Dr Bharath G

Assistant professor

Department of Environmental Studies

University of Delhi
 Secondary treatment
• Secondary Wastewater treatment is the second stage of wastewater treatment.

• In primary treatment, suspended solids, colloidal particles, oil, and grease are
removed.

• In secondary treatment, biological treatment is done on the wastewater to

remove the organic matter.

• This process typically uses microorganisms to break down and consume the
pollutants/organic matter in the water, and it often involves the use of aeration
and settling tanks to help facilitate the process.
• Secondary Wastewater treatment is divided into two different treatment
processes:-

• Aerobic Treatment

• Anaerobic Treatment
• [Link] Treatment

• Aerobic wastewater treatment is a biological treatment that uses oxygen to break down
organic matter and remove other pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Aerobic treatment technologies are:

Suspended
• Activated Sludge Process (ASP) / Extended Aeration System (EAS)
• Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR)
• Moving Bed Bio Film Reactor (MBBR)
• Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
• Aerated lagoon
• Stabilization pond

Attached
• Trickling filter
• Rotating biological filter
• Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
• Invented by Professor Hallvard at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in
the late 1980s.
• A Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) consists of an aeration tank which is similar to an
activated sludge tank with special plastic carriers that provide a higher surface area where a
biofilm can grow.

• In MBBR technology thousands of high density polyethylene carriers are used to operate in
mixed motion inside the aeration tank.

• There is a protected surface on each biofilm carrier which increases the productivity and
growth of heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria within its cells.

• The high-density population of bacteria that achieves high-rate biodegradation within the
system while also offering process reliability and ease of operation.
• Design and Engineering considerations
• Carrier selection: Carrier size and shape, as well as material properties, are important
factors to consider when selecting carriers for a specific application.

• Specific Surface Area: The carriers surface area plays a crucial role in biofilm development.
A large internal surface area is essential for biofilms to form.

• Filling Fraction: The filling fraction represents the proportion of the tank volume occupied
by the carriers. In MBBR systems, the filling fraction usually falls within the range of 60%
to 70%.

• Contact Time: The contact time between wastewater and the biomass on the carriers is
significant. It ensures effective biological processes. In MBBR, the contact time typically
ranges from 2 to 5 hours.
• Reactor sizing: The size of the MBBR reactor is determined by several factors, including the
wastewater flow rate, pollutant load, and desired effluent quality. A properly sized reactor
will ensure the treatment process can effectively remove pollutants and achieve regulatory
compliance.

• Aeration and mixing: Adequate aeration and mixing of the wastewater is critical to promote
microbial growth and ensure efficient pollutant removal. The design of the aeration and
mixing system must consider factors such as the required oxygen demand, the type of
aeration equipment, and air distribution in the reactor.

• Operation and maintenance: Proper operation and maintenance of the MBBR system are
critical to its long-term performance and reliability. This includes regular monitoring of key
parameters such as dissolved oxygen levels, pH, and temperature, as well as routine cleaning
and replacement of biofilm carriers and other equipment.
• Advantages of MBBR
• MBBR system requires a lesser footprint compared to activated sludge system, because the
biomass in MBBR is more concentrated

• MBBR system doesn’t need the recycling of the sludge

• An existing plant’s capacity can be increased using MBBR as a retrofit

• As there is no sludge return time process performance is independent of the secondary

clarifier

• High treatment efficiency, compact design, flexibility, low sludge production, reduced odor,
and lower energy consumption.
• Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) Technology

• Limitations: biofilm clogging, temperature sensitivity, high capital cost, and limited nutrient
removal.

• Change of carrier media after some time.

 Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
• Membrane Bioreactors are treatment processes, which integrate a semi-permeable membrane
with a biological process. It is the combination of a membrane process like microfiltration or
ultrafiltration with a suspended growth bioreactor.

• MBR system uses an advanced treatment technology that produces high quality reuse water

• MBR is a process that combines a membrane ultra / micro filtration process and activated
sludge process.

• Components that pass through membrane pores are called permeate, while rejected ones form
concentrate or retentate.
• To avoid unwanted solids in the waste stream, which enters the membrane tank, fine screening
is an essential pre-treatment step. This minimizes an accumulation of solids and protects the
membrane from damaging debris and particles, extends the membrane life, reduces operating
costs and guarantees a higher sludge quality as well as a trouble free operation .

• It can be utilized on small and medium sized plants.

• MBR offers high effluent quality, small footprint, reduced sludge production, and resilience to
shock loads

• Cost intensive
• Membrane modules are immersed inside the aerobic tank where organic contents (BOD) in
the sewage will be biologically degraded by activated sludge.

• The MLSS concentration in the MBR System is 10 to 20 g/L compared to 3 to 4 g/L in

conventional activated sludge systems, thus the retention time required is only 30% of
conventional system. the pore size of the membrane is 0.1/0.4 micron, not only suspended
solids but also bacteria such as coliform bacteria are also removed.

• Through recirculation of MLSS from aerobic tank to anoxic tank, nitrate content is
removed. Additional coagulant and flocculant dosing also can be incorporated for
phosphorous removal.
• Advantages
• Secondary clarifiers and tertiary filtration processes are eliminated, thereby
reducing plant footprint.
• High effluent quality
• High loading rate capability

• Disadvantages
• High operation and capital costs (membranes)
• Membrane complexity and fouling
• Energy costs
• Aerated Lagoon: An aerated lagoon is a large, shallow, man-made basin that
uses the suspended growth system. The wastewater is pumped into the lagoon
and aerated using mechanical or diffused aeration systems, which provide the
oxygen required to support the growth of aerobic microorganisms. The
microorganisms consume organic matter and nutrients, and the treated effluent is
discharged or further treated if necessary.
• Mechanical aerators provide oxygen and keep the aerobic organisms suspended
and mixed with water to achieve a high rate of organic degradation.
• Design Considerations
• Influent should be screened and pre-treated to remove garbage and coarse
particles that could interfere with the aerators. Because the aeration units mix the
pond, a subsequent settling tank is required to separate the effluent from the
solids.

• The pond should be built to a depth of 2 to 5 m and have a detention time of 3

to 20 days, depending on the treatment target.

• To prevent leaching, the pond should have a liner. This can be made from clay,
asphalt, compacted earth, or other impervious material. Using the excavated fill,
a protective berm should be built around the pond to protect it from runoff and
erosion.
• Advantages
• Resistant to organic and hydraulic shock loads
• High reduction of BOD and pathogens
• No real problems with insects or odours if designed and maintained correctly
• Can treat high loads
• Less land required than for simple pond systems (e.g. WSP)
• The treated water can be reused or discharged if a secondary maturation/settling
pond follows the aerated lagoon/completely mixed aerated pond
• Disadvantages
• Requires a large land area
• High energy consumption, a constant source of electricity is required
• High capital and operating costs depending on the price of land and of electricity
• Requires operation and maintenance by skilled personnel
• Not all parts and materials may be locally available
• Requires expert design and construction
• Sludge and possibly effluent require further treatment and/or appropriate
discharge
 Oxidation pond
• Oxidation ponds, also called lagoons or stabilization ponds.

• These are large, shallow ponds designed to treat wastewater through the interaction of
sunlight, bacteria, and algae.

• Algae grow using energy from the sun and carbon dioxide and inorganic compounds released
by bacteria in water. During the process of photosynthesis, the algae release oxygen needed
by aerobic bacteria.

• Mechanical aerators are sometimes installed to supply yet more oxygen, thereby reducing the
required size of the pond.

• Sludge deposits in the pond must eventually be removed by dredging. Algae remaining in the
pond effluent can be removed by filtration or by a combination of chemical treatment and
settling.
Oxidation ponds
• Anaerobic ponds are built to a depth of 2 to 5 m and have a relatively short
detention time of 1 to 7 days.

• Facultative ponds should be constructed to a depth of 1 to 2.5 m and have a

detention time between 5 to 30 days.

• Aerobic ponds are usually between 0.5 to 1.5 m deep with a detention time of
15 to 20 days .

• If used in combination with algae and/or fish harvesting, this type of pond is
effective at removing the majority of nitrogen and phosphorus from the
effluent.
• Ideally, several aerobic ponds can be built in series to provide a high level of
pathogen removal.
• Attached growth systems for wastewater treatment:

• Trickling Filter: A trickling filter is an attached growth system that uses a bed of
porous media, such as organic/ inorganic material, to provide a surface for
microorganisms to grow. The wastewater is sprayed over the media, and the
microorganisms, mainly aerobic bacteria, consume organic matter and nutrients
as the wastewater trickles through the media. The treated effluent is then
collected and further treated if necessary.

• Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC): An RBC is an attached growth system

that uses a series of closely spaced, rotating discs to provide a surface for
microorganisms to grow on. The discs are partially submerged in the
wastewater, and as they rotate, the microorganisms consume organic matter and
nutrients. The treated effluent is then collected and further treated if necessary.
• Both trickling filters and RBCs use a biofilm of microorganisms attached to a
surface to treat wastewater. The main difference between the two systems is the
type of surface used. Trickling filters use a stationary bed of media, while RBCs
use a rotating surface.

• Attached growth systems are typically used in small to medium-sized

wastewater treatment plants and are less commonly used than suspended
growth systems.

• They can be useful for treating wastewater with high organic content or
intermittent flow, and they generally require less energy than suspended growth
systems. However, they are often more sensitive to changes in wastewater
quality and require more maintenance to prevent clogging and other issues.
Bio-Trickling Filters

• The filters are filled with a media that provides a large surface area for the microorganisms
to grow on, and the wastewater is trickled over the media, allowing the microorganisms to
metabolize the pollutants.

• They are relatively low-maintenance compared to other treatment technologies and do not
produce much sludge, making them an attractive option for many wastewater treatment
facilities.

• However, bio-trickling filters have limitations, such as being less effective at removing
highly insoluble pollutants and having a lesser retention time than other treatment
technologies, which can impact their overall efficiency.

• Understanding the capabilities and limitations of bio-trickling filters is important for

selecting the most effective treatment technology for specific wastewater treatment needs.
• Proven 100-year-old technology

• Less monitoring required than ASP

• Rugged system with simple and silent operation

• Consistent effluent quality

• Stand alone treatment process for sewage if operated at low rates

• To be used in combination with ASP for efficient performance

 NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES
Trickling filter (fixed biofilm)

31

31
[Link]
 Wastewater spraying

32

32
Porous media
LWA
Diam: 2,5 mm

Surface area
> 5000m2/m3

Bacteria on
LWA
surface
• Design considerations

• A typical trickling filter is circular and between 10 meters and 20 meters across and between 2
meters to 3 meters height.

• A circular wall, often of brick, contains a bed of filter media which in turn rests on a base of
under-drains. These under-drains function both to remove liquid passing through the filter
media but also to allow the free passage of air up through the filter media.

• The perforations on the pipes are designed to allow an even flow of liquid over the whole area
of the media and liquid flows from the pipes the whole assembly rotates around the central
spindle.

• Media selection: The media used in a biotrickling filter should provide a high surface area for
microbial growth and allow for optimal diffusion of the pollutants into the media. Examples of
commonly used media include plastic, ceramic, or natural materials such as wood chips,
compost, or peat moss.
• Residence time: The residence time of the wastewater in the biotrickling filter is critical to
ensure sufficient contact time between the wastewater and microorganisms. Typically,
retention times between 1-4 hours are used in biotrickling filters.

• Nutrient supply: Microorganisms require nutrients to thrive and metabolize pollutants.

Therefore, it is important to provide the necessary nutrients for microbial growth in the
wastewater or the filter media.

• Temperature control: Temperature is a key factor in microbial activity and growth.

Maintaining the filter at an optimal temperature range for the microorganisms to grow can
help ensure efficient removal of pollutants.

• pH control: pH is another important factor in microbial activity and should be maintained at

an optimal range for the microorganisms to grow.
• Air flow: Adequate air flow is essential to maintain oxygen levels in the filter and promote
aerobic microbial activity. The airflow rate and distribution within the filter should be
designed to provide sufficient oxygenation while minimizing any pressure drop.

• Backwash system: Regular backwashing of the filter media can help prevent clogging and
ensure long-term efficient performance of the biotrickling filter.

• Control system design: To provide accurate and reliable monitoring and control of the
treatment process. The control system must be capable of tracking the wastewater flow rate,
pH, temperature, and other key parameters that affect treatment performance.
• Instrumentation and automation: The use of instrumentation and automation technologies can
improve the efficiency and reliability of the BTF system. Examples of such technologies
include sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and human-machine interfaces
(HMIs).

• Maintenance and repair: The BTF system should be designed to facilitate maintenance and
repair. This includes providing easy access to the various components of the system, as well
as designing the system to be easily disassembled and reassembled if necessary.
• Rotating biological contactors
• These devices consist of a set of discs (made from wood, metal, plastic) about 2-3 m
diameter oriented vertically to the direction of wastewater flow.
• The biofilm is adhered to the disc surface which keeps on rotating at the speed of 1-2 rpm.
• The disc is partly submerged in wastewater and partly exposed to air
• As the sewage flows it comes in contact with the biofilm present on the disc which digests
the dissolved organic materials.

• Advantages
• Low land requirements

• Very low maintenance

• Suited for small scale applications

• The submerging level varies from 40 to 80 % and a usual rotating speed is 1 to 2 rpm.
 NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES
Rotating biological contactor - RBC (fixed biofilm)

39

39
[Link]
References
• Water and Wastewater Engineering: Design Principles and Practice by Mackenzie L. Davis.
Publisher: McGraw Hill

• Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse by Metcalf & Eddy. Publisher: McGraw Hill
Education

• Water Treatment: Principles and Design by Crittenden et al., Publisher: Wiley

• Unit Operations and Processes in Environmental Engineering by Reynolds and Richards.

Publisher: CL Engineering

• CPHEEO Manual

• [Link]
0/mbbr