Professional Documents
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STANDARD
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Dimensioning of Trickling Filters
and Rotating Biological Contactors
September 2001
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GERMAN
ATV-DVWK RULES AND STANDARDS
STANDARD
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Dimensioning of Trickling Filters
and Rotating Biological Contactors
September 2001
ISBN 978-3-937758-36-7
Licensed copy for Shalhoub Wael EMCO Engineering / Download at 2011-05-12 by www.dwa.de
Publisher/Marketing:
Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V.
German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17 • 53773 Hennef • Germany
Tel.: +49 2242 872-333 • Fax: +49 2242 872-100
E-Mail: kundenzentrum@dwa.de • Internet: www.dwa.de
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
The German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste, DWA (former ATV-DVWK), is the spokesman
in Germany for all universal questions on water and is involved intensely with the development of reliable
and sustainable water management. As politically and economically independent organisation it operates
specifically in the areas of water management, wastewater, waste and soil protection.
In Europe the DWA is the association in this field with the greatest number of members and, due to its spe-
cialist competence it holds a special position with regard to standardisation, professional training and infor-
mation of the public. The ca. 14,000 members represent the experts and executive personnel from munici-
palities, universities, engineer offices, authorities and businesses.
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The emphasis of its activities is on the elaboration and updating of a common set of technical rules and
standards and with collaboration with the creation of technical standard specifications at the national and in-
ternational levels. To this belong not only the technical-scientific subjects but also economical and legal
demands of environmental protection and protection of bodies of waters.
Imprint
Translation:
Publisher and marketing:
Richard Brown, Wachtberg
DWA German Association for
Printing (English version):
Water, Wastewater and Waste
DWA
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17
D-53773 Hennef, Germany ISBN-13: 978-3-937758-36-4
Tel.: +49 2242 872-333 ISBN-10: 3-937758-36-4
Fax: +49 2242 872-100 The translation was sponsored by the
German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
E-Mail: kundenzentrum@dwa.de
Internet: www.dwa.de Printed on 100 % Recycling paper.
© DWA Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V., Hennef 2007
(German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste)
All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Standard may be reproduced in any form
- by photocopy, microfilm or any other process - or transferred into a language usable in machines, in particular data processing ma-
chines, without the written approval of the publisher.
2 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Foreword
The revision of ATV Standard ATV-A 135 (now ATV-DVWK-A 281) has become necessary as it no longer
corresponds with the status of technology.
Compared with the issue of ATV Standard ATV-A 135 dated March 1989 the following important amend-
ments have been made:
• Basic validity for trickling filters and rotating biological contactors without limitation of the capacity (pre-
viously ≥ 500 PT).
• Removal of the determination of loading principles; a separate ATV-DVWK standard for all types of
wastewater treatment processes is being prepared.
• Increase of tank surface area and reduction of tank depth of the secondary settling stage due to new tri-
als results.
The biological stage of wastewater treatment plants, employing trickling filters and rotating biological con-
tactors without sludge return feed, is dealt with in this Standard. The standard applies only for rotating bio-
logical contactors without artificial aeration for the supply of the biofilm with the required oxygen.
A detailed description of the theoretical basic elements and practical application of both the fixed bed proc-
esses is contained in the ATV Handbook „Biologische und weitergehende Abwasserreinigung“ [“Biological
and Advanced Wastewater Treatment”] and „Mechanische Abwasserreinigung“ [“Mechanical Wastewater
Treatment”]. The development of the trickling filter process and the rotating biological contactor as well as
the factors on their treatment efficiency are covered in advanced literature.
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As with all aerobic processes for biological wastewater treatment, the contact between biomass and
wastewater is to be established and the biomass is to be supplied with oxygen. With the trickling filter proc-
ess the wastewater is spray irrigated over the filter material so that, during the dripping process, the contact
between biomass and wastewater is established. In general, aeration is without application of further en-
ergy. With rotating biological contactors the partially submerged filter material is rotated about its longitudi-
nal axis with the application of energy. During the emergent phase of the material the biofilm can take up
oxygen from the surrounding air and in the submerged phase the pollutants from the wastewater.
The following are to be mentioned as favourable characteristics of trickling filters and rotating biological
contactors:
• trickling filter and rotating biological contactor facilities enable the colonisation of micro-organisms
which have long generation times. Thus even compounds which are difficult to degrade can be elimi-
nated with little loading.
September 2001 3
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Authors
This standard has been prepared by the ATV-DVWK Working Group KA-6.3 “Trickling filters and contac-
tors”, within the ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-6 “Aerobic biological wastewater treatment proc-
esses”, and the ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-5 “Settling processes”.
The ATV-DVWK Working Group KA-6.3 “Trickling filters and biological contactors” has the following members:
The members of the ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-5 “Settling processes” are:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ernst Billmeier, München Dr.-Ing. Helmut Resch, Weissenburg (Chairman)
Dipl.-Ing. Winfried Born, Kassel Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Rosenwinkel, Hannover
Dr.-Ing. Andrea Deininger, Weyarn Dr.-Ing. Reinhold Rölle, Stuttgart
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Grünebaum, Essen Dr.-Ing. Andreas Schulz, Essen
Prof. Dr.-Ing. F. Wolfgang Günthert, Neubiberg Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carl Franz Seyfried, Hannover
Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Kalbskopf, Dinslaken Dr.-Ing. Andreas Stein, Emsdetten
Prof. Dr. Peter Krebs, Dresden
The ATV-DVWK Specialist Committee KA-6 “Aerobic biological wastewater treatment processes” has the
following members:
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4 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
Contents
Foreword .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Authors ................................................................................................................................................... 4
List of tables ............................................................................................................................................ 5
User Notes................................................................................................................................................ 6
1 Area of Application .................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 Preamble .................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Objective .................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Scope ......................................................................................................................................... 7
2 Symbols .................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Basic Elements of Dimensioning ........................................................................................... 9
3.1 Loading with Wastewater ........................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Loading from Sludge Liquor and External Sludge ..................................................................... 10
4 Pre-treatment............................................................................................................................ 11
5 Trickling filters ......................................................................................................................... 12
5.1 Description of the Process ......................................................................................................... 12
5.1.1 General....................................................................................................................................... 12
5.1.2 Filter material ............................................................................................................................. 12
5.2 Dimensioning ............................................................................................................................. 13
5.2.1 General Details on Dimensioning .............................................................................................. 13
5.2.2 Wastewater Treatment without Nitrification ............................................................................... 14
5.2.3 Wastewater Treatment with Nitrification .................................................................................... 14
5.2.4 Wastewater Treatment with Nitrification and Denitrification ...................................................... 15
6 Rotating biological contactors ............................................................................................... 17
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List of tables
Table 1: Inhabitant-specific loads in g/(I.d), which are undercut on 85 % of the days, without taking
into account the sludge liquor .................................................................................................... 10
Table 2: Recommended values for the dimensioning of the necessary denitrification volume VTF,D ...... 16
September 2001 5
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
User Notes
This Standard is the result of honorary, technical-scientific/economic collaboration which has been
achieved in accordance with the principles applicable therefore (statutes, rules of procedure of the ATV-
DVWK and the Standard ATV-DVWK-A 400). For this, according to precedents, there exists an actual
presumption that it is textually and technically correct and also generally recognised.
The application of this Standard is open to everyone. However, an obligation for application can arise
from legal or administrative regulations, a contract or other legal reason.
This Standard is an important, however, not the sole source of information for correct solutions. With its
application no one avoids responsibility for his own action or for the correct application in specific cases;
this applies in particular for the correct handling of the margins described in the Standard.
6 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
September 2001 7
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
2 Symbols
[Translator’s note: the symbols/indices below in English are in line with the general rules of ATV-DVWK
Standard A 198E. Where these differ from the original German the latter are shown in square brackets.]
8 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
3.1 Loading with Wastewater For dimensioning, the following important numeri-
cal values are required from the influent to the bio-
The BOD5 load (Bd,BOD,In in kg/d), undercut on 85 % logical reactor, if applicable with the inclusion of
of the dry weather days in the influent to the the return flows from sludge treatment (comp. 3.2):
wastewater treatment plant plus a planned capac-
ity reserve, is to be used for the classification into • Relevant organic load (Bd,BOD) for the calcula-
the Size Class in accordance with Appendix 1 of tion of the required trickling filter volume or the
the [German] Wastewater Ordinance and for the necessary surface area of rotating biological
determination of the dimensioning capacity of the contactors for wastewater treatment without
plant the assessment under water law. If the di- nitrification as well as for the determination of
mensioning capacity is determined based on the the waste sludge production.
number of connected inhabitants, the inhabitant- • Relevant organic load (Bd,BOD) and nitrogen load
specific BOD5 load for raw wastewater from Table 1 (Bd,TKN) for the calculation of the necessary
is to be used.
September 2001 9
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
trickling filter volume or the required surface If the relevant loads have to be estimated based
area of rotating biological contactors for waste- on the connected inhabitants the values in Table 1
water treatment with nitrification. can be used. The estimation of the associated
wastewater inflow is to be undertaken in accor-
• Relevant concentration of nitrogen (CN) and dance with the ATV-DVWK Standard [4]. Until this
the associated concentration of organic matter standard is published determination of the waste-
(CBOD) for the determination of the nitrate to be water flow can be determined in accordance with
denitrified with the dimensioning of trickling fil- Standard ATV-A 131E (1991). [Translator’s note:
ters for denitrification. Standard ATV-DVWK-A 198 was published in April
2003 and was translated into English in 2004].
• Relevant daily wastewater inflow Qd and maxi-
mum inflow with dry weather QDW for the
Table 1: Inhabitant-specific loads in g/(I.d),
dimensioning of trickling filters.
which are undercut on 85 % of the
• Maximum inflow with dry weather QDW,2h and days, without taking into account the
maximum dimensioning inflow Qww,h for the de- sludge liquor
sign of the secondary settling tank.
Parameter Raw Retention time in the
wastewater primary settling stage
Daily loads can only be calculated on the basis of with QDW
volumetric- or flow-proportional 24 hour composite 0.5 to 1.0 h 1.5 to 2.0 h
samples and the related daily inflow. The relevant BOD5 60 45 40
TKN 11 10 10
loads are to be determined on the basis of meas-
P 1.8 1.6 1.6
urements on arbitrary days, i.e. with the inclusion
of wet weather days. Relevant are those loads
which are undercut on 85 % of the days. At least Deliberate investigations of wastewater and de-
40 load values are to be included for the determi- termination of loads over two to four weeks cannot,
nation of the values. The relevant concentrations as a rule, be used directly for dimensioning, as one
are to be determined using relevant loads and the cannot be certain of having considered the rele-
associated daily wastewater inflows. vant period time. They are, however, practical for
the supplementing of the existing database. The
If the daytime and weekly courses of the concen- loading of internal return flows, for example from
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trations and inflows of the wastewater deviate from sludge treatment should also be recorded within
the variations with predominantly domestically pro- the scope of such investigations.
duced wastewater, for example through the indus-
trial wastewater component, then this is to be
taken into account with the determination of the 3.2 Loading from Sludge Liquor and
dimensioning quantities. External Sludge
Arrangements should be made to balance peaks if Water from the thickening and dewatering of (an-
the daily curves of the nitrogen loads show up in 2- aerobic) digested sludge contains ammonium in
hourly atypically high loading peaks (greater than 2 high concentrations. It can be assumed that 50 %
times the daily average), whereby the loading from of the organic nitrogen introduced into the sludge
sludge treatment must also be taken into account. digester is released as ammonium nitrogen. If
sludge liquor is produced for a few hours daily
If the data are insufficient or the expense for investi- only, or on odd days weekly, an intermediate stor-
gation, for example with small plants, are in no rela- age for dosed input is necessary.
tion to the use, loads and concentrations can be de-
termined on the basis of connected inhabitants plus The return loading with phosphorus and organic
industrial/commercial and other loads. matter (BOD5 and COD) is, as a rule, small from
dewatering of digested sludge. Therefore a return
Details on the determination of relevant loads and loading may not be added, for example, globally as
concentrations are to be found in the Standard a percentage to all loads from the wastewater.
ATV-DVWK-A 198E “Dimensioning Principles for
Wastewater Facilities” [4]. In sludge silos for aerobic stabilised sludge, as a
rule, more or less anaerobic processes occur. With
this, ammonium can be released and redissolution
10 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
September 2001 11
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
• The feed and return pumps are to be graded Chunks of rock or slag sized from 40 mm to 80
according to the different inflows taking into mm, which are placed over the hollow base on a
account the minimum surface loading rate. A supporting layer sized from 80 to 150 mm, serve
continuous feed is to be sought. as mineral filler material for trickling filters. The re-
quirements on characteristics, testing and installa-
• The air access from outside to the hollow floor tion of the mineral filling are summarised in DIN
of the trickling filter and into the filter material 19557. The sizes 40 mm to 80 mm correspond
(exception denitrification trickling filter) must be with specific theoretical surfaces of ca. 90 m2/m3
12 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
and a hollow space share of ca. 50 %. Under op- a high vertical transmissibility a larger filler height
erating conditions ca. 2/3 of this can be assumed is recommended.
to be biologically active.
The surface loading rate qA,TF with mineral filled
Plastic filter materials have very different struc- trickling filters, related to QDW • (1+RRDW), should
tures. From this result in part considerable differ- be 0.4 m/h, with trickling filters with plastic filler ma-
ences between the theoretical, the effective and terial at least 0.8 m/h. Smaller filler heights up to a
the biologically active surface. Suppliers of plastic minimum of 2 m require a particularly even, finely
filler materials should therefore present retraceable distributed filter dosing and careful selection of the
calculations for the theoretical surface. filler material, and enable a reduction of the sur-
face loading rate of up to 0.4 m/h. Plastic filler ma-
So far as no reliable transferable experience is terial with good transverse distribution is to be
available for the filler and for the characteristics of used with smaller filler heights.
the wastewater, trials should be carried out at least
on a semi-industrial scale. In addition to the surface loading rate the design of
the rotary distributor also has an effect on the
flushing force FF. For this the following relationship
applies
5.2 Dimensioning
5.2.1 General Details FF = qA,TF • 1000/(a • n) [mm/arm] (6)
on Dimensioning
Values for FF of 4 to 8 mm have proved their worth
Dependent on the level of treatment sought the in order to ensure a satisfactory sludge removal.
BOD5 volumetric loading and, in the case of nitrifi- The higher the trickling filter the stronger is the re-
cation, in addition the TKN volumetric loading in quired flushing force in order to be able to prevent
kg/(m3 • d), are relevant for the dimensioning of the blockages due to heavy growth in the upper part of
trickling filter volume. The filler material planned for the trickling filter. Equally, for plastic filler materials
the trickling filter contents, according to the permit- with increasing specific theoretical surface, in-
ted volumetric loading, results as creasing values for FF are to be planned. Further-
more, if the talk is of surface loading rate, here a
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VTF,C = Bd,BOD,InB /BR,BOD [m3] (1) loading rate by normally rotating rotary distributors
with a flushing force FF within this range is as-
In addition with nitrification: sumed.
VTF,N = Bd,TKN,InB/BR,TKN [m3] (2)
In practical dimensioning the following procedure
has proved its worth:
Thus the total volume is:
VTF = VTF,C + VTF,N [m3] (3) a) Determination of the necessary trickling filter
volume VTF in m3 in accordance with Sections
5.2.2 or 5.2.3 and 5.2.4 dependent on the
As a rule the BOD5 concentration at the rotary dis- treatment target.
tributor CBOD,InB,RF is to be set at less than 150 mg/l
by return pump operation. For this, as also for a b) Calculation of the mean average concentration
partial balance of large variations of the inflow, a at the rotary distributor without recirculation
recirculation ratio RRDW ≤ 1 is sufficient with BOD5 flow CBOD,InB = Bd,BOD,InB • 1,000/Qd in mg/l.
concentrations in the influent ≤ 400 mg/l. The trick-
c) Determination of the required recirculation ratio
ling filter surface and the biological filler height re-
sult as: for the achievement of the desired mean con-
centration CBOD,InB,RF at the rotary distributor
ATF = QDW • (1+RRDW)/qA,TF [m2] (4) (CBOD,InB,RF ≤ 150 mg/l):
September 2001 13
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
5.2.2 Wastewater Treatment without With trickling filters with plastic filler material, BOD5
Nitrification volumetric loading of more than 0.4 kg/(m3•d) for
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14 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
safety it is recommended that the nitrogen incorpo- To use existing trickling filters for targeted denitrifi-
ration is not to be taken into account in the first cation normally only small conversion measures
stage. and an appropriate operation are required.
Note on alkalinity: the remaining alkalinity in the Through the prevention of the inflow of air (cover-
effluent from nitrifying trickling filters should, if nec- ing of the trickling filter and prevention of the air in-
essary taking into account precipitants, not under- flow through the outlet and lower air openings,
cut 0.5 mmol/l, in order to exclude possible inhibi- usually already achievable through impounding of
tion of the nitrification. This is to be ensured when the outlet channels around the trickling filter) it is
necessary through suitable measures. It is recom- possible to set anoxic conditions on the inside of
mended that such measures are first carried out trickling filters, if recirculated effluent containing ni-
following presentation of pertinent operational ex- trate of a downstream nitrifying treatment unit to-
perience. gether with the mechanically treated wastewater is
applied to the trickling filter.
5.2.4 Wastewater Treatment with Nitri- An impounding of the trickling filter filler material
fication and Denitrification involves the danger of blockage and would, in
most cases, lead to static problems; it therefore
The following remarks apply both for mineral filled should not take place. The partially treated effluent
trickling filters as well as trickling filters with plastic from upstream denitrifying trickling filters is fed via
filler material. an intermediate settling tank or directly to a subse-
quent aerated nitrifying treatment unit. Normally
these are trickling filters or activated sludge plants.
For procedural integration of denitrification with
trickling filter plants there are basically three possi-
bilities: The following dimensioning values are given for
denitrification in trickling filters:
• simultaneous denitrification in the trickling filter
with recirculation of wastewater containing • The achievable denitrification capacity is
nitrate dependent on the BOD5 volumetric loading and
can be determined using the values in Table 2.
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September 2001 15
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
At plants with anaerobic sludge digestion and me- cordance with Sections 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 for trickling
chanical dewatering at the site, the nitrogen of the filters and in accordance with ATV-DVWK Stan-
sludge liquor must be contained in the inflow con- dard ATV-DVWK-A 131E for activated sludge
centration (CN,InB) if no separate sludge liquor plants.
treatment takes place.
With downstream trickling filters for nitrification the
• The concentration of organic nitrogen in the
internal recirculation should be taken directly from
effluent can be set as SorgN,ESST = 2 mg/l. With
the effluent of the trickling filter to relieve the hy-
the inflow of certain commercial wastewater
draulic load the settling tank.
the concentration can be higher. To be on the
safe side, the ammonium content in the efflu-
ent for dimensioning is, as a rule, assumed as It can be an advantage to feed the internal recircu-
SNH4,ESST = 0. The nitrogen incorporated in the lation via the primary settling tank. With this, an
biomass is taken into account simplified as additional denitrification can be achieved, to a
XorgN,BM = 0.03 • CBOD,InB. lesser degree however and not capable of estima-
tion. The additional hydraulic loading of the primary
• The relevant effluent concentration of nitrate is settling tank is to be taken into account here.
to be applied as daily average. If, as in Ger-
many, the monitoring takes place by means of With downstream nitrifying activated sludge plants
random grab or 2 hour composite samples, a the internal recirculation should, in general, be
significantly smaller concentration than the moni- taken from the effluent of the secondary settling
toring value [effluent requirement for inorganic tank. This is to be taken into account with the di-
nitrogen (SinorgN,MV)] has to be selected. It is prac- mensioning of the secondary settling tank. With the
tical to set SNO3,ESST = 0.8 to 0.6 y SinorgN,MV, application of a suitable filler material (plastic),
whereby the smaller value applies for plants with however, in principle an internal recirculation with
greater variations of the influent load. activated sludge is also capable of being carried
out after successfully executed pre-trials.
• Surface loading rate qA,TF < 3 m/h.
• Too high oxygen transfer in the trickling filter is With the design and with the operation of trickling
to be avoided; therefore the recirculation ratio filters for denitrification attention is to be paid that,
should always be optimised and RRDW = 3, re- following an opening of the trickling filter for the
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lated to QDW, should not be exceeded. cleaning of the rotary distributor or similar, denitrifi-
cation is not possible or not possible to the full ex-
Table 2: Recommended values for the tent until the oxygen has again been fully depleted
dimensioning of the necessary following closure.
denitrification volume VTF,D
16 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
The size of the possible range of variation with of the secondary settling setting tankstage or into
waste sludge production is, based on biology, de- an upstream precipitation chamber.
pendent on the type of wastewater, the loading
and the hydraulic conditions. The biological waste Through this the retention of solids can be im-
sludge production, related to the loading values proved (see also ATV Advisory Leaflet ATV-M 274
recommended here, in the absence of measured „Einsatz organischer Polymere in der Abwasserre-
results with eliminated BOD5 incl. stormwater inigung“ [“Application of Organic Polymers in
treatment, can be assumed to be 0.75 kg SS per wastewater Treatment” - currently not available in
kg. The calculation of the precipitation sludge pro- English]).
duced can take place in accordance with ATV
Standard ATV-A 202. A simultaneous sludge stabi-
lisation is not possible as primary and secondary
sludge is produced separately.
9.2 Dimensioning of the Secondary
Settling Tank of Single-stage
Trickling filters and Rotating
biological contactors
20 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
The surface loading rate of the secondary settling With constraints which lead to increased loading of
tank is made up from the quotients of the maxi- the trickling filter or rotating biological contactor
mum hourly inflow to the secondary settling tank and unfavourable conditions for the settling proc-
QSST including all return flows which flow into the ess in the secondary settling tank (e.g. preliminary
secondary settling tank, and the surface area of settling tanks with tSST < 0.75 h with Qww, higher
the secondary settling tank ASST. The wet weather combined wastewater inflow greater than 2.2 • QDW,
case is also to be taken into account and, in most small recirculation ratio with QDW), the permitted
cases, decisive for dimensioning. surface loading rate of the secondary settling tank
should be reduced by up to 20 %.
Thus, with the surface loading rate
qA,SST ≤ QSST / ASST [m3/(m2•h) or m/h] (11) With existing secondary settling tanks the dimen-
sioning values can be determined through full-
the respectively greater value is to be applied for scale loading trials.
QSST = QDW • (1+RRDW) or QSST = Qww,h • (1 + RRww)
Through the performance of the (trickling filter-) feed 9.3 Notes on Tank Shape and Design
pumps and an appropriate regulation (e.g. float
valve or recirculation pumps), it is to be ensured The structural aspects which effect the dimension-
that the recirculation ratio does not exceed the se- ing or which are assumed for the dimensioning are
lected dimensioning value. dealt with within the scope of this standard. Further
planning aspects of construction and design, for
With trickling filters or rotating biological contactors example due to space and underground condi-
the surface loading rate of the secondary settling tions, progress of construction, safety or similar are
tank may not exceed 0.80 m/h if effluent limiting not listed here explicitly; for this see the ATV Man-
values of SSe < 20 mg/l are to be maintained [2]. ual [2].
The required tank surface area results as The tank shape is not decisive for the settling effi-
required ASST = QSST/max qA,SST[m ] 2
(12) ciency and sludge collection in secondary settling
tanks after trickling filters and rotating biological
contactors. Even with vertical flow secondary set-
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The minimum depth of water hSST is 2.0 m (in circu- Compared with rectangular tanks circular tanks of-
lar tanks at 2/3 of the radius). fer the advantage of a smaller weir overflow rate
and are frequently somewhat more cost effective,
If flocculation is carried out through dosing of phos- on the other hand, however, there is the greater
phate precipitants or polymers into the influent to sensitivity to wind and the greater space require-
the secondary settling tank, the surface loading rate ment. As a continuous sludge recirculation is not
can be increased to 1.00 m/h, if the secondary set- necessary with trickling filters and rotating biologi-
tling tank maintains a minimum depth of water of cal contactors, at most simple sludge scrapers sur-
hSST ≥ 2.50 m (in circular tanks at 2/3 of the radius). fice even with rectangular tanks.
In the case of intermediate settling tanks or settling With rectangular tanks the ratio of the depth of the
tanks with a short retention time using downstream tank to the length of the tank should be about 1:15
ponds, surface loading rates of 1.5 to 2.0 m/h can to 1:25. For the width of the tank values up to 7.0 m
be selected with appropriately reduced flow times. have proved themselves in practice.
September 2001 21
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
• Standard specifications
22 September 2001
ATV-DVWK-A 281E
DIN 19569-1: Principles for the design of struc- [5] ATV Report: „Umgestaltung zweistufiger biolo-
tures and technical equipment for sewage treat- gischer Kläranlagen zur Stickstoffelimination“
ment plants; general principles [“Conversion of two-stage biological wastewa-
ter treatment plants for phosphorus removal”].
DIN 19569-2: Principles for the design of structures Korrespondenz Abwasser 1/1994, p. 95-100
and equipment – Specific principles for the [6] ATV Report
equipment for separating and thickening of solves
„Denitrifikation bei Tropfkörperanlagen“ [De-
Licensed copy for Shalhoub Wael EMCO Engineering / Download at 2011-05-12 by www.dwa.de
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