Flow Diagram of ASP

Activated Sludge Process and Kinetics of ASP

by

Activated Sludge Process and Kinetics of ASP

 

Flow Diagram of ASP
Flow Diagram of ASP

 

Introduction

Activated Sludge Process is the suspended-growth biological treatment process, based on providing intimate contact between the sewage and activated sludge.

The Activated Sludge is the sludge obtained by settling sewage in presence of abundant O2 so as to enrich with aerobic micro-organisms.

Activated sludge in sewage in presence of oxygen results into:

  •   Oxidation of organic matter present.
  •   Coagulation and flocculation of suspended and colloidal matter

Under the activated sludge Process basically three processes occurs:-

  • Oxidation
  • Synthesis
  • Endogenous Respiration

Description of Activated sludge processes

Conventional plug flow: –Settled water and recycled activated sludge enter the head end of the aeration tank and are mixed by diffused air or mechanical aeration. During the aeration period adsorption, flocculation and oxidation of organic matter occur.

Modified aeration: –It is similar to conventional plug flow except that shorter aeration time and higher F/M ratio are used.

Tapered aeration: – Varying aeration rates are applied over the tank length depending on the oxygen demand. Greater amounts of air are supplied to the head end of the aeration tank, and the amount diminishes as the mixed liquor approaches the effluent end.

Step feed aeration:-Generally three or more parallel channels are used. The settled waste water is introduced at several points in the aeration tank to equalize the F/M ratio, thus lowering peak oxygen demand.

Extended aeration: – It operates in the endogenous respiration phase of the growth curve, which requires a low organic loading and long aeration time.

Growth and Food Utilization

1) Assimilation

2) Log Growth Phase

3) Stationary Phase

4) Endogenous Phase

Cell Growth

The new cell produced undergoes an auto oxidation which involves the breakdown of organics in cell itself to produce energy for the maintenance of remaining cell mass. Thus, there is continuously a fractional decrease in cell mass with time.

dX/dt = μ X

dX/dt = the growth rate of biomass, mg/L t

X = the concentration of biomass, mg/L

μ = the growth rate constant, 1/t

Factors affecting the rate of biomass production and food utilization:-

1)       Temperature

2)       pH

3)       Toxicants

Kinetics of activated Sludge process

Assumptions:

  • Complete mixing in aeration tank.
  •  Influent substrate concentration is constant.
  •  No microbial solids in raw water.
  •  All reactions occur in reactor.
  •  No microbial activity in clarifier.
  •  No Sludge accumulation.
  • Steady state conditions prevail.
  • Microorganism and Substrate Mass Balance
  • Hydraulic retention time
  • Mean Cell Retention Time
  • Substrate Balance Equation
  • Effluent concentration
  • Effluent substrate concentration

 Power Point Presentation with solved examples has been embedded below for better understanding.