FCE 581: Public Health Engineering 1B

CHAPTER 9 CONVENTIONAL SECONDARY TREATMENT PROCESSES

9.1 Trickling Filter (Also Percolating or Biofilter)

The trickling filter is a rock filed circular or rectangular bed of coarse aggregate (30 to 60
mm) usually 1.8 m deep. Settled sewage is distributes over the bed and trickles over the
surface of the aggregate.

On the surface, there develops a microbial film and the bacteria which constitutes most of
this film oxidize the sewage as it flows downwards.

Schematic Diagram of BOD Removal in a Biofilter

1
 FCE 581: Public Health Engineering 1B

Design Criteria
A) Distributors
(1) Rotary distributor (reaction type)
The arms are rotated by the reaction of discharge from orifices. NB: A minimum
pressure and flow are required for operation
(2) Motor driven rotation independent of pressure
(3) Longitudinal travelling distributor

(NB filter media may dry out while the distributor is travelling thus interfering
with metabolism).

B) Organic loading 0.1 kg BOD/m3/day

C) hydraulic loading 0.5 m3/m2/day
D) Recirculation Objectives
1. Dilute settled sewage
2. Increase hydraulic striping of microbial film
3. Maintain a uniform hydraulic distribution across the filter
4. Keep rotary reaction type distributor in motion at low flows.

2
 FCE 581: Public Health Engineering 1B

9.2 Activated Sludge

Settled sewage is led to an aeration tank where oxygen is supplied by either mechanical
agitation or diffused aeration. After the liquid is separated from the solids, the sludge is
recycled into aeration tank.

Microorganisms
Organic matter + O2 + nutrients CO2 + H2O + microorganisms

Mechanism of Removal
1) Removal by entanglement of suspended solids with gross sludge matrix.
2) Slow progressive stabilization of the organic matter by bacteria

Flow Diagrams
a) Conventional As above

b) Tapered Aeration

3
 FCE 581: Public Health Engineering 1B

9.3 Aerated Ponds