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Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

The document discusses the activated sludge process for wastewater treatment. It was developed in the early 1900s and involves aerating wastewater with microorganisms, removing biological solids via sedimentation, and recycling the solids. The document details the purposes of aeration and different aeration methods, focusing on diffused aeration systems.

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Shabana
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38 views

Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

The document discusses the activated sludge process for wastewater treatment. It was developed in the early 1900s and involves aerating wastewater with microorganisms, removing biological solids via sedimentation, and recycling the solids. The document details the purposes of aeration and different aeration methods, focusing on diffused aeration systems.

Uploaded by

Shabana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

The activated sludge process was first developed in England in the early 1900s by E. Ardern
and W.T. Lockett. The essentials of the activated sludge process, as described by Ardern and
Lockett, are:

1. Aeration of wastewater in the presence of aerobic microorganisms


2. Removal of biological solids from the wastewater by sedimentation
3. Recycling of the settled biological solids back into the aerated wastewater

These three components, shown in the flow diagram, are still the essence of the activated
sludge process, as it is used today.
Purpose of Aeration
The purpose of aeration is two fold: 1) to supply dissolve oxygen into the wastewater in the
aeration tank and
2) to intermix the mixed liquor suspended solids in the aeration tank with the incoming
wastewater.

Aeration Methods
In wastewater treatment plants there are two methods of aeration: Mechanical and Diffused.
Each of these methods has its own system for delivery of air and mixing the mixed liquor
with the wastewater.
* Mechanical: uses devices to either splash water into the air or mix air into the wastewater.
* Diffused: disperses compressed air to provide both oxygen to and the mixing of wastewater.
Mechanical Aeration Systems Equipment Is Designed To:
Agitate the water surface in the aeration tank
to cause spray and waves, which enhances the
transfer of oxygen from the atmosphere into the
wastewater.
Splash water into the air or entrain (mix) air
into the water to enhance the transfer of oxygen
into the wastewater.
Mix the incoming wastewater, the mixed
liquor suspended solids, and the air bubbles in
the aeration tank to enhance the aeration
process.
Diffused Aeration Systems
Diffused aeration systems are the most common type of aeration systems used in the activated
sludge process. These systems utilize pressurized air supplied to a galley of distribution devices
(diffusers) submerged in the aeration tank.
Blowers are the devices that provide the pressurized air.
Air piping transports the pressurized air from the blowers to the diffusers.
Diffusers are the devices that distribute the air within the aeration tank.

Air is pumped through the blocks and the curtain of bubbles formed both oxygenates the liquor and also
provides the necessary mixing action. Where capacity is limited or the sewage is unusually strong or
difficult to treat, oxygen may be used instead of air.

Diffused aeration systems utilize diffusers, blowers, transfer piping, and other associated equipment to
transfer oxygen into the wastewater. The diffusers are designed to release a continuous supply of bubbles
into the wastewater. Air from inside the bubbles dissolves into the wastewater. The amount of air that is
transferred increases as both the contact time with the wastewater and the surface area of the bubbles
increase. Therefore, increasing the submergence depth of the diffusers and reducing the size of the air
bubbles, for a given air volume, will increase the rate at which air is dissolved into the wastewater.
Diffusers
Diffusers distribute air into the aeration tank to dissolve oxygen into the wastewater and to enhance mixing. Three
general classifications of diffusers are in common use.
Fine bubble diffusers
Medium bubble diffusers
Coarse bubble diffusers
As the names suggest, the differences between the classifications is related to the size of the air bubbles they
produce.
Fine Bubble Diffusers
Fine bubble diffusers are available in a range of designs including plates, tubes, and domes. Ceramic is a common
material of construction for fine bubble dome diffusers.

The principle benefit of fine bubble diffusers is the relatively high oxygen transfer efficiency compared to other
types of diffusers, meaning the plant requires less energy to run. Fine bubble diffusers have a nominal oxygen
transfer efficiency of approximately 6-15%,
Fine bubble diffusers provide substantial transfer of oxygen to the water. Colder water contains more dissolved
oxygen, which combined with fine bubble diffusers creates optimal saturation of dissolved oxygen.

Disadvantages of fine bubble diffusers include:


Susceptibility to clogging due to dirty air on the inside or biological growth on the outside.
Their limited air handling capacity compared to other types of diffusers.
Relatively greater capital cost compared to other types of diffusers.
Medium Bubble Diffusers
Medium bubble diffusers strike a balance between cost and performance.
Medium bubble diffusers have oxygen transfer efficiencies between that of fine and coarse bubble diffusers,
approximately 5-12%.
Maintenance requirements are less rigorous than for fine bubble diffusers;
Care must be taken to minimize the impact from dirt and dust in the pressurized air.
A common medium bubble diffuser design employs a synthetic (i.e., nylon or Dacron) sock clamped to a
plastic diffusion tube. The synthetic sock material further diffuses the coarse bubbles released by the
plastic tube, somewhat enhancing the oxygen transfer by reducing the size of the bubbles released by the
diffuser.

Coarse Bubble Diffusers


Coarse bubble diffusers are available in the widest range of designs. To keep the cost down, coarse bubble diffusers
are commonly made of plastic.
The benefits of coarse bubble diffusers are:
Relatively low cost.
Greater air handling capacity compared to other types of diffusers.
Less maintenance concerns compared to other types of diffusers.
The principal disadvantage of coarse bubble diffusers is the relatively low nominal oxygen transfer efficiency of
approximately 4-8%.
Key Points
Aeration dissolves oxygen into the wastewater in the aeration tank and helps to mix together the mixed liquor
suspended solids and the incoming wastewater.
Aeration is done by using mechanical or diffuser methods.
Air filters are used to provide clean air to diffusers so that they do not become clogged. A dirty filter causes heat
buildup and restricted air flow.
Blowers (compressors) are used to provide sufficient air pressure to operate the diffuser equipment.
Air piping systems are used to transport the air from the blowers to the diffusers.
Diffusers are classified according to the size of air bubbles that they produce and are called fine, medium, and
coarse.
Fine diffusers provide the best efficiency for dissolving oxygen, but they have the greatest tendency to clog.
Standard safety procedures should always be followed in any work situation including lock out / tag out and use
of safety equipment.
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