GERMAN ATV-DVWK

RULES AND STANDARDS

Advisory Leaflet
ATV-DVWK-M 265E

Regulation of Oxygen Transfer with the Activated Sludge

Process

March 2000

- ABSTRACT -
English version in preparation

Marketing: GFA the Publishing Company of ATV-DVWK

Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17 • D-53773 Hennef
Tel. +49-22 42 / 8 72-120 • Fax:+49 22 42 / 8 72-100
E-Mail: vertrieb@gfa-verlag.de • Internet: www.gfa-verlag.de
ATV-DVWK-M 265E

Contents
Preparation ............................................................................................................................................

User Notes .............................................................................................................................................

Foreword................................................................................................................................................ 3

1 Area of Application ............................................................................................................... 3

2 Basic elements .......................................................................................................

2.1 Process technology..................................................................................................
2.2 Control engineering..................................................................................................

3 Dimensioning and design of aeration systems ..................................................

4 Surface aeration .....................................................................................................

5 Pressure aeration...................................................................................................
English
5.1 General .................................................................................................................... version in
5.2 Regulation ................................................................................................................ preparation
5.2.1 Single-cycle regulation .............................................................................................
5.2.2 Constant pressure regulation...................................................................................
5.2.3 Cascade regulation with independent sequential circuit..........................................

6 Notes on energy saving and on the concept ......................................................

6.1 Optimisation of energy consumption........................................................................
6.2 Measuring point for O2 measurement electrodes ....................................................
6.3 Design value ............................................................................................................
6.4 Substitutional value strategies .................................................................................
6.5 Examination of the economic efficiency with the concept

7 Summary of standard specifications and standards

2 March 2000

Foreword
A revision of the Guide ATV-H 265 (1991) ”Regula-
tion of the Oxygen Transfer with the Activated
Sludge Process” has become necessary due to the
technical development which has taken place in
the meanwhile, and the operating experience
gained since that date. In particular there were fur-
ther developments with frequency regulated mo-
tors, with roller aeration for deep tanks and dif-
fused air aeration membranes. Through the
increased installation of flexible aeration zones,
constant pressure regulation has gained in signifi-
cance. In addition, economical factors have been
taken into account with the revision.
1 Area of Application
With the activated sludge process sufficient oxy-
gen concentration is a prerequisite for effective
treatment of wastewater. Furthermore, the oxygen
requirement is subject to variations in a biological
stage due to changes to the loading, the tempera-
ture, the concentration of the activated sludge and
other parameters. The facilities for the transfer of
oxygen must therefore be so designed that, on one
hand, demand peaks can be covered and, on the
other hand, the plant is not fed too much oxygen
with lower loading.
ATV-DVWK-M 265E
The necessary energy for the oxygen transfer
amounts to up to two thirds of the total requirement
of a wastewater treatment plant. For this, the con-
trolled operation of the aeration units is to enable a
reduction of the energy required for the oxygen
transfer. In addition, too high O2 concentrations
which, as a rule, disrupt the processes of biological
phosphate removal and denitrification can be pre-
vented through regulation.
Depending on the selected process technology for
the removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus,
various regulation strategies are recommended,
which are described comprehensively for nitrogen
removal in Advisory Leaflet ATV-M 268E (2). This
Advisory Leaflet is based on this and deals with
the adoption of the appropriate controls and regu-
lation for oxygen transfer.
Information on the dimensioning of plants for
mainly municipal wastewater is, inter alia, to be
found in Standard ATV-A 131E [1].
Objective of this Advisory Leaflet is to give the user
assistance with the selection of a suitable regula-
tion concept for oxygen transfer and information on
the mechanical engineering equipment with the ac-
tivated sludge process.
The area of application of this Advisory Leaflet is
limited to the activated sludge process and to aera-
tion using tmospheric oxygen.
March 2000 3