Secondary Sewage/Wastewater Treatment

Activated Sludge Process and it Modifications

The Activated Sludge Process (ASP) derives its name from the biological mass formed when
air is continuously injected into wastewater. In this process, microorganisms are mixed thoroughly with
the organic compounds contained in wastewater under conditions that stimulate their growth through the
use of the organic compounds as substrate. As microorganisms grow and are mixed by the agitation of air,
the individual organisms flocculate to form an active mass of microbes (biologic floc) called activated
sludge.

Conventional Aerobic Oxidation Process

In the conventional aerobic oxidation process, wastewater flows continuously into an aeration
tank where air is injected to mix the activated sludge with wastewater and supply oxygen required for
microorganisms to oxidize organic compounds.
The mixture of activated sludge and wastewater in the aeration tank is called mixed liquor.
Important biomass parameters
• Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids (MLVSS) – concentration of active biomass
• Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) – concentration of active biomass plus inert solids
The mixed liquor then flows to a secondary clarifier where activated sludge settles.
• Most settled sludge is returned to the aeration tank to maintain a high microbial population.
• This returned sludge is called Return Activated Sludge (RAS).
• Excess sludge is diverted to sludge handling and disposal systems.
• This removed portion is called Waste Activated Sludge (WAS).

Mean Cell Residence Time

Mean Cell Residence Time (MCRT), also called:
• Solids Retention Time (SRT)
• Sludge Age
Definition:
The average amount of time microorganisms are retained in the treatment system.

Operational Characteristics of Conventional Activated Sludge

Typical characteristics include:
• Wastewater aeration period: 6–8 hours
• Aeration tanks: long rectangular basins
• Air supplied through diffusers located near the bottom of the tank
• Aeration keeps sludge in suspension
Return sludge flow:
• Typically 20–30% of the influent wastewater flow

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Process Control by Sludge Wasting
The activated sludge process is controlled by wasting a portion of microorganisms daily to
maintain the proper biomass concentration required to oxidize biodegradable Chemical Oxygen
Demand (bCOD).
• Wasting means removal of microorganisms from the system.
• Removed microorganisms form Waste Activated Sludge (WAS).
• Proper wasting maintains a balance between microbial growth and removal.
Operational consequences
• Excess sludge wasting
• Low microbial concentration
• Inefficient treatment
• Insufficient sludge wasting
• Excess biomass accumulation
• Sludge overflow from secondary clarifier
• High suspended solids in effluent

Modifications/Configurations of Activated Sludge Process

Several configurations of the activated sludge process are used for:
• Oxidation of biodegradable COD
• Nitrification
Since nitrifying bacteria grow much more slowly than heterotrophic bacteria, systems designed for
nitrification require:
• Longer hydraulic retention times
• Longer solids retention times

1. Plug Flow Process

In the plug flow configuration, wastewater enters one end of a long narrow aeration tank and
exits at the other end.
Characteristics:
• Oxygen demand highest in the first 20% of the tank due to substrate oxidation
• Oxygen demand in the remaining tank mainly due to endogenous respiration
High substrate concentrations may cause complete depletion of dissolved oxygen, resulting in:
• Fermentation
• Partial oxidation
• Organic acid formation
• Decrease in pH
• Damage to microbial population

2. Step Feed Process

Often called step aeration, but more accurately step feeding.
In this modification:
• Influent wastewater enters the aeration tank at multiple locations along its length
Advantage:
• Reduces oxygen demand at the head end of the tank.

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 3. Complete Mix Process
The complete mix activated sludge process behaves as a Completely Mixed Stirred Tank
Reactor (CSTR).
Characteristics:
• Influent wastewater immediately diluted with tank contents
• Uniform substrate concentration throughout reactor
• Uniform dissolved oxygen (DO) throughout reactor
Advantage:
• Eliminates high initial loading and oxygen depletion problems
Disadvantage:
• Lower removal efficiency compared to plug flow reactors

4. Oxidation Ditch
An oval or racetrack-shaped channel equipped with mechanical aerators.
Functions of aerators:
• Provide aeration
• Provide mixing
Important characteristics:
• Mixed liquor completes circuit in 5–15 minutes
• Influent wastewater diluted by factor of 20–30
Process behavior:
• Similar to a completely mixed reactor with plug flow characteristics
Additional features:
• Usually no primary treatment
• Long hydraulic detention time
Capabilities:
• BOD reduction
• Denitrification
Applications:
• Small rural communities where land is not limited

5. Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)

The SBR is a completely mixed reactor operated on a batch basis.
Applications:
• Small communities
• Situations where space is limited
• Where oxidation ponds are unsuitable
Five sequential operating steps:
1. Fill
2. React (aeration)
3. Sedimentation
4. Decant supernatant
5. Idle
Capabilities:
• BOD removal
• Denitrification

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 6. Staged Activated Sludge
In this configuration:
• Several completely mixed tanks are arranged in series
• Each tank is mixed internally
• No mixing occurs between tanks
Using three or more tanks in series approximates plug flow behavior.
Advantages:
• Efficiency of plug flow systems
• Ability of complete mix systems to handle high organic loading while maintaining acceptable DO
levels

7. Contact Stabilization Process

In this system, wastewater mixes with Return Activated Sludge (RAS) in a contact reactor with
short detention time.
During this stage:
• Readily biodegradable COD is rapidly oxidized or stored
• Particulate COD is adsorbed onto sludge flocs
After contact:
• Mixture flows to a settling tank
• Treated wastewater discharged
• Settled sludge transferred to a stabilization tank
In stabilization tank:
• Aeration continues
• Stored and adsorbed COD is oxidized
Advantages:
• Reduced overall tank volume
Disadvantages:
• Requires significant operator skill and supervision

8. Conventional Activated Sludge with Selector

A selector zone is installed before the aeration tank.
Characteristics:
• Detention time too short for complete BOD oxidation
• Shorter detention time than contact stabilization process
Purpose:
• Promote formation of well-settling microbial flocs
Selector is followed by a conventional aeration tank.

9. Tapered Aeration
An alternative to step feeding.
In tapered aeration:
• Air supply highest at inlet of plug flow tank
• Gradually reduced along the tank length
Advantages:
• Reduced power consumption
• Smaller aeration equipment
Condition:

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• Works effectively if inlet organic load is not excessively high

10. Extended Aeration Process

Used primarily for small residential communities.
Characteristics:
• Aeration period 24 hours or more
Under these conditions:
• Endogenous respiration governs oxidation
Result:
• Sludge production minimized
Possible operational problems:
• Poor sludge settling
• Low pH due to nitrification
• High suspended solids in effluent
With proper operator supervision, these problems can be minimized when extended aeration is applied
in oxidation ditch systems.

Below is a precise, compact, exam-oriented note on the requested Activated Sludge Process (ASP)
terms with formulas and typical values, while keeping explanations brief and removing Nitrification as
requested.

Important Terms in Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

1. Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) / Aeration Time / Detention Time
Definition: Process HRT
Average time wastewater remains in the aeration tank.
Conventional ASP 4 – 8 hours
Where:
• (V) = volume of aeration tank (m³) Extended aeration 18 – 36 hours
• (Q) = influent flow rate (m³/day)

2. Volumetric BOD Loading (Organic Loading) Process Loading

Definition:
Amount of BOD applied per unit volume of aeration tank per day. Conventional 0.3 – 0.6 kg
ASP BOD/m³·day
Where:
• (Q) = wastewater flow (m³/day) Extended 0.05 – 0.15 kg
• (S_0) = influent BOD concentration (mg/L)
aeration BOD/m³·day
• (V) = aeration tank volume (m³)

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3. Specific Substrate Utilization Ratio (U)
Definition:
Rate at which microorganisms consume substrate (BOD) per unit mass of biomass.

Where:
• (S_0) = influent substrate concentration (mg/L)
• (S) = effluent substrate concentration (mg/L)
• (Q) = wastewater flow (m³/day)
• (V) = aeration tank volume (m³)
• (X) = MLSS concentration (mg/L)

Relation:

Typical range: 0.2 – 1.0 day⁻¹

4. Sludge Age (Solids Retention Time – SRT)

Definition:
Average time microorganisms remain in the activated sludge system.
Also called:
Process Sludge Age
• Mean Cell Residence Time (MCRT)
• Solids Retention Time (SRT) Conventional ASP 4 – 10 days
Where:
• (V) = aeration tank volume
Extended aeration 20 – 30 days
• (X) = MLSS concentration
• (Qw) = waste sludge flow rate
• (X_w) = concentration of solids in waste sludge
• (Qe) = effluent flow rate
• (X_e) = suspended solids in effluent

5. Sludge Volume Index (SVI)

Definition:
Volume occupied by 1 g of sludge after 30 minutes settling. SVI Sludge Condition

50 – 100 Good settling

100 – 150 Moderate settling

Units: mL/g 150 | Bulking sludge |

6. Excess Sludge Wasting

Definition:
Removal of excess microbial biomass from the aeration system to maintain proper MLSS
concentration.
Purpose:
• Maintain proper F/M ratio
• Control sludge age (SRT)
• Prevent clarifier overloading
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The removed sludge is called Waste Activated Sludge (WAS).
Typical production:
0.4 – 0.8 kg sludge/kg BOD removed

7. F/M Ratio (Food to Microorganism Ratio)

Definition:
Ratio of organic matter entering the aeration tank to the mass of microorganisms present.

Formula
Process F/M Ratio
Where:
Conventional ASP 0.2 – 0.5
• (Q) = flow rate (m³/day)
• (S_0) = influent BOD concentration (mg/L)
• (V) = aeration tank volume (m³) Extended aeration 0.05 – 0.15
• (X) = MLSS concentration (mg/L)

Units:
kg BOD/kg MLSS·day
8. Blanket Rising (Rising Sludge)
Definition:
Upward movement of sludge blanket in the secondary clarifier due to gas formation within settled
sludge.
Cause
• Gas bubbles formed during denitrification become trapped in sludge flocs and lift them to the surface.
Effects:
• Floating sludge
• Poor effluent quality
Control
• Reduce sludge detention time
• Improve sludge withdrawal

9. Sludge Bulking (often written as Buckling)

Definition:
Condition in which activated sludge does not settle properly in the secondary clarifier.

Cause
• Excess growth of filamentous bacteria
Indicators:
• High SVI (>150 mL/g)
• Poor sludge settling
Control Measures
• Chlorination of return sludge
• Use of selector zones
• Maintain proper DO and F/M ratio