Page 1 of 19

End Semester Examination

PES-203: Unit Processes and Operations II (Biological)
M.Tech. Environmental Science and Technology
Instructor: Dr. Akepati S. Reddy
Date: 26-05-2013 Time: 3 hours (2-00 PM to 5-00 PM) Max. Marks: 100

Roll No.:

Note: Please assume if any requisite data is not given.
Attempt all parts of a question together.

Q.1
1.1 A 10 MLD STP is treating sewage with the following characteristics:
BOD
u
300 mg/L
TSS 280 mg/L
The STP has a primary clarifier and an activated sludge process with secondary clarifier. The ASP is run at
10 day SRT. Values of Y and k
d
parameters of the ASP are 0.4 and 0.1/day respectively. The primary
clarifier is removing suspended solids and BOD by 70% and 40% efficiencies respectively. Assume soluble
BOD
u
of the treated effluent as 5 mg/L. The treated effluent is having 40 mg/L of suspended solids.
Consistencies of the primary sludge and secondary sludge are 4% and 1% respectively.
The STP sludge is stabilized to the level of 10% biodegradable solids fraction in an anaerobic sludge
digester (Bheema digester) at SRT/HRT equal to 20 days. Hemispherical dome of the digester has the
capacity to store only 50% of the biogas generated.
Find the quantities and biodegradable fractions of the primary sludge and the secondary sludge
generated?
Find the biogas generation potential of the total sludge?
If a Bheema digester is used for the sludge stabilization, find the dimensions of the digester?

Quantity of primary sludge generated
q TSS Q =
TSS level in the influent: 280 mg/L
Flow rate (Q): 10 MLD and 10000 m3/day
Removal efficiency: q: 70%
Primary sludge generated: 1960 kg/day
TSS of the clarified effluent: TSS(1-q): 84 mg/L

Biodegradable primary sludge generated
equivalent u
OM BOD Q q =
BODu = 300 mg/L
Removal efficiency: q: 40%
Page 2 of 19

Organic Matter equivalent (OM
equivalent
): 1/1.07
Biodegradable sludge generated: 1122 kg/day

Biodegradable fraction of the primary sludge: 1121.5/1960 = 57.22%

BODu of the clarified effluent: 300 (1-0.4) = 180 mg/L

Volume of the primary sludge generated: 1960/0.04/1000 = 49 m3/day here consistency of the primary sludge
is 4%

Quantity of secondary sludge generated = Sludge generated in ASP Sludge washed out

Sludge generated in ASP = net biomass synthesis + Cell debris generated + Sludge contributed by influent

Net biomass synthesis
) ( 1
) ( .
SRT k
S S Q Y
NBSR
d
e i
+

=
Flow rate of the influent: 10000-49 = 9951 m3/day
Yield coefficient (Y): 0.4
Influent BODu (Si): 180 mg/L
Treated effluent BODu: 5 mg/L
Autooxidation coefficient (kd): 0.1/day
Solids retention time: 10 days
Net biomass synthesis rate: 248 kg/day

Cell debris generation rate
SRT k
SRT k S S Q Y
f CDGR
d
d e i
d
. 1
. ). ( .
+

=
Flow rate of the influent: 10000-49 = 9951 m3/day
Cell debris fraction of the autooxidized biomass (fd): assumed as 15%
Cell debris generation rate: 52 kg/day

Sludge contributed by the influent
Flow rate of the influent: 10000-49 = 9951 m3/day
TSS of the influent: 84 mg/L
Biodegradable fraction of the influent TSS: 57.2%
Sludge contributed by the influent: (10000-49) x 0.084 x (1-0.5722) = 358 kg/day

Sludge washed out in the secondary clarifier
Flow rate of the influent: 10000-(49+26) = 9951 m3/day (here 26 m3 is volume of the secondary
Page 3 of 19

sludge wasted)
TSS of the secondary effluent: 40 mg/L
Sludge washout rate: (10000-49) x 0.04 = 397 kg/day

Secondary sludge wasted: (248 + 52 + 358) 397 = 261 kg/day

Wasted secondary sludge volume: 261/0.01/1000 = 26 m3/day

Biodegradable fraction of secondary sludge
= net biomass synthesis / total sludge generated = 248/(248 + 52 + 358) = 37.7%

Total STP sludge stabilized in the anaerobic sludge digester
Volume of the total sludge: 49 + 26 = 75 m3/day
Total quantity of the sludge generated: 2220 kg/day
Overall consistency: 29.6 kg/m3 or 2.96% consistency
Biodegradable ETP sludge: 1960x0.5722+260.1x0.377 = 1220 kg/day
Biodegradable fraction of the ETP sludge: (1220)/(1960+261) = 54.9%

Quantity of sludge left after stabilization: (1960+261) x (1-0.549) / 0.9 = 1113 kg/day

Biodegradable sludge fraction in the stabilized sludge: 1113 x 0.1 = 111 kg/day

Quantity of biodegradable sludge stabilized: 1220 111) = 1109 kg/day or 90.9% of the biodegradable sludge

Quantity of COD removed during stabilization in the anaerobic digester
Quantity of primary sludge stabilized in terms of BOD
u
or bCOD: 1960x0.572x0.909x1.07 = 1090 kg/day
Quantity of secondary sludge stabilized in terms of BOD
u
or COD: 261x 0.377 x 0.909 x 1.42 = 127 kg/day
Total COD removed during stabilization: 1090 + 127 = 1217 kg/day

Biogas generation potential
Methane production rate: 0.35 Nm3/kg COD
(1 kg COD removed is assumed to produce 0.35 Nm3 of methane)
Biogas generation rate: 0.35/0.65 = 0.538 Nm3/kg COD
(methane content of the biogas is assumed as 65% by volume)
Biogas generation potential: 0.538 x 1217 = 655 Nm3/day

Dimensions of the Bheema digester
Volume of the hemispherical gas holder: 655x0.5 = 328 m3
Radius of the dome: 5.389 m
(Here 4/3 x 22/7 x R
3
= 328 m3)
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Diameter of the digester: 10.779 m
(here diameter of the dome = diameter of the digester)
Liquid volume of the digester: 75 x 20 = 1500 m3
(here SRT=HRT = 20 days and sludge flow rate is 75 m3/day
49 m3/day primary sludge and 26 m3/day is secondary sludge)
Height of the digester: 1500 / (10.779
2
x 22/7/4) = 16.438 m

1.2 With the help of a schematic diagram show what happens to the biodegradable organic matter of
wastewater during the secondary (biological) treatment?
List and discuss the bio-kinetics parameters of both aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment?
Provide a classification scheme and classify different biological treatment units you have studied under
the Unit processes and operations -2 (biological)?


In the absence of oxygen, nitrate nitrogen is used as electron acceptor and in the process nitrate is converted to
nitrous oxide and molecular nitrogen through denitrification..

In the absence of oxygen and nitrate nitrogen, sulfate is used as electron acceptor and in the process
sulfur/sulfide is formed.

When oxygen, nitrate and sulfate are absent, carbon dioxide is used as electron acceptor and methane gas is
produced. Hydrolysis, acido-genesis, aceto-genesis and methano-genesis processes generate methane also from
the acetic acid and hydrogen formed from the acido-genesis and aceto-genesis.

q
max
, K
s
, Y and k
d
are the bio-kinetic parameters. The biokinetic parameters are temperature sensitive and need
temperature correction.

Aerobic treatment processes Anaerobic treatment processes
Page 5 of 19

q
max.
(maximum substrate
utilization rate constant)
Units of BOD
u
utilized by a unit of
microbial biomass per unit time
Typical value is 6/day Its value can be much lower.
K
s
(substrate concentration at
qmax/2 level of substrate
utilization)
Mg/l or g/m3 or kg/m3 are the
units
Typical value is about 40 mg/L Its value can be much higher for
anaerobic treatment processes.
Y (sludge yield coefficient)
A dimensionless parameter
defined as ratio of the biomass
synthesized to substrate utilized.
Typical value is 0.4 Value is much lower and typically
taken as around 0.1
Kd (decay coefficient or auto-
oxidation rate constant)
Units of biomass autooxidized per
unit of the microbial biomass per
unit time.
Typical value is 0.1 Value is much lower and typically
taken as around 0.04

Classification schemes of biological treatment units:
Aerobic, anaerobic, and mixed and miscellaneous types
Attached growth and suspended growth reactors
Single stage or multistage reactors and hybrid reactors
Mixed and miscellaneous
Waste stabilization ponds
Anaerobic ponds
Facultative ponds
Primary facultative ponds
Secondary facultative ponds
Maturation ponds
Vegetated ponds
Constructed wetland systems
Free water CWS
Sub-surface flow CWS
Multigraderoughing filters
Aerobic
Attached growth
Exposed aerobic
Trickling filters
RBC
Submerged aerobic
SAFF
FAB
MBBR
Suspenededgroth
ASP
MBR
Aerated lagoons
Algal ponds
(oxidation ditches)
Anaerobic
Suspended growth
Anaerobic contact process
UASB
Anaerobic baffle reactor
Moving bed
Attached growth
Up-flow
Down-flow filters
Expanded bed
Fluidized bed
Single stage
Multistage
Hybrid reactors

Biological treatment units for nutrient removal
Nitrification units:
Page 6 of 19

BOD removal and nitrification together, and BOD removal followed by nitrification.
Nitrification in aerobic attached growth and in aerobic suspended growth reactors.
Denitrification units:
Pre-anoxic and post-anoxic denitrification units
Phosphorus removal units (BOD removal also occurs): anaerobic fermentation and aerobic treatment
and aerobic sludge wastage.

Biological treatment units for sludge stabilization
Anaerobic digestion
KVIC model
Janta model
Deenbandhu model
Bheema digester
German model
USA model
Aerobic sludge digesters
Land forming
Vermin composting

Marks: 2 x 10 = 20
Q.2
2.1 Sewage with the following characteristics is treated in a UASB reactor.
BOD
5
at 20C 240 mg/L
TSS 320 mg/L
VSS 65% of the TSS
Biodegradable VSS 80% of the VSS
The UASB reactor has 256 m
2
area. The reactor zone depth is 3.5 m and upflow velocity of the
wastewater is 0.6 m/sec. Treated effluent of the UASB is having 60 mg/L of suspended solids and 80 mg/L
of soluble BOD. Net sludge yield coefficient of the anaerobic oxidation is 0.09. Concentration of sludge in
the sludge bed - sludge blanket zone is 3%. Sludge is drained out once the sludge bed-sludge blanket
depth reaches 1/3
rd
of the reactor zone depth, and every time only 25% of the accumulated sludge is
drained out.
Find the frequency of sludge draining and the quantity of sludge drained each time?
Assume total hydrolysis of the biodegradable volatile suspended solids and conservation of all other
suspended solids.

TSS accumulation rate (from the influent)
Effluent loading rate: 14.4 m3/m2.day
TSS of the wastewater: 0.320 kg/m3
BOD5 at 20C of the wastewater: 0.24 kg/m3
Page 7 of 19

BODu/BOD5 ratio: 1.6 (assumed for the municipal sewage)
BOD
u
loading rate: 5.53 kg/m2.day
VSS of the wastewater: 65% of TSS or 208 mg/L or 0.208 kg/m3
Biodegradable suspended solids: 80% of VSS or 166.4 mg/L or 0.166 kg/m3
Non-biodegradable suspended solids: 154 mg/L or 0.154 kg/m3:
TSS accumulation rate (from the influent): 2.218 kg/m2.day

Biosolids accumulation rate
Treated effluent BOD (BOD5 at 20C) = 80 mg/L or 0.08 kg/m3
BOD removal efficiency: (0.24-0.08)/0.24 = 66.7%
Net yield coefficient: 0.09
Biosolids accumulation rate: BODu loading rate x BOD removal efficiency x Net yield coefficient =
0.332 kg/m2.day

Total sludge accumulation rate: 2.218 + 0.332 = 2.55 kg/m2/day
Sludge consistency: 3%
Sludge volume accumulation rate: 2.55/0.03/1000 = 0.085 m3/m2.day

Volume available in the reactor for sludge storage
Reactor zone depth: 3.5 m
Depth available for sludge storage: 3.5/3 = 1.17 m
Depth of sludge accumulation allowed between two successive sludge drainings:0.292 m

Time required for sludge accumulation by 0.292 m: 3.435 days

Quantity of sludge drained out
Reactor area: 256 m2
Draining depth: 0.292
Volume os sludge drained each time: 0.292 x 256 = 74.75 m3/per draining cycle
Quantity of sludge drained out: 74.75 x 0.03 x 1000 = 2243 kg/ draining cycle

2.2 Discuss the basis and the basic design equations, and also the approach followed for the design of a
waste stabilization pond system comprised of an anaerobic pond, a facultative pond and a maturation
pond system of 3 ponds connected in series?
Waste stabilization pond system includes anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds.

Anaerobic pond:
Volumetric organic loading rate is used as the basis of design of an anaerobic pond. The volumetric
organic loading rate is temperature dependent and its value may range between 100 to 350 g/m
3
.day.
The equations given below are used for calculating the volumetric organic loading rates.
Page 8 of 19

Temp. T (
o
C) Volumetric Loading (g/m
3

d)
<10 100
10-20 20T 100
20-25 10T + 100
>25 350
For the average ambient air temperature for the coldest month of the year for the site volumetric
organic loading rate applicable is calculated.
From the known wastewater flow rate and BOD, using the volumetric organic loading rate volume of the
anaerobic pond is found.
Depth of the pond and aspect ratio of the pond are assumed.

Facultative pond
Surface organic loading rate is used as the basis of the facultative pond.
Surface organic loading rate is temperature (T) or latitude (L) or insolation (S
o
) levels dependent and
applicable loading rate is calculated by using one of the following equations:
( )
T
s
072 . 1 50 =
( )
20
085 . 1 357

=
T
s

( )
25
002 . 0 107 . 1 350

=
T
s
T
T
s
10 =
90 20 = T
s

60 20 = T
s

o s
S = 07 . 1
L
s
25 . 6 375 =
For the average ambient air temperature for the coldest month of the year for the site surface organic
loading rate applicable is calculated.
From the known influent flow rate and BOD, using the surface organic loading rate, surface area of the
anaerobic pond is found.
BOD of the anaerobic pond effluent becomes BOD of the facultative pond influent. It is calculated using
the following expressions:
Temp. T (
o
C) BOD removal (%)
<10 40
10-20 2T + 20
Page 9 of 19

20-25 2T + 20
>25 70
Depth of the pond and aspect ratio of the pond are assumed.

Maturation pond
Coliform count reduction to the desired level is used as the basis for the design of the maturation pond.
Coliform count reduction is obtained by the following equation:
n
T B
i
e
n
k
N
N
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
u
) (
1
1

( )
( ) 20
) (
19 . 1 6 . 2

=
T
T B
K
Here n is number of maturation ponds connected in series.
For using this equation coliform count in the influent of the maturation pond should be known and this
one is calculated by using the following equation:
( )( )
facl T B an T B
rw
facl
K K
N
N
u u
) ( ) (
1 1 + +
=
For using this equation hydraulic retention of both anaerobic pond and facultative pond must be known.
Depth of the pond and aspect ratio of the pond are assumed.

2.3 An anaerobic digester of 6.0 m diameter and 6.0 m liquid depth and with hemispheric dome (to store the
biogas generated) is run at 30 days HRT for stabilizing the sludge. Heat transfer coefficients for the
digester floor, walls and (dome) cover are 1.7, 4.7 and 4.0 w/m
2
C respectively. For proper sludge
stabilization the digester contents are maintained at 35C through feeding the digester with preheated
sludge. Average ambient temperature of the site is 23C. Find the temperature to which the sludge
should be heated prior to the feeding? Metabolic heat generated by the digester is assumed to
compensate 30% of the heat losses occurring from the digester.

Liquid volume of the digester: H.Pi D
2
/4 = 169.65 m3

Sludge flow: 169.65/30 = 5.65 m3/day

Heat loss from the digester floor
Floor area of the digester: 18.85 m2
Reactor internal temperature: 35C
Ambient air temperature: 23C
Heat transfer coefficient: 1.7 W/m2.C
Heat from the floor: (35-23)x1.7x18.85 = 384.54 W = 7948 Kcal/day
Here 1 W is equal to 20.67 Kcal/day
(1W x 3600 sec.hr x 24 hr/day / 4.18 J/cal / 1000 J/kJ = 20.67 Kcal/day)
Page 10 of 19

(1 W per second is one Joule)

Heat loss from the digester walls
Wall area of the anaerobic digester: 113.1 m2
Heat transfer coefficient: 4.7 W/m2.C
Heat loss from the walls: (35-23)x4.7x113.1 = 6378.84 W = 131850 Kcal/day

Heat loss from the digester dome
Dome area of the digester: 2 Pi r
2
= 4x22/7x3
2
= 56.55 m2
Heat transfer coefficient: 4.0 W/m2.C
Heat loss from the dome: (35-23)x4.0x56.55 = 2714.4 W = 56,098 Kcal/day

Metabolic heat generated:
30% of the total heat loss
= (384.54 + 6378.84 + 2714.4)x0.3 = 2843.334 W = 58772 Kcal/day

Heat content of the treated effluent:
Flow rate: 5.65 m3/day
Temperature: 35C
Heat content: 197,750 Kcal/day

Heat content of the influent sludge
= total heat loss metabolic heat generated
= 7948 + 131850 + 56,098 + 197,750 -58772 = 3,34,874 Kcal/day

Temperature of the influent sludge:
Sludge flow rate: 5.65 m3/day or 5650 L/day
Heat content of the influent: 3,34,874 Kcal
Temperature of the influent sludge: 3,34,874/5,650 = 59.3C

Marks: 3 x 8 = 24
Q.3
3.1 Wastewater entering into a 3
nd
stage RBC system has 17 mg/L of soluble BOD and 21 mg/L ammonical
nitrogen. Find out the ammonical nitrogen concentration in the treated effluent coming out from the 3
nd

stage of the RBC system? Assume use of medium density RBC in the 3
rd
stage of the RBC system and HRT
(retention time) of the 3
rd
stage standard RBC unit is 1.7 hours.

BOD in the treated effluent
) / ( 00974 . 0 2
) / ( 00974 . 0 4 1 1
1
Q A
S Q A
S
s
n s
n

+ +
=


Page 11 of 19

Influent BOD: 17 mg/L
A
s
is disk surface area for stage-n (in m
2
) = 11000 m2
Q is flow rate in m
3
/day: 635.3 m3/day
BOD of the treated effluent = 9.47 mg/L

Ammonical nitrogen nitrification rate:
sBOD F
rx
= 1 . 0 0 . 1
Frx = 1.0 0.1x 9.47 = 0.053
1.5 g/m2.day x F
rx
= 0.053 x 1.5 = 0.0795 g/m2.day
Ammonical-N nitrification rate = 11000x0.0795 = 874.5 g/day

Ammonical nitrogen concentration in the effluent = 21 - 874.5/635.3 = 19.6 mg/L

3.2 Find ventilation rate for a trickling filter of 6.1 m height and 40 m
2
top surface area, when the ambient air
temperature is 34C and the sewage temperature is 25C? Take BOD loading rate as 1.5 kg/m
3
.day. Take
specific surface area of the plastic filter medium used as 100 m
2
/m
3
.

D
air
, draft in mm of water column
Z
T T
D
h c
air
|
.
|

\
|
=
1 1
353
Z, height of the filter in meters: 6.1 m
T
c
, cold temperature in K: 298
T
h
, hot temperature in K: 307
Dair = 0.212 mm or 0.00212 kPa

(N
p
) number of velocity head resistances offered by the filter:
( )
A
L
p
D N
) 10 36 . 1 (
5
exp 33 . 10

=
D is depth of packing: 6.1 m
BOD loading rate:1.5 kg/m3.day or 0.0625 kg/m3.hr
L/A is liquid mass loading rate (kg/m
2
.hr): 0.381 kg/m2.hr
Filter resistance (head loss in filter): 63.01 velocity heads

Total head for a plastic filter medium of 100 m2/m3 specific surface area: 63.01 x 1.6 =100.82 velocity heads

Air flow velocity:
|
.
|

\
|
= A
g
V
N P
pT
2
2
or
2
1
2 .
|
|
.
|

\
| A
=
PT
N
g P
V
P: 0.00212 kPa
Page 12 of 19

N
pT
: 100.82 velocity heads
Air flow ventilation velocity: 0.0203 m/sec.

Ventilation rate:
Filter surface area: 40 m2
Ventilation rate: 2925 m3/hr

3.3 A UASB reactor is used for the treatment of 100 m
3
/day spent wash with 12 kg/m
3
COD. If the upflow
velocity in the reactor is to be maintained at 0.9 m/hour, if the reactor zone depth of the UASB is 4 m and
if the volumetric loading rate is 12 kg/m
3
/day find the UASB reactor diameter. Further find the recycle
ratio of the treated effluent required for the maintenance of the upflow velocity. Assume efficiency
treatment of the UASB as 70%?
Surface organic loading rate:
Strength (COD) of the spent wash: 12 kg/m3
Reactorzone depth: 4 m
Volumetric loading rate: 12 kg/m3.day
Surface organic loading rate: 12 x 4 = 48 kg/day

Surface hydraulic loading rate (overflow rate)
Upflow velocity in the reactor: 0.9 m/hr
Hydraulic loading rate: 0.9 x 24 = 21.6 m3/m2.day or 21.6 m/day

Strength of the influent (Ci) to the UASB:
(Qf + Qr) Ci = 48 kg/m2.day
Qf + Qr = 21.6 m3/m2.day
Ci = 48 / 21.6 = 2.222 kg/m3

Strength of the treated effluent (Ce) from the UASB
Efficiency of treatment: 70%
Ce = (1 - 0.7) x Ci = 0.667 kg/m3

Qf and Qr values and recycle ratio
Qr = 21.6 Qf ----- (from Qf + Qr = 21.6)
12 Qf + 0.667 Qr = 21.6 x 2.222
12 Qf +0.667 (21.6 Qf) = 21.6 x 2.222
Qf = 2.96 m3/day
Qr = 21.6 2.96 = 18.64
Recycle ratio: Qr / Qf = 18.64 / 2.96 = 6.3

Size of the UASB reactor
Spent wash flow rate: 100 m3
Page 13 of 19

Surface loading rate of the spent wash: 2.96 m3/day
Surface area of the UASB reactor: 33.8 m2
Diameter of the UASB reactor: 6.56 m

3.4 Find the BOD
5
: N : P ratio for an activated sludge process operated at 12 day SRT and 6 hour HRT. Take
sludge yield coefficient as 0.4 and k
d
as 0.1/day, and BOD reaction rate constant as 0.23/day. Assume
nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the treated (clarified) effluent of the ASP as 0.5 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L
respectively.

BODu: 100 mg/L --- (assumed value)

Net synthesis of microbial biomass:
) ( 1
) ( .
SRT k
S S Q Y
NBSR
d
e i
+

=
Se is taken as negligible and QSi is taken as 100 mg --- (BODu)
Yield coefficient: 0.4
Auto-oxidation coefficient: 0.1/day
SRT (solids retention time): 12 days
Net biomass synthesis: 100 x 0.4 /(1 + 0.1 x 12) = 18.182 mg/L

Cell debris generation rate
SRT k
SRT k S S Q Y
f CDGR
d
d e i
d
. 1
. ). ( .
+

=
fd value: 0.15 ---- assumed value
Cell debris generated: 0.15 (100 x 0.4 18.182) = 3.273 mg/l

Total microbial biomass: 21.455 mg/L

Nitrogen required for 100 mg of BODu
Nitrogen content of the biomass: 21.455 x 0.123 = 2.639 mg
Nitrogen in the treated effluent: 0.5 mg/L
Total nitrogen required: 0.5 + 2.639 = 3.139

Phosphorus required for 100 mg of BODu
Phosphorus content of the biomass: 21.455 x 0.023 = 0.493 mg
Phosphorus in the treated effluent: 0.3 mg/L
Total phosphorus required: 0.3+0.493 = 0.793

BOD5 equivalent to BODu:
exp(-k.t)} - {1 L BOD
o t
=
Page 14 of 19

BOD reaction rate constant: 0.23/day
t is time: 5 days --- (for BOD5)
BODt = 68.336 mg/L

BODt : N : P ratio
= 68.336 : 3.139 : 0.793
= 100 : 4.59 : 1.16

Marks: 4 x 6 = 24
Q.4
4.1 Write note on a standard RBC unit?

Standard RBC unit includes
3.5 m dia HDPE disks of different configurations or
corrugation patterns are stacked on a horizontal steel
shaft, and placed in a 45 m3 capacity tank.
The shaft oriented either perpendicular to or parallel
to the wastewater flow
Steel shaft of square, round or octagonal shape, 13-30
mm thickness and 8.23 m length (7.23 m length is
occupied by disks), with corrosion resistant coating is
used.
40% of disc surface is submerged in the wastewater
and the disk surface is alternatively brought in contact
with wastewater and atmosphere by rotating at 1 to
1.6 rpm rate either mechanical or pneumatically
Mechanical drive of 3.7 or 5.6 kW capacity is used
Deep plastic cups are attached to the perimeter of
the disks and compressed air is released into the
cups for rotation - Air requirement is 5.3 m
3
/min
for standard density shaft and 7.6 m
3
/min for high
density shaft
RBC unit is usually provided with an enclosure to
Prevents algal growth, to protect discs from sunlight
(UV light), to prevent heat loss and to prevent
exposure to cold weather
RBC units are of low, medium and high density types
Low density or standard type units (9300 m2 disc
area) are used for initial stages
Medium and high density units (11000 and 16,700
m2 area) are used in the mid and final stages

4.2 A trickling filter operating at 65% efficiency of BOD removal is supposed to treat the incoming sewage of
300 mg/L BOD to an outgoing effluent of 30 mg/L BOD. Find the treated effluent recycle ratio required?
Recycle ratio: r = Qr/Qf --- definition
Page 15 of 19

Recycle stream flow: rQf
Feed water flow: Qf
Flow to the trickling filter: Qf +rQf

Recycle flow strength: 30 mg/L
Feed wastewater strength: 300 mg/L

Strength of the flow to TF
Treated effluent strength: 30 mg/L
Treatment efficiency: 65%
Strength of the flow to TF: 30/(1-0.65) =85.7 mg/L

Recycle ratio
300 Qf + 30 r Qf = 85.7 Qf (1+r)
300 + 30 r = 85.7 +85.7 r
r = (300 85.7) / (85.7 30) = 3.85

4.3 Draw a properly labeled line diagram and describe the UASB reactors being used in the STPs of Ludhiana?

UASB reactor has a reactor zone and a settling zone.
The reactor zone is divisible into sludge bed zone,
sludge blanket zone and diffused sludge zone.
There are provisions for the sampling the reactor
contents from different elevations for the treatment
process monitoring and control.
There are provisions for the draining out of sludge from
the sludge bed, sludge blanket and diffused sludge
zones.
Distribution tubes load sewage at the bottom of the
reactor to flow upwards through the sludge bed and
sludge blanket.
The settling zone has a 3-phase separator comprising of
deflectors, biogas collection tunnels and clarified
effluent overflow weirs and collection troughs.
The wastewater, together with the biogas bubbles
generated, flows upward and get into the settling zone.
Deflectors direct the biogas bubbles into the biogas
collection tunnels.
Wastewater free from biogas bubbles enter the settling
zone and suspended solids of the wastewater settle on
the inclined sufaces and slide down back into the
reactor zone.
Clarified water overflows into the clarified effluent
trough and drained out from the UASB reactor, and
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scum baffle do not allow washout of the floating scum.
A distribution box placed over the reactor with
multitude of distribution tubes facilitate the application
of sewage to the UASB reactor.

4.4 Write note on the fate of the total kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) of the wastewater during biological treatment
of wastewater?

During BOD removal organic-N is converted to
Ammonical-N.
Ammonical-N can be assimilated by microorganisms
and transformed back into organic-N
Death and decomposition of microbial biomass
convert organic-N back into ammonical-N
Ammonical-N in excess can be released into
atmosphere under favourable conditions
Ammonical-N, when enough oxygen is available can
be transformed into nitrite and nitrate-N by
autotrophic bacteria
Nitrate-N can be assimilated by plants and become
organic-N.
Death and decomposition of plant material can
transform the organic-N into ammonical-N and
release back.
Nitrate-N by heterotrophs can be denitrified into
nitrous oxide and molecular nitrogen under anoxic
conditions and the formed N2O and N2 escape into
the atmosphere.

4.5 State BOD kinetics equation, identify the BOD kinetic parameters, and write note on any one method of
finding out the BOD kinetics parameters?
BOD kinetics equation is
exp(-k.t)} - {1 L BOD
o t
=
This equation can be used to find BODt provided the values for K and Lo are known.

BOD kinetic parameters are Lo and K
K is temperature sensitive and its value needs temperature correction which is done through using modified
Arhenius equation.
K
T
=K
20

T-20


There are many methods for finding the BOD kinetic parameters. All the methods require serial BOD test results
for the sample in question. The methods include
Method of least squares
Method of moments (Moore et al. 1950)
Log difference method (Fair, 1936)
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Fugimoto method (Fujimoto, 1961)
Daily difference method (Tsivoglou, 1958)
Rapid ratio method (Sheehy, 1960)
Thomas method (Thomas, 1950)

Method of Moments
Moores diagram (a nomograph relating K with EBOD/L
0
and EBOD/E(BOD.t)) is needed (Moores
diagram is different for different n value)
Results of serial BOD test for n days are used to find EBOD and EBOD/ E(BOD.t)
EBOD/E(BOD.t) value is used to read k value and EBOD/L
0
value from the Moores diagram
From EBOD/L
0,
since EBOD is known, L
0
is found

Marks: 5 x 4 = 20
Q.5
5.1 Write note on flow distribution boxes?

Flow distribution boxes are used to divide the
incoming flow n number of streams, and each of the
streams is carried by a distribution tube into the
UASB reactor.
The incoming flow is made to overflow a weir that is
divided into n number of equal length sections. This
ensures division of the incoming flow (even if it is
highly variable) equally among the outgoing streams.

5.2 Write note on degree-days?

In aerobic sludge digestion, stabilization rate of sludge increases with increasing temperature and with
increasing solids retention time.

The temperature and the SRT are combined together, expressed as degree-days, and used in the design.

Typical degree-days used for the aerobic stabilization is about 550. At this the stabilization level will be 38%
reduction of the sludge amount.

5.3 Write note on poly-hydroxi-butyrate?

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Poly-hydroxi-butyrate is a fermentation product formed in the anaerobic tank in the phosphate accumulating
organisms.

In the aerobic reactor, the poly-hydroxi-butyrate is consumed in return to phosphate accumulation in the
phosphate accumulating organisms.

5.4 Differentiate the pre-anoxic denitrification from the post-anoxic denitrification?

Denitrification is anaerobic process. Oxygen limiting conditions, presence of nitrate, and availability of substrate
(biodegradable organic matter) facilitate the denitrification process.

In the pre-anoxic denitrification process, the incoming wastewater is mixed with nitrified mixed liquor pumped
back into a pre-anoxic tank under limited oxygen condition.

In the post anoxic tank, the nitrified mixed liquor is allowed to into the post-anoxic tank for the denitrification.
Here the mixed liquor may have limited amount of biodegradable organic matter. Either through supplying fresh
wastewater or through dosing easily biodegradable substrate like methanol, the substrate limitation is madeup.

5.5 Write note on nitrogenous BOD?

In the BOD testing nitrification of ammonical nitrogen can occur if DO level is high and if nitrifying bacteria
(autotrophs, nitrosomonas and nitrobacter) are present.

Source of the amoonical nitrogen could be the incoming wastewater or autooidation of microbial biomass. The
nitrification demands oxygen and this demand is known nitrogenous BOD.

Using nitrification inhibitors, incubation of sample for <5 days can significantly reduce the nitrogenous BOD
exertion.

5.6 Differentiate COD from TOC?
Both COD and TOC are the methods of measurement of organic matter concentration in the water/wastewater
samples. However the basic principle involved is different.

In case of COD, organic matter of the sample is reduced, and it can be oxidized chemically (potassium
dichromate). The amount of chemical oxidizing agent consumed is directly related to the amount of organic
matter chemically oxidized. The oxidizing agent consumed is thus measured and related with the organic matter
concentration and expressed as chemical oxygen demand..

In case of TOC, organic carbon of the sample on oxidation is converted into carbon dioxide and the amount of
carbon dioxide generated is measured to know the TOC of the sample and related with organic matter
concentration of the sample.

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Marks: 6x2 = 12