Evaluating the treatment performance of a full scale Activated Sludge Plant in Islamabad, Pakistan

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Fatima ◽  
S. Jamal Khan
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Operational Parameter ◽  
Mixed Liquor ◽  
Treatment Performance

In this study, the performance of wastewater treatment plant located at sector I-9 Islamabad, Pakistan, was evaluated. This full scale domestic wastewater treatment plant is based on conventional activated sludge process. The parameters which were monitored regularly included total suspended solids (TSS), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). It was found that the biological degradation efficiency of the plant was below the desired levels in terms of COD and BOD. Also the plant operators were not maintaining consistent sludge retention time (SRT). Abrupt discharge of MLSS through the Surplus Activated sludge (SAS) pump was the main reason for the low MLSS in the aeration tank and consequently low treatment performance. In this study the SRT was optimized based on desired MLSS concentration between 3,000–3,500 mg/L and required performance in terms of BOD, COD and TSS. This study revealed that SRT is a very important operational parameter and its knowledge and correct implementation by the plant operators should be mandatory.

scholarly journals The Shock Effect of Inorganic Suspended Solids in Surface Runoff on Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li He ◽  
Tao Tan ◽  
Zhixi Gao ◽  
Leilei Fan
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Suspended Solid ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Mixed Liquor

Previous studies on the water quality of surface runoff often focused on the chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, phosphorus, and total suspended solid (TSS), but little is known in terms of the inorganic suspended solids (ISS). This research investigated the effects of ISS carried by surface runoff on the treatment efficiency of the pretreatment facilities and the ratio of mixed liquor volatile suspended solid to mixed liquor suspended solid (MLVSS/MLSS) of the activated sludge in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (AAO) process in Chongqing city, China. The results showed that the surface runoff had a long-lasting impact on the grit removal capacity of the grit chamber, affecting the normal operation after the rainfall. In contrast, the primary sedimentation tank showed strong impact resistance with higher removal rates of COD, TSS, and ISS. Nonetheless, the primary settling tank aggravates the removal of organic carbon in sewage during rainfall, having a negative impact on subsequent biological treatment. The ISS in the surface runoff could increase the sludge concentration and decrease the MLVSS/MLSS ratio. After repeated surface runoff impact, the MLVSS/MLSS ratio in the activated sludge would drop below even 0.3, interrupting the normal operation of WWTP.

Savings with upgraded performance through improved activated sludge denitrification in the combined activated sludge–biofilter system of the Southpest Wastewater Treatment Plant

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1287-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Jobbágy ◽  
G. M. Tardy ◽  
Gy. Palkó ◽  
A. Benáková ◽  
O. Krhutková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Initial Value ◽  
Initial Profile ◽  
Biological Treatment System

The purpose of the experiments was to increase the rate of activated sludge denitrification in the combined biological treatment system of the Southpest Wastewater Treatment Plant in order to gain savings in cost and energy and improve process efficiency. Initial profile measurements revealed excess denitrification capacity of the preclarified wastewater. As a consequence, flow of nitrification filter effluent recirculated to the anoxic activated sludge basins was increased from 23,000 m3 d−1 to 42,288 m3 d−1 at an average preclarified influent flow of 64,843 m3 d−1, Both simulation studies and microbiological investigations suggested that activated sludge nitrification, achieved despite the low SRT (2–3 days), was initiated by the backseeding from the nitrification filters and facilitated by the decreased oxygen demand of the influent organics used for denitrification. With the improved activated sludge denitrification, methanol demand could be decreased to about half of the initial value. With the increased efficiency of the activated sludge pre-denitrification, plant effluent COD levels decreased from 40–70 mg l−1 to < 30–45 mg l−1 due to the decreased likelihood of methanol overdosing in the denitrification filter

Enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency in a dyestuff wastewater treatment plant with the IFFAS process: the pilot-scale and full-scale studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanjun Mao ◽  
Xie Quan ◽  
Huimin Zhao ◽  
Yaobin Zhang ◽  
Shuo Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Nitrification And Denitrification ◽  
Dyestuff Wastewater

Abstract The activated sludge (AS) process is widely applied in dyestuff wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); however, the nitrogen removal efficiency is relatively low and the effluent does not meet the indirect discharge standards before being discharged into the industrial park's WWTP. Hence it is necessary to upgrade the WWTP with more advanced technologies. Moving bed biofilm processes with suspended carriers in an aerobic tank are promising methods due to enhanced nitrification and denitrification. Herein, a pilot-scale integrated free-floating biofilm and activated sludge (IFFAS) process was employed to investigate the feasibility of enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs). The results showed that the effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium nitrate (NH4+-N) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations of the IFFAS process were significantly lower than those of the AS process, and could meet the indirect discharge standards. PCR-DGGE and FISH results indicated that more nitrifiers and denitrifiers co-existed in the IFFAS system, promoting simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Based on the pilot results, the IFFAS process was used to upgrade the full-scale AS process, and the effluent COD, NH4+-N and TN of the IFFAS process were 91–291 mg/L, 10.6–28.7 mg/L and 18.9–48.6 mg/L, stably meeting the indirect discharge standards and demonstrating the advantages of IFFAS in dyestuff wastewater treatment.

scholarly journals Niche Differentiation among Three Closely RelatedCompetibacteraceaeClades at a Full-Scale Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant and Putative Linkages to Process Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica R. Brand ◽  
Laurel D. Crosby ◽  
Craig S. Criddle
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Operational Conditions

ABSTRACTMultiple clades within a microbial taxon often coexist within natural and engineered environments. Because closely related clades have similar metabolic potential, it is unclear how diversity is sustained and what factors drive niche differentiation. In this study, we retrieved three near-complete Competibacter lineage genomes from activated sludge metagenomes at a full-scale pure oxygen activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The three genomes represent unique taxa within theCompetibacteraceae. A comparison of the genomes revealed differences in capacity for exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, glucose fermentation to lactate, and motility. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), we monitored these clades over a 2-year period. The clade possessing genes for motility and lacking genes for EPS biosynthesis (CPB_P15) was dominant during periods of suspended solids in the effluent. Further analysis of operational parameters indicate that the dominance of the CPB_P15 clade is associated with low-return activated sludge recycle rates and low wasting rates, conditions that maintain relatively high levels of biomass within the system.IMPORTANCEMembers of the Competibacter lineage are relevant in biotechnology as glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs). Here, we document the presence of threeCompetibacteraceaeclades in a full-scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and their linkage to specific operational conditions. We find evidence for niche differentiation among the three clades with temporal variability in clade dominance that correlates with operational changes at the treatment plant. Specifically, we observe episodic dominance of a likely motile clade during periods of elevated effluent turbidity, as well as episodic dominance of closely related nonmotile clades that likely enhance floc formation during periods of low effluent turbidity.

Full-scale control of Mycolata foam by FEX-120 addition

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 2443-2450 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Kragelund ◽  
B. Nilsson ◽  
K. Eskilsson ◽  
A. M. Bøgh ◽  
P. H. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
No Reduction ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Scale Control

Foaming incidents in activated sludge treatment plants are a worldwide problem and occur on a regular basis in both municipal and industrial activated sludge treatment plants. Foaming is most often caused by excessive growth of filamentous bacteria, especially the gram-positive ones affiliated within the Actinobacteria, e.g. the branched Mycolata or CandidatusMicrothrix parvicella. Previous studies have shown that populations of Microthrix can be controlled by addition of certain polyaluminium compounds, but until now no effective chemicals have been identified to control other important foam formers such as the Mycolata. A new chemical (FilamentEx, FEX-120) was tested in full-scale in a Swedish wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with immense foaming problems. In total, three different dosing events were carried out for more than 1 year. After only 8–17 weeks in each period, all foam had disappeared, and dosing of FEX-120 was stopped. Another 11 full-scale WWTPs in different countries were treated with FEX-120 because of severe Mycolata foaming on process tanks. In nine out of 11 plants, where the causative organisms were Gordonia or Skermania, a significant reduction of foam up to 100% was observed after treatment for approx. 10 weeks. In two WWTPs with unknown Mycolata organisms, no reduction was observed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the efficiency of selected wastewater treatment plant

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
Tomáš Vítěz ◽  
Jana Ševčíková ◽  
Petra Oppeltová
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Total Efficiency ◽  
Treatment Efficiency ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Process

This paper is focused on primary, secondary, and total efficiency evaluation of the wastewater treatment process for chosen small wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located near the Moravian Karst. Eight wastewater samples were taken during one year in three sampling profiles of WWTP: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), pH, ammonia nitrogen (N-NH4), nitrite nitrogen (N-NO2), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3), inorganic nitrogen (Ninorg), total phosphorus (Ptotal). Treatment efficiency by reduction was calculated for all laboratory analyzed indicators and average values were determined for the whole period. Calculated treatment efficiency of indicators BOD, COD and suspended solids was compared with the permissible minimum treatment efficiency of discharged waste water by Government Regulation No. 61/2003 Coll., for the WWTP from 500 to 2 000 PE. Permissible minimum treatment efficiency is not legislatively determined for the primary and secondary level. The results of the work will be used especially to compare results with other similar works.Analyzed values ​​of parameters BOD, COD, suspended solids, N-NH4 at the outflow from wastewater treatment plant were compared with the permissible maximum values at the outflow of the WWTP which the municipality has an obligation to respect according to the decision issued by the District Environment Authority.

scholarly journals Time Series Genome-Centric Analysis Unveils Bacterial Response to Operational Disturbance in Activated Sludge

mSystems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Victoria Pérez ◽  
Leandro D. Guerrero ◽  
Esteban Orellana ◽  
Eva L. Figuerola ◽  
Leonardo Erijman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Lag Phase

ABSTRACT Understanding ecosystem response to disturbances and identifying the most critical traits for the maintenance of ecosystem functioning are important goals for microbial community ecology. In this study, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomics to investigate the assembly of bacterial populations in a full-scale municipal activated sludge wastewater treatment plant over a period of 3 years, including a 9-month period of disturbance characterized by short-term plant shutdowns. Following the reconstruction of 173 metagenome-assembled genomes, we assessed the functional potential, the number of rRNA gene operons, and the in situ growth rate of microorganisms present throughout the time series. Operational disturbances caused a significant decrease in bacteria with a single copy of the rRNA (rrn) operon. Despite moderate differences in resource availability, replication rates were distributed uniformly throughout time, with no differences between disturbed and stable periods. We suggest that the length of the growth lag phase, rather than the growth rate, is the primary driver of selection under disturbed conditions. Thus, the system could maintain its function in the face of disturbance by recruiting bacteria with the capacity to rapidly resume growth under unsteady operating conditions. IMPORTANCE Disturbance is a key determinant of community assembly and dynamics in natural and engineered ecosystems. Microbiome response to disturbance is thought to be influenced by bacterial growth traits and life history strategies. In this time series observational study, the response to disturbance of microbial communities in a full-scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant was assessed by computing specific cellular traits of genomes retrieved from metagenomes. It was found that the genomes observed in disturbed periods have more copies of the rRNA operon than genomes observed in stable periods, whereas the in situ mean relative growth rates of bacteria present during stable and disturbed periods were indistinguishable. From these intriguing observations, we infer that the length of the lag phase might be a growth trait that affects the microbial response to disturbance. Further exploration of this hypothesis could contribute to better understanding of the adaptive response of microbiomes to unsteady environmental conditions.

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