Module-III

Aerobic Suspended and Attached Growth Biological

Treatment Processes
 Aerated lagoon

▪ Aerated lagoons are biological wastewater treatment systems

where oxygen is supplied mechanically to degrade organic
pollutants.

▪ They consist of large, shallow ponds equipped with aerators or

diffusers.

▪ The treatment is based on aerobic microorganisms that break

down organic matter, resulting in BOD removal.

▪ Wastewater is introduced into the lagoon and kept under

continuous mixing and aeration.

▪ Microorganisms convert organic matter into carbon dioxide,

water, and biomass.

▪ Depending on operation, solids may remain suspended or

settle at the bottom.
▪ The hydraulic retention time (HRT) is typically 3–10 days.

▪ The usual depth of lagoons ranges from 2 to 5 meters.

▪ Dissolved oxygen is maintained around 1–3 mg/L for effective treatment.

▪ Sludge accumulates slowly and is removed after long intervals.

▪ Aerated lagoons can handle variations in wastewater load effectively.

▪ They require a large land area, making them suitable for rural or less populated
regions.

▪ Odour problems may occur if aeration is insufficient.

▪ They are simple in design, low-cost, and easy to operate and maintain.

▪ Commonly used for municipal wastewater and industrial effluents.

▪ Often used as a pre-treatment step before advanced treatment processes.

▪ Overall, aerated lagoons are a cost-effective and reliable method for

wastewater treatment where land is available.
Activated sludge systems
▪ Activated sludge process is the most common suspended growth method for wastewater treatment.

▪ Main objective: removal of BOD using microorganisms.

▪ It is an aerobic biological process carried out in an aeration tank.

▪ Oxygen is supplied to support bacterial growth.

▪ Microorganisms form flocs that help remove impurities.

▪ Mixture of wastewater and biomass is called mixed liquor.

▪ After aeration, flocs settle in a secondary clarifier.

▪ Clear liquid obtained is treated effluent.

▪ Part of sludge is recycled to maintain microbial concentration (MLSS).

▪ Remaining sludge is removed for further treatment.

▪ HRT: typically 3–8 hours.

 Trickling filter
▪ A trickling filter (biofilter) is a biological wastewater
treatment system consisting of a basin or tower filled with
support media such as stones, plastic materials, or wooden
pieces.

▪ Wastewater is sprinkled or distributed over the surface of this

media, either intermittently or continuously.

▪ Microorganisms attach to the surface of the media and form a

biological layer (biofilm).

▪ The organic matter in the wastewater diffuses into this biofilm,

where it is broken down by microorganisms.

▪ Oxygen required for this process is supplied naturally through

the air flow within the media.

▪ As microorganisms grow, the biofilm becomes thicker over time.

▪ Periodically, parts of the biofilm detach (slough off) from the media.

▪ This detached material is carried with the water to a secondary clarifier, where it settles down.

▪ The settled sludge is removed for further treatment, while the clear liquid is called secondary
effluent.

▪ A portion of this treated water is often recycled back to the filter to ensure uniform distribution of
wastewater over the media.
Sequential batch reactor
▪ In this process, raw sewage (after removal of debris and grit) is treated biologically to remove organic
matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

▪ It is based on the extended aeration activated sludge process using Advanced Cyclic Activated Sludge
Technology.

▪ The system uses fine bubble diffused aeration, where air supply is automatically controlled based on oxygen
demand.
▪ All treatment steps occur in a single tank, so no separate secondary clarifier is required.

▪ The process operates in repeated cycles consisting of:

➢ Fill and Aeration

➢ Settling
➢ Decanting

Fill and Aeration:

▪ Wastewater enters the reactor

▪ Oxygen is supplied for microbial activity
▪ Organic matter is degraded and nitrification–
denitrification occurs

Settling:

▪ Aeration is stopped
▪ Biomass settles under calm conditions

Decanting:
▪ Clear treated water is removed from the top
▪ Water level returns to initial level
▪ Cycle repeats
▪ Part of the sludge is recycled within the system

▪ Excess sludge is removed from the same tank

Key Functions Achieved

•Removal of organic pollutants (BOD reduction)

•Oxidation of sulphides

•Nitrification and denitrification of nitrogen

•Phosphorus removal
Bioreactors

A bioreactor is typically a jacketed cylindrical

stainless steel vessel designed for cultivating
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or yeast.

These microorganisms are widely used in the

production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines,
antibodies, and in the bioconversion of organic
waste materials.

When optimal operating conditions are maintained

such as proper gas supply (air, oxygen, nitrogen, and
carbon dioxide), controlled temperature and pH,
adequate dissolved oxygen levels, and appropriate
agitation speed, the microorganisms grow and
multiply rapidly, ensuring efficient production.
 Fluidized bed bioreactors

A fluidized bed reactor (FBR) is a type of chemical reactor

designed to carry out multiphase reactions efficiently. In this
system, a fluid either gas or liquid is passed upward
through a bed of solid granular material, typically a catalyst
in the form of fine particles or small spheres.

When the fluid flows at a sufficiently high velocity, it suspends

the solid particles, causing them to behave like a fluid. This
process, known as fluidization, improves mixing, enhances
heat and mass transfer, and increases reaction efficiency.

Due to these advantages, fluidized bed reactors are widely

used in industrial processes and are one of the most popular
reactor designs, suitable for applications ranging from
laboratory experiments to large-scale commercial
operations.
Anaerobic Suspended and Attached Growth Biological
Treatment Processes
 UASB Reactor (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket)

The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor is an

anaerobic treatment system made of watertight materials such
as concrete and designed in circular or rectangular shapes.

Wastewater enters from the bottom and flows upward through a

sludge blanket composed of microbial granules (1–3 mm),
which degrade organic matter in the absence of oxygen and
produce biogas (methane and carbon dioxide).

The upward movement of wastewater, along with rising gas

bubbles, ensures effective mixing and maintains the sludge in
suspension. A proper balance between upflow velocity and
settling characteristics of the granules is essential to sustain the
stability of the sludge blanket.
The reactor is functionally divided into three zones: the sludge
bed, sludge blanket, and a gas–liquid–solid separator (GLSS).

▪ The sludge bed, occupying about 40–60% of the reactor

volume, contains a high concentration of anaerobic biomass
and is responsible for most of the organic matter removal.

▪ The overlying sludge blanket (15–25%) provides additional

treatment.

▪ The GLSS at the top separates biogas, treated effluent, and

sludge, allowing solids to settle back and gas to be collected.

UASB reactors typically operate at a pH of 6.3–7.8, temperature

of 35–38°C, and hydraulic retention time ranging from about 4
to 24 hours, achieving 75–85% removal of organic matter
under suitable loading conditions.

They are energy-efficient, produce relatively low amounts of sludge, and generate useful biogas.

However, they are less effective in removing nutrients and pathogens, require careful operation, and
often involve a long start-up period, making post-treatment necessary for complete purification.
 Hybrid UASB reactors
Hybrid UASB reactors are improved anaerobic treatment systems
that combine the conventional Upflow Anaerobic Sludge
Blanket (UASB) process with an attached growth mechanism.

In these reactors, the lower section operates like a standard UASB,

where wastewater flows upward through a sludge blanket of
granular microorganisms that break down organic matter and
generate biogas.

The upper section contains packed media that supports biofilm

growth, allowing additional biomass retention and enhanced
treatment.

This combination increases overall efficiency, particularly at higher

organic loading rates, and minimizes sludge washout. Hybrid
UASB reactors also offer greater operational stability under varying
conditions.
They are commonly used for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment due to their compact design and
high performance, though proper design and maintenance are necessary to prevent clogging and ensure uniform
flow.
Bio-towers

A bio-tower, or tower trickling filter, is a biological

treatment unit in which wastewater passes through a bed
of media coated with a microbial slime layer.

The microorganisms growing on materials like plastic or

crushed stone utilize the organic matter in the
wastewater as a food source and degrade it under
aerobic conditions.

During operation, excess biofilm periodically detaches from

the media, a process known as sloughing, often caused by
anaerobic activity at the biofilm boundary.

Biological filtration involves the contact of wastewater with

these attached biofilms, which remove suspended,
colloidal, and dissolved impurities through biochemical
oxidation.
Although the contact time is short, a large microbial population is maintained. However, excessive
growth can lead to clogging under high loading conditions.

In many treatment systems, bio-towers are used in combination with processes like activated sludge
for improved efficiency.

Their advantages include higher treatment efficiency, effective nitrification, smaller space
requirements, and lower sludge production.

Disadvantages include potential clogging, odour release, and relatively low loading capacity
requiring larger reactor volumes.