THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Performance of Activated Sludge Lab Report

Bioenvironmental Engineering

Yunji Lu
676316

9/14/2016
Contents
Performance of Activated Sludge Lab Report ........................................................................................ 0
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3
2.0 Theory ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Overall theory for the whole process ...................................................................................... 3
2.2 TSS/ VSS/NVSS ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.2.1 Purpose of this parameter ................................................................................................ 4
2.2.2 Potential Causes .............................................................................................................. 4
2.2.3 Measurement .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 BOD ........................................................................................................................................ 5
2.3.1 Purpose and limitation .................................................................................................... 5
2.3.2 Measurement ................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Sludge Volume Index (SVI) ................................................................................................... 7
2.5 PH ........................................................................................................................................... 8
2.5.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 8
2.5.2 Measurement ................................................................................................................... 8
2.6 Limitation of the Activated Sludge Process .................................................................................. 8
3.0 Method and Apparatus ................................................................................................................ 8
3.1 TSS, VSS and NVSS determining procedure ............................................................................... 8
3.2 Biochemical Oxygen Demand determining Procedure ................................................................. 9
3.3 pH determining Procedure ............................................................................................................ 9
3.4 Settling Characteristics determining Procedure ............................................................................ 9
3.5 Microbial characteristic................................................................................................................. 9
3.6 Activated Sludge with Extended Aeration .................................................................................. 10
4.0 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 10
4.1 TSS, VSS and NVSS Results ................................................................................................ 10
4.2 Biological Oxygen Demand Results ........................................................................................... 11
4.3 pH................................................................................................................................................ 11
4.4 SVI .............................................................................................................................................. 12
4.5 Microbial Characteristics ............................................................................................................ 12
5.0 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 13
6.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 15
7.0 References ................................................................................................................................. 15
8.0 Appendix Sample Calculation .................................................................................................. 16
8.1 TSS, VSS and NVSS calculation .......................................................................................... 16
8.2 BOD Calculation ................................................................................................................... 17
8.2.1 Standard method ........................................................................................................... 17
8.2.2 Klein and Gibbs Method ............................................................................................... 18
 8.3 Settling Characteristic Calculation.............................................................................................. 19
8.4 Settling Curve ............................................................................................................................. 19

Nomenclature
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand (mg/L)
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L)
DO Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
EPS Extracellular polymeric substance
MLSS Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (mg/L)
RAS Return activated sludge
SRT Solids Retention Time d
SVI Sludge Volume Index (mg/L)
TSS Total Suspended Solids (g)
VS% Volatile Solids %
VSS Volatile Suspended Solids (g)
WAS Waste activated sludge

Abstract
Activated Sludge Process is a widely used waste water treatment method in world wide. It is
an economical method using naturally existing microorganism to degrade the carbon source
and other component in the waste water. This method allows for the using of recycling stream
to minimize the waste produced. Various design parameters can be applied to the design to
meet different requirement. Several parameters such as BOD, TSS, VSS, NVSS, pH, SVI and
microbial characteristic can be used for determining the activity of the microorganism in the
process and quality of effluent. This experiment is based on a lab scale model and applying
several parameters to determine the quality of the effluent and compared this value to the
literature or regulation data to help analysing the accuracy of the method. For the lower value
of the parameter compared to the permitted value, scale-up for the unit will be applied based
on the difference between these two values.

The total suspended solid (TSS) obtained in the experiment was to be 3408mg/L and 40mg/L
for the mixed liquor and effluent respectively. The TSS value in the effluent is similar as
showing in the permitted value showing on the regulation. The BOD removal rate for the
standard method was 63.6% and 91.4% is for Klein Gibbs method. Final BOD value was
determined to be52.14mg/L and 558.31mg/L for standard method and Klein and Gibbs
method. The settling characteristic showed an increasing amount of sludge volume from
61.62ml/g to 267.02 ml/g, which mainly due to large amount of filamentous bacterial extend
out of the floc, interfere the settling. The optimum pH range for microorganism is between
6.5 and 8.5. Filamentous bacteria, protozoa and metazoan and other microbes are the main
microorganism in the waste water.
1.0 Introduction
The Activated Sludge is a suspended growth process for waste water treatment, aiming to
breakdown the organic compounds into carbon dioxide and other inorganic matters. The
microorganism in the sludge is naturally existed in the waste water. These microorganism can
help degrading the bio-degradable components in the waste water. Solid and liquid separation
achieved in the aeration tank which provides sufficient air into the system to keep the
microorganism in a suspended condition so as to get a good contact between waste water and
microorganisms to reach the maximum waste removal from the waste water. Recycling of the
waste sludge is a part of the sludge process, which can improve the performance of the
removal. The experiment carried along with several parameters such as total suspended solid
(TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), non-volatile suspended solids (NVSS) which
determined the particulate in the waste water. BOD demand for both influent and effluent
streams aeration tank shows the bio-degradable material. Settling velocity index (SVI) which
indicates the microorganism activity in the process is also one of the key value been
evaluated. pH value which is related to the microorganism condition is also determined for
both influent and effluent streams. These parameters are important tools to examine the
condition of the waste water, giving a guideline of improving the food to mass ratio, solid
retention time, overall removal efficiency and other parameters.

This report indicates the evaluation of different parameters in the Activated Sludge process
during two weeks period. The experiment last two weeks with all the parameters and
apparatus unchanged, to compare the BOD value, SVI, pH before and after incubation. The
parameters listed above will be compared with the permitted value, using for design
parameters for the activated sludge unit.

2.0 Theory
2.1 Overall theory for the whole process
The main objective of the activated sludge process is to form a settled sludge with the help of
active microorganism to perform a better quality effluent. The microorganism can adjust the
settling characteristic mainly through producing the EPS (extracellular polymeric substance)
which allows suspended solids and other microorganisms sticking together. The production
of the EPS is largely depending on the F/M ratio, optimum ratio can give a best removal of
the carbon source in the waste water. However, with high amount of nutrients and carbon
compounds and oxygen to thrive, the EPS may also cause the problem of bulking which will
interfere the settling. Clearer water will be obtained after the settling in the clarifier, any bio-
degradable and non- biodegradable materials can be great eliminated after clarifying. The
microorganisms which present in the waste water are mainly bacteria, protozoa, fungi, etc.
They have different responsibility to fulfil different task during different steps of the process.
These microorganisms are responsible for the settling and consuming the suspended solid.
Appropriate temperature, pH are required to the microorganisms for a suitable grow
environment, sufficient oxygen are provided to the system to achieve desirable results such as
more filamentous bacteria are recommend in the sludge process since it can increase the
internal bridging of the floc, helping the system to gain a better settling. Lower level
filamentous bacteria lead to pin-floc formation which will have lower SVI value. Over
loading of filamentous bacteria is not favoured in the activated sludge process either as it can
cause bulking or interfere the settling of the suspended solids, resulting in a high SVI value.

The extended aeration will helps well mix between the incoming waste water and the active
microorganism present in the tank. Microorganism gains energy from the waste water to
maintain its survival. The activated sludge is an economical process since the microorganism
mainly from nature and this part of microorganism taking the carbon source as a part of their
energy and converts the carbon source into CO2 and water which is non-toxic to the
environment. The microorganism growth follows a first order curve in the traditional waste
treatment plant but the real growth rate is more depend on F/M ratio and oxygen availability
in the aeration tank.

2.2 Comparison between Lab scale Activated Sludge and full-scale process
The set-up of the activated sludge in this experiment is lab-scale. The waste sludge will only
flow to the waste sludge vessel at the end; no recycle of waste sludge will be back to the
aeration tank. The aeration tank and the clarifier are in the same tank in our experiment.
While for the full-scale process, portion of the waste sludge will split into the recycle stream
which will be sent again to the aeration tank again. The process with the recycle stream can
decrease the amount of waste of sludge.

2.3 TSS/ VSS/NVSS

2.3.1 Purpose of this parameter
The value of Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS) and Non-
volatile Suspended Solids (NVSS) were measured in the mixed liquor and effluent stream.
TSS value in the waste water indicates the turbidity of water source. This parameter is the
easiest method to obtain as it can be seen barely using eyes and this parameter shows the
early notice of the condition of the water condition[1]. TSS usually treated through a clarify
process. Turbidity may also occur in the good water and even in many of the clean water, it is
still not clear because there are too many fine particulates existing in the water body[2].

2.3.2 Potential Causes

The level of TSS should lower in the water body in general because it can lead to turbidity
which will lower the amount of light reaching to the water body[3]. As the amount of the
water that get the light is decreased, photosynthesis slows down accordingly and then will
cause less dissolved oxygen to be released into the water by plants. If the light is completely
blocked from the bottom dwelling plants, then the plants will stop producing oxygen and will
die[3]. As bacteria use carbon source as their energy, when the plant decomposing, additional
carbon source is applied, the growth rate of bacterial will increase and use more oxygen. The
growth of the bacteria growth leads to the less oxygen provided for the living species in the
water. Surface temperature will also increase due to the solid which suspended on the surface
of the water. TSS level can also affects the growth of the egg and larval in the water as it can
overlap on the top of the egg and larval, decreasing the generation of living species. It can
conclude that, high TSS will lead to high concentration of the bacteria, nutrients, pesticide
and metals[3].

The flow rate of the water body is the main factor that causing the increasing of the TSS level.
The high speed running water can carry large sediment and more particles than that water run
in a lower speed. Raining will increase the TSS in the water body as it pushes the leaves and
sand to the river surface. Other factors such as soil erosion and urban run-off can also
contribute to the increasing level of the TSS[3].

2.2.3 Measurement
TSS can be measured by weighting the filter paper before and after receiving the waste water,
the changing of the weight is the TSS value. The drying of the TSS can be achieved in the
temperature ranged from103-105. The furnace in this stage will only dry out the water
content, which will not release the amount of the volatile solid. TSS will decrease the quality
of the effluent and affects the activity of the microorganism in the water bodies. It is
suggested that TSS in the effluent level should be lower than that in the mixed liquor. The
TSS includes VSS and NVSS. VSS can only be released when the temperature reach to
550. The solid left on the filter paper after this stage is the NVSS for that water sample,
including the inert and no degradable solids. The key point during the experiment progress
requires proper control of the furnace temperature. Too high temperature in the first stage
will lead to the VSS loss earlier in this stage. Too low temperature will cause incomplete
water removal in this stage. The equation used to determine the TSS, NVSS and VSS can be
expressed below:

TSS=VSS+NVSS

TSS= (Weight of sample + weight of filter paper) (solid weight left on the filter paper after
103 drying+weight of filter paper)

TSS is a good indicator of the biological activity of the water that is capable of digesting the
incoming sludge.

2.4 BOD
2.4.1 Purpose and limitation
Biological oxygen demand is a common measurement of the quantity of oxygen used by
microorganisms in the oxidation of the organic component. The value of the BOD indicates
the amount of microorganism in the waste water and further utilise to showing the
characteristics of the water body. If the BOD value is high, it indicates that lower amount of
dissolved oxygen in the waste water has been consumed by the living microorganisms. With
high DO values it can be inferred that the BOD shows the lower quantity of the active
microorganism in the water which might not be a good sign of the water condition. Such as
the fewer microorganism showing in the water body may have suffer the large amount of
suspended solid effect, the oxygen cannot reach to the water and dissolved into the water
which is not a health indicator of the water condition. The less oxygen dissolved in the water,
the less activity of the microorganism in the water body. If BOD value is too low, it indicates
that there are too many living species in the water that will consume oxygen. This high value
also existing potential risk of the water because the less dissolved oxygen showing a high
populated microorganism group in the water which may because of the too many nutrients
are provided to the water that allows the fast growing of the microorganism in the water.

2.4.2 Measurement
A common way of measuring BOD involves incubation of the sample at 20 for 5 days with
the making-up solution of dilution water to around 300 ml of the BOD bottle. The effluent
microorganisms will be introduced into the influent dilution sample to supplement the few
amount of microorganism present in the sample. The BOD can be measured either using
standard method or graph method (Klein & Gibbs method)[4]. It is known that the BOD is
the most common method using for indicating the condition of the waste water. While just
using BOD value to measure the waste water is not sufficient to showing the overall
condition of the water condition because the BOD value only account for a limited amount of
component, it has not accounted for the other component such as the toxic component or
heavy metals. It is important to consider that species and population of microbes differ in
various source of waste water; hence the value of the BOD will be different as well.

The method of calculating the BOD can be achieved by using two different methods[4]:

1) Standard Method

This method measures the dissolved oxygen in the beginning and after five days incubation.
The permitted value of the DO of the dilution water should less than 0.2 mg/L. The BOD
value for the effluent usually ranged between 150-200mg/L or down to 20-25mg/L for
secondary effluent. As for the effluent, it contains just effluent and dilution water, the
following equation will be used for determining the BOD value of the effluent.

5 / =

For the influent, as there is few microorganisms occur in the water, an external seed is
provided to the influent, a correction will be needed to see how this external amount of seeds
(effluent) will affect the final BOD value, and the equation showing below indicates the
BOD value that contains the BOD correction.
 (1 2 )
5 / =

Where,

is DO of incubated dilution, mg/L

0 is DO of dilution water

is the DO of diluted sample after 5 days incubation ( = 0 + )

P is the volume fraction of sample used (P=V/300)

1 is the DO of seed control before incubation

2 is the DO of seed control after incubation

p is the volume fraction of dilution water used (p=(300-V)/300)

V is the undiluted sample

f=volume of seed in diluted sample to seed in seed control

2) Klein and Gibbs Method

This method is mainly utilising the graph to determine the BOD value of the influent and
effluent. A plot with x-axis of sample volume and y-axis of DO concentration is required for
this method. The slope and y-intercept of the graph will be used in the following equation to
determine the BOD. In this method, both DO concentration and seed amount has been
considered. The y intercept indicates the DO of dilution water and the slope shows the
correction factor of the seed.

= 300 () +

2.5 Sludge Volume Index (SVI)

This is another important parameter shows the settling performance of the sludge as well as
designing the ratio of WAS and RAS. High SVI value indicates that the bulking has occurred
in the system and low SVI shows the pin-floc formation and is not favourable in the process
as well. The SVI will be determined by observing how the volume changes in 100ml cylinder
that containing mixed liquor throughout 30 minutes. With the interval recording of the
volume change for the sludge, the SVI value can be determined using following equation:

1000
=

Where,
SVI is the sludge volume index; V is the volume of the sludge; MLSS is the mixed liquor
suspended solid.

2.6 PH
2.6.1 Purpose
PH is essential in the Activated Sludge process as it will directly affect the activity of
microorganisms. Main microorganisms in the waste water are bacteria, fungi, protozoa and
other microbes dominate in an activated sludge system. Bacteria breaks down the materials
with the help of other microbes which need a specific pH range. Protozoa are quite sensitive
to the high or low pH value, the optimum pH is ranged from 6.5-8.5 for microbes to maintain
active. These microorganism helps to break down the large piece of the carbon material into
simple substances which can be decomposed in the waste activated sludge stream.

2.6.2 Measurement
PH of the effluent and mixed liquor will be obtained by using PH probe, the value can be
read off from the machine.

2.6 Limitation of the Activated Sludge Process

The Activated Sludge process is an efficient way to produce a better quality effluent with a
low installation cost. Few limitations of this process can be showing as follows:

1) Limitation of the flexibility, as the flow rate of the influent to the system is fluctuated
during different days and different period in a day, a design process will have its upper
and lower limited range of the inlet, this setup cannot suits to the new change very
efficiently.

2) Composition difference, as the composition of the waste water every day is also different,
for different composition, some bacteria my favour to that source while some may not, if
some uncertain composition flow into the process with the original setting of the process,
it is hard to control the quality to stay in the requirement.

3) Source of the waste water, industrial waste is much differs from the domestic waste water,
if the industrial waste water flow into the municipal waste treatment, the element in the
waste will be out of design of the Activated Sludge process.

3.0 Method and Apparatus

3.1 TSS, VSS and NVSS determining procedure
The filter disk need to weight and recorded before pouring the mixed liquor onto it. Buchner
will be used for filtering the mixed liquor to the bottom of the bottle. The filter disk required
to place carefully and cover all the holes of the bottle. When all the preparation done, the
vacuum will turn on to let the pouring the liquid to the disk begin. Vacuum helps the mix
liquor can be filtered in a much quicker speed. Special consideration need taken into account
that the liquid cannot touch with the edge of the bottle to avoid the solid loss during the
filtering. Any remaining of mixed liquor will be removed using 5 ml of water and added to
the filter. The tray will be sent to the drying oven for 30 mins with a temperature around
103C. Weight will be measured after 30mins of drying. With the sample, after recording the
first data, the disk will then be sent to the muffle furnace with a temperature of 550C to get
rid of the volatile component in the sample. The sample will be weighted second time. The
weight difference infers to the NVSS in the sample. The same procedure will be required for
the effluent to determine the TSS, VSS and NVSS.

3.2 Biochemical Oxygen Demand determining Procedure

BOD value of influent and effluent will be determined using modified standard method. Pure
influent, dilution water and effluent will be prepared before the experiment. Influent dilutions
sample will be prepared using 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, 1.5 and 3 ml of influent into the BOD bottle
with 0.3ml of effluent seed, dilution water which contains phosphate buffer, magnesium
sulphate, calcium chloride and ferric chloride solution will be added the BOD bottle to the
scale line near the neck of the bottle to ensure there is no air bubble during the procedure.
The effluent sample followed with the same as way as influent dilutions, adding 0, 0.3, 1.5, 3,
6, 15 and 30ml of effluent into BOD bottles and fill the rest of the volume with dilution water.
After making all the influent and effluent dilution samples, these BOD bottles will kept in a
dark place to incubation under the temperature of 20 for 7 days. The initial DO value for
influent, dilution water and effluent is measured through a DO meter. Same procedure will be
used for measuring the DO for the effluent after 7 days. DO meter is used for measuring the
dissolved oxygen concentration in the dilution sample which will used for the further
calculation.

3.3 pH determining Procedure

Measure the pH of the mixed liquor, influent and effluent streams using pH probes.
Thoroughly washing with the distil water will be provided after each pH measurement.

3.4 Settling Characteristics determining Procedure

100 ml of mixed liquor sample will be provided into a cylinder to allow the settling of the
settlement. The cylinder should be placed on a flat space to avoid any disturbance of the test.
The volume (V) of the sludge required to be recorded in every 5 minutes over a total period
of one hour. One minute recoding needed for the fasting settling in the first five minutes. The
SVI value can be determined by evaluating the volume of the sludge after 30 minutes. MLSS
value is the TSS for the mixed liquor determined in the TSS calculation. And SVI of the
sludge can be determined using the formula presented in the section 2.

3.5 Microbial characteristic

The activity of the microorganism of the mixed liquor was observed under the microscope for
both week 1and week 2. The major type of the microorganisms and their amount were
recorded twice with the same activated sludge with aeration setup.
3.6 Activated Sludge
The influent waste water will go through the pump and flow into the aeration tank, the
microorganism within the aeration tank degrade the carbon source into carbon dioxide and
water, the internal area is separated into two zones by the baffles in the aeration tank. The
effluent will then go through the settling zone and finally flow into the effluent tank. The
waste sludge will go out from the bottom to the waste sludge tank. Three-way valve is used
for air in and waste sludge out. The air will be compressed before flow into the flow meter
and provide sufficient air to the aeration tank.

Figure 3-1 Schematic Flow Diagram of the AS

4.0 Results
4.1 TSS, VSS and NVSS Results
The weight of TSS, VSS and NVSS of the Activated Sludge was summarised in the Table 4-1.

Table 4-1 TSS, VSS and NVSS results in the Activated Sludge Process
TSS mg/L VSS mg/L NVSS mg/L VS%
Effluent 40 40 0 100
Mixed Liquor 3408 2696 712 79.11
4.2 Biological Oxygen Demand Results
As for calculation of the BOD value for influent and effluent stream, the results from our own
groups data (group 2) is off the reasonable range, this is might due to error of making the
influent dilution and effluent dilution solution. Our groups data was at a low demand of
oxygen, the amount of the sample may be measured in a wrong way. So that in this case,
using our groups original data to evaluate the BOD value for the process will be unreliable
so that following BOD calculation results came from the average BOD value of the class.

Two methods were using for determine the value of BOD was summarised in the Table 4-2.
One method is Klein and Gibbs method which is plotting the graph with x axis of sample
volume and y axis of final DO concentration. The second method is the standard method; it is
recommended that any samples that read below 1mg/L need to rejected. It is no need to get
accurate results below this value. And also the change in dissolved oxygen should at least
2mg/L and final dissolved oxygen of no less than 1mg/L. In this case, the BOD value of
influent at 0.05% should be rejected due to its dissolved oxygen difference is less than 2mg/L.
And also the BOD of effluent value at 5% and 10% should be rejected due to the final DO
concentration is below 1 mg/L. The summarised data for both standard method and Klein
Method is in the Table 4-3 and Table 4-2.

Table 4-2 BOD vlue from Graph Method

Slope y-intercept S mg/L BOD mg/L
Influent 2.0105 6.015 8.6 605.73
Effluent 0.1657 4.471 6.9 52.14
Table 4-3 BOD value from Standard Method
Influent Volume BOD Average BOD Effluent Volume BOD Average BOD
0.10% 0.3 2877.2 0.10% 0.3 1551.8
0.20% 0.6 2452.225 0.50% 1.5 819.05
1533.24 mg/L 558.31mg/L
0.50% 1.5 1551.74 1% 3 604.8
1% 3 785.0486 2% 6 374.1929

4.3 pH
The optimum pH for the growth of bacteria growth is from 6.5 to 8.5, the pH value for
influent, effluent and mixed liquor can be conclude in the following table. it was found that
the pH of the these three streams are all within the optimum range which is optimum for
microorganism growth in that case.

Table 4-4 PH Value for Mixed, Influent and Effluent

Mixed liquor Influent Effluent
pH class 7.16 7.26 7.23
pH group 2 7.18 7.3 7.28
4.4 SVI
Table 4-5 below shows the value of SVI over two weeks. It can be seen that the SVI value in the first
week was 61.62ml/g which was much higher than the value of 267.02ml/g for the second week.

Table 4-5 SVI value over two week period

Group 2 MLSS Volume SVI ml/g
Week 1 3408 21ml/100ml 61.62
Week 2 3408 92ml/100ml 267.02

4.5 Microbial Characteristics

Listed below are the microorganism found in the week1 and week 2

Week 1

Metazoa Rotifier with toes

Metazoa Nematode worm Metazoa Oligochaete of equal length entirely
separated

Protozoa- opercularia Protozoa- opercularia Metazoa-Tardigrade.

A soft skinned animal
vaguely segmented
mouth has a sucking
proboscis and there
are four pairs of short
unjointed legs
 Week 2

Amoeboid protozoa

Free Swimming type

Sessile stalked ciliate protozoa

Suctoria-Tokophyra

Protozoa-Opercularia Metazoa Oligodate

5.0 Discussion
This experiment was a lab scaled activated sludge model. The quality of the effluent can be
evaluated by examining the parameters discussed in the section 4. Permitted value for
parameters can been found in the literature or regulations. The further analysis by comparing
those values to permitted value will be presented in this section.

For the total suspended solid, normally TSS concentration that is lower than 20mg/L can be
considered as clear water and concentration between 40-80mg/L usually is the cloudy
condition. If TSS concentration of the water is beyond 150mg/L, the water will then
considered as dirty water. For the regulation of total suspended solid s in NPDES permits, the
total suspended solid in the effluent limits in a month average is 30mg/L, and 45mg/L is the
7-day average. With this value, compared to the TSS value obtained from the experiment,
TSS in the effluent was measured at 40mg/L which indicates that it is similar as the literature
data, but greater than the month base data. Lower will be preferred in the future design of the
model[5].

High TSS or low TSS has a directly relation to the SVI because when calculating the SVI
value, it take into account the suspended solid in the mixed liquor stream. If the lower amount
of TSS are needed, then the SVI value will be increased , increasing volume shows that the
quantity of the microorganism within the system is too large, this can be achieved by
reducing the RAS stream and increasing the WAS stream.

One of the main key thing in the treatment plant is the BOD value, it is suggested that the
BOD can be reduced as low as possible over a certain amount of time. The value of BOD for
both influent and effluent was obtained in week 1 and week 2. The value of BOD of effluent
using standard method is 558 mg/L which was much higher than the value of 52.14mg/L
using the Klein and Gibbs method. As the requirement for the primary effluent BOD is
usually around 150-200mg/L, and for secondary effluent, the value is from 20-50 mg/L. The
value from the Klein and Gibbs method was dropped within this range. Also from the graph
plotted using Klein and Gibbs method, it can be found that the amount of dissolving oxygen
decreases as the influent and effluent decrease. It is because when the influent and effluent
stream decreases, the number of the microbes is decreasing as they may die to the less food
been provided to the system. As there are fewer microbes in the system, the less oxygen O2
will be required accordingly.

The settling characteristic is another key factor to determine the quality of the effluent and
also the quantity of the microbes in the system. It can be seen that SVI value increased more
than two times as the previous week, it can be concluded that it is due to the bacteria
activities in the process, the filamentous bacteria grows during that 7 days and in the second
week, the hair of the filamentous bacteria extend out from the floc which leads to the hard
settling of the sludge in the system. Few ways can be done to decrease the growth rate of the
bacteria. F/M can be set lower to starve the bacteria to grow. According to the SVI value
recommended in the book (see Figure 5-1), the maximum value of SVI is assumed at 200
which show a poor performance[6]. When beyond that value, the bulking will occur in the
system which will lower the effluent quality. The sludge age is also another important factor
to determine the settling characteristic and helps to obtain a desired result. Younger floc leads
to a short SRT through the process and too old floc may cause the difficulties in settling. A
good sludge age can also ended with a good settling for solid.

Figure 5-1 Range of values for the sludge Volume Index[6]

Full-scale activate sludge process included relative complete automated process control
which provide more systematic and easier control of the process. While in the lab-scale, the
automated control is not required, the process in a lab is more likely a batch reaction, the
process is not continuous. Integration and proportional control are usually used for implement
the overall control of the parameters. Open air system occurs in the full-scale activated sludge
system, this setup may bring in some unexpected component what lead to the change of the
temperature and pH. And also due to the day to day flow rate difference and composition
difference, the full-scale process needs more flexibility to handle many different cases.

6.0 Conclusion
This experiment is constructing the Activated Sludge process in a lab-scale set-up. It is an
economical method using naturally existing microorganism to degrade the carbon source and
other component in the waste water. This method allows for the using of recycling stream to
minimize the waste produced. Several parameters such as BOD, TSS, VSS, NVSS, pH, SVI
and microbial characteristic has been applied to the process and compared with the value
based on the regulation and literature.

The total suspended solid (TSS) obtained in the experiment was to be 3408mg/L and 40mg/L
for the mixed liquor and effluent respectively. The TSS value in the effluent is similar as
showing in the permitted value showing on the regulation. The BOD removal rate for the
standard method was 63.6% and 91.4% is for Klein Gibbs method. Final BOD value was
determined to be 52.14mg/L and 558.31mg/L for Gibbs and Klein method and standard
method. The settling characteristic showed an increasing amount of sludge volume from
61.62 ml/g to 267.02 ml/g, which mainly due to large amount of filamentous bacterial
extended out of the floc, interfering the settling. The optimum pH range for microorganism is
between 6.5 and 8.5. Filamentous bacteria, protozoa and metazoan and other microbes are the
main microorganism in the waste water.

7.0 References
1. Health, N.D.D.o. TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS). 2016; Available from:
https://www.ndhealth.gov/WQ/SW/Z6_WQ_Standards/WQ_TSS.htm.
2. Fundamentals of Environmental Measurements. Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids &
Water Clarity. 2016; Available from: http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-
measurements/parameters/water-quality/turbidity-total-suspended-solids-water-clarity/.
3. Murphy, S. Total Solid. 2016; Available from:
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/NEW/info/TSS.html.
4. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water
Environment Federation, standard Methods-for the Examination of Water and Waste water.
1995.
5. Michigan Governement. Total Suspended Solid. 2016.
6. S., M.V. and C. A., Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions. Vol.
1. 2005.
8.0 Appendix Sample Calculation
8.1 TSS, VSS and NVSS calculation
The weight obtained from the drying oven at 103 for 30mins is for TSS, the data of which
can refer to the Table 8-1. The weight obtained after the 550 muffle furnace for 30min is
the value of NVSS. The difference between TSS and NVSS is the VSS.

Table 8-1 TSS measurement

Group 2 103C for 30 minutes

Paper ID Stream + TSS [g]
[g] [g]
1872 Mixed liquor 0.4518 0.5370 0.0852
1871 Effluent 0.4478 0.4488 0.0010

Sample calculation for TSS in the mixed liquor and effluent stream, as the volume of the
sample is 25ml, the value of TSS need to take the volume into consideration:

+ (0.5370 0.4518) 1000

= = = 3408/
0.025

+ (0.4488 0.4478) 1000

= = = 40/
0.025

Table 8-2 VSS Measurement

Group 2 550C for 15 minutes

Paper ID Stream [g] + [g] NVSS [g] VSS[g]
1872 Mixed liquor 0.4518 0.4696 0.0852 0.0674
1871 Effluent 0.4478 0.4478 0.0010 0

Sample calculation for NVSS in the mixed liquor and effluent stream, as the volume of the
sample is 25ml; the value of NVSS should take the volume into consideration:

+ (0.4696 0.4518) 1000

= = = 712/
0.025

+ (0.4478 0.4478) 1000

= = = 0/
0.025

As the TSS=VSS+NVSS, the amount of the VSS is the difference between total suspended
solid and non-volatile suspended solid, it is showing in the below equation:

= = 2696/
 = = 40/

8.2 BOD Calculation

8.2.1 Standard method
For the calculation for the BOD using standard method, the equation depending on different:

1) Without the seed control

5 / =

2) When the dilution water is using seed control

(1 2 )
5 / =

Where,

is DO of incubated dilution, mg/L

0 is DO of dilution water

is the DO of diluted sample after 5 days incubation ( = 0 + )

P is the volume fraction of sample used (P=V/300)

1 is the DO of seed control before incubation

2 is the DO of seed control after incubation

p is the volume fraction of dilution water used (p=(300-V)/300)

V is the undiluted sample

f=volume of seed in diluted sample to seed in seed control

Sample calculation of the influent at 0.05%

For the sample with the seed control, the correction equation will be used, following with
each of term in the equation. = 6.92/ as it is the final concentration of the diluted
sample after 5 days. 0 = 8.85/ is for the pure dilution water. For the P, 0.15 ml of
influent was added into the BOD bottle,

0.15
= = = 0.0005
300 300

p is the fraction of the dilution water used, then this term will becomes:
 = 1 = 0.9995

As the definition of S is the DO of undiluted sample, it is assumed that S is the concentration

of the dilution water which is 8.85.

S=8.85

Then substitute all the value showing above into the equation below to calculated the value of

8.8499
= 0 + = 8.85 0.9995 + 8.6 0.0005 =

The 1 in this case is the seed control before incubation, it is assumed that it is the DO
concentration of the influent

1 = 8.6/

2 term is the seed control after 5 days, as the seed in this case is the effluent, so the DO
concentration when the effluent amount is 0.3ml was selected.

2 = 7.3/

f is considered as the volume of seed respect to the test bottle, so that in this case, the volume
of the test bottle is 300 ml and the volume of the seed is 0.3 ml.
0.3
= = 0.001/
300

With all terms in the equation has been defined, then the BOD of influent at 0.05% is:

,0.05% = 3862.15/

8.2.2 Klein and Gibbs Method

The plot of y-axis with DO concentration versus x-axis with sample volume for both influent
and effluent are plotted in the Figure 8-2 and Figure 8-1.
 Effluent BOD Influent BOD
8 8
y = -2.0105x + 6.015

DO concentration of influent mg/L

DO concentration of effluent mg/L

7 7 R = 0.7578
y = -0.1657x + 4.471
6 6
R = 0.5152
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
-1 0 10 20 30 40 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Sample volume ml Sample Volume ml

Figure 8-1 Effluent BOD value Figure 8-2 Influent BOD

For the influent

= 300 () + = 300 2.0105 6.015 + 8.6 = 605.73/

Where S=8.6 mg/L is the DO concentration for influent

For the effluent

= 300 () + = 300 0.1657 4.471 + 6.69 = 52.14/

Where S=6.9 mg/L is the DO concentration for effluent.

8.3 Settling Characteristic Calculation

Both class data and data for SVI calculation, the mixed liquor suspended solids is the
concentration of the suspended solids.

For the group 2 data

= = 3408/

1 = 21/

2 = 91/

1 1000 21 10 1000
1 = = = 61.62/
3408
2 1000 91.0 10 1000
2 = = = 267.02/
3408

8.4 Settling Curve

The settling curve was obtain in the below Figure 8-3, showing the trend of sludge volume
change according to the time.
 Settling Curve for week 1 and 2 (Group 2)
120

100
Sludge volume ml

80

60
week 1 Settling curve
week 2 settling curve
40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time min

Figure 8-3 Settling Curve for wee1 and week 2 (Group 2)