Activated Sludge Reactor/Final Clarifier Linkages: Success Demands Fundamental Understanding

Author(s): Michael C. Mulbarger, Kenneth L. Zacharias, Farooq Nazir and Dale Patrick
Source: Journal (Water Pollution Control Federation), Vol. 57, No. 9, WPCF Conference Issue (Sep
., 1985), pp. 921-928
Published by: Water Environment Federation
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Activated sludge reactor/final clarifier
success demands fundamental
linkages:
understanding
Michael C. Mulbarger, Kenneth L. Zacharias, Farooq Nazir, Dale Patrick

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's (NEORSD) fluent filtration be held in abeyance pending a 1-year evaluation

6.8-m3/s ( 155-mgd) Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant is one of the plant with the recommended improvements and operating
of the oldest and largest activated sludge plants in the U. S. The strategy. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA)
plant, which began operation in 1938, was designed to process agreed with this recommendation and it became a part of the
an average daily flow of 5.4 m3/s (123 mgd) from the 174-km2 plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(67-sq miles) service area. About 40% of this area is served by (NPDES) permit in 1977. The recommended improvements,
combined sewers. The interceptors deliver up to 46.9 m3/s (1070 including a new 14.5-m3/s (330-mgd) firm capacity effluent
mgd) of gravity flow to the plant. This flow has always been pump station, were then designed.
at the maximum of the however, A year later, the OEPA revised its recommended design stan
processed capability plant;
throughout its history, flows have been diverted, both before dard for final sedimentation from 33 m3/m2 d (800 gpd/sq ft)
and after primary treatment, because of constraints in the treat at average daily flows to 49 m3/m2 d ( 1200 gpd/sq ft) at max
ment works and those imposed by the water elevation of Lake imum flow.1 The Easterly final clarifiers did not comply with
Erie. the new standard and theNEORSD was faced with the possibility
In the late 1960s, an improvement program was initiated be that new clarification capacity would also have to be added to
cause of the plant's age and average daily flows that matched its the Easterly works. The plant site had little or no room for the
water elevation needed 40% without an area occupied by a
rated capacity. For the next decade, Lake Erie's expansion taking
was recorded at progressive highs. These elevations forced an yacht club and the filling of Lake Erie. Thus, if the 1-year plant
operating decision that resulted in routine submergence of the evaluation failed to achieve its treatment objectives, the
final clarifier tank weirs and about 0.15 m (0.5 ft) aeration tank NEORSD would be faced with the need to displace the yacht
freeboard. club, fill in Lake Erie, provide a 40% expansion of the final
and construct a new final effluent filtration
The improvement program proceeded in a timely manner clarifiers, complex.

with rehabilitation of the preliminary treatment With this perspective, the 1-year evaluation program began in
complete works,
and rehabilitation and of the primary treatment fa December 1982.
expansion
cilities. However, the secondary treatment needs and ultimate

treatment of the plant were less certain. The decision

System performance was improved by an operating
objectives
was made to provide metal salt phosphorus removal, erect a

filtration and to iso

strategy that incorporated controlled sludge bulking
large-scale surface and in-depth pilot plant,
and a constant sludge return rate.
late a portion of the main plant for activated sludge enhancement
All facilities were under construction by 1973.
investigations.
In January 1975, the treatment objectives were established at Figure 1details plant performance for the year immediately
15mg/L 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and sus preceding the full-scale investigations in 1975 and for the year
a striking
pended solids (SS) and a residual phosphorus concentration of of the evaluation program. The comparison shows

1mg/L. The pilot plant and full-scale investigations began 4 with remarkable stability. Table 1 summarizes the
improvement
months later. plant conditions for both periods. The improved plant can pro
isolated of the plant's cess a much flow rate. There was a commensurate re
The full-scale investigations one-eighth higher
and one-tenth of the final clarification duction in the number of days when it was necessary to bypass
aeration system capacity
to provide a completely activation The iso flow. The submerged weirs that occurred during the evaluation
independent system.
contained an return program were the result of effluent pump station shut-down for
lated system independent sludge system
and an effluent to eliminate the weir or routine maintenance. The most striking dissimilarities
pump submergence prob repairs
lem. The effluent and return pumps could deliver up to in the table are in the different aeration pattern, higher sludge
sludge
1.5 m3/s (35 mgd) and 0.5 m3/s (12 mgd), respectively. The volume index (SVI) and lower applied mixed liquor suspended
insight acquired and performance achieved in the 6-month full solids (MLSS) concentration, cell residence time (CRT), target
scale investigation program showed that the plant could easily dissolved oxygen (DO), air supply, and solids loading rate during
the performance with an expansion of the return the evaluation Comparison of the maximum surface
satisfy objectives period.

sludge system from 2.2 to 4.2 m3/s (50 to 95 mgd). overflow rates (SOR) shows that during the evaluation period
it was recommended that the decision on ef the plant did not comply with the regulatory standard of 49 m3/
Consequently,

September 1985 921

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Mulbarger et
al._

and rationale of each strategy is listed as follows in order of

importance.
Return sludge needs. The required return sludge rate is de
termined from amass balance around the final clarifiers as shown
by the following relationship:

R?RC=MUSS(Q + RH) (1)

or

*?=
MLSS \
(,b)
where
efe,C-MLSSJ
=
RH Return sludge rate, m3/s (mgd),
=
Rc Return sludge concentration, mg/L,
= Plant
Q flow, m3/s (mgd), and
MLSS = Applied mixed liquor suspended solids, mg/L.

2 5 10 20 30 40 50 80 70 80 90 95 98 A generally accepted conservative definition of the return

PERCENTLESS THANOR EQUALTO sludge concentration is the resultant MLSS concentration after
30 minutes of quiescent settling. Typically, it is described as
Figure 1?Before and after comparison of plant conditions.
follows:

-_ 1000 000
m2 d ( 1200 ft) for conventional carbonaceous removal Rc (2)
gpd/sq ^vr^
activated sludge system. where
This article describes the observations and concepts used to
=
SVI sludge volume index, mL/g.
develop the operating strategy that achieved the performance
results illustrated in Figure [Link] plant condition after the im
However, this relationship holds only if the hydraulic conditions
provement program summarized in Table 1, is a result of this
in the final settler allow the applied MLSS to exhibit the same
strategy. In the case of the worst effluent month the data resulted
densification characteristics found in the 30-minute test.
from an inability to waste sludge from the plant. The observa
The isolated full-scale investigations of the mid 1970s eval
tions, concepts, and strategies are believed to be applicable to
uated the validity of Equations 1 and 2 as a means of
most activated sludge systems. At Easterly, these saved more
establishing the proper return sludge rate. At high flow regimes,
than $50 million (1984 dollars).
Equation 2 was progressively invalid with lower SVIs (125 or
less) as a result of the hydraulic thinning of the settled activated
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION sludge.

was formulated around the con

The two 34.1-m (112-ft) by 3.6-m (11.8-ft) sidewater depth,
Easterly's operating strategy
center-feed clarifiers were also used to examine the preferred
cept that greater simplicity will achieve higher reliability. This
means of settled sludge collection (plowing the sludge to the
concept is embodied in the practical principles of operation de
center sludge well or multiple sludge suction points on the
scribed.
Achieve automatic The should be operated so radial arms of the sludge collector). Both systems failed at
response. plant
higher flow regimes when the return sludge rate was set by
that it can automatically respond to stress conditions. Given a
combined sewer service area such as at Easterly, precipitation
Equations 1 and 2 because of hydraulic displacement of the
induced hydraulic stresses are the most important.
principal zone of sludge deposition, and an expansion or
Establish buffers. Buffers should be established to allow the thinning of the settled sludge blanket. Figure 2 illustrates the
to maintain successful even under abnormal
conditions. The theoretical superiority of the multiple drawoff
plant operation
suction system was not realized in practice because its settings
circumstances. At Easterly, successful operation could not have
(flow removed at each collection point on the arm of the
been maintained during the time that the plant was unable to
sludge collector) are flow-regime specific.
waste sludge without such buffers.
Avoid overreaction. The staff should not overreact
The mid 1970s studies concluded that the return sludge
operational
concentration under flow should be
to daily observations. If the first two principles are satisfied, the high regimes anticipated

staff can be confident that long-term equilibrium conditions will in the range of 6000 to 8000 mg/L with an SVI of up to 175

ultimately control plant performance, and may merely remain mL/g. It is believed that this decision contributed heavily to
the operating success of the 1-year evaluation program.
sensitive to long-term trends. At Easterly, during the year's eval
In the evaluation program, a constant return rate, reflecting
uation period, the return and waste sludge rates were held con
stant while the air supply was changed only twice in the late the plant's needs at the maximum flow of 14.5 m3/s (330
mgd), was used for operational simplicity. Thus, the actual
spring and fall.
return solids concentration varied as a function of plant flow

OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES by the following relationship:

Detailed operational evolved from the full-scale in

strategies Rc= MLSSp n H) (3)
vestigations of the mid 1970s and elsewhere. The development
<S*)
922 Journal WPCF, Volume 57, Number 9

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'O
f-4
a>
3 Table 1?Comparison of plant conditions before and after evaluation.
or

Before evaluation (6/74-5/75) After eva

00
Highest flow month Worst effluent month Highest flo

Average Worst Worst Average

Condition annual Average Average week annual Average

Flow, m3/s 5.2 5.5 6.1 5.2 5.9 5.9 6.4

(mgd) (120) (125) (140) (120) (135) (135) (145)

Maximum day flow, m3/s 6.8 6.6

(mgd) (155) (150)

Maximum daily rate, m3/s 7.9 7.4

(mgd) (180) (170)

Days with bypassing 90 12 6 10 5 25 5

Days with submerged weirs 270 30 7 22 7 13 3

MLSS applied to finals, mg/L 2200 2300 1900 2900 2900 1200 1100
SVI, mL/g 75 70 70 95 100 135 75
CRT, days 12 12 15 4.4 3.7

Target DO, mg/L 2 to 3 0.5 to 1.5

Air supply
m3/m3 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.06 0.04

(cuft/gal) (0.8) (0.8) (0.8) (0.4) (0.3)

Aeration feed pattern Plug Flow

Return sludge, average R/Q % 38 36 32 38 33 47 43

Return sludge (g) maximum
rate, R/Q % 26 26
SOR average
m3/m2 d 28 28 32 28 31 28 30

gpd/sq ft (680) (700) (790) (680) (760) (690) (740)

SOR maximum rate

m3/m2 d 42 39
gpd/sq ft (1020) (960)
Solids load average

Kg/m2-d 83 88 103 112 127 49 49

(lb/day sq ft) (17) (18) (21) (23) (26) (10) (10)
Solids load maximum rate

Kg/m2-d 132 185

(lb/day sq ft) (27) (38)
Effluent SS average, mg/L 27 30 61 41 44
maximum, mg/L 75 55

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Mulbarger et
al._

S7 INFL. EFFLUENT
r === MLSS
ated MLSS contacting, essentially all of the soluble organics that
J
SETTLED ) V can be removed are removed, as investigations at Easterly and
SLUDGE ??-^ ^~>
PATTERN-^ elsewhere have shown.

SLUDGE The return sludge rate, 2.6 to 3.1 m3/s (60 to 70 mgd), was
]__^RETURN
NORMAL set based on the target applied MLSS on the final clarifiers and
OPERATINGCONDITIONS
(POTENTIALFOR DENSE SLUDGE) the assumed return sludge concentrations of 6000 to 8000
mg/L for the peak flow rate of 14.5m3/s (330 mgd). These return
rates were less than the plant's firm capacity of 4.2 m3/s (95
which, again, established a reserve capacity for the plant
mgd)
during unanticipated conditions.
Activated sludge CRT and feed patterns. If a plant only re
moves carbonaceous BOD, then a lower CRT is better because
of the theoretical in the oxygen supply. Easterly's ex
savings
perience has shown that if the CRT is dropped below 1.5 to 1.2
days, uncontrolled bulking may result. The objective is to main
HIGHFLOWREGIME tain as low a CRT as possible without reaching system instability.
OPERATINGCONDITIONS
(POTENTIALFOR THINSLUDGE) Experience elsewhere has generally led to the assumption that
a CRT of 3 to 5 days will produce best bioflocculation and ef
Figure 2?Final clarification normal and high flow regime sludge de
fluent clarity. This assumption was also used at Easterly.
position and densification patterns.
The aeration system consists of eight, four-pass aeration bat
teries that provide 1.4m3 (31.5 mil. gal) of aeration capacity.
As a result of this strategy, the return sludge concentration will This flexible system allows a wide variety of feed patterns to be
increase to provide the needed return mass incorporated. A step-feed pattern that split the primary effluent
automatically sludge
under higher flows. Thus, a buffer is established and the activated equally between the first and second aeration passes with all of
is in continuous, the return sludge applied to the first pass, was selected for the
sludge system perfect equilibrium.
This creates a very thin return concentration 1-year evaluation program. This feed pattern achieved a desired
strategy sludge
under all operating conditions. However, the purpose of a final CRT of 4 ? 1days with the desired applied MLSS concentration
clarifier, by definition, is to clarify rather than to concentrate or on the final clarifiers.
thicken. At the waste activated is applied to the Air supply (SVI, oxygen demand, transfer efficiency, and
Easterly, sludge
tanks where it is concentrated and wasted with the pri mixing relationships). It is well known that activated sludge sys
primary
mary sludge.
tems with elevated SVis (above 100mL/g) show superior effluent
Solids-liquid separation. Solids-liquid separation in a final SS characteristics when there is sufficient return sludge capacity
on are not vio
separation tank is a function of (in declining order of priority) and controlling loading rates the final clarifiers

the applied sludge settling characteristics, the solids loading rate, lated. Thus, a reasonably elevated SVI is a desirable objective
and the hydraulic SOR. At flows are a function of un when kept under control. Such a strategy is also compatible with
Easterly,
predictable precipitation events and only controllable to the an anticipated dilute-out of the settled sludge at high flow re
limits of the plant's hydraulic capacity. Sludge settling charac gimes.
teristics can also vary widely. However, these characteristics are The mid 1970s full-scale investigation suggested that an ele
influenced by the applied MLSS concentration which, in turn, vated SVI, (between 100 and 175mL/g) might occur at MLSS
determines if unhindered or hindered solids separation exists. concentrations of 500 to 1500 mg/L with a CRT of 3 to 4 days.
the key controllable becomes the MLSS con However, such observations were not duplicated with parallel
Thus, parameter
centration applied to the final clarifiers. operation of the entire plant, perhaps because of the elevated
the decision was made to op
Figure 3 shows the MLSS settling characteristics determined DO concentrations. Accordingly,
in the mid 1970s at Easterly in an unstirred, 0.15-m (6-in.) di
ameter by 1.8-m (6-ft) column. In these tests, the SVI of the
T?I I I I 1I
activated sludge ranged from 80 to 150mL/g. Actual data points HINDERED
SETTLING.
are presented for information purposes but are unimportant to ONE

fundamental understanding. What is important to note, is the

clear zone of unhindered settling which, at Easterly, apparently
corresponds to a MLSS concentration of less than 2000 mg/L.
The decision was made to operate Easterly with an applied MLSS
concentration of 1500 mg/L or less to keep the solids loading
below 146 kg/m2?d (30 lb/day/sq ft) with full flow and return
sludge, and because operating experience suggested that an el
evated SVI might be promoted at these conditions. An operating
target of 1000 to 1250mg/L with an allowable variance of ?250
mg/L was established to avoid an overreaction to daily or weekly
fluctuations in wastewater characteristics. This strategy also es
tablished additional buffer in the system because itwas clearly
based on the worst case of the measured settling characteristics.
The strategy presented no risks because after 15 minutes of aer Figure 3?MLSS concentration dependent settling velocities.

924 Journal WPCF, Volume 57, Number 9

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 _Plant Operations

?rate with a target DO concentration of 0.5 to 1.5mg/L since

low reactor DO concentrations may promote sludge bulking.
The desired SVI was between 100 and 150mL/g which, by
Equation 2, yields possible return sludge concentrations slightly
greater than the 6000 to 8000 mg/L values anticipated from the
clarifier under peak flow conditions. Thus, from a practical

standpoint, the clarifier hydraulic conditions rather than the

densification characteristics of the activated sludge, control the
ultimate returnsludge concentration derived from the unit.
The carbonaceous oxygen demand at Easterly was established

through the use of the kinetic coefficients derived from the

chemical oxygen demand mass balances of the mid 1970s in
vestigative program. These values suggested an average day ox

ygen demand of 26 000 kg (57 000 lbs) and 29 000 kg (65 000
lbs) at a CRT of 3 and 5 days, respectively.
Easterly's oxygen dissolution system consists of porous plates
intended to yield the higher oxygen transfer efficiencies of fine
bubble diffusers. The required air supply was calculated to range
from 8.0 m3/s ( 17 000 cu ft/min), with a CRT of 3 days and an
oxygen transfer efficiency of 15%, to 13.2 m3/s (28 000 cu ft/
min) for a CRT of 5 days and an oxygen transfer efficiency of
10%. This range of air supplies yielded a winter velocity gradient
of 44 to 57 m/m-s (44 to 57 ft/ft-sec) at 12?C. Attempts to MONTHOF YEAR'SEVALUATION
operate at the former were mixing limited, whereas operation
Figure 4?Evaluation program: average weekly results.
with the latter successfully kept the activated sludge in suspension
while still yielding the target DO concentration. The operation
used an air supply of about 14.1m3/s (30 000 cu ft/min) for the
November through April operation period. At this time, essen flows remained at 75 m3/s (170 mgd) or lower. In November,
tially optimum conditions for physical flocculation of the acti however, high solids, SVIs, and flows did coincide to yield the
vated sludge were established. worst effluent quality of the investigation.
Fractional nitrification was experienced throughout the winter. As a result of this experience, the plant is now operated to
a more
The warmer summer months brought pronounced ni
yield a DO concentration of 2.0 to 3.0 mg/L if sludge cannot
trogenous oxygen demand which brought the measured reactor be wasted after 24 hours of downtime. If the downtime ismore
DO concentration below the target DO limit of 0.5 mg/L. As a than 72 hours, the primary effluent is completely applied to the
consequence, the air supply was ultimately increased to about fourth and final of the aeration to maximize the
pass system
23.6 m3/s (50 000 cu ft/min) which yielded a summer velocity solids accumulation capacity of the aeration system while min
gradient of 89 m/m s (89 ft/ft sec) at 25 ?C. Such a condition imizing the fourth pass MLSS. It is believed that if this strategy
would still not be expected to cause appreciable floe shear. had been the 1-year evaluation
implemented during program,
the results encountered in the worst effluent month could have
MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS been avoided and the average monthly and maximum week

AND RESULTS effluent SS, for any month, would have stayed below 10 and 15
mg/L, respectively.
Abnormal conditions. Waste solids from Easterly are delivered Carbonaceous and total BOD. Carbonaceous and total BOD5
to another NEORSD plant through a 20.9-km (13-mile) force were run throughout the course of the 1-year evaluation program.
main that has been operating since 1938. The force main has The available data, specific to the CRT (3 to 5 days) and SS
averaged four breaks per year since 1970 and is scheduled for (essentially 15mg/L or less) used and encountered at Easterly
replacement. As would be expected, breaks were also experienced suggested the following relationships:
during the 1-year evaluation program. =
carbonaceous BOD5 2.5 + 0.5 SS ? 2.0; and
Figure 4 shows the average weekly results for theMLSS applied total BOD5 = 12.5 ? 0.5 SS ? 5.0.
to the final clarifiers, the SVI, plant flow, and the effluent SS.
Also shown in this figure are the hours per week with no sludge These relationships reflect the tolerance found with any low

wastage from outages or breaks of the sludge force main. The level BOD determination, and the variance found with a plant
breaks in January and June caused no particular effluent SS that produces a partially nitrified effluent. As can be determined
problems because the plant flows, MLSS, and SVI were not ab from these relationships, even if Easterly produced a SS-free

normally high. However, as shown in the figure, this was not effluent, there is still the possibility that it would contravene a
the case in the last 2 months of the investigation. In the last 2 15 mg/L effluent BOD restriction. Easterly violated the 15
weeks of October, the plant was unable to waste solids about mg/L BOD restriction on 5 of the 12months of the evaluation
50% of the time. This resulted in a buildup of secondary solids program. Clearly, if a plant is designed to remove the biode
and, because the air supply was not increased, severe DO stresses gradable carbonaceous oxygen demand, it should have an ef
caused a sharp increase in SVI. This caused nopronounced fluent standard that reflects this objective. An NPDES effluent
deterioration in the effluent quality because the maximum daily objective that fails to reflect this reality merely penalizes a plant

September 1985 925

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Mulbarger et
al._

that is providing incomplete nitrogen oxidation and removing For step-feed operation at Easterly with all of the return sludge
more oxygen demanding material than is required. applied to the first pass, the return sludge concentration varies
Submerged weirs. As stated previously, the plant did operate as a function of the fourth-pass MLSS concentration as follows:
with submerged final clarifier weirs until the effluent pump sta
tion was provided. Over a 3-week period in the mid 1970s in
(5)
vestigations, flows were introduced into the isolated clarifiers, *c=MLSS4(^Lp)
with and without weir submergence, over the full range of an
For all conditions (up to the point where the sludge mass ac
ticipated surface overflow rates?37 to 73 m3/m2 d (900 to 1800 cumulates in the final clarifier), theMLSS in any pass is:
gpd/sq ft). No deterioration of the effluent quality was detected.
Thus, although weir submergence is not advocated, blind obe
dience to an arbitrary weir overflow rate seems to be equally

inappropriate. Where
Loading rates. The investigations at Easterly, within limits,
n = Signifies the pass of interest, and
clearly showed that any final clarifier design based on SORs has = Total
no guarantee of success. A solids loading rate?less than 146 to Qn plant flow into the activated sludge system up
the pass of interest,
244 kg/m2 d (30 to 50 lb/day/sq ft)?appears more valid but, through m3/s (mgd).

again, not without qualification. This qualification is the settling Furthermore:

characteristic of the applied activated sludge.
Although SVI is a measurement of the activated sludge den X
it also the or set
sificaron characteristics, indicates subsidence
0.25K(MLSS4)(^^)(^)
tling rate of the activated sludge. Thus, the proper or superior
/ 1 1 1 1 \
parameter for final clarifier design is one that considers both the + +
solids loading rate and the anticipated SVI of the activated sludge. \Qi + RH Qi + Rh 03 + R//+ Qa + RH)
CRT
Multiplication of the applied solids by the SVI yields a 30-minute
settled sludge volume loading rate (SSVLR), which seems more MLSSJ D + (EffluentSS)?2)
\{WH)
valid than the other two criteria. i^y?
The authors do not have any particular insight into this pa (7)
rameter and consider the vagaries of an operating activated sludge Where
system too enormous for precise enumeration of any specific
=
an admittedly WH Waste sludge flow, m3/s (mgd), and
parameter. Accordingly, arbitrary multiplication
V = Aeration tank volume, m3 (mil
of a 100mL/g SVI by a solids loading rate of 245 kg/m2 -d (50 gal).

lb/day/sq ft) is proposed as a maximum rate design constant

when the treatment objective is an average monthly SS of 30 If MLSSJ > 10 (Effluent SS)(?) and R? is
\ RhnR"\rVH)
/
mg/L. If the treatment objectives are lower than 30 mg/L, it is
constant while WH is continuous, Equation (7) simplies to:
proposed that the design parameter, 25 m/s (5000 mL/lb/day/
sq ft g), be reduced by a simple ratio of the new SS objective
divided by the original 30 mg/L. At Easterly, this would have
yielded a controlling operational maximum of 12 m/s (2500
crt^
mL/lb/day/sq ft g) for the SSVLR. As shown in Table 2, if this X + + + ^
parameter were adhered to with sufficient return sludge rate, it
I?. + Rh 02 + Rh 03 + Rh Qa+ RJ
is probable that all effluent SS values would have stayed below or:
15 mg/L. Operation by the other two parameters would have _ Plant and constant
operation specific
failed to yield the desired sensitivity.
Two qualifications are necessary based on experience. First,
The CRT can be approximated by a plant- and
the authors feel that an average monthly SS of 12 to 18mg/L usually safely
operation-specific constant divided by the wastage rate without
is the reasonable limit for any activated sludge system and that
a single solids measurement. Derivation of this constant can
such a value can only be routinely experienced with insightful
facilitate alternative analyses of an existing plant and, with an
operation. Second, the proposed SSVLR30 term and its use
estimated solids production number, simplify the process
should be recognized for what it is?only something better than
design of the aeration system.
the hydraulic and solids loading parameters, and only useful
until something better comes along.
CRT without solids measurements. The use of an
operation SUMMARY
excess return sludge rate and continuous sludge wasting allows
a CRT operation without any solids measurements. The deri This article has described the development of an operating
vation of the relationship based on the Easterly step-feed oper strategy intended to achieve controlled activated sludge bulking
ation is shown as follows: through induced DO stress. The success and stability of plant
performance were striking, and are attributed to several practical
_ Mass of suspended solids under aeration principles of operation and a fundamental understanding of the

Mass of suspended solids wasted and in final effluent linkages between an activated sludge reactor and its final clarifier.
Plant performance under this strategy has been described

(4) through the use of the first year's operating data. In total, 350

926 Journal WPCF, Volume 57, Number 9

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%

Table 2?Comparison of daily results for selected weeks of the evaluation program.

Surface overflow rate m3/m2 d Solid loading rate

Effluent SS mg/L (gal/day/sq ft) kg/m2 d (lb/day sq ft)

Condition" Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Flow
Lowest 20 24 25 37 41 46
(490) (590) (620) (7.6) (8.4) (9.5)

Highest 14 28 39 48 59 68 86
(680) (960) (1180) (12.0) (14.0) (17.7)

Effluent SS
Lowest 26 31 34 47 51 54
(640) (750) (830) (9.6) (10.4) (11.1)

Highest 10 40b 25 30 46 45 50 70
(620) (740) (1130) (9.3) (10.2) (14.3)

MLSS
Lowest 23 29 30 29 31 38
(560) (700) (730) (6.0) (6.4) (7.7)

Highest 10 16 26 29 35 68 108 115

(630) (700) (850) (13.9) (22.1) (23.5)

SVI
Lowest 12 17 38 43 39 64 72
(660) (940) (1060) (8.0) (13.1) (14.8)

Highest 18 23 28 35 64 73 98
(570) (680) (860) (13.2) (14.9) (20.1)

a
Evaluation period week exhibiting the cited condition.
b
Believed to be from an inadequate return sludge rate.

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Mulbarger et
al._

effluent SS measurements were made over the investi s?rement was derived. Such an operation is only possible with
1-year
gation. The median concentration was 4 mg/L while 92,97, and an excess return sludge rate, continuous sludge wastage, and low

99% of the measurements were less than or equal to 10, 15, and effluent SS, all used or encountered throughout the investigative
20 mg/L, respectively. The three highest SS measurements were program.
23, 26, and 40 mg/L. This performance was achieved while op
erating with a final clarifier undersized by today's regulatory ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
standards and unable to waste solids for 50% of the time in a 2
Credits. This paper was presented at the 57th Annual Con
week period. Concurrently, SVIs were in excess of 200 mL/g.
ference of theWater Pollution Control Federation at New Or
Solids accumulations and DO stresses further deteriorated the
leans, La., on October 4, 1984. It is dedicated to the memory
SVI to more than 400 mL/g. These conditions resulted in the
of John Kordic, former superintendent of the Easterly Waste
worst effluentquality under precipitation-induced flow regimes.
water Treatment Plant.
Return and waste sludge rates were held constant while the air
Authors. Michael C. Mulbarger is vice-president, Havens and
supply was
changed only to meet summer nitrification demands.
Emerson, Inc., Boston, Mass. Kenneth L. Zacharias and Farooq
The aeration rate was determined as near maximum for physical
Nazir are, respectively, associate and project engineer, Havens
flocculation without solids deposition.
Other considerations and results address car
and Emerson, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. Dale Patrick is chief of
investigative
operations and maintenance, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer
bonaceous and total BOD determinations and final clarifier
District, Cleveland, Ohio. Correspondence should be addressed
loading rates. The information presented shows the need for a
to Michael C. Mulbarger, Havens and Emerson, Inc., 120 Boyls
consistent performance objective if the plant removes only car
ton Street, Boston, MA 02116.
bonaceous materials. A proposed final clarifier design and op
erational constant, which reflects the solids loading rate multi
REFERENCES
plied by the SVI, is suggested in place of what are believed to
be more insensitive hydraulic overflow and solids loading rates. 1. "Recommended Standards for Sewage Works." Great Lakes-Upper
A relationship that allows a CRT operation without a SS mea Mississippi River Board of State Sanitary Engineers (1978).

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2016 [Link]
928 WPCF, Volume 57, Number 9
All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions