED SLUDGE
High sludge levels & poor biological process
If the STP biological performance is poor, organic waste digestion will be slow and very
inefficient and large volumes of sludge will accumulate. This can happen when;
 Poor desludge routine is done

 Varying or high level of organic waste loadings occur
 High levels of FOG (fats Oil grease) introduced to STP
 Toxic cleaning chemicals are used which hinder the biological metabolic process
This will show by the STP having a smell that is not so nice and poor biomass colour
which will be darker. When doing the settling test high levels of solids will be seen.
First things to check must be the aeration performance and the cleaning chemicals being
used.

LOW SLUDGE VOLUMES / WEAKER BIOMASS
Low sludge / weaker biomass
This can happen when there is a lower organic loading of BW with a higher loading of GW
normally. It will also hinder the performance of the biomass and biology to be strong and
efficient at consuming organic waste. It can also be caused by excessive desluding.
Poor colour where biomass will be lighter.

Poor smell where a raw sewage smell is present
Settling tank shows litter clearer waste water with very low solids
If this is experienced, then where possible the following should be carried out.
 Adjust desludging periods and volumes to increase solids

 If possible, discharge some volume of GW until biomass condition improves
 Reduce GW flow at peak periods by controlling GW feed
 Buffering GW feed and installing a feed where GW is fed over non-peak times

FOAMING
There are two types of foam in principle Chemical & Biological foam
Chemical Foaming
 Unstable and rapidly occurring with high foam volumes

 Short lived (comes & goes quickly
Action – Stop using foaming detergents and chemicals
Biological Foaming
 Stable & persistent (has appearance of a chocolate mousse)

 Low air supply
 Low loading
 Poisoned biomass
Action – increased e-sluding to be done, or in may cases dump biomass and start again
After finding and resolving root cause

ANAEROBIC BIOMASS
If the biomass starts to turn anaerobic, then something is going very wrong and rapid
action is needed. It means the biomass is dying or fully dead.
Normally caused by lack of aeration Dissolved oxygen or toxic chemicals.
Foul smells from STP (Rotten egg smell)

Biomass is a black colour
Production of methane and hydrogen sulphide gases
Action – in early stages resolve issues with aeration / chemicals and increase aeration if
possible. In later stages dump 100% contents over board and start again.
NOTE – Great care must be taken if the plant has turned anaerobic as hydrogen sulphide
gas H2S is DEADLY under no circumstances should staff be exposed to the gas and if
this occurs gas monitors should be used. STP contents must be discharged OB and STP
flushed with FW before opening and being certified gas free

CLOSING COMMENTS / QUESTIONS PLEASE
This training has been compiled to give a general overview of the STP and the biological
processing perspective of the STP, which is its function.
As a piece of equipment it is a rather simple design and not difficult from a mechanical /
electrical perspective, with simple maintenance needs & routines.
The main problems of issues that will occur will show in the biological efficiency and
process.
One last important point is to note and remember / biological changes happen
slowly and not suddenly, so there should always be time to monitor problems and
make changes to correct the issues.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE

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SUPPER TRIDENT PLANT - TRAINING

HOW TO OPERATE STP AND MAINTAIN GOOD BIOLOGY

PRESENTED BY : GAVIN MCGIRR

1 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, THE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE AN

 Waste water generated on board vessels

 General understanding on regulations

 Biological treatment process

 STP installation & operational design requirements

 Understanding the operation & & maintenance requirements of STP

 Operational training & trouble shooting

2 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Black Water – Waste stream

 Any waste from a toilet or urinal (Human waste)

 70 litre per head / day on gravity

 49g BOD/ Head per day

3 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Grey Water Waste Stream

 Ships Accommodation – showers, wash basins etc

Strength & Volume will vary

• Accommodation GW = Volume : 100-200 l - per person / per day

• Galley GW = Volume : 60-90 l - per person / per day

• Laundry water = Volume : 30-50 l - per person / per day

4 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Flow Profiles - Average / mean flow volume

1. Before & After meal times

5 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Regulation & Legislation

 Captured waters (ports and estuaries / Baltic Sea)

Typical application bounders of legislation:

6 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

7 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

8 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

9 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

10 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

11 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

 Food = Organic loading (waste)

12 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

13 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Younger sludge’s are simpler comprising of fast growing

Older sludge’s are a more complex mixture of lower life

It is useful to look at the above in comparison to people.

 Young & strong – given right volume of food = efficient

14 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

15 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

In general there are two variants (models sold for STP)

16 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

1st stage of the process – Biological aeration process

2nd stage - Settling

3rd stage – Chlorination

1st Stage - Aeration Chamber

18 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Biological Aeration Process

19 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

2nd Stage – Settling Tank

20 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

3rd Stage – Disinfection / Chlorination

21 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

Bi-sulphate dosing and Discharge

22 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

De-Sludging – Removal / control of sludge volume or TSS (Suspended solids)

23 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]

STP General Operation

24 © Wärtsilä I N T E R NA L 30/05/2022 [Presentation name / Author]