Activated Sludge Process

Activated sludge (AS) is a process dealing with the treatment of sewage and industrial wastewaters. There is a

large variety of design, however, in principle all AS consist of three main components: an aeration tank, which
serves as bio reactor; a settling tank ("final clarifier") for seperation of AS solids and treated waste water;
a return activated sludge (RAS) equipment to transfer settled AS from the clarifier to the influent of
the aeration tank. Atmospheric air or in rare cases pure oxygen is introduced to a mixture of primary treated or
screened sewage (or industrial wastewater) combined with organisms to develop a biological floc ("Activated
Sludge" AS). The mixture of raw sewage (or industrial wastewater) and biological mass is commonly known as
Mixed Liquor. Typically, dry solids concentrations of mixed liquor (MLSS) range from 3 to 6 g/L. With all
activated sludge plants, the concentration of biodegradable components present in the influent is reduced due to
biological (and sometimes chemical) processes in the aeration tank. The removal efficiency is controlled by
different boundary conditions, e.g. the hydraulic residence time (HRT) in the aeration tank, which is defined
by aeration tank volume divided by the flow rate. Other factors are: Influent load (BOD5, COD, Nitrogen) in
relation to the AS solids present in the aeration tank (Food:Microorganism Ratio, F:M Ratio), oxygen supply,
temperature, etc. At the effluent of the aeration tank, mixed liquor is discharged into settling tanks and the
supernatant (treated waste water) is run off to be discharged to a natural water or undergo further treatment before
discharge. The settled AS is returned to the head of the aeration tank (RAS) to re-seed the
new sewage (or industrial wastewater) entering the tank and to ensure the desired MLSS concentration in
the aeration tank. Due to biological growth (and solids present in the raw waste water which are only partly
degraded), excess sludge eventually accumulates beyond the desired MLSS concentration in the aeration tank.
This amount of solid (called Waste Activated Sludge WAS) is removed from the treatment process to keep the
ratio of biomass to food supplied (sewage or wastewater) in balance and the F:M ratio in a defined range. WAS is
stored away from the main treatment process in storage tanks and is further treated by digestion, either
under anaerobic or aerobic conditions prior to disposal.

Figure1. The diagram of activated sludge process

Many sewage treatment plants use axial flow pumps to transfer nitrified mixed liquor from the aeration zone to
the anoxic zone for de-nitrification. These pumps are often referred to as Internal Mixed Liquor Recycle pumps
(IMLR pumps). The raw sewage, the RAS, and the nitrified mixed liquor are mixed by submersible mixers in the
anoxic zones in order to achieve de-nitrification.

Purpose
 In a sewage (or industrial wastewater) treatment plant, the activated sludge process can be used for one or
several of the following purposes:
 oxidizing carbonaceous matter: biological matter.
 oxidizing nitrogeneous matter: mainly ammonium and nitrogen in biological materials.
 removing phosphate.
 driving off entrained gases carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen, etc.
 generating a biological floc that is easy to settle.
 generating a liquor low in dissolved or suspended material

What are Lagoon Systems ?...

Lagoons are pond-like bodies of water or basins designed to receive, hold, and treat wastewater for a
predetermined period of time. If necessary, they are lined with material, such as clay or an artificial liner, to
prevent leaks to the groundwater below. In the lagoon, wastewater is treated through a combination of physical,
biological, and chemical processes. Much of the treatment occurs naturally, but some systems use aeration
devices to add oxygen to the wastewater. Aeration makes treatment more efficient, so that less land area is
necessary. Aerators can be used to allow existing systems to treat more wastewater. Lagoons must be individually
designed to fit a specific site and use. Designs are based on such factors as type of soil, amount of land area
available, and climate. An important design considerations for lagoons includes the amount and type of
wastewater to be treated and the level of treatment required by regulations. Wastewater leaving a lagoon may
require additional treatment, or "polishing," to remove disease-causing organisms or nutrients from the
wastewater before it can be returned to the environment. If surface applied to crops or grassland in Indiana, a land
application permit is needed from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

There are several different terms for lagoons. For example, the terms lagoon and pond are often used
interchangeably, and names, such as polishing, stabilization, and maturation, can refer to a lagoon's particular role
in treatment. This can be very confusing for community leaders and homeowners trying to evaluate lagoon
systems. The following is a brief overview of some of the more common types of lagoons.

Anaerobic Lagoons...
The word anaerobic means "without oxygen", which describes the conditions inside this type of lagoon.
Anaerobic lagoons are most often used to treat animal wastes from dairies and pig farms, commercial or industrial
wastes, or as the first treatment step in systems using two or more lagoons in a series. Typically, anaerobic
lagoons are designed to hold and treat wastewater from 20 to 150 days.* They are relatively deep (usually 8 to 15
feet) and work much like septic tanks. Inside an anaerobic lagoon, solids in the wastewater separate and settle into
layers. The top layer consists of grease, scum, and other floating materials. If not preceded with septic tanks, the
layer of sludge that settles at the bottom of an anaerobic lagoon eventually accumulates and must be removed.
The wastewater that leaves an anaerobic lagoon will require further treatment. Odor can be a problem with
anaerobic lagoons. However, in many cases odor can be managed through a variety of methods, such as adding
sodium nitrate, recirculating pond effluent, and through regular maintenance.

Naturally Aerobic Lagoons...

Dissolved oxygen is present throughout much of the depth of aerobic lagoons. They tend to be much shallower
than other lagoons, so sunlight and oxygen from air and wind can better penetrate the wastewater. In general, they
are better suited for warm, sunny climates, where they are less likely to freeze. Wastewater usually must remain
in aerobic lagoons from 3 to 50 days to receive adequate treatment.* Wastewater treatment takes place naturally
in many aerobic lagoons with the aid of aerobic bacteria and algae. Because they are so shallow, their bottoms
need to be paved or lined with materials that prevent weeds from growing in them. Sometimes, the wastewater in
aerobic lagoons needs to be mixed to allow sunlight to reach all of the algae and to keep it from forming a layer
that blocks out the air and sun.

Aerated Lagoons...
Aerated lagoons are common in small communities. These systems use aerators to mix the contents of the pond
and add oxygen to the wastewater. They are sometimes referred to as partial-mix or complete-mix lagoons
depending on the extent of aeration. Partial-mix aerated lagoons are often anaerobic lagoons that have been
adapted and upgraded to receive more wastewater. With the exception of wind-driven designs, most aerators
require energy to operate. However, energy costs are almost always considerably less than those for other
mechanical treatment systems. Aeration makes treatment more efficient, which offsets energy costs in some
cases. Aerated lagoons require less land area and shorter detention times.

DischargeDesign...
A Design Feature that Can Distinguish Lagoons is How They Discharge Wastewater ?
Continuous Discharge Lagoons : These lagoons release wastewater continuously to a holding pond, so the rate of
output roughly equals the rate of input. The hydraulic flow pattern in the lagoon is designed so the wastewater
remains in the lagoon long enough to receive treatment before it reaches the outlet.

Controlled Discharge Lagoons : In these lagoons, wastewater is discharged in controlled amounts, usually once or
twice per year. This method is common in cold climates where discharges typically occur after spring thaw and
again in fall.

Hydrograph Controlled Release Lagoons : This design can be used for lagoons that discharge directly to surface
water. It includes devices that measure the level and quality of the wastewater and receiving water and the
velocity of the receiving water to determine when conditions are most favorable for discharge. This method can
sometimes eliminate the need for further treatment.

Complete Retention Lagoons : These lagoons are only practical in very dry climates where evaporation rate
greatly exceeds rainfall amounts. Wastewater is never released from this type of lagoon. Instead it is allowed to
evaporate.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Lagoon Systems...

• Lagoon systems can be cost-effective to design and construct in areas where land is inexpensive.
•They use less energy than most wastewater treatment methods.
• They are simple to operate and maintain and generally require only part-time staff.
• They can handle intermittent use and shock loadings better than many systems, making them a good option for
campgrounds, resorts, and other seasonal properties.
• They are very effective at removing disease-causing organisms (pathogens) from wastewater.
• The effluent from lagoon systems can be suitable for irrigation (where appropriate), because of its high-nutrient
and low pathogen content.
• Lagoon systems require more land than other treatment methods.
• They are less efficient in cold climates and may require additional land or longer detention times in these areas.
• Odor can become a nuisance during algae blooms, spring thaw in cold climates, or with anaerobic lagoons and
lagoons that are inadequately maintained.
• Unless they are property maintained, lagoons can provide a breeding area for mosquitoes and other insects.
• They are not very effective at removing heavy metals from wastewater.
• Effluent from some types of lagoons contains algae and often requires additional treatment or "polishing" to
meet local discharge standard.

Stablization Ponds:

The most often used ponds in domestic wastewater treatment are the stabilization pond and facultative lagoon.
The stabilization pond is designed to be aerobic throughout its depth and the facultative lagoon will be anaerobic
at the bottom and aerobic at the top. Stabilization ponds provide secondary biological treatment and are the most
commonly used wastewater pond. Stabilization ponds must be preceded by some form of primary treatment such
as an Imhoff tank or a primary clarifier to reduce the solids entering the pond. When secondary permitting came
into being, many small and/or rural utilities that just had primary treatment added stabilization ponds to comply
with the secondary treatment rules. Most states require multiple ponds in series with detention times of 30 days
plus. Average depths are three to five feet deep. All ponds must be constructed with impervious material such as
clay or an artificial liner to prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water sources in the area.

Typical design parameters are:

1. Multiple submerged inlets and outlets to minimize short circuiting.
2. Two to three feet of freeboard as protection against overflow during periods of heavy rainfall.
3. The slope of the embankment should be one to three feet vertical to horizontal.
4. Length to width ratio of three to one
5. Embankments and slopes must be protected against erosion by a type of grass (preferred) or rip-rapping.
6. Detention times of 30 days plus.
Typical pond loadings of 35 to 50 pounds of BOD per surface acre per day are normal. One surface acre will
provide treatment for 300 to 400 people, depending on state regulations. Therefore stabilization ponds are more
suited to small and rural utilities that have large land areas available at reasonable cost

In a first pond (anaerobic pond), solids and

settleable organics settles to the bottom forming a sludge, which
is, digested anaerobic by microorganism. In a second pond
(facultative pond), algae growing on the surface provide the water
with oxygen leading to both anaerobic
Working Principle digestion and aerobic oxidation of the organic pollutants. Due to
the algal activity, pH rises leading to inactivation of
some pathogens and volatilisation of ammonia. The last ponds
serves for the retention of stabilised solids and the inactivation of
pathogenic microorganisms via heating rise of pH and
solar disinfection.
Almost all wastewaters (including heavily loaded industrial
wastewater) can be treated, but as higher the organic load, as
Capacity/Adequacy
higher the required surface. In the case of high salt content, the
use of the water for irrigation is not recommended.
90% BOD and TSS; high pathogen reduction and relatively high
Performance
removal of ammonia and phosphorus; Total HRT: 20 to 60 days
Low capital costs where land prices are low; very low operation
Costs
costs
Design must be carried out by expert. Construction can take place
Self-help Compatibility by semi- or unskilled labourers. High self-help compatibility
concerning maintenance.
Very simple. Removing vegetation (to prevent BOD increase and
mosquito breath) scum and floating vegetation from pond
O&M
surfaces, keeping inlets and outlets clear, and repairing any
embankment damage.
Reliable if ponds are maintained well, and if temperatures are not
Reliability
too low.
Main strength High efficiency while very simple operation and maintenance.
Large surface areas required and needs to be protected to prevent
Main weakness
contact with human or animals 

Wastewater for treatment in aerobic ponds should have a BOD5 content below 300 mg/l. Facultative
and anaerobic ponds may be charged with high-strength wastewater. However, bad odour cannot be avoided
reliably with high loading [Link] are among the most common and efficient methods of wastewater
treatment around the world. They are especially appropriate for rural communities that have large, open and
unused lands, away from homes and public spaces and where it is feasible to develop a local collection system.
They are not appropriate for very dense or urban areas. WSPs are particularly well suited for tropical and
subtropical countries because the intensity of the sunlight and temperature are key factors for their efficiency
(IRC 2004). In cold climates, the HRT and loading may be adjusted. However, when mean temperatures fall
below 12 °C during several month of the years, WSPs seem not to be appropriate.
 
 

WSP are also recommended for the treatment in order to reuse the effluent in agriculture and aquaculture, because
of its effectiveness in removing nematodes (worms) and helminth eggs(WHO 2006, Volume II), while preserving
some nutrients. If reuse is not possible, WSPs may not be adequate for areas sensitive to eutrophication (UNEP
2004).
Advantages
 Resistant to organic and hydraulic shock loads
 High reducution of solids, BOD and pathogens
 High nutrient removal if combined with aquaculture
 Low operating cost
 No electrical energy required
 No real problems with flies or odours if designed and maintained correctly
 Can be built and repaired with locally available materials
 Effluent can be reused in aquaculture or for irrigation in agriculture
Disadvantages
 Requires large land area
 High capital cost depending on the price of land
 Requires expert design and construction
 Sludge requires proper removal and treatment
 De-sludging (normally every few years)
 Mosquito control required
 If the effluent is reused, salinity needs to be monitored
 Not always appropriate for colder climates