4.

Review of Water and wastewater treatments

Goals of Wastewater Treatment

 Aim of wastewater or sewage treatment is to
enable wastewater or sewage disposed safely
without being danger to the public health and
polluting water courses or causing other
nuisance.
 Increasingly another important aim of
wastewater or sewage treatment is to recover
energy, nutrients, water and other valuable
resources from sewage.
 Flow Sheets for WWT Systems

 The term "flow sheet" is used to describe a particular

combination of unit operations and processes used
to achieve a specific treatment objective.
 Is the combination:
• Preliminary Treatment
• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary Treatment System

2
 Cont…
Factors affecting in the selection of levels of
sewage treatment methods are:
Environmental conditions
Disposal regulations
End use requirements
Cost of treatment methods

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 Cont...
 Energy requirements
 Effectiveness in removing a particular
contaminants
 Sludge generation and disposal requirements
 Complexity
 Reliability
 Flexibility
 Personnel requirements

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 Cont...
 The layout of conventional wastewater or sewage treatment
plant is as follow:

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 Cont...
Unit process are Individual treatment options
for treating sewage using either:
Gravity forces e.g. gravity settling
Biological reactions e.g. aerobic or anaerobic
degradation
Chemical reactions e.g. precipitations
Generally each unit process followed by
advanced unit that help to remove waste
coming from upstream.
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 Wastewater treatment standards
There are different standards for sewage
treatment unit process effluent, their design,
operation, etc.
Unit process in sewage treatment arranged to
met desired standards.
Though there are international standards on
sewage treatment units and their effluent,
countries adopt according to their condition.

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 Preliminary Wastewater Treatment Methods

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 Preliminary treatment
Preliminary systems are designed to physically
remove or cut up the larger suspended and
floating materials, and to remove the heavy
inorganic solids and excessive amounts of oil
and grease.
The purpose of preliminary treatment is to
protect pumping equipment and the
subsequent treatment units.

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Cont...
Preliminary systems consist of:
 flow measurement devices and regulators (flow
equalization),
racks and screens,
Comminuting devices (grinders, cutters, and
shredders),
flow equalization,
grit chambers,
Pre-aeration tanks,
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1. Screening Devices
i. Coarse screens

The wastewater from the sewer system either

flows by gravity or is pumped into the
treatment plant.
Screening is usually the first unit operation at
wastewater treatment plants.
The racks and screens used in preliminary
treatment are to remove large objects such as
rags, plastics, paper, metals, dead animals,
and the like.
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 Cont...
The purpose is to protect pumps and to prevent
solids from fouling subsequent treatment
facilities.
Coarse screens are classified as either bar racks
(trash racks) or bar screens, depending on the
spacing between the bars.
Bar racks have clear spacing of 5.08 to 10.16
cm, whereas bar screens typically have clear
spacing of 0.64 to 5.08 cm.

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 Cont...
 Hydraulic losses through bar racks are a function
of approach (upstream) velocity, and the velocity
through the bars (downstream), with a discharge
coefficient.

 Bernoulli’s equation can be used to estimate the

head loss through bar racks:
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 Cont...

But head loss is usually incorporated into a

discharge coefficient C:

h=
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 Cont...
A typical value of C 0.84, thus C2 0.7. Thus:

h head loss, m
V flow velocity through the bar rack, m/s
v approach velocity in upstream channel, m/s
g acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s2

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 Cont...
 Different scholars proposed equations for head
loss:
 Kirschmer (1926) proposed the following equation
to describe the head loss through racks:

where
 H head loss, m
 w maximum width of the bar facing the flow, m
 b minimum clear spacing of bars, m
 v velocity of flow approaching the rack, m/s
 g gravitational acceleration, 9.81 m/s2
 θ angle of the rack to the horizontal
 B bar shape factor, as follows
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 Cont...

The maximum allowable head loss for a rack is

about 0.60 to 0.70 m.
Racks should be cleaned when head loss is
more than the allowable values.

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Example 4.1:
Design a coarse screen and calculate the head
loss through the rack, using the following
information:
• Peak design wet weather flow 0.631 m3/s
• Velocity through rack at peak wet weather flow
0.90 m/s
• Θ - 60, with a mechanical cleaning device
• Upstream depth of wastewater 1.12 m

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Solution:
Step 1. Calculate bar spacing and dimensions:
(a) Determine total clear area (A) through the rack

(b) Calculate total width of the opening at the

rack, w

(c) Choose a 25-mm clear opening

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 Cont...
d. Calculate number of opening, n

NB:- Use 24 bars with 10 mm (0.01 m) width and

50 mm thick. Why?
e. Calculate the width (W ) of the chamber

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 Cont...
f . Calculate the height of the rack

Allowing at least 0.6 m of freeboard, a 2-m height is

selected.
g. Determine the efficiency coefficient, EC

Note: The efficiency coefficient is available from the

manufacturer.
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 Cont...
Step 2. Determine head loss of the rack by
Select rectangular bars with semicircular
upstream face, thus B = 1.83

Check: maximum head loss 0.60 to 0.70 m.

0.065m < the said value. Ok!
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 ii. Fine screens
Fine screens are used more frequently in
wastewater treatment plants for preliminary
treatment or preliminary/primary treatment
purposes.
Fine screens typically consist of wedge-wire,
perforated plate, or closely spaced bars with
openings 1.5 to 6.4 mm

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 Cont...
The clean water head loss through fine screens
may be obtained from manufacturers’ rating
tables, or may be computed by means of the
common orifice equation:
where:
 h head loss, m
 v approach velocity, m/s
 C coefficient of discharge for the screen: typically value of C for a
clean screen is 0.60.
 g gravitational acceleration, m/s2
 Q discharge through the screen, m3/s
 A area of effective opening of submerged screen, m2
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 2. Comminutors:
As an alternative to racks or screens, a
comminutor or shredder cuts and grinds up the
coarse solids in the wastewater to about 6 to 10
mm so that the solids will not harm subsequent
treatment equipment.
The chopped or ground solids are then removed
in primary sedimentation basins.
A comminutor consists of a fixed screen and a
moving cutter.

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 3. Grit Chamber:
 Grit originates from domestic wastes, storm water runoff,
industrial wastes, pumpage from excavations, and
groundwater seepage.
 It consists of inert inorganic material such as sand, cinders,
rocks, gravel, cigarette filter tips, metal fragments, etc.
 Grit chambers are usually installed ahead of pumps and
comminuting devices.
 Grit chambers are commonly constructed as fairly shallow
longitudinal channels to catch high specific gravity grit (1.65).
 The units are designed to maintain a velocity close to 0.3 m/s
and to provide sufficient time for the grit particle to settle to
the bottom of the chamber.

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 Example 4.2:
The designed hourly average flow of a
municipal wastewater plant is 0.438 m3/s.
Design an aerated grit chamber where the
detention time of the peak flow rate is 4.0
min (generally 3 to 5 min).

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Solution:
Step 1. Determine the peak hourly flow Q: assume a peaking factor
of 3.
Q = Qav*Pf = 0.438 m3/s x 3 = 1.314 m3/s
Step 2. Calculate the volume of the grit chamber: assume two
chambers, for each unit:
Volume =(1.314 m3/s x 4 min x 60 s/min)/2
= 157.7 m3
Step 3. Determine the size of a rectangular chamber
Select the width of 3 m, and use a D:W of 1.5:1 (typically 1.5:1 to
2.0:1)
Depth = 3 m x 1.5 = 4.5 m
Length = volume/(depth x width) = 157.7 m3/(4.5 m x 3m) = 11.7 m

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 Cont...

Step 4. Estimate the average volume of grit produced:

Assume 52.4 ml/m3 of grit produced
Volume of grit = 52.4 ml/m3 x 0.438 m3/s x 86,400 s/d
= 1,980,000 ml/d = 1.98 m3/d

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Example 4.3:

30
Cont...

31
Example 4.4:

32
Cont…

33
 Cont...

 The tank will be 1.7m wide up to 1.5m depth, and

then the sides will slope down to form an elongated
trough of 24m length and 0.8m width at the bottom
with rounded corners, as shown in figure.

34
4. Skimming Tanks
 employed for removing oils and grease and
placed before the sedimentation-tanks.
 These oil and greasy materials may be removed in
a skimming tank, in which
 air is blown by an aerating device through the
bottom.
 The rising air tends to coagulate and congeal
(solidify) the grease, and cause it to rise to the
surface from where it is removed.
 A detention period of about 3 - 5 min. is sufficient,

35
5. Flow Equalization
The incoming raw wastewater varies with the
time of the day.
Flow equalization is used to reduce the sudden
increase of inflow and to balance the
fluctuations in the collection system or in the in-
plant storage basins.
This benefits the performance of the
downstream treatment processes and reduces
the size and cost of treatment units.

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Example 4.5:
Determine a flow equalization basin using the
following flow record:

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 Solution
Step 1. Compute the average flow rate Q

Step 2. Compare the observed flows and

average flow from the data shown above.
The first observed flow to exceed Q is at 8
a.m.
Step 3. Construct a table which is arranged
in order, beginning at 8 a.m.
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3/29/2019 39
3/29/2019 40
 Cont...
Note: The last value for the cumulative storage
should be zero.
Theoretically, it means that the flow
equalization basin is empty and ready to begin
the next day’s cycle.
The required volume for the flow equalization
basin for this day is the maximum cumulative
storage. In this case, it is 882.72 m3 at 8 p.m.

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Cont...
However, it is common to provide 20% to 50%
excess capacity for unexpected flow variations
and solids deposition.
Assume 35% excess capacity.
Thus:

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Primary wastewater treatment
Sedimentation:
Sedimentation is the process of removing solid
particles heavier than water by gravity settling.
The terms sedimentation, settling, and
clarification are used interchangeably.
The unit sedimentation basin may also be
referred to as a sedimentation tank, clarifier,
settling basin, or settling tank.
It is a solid-liquid separation.

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 Cont...
It used to remove both inorganic and organic
materials which are settleable in continuous-
flow conditions.
It removes grit, particulate matter in the
primary settling tank, and chemical flocs from
a chemical precipitation unit.
Sedimentation is also used for solids
concentration in sludge thickeners.

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 Cont...
 Physical separation of suspended solid or
material from water or wastewater by the
action of gravity.
 Separation parameter: - density difference
between the water and the solid.
Basic concept: - settling velocities of particles

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 Cont...
Based on the solids concentration, and the tendency
of particle interaction, there are four types of settling
which may occur in waste-water settling operations.
The four categories are:
1. Discrete-types 1 sedimentation
2. Flocculant-types 2 sedimentation
3. Hindered ( Zone)- types 3 sedimentation and
4. Compression Settling – types 4 sedimentation.

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1. Discrete particle settling: The particles settle
without interaction and occur under low solids
concentration.
2. Flocculent settling: particles initially settle
independently, but flocculate in the depth of the
clarification unit.
– The velocity of settling particles is usually
increasing as the particles aggregates.

48
hindered

49
 Cont...

3. Hindered/zone settling : Inter-particle forces are

sufficient to hinder the settling of neighboring
particles. The particles tend to remain in fixed
positions with respect to each others.
4. Compression settling: occurs when the particle
concentration is so high that so that particles at
one level are mechanically influenced by particles
on lower levels. The settling velocity then
drastically reduces.

50
 Cont...

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3/29/2019 52
 Discrete particle sedimentation (type 1):

Discrete, non flocculent particles in a dilute

suspension.
 Settle as separate units, and there is no
apparent flocculation or interaction between
the particles.
Settling of sand particles in grit chambers.

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 Cont...
Factors affecting:
1. The velocity of flow which carries the particle
horizontally- the greater flow area slow velocity, and
hence more easily particle settling.
2. The viscosity of water in which the particle settling-
as temperature increases viscosity decreases. Warm
water is less viscous. However; paractically in
wastewater treatment temperature not controlled
and this factor totally ignored.
3. The size, shape and specific gravity of the particle-the
greater specific gravity, the more rapidly particle will
settle. Small size particle are settle slowly. Settling
velocity of spherical particle vary from flat shape
particle.
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 Cont...
 Discrete settling analyzed by means of the classic laws of
sedimentation formed by Newton and Stokes.
 Newton’s law gives the terminal particle velocity by
equating the net forces on the particle to zero.
 Basic assumptions:
 particle is discrete & its size, shape do not change
during
 settling vessels - infinite in size
 the fluid is viscous
 concentration - single particle
 inert fluid

FD Fb
where
Fg
 F F g  Fb  FD  ma
 F   P   gVP 
1 du
C D AP u 2   PVP
2 dt
Cont...
 P = density of
particles
  = density of fluid
 VP = volume of the
particle
 AP = cross-sectional A
of particle
 u or Vs = terminal
velocity or settling
velocity.
 Cont...
 At certain distance: du/dt = 0, and thus

 F   P   gVP  2 CD AP vs  0
1 2

 2r =d

2 gVP  P   
 Vs  
 

C D AP   
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 Cont...

 And the values of drag coefficient depend on

the density of water, velocity (Vs ), particle
diameter(d), and viscosity of water (μ) the

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 Cont...
 CD varies with the effective resistance area per
unit volume and shape of the particle.
 The relationship between R and CD is as
follows:
Stream line or Laminar settling:

Called stokes equation for laminar flow

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 Cont...
 Transition settling

Vs

 Fully turbulent: CD = 0. 4

Vs
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Example 4.6:
• Estimate the terminal velocity in water at
temperature of 15oC of spherical silicon particles
with specific gravity 2.4 and average diameter of (a)
0.05mm and (b) 1.0mm
Solution
 At 15oC density and viscosity of water is 999 kg/m3 and 0.00113N.s/m2
respectively.
• d = 0.05mm = 5*10-5m.
Step 1: using stocks equation;
𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌 2 2400 − 999𝑘𝑔/𝑚 3
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑔 𝑑 = 9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 (5 ∗ 10−5
𝑚) 2
18𝜇 18 ∗ 0.00113𝑁𝑆/𝑚2
= 0.00169𝑚/𝑠
Step 2: Check with Reynolds number;
𝑉𝑠 ∗ 𝜌 ∗ 𝑑 0.000169 ∗ 999 ∗ 5 ∗ 10−5
𝑅= = = 0.075
𝜇 0.00113
• Including shape factor 0.85 = 0.075x 0.85 = 0.064, Since R< 1 Stoke’s law
applies. Ok!
 Cont…
Step 3: using stocks law for be (b), d = 1mm =0.001m.
𝑘𝑔
𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌 2 2400 − 999 3
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑔 𝑑 = 9.81𝑚/𝑠 2 𝑚 0.001𝑚 2 = 0.676𝑚/𝑠
18𝜇 𝑁𝑆
18 ∗ 0.00113 2
𝑚
Step 4: check the Reynolds number. Assume the irregularity of the particle F=0.85
∅ ∗ 𝑉𝑠 ∗ 𝜌 ∗ 𝑑 0.85 ∗ 999 ∗ 0.676 ∗ 0.001
𝑅= = = 508
𝜇 0.00113
 Since R>1: Stoke's law not applies, to calculate Vs use
24 3 24 3
Step 5: 𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34 = + 0.5 + 0.34 = 0.52
𝑅 𝑅 0.5 508 508
4𝑔 𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌 4 ∗ 9.81 2400 − 999
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑑𝑝 = 0.001 = 0.188
3𝐶𝐷 𝜌 3 ∗ 0.52 999
Step 6: Recheck R

∅∗𝑉𝑠 ∗𝜌∗𝑑 0.85∗999∗0.188∗0.001

• 𝑅= = = 141
𝜇 0.00113
 Cont…
Step 7: Repeat step 5 with new R
24 3 24 3
𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34 = + + 0.34 = 0.76
𝑅 𝑅0.5 141 1410.5
4𝑔 𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌 4 ∗ 9.81 2400 − 999
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑑𝑝 = 0.001 = 0.155
3𝐶𝐷 𝜌 3 ∗ 0.76 999
Step 8: Recheck R
∅ ∗ 𝑉𝑠 ∗ 𝜌 ∗ 𝑑 0.85 ∗ 999 ∗ 0.155 ∗ 0.001
𝑅= = = 116
𝜇 0.00113
Step 9: Repeat step 7 with new R
24 3 24 3
𝐶𝐷 = + + 0.34 = + + 0.34 = 0.83
𝑅 𝑅0.5 116 1160.5
4𝑔 𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌 4 ∗ 9.81 2400 − 999
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑑𝑝 = 0.001 = 0.149
3𝐶𝐷 𝜌 3 ∗ 0.83 999
• ***Based on step 7 and 9 estimated settling velocity is around 0.15 m/s.