WATR 082 - Spring 2019 Activated Sludge Math Problems Shabbir Basrai

1. MCRT (Mean Cell Residence Time:

The MCRT is calculated as:

M CRT (days) =
T otal M LSS lbs in the aeration system (aeration tank + clarif ier)
T otal amount in lbs/day of suspended solids leaving the system (Ef f luent SS + W AS solids)

M LSS in aeration tank (lbs) + M LSS in clarif ier (lbs)

M CRT (days) =
Ef f luent suspended solids (lbs/day) + W AS SS (lbs/day)
Key Points for Solving MCRT Problems

(a) MLSS quantification:

• Pounds formula is used to calculate lbs MLSS using: i) aeration tank and the clarifier vol-
umes, and ii) the given MLSS concentration.
• The MLSS concentrations for the aeration tank and the clarifier are the same. So the given
MLSS concentration applies to both - the aeration tank and the clarifier
• Make sure it is the MLSS concentration that you are using not the MLVSS concentration.
• If MLSS concentration is not given but instead MLVSS concentration is given, you will
need to find the MLSS concentration by dividing the MLVSS conc. by the mixed liquor
volatile solids, as MLVSS(conc.) = MLSS * % volatile solids

(b) Suspended solids quantification:

i. Effluent suspended solids

• Effluent suspended solids can be quantified using the pounds formula - using the efflu-
ent flow (in MGD) and the effluent suspended solids concentration.
ii. WAS suspended solids
• Use pounds formula given the WAS flow (make sure it is in MG) and the WAS SS con-
centration
• Note that the WAS and RAS streams have the same SS concentration. If WAS SS con-
centration is not specified, use the RAS SS concentration

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Activated Sludge Math Problems Shabbir Basrai

Example Problems:

(a) In an conventional activated sludge plant the aeration tank contains 6000 lbs of MLSS and the
final clarifier contains 2300 lbs of MLSS. 1450 lbs of solids are wasted each day and 90 lbs/day
of solids leave in the final effluent. Calculate the MCRT for this plant.

Solution:
M LSS in aeration tank (lbs) + M LSS in clarif ier (lbs)
M CRT (days) =
SS ef f luent (lbs/day) + SS W AS (lbs/day)
6000lbs + 2300lbs
M CRT (days) = = 5.4 = 5days
90lbs/day + 1450lbs/day

(b) Given that an activated sludge plant with an influent flow of 1.2 MGD is operated at an MCRT
of 6 days and the parameters below, calculate the WAS flow rate (wasting rate) in gallon per
day.
Two aeration tanks – 0.5 MG each Two final clarifiers – 0.25 MG each
mg
Final effluent = 20 WAS – 7500 ppm
mg l
MLSS –3600 MLSS volatile solids content = 80%
L
Solution:

lbsM LSS(system)
MCRT=
lbs lbs
Ef f luentSS + W ASSS
day day

mg
lbs MLSS (system)= (2 ∗ 0.5 + 2 ∗ 0.25)M G ∗ 3600 ∗ 8.34 = 45036lbs
L

lbs mg
Ef f luentSS = 1.2M G ∗ 20 ∗ 8.34 = 200.2lbs
day L

45036
MCRT: 6days =
lbs lbs
200.2 + W ASSS
day day

lbs 45036 lbs

W ASSS = − 200.2 = 7306
day 6 day

lbs 7306
7306 = W ASF low(M GD) ∗ 7500 ∗ 8.34 =⇒ W ASF low(M GD) = =
day 7500 ∗ 8.34

gal
0.116M GD = 116, 000
day

2. F:M (Food to Microorganism Ratio:

• This parameter ratios the food – the mass of primary effluent BOD entering the aeration basin
to the mass of the microorganisms - MLVSS, in the aeration basin.

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Activated Sludge Math Problems Shabbir Basrai

• Only the mass of the microorganisms (MLVSS) in the aeration basin is used – the
mass of microorganisms in the secondary clarifier is not considered
• Common ranges for F/M for a conventional activated sludge plant are from 0.15 to 0.5.
• The optimum F/M varies from plant to plant and can be determined by trial and error.
• The F:M may be used to determine the concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids to be
maintained in the aeration tank.
• Generally, low F/M ratios should be carried during the colder months as the microorganism
activity (metabolism) is lower.
• F:M and MCRT are inversely related: that is a long MCRT means a low F:M and a short MCRT
means a high F:M
amount of f ood coming in
F:M=
amount of microorganisms present
(lbs/day) primary ef f luent BOD entering the aeration tank
=
(lbs) M LV SS in the aeration tank

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Activated Sludge Math Problems Shabbir Basrai

Key Points for Solving F:M Problem

(a) Quantifying F:
• use the pounds formula to calculate the lbs/day of BOD in the primary effluent.
lbs/day BOD = Primary eff. flow (MGD)* Primary eff. BOD concentration (mg/l) * 8.34
(b) Quantifying M:
• The concentration of the microorganisms is assumed to be the same as the MLVSS concen-
tration
• Only the mass of the microorganisms (MLVSS) in the aeration basin is used –
the mass of microorganisms in the secondary clarifier is not considered
• lbs MLVSS may be calculated using pounds formula using the volume of the aeration tank
(in MG) and the MLVSS concentration
• If the MLVSS concentration is not given, it can be calculated from the MLSS and MLSS %
volatile matter (solids) concentration
MLVSS = MLSS * % MLSS volatile solids
Example Problem:

i. A conventional activated sludge plant receives an average flow of 5.5 MGD. The influent
BOD to the plant averages 230mg/l and the primary effluent BOD average 160 mg/l. The
1 MG aeration tank has an MLSS concentration of 2800 mg/L and the MLVSS volatile
solids content is 75%. Calculated the F:M ratio for this plant.

Solution:

F=5.5*160*8.34=7,339lbs/day BOD

M=1*2800*0.75*8.34=17,514lbs MLVSS
7, 339
F:M= = 0.41
17, 514
Note: The 160 mg/l BOD concentration of the primary effluent was used for the F calcula-
tion and not 230mg/l - which is the BOD concentration of the flow coming into the plant

(c) Sludge Volume Index (SVI):

Settled sludge volume in ml/l af ter 30 min mg

SVI (ml/g)= ∗ 1000
M LSS mg/l g
Key Points for Solving SVI Problems

• For the settling test MLSS is typically settled in a 1 liter settleometer. The volume of the
settled solids is therefore read as ml/L. So if for any reason a larger or smaller volume of
the mixed liquor sample is taken, the settle solids value should commensurate with the vol-
ume of the MLSS sample. For example, if a 2 liter settleometer is used and if the solids set-
tle to 400 ml in that settleometer, the ml/L will be 400ml/2L or 200ml/L

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Activated Sludge Math Problems Shabbir Basrai

• For some problems, the settled solids volume is provided as a percentage (%). So if a 1-liter
settlometer is used and the settled solids volume is reported as 25%, it implies a settled
sludge volume of 250ml/L

Example Problem:

i. In an aeration tank, the MLSS is 2500 mg/l and recorded 30-minute settling test indicates
230 ml/L. What is the sludge volume index?

Solution:
230ml/l mg
SVI= ∗ 1000 = 92ml/g
2500mg/l g

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